Here are our reflections on our Poetry Units:
*Do MODEL EVERYTHING – probably 10 times 
*Limit choices of topics to your available resources
*Allow for PLENTY of time
*MINICONFERENCE
*Participate in MORE shared writing as a group
*Provide SCAFFOLDS
*Thesarus/Dictionary opportunities are there – USE THEM
*Small Groups are great with modeled responsibilities
*Clearly explain the end product
*Take a deep breath – BE PATIENT
I do not like creating rubrics. I will be the first to tell you. However, I see the viable uses there are for rubrics. I don’t find myself using rubrics on a daily or even weekly basis. Why? Well I don’t see a great use for them in first grade. There are many ways to use rubrics in higher grades, for example they are a great way to show children where they need to work harder and why they recieved the grade that they did. Currently we do not use letter grades in first grade. Standing on the outside looking in, I can see the rubrics would be an advantage for me but I hardly have time to get the materials I need covered, covered. I would like to know if others in first grade have used rubrics? When they did, what format did you use and how did you use them?
I love wordless picture books!! Especially David Weisner. I was able to participate in a book study during Children’s Literature. We did a presentation on David Weisner and discussed the many books that he has written! One of the most popular books Flotsam and his other book Tuesday are very useful in creating writing prompts. My children attempt to create thier very own story to the books. I was very inspired by our class discussion, in which you were able to demonstrate the many ways you have worked with children to create thier own version on the story! I loved it! I could hear my own students in the words that were used! How amazing…you can inspire children simply by pictures. I have not used wordless picture books in my own classroom, why not? I have no idea! I can promise that they will used in the future. I could give my students a couple of pages from the books and allow them to create thier very own story. It would be very possible to do this in my first grade classroom as well as a future second grade class?! Who knows?
I had never created an I Poem nor had I ever even heard of an I Poem. I know that in the beginning I was very skeptical about having my first graders create this poem. Could they do it? I didn’t think so. Even the creation of one stanza seemed to be outside of thier grasp. I struggled with the entire idea of the project. However, I will tel you this…my children soarded creating the I Poetry. I think it is almost easier for them to write the stanzas because they have an easy job putting themselves into the animals mindset. The children are able imagine what the animal might feel, hear, etc because they can imagine themselves in the animals shoes . We had a discussion about using sparkle words to enhance thier writing but I think that creating the peotry helped them to use the adjectives easier. Thi will def. be a lasting project for the next few years. However, I am not a big fan of the I Poem for two voices. I think it becomes confusing for the children and I have a hard time keeping up with it myself!
Wow! I was so amazed at the multigenre projects that I was able to view!!! Starting with Sarah:
Sarah’s project was fantastic. It was tied together with the greatest background paper and I love the transition using the acrostic poems! That was really unique. My favorite page was the leaf page. I was so eye pleasing and I know your second graders will love it. I loved the instruction page for Molting! How interesting I feel like I could molt after I read it. ha ha! I also loved the butterfly painting.
Kim! You are next…wow how cool was the topic of Earth Day! With everything going “green” it was cool to see that we are improving in our recycle stage. I also loved the brochure, the note of sarcasm really helped the effect and it was amazing to see the effects of our everyday life! My favorite was the cartoon. How true is that! We are really stupid and very selfish! You did a great job!
Carla…you and your rock band kept me laughing. I love love love the whole book! It was incredible . The entire book was soo punny. I learned so much about rocks and I know that your students will love the new approach to studying what can be “boring” rocks. I am thinking of using the Rock Band idea in my room this year. Thank you! My favorite of course was the song. That was over the top! You did fantastic!
Crystal…wow! I wasn’t familiar with Celine Dion until now. I have so much information and I could really tell that you had a passion for her music. I especially love how you presented your information and the way that you used a CD case! Awesome! I can tell that you also were very passionate about the way that Rene was willing to put everything up for her career! Wow! And to think, she calls herself the Lucky One in her family and not the talented one. If she isn’t the most talented….wow?! How amazing. You did a great job on your presentation and I love the sparkling cider/wine! I love it!!!
The work that went into the presentations was so evident. I love that I have the tangible thing that I can take away from this class This was so awesome Def. my favorite thing thus far!
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