My Favorite Birthday Story

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Students learn most people have different birthday days, and realize it is something that makes them unique and special.

OBJECTIVE

Students Will:

1. Bring in a photograph of their favorite birthday.
2. Write or dictate a story about their favorite birthday.

MATERIALS

1. Lined paper
2. Construction paper for mounting the finished story

SET UP AND PREPARE

1. Send a note to parents explaining the activity and telling them to send in a photo (but not a precious one, since it will be pasted down on paper with the child's story). Suggest photocopying a picture.
2. Arrange for a few volunteers to help write the dictated stories. If you don't have volunteers, ask for upper grade students.
3. Have lined paper ready.

DIRECTIONS
Day 1
Step 1: Have students share photograph of their favorite birthday. This will give the students who did not bring in a picture another day to do so and motivation.

Day 2
Step 1: In small groups, have the students write about their favorite birthday.

Step 2: Edit their birthday stories and rewrite.

Step 3: Mount each story on 9" x 12" construction paper.

Step 4: Display stories on a bulletin board with photos under the caption: My Favorite Birthday.

LESSON EXTENSION
At the activity center have children frost a birthday cupcake and decorate with sprinkles.

ASSESS STUDENTS

1. Observe sequencing and the ability of children to express themselves.
2. Note which children were able to write or dictate a story about their favorite birthday. I have had a few children who had to tell me what kind of birthday they "wished" they would have because they had never had the experience.

ASSIGNMENTS

Find out the date of your mother or father's birthday. Is it in the same month as yours?

EVALUATE THE LESSON

1. Were most of the students able to write or dictate a story about their favorite birthday?
2. Were students able to bring in a birthday photograph? If not what are some good options? Use a school camera? Student draws the scene on a photo-size piece of paper?

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