aidemia--modules-lessonstartideas_type	Give a creative idea how to begin a lesson
Which subject	Reading
What age group	Year or Grade 1
What topic
Quantity	1
Any other preferences

Fun Reading Adventure: Whānau Story Time!

Objective

Engage Year 1 students in a creative reading lesson that connects them with stories and encourages their imagination.

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Materials Needed

• A selection of picture books from various genres (e.g., fairy tales, animal stories, adventure, etc.)
• Large chart paper or whiteboard
• Markers
• Sticky notes

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Lesson Introduction

Welcome, Kākano! 🌱

Begin the lesson by welcoming the students warmly. Gather them in a circle on the mat and let them know that today is all about diving into exciting stories. Use the following prompt to capture their attention:

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The Magic of Stories

“Kia ora, everyone! Today, we’re going to go on a magical adventure through the world of reading! But first, I want you all to imagine...

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

• Would it be to the highest mountain? 🌄
• Or perhaps to a secret forest filled with friendly animals? 🦄
• How about an underwater kingdom where fish can talk? 🐠

Take a moment to share your ideas with a buddy sitting next to you. Ready? Go!”

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Sharing Ideas

After a few minutes of discussion, ask a few students to share their destination with the whole group. Encourage them to describe what they would see, hear, and feel in their special place.

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The Connection to Stories

Once the excitement settles, explain:

“Fantastic ideas! Just like the exciting places you imagined, stories can take us anywhere we want to go! Today, we are going to read some wonderful stories that will take us on incredible journeys! Whether it's a brave knight, a curious kitten, or a flying dragon, books open up new worlds for us!”

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Activity: Story Map

Creating Our Class Story Map

1. Dive Into the Books:

   • Allow students to choose their favourite picture books from the selection you provided.

2. Map It Out:

   • After reading, invite each student to draw a small picture or write a short sentence about the most exciting part of their story on a sticky note.
   • Gather all the sticky notes and create a class “Story Map” on the chart paper or whiteboard, pinning their responses as destinations on our reading adventure.

3. Reflect:

   • Conclude the lesson by having students share their contributions and how each story took them to a different place, reinforcing the idea of reading as an adventure.

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End Note

“Remember, just like you all have very special places in your minds, we have countless more stories to explore! So let’s keep reading and letting our imaginations soar. Ka pai, everyone!”

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This engaging, hands-on approach encourages first graders to connect reading with creativity and personal expression, fostering a joyful and interactive reading environment in line with New Zealand educational practices. 🌟📚