Last Updated on August 5, 2015 by Laura
88 1st Graders + 4 Teachers + 1 Principal + 1 Librarian +
1 Amazing Author = Pure Magic!
1 Amazing Author = Pure Magic!
Tuesday was a terrific day in the library because my first
grade students, their teachers, our principal and I got to meet and visit with
the inspiring Ame Dyckman! We had been
reading her books, Boy + Bot and Tea Party Rules, which are fabulous friendship
stories.
grade students, their teachers, our principal and I got to meet and visit with
the inspiring Ame Dyckman! We had been
reading her books, Boy + Bot and Tea Party Rules, which are fabulous friendship
stories.
We discussed character,
setting, events and even the central message (yes, Fabulous Firsties can
grasp such a sophisticated concept when they can connect with the right
literature!). We laughed, reflected and
created responses to the stories.
setting, events and even the central message (yes, Fabulous Firsties can
grasp such a sophisticated concept when they can connect with the right
literature!). We laughed, reflected and
created responses to the stories.
And then we found out
we were going to get to visit with Ame in person (well, practically – through
the magic of Skype!)! So we reflected
some more and brainstormed questions we could ask during our visit. Oh my, the questions they came up with!!
we were going to get to visit with Ame in person (well, practically – through
the magic of Skype!)! So we reflected
some more and brainstormed questions we could ask during our visit. Oh my, the questions they came up with!!
On the morning of our visit, I tested the web cam and
enlisted the help of 4th& 5th graders to move tables
and chairs and set out cookies for our students.
enlisted the help of 4th& 5th graders to move tables
and chairs and set out cookies for our students.
Right after recess 88 excited first graders
proudly marched into the library wearing their Tea Party Rules pins. Our questioners sat in the front
row. As we were getting settled, many
smiling faces found their reflection in the web cam projected on the screen, waving at
themselves.
proudly marched into the library wearing their Tea Party Rules pins. Our questioners sat in the front
row. As we were getting settled, many
smiling faces found their reflection in the web cam projected on the screen, waving at
themselves.
When we were all settled, we made the call and magic
began. Ame’s smiling face greeted us
along with her beautiful black cat, Sabrina!
Ame captivated us all as she shared her inspiration for her writing, her
robot collection, favorite childhood books (which we so enthusiastically
recognized), and her latest library haul (great recommendations for purchases
for our library!).
began. Ame’s smiling face greeted us
along with her beautiful black cat, Sabrina!
Ame captivated us all as she shared her inspiration for her writing, her
robot collection, favorite childhood books (which we so enthusiastically
recognized), and her latest library haul (great recommendations for purchases
for our library!).
After we said our goodbyes, the Firsties went back to enjoy
some cookies in their classrooms, bringing inspiration and connections with
them along with the warm feeling that they had just made a new friend. Some of my favorite comments from a class
that came back later:
some cookies in their classrooms, bringing inspiration and connections with
them along with the warm feeling that they had just made a new friend. Some of my favorite comments from a class
that came back later:
“She smiled A LOT!!”
“I have a cat, too!”
“I am going to be a writer when I grow up – I like to write
and I’m good at it!”
and I’m good at it!”
“She loves lots of colors and so do I!”
“I’ve read Where the Wild Things Are!”
“I learned that books are VERY important.”
The inspiration has carried over into our next lessons, even
without my prodding. We read some shapes
books today and then made illustrations out of paper shapes and many
students created Bot!
without my prodding. We read some shapes
books today and then made illustrations out of paper shapes and many
students created Bot!
In the current frenzied school climate of Common Core
Standards, Progress Monitoring, and a multi-tiered approach to student behavior
and academics, I almost questioned myself about whether there was really time
for this type of activity. I’m so glad I
went with my heart. While I may need to look
in my Common Core Flip Books to find the exact ELA standards covered by meeting
our new friend, I sure felt the power of connection on Tuesday morning! I have a feeling that connection is going to
stick with these kids for awhile.
Standards, Progress Monitoring, and a multi-tiered approach to student behavior
and academics, I almost questioned myself about whether there was really time
for this type of activity. I’m so glad I
went with my heart. While I may need to look
in my Common Core Flip Books to find the exact ELA standards covered by meeting
our new friend, I sure felt the power of connection on Tuesday morning! I have a feeling that connection is going to
stick with these kids for awhile.
Are we grateful for time spent with our new friend? AFFIRMATIVE!
Thanks a million, Ame!!
For more about the fun loving, inspiring, talented and generous Ame Dyckman, please visit her website: amedyckman.com
Sounds like a fun & memorable experience for your students!
I'm so happy you found to do this type of activity despite common core. Such a great experience for your students! Thanks for linking up!