I recently found out that I am looping up with my first graders. This excites me because it is something new for me, not to mention I absolutely love my students. With that to digest, I was also told I will be teaching different subjects and new curriculum. I am flooded with excitement, but also very nervous. I’m leaving the grade I new so well for a grade I have never taught. I have a feeling this summer will not be as relaxing as I thought. I have several things to brush up on and research. I have to make sure the classroom is set up differently, that it looks “older”, the arrangement is different, the list could go on and on. However, the good news is, looping has shown to be beneficial to the students. Research has proven that students have less anxiety, the teacher is more prepared, and create long lasting relationships (trust) with your students. Expectations, rules, and rituals are no longer an issue. Your students know what is expected of them and so on day one of school, teaching can begin immediately.
I found a great article that was research based and discusses many benefits of looping. Check it out below.
Looping: Supporting Student Learning Through Long-Term Relationships
I noticed that my first graders are beginning to bully one another. I think it is very important to nip this as soon as possible. I try and read books about self esteem, friendship, etc. We also discuss ways of solving conflicts and issues that may arise. We also have a no tolerance for bullying in the classroom. If students begin name calling, hitting, or bringing others down their behavior cards are turned. I think they are beginning to catch on and see the importance of treating others with respect. Books have been a great way to slyly say what I’d like to get across to them. They are very kid-friendly and students can easily relate. Just be sure to cover all aspects of bullying while they are young because when they are older I feel it is much harder or even too late.
Response to literature is a very important skill that first grade and all grades need to know. You can incorporate it an author study or separate it and focus on particular skills. I know many of the skills I like to cover are:
Setting
Compare and Contrast two books by the same author or same genre
Characters
Problem/Solution
Prediction
Retelling (Beginning, Middle, End)
Main Idea
Author’s Message
The list could go on and on. I know when doing beginning, middle, and end I like to use a very long piece of paper (long ways/landscape) and cut three sections into it. The beginning is skinny, the middle (where most of the story took place) is wider, and the end is skinny. This is something the children can physically see. They know the middle should have more details because it’s thicker. While the beginning and end are not as wide because less takes place in those parts of the story.
