What happened before the lesson?

Where did the idea come from?
The book Now I’m Big by Margaret Miller provided the impetus for the children’s books about their sand babies.

What had the children learned BEFORE this lesson? 
Children had made their sand babies and made comparisons about their weight and length. 

What did you plan to do AFTER this lesson?
Children will take their babies home and share them with their families. The class book will be placed in the class library for all to enjoy.   

What's happening during the lesson?

Objective: The children will share their babies with their friends and write two pages for a class book entitled Once I was Little; Now I'm Big. 

Introduction: Read the book, Now I'm Big.

Procedure:

1. Discuss how their babies differed from their current size in weight and height.
2. Children meet in small groups and share their babies with their friends. 
3. Children complete two pages for a book. One page is titled, “When I was little,…”  The other  page was titled, “Now I am big….”  
   

What will I do after the lesson?

How did the children surprise you in this lesson?
I was amazed by the children’s care of their “babies.” The emotional development that I observed during this math activity was outstanding. Children shared their babies with their friends with many cautions and considerations. It was truly a joy to watch! 

How would you describe the teaching that occurred using the words on the Continuum of Teaching Behaviors?
When the children shared their babies with their friends, the teachers ACKNOWLEDGED their behaviors. When they worked on their book pages, the teachers FACILITATED their writing.