Opinion writing in first grade is a little tricky. It's not because kids don't have opinions. They have plenty. And if you've been a teacher for even two minutes, you already know this. It's because they're also storytellers and they can't help themselves from sharing all their comings and goings with anyone who will listen. Even though you've taught umpteen opinion writing lessons, there are … [Read more...]
Teaching Kids How to Ask Good Questions
How do you teach kids to ask good questions? The standards are pretty clear. In K-1 classrooms, children need to be able to ask and answer questions about key details in a text. And in second grade, students should be able to ask and answer questions such as who, what, when, where, why, and how to demonstrate understanding. Many children naturally ask questions and LOTS of them. But some kids, for … [Read more...]
Open-Ended Flip Books
Flip books are popular. I've made flip books about activists, presidents, mothers, even groundhogs. (Speaking of which, I'm so ready for spring.) I've also seen flip books for specific book titles, but sometimes you need a template for a different book. And that's when it happened... an idea for blank flip books... templates I could use with any book... fiction or nonfiction... and open-ended so … [Read more...]
How to Use Wordless Picture Books
A book without words? It seems like an oxymoron, right? If there are no words on the pages, is it still a book? Can it be "read?" Will children be challenged to think deeply when they're only looking at pictures? Yes. Yes to everything. I think some teachers look past wordless books because, well, there are no words. They seem like books for little kids... for "kids who can't read yet." … [Read more...]
Having Fun with the Famous!
Before I even start, I have to explain the horrible desk arrangement in the background. Usually, the desks are grouped together in student teams of 4, but it's standardized testing time. You know the spiel. "The students have to be separated. Remove any visual aids. Yadda, yadda, yadda." Our counselor doesn't really say yadda... that's just what I hear. So the room is super boring and … [Read more...]