Everything Grows

Designed by: Tonia Griffin      School: A. C. Moore Elem.

Grade Level: One       Subject(s): Reading

Core Curriculum Objective(s): Categorize information using strategies such as story mapping, webbing, and Venn Diagrams.

Overview: The teacher and students will read Everything Grows by Raffi. Students will discuss similarities and differences between things growing in story. The teacher and students will categorize these similarities and differences by using a Venn Diagram. For an assessment, the students will categorize similarities and differences of themselves as a baby and as a first grader using a Venn Diagram.

Focus/ Essential Question(s):

How do we categorize information?

How are the things growing in the story Everything Grows alike and different?

What can we use to show likeness and differences?

How can we use the Venn Diagram to show how you are alike and different as a baby and a first grader?

Time Frame: One 45 minute lessons.

Resources:

Reading Book: Here We Grow by McMillan & McGraw Hill for each student.

Baby picture and current picture for each student. (Assign for homework at least 3 days before doing this lesson.)

1 large piece of butcher paper with a pre-drawn large Venn Diagram labeled with two of items from story. You may choose whatever items you want to use. (For example, brothers, sisters, etc.)

Pencil and box of crayons for each student.

Glue for students.

Venn Diagram pre-drawn on 8 1/2 X 11 paper for each student.

Website: www.kidsfarm.com

Old Magazines with pictures of babies and older children.

Assessment: 
Teacher will check student's Venn Diagrams to see if they have correctly categorized the similarities and differences of themselves now and as a baby.

Rubric: 
+ Students will identify two ways they are alike and two ways they are different as a first grader and as a baby.

^ Students will identify one way they are alike and one way they are different as a first grader and as a baby.

* Students are unable to identify any ways they are alike as a first grader and as a baby, and one way they are different as a first grader and as a baby.

Instructional Activities:

1. Teacher will begin by reviewing Everything Grows with students. Teacher will tell students that today we are going to reread the story and that he/she wants them to think about how the things in the story are alike and different.

2. Teacher and students reread the story and discuss how things in the story are alike and different.

3. Teacher will show students the Venn Diagram labeled brothers and sisters on the class chart. Teacher will ask students to remember how they had used a Venn Diagram previously to compare two stories. Teacher will review with students the Venn Diagram and ask where would she write information about brothers and sisters that tells how they are alike and different.

4. Students will generate similarities and differences about brothers and sisters for Venn Diagram. Teacher will record information from students on class Venn Diagram.

5. Teacher will explain to students that they are going to use the pictures of themselves as a baby and a first grader to compare how they are alike and different as a baby and a first grader. Teacher will tell students that everyone will get their own Venn Diagram to do.

6. Teacher will give each student a pre-drawn Venn Diagram and their pictures they brought from home. **If a student did not bring in pictures, he/she can work with a classmate or look through a magazine and to get a picture of a baby and an older child, or draw a picture of themselves as a baby and as a first grader.

7. Teacher will instruct students to glue their baby picture above one circle and their first grade picture above the other circle.

8. Teacher will review Venn Diagram with students before they begin to record information on their paper. Teacher will instruct students to record either with pictures or words how they are alike and different.

9. Students who finish early may record their favorite part of Everything Grows in their Story Journal. Students may also choose an animal from story and discuss how they are alike and different as a baby animal and adult animal with a partner.

10. At the end of the lesson students will share their Venn Diagram with student sitting next to them. (If time permits students could share with whole class.) Teacher will review with students that they can use a Venn Diagram to categorize and compare information about other stories and characters they will be reading about later in the year.

11. Teacher will take up Venn Diagrams and assess according to rubric. After assessing teacher will display student's Venn Diagrams for other classes to see.

12. As an extension of the lesson have students go to website Kidsfarm.com either in small groups in class or the whole class in computer lab and explore What grows. Students can record in story journal any similarities and differences between What Grows? and Everything Grows.