Being Different Rocks

With our HMH reading curriculum, I read a book to the class today that was called Being Different Rocks. This book was a persuasive text where the author is trying to get the readers to believe or do something. This book had a wonderful message on how we are are all unique and different. We should celebrate our differences because being different or unique rocks! After we read the book, I did a few activities to go along with it. First, I showed them a partner activity where I gave each student in the class a piece of paper and they had to circle things they liked. It was a "Do you like this or that?" activity. When they were done, I paired up the class in groups of two or three and I had them sit with their partner(s) and discuss what they both liked that was the same and what was different. I asked them to discuss some of the things with their partner such as if they both liked video games, which one was their favorite? This was a great way for them to get to know their partner(s) and see what made them different or the same. I LOVED seeing how much fun they all had working together on this activity!

Next, we made guitars that displayed things that were all about them. It asked them what their favorite color was, favorite food, favorite sport and favorite toy. On their guitar, I also printed out a picture of them and glued it on before hand. I asked my kindegarten friends to color and decorate their guitars however they wanted to. I wanted them to use their own creative, unique ideas. As they colored and decorated, I walked around the classroom asking them the questions that were written down on the guitar and writing them down for them. They were so excited about making their guitars and they turned out AMAZING!!!! This was such a fun way to display how they were all different and to celebrate our differences. Here are some pictures of the class with their awesome guitars.

Last, I did a group lesson with the class where we learned about the concept of fact and opinion. After the lesson, we did an activity together that allowed them to practice what we learned. In the lesson they learned that a fact is something that is always true and an opinion is what someone thinks or feels about something. They did such a great job learning about this concept and we will continue to practice this skill tomorrow in our next lesson. It was a wonderful day in K-1 and I am so proud of my rock star kindergarteners! They are all unique and AMAZING! I am so proud of all of them!