Here is a key to understanding the parts of our essays:
Introduction = Green
Naming the Topic= Yellow
Stating our Opinion = Blue
Three Reasons + Three Details = Purple
Ending = Red
Stick with us this year to watch us grow and see us learn!
We are just beginning a new writing unit. In this unit, we will be writing opinion essays. Having an opinion is easy, but supporting that opinion is much more difficult. In our essays, we need at least three reasons to support our opinion.The students just completed their first opinion essay. When they were done, they went back and underlined each part of the essay to make sure they didn't forget anything. For just starting the unit, I was very impressed. I'm excited to see how we grow in the next few months!
Here is a key to understanding the parts of our essays: Introduction = Green Naming the Topic= Yellow Stating our Opinion = Blue Three Reasons + Three Details = Purple Ending = Red
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We have just finished our unit on informational writing, but we had the opportunity to listen to 2nd grade's informational writing. They came to our classroom and read their books to us. It was fun to learn about the human body from these 2nd graders, and it was also cool for the students to see what would be expected of them next year.
This was the perfect end to our informational writing unit. We will be ready to make our own human body books next year when we are 2nd graders! Indoor recess isn't the best part of first grade, but we have figured out how to have extra recess fun even in our classroom. I was a little nervous about having so many students in one small space playing different games, but these students always prove me wrong. They did great!
Was it loud? Yes. Was it under control? Yes! Was it fun? For sure! Our American symbols are important so we have been learning about them all week. We learned that the Statue of Liberty was built by Frederick Bartholdi and was given as a gift to the United States from France. We also learned that this symbol stands for hope and freedom. Here are some of our fun facts about the Statue of Liberty. We also sorted information about Mount Rushmore into Facts and Opinions. We have really enjoyed our American Symbols unit and are excited for President's Day next week!
I don't believe that students are "smart" or "not smart". Even more importantly, I don't want my students to think in terms of smart or not smart (it is devastating how early kids start to identify in this way). For this reason we talk a lot about growth and effort. Our class celebrates getting better at things and fixing mistakes. So today many classrooms will celebrate being "100 Days Smarter" but in room 116 we are celebrating being 100 Days Stronger. Our brains are stronger, our cares and concerns for each other are stronger, and our stamina is stronger. We really do have a lot to celebrate. |
About Room 116We are mathematicians, readers, writers, scientists, teammates, and first graders. We spend our days exploring, listening, and learning. We know that learning can feel uncomfortable sometimes, but as a team, we support each other and help each other reach our goals. Join us on our journey! Archives
August 2016
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