Students in fourth and fifth grades are using a new e-book titled, Think for Yourself: Avoiding Plagiarism to explore this complex idea. As part of the lesson, I introduced students to visual note taking. Visual note taking is a process of representing ideas non-linguistically (with pictures). Research indicates the human brain is able to retain and recall information more effectively if information is paired with pictures. For example, when you look through a photo album certain pictures may trigger additional memories and emotions. When students finish exploring the e-book, they choose a project from a menu to demonstrate their learning.
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In How I Became a Pirate, Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator David Shannon teams up with witty storyteller Melinda Long for a hilarious look at the finer points of a pirate's life. Students in kindergarten and first grade used the text to meet comprehension and sequencing learning goals. Students loved the story's plot and enjoyed bringing the story to life by chanting pirate phrases. At the conclusion of the lesson, students were asked to identify "treasure" they would like to find buried in their own backyards! This week students in kindergarten, first, and second grades are using the text, The Smallest Girl in the Smallest Grade as the basis for a courageous conversation about bullying. I'm proud of the honest and thoughtful contributions students have made when sharing their personal stories following specific protocols. Aside for prompting meaningful dialogue, we are using the text to review comprehension and inferencing skills. At the conclusion of the lesson, kindergarten and first grade students document what they will or are doing to make a difference in the world. Second grade students use their information about the book to design a front cover illustration (because I keep the cover hidden under construction paper until the very end of class). This simple activity reinforces their comprehension as many have chosen the transformational moment when Sally (the main character) takes a stand to change her school's culture. |
Meet Mrs. BaxterThis is my first year working in the Schwegler library. I seek to instill a love of reading and learning that endures. Archives
May 2017
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