Reading
The Making of “Welcome to Richards!”
When we look at our class blog, one of the things students check out is the ClustrMap that shows where our visitors are from. Students noticed that most of our visitors are from nearby and probably have been to Richards. Some, however, are from farther away and may have never seen our school.
To help these visitors, students decided to use what they have learned about nonfiction text features to create a tour of Richards School. As a class, students identified the most important places in our school for visitors to see. Then, students worked in pairs to take photographs of these key locations and write captions that describe them. Room 123 would like to thank Mrs. Veihmeyer for helping us complete this project!
Enjoy the tour, which follows below!
Welcome to Richards School!
Richards School by Hunter and Ondine
This is our school. The second grades line up here.
Room 123 by Eric and Harry
This is Mrs. Mooney’s class. We learn here.
Our Lockers by Erin and Jaki
These are our lockers. We put stuff in them.
The Playground by Niko and Leyla
This is the playground. We go on this for recess. We can have fun!
The Cafeteria by Michael and Lauren H.
This is the lunchroom. We eat there.
The Art Room by Lauren M.
This is our Art room. We paint in here.
The Gym by Mike and Nate
This is our gym. We play games.
The Music Room by Ben S. and Emilie
This is our school. We took a picture of Mrs. Rottier’s Music Room.
The Library by Thomas and Hannah
This is the Library. You can learn to read and check out books.
The Clinic by Ava and Will
This is our clinic. We go there when we are sick.
The Office by Naomi and Paul
This is the school office. People go here to talk to other people.
New Construction by Ander and Ben G.
We took a picture of the new cafeteria being built.
Exploring nonfiction
Readers in Room 123 have been learning about nonfiction text features, such as photographs, diagrams, and maps. Working in small groups, students combed through old copies of the Weekly Reader to find examples of these features. Then, they created posters to display their findings. The process was a bit messy:
But the end results were fabulous–check them out below!
Building our classroom community
We are a community of learners in Room 123! Students began developing this sense when they drew pictures of themselves on the first day of first grade. Later, they shared what they wanted most to learn about in first grade.
Students also held several lively discussions about how we will need to act to achieve these goals. As they talked, students shared their schema for school. They also added lessons learned from the books we read together, including The Little Engine that Could, Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse, and Cleversticks.
From these discussions, we developed our Class Promise which we all signed. Look below to see our goals and plans to achieve them!
Book bags!
What on earth will first grade students use these dull, drab bags for?
Reader’s Workshop is an important part of learning in Room 123. During Workshop, students find comfortable spots in our classroom and read books they have chosen for themselves. They keep these books in their book bags. While students are reading, I meet with them in small guided reading groups or confer with students individually.
Choosing books
Over the next few weeks, first graders will be learning to choose books for themselves. To choose the best books, students will take their time and pick “good fit books.”
Enjoying Workshop
With their good-fit books, students are ready to enjoy reading during Reader’s Workshop. To celebrate this special time, students decorated their bags!
Happy reading!