Teacher Idea Factory: COMMON CORE BOOK STUDY -1st GRADE UNIT 4

All right friends, I am back with my next intallment of the Common Core Book Study! Just in case you missed my last post (Unit 2) and are wondering what in the world I am talking about, let me explain. I have joined forces with a wonderful group of gals to give you the low-down on the Common Core ELA Curriculum Maps for 1st Grade. You know, that book right down there . . .

Today I am back at you with a little presentation of Unit 4 - Winds of Change. (I know . . . I know . . . that whistle-filled Scorpions' ballad popped into my head too, but were talkin' language arts peeps.)

In this 6-week unit, students look at changes in nature through nonfiction, changes in the feelings of characters through fantasy, and changes in their own writing through revision. The focus standards are . . .

RL.1.4 - Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.
RI.1.8 - Identify the reasons an author gives to support points in the text.
W.1.5 - With guidance and support, focus on a topic, respond to questions, and suggestions from peers, and add details to strengthen writing as needed.
L.1.5 - With guidance and support, demonstrate understanding of word relationships and nuances in word meanings.
L.1.5(d) - Distinguish shades of meanings among verbs differing in manner (e.g., look, peek, glance, stare glare, and scowl).
SL.1.4 - Describe people, places, things, and events with relevant details, expressing ideas and feelings, clearly.

What is the BIG essential question for good old Unit 2 you ask? How do you know what a character is feeling and when these feelings change?

As in the previous unit, this book provides lots of suggested student objectives and/or activites that you can incorporate into your classroom. Here are just a few of the ideas the authors presented that specifically stuck with me . . .

Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings and appeal to the senses.
Identify cause and effect relationships with informational texts.
Add details to strengthen writing via revision.
Write narrative text with a focus on feelings.

On that note, I couldn't let this no-brainer opportunity to offer up a freebie slip us by. So . . . here's a little writing ditty for you that goes with that first idea in that little list above.

Allow me to give you a bit of the backstory on this template first. When I first read this suggestion, I immediately thought of my sweet co-worker Susan. She has chatted with our grade level team numerous times in regards to a writing idea she implements in class called, "Golden Lines." Following a writing session, all of the papers are collected and the "authors" read them to the class. Sounds pretty standard, right??!! But, she takes it a step further. After the piece is read, she asks kids to find the Golden Lines in that story - phrases that stick with the readers. You know, those special lines that highlight the author's voice and paint a rockin' picture for readers. These lines are recorded on a sentence strip or the white board and are examined by the class. Not only is this a great way to get the audience to think about their own writing, but the "author" of that piece is always all smiles as well.

Sound interesting?? I sure want to try Susan's amazing idea this year. So, I made up this little template to take Golden Lines to the next level. Following your chit chat session on the carpet, the kids choose one Golden Line to copy and analyze on the sheet below.

A huge thank you to JW Illustrations for the to die for OZ graphics.
I think I may just create a yellow brick road filled with golden lines from the kiddos this year!!
I see a rockin' bulletin board forming in my brain-o as I type :)

As I wrap things up today, here are some links to the books that align oh-so sweetly with this unit (these are just a few of the books suggested by the authors). I already own most of these and I bet that you do too . . . SCORE!

Although you may have already seen my plug, I do recommend this book to any K-5 teacher looking to explore the Common Core a bit more. It's a good little support if you are having trouble wrappin' you head around it.

Thanks for taking the time to "read me" today! Check in tomorrow (Saturday) with Melissa for UNIT5: American Contributions. I will see you again this weekend with a little contest action and some more ideas from my week! Merry Friday all . . . we made it :)

Here is our posting schedule. HUGE thanks to The 3am Teacher for the cute graphics!!Kinder teachers . . . interested in reading up on the common core? Visit The 3am Teacher! She is leading the kinder unit reviews this week :)Our first grade crew is outlined below!