Engaging students in elementary science is often done within the confines of the classroom. Citizen science projects, however, bring students, families, teachers, and communities together to help scientists with their research. Students become active participants in real research, use their three-dimensional understanding of science, and…

Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22. Teachers often commemorate Earth Day with their classes by planting trees, discussing important conservation topics (such as recycling or preventing pollution), and encouraging students to take care of planet Earth. To promote observance of Earth Day in an intermediate elementary school classroom, this…

The WWC practice guide "Improving Reading Comprehension in Kindergarten Through 3rd Grade" presents a set of evidence-based practices that teachers and other educators can use to successfully teach reading comprehension to young readers. The guide, developed by a panel of experts, presents a set of evidence-based practices that teachers…

Describes a first-grade teacher's approach to incorporating a reading workshop in her classroom. Notes that the reading workshop is a block of time set aside each day to allow children to read independently books of their choice, talk about and respond to literature, receive necessary instruction in reading strategies and skills, and "publish"…

One of a series of social studies curriculum guides, this publication outlines a first grade course on "school and the family." Material is presented in two parts. Part 1 contains an overview of the program. An introduction and statement of philosophy precede the following sections: an outline of grades 1-6 scope and sequence;…

Discusses authentic ways to incorporate literature into a first-grade math program. Discusses counting books, number books, storybooks, and concept (informational) books. Cautions teachers not to impose mathematics on a piece of literature--the mathematics should flow from the book. Notes that teachers need to establish a classroom that promotes…

Looks at first graders enthusiastically writing their autobiographies. Describes an environmental and instructional model called the Center Activity Rotation System. Discusses its three phases and how children rotate through seven centers in the classroom, which allows for a variety of grouping patterns that invite children to work on skills as…

Describes how one teacher who participated in "The WONDER of Learning Program" of the National Writing Project experienced change in her approaches to teaching writing. Shows how her experiences helped her to integrate a total literature program into her first-grade classroom. (HB)

Describes a longitudinal study of first-grade students' progress in learning punctuation. Examines the classroom as a writing environment, then presents a picture of the children's progress in learning to use apostrophes, quotation marks, and periods, drawing several implications for teaching. (HTH)

Describes the activities of "The WONDER of Learning Program" of the National Writing Project. Shows how the program was designed to nurture first-grade teachers in seven retreat sessions in which the teachers studied and learned from each other about teaching approaches, methods, and activities. (HB)

Describes how one first-grade teacher makes democracy happen in her classroom. Describes the teacher's role in setting up and supporting a democratic classroom where students and teacher work together to make decisions about the learning that goes on in the class, and in determining a supportive physical environment with materials available to all…

This curriculum unit deals with the establishment and maintenance of a saltwater aquarium in the classroom. The unit seeks to arouse the student's curiosity and interest in the aquatic environment by involvement in the sequence of activities relating to the marine aquarium. Detailed instructions are provided in preparing and stocking the aquarium.…

Examines the difference between the reading instruction young children receive at home and that which they encounter in grade one. Suggests that teachers integrate some of the strategies used at home into classroom instruction. (AEW)

"Wildlife and Me" is a part of a series of materials in the Wildlife Education Service for Kansas youth series. The goal of the program is to provide information about wildlife and to establish in children an awareness and appreciation of wildlife. A booklet for children and a teacher's guide are included. The booklet was written for…

Presents seven scenes showing everyday classroom situations that give students the options of applying their own problem-solving strategies to solve everyday problems of life and enable them to experience mathematical power coming from self-initiated insights into mathematical concepts. (MDH)