First Graders & Literacy
First graders make huge strides in literacy throughout the school year. The following are some of the ways we will develop language skills.
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First Trimester: How-to Texts
Children in first grade delight in telling others how to do or make things. We will have a unit that capitalizes on children's emerging awareness of what speakers or writers need to do if they want to share procedures to do or make things. How-to texts are the most accessible form of nonfiction. Because of this accessibility and the fact that the lessons in this unit are designed to teach children specific language and strategies the children will need to read and write procedural texts. This unit is also especially supportive for second language learners.
We will also practice How-To strategies such as:
* Read the title
* Read the words
* Use the pictures
* Read one step at a time
* Make a picture in your mind
* Reread
Both following directions and giving directions are part of this unit. Many children can give detailed directions on how to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, how to ride a bike, how to make a paper airplane and how to walk a dog. Reading and following directions might include how to walk in the hall, how to make a paper bag house, how to make maracas or how to play a game. Here we have pictures of us wearing hats we made by reading and following the text.
Second Trimester: Focus on Non-fiction Reading and Writing
We will be writing many "How-to" books as well as "All About" books. First graders love this unit because of the research involved and the new facts they learn.
Here are some Nonfiction Helpers terms:
We will be writing many "How-to" books as well as "All About" books. First graders love this unit because of the research involved and the new facts they learn.
Here are some Nonfiction Helpers terms:
- TITLE: Names the big idea or topic of the book. It is found on the cover.
- CONTENTS: Lists the key topics in the book, in the order that they come. It is found after the title page.
- SUBTITLE: Taken from the contents and names a section that tells a different part about the big topic. It is found at the beginning of each new chapter.
- BOLD PRINT: Helps the reader know what is important. “Look at me!”
- PICTURES AND DIAGRAMS: hows and explains exactly what something looks like. LABELS words naming the parts of the picture.
- MAPS: Shows and tells where things are in the world.
- GLOSSARY: Tells the meaning of key words to help the reader understand the text. It is in the back of the book before the index.
- INDEX: A list of words from the text written in alphabetical order with page numbers to find that information. It is found after the glossary.
Third Trimester: Author Study and Poetry
Reading, studying and learning about an author can be like making a new friend. The experience of reading one author in depth gives the class a common base for reading and writing. As they respond and read an author's work, they see how their classmates appreciate and respond to the stories. They learn that students can make a variety of personal connections to the same story. They become experts together as they learn about the background and life of one author. When students and the teacher read and talk to understand and enjoy works in an author study, the classroom community thinking is strengthened, to say nothing of the fun it is to get to know the works and life of a wonderful writer!
Reading, studying and learning about an author can be like making a new friend. The experience of reading one author in depth gives the class a common base for reading and writing. As they respond and read an author's work, they see how their classmates appreciate and respond to the stories. They learn that students can make a variety of personal connections to the same story. They become experts together as they learn about the background and life of one author. When students and the teacher read and talk to understand and enjoy works in an author study, the classroom community thinking is strengthened, to say nothing of the fun it is to get to know the works and life of a wonderful writer!