Strength+Chains

Submitted by Courtney Forbes, First Grade, Baxter Elementary

Standard: 1B

Materials: · Writing paper · Multi-colored construction paper cut into inch long strips. · Glue · Pencils/markers Time: 45 minutes to one hour

When to teach: Anytime throughout the year. Goals: To help the children identify personal attributes that they are proud of. Gathering: “One thing I am really good at is…” Students pick one thing they are very good at to share in the circle.

Lesson: Read and discuss the standard. Write some examples on the board of things that as a class they are good at, i.e. walking in the hall, logging into the computers. When you have generated about five things, discuss how those things make us feel good about our class, how it is important to remember all of those positive traits and feel proud of them. Making the chains: Most students will have already had experience making paper chains but I have found it best to actually model how to glue the interlocking links together //before// the students start to do them. If not, then some students might end up with 5 links that are glued together separately. Have students brainstorm a list of **//at least five//** things that they are proud of about themselves. Allow for anything. If a student gets stuck have him/her ask a friend or you suggest one. That little bit of recognition goes a long way. If spelling is important, do a quick spell check on the paper with the list. The student then writes one item per strip of paper, (allow the students to choose their colors) loops it, and creates their chain.

Students share their work with the class, teacher then connects all of the chains to decorate the room with. Close with how talented the class is, (just look at the length of that chain!) and verbally make connections to students who shared similar attributes.

Assessment: Score paper lists to show understanding of the standard. Include their oral presentation in their score.