This is pretty much all you need to know about our day - we spent the afternoon making gingerbread houses in the lunchroom. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of the volunteers who came in to help (hope the frosting washes out okay...)

Enjoy!

Today, after Independent Reading time and Morning Meeting, we began Reader’s Workshop. Today we read a story called The Runaway Tortilla, which is another take on the gingerbread tales that we have been reading. After that, several of the reading groups met with me while the rest of the students traded for new books in their book bags and read independently. We then reviewed how to properly write a response in their Reader Response notebooks, and they got to work writing about the reading that they did today.

After that, we had our daily sing-along – today it was “If You’re Happy and You Know It.” Then it was on to Writer’s Workshop, where we worked on fixing and fancying once again, as well as rehearsed reading our stories. [If you can come in to help out any morning this week, please let me know – it would help with getting all of the kids recorded – thanks!]

Then we got all bundled up and headed down for lunch and recess, then back up to our room for Read Aloud – we read another chapter in Mr. Popper’s Penguins. Then it was time for gym, so we went down for class with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson.

When we got back up to the room, we had Math Workshop. Today we talked about and explored the relationships on a hundreds chart – moving back and forth and up and down as ways of adding and subtracting by ones and tens.

After math, we had a little art/room decoration time – we learned how to make paper snowflakes, and made a fine, fine mess cutting them out. Check out the windows in our room the next time you come by school – they are pretty fancy!

After that, and an extended clean-up time, it was time to get all bundled up again and head home!

Sorry for no post yesterday - here are some pictures and video from the Family Fun Run, in case you couldn't come. Enjoy!

Today, after Independent Reading Time and Morning Meeting, we had Reader’s Workshop. We worked again, for the first half of the time, on filling in the chart for our Story Study – the kids are really getting the hang of identifying the setting, charcters, plot, and making connections to the stories. They also got to “Buddy Read” with a friend as some of them met with me in Reading Group.

After that, we had our daily song – I’ve Been Working on the Railroad (again, by popular request). Then it was on to Writer’s Workshop, in which the kids are still ‘fixing and fancying” their pieces to record later this week and next week. They are adding great details and emotions to their writing!

We then headed down for lunch and recess (indoor today), and then had Read Aloud in our room. We read Chapters 2 and 3 of Mr. Popper’s Penguins – a shipment of penguins from the South Pole just arrived at the Popper house in Stillwater!

After that, we headed up to the art room for class – Mr. Fairbank’s student teacher taught the kids today. When we got back down to the room, we finished up some reading that we had left over from the a.m., as well as some of the kids who wanted to share their writing and didn’t get a chance in the morning got to read their pieces. After that, we worked on writing again – making sure that the letters are formed the proper way, and are the proper sizes.

After all of that, it was time to pack up and head home!

Another nice day in Room 240!!

After Independent Reading Time and Morning Meeting, we had Reader’s Workshop, as per normal. Today we worked on filling in some of the details on our chart for the Story Study of the gingerbread man tales. We talked about plot and setting once again, in the hopes that the kids will start to think about plot and setting in their own writing eventually. The kids also had reading time with their book bags, and some of them set with me in Reading Group.

After that, we learned a new song, I’ve Been Workin’ on the Railroad – the kids enjoyed it. We then took a few minutes of our Writer’s Workshop to write letters to Scientist Kristy to thank her for her time and expertise yesterday (check out the videos on yesterday’s post below). Then it was on to normal Writer’s Workshop, in which the kids practiced reading their chosen story, in preparation for recording it later this week.

After that, it was down for lunch and recess, then back up for Read Aloud. We started a new novel today, called Mr. Popper’s Penguins. It’s a classic, from 1938, and a Newbery Award winner. Then it was time to head on down the hall to Media for class with Mrs. Hennen.

When we got back to the room, we had Science Lab straightaway. Since our organisms unit is ending, we cleaned up the aquariums and terrariums that we had on the tables. This, of course, involved digging for and finding the pillbugs and the millipedes in the terrariums, and fishing out the weeds, snails, and guppies from the aquariums. Needless to say, a good time was had by all.

After that, we worked on our new spelling/word work program that we will be implementing in our class. It involves working on a specific spelling skill each week. This week we will be just ‘practicing’ how the weeks will go, with a practice test on Friday. I will send the words home with your child tomorrow.

After that, we had a bit of time to have birthday snacks from Ben (thanks, Ben!), and then pack up to head home.

Enjoy the snow!!!!!

Another great day in Room 240!

After Independent Reading time and Morning Meeting, we had Reader’s Workshop. Today we continued with the Story Study on the Gingerbread Man folktale. We read The Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett, which the kids enjoyed. It had some different settings and characters, which gave us a nice contrast to the other books that we have read thus far. The kids also traded the books in their Just-Right bookbags for new ones, and some met with me in Reading Group.

After that, we had our daily song – Ben, since it is his birthday today, got to choose the song, and he picked “Someone’s Taking us to the Zoo Tomorrow.” Then it was one to Writer’s Workshop. Today, we worked on ‘fixing and fancying’ the stories that the kids are going to read for our Writer’s Celebration next week. We worked on adding details, as well as adding thoughts and emotions to the pieces. They are really great – wait until you hear them!

Then we were off to lunch and recess, back up for just a minute before we were down to the gym for class. They met in the auditorium today, because Mrs. Johnson’s class was having their Family Fun Run today (ours in on Thursday – hope to se you there!).

After gym we came back up to the room for Math Workshop. We spent some time reviewing the addition and number family work that we have been doing for the past 2 weeks or so.

After that, we had a special guest – “Scientist Kristy” came in to talk with the kids about the planets. Scientist Kristy is, in real life, Kristy McQuinn, a Burroughs parent and a astrophysicist at the U. She talked about the planets and how they were formed, and why some of them are rocky without moons, and some of them are gas and have many moons – ask your child all about it. She also showed a couple of videos, and if she gives me the okay, I’ll post them here for you to see as well. [Update on Tuesday, 9-8-09 - here are the videos!]




After that busy day, it was time to pack up and head home!

Another nice day in Room 240!

Instead of the normal Independent Reading Time in the morning, we had Extreme Makeover Home Edition come to our classroom – the kids got to finish roofing the gingerbread house in our room and decorate the outside of it as well. It turned out pretty nicely, we think. There was no shortage of ideas of types of candy to paste on the walls!

After that, we had Morning Meeting, and we realized that we have been in school for 61 days already. Time flies when you’re having fun, I guess. After Morning Meeting, we continued our Story Study of the gingerbread man stories in Reader’s Workshop. Today we read The Gingerbread Boy, which we fun because it was set in an urban environment.

After that, by popular request, we sang Down By the Bay again (the kids just keep coming up with verses to sing, so what can I do? Then it was on to Writer’s Workshop, in which the kids worked on finding the story that they want to polish for the Writer’s Celebration next week. For the celebration, I will be recording the kids reading their stories digitally, and then burn a “Greatest Hits” album for each child to take home (with everyone’s story on it. It should be great fun (if you’re even a tiny bit tech-minded, or at least not tech-phobic, please send me an email [jake.knaus@mpls.k12.mn.us] – I’d love to have you come in and help out with the recording next week).

Then it was down to the cafeteria for lunch, out to recess, and back up to the room for Read Aloud. After that, we went up to the music room for class with Mr. Hofmann.

When we got back down to the room, we had Math Workshop. Today we were working again on the combinations that add to ten.

After Math, we had a quick Science Lab – we looked at the worm bin again to see how much of the scraps form the Stone Soup preparation day the worms have already eaten. As it turns out, they have eaten quite a bit – they are small, but hungry!

When Science Lab was done, we had Friday Fun, during which most of the kids got back to decorating the gingerbread house. It is now, I am happy to report, equipped with an oven (for cooking gingerbread people), a mailbox, and several sign that strictly limit the house to an occupancy of two.

We then cleaned up, packed up, and headed out!

Enjoy your weekend!

Today, after Independent Reading time and Morning Meeting, we went right into Reader’s Workshop. Today, we continued with the story study that we began yesterday. Today we read Gingerbread Girl, which was a fun, new take on the traditional story. Once again, we discussed setting, characters and plot. Then the kids had time to do buddy reading with their ‘just-right’ books, and then write a response in their Reader Response Journals.

After that, we sang Down By the Bay again, and the kids suggested some new (and very clever) verses to add to the song. After our song, we had Writer’s Workshop. We did not start any new stories today – we are wrapping up this second unit of writing. Today we were working on finishing up pieces that we have already started, with the aim to selecting one piece to read for our writer’s celebration next week. (This celebration will be just us in the class again – the next one will be ‘open to the public’!!)

After that, it was time to head down for lunch and recess. After that, we came back up to our room, and we read another short gingerbread boy book. Then we were off to the gym for class with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson – the kids all ran for 12 minutes today, in training for the Family Fun Run next Thursday (please come and join us – 12:00 – 12:55).

When we got back to Room 240, we had Math Workshop. Today the kids played a game in which one of them would say a number less than 10, and the other would say the number that ‘goes with’ that number to make 10 (4 and 6 or 8 and 2, for instance).

We then had a bit more handwriting practice – we reviewed the proper way to make the uppercase letters.

After all of that, it was construction time – the big cardboard box that was in our room yesterday has transformed into a 6 foot tall gingerbread house! Some of the kids worked as “roofers” by putting shingles on the roof, and some worked as “siders” by putting brown paper on the outside walls. We will finish the roofing and decorating the outside of the house tomorrow.

With that excitement out of the way, it was time to pack up and head home!

Today was another great day in Room 240 (and a good day for a post, as the meeting that I had after school was a short one).

Today, after Independent Reading Time and Morning Meeting, we had Reader’s Workshop. Today we began a “Story Study” on the various versions of the Gingerbread Man story. We will read and compare them, culminating in our making gingerbread houses next week. This is the book that we read today. We talked about setting, characters, plot, and connections to the text today. The kids also had individual reading time, and I had time to conference with kids again, to listen to them read, and evaluate their levels.

After that, we had our daily song – Down by the Bay, which the kids loved. It got pretty spirited, and we all got a bit carried away with making up new verses for the song for tomorrow. The kids should be thinking of new verses to bring in tomorrow for us to sing!

Then we had Writer’s Workshop. Today we had a summary lesson of the skills that we have been emphasizing throughout the last unit – zooming in on a small moment to tell, stretching that small moment out across several pages, and writing the outside of the story (what happened) as well as the inside (what they felt when it happened). Their stories are incredible – it is a joy to read them and to have them read to me.

After that, it was off to lunch and recess, then back up to the room for Read Aloud (Mr. Putter and Tabby Pick the Pears), and then up to the art room for class with Mr. Fairbanks.

When we got back down to our room, we had Math Workshop. Today we were working on solving word problems using ten frames instead of counting on fingers. The ten frames are a part of our Morning Meeting routine as we count how many days we’ve been in 1st grade, and they are the springboard into having the kids do the math in their heads, and then to have the facts recalled with automaticity.

After that, we had some more excitement. We had a large (6 feet by 4 feet by 5 inches) delivered to our room, and the kids all tried to guess what was inside it. They came up with some really good ideas, but I think that they were initially disappointed when I opened it and it was empty. Their smiles came back, though, when I told them that all of that cardboard will be made into something for our classroom for tomorrow. I told them to think of ideas of what it could be overnight, and they will see in the morning.

At the end of the day, instead of Science Lab, we did a little practice with penmanship and the proper way to make letters (the order and directions of the pencil strokes). This will help them greatly both now as the write and even more as they learn cursive writing in the coming years.

After all of that, it was time to pack up and head home!

Another great day in Room 240 – here are the details:

After Independent Reading time and Morning Meeting, we had Reader’s Workshop. The kids spent some time trading books for their book bags, and then the balance of the time reading and responding to their books. After that, we ate the much-awaited Stone Soup, which was remarkably tasty. Thanks to both Matt and Jane who came in to help serve (and eat) the soup. Several of the kids had multiple bowls of soup, and several were talking about making it for Thanksgiving dinner (just a heads-up; email me if you want the recipe… ☺).

After the feast, we spent some time talking about the people that work in our school for whom we are thankful. Each of the kids chose a person who is a non-classroom teacher (we get plenty of thank yous and fun letters from kids, generally) and wrote them a letter to say why we are thankful for them. We’ll finish the writing and the illustrations tomorrow, and then go out delivering!

After that, it was time for lunch and recess, and then back up to the classroom for Read Aloud (we started a new Cam Jansen book today). Then we were off to the Media Center for class with Mrs. Hennen.

When we got back to the room, we had Math Workshop. Today we worked on number combinations – using 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s to make 6, 8, 10, and 12 in as many different ways as possible. The kids should have the page that we worked on in their folders today.

At the end of the day, we worked on our thank you letters for a little bit, and then it was time to pack up and head home!

A bit of a crazy day in Rom 240, but a great one!

This morning, as many of you probably know, we did all of the prep work for Stone Soup. Thank you to the parents (Greg, Kristen, Christine, Jean, Sandee, Jill, and Joanne) for coming in to help out. I certainly could not have done it alone – that many kids with knives is quite a sight (even if they were all butter knives). We had a great time peeling, slicing, and dicing carrots, potatoes, celery, and an onion. Here’s some video of our escapades:

After all of that excitement, we learned the Stone Soup song – it goes like this, to the tune of “All Around the Mulberry Bush”:

Start the soup with water and stones,
Water and stones,
Water and stones.
Start the soup with water and stones,
Yum, Yum, Yum.

Drop in carrots and onions, too,
Onions, too,
Onions, too.
Drop in carrots and onions, too,
Yum, Yum, Yum.

Peas and celery go in too,
Go in too,
Go in too.
Peas and celery go in too,
Yum, Yum, Yum.

The tomatoes make it look like soup,
Look like soup,
Look like soup.
The tomatoes make it look like soup,
Yum, Yum, Yum.

Potatoes make the soup taste good,
Soup taste good,
Soup taste good.
Potatoes make the soup taste good,
Yum, Yum, Yum.

Add some barley to make the soup,
Make the soup,
Make the soup.
Add some barley to make the soup,
Yum, Yum, Yum.

Don’t forget the salt and pepper,
Salt and pepper,
Salt and pepper,
Don’t forget the salt and pepper,
Yum, Yum, Yum.

Stir it up and let it cook,
Let it cook,
Let it cook.
Stir it up and let it cook,
Yum, Yum, Yum.

Eat it all but please don’t slurp,
Please don’t slurp,
Please don’t slurp.
Eat it all but please don’t slurp,
YUM, YUM, YUM!


After that, we were back to (somewhat) normal. We had Writer’s Workshop, in which the kids went back to previous stories that they have worked on and added in details, much like our ‘friend’ Vera B. Williams does in her stories.

After that, it was off to lunch and recess, and then back in for Read Aloud, which was another version of Stone Soup. We then headed down to the gym for our time there.

When we got back up to the room, we had Reader’s Workshop, which we missed in the Stone Soup excitement this morning. Today we reviewed how to do Buddy Reading, and then they kids read and some of them met with me for Reading Group.

After reading, we had a bit of a “make-up” time. We fed the scraps from the Stone Soup fixings to the worms, got to look at some more money from around the world (thanks, Eleanor!), and talked about the food drive and the Penny Pals campaign. After that, it was time to pack up and head home!

Hello all,

Once again, I apologize for the lack of posts. We have had a glut of meetings after school for the past couple of weeks, and it has been busy.

On Friday, for those who might be interested, I was out because I was presenting at a Writing/Literacy Conference for teachers that was held at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, MN. I presented with our Literacy Coach, Megan Pershica, and I'm proud to say that everyone there was VERY impressed by your children's writing (of course I took samples to brag with...). If you 'd like to know more, you can access the brochure for the conference here.

Today, however, was a great day in room 240. After Independent Reading time and Morning Meeting, I decided to switch the normal order of the morning – we had Writer’s Workshop first, and then had Reader’s Workshop. The kids came in this morning with so many stories, and they were so excited about their stories, that I just had to let them write first off. They wrote some amazing pieces today – be sure to ask them all about them!

After Writing, we had our musical interlude – a fun song that we sing to get the kids up and moving a little bit before the next part of our morning. Today we sang an old favorite – “Someone’s Taking Us to the Zoo Tomorrow.” After that, we had Reader’s Workshop, in which we went shopping for new books for the book bags, and also got to do Buddy Reading, which the kids love. They also recorded their books that they read on their book log and then wrote a short reader response in their journal.

After that, it was time to head down to the lunchroom for lunch, and then out to recess. When we got back up to our room, we started a new book, called Cam Jansen and the Scary Snake Mystery, which Ray was nice enough to bring in for us to enjoy. After Chapter 1 (which had a nice cliff hanger ending), we went down to the gym for class with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson.

When we got back up to our room, we had Math Workshop, in which we worked on solving addition story problems using manipulatives (hands-on items to visualize the problem). We finished workshop with a nice discussion of the various strategies and methods that they kids used to solve and keep track of the multiple solutions.

After Math, we had Science Lab. In Science we are wrapping up our unit on Organisms, so today we had a discussion as a class comparing people to plants. We also made a Venn Diagram of our ideas, which we will continue to work on tomorrow. Also tomorrow, we will compare ourselves to other animals, to see similarities and differences.

After all of that, it was time to wrap everything up and head home!

Another good day in Room 240!!

After independent reading time and Morning Meeting, we had Reader’s Workshop. We are beginning an Author’s Study about Vera B. Williams. We looked at a poster that I made that highlighted events from her life and facts about her, so that we could get to know her a bit. The books that she writes are largely personal narratives, which is the next unit that we will be doing in Writer’s Workshop (we will use these books as Mentor Texts in our writing in the coming weeks). We read one of her books today as well – A Chair for my Mother (more details here). We’ll go back tomorrow and analyze the books for several key points.

After that, we had a short break time, and then it was on to Writer’s Workshop. Today we looked back at all of the writing that they have done thus far. They picked out one piece to give to me for a year-long record, one piece that they wanted to keep at school to continue working on, and then packed up the rest to bring home – ENJOY!

Then it was on to lunch and recess, then back up to our room to finish Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig, and then off to the library for class with Mrs. Hennen.

When we got back to our room, we had math workshop, in which we worked on the end-of-quarter assessment. After that great fun, we had Science Lab, in which we figured out what makes an organism an organism (breathing, eating, needing water, being alive, growing, and dying). Then each of the kids made a picture of their favorite organism.

After all of that, it was time to pack up and head home!

Another great day in Room 240!

After Independent Reading and Morning Meeting, we had Reader's Workshop. Today the kids chose new books for their book bags ("just-right" books for them, that they can read independently during Reader's Workshop). They also read their new books, and responded to them in their Reader's Response Journals.

After break time, we had Writer's Workshop, in which we had our first Writer's celebration of the year. Each student hasd been working on a 'publishing' piece. We've been working on revising it and adding details for the past several days. Yesterday, each kid chose a fragment of the their story to share with the whole class. Today, we the first part of the Writer's Celebration was to form a circle, and "read in" to to the circle the fragment of their story that they chose. After that, we split up into Reader Groups, and each child read his/her entire story to a small group. they did a wonderful job, every one! I also gave each one of them as certificate of accomplishment - they each came up, one by one, shook my hand, and got their certificate as their classmates were applauding them. After that, we had a toast to writers, with fancy plastic glasses and apple juice. It was very sweet, and the kids were very proud, as well they should be. They will bring their writing home next week.

After that, we headed out for lunch and recess, then back up to our room for Read Aloud (today we started Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig.) After Read-Aloud, we went upstairs for music class with Mr. Hoffman.

When we got back down to our room, we had a very fun Fall Party - thank you thank you thank you to all of the parents and grandparents who came to help and who donated supplies. The kids loved it! There was face painting, pumpkin decorating, napkin rings to make, a cool hand-pattern wreath in fall colors, and pumpkin-shaped cookies to decorate with frosting and sprinkles. I think that we all enjoyed ourselves!

After the party, we went outside to burn off a little excess energy, and then it was time to head home!

Have a wonderful and safe weekend - don't forget that daylight savings time is on Sunday night!

Well, I'm back, after two days out sick. According to nearly everyone, though, the substitutes were good, and everyone survived.

Today was another good day in Room 240. After Independent Reading and Morning Meeting, we sang a new song - "Six Little Ducks." Then we had Reader's Workshop, in which the kids practiced a skill that they have been developing for the past couple of days - forming questions in their mind about the text as they are reading. We call these "Active Reading Questions." After they had a chance to read from their book bags, they recorded their reading on their reading log, and then responded to it in their Reader Response Journal.

After that, we had a short break time, and then it was on to Writer's Workshop. Today we read a funny book called Always in Trouble, and it gave us ideas of how we could write our own stories. Then, of course, it was off to write.

When we finished writing, we went to lunch and recess, and then back up to the room for REad Aloud. We are in the middle of The School for Cats, which is in the Jenny Linsky/Cat Club series. We then headed upstairs to the art room for class with Mr. Fairbanks.

When we got back to our room, we had Math Workshop. Today we looked at various shapes (we call them "polygons"), and tried to arrange them all so that all of the sides were touching ("adjacent"). Then we sorted them into groups, and found that we could sort them into four-sided figures ("quadrilaterals") and three-sided figures ("triangles"). LOTS of big math vocabulary today...

After math, we had Science Lab. Just as we were headed outside to sketch our class tree again, it began to rain, so we went back up to our room and sketched the guppies and snails that are in the aquaria on the tables.

After all of that, it was time to pack up and head home!

Another great day in Room 240! After Independent Reading and Morning Meeting, we had Reader’s Workshop. Today we read a book called Mary Wore Her Red Dress, which was adapted from the old song of the same name. Luckily enough, it’s one of the (few) songs that I can play on the guitar, so we sang it as well. Then, each student made a page for a class book that follows the same pattern as the book (“Mary wore her red dress, red dress, red dress, Mary wore her red dress, all day long.”) We’ll assemble the book tomorrow.

After that, we had a short break time, and then were on to Writer’s Workshop. Some of the kids worked on polishing their pieces to publish, and some of them worked on a new piece.

After that, it was off to lunch and (indoor) recess, then Read-Aloud, and then up to the art room for class with Mr. Fairbanks. When we got back down to our room, we had Math Workshop, in which the kids experimented with pattern blocks, and how to arrange them to make various shapes in various ways.

After Math, it was time for Science Lab – we did more observations of our terrariums, and of the moss and tree seedling that is inside.

After all of that, it was time to head out!

Another great day in Room 240!

After Independent Reading and Morning Meeting, we had Reader’s Workshop. We worked again on independent reading at each child’s level, and then writing a Reader Response to one of the books that they have read. I also gave half of the kids a spelling assessment, so they will begin spelling soon – the spelling program will look a little different than you are perhaps used to – look for more info to be coming in the next days.

After reading, we had a short break time, and then it was on to Writer’s Workshop, in which we worked again on “fixing and fancying” the pieces that we are going to publish. Their stories are really coming along!

After writing, it was off for lunch and (indoor) recess. [Please make sure to send your child in warm clothes on cold days – we will be going outside tomorrow, in all likelihood.] After lunch, we kept reading from Jigsaw Jones and the Case of Hermie the Missing Hamster, and then headed down to the gym for class with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson.

When we got back up to our room, we had Math Workshop. Today we worked on numbers combinations of 7 (6+1, 5+2, 4+3, etc.). The kids made a little booklet that had all of the possible combinations of peas and carrots in vegetable soup if there were a total of 7 veggies in the soup. They took them home today – it should be in their folder!

After math, we had Science Lab, and we talked about seeds some more – we tried to make hypotheses about what happens when the seed is planted – how it turns into a plant. Some kids thought that the seed turns into a plant, like a caterpillar turns into a butterfly. Other kids thought that it was like an egg, that there was a tiny plant inside of a seed, so we cracked open some seeds and looked to see what was inside of them (no little tiny plants…). We’ll keep observing our plants to see what changes have happened since we planted them.

After all of that (whew) it was time to pack up and head home!

Today we had a fun, but busy, day in Room 240!

After independent reading and Morning Meeting, we had Reader's Workshop. Today we worked on the routines for workshop, now that the kids have their reading folders set up with their bookbags, reading logs, and reader response journals. They worked on all of the aspects of their folders today, and did a really nice job.

During Reader's Workshop, we had 3 volunteers in - Ava D.'s mom (Julie), Eleanor's mom (Mary), and Jack S.'s mom (Kari). Two (Julie and Mary) helped us plant seeds for our science unit - we will be watching the seeds grow over the next weeks. We planted peas, beans, sunflowers, and pumpkins. Kari was nice enough to read with kids as they were doing their reading in workshop.

After that, we had a short break, and then had Writer's Workshop. We are working on "fixing and fancying" up our writing. Each kids has chosen on piece that they will be working on for the next week or so, in anticipation of our first Writer's Celebration, which will be in two weeks, after the MEA break (stay tuned for more details).

Then it was off to lunch and recess, then back up to our room for Read Aloud - we are currently reading Jigsaw Jones and the Case of the Missing Hamster, which is another mystery series that kids really seem to enjoy. After that, we headed up to the music room for class with Mr. Hofmann.

When we got back up into our room, we played a comparing numbers game with cards - a lot like the one that went home for homework last night, but with the change that the kids could arrange the numbers in either order to make the largest number that they could.

After that, we had Science Lab - a couple of the kids were thinking about the planting that we did in the morning, and wanted to see if the worm castings from the worm bin would help the seeds grow faster and bigger, so we set up an experiment with bean seeds in which one container has just plain soil, and the other has soil plus worm castings. We'll keep you posted on the results.

After that, it was time from Friday Fun, and the kids all voted to go and play outside on the playground. It was a nice way to end our day and our week!

Enjoy the weekend!!

Hello, all - sorry for the lack of blog posts last week. It was a crazy week all around, especially with conferences in the evening on Thursday. The posts are back and will be much more frequent!

Today, after independent reading and Morning Meeting, we has Reader's Workshop. The kids learned how to distinguish between fiction and non-fiction in the books that they are reading. It was an interesting discussion, and there were a couple of books that some weren't sure about. Then, as they went out to practice reading, I showed them how to keep their reading log in their reading folder - recording the title and author of the book, as well as if it is fiction or non-fiction.

After reading, we had a short break time, and then it was time for Writer's Workshop. Today, I taught the kids about choosing the proper type of paper for the piece that they are going to write, to try to get them to do a little planning about the type of writing that they are going to do (lined v. non-lined v. paper with a space for writing and words, etc.). Then, of course, we wrote.

After writing, it was time for lunch and recess, and then back in for Read Aloud (we are still reading Jenny and the Cat Club). After that, we headed down to the gym for class with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson.

When we got back up to the room, we had Math Workshop. We continued working on comparing two-digit numbers by playing a card game (the game will be the kids' math homework tomorrow night). They had fun, and through the game, they realized that in order to compare 2-digit numbers, you only need to look at the first digit (unless it's a tie, they pointed out...).

After math, we headed outside for science. We visited our class tree again, and finished up the sketches that we began last week, and everyone got to do a bark rubbing also. Here's all of us outside (last week) enjoying the tree. Not quite as sunny today, but we did some good observational science anyhow.

Whew - after all of that, it was time to pack up and head home!

Today, after independent reading and Morning Meeting, we began our day in earnest. We first had Reader's Workshop, in which the kids again practiced writing a Reader's Response - their personal reaction to a book that they have read. This will become one of the staples of our literacy time as the year develops.

After Reader's Workshop, and a quick break, we moved onto Writer's Workshop. The kids continued to work on the books that they began this week - they are doing some amazing writing!

Then it was on to lunch and recess (indoors today, because of the overall sogginess outside), and then on to Read-Aloud, where we read some more of Jenny and the Cat Club. After that, we headed up to music for class (Mr. Hofmann was absent today, so the kids had a substitute). When we got back to the room, we had math, in which we continued to work on comparing numbers - the kids got play a fun guessing game (and got to use the dry erase markers too!!).

In science, we were going to go out and sketch our class tree, which we selected yesterday. (If you want to visit it, it is out in the back of the school, and it has a sign hanging on it. We're going to follow it throughout the seasons, sketching and doing leaf and bark rubbings.) We didn't go out today, due again to the rain, but we did a fun collage project - the kids each got an old National Geographic magazine, and cut out pictures. They then had to decide if the picture was of something living or non-living, and glue it on the proper poster. This is a par tof the introduction to the "Organisms" science unit that we will be starting in 2 weeks.

Thanks - enjoy your weekend!

Another great day in Room 240 - here it is:

After beginning the day with independent reading and Morning Meeting, we had Reader's Workshop. Today I taught the kids a mini-lesson about predicting (it's one of the habits of good readers). We read a cool book by Chris Van Allsburg called The Z was Zapped, which is a great book for predicting. After the lesson, the kids each got a book and went to go practice the strategy. After the work time, we gathered for the lesson closing, and the kids each talked about the strategy or strategies that they used as a reader today.

After that, we had a short break time, and then were on to Writer's Workshop. The mini-lesson for today was about making little stories bigger by including more details, splitting the events up and using multiple pages to make a book. We read another cool book, this one by Dav Pilkey, who also wrote the Captain Underpants books, among many others. The book is called The Paperboy, which helped to illustrate how a simple story is much richer with details. After the book, many of the kids went and tried to write like Dav Pilkey, and at the end of workshop, when we gathered, each writer shared how they wrote (not what they wrote, but how they wrote).

It was then time for lunch and recess, and then back up to our room for Read-aloud, in which we finished Cam Jansen and the Monster Movie Mystery. Then it was up to the art room for class with Mr. Fairbanks.

When we got back to our room, it was time for Math Workshop. We continued our study of the hundred chart. Today we worked on comparing two digit numbers using the chart. Then the kids played the game "It's Mine, It's Yours" again, but this time with 2 digit numbers and 100s charts. At the end of the workshop time, we again gathered to talk about the various strategies that they discovered for comparing numbers.

After math, it was time for science - we read a fun book about butterflies, so that we woudl know what to expect as our caterpillars grow up and get bigger.

After all of that, it was time to get ready to go home, to Spanish class, or to Minneapolis Kids!

Hello again - sorry for the lack of posts for two days.

Here's our day today:

After independent reading time and morning meeting, we had Reader's Workshop. Today the kids learned about thinking about and using background knowledge before they read - it's a skill that all readers do (although most of us do it unconconsiously, at this point). They then got a book that they had never read before, and practiced that skill before they read it.

After reading, we had Writer's Workshop. Today the kids looked back at all of the writing (a surprising amount) that they have done thus far and organized their writing folders into pieces that they are done with and pieces that they still have more to say about/are still working on. Then, of course, we wrote.

After that, it was lunch and recess time, and then back up to our room for Read-Aloud - we read another chapter form Cam Jansen and the Monster Movie Mystery. Then, it were off to Media for class and book check-out with Mrs. Hennen.

When we got back to the room, we had math - we are still working on the hundreds chart - I read off a list of numbers, they kids colored the numbers in, and then we connected the dots to make a picture. The math homework for today is dealing with hundreds charts as well.

After that, we had science, and began a 24 hour experiment to see how much caterpillars eat in a 24 hour period. Ask your child all about it - we'll have results tomorrow!

Finally, it was time to pack up and head home!

Another busy and full day in Room 240 - I bet that your first grader is almost as tired as I am at the end of the day!! :-)

After we had independent reading time and Monring Meeting this morning to begin our day, we had Reader's Workshop. The kids continued a lesson that they had yesterday with our "guest teacher" - Mrs. Pershica, who is our building's literacy specialist. They learned about "buddy reading" - reading with a friend. We practiced that again today - buddy reading will become a stapleof our literacy program, once all of the pieces are in place.

Afetr reading, we did Writer's Workshop - we read two books as examples of good ways to write - one was called Gregory the Terrible Eater and the other was Goodnight Gorilla. After that, we had some good and productive writing time!

Then it was time to head off for lunch and recess, then back to our room to read a chapter of Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Monster Movie - the kids are loving this book and this series!

We then headed up to music for class with Mr. Hofmann, and then back down to our room for math - the kids learned how to use a Hundreds Chart, and especially how to move around (adding and subtracting ones and tens).

After that, it was time for Friday Fun, after a surprise Fire Drill. We played out on the playground for a bit, and then had a bit of free time in the room. After all fo that, it was time to pack up and head out!!

Enjoy your weekend!!!

Today after independent reading and Morning Meeting, we had Reader's Workshop. I taught the kids a lesson about using context clues (the words and pictures that are around a 'tricky' or If the dinosaurs came back, in which I had put tape over one word on each page, and the kids had to figure out what the word was using clues. The the kids went out and practiced the skill in their own books.

After reading, we had a short break, and then worked on school bus safety again for a few minutes. After that, we had a short Writer's Workshop, in which we practiced how to use the portable white boards and markers, which we will use tomorrow in the workshop.

After that, it was time for lunch and recess, so we washed hands and headed down to the lunchroom. When we got back upstairs, we read another chapter of cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds, and then headed up to the art room for class with Mr. Fairbanks.

Back down in our classroom, we had math - the kids worked on filling in a blank calendar for the month of September, which served two purposes - the objective for the day was to learn about the calendar, but also one of the beginning of the year assessments that we do is to see how the kids are writing their numbers (which we will talk about at fall conferences).

After math, we did science, and we worked on observations of the caterpillars that are living in our room - they are getting bigger and bigger!

After all of that, it was time to pack up and head home - before we did, though, we read another bit of Cam Jansen - she and her friend were just discovered spying on the thieves - we'll find out tomorrow what happens to them!

Today, after independent reading time and Morning Meeting, we had Reader's Workshop. Today the kids learned again about how to write a Reader's Response - a reaction to a book. This will form one of their weekly tasks once reading groups are up and running. Today we read Bread and Jam for Frances (an 'oldie but a goodie,' as we say in the business...) and then the kids either wrote about a favorite part or a character connection that they had. The inportant thing about Reader's Response is that it includes the word "because." They are doing some really, really nice writing!

After that, we had a short break, and then had Writer's Workshop. We worked again today on stretching words to help spell them - ask your child to sing the song that we learned for you - the lyrics are here. Then the kids went and wrote for about 20 minutes. Again - they are fantastic writers and storytellers!

After writing, we headed off for lunch and recess. When we got back to the room, we read another chapter of Cam Jansen and the Diamond Store Robbery. We then moseyed on down the hall to the Media Center for class with Mrs. Hennen.

When we got back to the room, we had Math Workshop - the kids learned another comparing game, similar to the one that they played yesterday. It's a game like "war" that you may remember from when you were small, but in 1st grade we call it "It's Mine, It's Yours." :-)

We also had a quick review of tally marks - some of the kids had forgotten how they worked form last year.

After math we had science, and we learned about the life cycle of the butterfly. The kids came up with the life cycle of a human first, and then we compared that to the life cycle of a butterfly. They really had some good ideas to contribute to the discussion

After all of that, it was time to disinfect the tables (literally - with Clorox wipes), pack up and head out!

Happy Friday!

We had a great day today in Room 240! After we began our day with independent reading and morning meeting, we had Reader's Workshop. I read Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes to the kids, and then they wrote a "reader response" to the book (basically a reaction to what they read). They learned today that they can write about a 'character connection' or about a part of the book that they particularly liked.

After reading, we had the annual (and much anticipated) bus safety lessons, and the kids got to do a little bit of coloring. After all of that, we did a little bit of writing, and then it was time to head off for lunch and recess.

When we got back to the room, we started another High Rise Private Eyes book, and then went to music with Mr. Hofmann. After that, we watched the speech that President Obama gave to schoolkids last week - we invited Ms. Mooney's class over to our place to watch with us.

After that, we went outside for a little bit of recess, and then back in for Friday Fun in the room.

THEN.... (whew) - it was time to pack up and head out!

Another great day in Room 240!

After we began our morning with independent reading and morning meeting, we had Reader's Workshop. Today, I taught the kids two mini-lessons - one was about the proper care of books in our classroom libraries, and the other was about selecting books. The lesson about selecting books was fun - I tried on shoes (that's all I'll say - ask your child!!). In the middle of reading, we had our first fire drill of the year (there will likely be another one next week). The kids were forewarned, and we discussed the procedures, so it waent very smoothly.

When we got back into the room we took a short break, and then we had Writer's Workshop. Today the kids learned about two authors that they may try to emulate in their writing - Don Freeman, who wrote Corduroy (among many, many books) and Richard Scarry. Don Freeman uses a large picture and then adds text below the picture, while Richard Scarry make elaborate pictures, and the text is largely labels.

After that, it was time for lunch and recess, and then back up to the room to finish the High Rise Private Eyes book that we started yesterday. Then it was time for gym, and then back up to the room for math. The kids played a number game in math, and then we discussed the various solutions and strategies that they came up with.

After math, we did science, and we looked at monarch caterpillars and eggs that we will be hatching and eventually releasing this fall. After all of that, it was time to pack up and head out!

Sorry for the lack of post yesterday - two meetings after school, and then a soccer game to attend.

At any rate, here is our day today. After independent reading time to begin the day, we had Morning Meeting. Then, we began Reader's Workshop. Today I taught a lesson about using the pictures in a book to preview the text and anticipate any 'tricky words' that might be in the book. We read A Mother for Choco, doing a 'picture walk' first, and then reading second. After the lesson, the kids got books and read independently to practice the skill. After reading, we had as short break, and then had Writer's Workshop. I taught a lesson about including things that are hard to draw in our stories, and then the kids had some quality writing time.

After all of that, we had lunch and recess, and then back in. Before we went up to the art room to see Mr. Fairbanks, we finished Nate the Great and the Phony Clue. When we got back from art, we had math - the kids learned a new game called "Making 20 Together" that they played with dice and teddy bear counters. Then then used math tools again, and we did a summary of our 'findings' from our experiments with pattern blocks for the closing of Math Workshop.

After math, we did science (we had so much fun in math that there wasn't a whole lot of time left for science) - we watched a couple of short videos: this one, which shows a worm coming out of a worm cocoon, this one, which shows one of an earthworm's 5 hearts, and then this one (which wasn;t working very well) about worm farming.

After all of that, it was time to pack up and head out!

Today was another great day in Room 240! To begin, we had independent reading, and then morning meeting. After Morning Meeting, we had Reader’s Workshop, and the kids learned about what to do when they need help and the teacher is not available (like after we start reading groups, for instance). They had a chance to practice, by reading books, and then asking a neighbor for help in a small voice.

After Reading, we had Writer’s Workshop, and I taught the kids a lesson about going back to previous pieces of writing and adding details to make the story richer. The kids then had a lot of good writing time – their writing will make you proud!

After writing, we had a bit of time for another room decoration project – the kids each decorated a paper t-shirt with a favorite summer memory. We then showed each one, and talked about our summers. We didn’t quite get to everyone, but we will finish up on Tuesday.

Then it was time for lunch and recess, and then back to the room, where we read a book by a local author, Phyllis Root. The book was Aunt Nancy and Cousin Lazybones. Then it was up to music for class with Mr. Hofmann.

When we got back down to the room, we had Math – we read a math book called Anno’s Counting Book. After we gave our room a quick cleaning, we had a little free art time, and then headed down to the playground for a surprise extra recess. By the time we got back up to the room, it was time to pack up and head out!!

Another great day in Room 240!!

After the kids had a bit of independent reading time to begin the day, we had morning meeting. After meeting, we began Reader’s Workshop, in which we talked about the tools that people use in various jobs, and then talked about the tools that we use in Reader’s Workshop, and how to take care of them, especially books.

After Reader’s Workshop, we did a “room decorating project” to beautify our room a bit. Each student cut out an outline of a person, and then dressed him/her with scraps of fabric glued on and cut to fit. They then each drew on a face – they turned out really cute, if we do say so ourselves. ☺

We then had Writer’s Workshop, and then kids learned about how to choose an idea to write about. They then had the choice to either continue with a story that they began yesterday or begin a new one.

After writing, it was time for lunch and recess, and then back up to the room to finish the Nate the Great story that we are reading – ask your child how Nate solved the case! Then it was off to the gym for P.E. with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson. On Thursdays we have class with Mrs. Lasser’s class, so the kids got to see some old kindergarten friends.

When we got back up to our room, we did our monthly self-portrait for September, which will be hanging up in the room – and we will add to it each month for a really fun collection at the end of the year. After that, we had Math Workshop, in which the kids experimented with Math Tools again.

After math, we did science, and we got out the worms and the magnifying glasses again. This time, the kids were scientists and drew and wrote down their observations on a recording sheet.

After all of that (WHEW!), it was time to pack up and get ready to go!

Another busy, but very good, day in Room 240. To begin the day, we had independent reading time, followed by Morning Meeting. The kids had a chance to share something if they wished, and several did.

After Morning Meeting, we had Reader’s Workshop. Today the lesson was about what the classroom should look and sound like during Read-Aloud. The kids also learned about what their “inside the head jobs” to do while they are listening to a story are: thinking, asking themselves questions, paying attention, and predicting. Then I read them an Amelia Bedelia book, which, as you can guess, involves a fair amount of predicting. We then closed up Reader’s Workshop by recapping the skills that they learned today.

After Reader’s Workshop, we had a short break and then we had Writer’s Workshop for the first time. I taught the kids how to begin a story – so many of them are already great writers! They all wrote for about 20 minutes – I can’t wait to read their writing tonight!

After Writer’s Workshop, the kids had a little free art time – they got to draw whatever they liked before lunch and recess.

When we got back from lunch and recess, we had a little bit of time to continue reading the Nate the Great book that we began yesterday, and then we headed up to the art room for class with Mr. Fairbanks.

After art, we had math, and continued with the explorations of math tools that we stated yesterday.

To wrap up the day, we had science, and we generated a list of questions about our worms. Then, each student got a magnifying glass and a partner, and then observed one of the worms with their magnifying glass. After examining two different worms, we discussed their research findings – they came up with some very interesting observations about the worms, as you can guess.

After all of that, it was time to pack up and head out!

First Day of School!!

Welcome to the blog - I will try to update it every day, so that you can have some insight into what we arre up to in school, and hopefully have a little information to use to pry details out of your child (I know that's a challenge in my house...)


Today was a bit of a whirlwind, as I'm sure you can imagine. We were very busy, and it seems like the day really flew by. When the kids first arrived, they worked on the name plate that they took home today - they were to draw their favorite animal and their favorite sport in the upper corners, and their favorite food and their age in the lower corners. Each child then had the chance to share their work, so that we could all get to know each other a bit better.

We also had a bit of a chance to learn some of the procedures and rules for the classroom - we spent a good deal of the morning working on things like lining up, walking in the halls, raising hands, and the like. The kids also got to meet *most* of the 500 pets that we will have - they are red wiggler worms, that we will use to compost food waste. There is some good information about worm composting here and here, if you're interested, and our worm bin looks like this. Worms will be the first science unit that we will do this year - you will probably hear way too much about worms in the coming weeks.

We has Reader's Workshop in the morning as well - the kids learned about the workshop format (opening meeting, work time, and then closing meeting). The kids got to read independently during work time today.

After all of that, we went down to the lunchroom and goot everyone to successfully navigate the lunch line - then the kids went out for recess (as the process gets smoother, the recess time will be longer).

When we got back in, we had a bit of time for Read-Aloud - we started to read Nate the Great and the Fishy Clue. Then it was off to the Media Center for our time there with Mrs. Hennen. When we got back from Media, we (finally) unpacked our backpacks and bags of supplies, and put them where they belong. The kids also loaded up a homework supplies box, that they can use for their homework. I asked them to find their "homework space" at home and put the box there.

After the unpacking, we had Math Workshop. This workshop uses the same format as Reader's Workshop, and today the kids got to explore using math tools - dominoes, pattern blocks, multi-fix cubes, square tiles, and wooden blocks.

After we got cleaned up, it was time to get organized to go home - get the Take-Home Folders passed out, backpacks packed, and all lined up in order. Then, it was time to go!!