Projects for 1st grade,...long term

My grade wants to work on a long term project. Any ideas? We have to teach them how to cite things,...not plagiarize,..find facts. How can I do this in FIRST GRADE?

Re: Projects for 1st grade,...long term

I went to a workshop on this research method and used it with 2nd grade. It was kind of drawn out, but that might be a good thing for first grade because it really breaks down every step of the research process. In the end, they had really nice projects.

Independent Investigation Method

I don't know where you're located, but I have the teacher's manual if you want to borrow it too look through/make copies.

For topics, one year I had them do animals, one year I had them do inventions. I guess you could just choose a topic related to your grade level curriuclum.

Re: Projects for 1st grade,...long term

last year we did an all about research project where students researched a topic, took notes, organized information into categories and then used that info to write about thier topic.

first students choose a topic (based on the books we had in our leveled and non leveled baskets) they were put into groups to share the books and also sent home with a letter to visit the library and take books out on this topic.
lessons taught...
write down interesting facts on postit notes and place in a note book

to not copy word for word

to look through those postits and see what topic they had a lot of (ie: things animal eats) they then were tauight how to give a sheet of paper a heading and place the postit notes that matched that heading on the paper.

eventually students were taught ow to take this info and write about it.

they did so well with this!!!! i was shocked!!!

Is this what you are looking to do? i have Teaching points for this unit i can send you (but dont have them now)

Re: Projects for 1st grade,...long term

Wow! Ladies,,... THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Would mind sharing the manual,...I am in Babylon is that too far? Also,... could you share the teaching points. I need somewhere to begin!


THANK YOU!

Re: Projects for 1st grade,...long term

OMG, IIM is fabulous! Essentially, we do one project together, then one as partners, then one alone.

For the class one, I read to them. I read a few sentences two or three times. Then I ask them what they learned or remember. They don't have the book in front of them, so there's no way they can copy what I read word for word. I then write down that 'notefact' on chart paper and they copy it down on their paper.

After we have read several books, it is time for the children to go through the 'notefacts' and organize them. I came up with categories. for instance, if it was an animals project, the categories might be looks, eats, lives and other information. Each category is color coded. They read through the 'notefacts' and color code them. They then cut them out and organize them in order. It works because they really have created all the sentences and just have to put them in the right order.

Re: Projects for 1st grade,...long term

ill get it tomorrow

Re: Projects for 1st grade,...long term

Message edited 12/2/2010 10:04:28 PM.

Re: Projects for 1st grade,...long term

go to your librarian - I'm sure they would have tons of resources and activities that would be grade appropriate.

I would look to follow the Big 6's younger version - Super 3

When I start research with the younger kids, we use the dictionary, an encyclopedia (World Book has a good one, but I'm not sure if 1st grade could handle) and a non-fiction book - each a different station with some questions for understanding and then also an amazing or interesting fact.

They are not going to be able to do MLA, but writing the title and author at the end of their notes/projects is a good start.

Lerner and Capstone are great publishers for this age group. Rookie Readers. Animals would probably be a good topic to start.