Modern Trains

We began our Monday by reviewing what we hard learned about trains last week.  There was great interest in drawing more trains, so we continued our art work by drawing a modern train.  We read more nonfiction books about trains and discussed how the steam engine train was different than a modern train.  Here are some samples of their work.

Building Our Learning Wall

How To Draw a Modern Train Instructions

Have you ever listened to the hum of excitement as the children work at their tables? Teachers can learn so much about which direction to take if we are great "Kid Watchers" and listen to their conversations.  I planned to do a contrast and compare activity when we finished our drawings this morning, but they began to discuss what goes in the "box cars."  


These are what I call "great teachable moments."  Yes, I still plan to do a compare/contrast activity between steam engines and modern trains, but that can wait until tomorrow.  I brought the children back to the floor for group time and modeled how readers find out new information or answers to their questions by reading nonfiction books.  I had several nonfiction books that I had checked out from the library.  I modeled how to preview a book by looking at the pictures.  We chose a book with many pictures of the different "cargo"  that trains carry.  This book happened to have a Table of Contents (funny joke and some confusion that there wasn't a table involved), vocabulary terms, and a picture glossary.  BINGO!  We had our next lesson.  They were fascinated with the different parts of the book and the picture glossary.  We started our brainstorming list of the vocabulary my students felt was important to know about trains.  Here is an important strategy for young learners. Break your brainstorming sessions into small segments.  Know your students and their attention spans.  If you write 4-6 words on your list at a time, you keep their interest.  More to come on that strategy tomorrow along with a picture of our Brainstorming List.  For now, enjoy their "cargo" trains or box cars.  I think they are partial to the word "cargo" now.

The children wanted to put all of our "cargo" together like a real train.

Check back in tomorrow.  We will continue our brainstorming list and start planning our class nonfiction collaborative book about trains.  Wondering how I am fitting it all in?  The children are finding "word work" and "phonics" everywhere within our project on trains.  More samples to follow.

Here are more posts about the Polar Express and Trains:

Polar Express KWHL Chart Trains

Polar Express Researching Trains

Polar Express Drawing Trains

Polar Express Train Completed Project

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