Six Props, Six Big Questions and A Lot of Energy:)

The 3rd grade students proved that they were up to the challenge during Lesson #4. Melissa assured us that by providing six hats that our "characters" would come to life. Well, the afternoon played out exactly as planned. Students were grouped mainly in threes and provided a hat, chart paper with the big 6 questions and time. Before the students set off to their work space, we provided a model of a princess hat. We prompted students to begin answering the who, what, when, where, why and how about the princess. Before long, the students began to recognize that their creative thinking brought a hat magically to life. One student even commented that we could write a story about her when we finished.

Students then set off to their six character building spaces (cowboy, knight, pirate, witch, baseball player, and chef). They were to write answers to all the questions on the chart paper, including lots of details. We reminded the class that they would be presenting their character to the class. This gentle reminder seemed to spark some extra creativity in a few of the groups.

Groups practiced for a short period and performed for their audience. We could tell that students were engaged in the process because audience members were giving plenty of compliments and asking clarifying questions!

The knight group begins its journey.

The "hot sauce" chefs in action.

The chef's group planning sheet.