Everything Comes from Something

Last week, I co-presented at the National Council of Social Studies conference in Houston, Texas. Our presentation was based on a lesson designed to increase student awareness of a geography-related concept. The lesson represented an instructional process that integrated literacy skills, used social studies content regarding natural resources and the products that emanate from them, and promoted the use of critical thinking skills (in particular, analysis and prediction). Everyone who attended the presentation participated in a hands-on investigation of a box containing 10 natural resources (many of which were purchased on eBay). They completed the Natural Resources Prediction Chart in groups of 4-6 participants and discussed possible products that could be made from each resource. This activity was followed by a picture walk and read aloud using the text Agatha's Feather Bed: Not Just Another Wild Goose Story by one of my most favorite authors for children, Carmen Agra Deedy. Once completed, everyone participated in a discussion making connections to what the participants had noted during the picture walk, as well as on their Natural Resource Prediction Chart to determine relationships with the text. An interactive resource map presentation using Google Maps, which emphasized each of the ten resources from the resource box, their original location on earth when first documented as a resource, historical summaries, and products that are produced from the resources was used as a reinforcement activity. Check out the video below to see how the lesson went with a group of wonderfully curious first graders facilitated by Agatha herself.  

Time Flies When You Are Having Fun

I can't believe that it will be Thanksgiving break soon. We have been so busy learning and having fun that I haven't posted much lately. But have no fear, those of you who know me know that I have been chronicling our learning journey through pictures to share with you. After our Open House event in late September, we had the pleasure to host Mrs. B as a guest speaker. She shared with the students The Story of Ramadan. Mrs. B then read another book, which she gifted to our class, called I Am America. The children made crafts and Mrs. B's son, one of our class members, passed out treats to his classmates. 

The month of October was filled with literary characters, parades, crafts, festivals and pumpkins followed by the month of November, filled with mock elections and character education. 

Next week, our class will be partnering up with Mrs. Meissner's kindergarten students to have a "Barn Dance", a spin off of Kylene Beers' Tea Party pre-reading strategy, based on this month's book of the month, A Plump and Perky Turkey.