DISCLAIMER: This post was written while eating lunch, finding a DVD for a teacher, helping students at the check out station and answering the phone. Sound familiar?
Today I was working with a small group of four first graders to research the paper wasp. A parent found a paper wasp nest, and the teacher wanted a small group of students to research and create a poster to share with the class.
I'm experimenting with different ways to have students view, read and record information to share. I wanted a note taking sheet that would allow students to illustrate as well as write as a way to record the information they think is important. Students started gathering their information by looking at a picture of a paper wasp and recording observations about its body parts, colors, etc. I think using a picture can make research much more accessible for emerging readers. I also rewrote a simple paper wasp article from Encyclopedia Britannica Online to make it more understandable to first graders. The picture worked well, although it didn't show up well on my Promethean board. The kids couldn't see the actual colors of the wasp's legs, wings, etc. I think this sheet worked well. In my perfect world the student's sentences would support the illustration, but that can be another mini-lesson for another time.
No comments:
Post a Comment