Title of Project: First Grade Readiness Flatcars

Grade Level: K-2

Number of Students Participating: 25

Contributed by: Josh Hamilton; Ninth District; Covington Independent School District

Overview/Description of Project: Current 1st grade class is creating flatcars for Kindergarten students to better prepare them for 1st grade.

Goals: 1st Grade students will review basic skills; assist Kindergarten students/families prepare for 1st Grade.

Core Content Areas: RD-EP-1.1, 1.5

STEP BY STEP GUIDE

STEP 1: PREPARATION

- Introduce and teach a mini-lesson about service learning

- Teach a mini-lesson on how to make flatcars in literacy stations

- Students brainstormed, with teacher, 1st grade skills that can be taught with the flatcars

- Prepare materials at each station for children to begin

STEP 2: ACTION

-During literacy stations (or morning work), students will complete flatcars, while reviewing skills already learned. Flatcars will cover simple math and literacy skills.

-The flatcars will be donated to the incoming 1st grade students and their families

STEP 3: REFLECTION

- Each day the students will review and share the skills that they used to prepare the flatcars with the rest of the class.

- Students will also write about what they are doing and reflect about how it feels to do service for preschool students/families.

STEP 4: CELEBRATION

- Sharing flatcars with the Kindergarten students

- Ice cream party