Melissa! I am SO glad you are back in action!
Here's an update on what's going on in 1st grade.
Today I introduced the "special paper" 1st grade writers use. I modeled writing a story on it (as far as teaching goes it went well, but as far as mini skirts go, it was definitely on the retro broomstick skirt side-if you know what I mean!) Then I let them try their own special paper. I started their engines by letting them brainstorm what they would draw/write at the beginning/middle/end with a partner. I took notes while they were writing. And I added FOUR names to the brag board :)
I am a little weary about what to teach next. Here's what I saw:
Some students only drew pictures and put their hands on their head (a signal we do a lot in other subjects in 1st grade to show that they are done and ready for me to check their work).
So many raised hands! I tried not to answer their questions- to get them into the routine of actual workshop, but it was hard! They just sit there forever thinking I'll come :)
When students finished (or thought they were finished when they only drew the pictures :0) they started talking to each other and distracting others around them.
Some students didn't even get to the writing and spent their time drawing/adding color- even after I modeled quick pictures in my lesson.
Some of my students are having a hard time writing Beginning Middle End (this showed up when we told oral stories as well).
Where should I start tomorrow?
I'm thinking maybe "Yesterday, while we were writing I saw a lot of people show me they were finished, but they didn't know what to do when they finished." and explain they should get their bookbag. I feel like I need to be modeling BME but I must learn to keep my lessons short! Should I talk about crayons last also? Or wait on that? Am I headed in the right direction? There is so much to teach and so little time! What's the most important thing to teach next? EKK!
What are your thoughts, writers?
GIRL! You are rocking it! Your lessons may be a little longer in the beginning but at least you are trying to put on a cute miniskirt! :)
ReplyDeleteYou are doing EXACTLY what you need to do! I love your idea of lots of you didn't know what to do when you were done! That sounds like a perfect first step. You have ALL YEAR to fix the writing. What you need to get in place now is the workshop! Maybe you could draw a picture- and then show students what to do when they think they are done with their picture- think about the beginning, middle, and end and draw some more. Show them how you add some things to the picture. Model it in front of them.
You could tell them that you are going to watch for students who are adding more today. You could put names on the brag board for students who can show you "when I thought I was done- I looked at my picture and drew __________ to add more".
You are RIGHT ON TRACK! I told you to watch your students- let them show you what they need! You are doing just that! One day at a time! One day at a time!
WOOOOOOO HOOOOOOO for YOU!
So, I'm trying it one day at a time! I think that is the only way to do it these days :)
ReplyDeleteMy students have LOVED gluing their special things into their Writer's Notebook. I've been bragging on tons of my students after writing time! One student used her writer's gum to sound out Kindergarten Graduation! And another student sat the entire writing time and tried to spell said. I was rooting for him the whole time- hoping he'd put down SOMETHING! In the end- after sounding it out, counting the sounds, checking his paper, sounding it out again, counting the sounds...you get the picture- he finally spelled it "sed"! I never thought I'd be so proud of a student spelling a word (incorrectly).
Great things are happening!
I cannot wait until November! Any inspiration or thoughts? I'd love to hear them fellow writers!