A thematic and literature-based language arts plan for the first grade : an honors thesis (HONRS 499)

Abstract

The purpose of this project was to create a thematic and literature based plan for teaching the language arts at the first grade level. The plan that I have written is thematic in that the literature and related activities focus on various themes, such as dinosaurs, to create increased interest and motivation for students. It is literature-based in that it utilizes children's literature to integrate the teaching of the four areas of the language arts: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.There are six sections to this language arts plan. The first is a listing of possible themes a teacher may make use of when planning instruction for the year. The second section is a statement of year long goals appropriate for the first grade, and divided into the four branches of the language arts. The third section is a collection of teacher activities that I believe are essential to the successful teaching of the language arts using this plan. Next are listings of possible reading, writing, speaking, and listening activities which could be employed when preparing lessons. The fifth section is a group of sample language arts activity plans based on specific pieces of literature, and on the previously mentioned themes. Finally, a sixth section, provides a selected bibliography which could easily be utilized for selecting literature for the first grade classroom.