Differentiating

Teachers are constantly differentiating in the classroom for every skill, strategy, or subject area taught. Math is no exception to that rule. With the help of our math interventionist, Kathy Schaw, I have introduced a number of math games that work on number sense and span many levels.
The first game we learned was "Farkle" which is played with 6, six sided dice and depending upon the combinations players are awarded various points each round. The points are cumulus which demands much higher level addition skills than the children have ever been exposed to. With the help of an iPad app called "Number Rack" (this is a relatively new app and great for so many different skills) the children are able to do the necessary calculations. The best part about Farkle is that I am able to change the point value depending upon the skill level of each individual child.
The next game I taught the children was "Spit" or "Speed". Using a deck of playing cards the children organize their cards in front of them similarly to Solitaire with a few remaining cards in their hands. The object of the game is to get rid of your cards by placing them on two shared center piles. When getting rid of a card it has to be either the one before or the one after the existing card and there is an element of speed involved. I am able to differentiate the game for individuals by eliminating face cards. This is a very fast paced game and is enhanced by quick thinking and reactions.
Another game the children are playing is called "10 Frame Frenzy". For this game the children must match up addition facts that equal 10, locating answers on a Bingo type board, and think strategically in order to beat their partner. I am able to differentiate this game by changing the frames to 20 frames and addition facts that equal 20.
As we continue through our geometry unit and discover 3-D shapes in our world we will continue to build number sense through these games during our Work Place stations.

S'mores Celebration

After a failed start our S'mores celebration picked up and was a total success. The children loved roasting their own marshmellows and making their own S'mores. We had spent some time earlier in the day watching a youtube video on how to make a S'more and then created our own "how to" document with step by step procedures. It was really fun to watch them actually carry out the steps . . . some even counted to 30 so their chocolate would melt (not me!!).

Celebrations like this really help to create a positive environment and culture of caring and mutual respect within the classroom. They were all so thankful for the opportunity. So nice to be a part of in a world that frequently spins much too fast.

Dr. Seuss meets the Document Camera

Our new unit of study in readers workshop focuses on character study and what better characters to spend some time with than those created by Theodor Seuss Geisel. In writers workshop we will be working on constructed responses to prompts. Again, Dr. Seuss opens many doors to the imagination.
As the children arrived to school on Tuesday morning they were greeted by the aroma of green eggs and ham! Even the most reluctant eaters gave them a try and many were surprised by how much they enjoyed the breakfast surprise. We all donned Cat in the Hat style crowns and spent a good part of the day reading, watching, and thinking about the 108 year old author and illustrator.

Over the vacation I installed a document camera on to our SMART board and we are discovering many, many uses for this "new to us" technology. Along with our study of Dr. Seuss' books in literacy we are working on our listening skills (particularly with follow through to directions). Well, the document camera has proven to be worth it's weight in gold! We were sharing our first assignment that entailed several components toward meeting the goal (and a couple more to exceed). Everyone was sure they had either met or exceeded the goal. As it turned out only 3 children met and 2 exceeded. Almost everyone else asked if they could have their papers back for a second go. On our second assignment we had only shared 3 papers when many children raised their hands and asked if they could "do a little more" before their work was shared. How much am I loving this . . . let me count the ways!

Tomorrow we use the document camera to investigate reflective angles using pattern blocks and a hinged mirror. Who has more fun than us I ask?!

Happy Valentine's Day

We learned many historical facts and legends about Valentine's Day from one of our Rookie Reader books. We love Rookie Reader books as they are just the right size and hold just the right amount of information for young readers. You can find Rookie Reader books on just about anything or anyone of interest.
We also learned how to address an envelope with our names and mailing addresses. Everyone addressed a very large envelope and decorated it with many colored hearts. Later in the day Valentine's were delivered into the envelopes and loads of delicious treats were enjoyed. Thanks to all the parents who helped out and joined us for this celebration of friendship.

100th Day of School

We had counted forwards and backwards, grouped, charted, and created patterns using the numbers 1 - 99 each morning during number corner. All of that in anticipation for the 100th day of school. Of course we all had to wear crowns sporting 100 dots in various groups and . . .

• count by 100's as we all one by one dumped 100 gorp items into a large bowl
• eat 100 Kix one by one as we wrote all the numbers on a grid
• estimate what 100 steps would be and then count out 100 steps
  
• draw what we would look like in 100 years
  
• flip a penny 100 times and keep track of the heads and tails using tally marks
• hop on one foot for 100 seconds (it's longer than you think)
• talk to a friend for 100 seconds
• hold 100 popcorn kernals in our hand
• watch 100 popcorn kernals pop from a hot air popper and see where they would land
• compare what 100 popped kernals looked like after picking them up from around the room
• state what we would and would not eat 100 of
• state what we would and would not hold 100 of
• write what was one of our most favorite activities from the past 100 days
• as a group collect 100 happy words
• as a group read 100 books
• wrote number sentences equaling 100
  

We are all looking forward to next year when we are 2nd grade mathematicians. Perhaps our 100 year old guest teacher will make an appearance next year!

Readers Theatre = Fluent Readers

At the risk of sounding like a broken record . . . I love 1st grade! One of the many reasons is the amount of progress the children make in readers workshop over a relatively short period of time. Everyone is working on becoming a more fluent reader and the best way we know how is to read, read, and read some more. Readers Theatre allows children to do just that. They begin by reading the text to see which character is most interesting to them, reread to practice for an audition (just in case someone else wants the same character), reread aloud with the group in preparation for a performance, and finally read aloud as a group before an audience. More to come!

The Polar Express

Our last day of school in 2011 was a fantastic day for sure . . . one that I will remember and I hope the children do as well. The entire school jumped on board with us and celebrated the children's success' with a swarm party where everyone wore pajamas. At the end of the day we had a "slumber party" in the gym where we all sang songs to the beat of our own Allen Brook School Band (the same band that welcomes us in every Friday morning in the lobby). The place was hoppin'!

The most exciting part of our day began as the children entered the school after a brisk morning walk to the sound of a very loud train whistle. Everyone was given a ticket to board the Polar Express! They made their way to seats where they found hot cocoa, candy canes, and a bell from Santa's sleigh. As they settled in we viewed the actual Polar Express on the Smart board and then listened to a reading of the book by Chris VanAllsburg. Every time the children heard the word "bell" they shook their bell. Smiles were plentiful and eyes were wide open as we chugged on through the book. It was truly a magical time in the classroom!

Throughout the day the children rotated through 4 different workshops all pertaining to the book The Polar Express. They began by learning about the northern lights, which were mentioned in the book, and then created their own aurora borialis with chalk. Next they played Polar Express Bingo, created a reindeer ornament, and painted a winter scene. Everyone enjoyed the activities and spirit of the day.

It wouldn't be a celebration without something sweet! Everyone decorated cookies, it was astonishing how detailed everyone made their designs, and then consumed their work. I don't know how we will ever top this day! I left school that day exhausted and feeling totally blessed to work in such a supportive school community with amazing children that truly believe.