Building Schema on Immigration

I have been focusing on the "Strategies for Comprehension" this year.   I wanted to model how we "Build Schema."

I started the lesson by having the kids make a schema web about Immigration at Ellis Island.  The children did not have much background information.(which was good)  We were planning to watch the live virtual field trip to Ellis Island on Scholastic later in the week. 

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/webcast.htm

We read several books during the week.  Here are a few of the books we read:

We continued adding to our webs.  I wanted the children to write facts that were stuck in their brains and not copying from the book.  We watched the web cast and it helped the children understand the Tour of Ellis Island and the live Q & A session with kids across the US.  We added to our webs again. 

Here are a few more samples of their schema webs:

I found a great activity to model how schema sticks in your brain using a lint roller.  I had the children each write a fact on a piece of paper and had the kids spread them out on the floor.  I used the roller and the facts stuck to our brain.  (Be careful of rug lint...lol)  The kids loved it...and even better got it!!!!

Click on the images below to links for lint roller: