First grade students have been hard at work doing research on a selected Native American tribe. Students have done a wonderful job of applying their research skills to help them decide what information is important, organize it using a graphic organizer, and edit it into full sentences. They worked collaboratively to create an organized and neat poster to share their research.
This was the first graders’ first time diving into doing research! In order to prepare for our research project, we spent a lot of time as a whole class discussing what it means to research. We used simple nonfiction texts to work as a group to find information. We talked about how information that we record should be factual and found within our sources, not just facts we might be familiar with about the topic already.
Once first graders were confident with the idea of selecting important information from an article or video, we reviewed what information they would be searching for. Using a graphic organizer to collect and organize their information, they would be looking for what foods their tribe ate, which modern states they lived in, their clothes, food, shelter or art, and any fun or interesting fact.
Next, they got started with their partner to view the videos and articles about their tribe on Google Classroom that Ms. Ursino had pre-selected. They worked together to learn about their tribe, and collect and record information. After gathering their information, they worked with Ms. Ursino to organize the information and rewrite it into full sentences before making it into a poster using their best handwriting.
Once they put the finishing touches on their posters, they worked with their partner to practice their presentation skills in preparation to share with an audience. They are practicing speaking clearly, using eye contact, facing the audience and using an appropriate volume.
They have been so excited to share their projects with you at our trimester celebration! We loved having so many families visit us on Friday at our First Grade Museum of Native American History! Students worked with their families at home to create a model artifact based on something from their tribe. They brought these in today to share as part of their museum. They created detailed and accurate models of shelters, tools, art, toys and even clothes from their tribes. It was so exciting to see everyone’s hard work be shared with families today. I was beyond proud to see the first graders sharing their incredible projects. Thanks to all who visited our museum, and great work first graders!!
