All About First Grade, Part 3
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What are the most important character traits that a hero possesses? Which hero that we have studied best exemplifies those traits?
Readers in Room 123 used all that they have learned during our study of American heroes to answer those questions. First, they reviewed the character traits they identified—our Wondrous Words over the last few weeks. Then, each student determined which traits s/he thinks are the most important. Each student then decided which hero best matches the traits s/he identified.
Finally, they created posters to display their their choices. Take a look at their thinking!
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Scientists in Room 123 will be observing these amazing creatures over the next few weeks. As they do so, they will be able to discover how insects grow and change over time.
[Psst! Families–especially older brothers and sisters–please keep what you know about the life cycle of insects a secret! That way first grade scientists will be able to make these discoveries on their own.]
It’s probably easy to imagine what a small-group reading lesson with the teacher looks like. It may be more difficult to envision what the rest of the class is doing during that time.
During Reader’s Workshop, students read “good fit” books that they have chosen from our classroom library. Some days, students read on their own. Other days, they can choose to read with a buddy. Some students prefer to read at their desks; others enjoy stretching out on the floor. Whatever their choices, readers in Room 123 are engaged with books during Workshop!
Here’s what Workshop looks like in Room 123:
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Learners in Room 123 added a great deal of schema about American history as they read biographies of American heroes. Now, they can use that schema in many ways. Here’s one:
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Readers in Room 123 are in on a secret, one that not even all college students know: It’s not enough to just notice important information when reading nonfiction; readers have to think about the information in order to understand and remember it. They may make connections to new information, or visualize it, or ask questions about it.
Thinking is the velcro that helps important information stick in readers’ brains.
Readers have been practicing this as we continue our study of American heroes. This week, our focus is on the Wright Brothers. Check out some of their thinking:
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Last Friday, first grade scientists used all they have learned about balance and motion to create miniature roller coasters! Of course, still photos don’t do justice to the energy and excitement (and noise!) during this experiment. But here is at least a glimpse into the process!
The question for first grade is readers is this: what makes a hero? Here are their initial answers to that question:
To help students “take their thinking deeper,” I read a biography of Sacajawea to the class. Readers used these strategies…
…to learn important information about this hero.
Our study of heroes will continue over the next few weeks!
First grade mathematicians are creating number scrolls! This on-going project provides practice in counting and place value. Here’s how number scrolls are created:
How long can a number scroll get? Peter’s third grade brother Carl has continued working on his number scroll and he is at 13,080!
When we unrolled it, it stretched nearly the length of the first grade hallway!
Thanks for sharing, Peter, Carl, and family!