Pumpkins Research Paper

Activity Title: Continue Working on Communicating Ideas

Standards:

SOL 1.13 The student will write to communicate ideas for a variety of purposes a) generate ideas; b) focus on one topic; c) revise by adding descriptive words when writing about people, places, things, and events; d) use complete sentences in final copies; e) being each sentence with a capital letter and use ending punctuation in final copies; f) use correct spelling of commonly used sight words and phonetically regular words in final copies; g) Share writing with others. Taken from the VA First Grade Curriculum Framework found at: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/testing/sol/standards_doc/english/index.shtml.

Identify

After reading page 9, ask the students, “What are some things that Rebecca can do with the pumpkins?” (can prompt students if need)

7. Before reading page 11, point out the different foods that they mentioned that could be made with pumpkins.

8. As a whole group, go over the main details of the story.

• Closure

1. Have the students go back to their seats.

2. Tell the students that they are going to write their own story of having Too Many Pumpkins.

3. Explain to the students that they can do anything that they want with their pumpkin story as along as it has complete sentences, capital letters, and punctuation marks.

4. Write some key words on the chalkboard.

5. When the students are done, I will check their spelling and handwriting and have them create a final draft as well as illustrate their writing.

6. After they have completed their final draft, they will then share their story with their classmates by reading them aloud.

Modifications: English Language Learners (ELL)

Some of the main characteristics include, but are not limited to:

• Copy and repeat oral instructions, questions and modeled responses

• Rely on visuals and diagrams to understand and communicate

• Rely on first language

• Require

Have the students create their own pumpkin and bring them back to class to share with the rest of their classmates.

Community-School Connections:

For this lesson, the class can take a field trip to Belvedere Plantation located at 1410 Belvedere Drive, Fredericksburg, VA. 22408. During this field trip, the students will learn how the pumpkins are planted, what the inside of a pumpkin looks like, and they will get to pick their own pumpkin to take home.

Assessment of Objective(s):

During this lesson plan, I will watch to see if the students understand how to communicate their ideas. If it appears as if they cannot communicate well through their stories, I will assist them by asking them questions differently in hopes to generate ideas for them without actually giving them the words/ideas that they need. If it still appears that they are struggling, I will make a note and watch these students more closely and work with them after I have seen their rough draft. I will also make a chart that includes all of the student’s names and make a smiley face () if they seemed to understand during the lesson, a check mark ( ) if it seemed that they need extra help but still understand the learning material, and a (X) sign if they did not get the lesson at