First Grade Sharing

First graders have done a terrific job improving their presentation skills. We look forward to more growth as our sharing program continues. Please practice each week with your child. Students should feel confident when presenting and practice will help. Memorization is not required. Most sharing topics require students to bring an item to show during his or her presentation, so please review directions thoroughly. Students should complete written presentations by rewriting the speech on the paper provided. They must use the exact wording from the weekly topic description, when it is provided. Drawings should be done independently by the student.

Good Speaker Tips:

Stand up straight.

Speak loudly, clearly, and expressively. 

Take breaks from looking at your paper to look at your audience.

Don’t put your paper in front of your face.

  Please note that we will not have sharing during short school weeks.  

Final Sharing Topics

Students must write out their presentations by hand on the paper provided. They must use the wording from the weekly topic description and fill in the blanks to personalize it.

Note the visual aid which should accompany the sharing topic. Visual aids should be made on a full sheet of paper and done boldly - not just in pencil. Use color. The visual aid should be visible to the whole audience.

Week of 3/31 - 4/4

Jester Puppet

 Visual Aid: Make a jester puppet by gluing the jester head, arms, and legs to the paper bag. Use markers, paints, crayons, or anything you’d like to color and decorate your jester. Be creative! 

This week, in the tradition of April Fool’s day, students will practice telling a joke rather than giving a speech. In your best handwriting, write one or two jokes on the back of the bag.  Don’t forget to include the answers, too. Be prepared to have your jester tell your joke to the 

Week of 4/7 - 4/11

A Job I’d Like to Have Someday

 Visual Aid:  Bring in a drawing of yourself in the future doing this job. 

Students should use the following topic sentences to begin their presentation:

In the future, I will go to middle school, high school and then to college where I hope to learn many things. One of the things I would like to learn about is how to be a/n <insert job title>. There are many reasons why I am interested in this career.

Students should give three reasons why s/he would like to have this job. Be sure to give DETAILED reasons to explain why this would be a great job to have.  Talk about the special things that people with this job do and specific things that you find interesting about this job.  Use descriptive words. Give a CLOSING sentence.

Examples of transition words/phrases:   One reason, Another reason, Finally,

Week of 4/14- 4/18

No Sharing - No School for Spring Break

Week of 4/21- 4/25

Our Beautiful Earth

 Visual Aid:  Students should draw a picture to accompany their speech. 

Earth day is on April 22. Students should share three ways that s/he can keep the Earth beautiful. Start with a good INTRODUCTION such as: Our Earth is very beautiful and there are many things that all of us can do to protect it. Or be creative and think of your own attention getting introduction.

Be sure to give 3 DETAILS about what you will do. Give a CLOSING sentence about how important it is to help our Earth. Use descriptive words.

Examples of transition words/phrases you can use:
One way, Another way, Finally,

Week of 4/28- 5/2

My Paper Doll

 Visual Aid:  Students will decorate a paper doll.  Students are encouraged to have the doll reflect the heritage of their ancestors. First, cut out the doll. Then, use colored paper, fabric, yarn, buttons, or simply color the paper doll with markers, colored pencils, or crayons.  Please assist your child, but let them “own” the project.

Write your speech to tell the class a bit about your doll. Here are some ideas about what you can include in your speech:

• Tell the city or region, country, and continent where your ancestors are from.

• Explain the clothes that the doll is wearing.  Remember to tell us the names of the clothing and point out any special features like scarves, shoes, jewelry, or headwear.

• Tell us how you made the doll.  For example, tell us the materials you used.

• Tell us if these clothes are worn on special occasions or if they are clothes for every day.

• Tell us if you have worn clothes like this before, and if so, where did you where them.

• Remember to end your speech with some kind of conclusion such as: I am proud of my culture, and I’m glad I had the chance to share my doll with you.  Thank you!

Week of 5/5- 5/9

No Sharing due to Staff Learning Day on 5/5

Week of 5/12-5/16

Creature Feature

 Students should use a website or book and choose a creature they are like in some ways. Using a Venn diagram, students will show similarities and differences.

Visual Aid:  Draw a picture or bring a photo of the creature you chose.

Compare me to a __________! If I had to be an animal, I’d be a (n) _______. To begin, _________________________.  I am __________________. 

Next, _________________________! Finally, ______________________. Clearly, the _________ and I are alike in many ways. ___________! <make animal noise> Thank you. 

Example speech: 

Compare me to a honeybee! If I had to be an animal, I’d would be a honeybee. To begin, honeybees are social insects that live and work in colonies making honey. I am a social person who likes to work and play with others. Next, honeybee colonies are organized. I, too, keep my “hive” clean and organized! Finally, worker honeybees gather nectar and pollen to feed to their young. I go to the grocery store to gather food to make and feed my son. Clearly, the honeybee and I are alike in many ways. Buzzzzz! Thank you. 

Example and blank Venn diagram included in packet sent home.

Week of 5/19-5/23

Glorious Summer

 Visual Aid:   Students should bring a drawing of something they hope to do this summer

Tell about your plans for summer.  Tell three things that you are planning to do or would like to do this summer.  Give details about each thing.  End by wishing your classmates a fun summer and wish them luck in second grade.

That’s the end our our Sharing Program for first grade!
It was a terrific experience for all our first graders.  Each child grew and became a better presenter.  Whether students were working on making eye contact, standing confidently, using a nice loud voice, or using bold visual aids, they each gained important skills that they will build on throughout their academic career!  

Great work first (almost second) graders!