A few years ago when I first started our state studies we studied Wisconsin, and we read this book. At the time I wasn’t even thinking about the fact that Jefferson was president and they didn’t enter the union for another 50 years or so. This time I did, and paid a lot closer attention and caught the fact that it takes place in Massachusetts. I’m rolling my eyes at myself.
After reading it (I admit this is not a picture of us reading, I just wanted a picture here), we talked through what happened in the story.
We talked about what they wanted to do, then we talked about what problems they had, and how they solved the problems. After that they each had to write 3 sentences telling about the story.
That got a lot of eye rolling.
But, eventually they got down to work and created decent summaries for early tries.
They milked a lot of cow. It was hard. They used an apple press to make cheddar cheese. (Must be Batman’s he’s nuts for cheddar).
We could have also used the “Somebody Wanted But So” method I mentioned in the Davy Crockett Unit Study, but I wanted them to work on coming up with their own summary this time.
I love this approach…it is what we do! LOL
Oooh, good idea with having a summary after a story. That’s after all, what we do a ton of in life and in school. Plus storytelling really helps with their logic and sequencing. Very cool.
When the children were younger we did a similar thing, but it was all oral. Even now with the more intense school work I always have them narrate back to me what I’ve read. Need to keep an eye on whether they’re listening or day dreaming…..!
Oh daydreaming…….. I am so familiar with you 🙂
In Anna’s school they teach to summarize by the beginning, middle and end and also by Problem definition or some such. It’s crazy what first graders are doing nowadays – I haven’t even started school at Anna’s and Princess age 🙂