I’ve received a number of emails requesting writing samples from the beginning of this term. Using a recount exemplar ( PM Writing ) to scaffold my student’s writing development is enabling these young writers to develop text control while composing. My students have been extending their writing to include sequence and detail. The writing samples displayed in this post are examples of independent unassisted writing.
Journals are a record of each student’s personal history. They understand that when they read their writing back in years to come they will want to remember as many details as possible about the things they did or achieved.
This also relates to our current inquiry into personal histories. We plan our inquiries using the format of the International Baccalaureate – Primary Years Programme.
Where we are in place and time
An inquiry into orientation in place and time, personal histories, homes and journeys, the discoveries, explorations, and migrations of humankind, the
relationships between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations from local and global perspectives.Central Idea:
Personal Histories Reflect Traditions & Culture
Key Concepts:
Reflection
How do we know? Reflect on culture by examining the personal histories of self and others.Change:
Exploring the changes in people’s lives due to changes in time and placePerspective:
Celebrate and accept cultural differences, via the sharing of personal historiesWhat lines of inquiry will define the scope of the inquiry into the central idea?
Exploring personal histories enriches our intercultural understanding.
- Personal histories are recorded in different ways, depending on time on place.
- Personal histories allow us to reflect on and celebrate, who we are and where we have come from
What teacher questions/provocations will drive these inquiries?
How does our exploration of personal histories enrich our understanding of different cultures?
How have personal histories been recorded in different times and places?
How do personal histories reflect different cultures and traditions?
Cheers Nina
Nina Davis: Teaching & Learning in Australia 
Sep 15th 2009 by ……………..Timeline of your child s life.Please design a basic timeline of your child s life for use during our Unit on Personal Histories. Sep 14th 2009 by ………………Kindergarten Unit Letter.Duration 5 weeks.Organizing Theme Where we are in time and place.An inquiry into orientation in place and time personal histories homes and journeys the discoveries explorations and migrations of humankind the relationships between and the interconnectedness of individuals and civilizations from local and global perspectives..Central Idea Documenting our personal histories allows us to reflect on and celebrate where we have come from and how we have developed..An Inquiry Into . .Ways of documenting personal histories. .Personal change from birth to present. .Reflecting on past experience.Sample Activities . .Create a basic timeline at home with parents add significant events throughout unit. .Share an object from home that shows how they ve developed or where they ve been. .Think of things they can do now that they couldn t do before. .Describe a place they ve been to or a memory from their past.Main Assessments .Pre-assessment . .Discussion and recording pertinent comments about our own Personal Histories ..Summative assessment . .Presentation of time line from birth to the present in front of peers..