A Look at Opinion Writing

We've been working on Opinion Writing.  In first grade, students should be able to state their reason, give a reason, and write a wrap up sentence.  Students have shared if they like their name, what their favorite color is, and what type of pet they'd like to have.

Here are a few examples.

A New Book to Share that I Love

We've been working this week on writing a complete sentence with a capital, spacing, and ending punctuation.

As I was browsing Amazon, which can be very dangerous, this book popped up and it instantly ended up in my cart.

It's about Scribble, who never thought he was different until he met up with some drawings.  He was left out because he didn't look like the others.  Scribble teaches a VERY important lesson-that it's ok to be different.  Together they created beautiful art.

I also showed my class that a scribble, or mistake could be turned into something beautiful.  Students drew their very own, added details, and wrote a sentence.  Here's some of their work!

Try this lesson and see what your students scribble!

A Look at Our Week

This week we focused on, "Readers make connections."

I always use Scaredy Squirrel to begin my mini-lessons.  I mean, he's AFRAID of everything and kids can relate to him.  Students had to write one thing they were afraid of and share what they'd use to help with their fear.  They also made Scaredy Squirrels to go with their writing.

Here are a few examples.

I also used the book, Knuffle Bunny.  Students responded in their Readers' Notebooks about a time they lost something.

I introduced Narrative Writing this week.  Students created Heart Maps where they listed topics they could write about.

After listening to a read aloud about mom, I modeled what I did with my mom as a child, and they practiced.

And last but not least, here are our CRAZY pumpkins!  I love making these every year.  

To make these you need:

-Orange construction paper

-White pastels

-Red, orange, and yellow paint

Have students draw the outline of their pumpkin with the white pastel.  Starting with red paint begin painting, then add orange, yellow, and blend.

Once dry make your VERY own unique face.

Writer's Workshop: Opinion

We have now been focusing on opinion writing.  In first grade, students should be able to state their opinion, give a reason, and write a wrap up sentence.

I always begin Writer's Workshop with a mini-lesson, read aloud, modeled writing, Quiet 10 (where they work on their illustrations), independent writing, and share.

Here's what we've worked on this week!

We've talked a lot about the seasons!  Students had to share what their favorite season was.

Students shared what pet they would want, if they could pick ANY animal!

Then, we narrowed down our animal list to just Dog vs. Cat.  I was SO surprised that there were so many kids that would rather have a cat than dog.  Can you believe it?!  I'm partial to dogs and even I couldn't sway them!

I didn't intend to paint but after our work I changed up the plans a bit and said, "Let's paint!"  I absolutely LOVE kid's artwork.  Look how adorable these dogs and cats are!

I'm sure your child has many opinions now that we've been practicing!  Have they convinced you of anything yet?

And as you can see, this is how much I LOVE kid's artwork!  They're now obsessed with drawing on the board.  This took a couple of days for them to complete!

Take Home Journals

Take Home Journals are now coming home each Friday!  Please take the time to read your child's letter and write a little message at the bottom.

Each Friday, I read the messages as they're writing a letter to you!

Here's an example of one last week.  This illustration is us practicing our fire drill.  Look at our perfect line-straight, silent, and hands by our sides.  I look pretty good too at the front of the line!!

What Would You Draw?

I always start Writer's Workshop S-L-O-W-L-Y!  We focus on writing ONE sentence with a capital and a period.

We read the book, Chalk and brainstormed a list of what we'd make if we had chalk!  Students wrote a sentence and created an illustration to match.

Here's their work!