April is National Poetry Month and we have been reading loads of poetry. Last week the children began writing their own poems and as always I was blown away with their ability to choose words that relay meaning and include creative design and emotion. The first thing we learn about poems is that they break all the rules of writing that we have been studying . . . boy do they love that! It's truly a beautiful thing to watch a child share a newly written poem and ask others to help bring it to life. Bringing a poem to life involves creating line breaks and moving words or phrases around to sound better. This week the children will be posting some of their work on their own blogs.
Every Friday afternoon we have a team meeting. As always the meeting ends with "recognitions". Recognitions are when one student recognizes another for something they did that was safe, kind, or responsible. This past Friday a second graders recognition brought the adults to tears. It went as follows, "I would like to recognize Jamie for helping me get better at jump roping. He told me that all I needed was to be more confident. I believed in myself and now I am really good. It's nice to know that other kids are looking out for me." Amazing!
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Little Bird Tales
The children have learned how to use a fantastic web based publishing site called Little Bird Tales. First everyone had to register within the site using their school email address. After having completed a story (a very short story so that we can get right to publishing for a larger audience) the task of creating art work and typing in the text began. Finally, reading and recording the story for all to hear. Saving our work was the biggest stumbling stone! Some pages required 2 saves while others only one. Everyone seems to have it down after a bit of trial and error and we are beginning to publish the stories on the sidebar of the blog as well as their own individual blogs (we really need to get back into those and publish more of our work). Enjoy listening to their sweet voices . . . it's really a treat!
Here's a tutorial if you would like to know more about Little Bird Tales. Given that this tool is web based the children can access their accounts from anywhere! Little Bird Tales
Here's a tutorial if you would like to know more about Little Bird Tales. Given that this tool is web based the children can access their accounts from anywhere! Little Bird Tales
Sunday, March 18, 2012
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.
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.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
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.
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?!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
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.
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.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
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
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