The first grade students have read a lot of realistic fiction this year and now they are learning how to write in the same genre.  The children love to tell stories and pretending, and this unit invites them to do both.  They have been challenged to create a character, have the character face a bit of trouble, and get the character out of trouble giving readers a satisfying ending.  The students have stayed with the same character for  multiple books resulting in each student being the author of a series!  The children are working very hard to edit one book from their series to share at the upcoming writing celebration on May 19th.

The first graders are learning a lot about story elements as they listen to Charlotte’s Web. The children are learning to differentiate between main and supporting characters. They have learned that even the supporting characters serve a very real purpose in moving the plot along. The characters’ personalities are discussed in terms of what the characters say, do, and how others react to them. They go back to the story to find evidence to support their theories about the characters. Story elements of setting, defining time and place have also been addressed. The children listen to learn the characters’ moods and sense when their feelings change. At the end of each chapter the children practice summarizing the main events of the chapter.  In short, a lot of comprehension issues are being addressed as your children enjoy a wonderful story! ​