To get their problem solving juices flowing, first graders took on the Paper Chain Challenge. In this challenge, students were charged with making the longest paper chain out of just one sheet of construction paper!
Before any cuts were made, students had to discuss with their partner how they planned on creating their paper chains and why they thought their strategy was the best approach. They presented their idea and rationale to me and then began to build their paper chain.
At the end of "build time," students placed their paper chains on the floor and we compared lengths. We had two paper chains that reached almost 8 feet in length! As a group, we talked about the challenges of this task and reflected on what made the two longest paper chains so successful. Students were able to identify that cutting the paper into skinny strips was the way to go!
While students didn't have enough time to fill out all of the reflection questions on their design brief, we did reflect on the task using these questions as our guides.
Before any cuts were made, students had to discuss with their partner how they planned on creating their paper chains and why they thought their strategy was the best approach. They presented their idea and rationale to me and then began to build their paper chain.
At the end of "build time," students placed their paper chains on the floor and we compared lengths. We had two paper chains that reached almost 8 feet in length! As a group, we talked about the challenges of this task and reflected on what made the two longest paper chains so successful. Students were able to identify that cutting the paper into skinny strips was the way to go!
While students didn't have enough time to fill out all of the reflection questions on their design brief, we did reflect on the task using these questions as our guides.
Socratic Seminar in First Grade? - YES!!!
This week in reading/language arts, first graders were introduced to the socratic seminar. After a quick lesson on what a socratic seminar is, students were then introduced to the rules of a socratic seminar. I think the students are super excited to participate in a student lead discussion, but also a little nervous about the amount of work it will take to prepare. I have no doubt they will do great! To end our lesson we played a little game that helps us pay attention to body language and visual cues that indicate someone is about to talk - a key to making sure socratic seminars are not full of students interrupting one another :-)
As a special treat, my first graders were invited to see my fifth graders actually conduct a socratic seminar on Thursday!
As a special treat, my first graders were invited to see my fifth graders actually conduct a socratic seminar on Thursday!