Offering a Different Solution to Pete the Cat!

We offer a different solution to Pete the Cat Pete's Big Lunch  

Using felt pieces we created a small, healthy sandwich Pete could have made for himself!  This would have eliminated his problem of what to do with a BIG Sandwich - Lunch.

Below is a frame letter we created to explain our solution to Pete's problem.

The finished letter

Modeled Example Remains on the Board for Students to Reference.

Student Sample - Also a good assessment for concepts about print, return sentence sweep, penmanship, fine motor coordination......

 

Printable Practice Page

 

 

 

First Graders Learning About Problem-Solution Text Structures

This is a  great lesson to teach first graders about problem solution text structures.  I used the book Crazy Hair Day!  This is a book that is both engaging and easy for children to relate to (a kid at school who thinks it is crazy hair day but it isn't).  Stanley is the main character.   He makes a mistake.  He confuses Crazy Hair Day and Picture Day. He doesn't want to be in the class picture because he has crazy hair.  The solution is funny.  The class surprises him and they all mess up their hair or put something on their heads so Stanley will feel comfortable taking the class picture with them. 

The first day I read the story to the children.  The next, day I explained the problem-solution text structure.  I put up the following drawing and added two blank pieces of chart paper with the titles: Problem?, Solution!

As I read the book again, we filled out each chart.  A student supplied the word entire replacing whole!  I am very impressed with my first graders.

Together we completed the charts and it was time for student's to complete their practice paper.

Template for Problem Solution Text Structure

More Student Examples

 

 

 



4 activities using Hula Hoops as Venn Diagrams - So Fun!

4 activities using Hula Hoops as Venn Diagrams - So Fun!  In our first example, categories were determined for students: school and home. Depending on the age of the students,  categories may be decided by the students.

This activity was determined by the students.  They decided to label and categorize the middle loop as needs of both.  They had to defend many of their illustrations in the center.  They explained that the house represented shelter, the girl eating symbolized food and the umbrella represented water - all things needed by animals and people.

In this activity, students categorized vegetables and fruit.  The center category was food that was sometimes referred to as a vegetable and sometimes referred to as a fruit. They did a google search to prove this.  Since cheese, eggs, ice - cream and doughnuts are neither vegetables nor fruits they were placed outside of the Venn diagram (not my categories).

This activity was more difficult.  Students had to identify nouns, verbs and words that could be used as both.  For example:  The children watched a play (noun).  Can you play (verb) with the cars?

For struggling students. below is a video with activities that parents can do at home with their children.

Metaphors - Vocabulary Fun!

Metaphors - comparisons of two different things.   Metaphors make comparisons without using the words "like" or "as".

Meaning

Meaning

 

Meaning

 

Meaning

Meaning

Practice Worksheet

Answers

 

First Days of First Grade

Fun Introductory, Reviewing, Engaging Activities for First Grade!

 First Day of First Grade Activity

 Student Sample demonstrating the information gathered from this activity: penmanship, small motor skills, letter knowledge, counting and awareness of age and transportation.

 Graphing the number of letters in students' names activity.

 Sorting Activity:  I came to school by bike, car, bus or foot.  Templates to complete the sorting activity are located on this post.

 Student Sample:  Extension Activity - Combining Knowledge

 Template for activity

 Templates for sorting activity.

 Not Just An Art Project

Template for Art Project

 

Adjectives to describe people, animals, places, things and ideas!

Fun with words that describe people, animals, places, things and ideas! Yes, we are talking about adjectives.



Adjectives to describe an idea - friendship.

Adjectives to describe a thing - backpack.

Adjectives to describe  a thing and an animal (bears).

Adjectives to describe a thing - sunflower.

Adjectives to describe an animal - butterfly

Adjectives to describe a place -  park.

Adjectives to  describe  things: grill, helmet, ice-cream cone, and schedule. 

Adjectives to describe a person - child

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Adjectives to describe a thing - treasure chest.

Adjectives to describe an idea - pride.

Classroom Activities - Brainstorm lists

Play video to review adjectives and see examples of fun activities.