Retelling Expository/Nonfiction!!

Hello Everyone!

I am a firm believer that when kids can see and touch their learning, whether it be math, reading, spelling, really anything, they will be able to grasp the concepts, take them to heart, and even use the concepts to extend the learning and apply it to other concepts more  quickly and thoroughly.  Introducing new learning through visual and tactile means builds relationships and connections.  I see evidence of this every single day.  This is the main reason I try to create anchor charts, reminder posters, charts, connections, etc, that are stimulating visually. That is also why, after introducing a new concept, kids have access to these visuals, and then set out to create their own through touch.  Many people think that the connection activities I have my students do are nothing but fluff. I can see where that may be how it looks from someone who doesn’t see the whole process.  The observation and stimulation of the thinking process, the recognition of relationships and connections, the interpretation and perception  of  new discoveries, and finally, the analysis and self-expression to show learning, must be taken in for anyone to understand what went into that “fluff.” 

This week we have been working hard on retelling an expository/nonfiction text in order to show comprehension.  We start off by comparing fiction and nonfiction text, and discovering those differences by looking at examples.  Then I showed the kids some anchor posters to help them visually get the connections needed.  And just like the retelling rings we made for narrative text, we made rings for expository. Some might consider this fluff, but the visual and tactile reminders of the components of the texts we read are invaluable to some …if not most kids!! The kids take both out while reading and manipulate the beads as they retell to reading partners.  This is the kind of fluff  I’ll support any day!  Watch the whole process!

Just like the fiction unit, I'm sharing the nonfiction one.  Having visual and tactile reminders helps kids connect and grow from their learning! 

Click HERE for the unit!

Hope you're having a great week!!! Let me know if you try all of this and how it went!

Have a great rest of the week!  

Thanks for stopping by for a peek!!

Joyfully!

Nancy

Redo on Retelling!

Hello Everyone!
One of my most popular blog posts is one from many years ago on retelling. I looked back at that post and...WOW!!!  I totally needed to redo that unit!!! It looks so tired!!! I think I was just starting out with this whole "sharing via this blog" thing. It is surprising how much I have learned about creating products, making them look more engaging for kids, taking better photos, giving credit to the artists who create the clip art, finding clipart that is "cuter,"  and even adding copyright logos to some of my creations. I couldn't wait to redo my retelling unit. I have forever done the retelling rope...I mean ...for years! And many of you have adopted that strategy, but I decided to simplify...you know KISS, and make the story parts color coordinated with dots. The Retelling Rings and/or Story Sticks are easier for kids to make and will be "handy" reminders of the parts of a narrative. They can keep the manipulatives in their book baskets to take out whenever they are reading or listening to a story.   Here are a few pics of the changes I've made.

 I hope you can use this new and improved version of retelling!  If you think you might,

simply CLICK HERE for the downloadable printable.

 Yes, it's free!

I know I can't wait to use this retelling redo with my current firsties!!!  I'll let you know how it goes.  

Well, gotta run!!! We have parent/teacher conference day tomorrow!  I've got to finish getting ready for 22 conferences!  Yikes!!  Wish me luck with staying on schedule and getting them all in!!! I do love conferences and sharing what each little firstie is doing!  I also love hearing from parents and learning even more about my kids!!

Till next time, thanks for stopping by this little Window On Wonder!! I always appreciate comments and e-mail.  

Have a great week!

Joyfully!

Nancy

firstgradewow@gmail.com

Grateful...and Some Updated Units

Hello Everyone!!
Grateful. It is a word that means so much more than thankful.  I believe it reflects a deeper feeling than just thankful. There are things for which we are thankful and then there are things for which we are grateful.  I am so grateful for my faith, my family, and my friends. I am thankful for the good food we had on Thanksgiving.  I am grateful for the opportunities to share my love for providing a hands on learning experience for my students. I'm thankful for the technology with which my creations can evolve. I am grateful for the time to be able to reflect on my teaching through this little blog.  I am thankful for the few extra minutes I've had to relax this past week. Grateful...so much more!!

I am both grateful and thankful for these little glimpses into last week.

We spent a lot of time discovering the friendships made between the Pilgrims and the native Americans.  We can make friends as well!

Making butter! A fun science lesson on matter!!

Before our Thanksgiving feast!

Our 11th annual Thanksgiving feast!

Always love our "Think Outside the Box" activities! Nurturing that creative visual learner!

The Legend of the Five Kernels of Corn activity

Practicing addition and subtraction strategies with "Feather Flash!"

Even our Mon"star" was ready for the celebration of friendship!

I am so grateful for these little learners!! They make teaching fun!!

Coming up?? We will be learning through literature next week using Rhonda Gowler Greene's "Santa's Stuck!" I have shared this little unit before, but I added a ton of hands on learning opportunities for your littles!! It now includes some adjective fun, some blend word work fun, some extra addition strategy fun and much more. Here are a couple of pics.

If you already have this unit, you will want to download again. 

The unit is over 100 pages, so be patient with the download!

If you would like this free unit, click HERE!!

We will also be working hard on retelling.  I have posted many time about retelling and how important it is in understanding the level of our little readers comprehension.  I have simplified everything I have ever done as far as retelling goes. Yes, I still believe kids need a hands on connection to the idea of retelling. They also need to be able to retell both narrative and expository text.  Take a peek at a new unit based on some of my earlier attempts.  I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to grow and evolve as an educator. 

For this free 34 page mini unit, CLICK HERE!!! :)

Thanks for hanging out with us for a bit!! I hope you stop by often for a peek into the wonder-filled world of first grade!!! We love comments, so don't be a stranger! 

Joyfully!

Nancy