Language One: Writing with Classroom Friends...the fun way to write

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

1. Create written texts using a familiar form e.g. song
2. Contribute during shared writing activities
3. Publish a class book and share their work with others



Activity

Share the traditional song "The Bear Went Over the Mountain" with your
first graders. Provide opportunities for them to hear the song on tape,
sing along with tape, and sing along following the words printed on chart paper.

When the children are familiar with the song, work together to create a 
new version of the song using Little Blue and his friends.


For example:

Little Blue swam in the sea
Little Blue swam in the sea
Little Blue swam in the sea
And what do you think he saw?

He saw Cedric the Starfish floating in the sea
He saw Cedric the Starfish floating in the sea
He saw Cedric the Starfish floating in the sea
And that is what he saw.

Try adding new verses each day. 
When you have enough verses (1 verse for each 2 children) have them 
work in groups of 2 to make a page for a class big book. 

Give each group a sheet of 11 x 17 paper to print the verse on. 
Illustrations to accompany the text can also be completed.
Share the final product with the Kindergarten class.

NOTE: If children are not familiar with all the characters from the
"Whale of a Tale" series, the names of familiar sea creatures can be 
substituted.


Assessment:

Old Tom the Turtle gives some hints on assessment:

Observe and note behaviors that indicate children's engagement in writing

Involve students in self assessment of what they learned through the 
process of creating a class big book