Whole group teaching is important at times. It is common for the students all to sit together like this for discussion or other group work. This way all students can see and hear well. Here we were graphing. This is also important when I read to them and we do calendar activities.
Working with small groups is also important. More individual work can be done. First-graders need a lot of one to one instruction. In this photo we are doing an apple stamping activity that I needed to closely monitor. Small group work is common.
Each day, students are given the opportunity to work on projects chosen by them. Here students are working on holiday cards for their friends and family. This is a time when work can be student-centered instead of teacher-directed.
Here, two girls are planning the cover to a story they wrote together. This type of activity helps children be more independent of teacher help. Instead students rely on one another in their work. This is an important skill for first graders, who typically come to the teacher for assistance. Working with another student is a another way for students to interact with one another and it leaves the teacher more free to circulate and guide those who need help.
This is my favorite picture from my student teaching experience. The kids all squeezed together around me for a final group photo. I had such a great relationship with each one of these great kids. When I look back to these photos, I fondly remember the great semester we had together.