How do you teach text-to-text connections in first grade without making the strategy too complicated for young readers?

In this episode of The Education Connection, Robin Wilson shares the simple, step-by-step way she teaches first graders to connect one text to another as part of her Writing About Reading series.

You'll hear how Robin uses a simple anchor chart with two books and a large arrow, chooses books with easy-to-find connections, and spreads the lesson across two days. She also shares why different versions of familiar stories, such as The Three Little Pigs and Cinderella, work so well when introducing this reading comprehension strategy.

Then, Robin explains how she moves students from talking about their connections to drawing and writing about them.

If they can say it, they can write it!

🎁 FREE Text-to-Text Connections Printable

Grab the free printable that goes along with this episode. It gives young readers a simple visual for connecting two texts and prompts them to think about characters, events, problems, and settings.

Get the FREE printable here: https://firstgradeloves.com/text-to-text-connections/

📚 Text-to-Text, Text-to-Self & Text-to-World Resource

Want the student response sheets Robin uses with all three types of connections? Find the complete Connections resource here:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Text-to-Text-Text-to-Self-Text-to-World-Connections-1736887

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This episode is perfect for first-grade teachers, primary teachers, homeschool educators, and anyone looking for practical ways to teach reading comprehension, making connections, text-to-text connections, and writing about reading.

Next in the Writing About Reading series: Text-to-Self Connections!

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How to Teach Background Knowledge for Reading Comprehension in First Grade | Writing About Reading Series

How do you teach first graders to use background knowledge while reading? In this episode of The Education Connection, Robin Wilson shares a simple, first-grade-friendly way to introduce background knowledge, also called schema, as a reading comprehension strategy.

Robin shares how she begins with a big-brain anchor chart and asks one simple question: “What do you know?” As students share everything from dinosaurs to Minecraft and Roblox, they begin to understand that their brains are already filled with knowledge from their experiences, learning, and reading.

Then Robin takes the strategy to a book. After reading, students draw and write about one thing they already know about the topic, creating a simple bridge from thinking and talking to writing about reading.

You'll also hear why activating background knowledge doesn't need to be complicated and how this simple strategy helps young readers understand an important truth: their brains should be thinking while they read.

Plus, Robin shares a little peek at something new she's beginning to develop behind the scenes for her Writing About Reading approach.

🎁 FREE Background Knowledge Worksheet

Use the same simple activity Robin describes in this episode with your own students. Students draw what they already know inside the brain and then write about one of their ideas.

GET THE FREEBIE HERE

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How do you teach retelling in first grade without students telling every tiny detail—or barely telling you anything at all?

In this episode of The Education Connection, we're wrapping up Part One of the Writing About Reading series with a simple approach to teaching students how to retell a story using the most important details.

I'll share how I use a four-square graphic organizer to help first graders plan their thinking before they begin writing. We'll talk about what to include on the graphic organizer, how to model retelling with an anchor chart and Smart Board, and how to gradually move students from guided activities to independent practice.

You'll also hear my simple routine:

Read. Plan. Say. Retell. Write.

Because before we expect our first graders to write a retell, we need to help them organize their thinking and practice saying it aloud.

Whether you're looking for first grade reading comprehension activities, a retelling graphic organizer, or practical ideas for helping young readers write about what they read, this episode will give you a simple place to start.

This episode also marks the end of Part One of Writing About Reading! Next week, we'll begin Part Two and move into comprehension strategies that help students think more deeply about what they're reading.

Perfect for first grade teachers, homeschool families, private and Christian school educators, and tutors looking for simple reading comprehension and writing activities.

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