Celebrate Writing

Who doesn't love a party?!  FIRST GRADERS love to PAR-TAY!  Last year we departmentalized our first grade.  This meant a whole class devoted to WRITING.  We decided that we did not want to just teach writing, but make authors. In order to aide in building our firsties confidence in believing this, we began having writing CELEBRATIONS!

Party #1...
We used "How-to" writing to kick off our celebrations.  After writing a piece on "How-to be Fancy",  our families were invited to listen to our firsties share how they made themselves fancy at our Fancy Tea Party.  We all wore fancy attire (that's a fancy word for clothes) and students participated in our Beauty Spa.
Services for the girls:  nail painting and bows for their hair.
Services for the boys:  mustaches (drawn or stickers) and bow ties (sticker felt)  

Party #2...
After researching an animal of their choice, our students wrote an informational piece and displayed some of their learning in a poster.  Parents and other grade levels were all invited to take a "Gallery Walk" to learn about the researched animals.  Our firsties shared their writing pieces.

Party #3...
After writing personal narratives, we told the students "You are what you wear!"  They shared, read, and celebrated each others personal narrative shirts!  This idea was inspired by Forever in First.

Parties in the Works....
Upcoming events include a "Doodle Party" and a "Safari Walk."  We can't wait to share these celebrations!

You will find some more great ideas on your next blog hop stop!  Ashley from Primary Teacherhood will provide information on how to engage our students using Kidblog!  Hop on over to her page by clicking on the image below!