“Who wants to take a risk and read this aloud?” First grade readers and writers this week dived into sharing goals for their own growth this school year, after a read-aloud discussion of the book, A Letter From Your Teacher, by Shannon Olsen. Thinking about their own hopes and dreams for the year ahead, students brainstormed as a group, spoke in pairs, and then did an independent writing/drawing assignment about their personal goal.
“I’ll become a reader.”
“I want to earn more warm fuzzies.”
“My goal is to make a 3-pointer.”
Their hopes ranged from social to academic and mindsets-related, and included intentions to make progress in everything from baseball and Lexia to being more curious and a better friend. Later on Thursday, they also completed a drawing and writing task about their first few moments in school. Following prompts like this is me, this my classroom, this is how I feel, this is something fun I did… students filled each box with letters, words, and “wow pictures” to share about their days so far in 1st grade. I listened as they excitedly discussed both their content as well as strategies to do their best work:
“I remember you like pickles!”
“The plants are my favorite part of this room.”
Another child offered this advice to peers: “You should always start with pencil because that’s an example of how you start.”
You should always start with pencil because that’s an example of how you start.
Students from the beginning are practicing writing and reading for genuine purposes of storytelling and listening, for envisioning possibility, and for presenting their best work. We can’t wait to help them achieve their dreams this year!