We Can Be Artists Too!

How many times do you hear your students say, "How do you draw . . . ?" or "I can't draw a  . . . ?"  Actually, as a teacher who was not blessed with the gift of drawing, I know how they feel.  I never know where to start.  I have discovered I can draw better when I follow step-by-step directions.  Do all children need this type of support?  No.  But many need strategies  that support how they visually represent an object.  And by giving that support, it actually empowers them to write more. Here is the link to the website that I found:

How to Draw a Steam Train

Our "How to Draw" steps printed from the Internet which helps the students connect to how we locate information to support our learning.

We viewed it on the Smart Board, and I drew at the same time as my students.  It's good for our students to see that we struggle in some areas and have strengths and weaknesses too.

Building Our Inquiry Wall

I use my students' illustrations to build our learning environment.  This strategy empowers them to be illustrators of their knowledge.  They take ownership and pride in our project while incorporating and encouraging the arts.

I love when "How to Draw" activities break it down into shapes that children can duplicate and draw.  Check out their drawings!  They are absolutely amazing for children who are 6 & 7 years old. To extend this activity, I printed out the step-by-step drawings and put in our writing center for the children to use as an anchor.  If they need support, they know where to find it.  

Here are more posts on the Polar Express and Trains:

Polar Express KWHL Chart Trains

Polar Express Researching Trains

Polar Express Drawing Modern Trains

Polar Express Train Completed Project

Thanks for stopping by!

Pictures are Worth 1000 Words and Are Free

We began our " How will we find out about trains?" today.  I have a wonderful DVD that I picked up at Toys R Us about 4 years ago on the clearance rack for $2.99.  Don't you just love bargains?  I did a google search and it is still available online and in stores. There are many other DVD's for children about trains.  You can also look on Teacher Tube and You Tube.

Since we are  building a cardboard train for our classroom to take a  ride on the "Polar Express" next week, I set up this DVD as a writing opportunity to plan the design of our train. I gave each child a clipboard, blank piece of paper, and a pencil.  I told the children they could use pictures, words, or both to record what they saw that would help us make a train.  It is a great strategy to get them organizing, planning, and writing for a purpose.  Here are some of their writing samples.  

Relies on Words to Help Organize Thoughts

Organizes Paper Like a List

Phonetic Spelling and Conventional Spelling

Specific and Higher Level Vocabulary

Organizes Information with Pictures

Labels a Picture with "Big" for Emphasis

Looking at the Big Picture of the DVD

Includes Tracks, Conductor, Clothes, Seats

Organizes with Pictures and Labeling

Draws Details of Trains and Box Cars

Meaningful Vocabulary Conductor and Tickets

Organizes with Pictures and Labeling
Very Detailed Drawing of the Train and Track
Some Labeling of Pictures
Conductor Was Mentioned on Most Papers

Organizes with Pictures and Words
Labels Pictures Phonetically and
with Conventional Spelling Patterns

Organizes with Pictures and Words
Draws the Different Types of Trains
Shown on the DVD

Organizes with Words and Boundaries
Phonetic Spelling Mixed with
Conventional Spelling

Organizes with a Traditional Numbered List
Detail Oriented with Specific Vocabulary
Uses Both Phonetic Spelling and Conventional Spelling

Organizes with Detailed Pictures and Some Labels
Main Focus is on the Different Types of Trains

To sum up the strategy for today's blog:  You don't need expensive paper with fancy borders or a themed set to draw or record on.  White plain paper can be a powerful tool.  Let your students fill it up with their own meaningful words and drawings.  A writing sample that includes pictures, words, or both can give you great insight into your students' organization level, planning, and conventions of spelling. A picture is worth a thousand words and a great snapshot into your young students' emergent writing.

Tomorrow:  Drop back by.  A problem that was heard over and over again today was, "I can't draw a train."  How did we solve this problem?  We found a great site on the Internet with "How to Draw a Train" step-by-step directions.  I can't wait for you to see their artwork.  Sometimes children just need anchor supports to be successful.  Even their teacher was able to draw a train.  And I was pretty excited about that!!!

Here are more posts on the Polar Express and Trains:

Polar Express KWHL Chart Trains

Polar Express Drawing Trains

Polar Express Drawing Modern Trains

Polar Express Train Completed Project

A Different KWHL Chart

We began the planning stages of our train unit by starting a KWHL chart. 
K- What do we know?
W - What do we want to know?
H - How will we find out?
L - What did we learn?
A traditional chart would have a piece of chart paper divided into parts with the above categories.  But this type of chart tends to limit the amount of space that is needed to write. This version uses the entire paper for each column and then we hang them in an area where we can study and build upon on our new knowledge.  I use the bulletin board outside my classroom to build these types of charts and then use them as teaching tools.  We sit in the hallway and read, discuss, collaborate, and expand our knowledge using these charts. 


I label my charts a little differently. 
Trains 
What do we know . . .
What do we wonder . . . We are curious
How will we find out?
New Learning
Here is a sample of our beginning charts.  And yes, I left a word out by accident.  See if you can find it.  What a great opportunity for my students to see me model the strategy:  Writers read their work to see if it makes sense.  We will read it together as a class tomorrow and see how quickly they notice the missing word! 

What do you notice?  Let's look at the children's "What We Know" statements and compare them to the "I Wonder Statements."  Many of the children were curious about what their friends said.  So we will get to research our own " What We Know Statements."  Also, our school uses nonfiction text for guided reading and for independent reading.  You can tell some of the students have read a book about trains.  Nonfiction is a powerful springboard.

Strategies for Engagement and Differentiated Support:  Keep it simple!
*Use a different colored marker for each child's words.  Different colors helps separate the text.
*Write the child's name after his/her words.  There is nothing more powerful than showing your students they are "authors" of their words.
*Support all statements and encourage all students to participate.  That might include talking to a child one-on-one to support that participation and recording the information at a later time.  
*Provide pictures of real trains before the discussion to help students with special needs and English Language Learners.


Want to get them more engaged?  Here is a strategy: Have them "turn and tell" a friend what they know about trains before you start your chart.  Get the conversations flowing and give them a brain boost at the same time.  Young children need many opportunities to share what they know and raising their hand while waiting to be called on is very hard for young children to do.  This strategy encourages participation. 


Tomorrow's Blog:  How will we find out?  
I have a children's DVD on trains.  Here is a strategy I use to support engagement and participation instead of just viewing a DVD.  Give each student a clipboard, piece of paper, and a pencil.  Tell them they are going to watch the DVD and record new information and new learning.  I tell my students that they can use pictures and words to record their new information.  Check back in and see their amazing pictures and words.  Can I just say a picture is worth a thousand words?  Never underestimate the power or children's illustrations plus learn a child's learning style by viewing their samples.  See you tomorrow.

Here are more posts about the Polar Express and Trains:

Polar Express Researching Trains

Polar Express Drawing Trains

Polar Express Drawing Modern Trains

Polar Express Train Completed Project

Officially Joining the Blogging World

Welcome to my new blog site.  I am a "strategy" teacher.  There are strategies for reading, writing, math, listening, building a classroom community, and even teaching.  The purpose of my blog is to help add to your toolbox and empower you to teach your students to find the strategies that help them learn the best.  There is nothing more powerful than listening to a child's strategy for learning a new concept.