First Day Literacy Experience

Reading portion

We will start by reading the book The

Circles All Around Us by Brad Montague

This will lead to a discussion on how being

kind and inclusive can make a difference

in the world
The idea of making a difference coincides

with my UDL lesson plan for writing and

how to be the difference in our classroom.

This is the story of a circle. When we're first born, our circle is
very small, but as we grow and build relationships, our circle
keeps getting bigger
and bigger to include family, friends, neighbors, community,
and beyond. Brad Montague originally created Circles
as an Instagram video adorably narrated by
his kids, and now this picture book adaptation
is the perfect way to start a conversation
about how to expand our worlds with kindness
and inclusivity—even if it seems scary
or uncomfortable. This book makes an ideal
new-baby, first-day-of-school, or
graduation gift, or any milestone that
celebrates someone's world getting bigger.
First Day Literacy Experience
Writing Portion - Standards, Outcomes &

Materials Needed

Michigan Academic Standards:

W.4.2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and

convey ideas and information clearly.

Performance Based Learning Objectives:

- Students will be able to write a few paragraphs on how they will

be the difference this school year.

- Students will use correct grammar and punctuation to the best of
their ability to set a base line for their writing this year.
- Students will be able to think about what it means to make a

difference in our classroom.

Materials:

Teacher: A photograph, my own to be the difference writing, an expo

marker, white cardstock (30), black sharpies (8), polaroid camera,

polaroid film (30)

Students: Writer’s notebook, a pencil, ruler

Technology:
Document Camera, Smart Board, Projector
First Day Literacy Experience
Writing Portion - Lesson Layout

General Overview: I will introduce the idea of what it means to be

the difference and how I can be the difference this year in the

classroom

Script: “To be the difference means that you will step up and do

something that makes our classroom a better place. You can have

the same as someone else, or come up with one thing just you can

do, the choice is yours. My way to be the difference this year is to be

a good listener. By listening to you and getting to know you all I will

be able to teach you in a way that helps you learn the most you can.

That is going to be how I try to be the difference for you this year.”

Instruction & Example Time: I will go over my writing, using the

document camera, and read it to them and explain how I had my big

idea (of being the difference by listening) and then explained why that

would make a difference and how I would do it to be the difference. I

would show them how each paragraph supports my big idea in some

way and how they should try to model their own writing like that in

their writer’s notebook. I will also make sure to correct a punctuation

error and a grammar error as I am reading to show them mistakes

happen and that by re-reading, we are able to find and correct those

errors.

Guided Practice: I will use the expo marker to make a student

created list of ways they can be the difference in the classroom this

year on the white board.

First Day Literacy Experience
Writing Portion - Lesson Layout

Independent Work Time:

Students will have this time to write in their writers’ notebook and put

their thoughts to paper. Students will be able to write their main idea

and then add their reasoning, points and ideas to their writing to

convey how they will be the difference and what they will do to be the

difference in our classroom everyday throughout the year.

After they have finished their writing, they will put their main idea on

the index card provided using the sharpie, students can use rulers to

write in a straight line.

Closing Activity:
Each student will come to the front of the room, say what they chose

to do to be the difference and then get their picture taken by me with

the polaroid holding their card saying what they will do to be the

difference. Students will then hang their polaroid picture on an empty

place on the bulletin board to remind them each day what they chose

to do to be the difference.

Closing Comment:
Remember to use the ideas you put into your writing to be the

difference in this classroom every day.

This Is How We Make A Difference

This is what the bulletin board would

look like. It would be located in my

classroom so all students can see but

not be put on display for the entire

school to see. Each blank polaroid

shown on this would have my future

student with their index card showing

how they will be the difference. I might

change the colors and the border but

right now I am using blue color scheme

because I like it. I like my uncle on it

because he inspired this lesson and me

to be a teacher.