Sorry for the lack of posting yesterday – meetings after school took up all of my time. At any rate, it was another great day in Room 240!
After Independent Literacy Time and Morning Meeting, we had Reader’s Workshop. Today we read another poem by our new poetry writing mentor/friend Eloise Greenfield. The poem is called “Reggie,” a sweet poem about a girl who misses her brother during the summer when he “moves out” to play basketball across the street all day long, only returning home to eat and sleep. We talked about “lovely language and inviting images” that Eloise used in her poem, as well as tried to tease out the theme (what she was trying to say or get us to feel, as opposed to the plot, which is what happened during the piece). Tomorrow we’ll talk about the structure of the poem – how she used line breaks and indentation to help her poem “sing.” The kids then went of to read their books, both with a buddy and independently. As the kids are meeting with me in reading group, they are reading Eloise’s poetry as well.
After reading, we had a song (Down by the Bay, again…), and then it was on to Writer’s Workshop. Today the kids learned about taking a huge idea that they feel strongly about (huge like a watermelon) and then find a small moment, detail, or object that they can write about to show their feeling for that idea (small like a seed). It’s a big topic for the kids, but they’re starting to get it. They have written some very cool poetry thus far!
After writing, it was time for lunch. But after lunch today, we all came back up to our room for the ice cream party that the kids earned by having 100% participation in the Read-a-thon. Ice cream sundaes can make for a bit of an active Read Aloud, but it was all good. For Read Aloud, we read two Poppleton books – this one and this one. After we finished the second book, we headed up to the art room for class with Mr. Fairbanks.
When we got back up to our room, we had Math Workshop. We continued our discussion of telling time to the nearest 15 minutes. The kids each had their own little clock to manipulate. After the kids had a good chance to practice with the clocks, they each made a time book, in which they recorded some of the important times throughout their days.
For Science Lab today, we did another experiment with electrical circuits – we added a switch to the system (which looks like this). First the young scientists had to figure out how to make the lightbulb light using all of the components (battery, lightbulb, switch, and three wires). Then they had to figure out why the switch works. We had some interesting discussion, and finally ‘discovered’ that electricity needs a full circuit to work!
After all of that, it was time to head home!
Monday, March 22, 2010
Another fantastic day in Room 240 – here’s the skinny:
After Independent Literacy Time and Morning Meeting, we went down to the gym for a Rope Power presentation by the Burroughs Rope Power (jump roping) team. They will be performing/competing at Washburn HS tomorrow night at 6:30, if you’re interested. It was really good – the ids have obviously put in a lot of hard work. They had some really interesting tricks!
When we got back up to our classroom, it was almost lunchtime, but we were able to sneak in a shortened Reader’s Workshop. Today we re-acquainted ourselves with our new author “friend” – the poet Eloise Greenfield. I read one of her poems to the kids, and had them listen for and identify what we call “lovely language” and “inviting images” in her work, in the hope that the kids will translate her quest for “word madness” (words that excite the reader) into their own writing.
After reading, it was already time for lunch and recess. After recess, we had Read Aloud – and we finished our current Jigsaw Jones book (everything turned out fine, you’ll be happy to know… ☺). Our schedule was mixed up today, due to the Rope Power presentation, so instead of going to gym as we normally would have, we had the Writer’s Workshop that we missed in the AM. Today we talked about putting line breaks in poems, and how they control the rhythm of the poem, and “make it sing.” We looked at two different poems, written first in prose, and then broke them up into distinct lines to give the poem voice and make it sing. Then the kids went off to make their own poems. They created some really brilliant poems – I can’t wait to share them all!
After writing, we moved into Math Workshop – we are beginning a min-unit on telling time. Today we practiced with the old, tried-and-true Judy clock – we will be working on telling time to the hour, half hour, and quarter hour. Start asking your child what time it is (with a non-digital clock!).
After that, we packed up all of our stuff, and went down to the gym for class with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson to end our day. From there, it was straight out to the buses and home!
After Independent Literacy Time and Morning Meeting, we went down to the gym for a Rope Power presentation by the Burroughs Rope Power (jump roping) team. They will be performing/competing at Washburn HS tomorrow night at 6:30, if you’re interested. It was really good – the ids have obviously put in a lot of hard work. They had some really interesting tricks!
When we got back up to our classroom, it was almost lunchtime, but we were able to sneak in a shortened Reader’s Workshop. Today we re-acquainted ourselves with our new author “friend” – the poet Eloise Greenfield. I read one of her poems to the kids, and had them listen for and identify what we call “lovely language” and “inviting images” in her work, in the hope that the kids will translate her quest for “word madness” (words that excite the reader) into their own writing.
After reading, it was already time for lunch and recess. After recess, we had Read Aloud – and we finished our current Jigsaw Jones book (everything turned out fine, you’ll be happy to know… ☺). Our schedule was mixed up today, due to the Rope Power presentation, so instead of going to gym as we normally would have, we had the Writer’s Workshop that we missed in the AM. Today we talked about putting line breaks in poems, and how they control the rhythm of the poem, and “make it sing.” We looked at two different poems, written first in prose, and then broke them up into distinct lines to give the poem voice and make it sing. Then the kids went off to make their own poems. They created some really brilliant poems – I can’t wait to share them all!
After writing, we moved into Math Workshop – we are beginning a min-unit on telling time. Today we practiced with the old, tried-and-true Judy clock – we will be working on telling time to the hour, half hour, and quarter hour. Start asking your child what time it is (with a non-digital clock!).
After that, we packed up all of our stuff, and went down to the gym for class with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson to end our day. From there, it was straight out to the buses and home!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Another great day in Room 240!
After Independent Literacy Time and Morning Meeting, we had Reader’s Workshop. Today I introduced the kids to our newest author study – Eloise Greenfield. She is a poet, and has published all sorts of books, from fiction to non-fiction and biography, and from picture books to chapter books to poetry. We will focus mostly on her poetry, which is wonderful. The kids will be reading her work in Reading Group with me, as well as a whole class. Today, after learning some facts about our new friend and mentor Eloise, I read two of her poems to the kids – "Lessie" and “Honey I Love.” Both are from her book called Honey I Love. We also talked about how Eloise always tries to find precisely the right word to write – and when the kids went off to read, they looked for examples in their books of how the author looked for just the right word to tell the story.
After reading, we went on to Writer’s Workshop, which is really an extension of Reader’s Workshop. Today we talked again about seeing objects “with a poet’s eye” – to look at something commonplace and see it in an uncommon way (like Eloise describing her neighbor spraying her with a hose on a hot day as a “flying pool”). After we brainstormed a list of things in the room that would be good to look at with a poet’s eye, the kids used their poetry journals to record their observations. They were really great, like this one – I have a big, thick textbook in the room, and one of the kids saw it as “a huge, thick word cake, ready to be eaten.”
When we finished with Writer’s Workshop, we got ready for lunch, and headed down to the lunchroom, and then out for recess. When we got back up to the room, we read some more of our Jigsaw Jones book for Read Aloud, and then went down to the gym for class with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson.
When we got back up to our room, it was time for Math Workshop. Today the kids played two games with a partner – one was addition practice, and the other was subtraction practice.
After math, we had Science Lab. We tried to make sense of the experiment that we did yesterday – how to get a light bulb to light up with a wire, a D cell battery, and a small light bulb. We were left with this question – why do we need the wire to make it work? Why can’t we just hook up the light bulb to the end of the battery, since we figured out that the electricity is in the battery? We’ll try top sort out that question tomorrow in Science Lab with another experiment.
After all of that, it was time to head home!
After Independent Literacy Time and Morning Meeting, we had Reader’s Workshop. Today I introduced the kids to our newest author study – Eloise Greenfield. She is a poet, and has published all sorts of books, from fiction to non-fiction and biography, and from picture books to chapter books to poetry. We will focus mostly on her poetry, which is wonderful. The kids will be reading her work in Reading Group with me, as well as a whole class. Today, after learning some facts about our new friend and mentor Eloise, I read two of her poems to the kids – "Lessie" and “Honey I Love.” Both are from her book called Honey I Love. We also talked about how Eloise always tries to find precisely the right word to write – and when the kids went off to read, they looked for examples in their books of how the author looked for just the right word to tell the story.
After reading, we went on to Writer’s Workshop, which is really an extension of Reader’s Workshop. Today we talked again about seeing objects “with a poet’s eye” – to look at something commonplace and see it in an uncommon way (like Eloise describing her neighbor spraying her with a hose on a hot day as a “flying pool”). After we brainstormed a list of things in the room that would be good to look at with a poet’s eye, the kids used their poetry journals to record their observations. They were really great, like this one – I have a big, thick textbook in the room, and one of the kids saw it as “a huge, thick word cake, ready to be eaten.”
When we finished with Writer’s Workshop, we got ready for lunch, and headed down to the lunchroom, and then out for recess. When we got back up to the room, we read some more of our Jigsaw Jones book for Read Aloud, and then went down to the gym for class with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson.
When we got back up to our room, it was time for Math Workshop. Today the kids played two games with a partner – one was addition practice, and the other was subtraction practice.
After math, we had Science Lab. We tried to make sense of the experiment that we did yesterday – how to get a light bulb to light up with a wire, a D cell battery, and a small light bulb. We were left with this question – why do we need the wire to make it work? Why can’t we just hook up the light bulb to the end of the battery, since we figured out that the electricity is in the battery? We’ll try top sort out that question tomorrow in Science Lab with another experiment.
After all of that, it was time to head home!
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
As you probably heard, I was out yesterday. I was at a workshop with a famous (as famous as such people get), literacy education author Sharon Taberski. It was a great day, full of new ideas and ways to teach reading and writing in first grade!
Anyhow, it was another nice day in Room 240 – here’s the lowdown:
After Independent Literacy Time and Morning Meeting, we had Reader’s Workshop. Today we looked at a book that we read on Monday by Kevin Henkes (one of my favorite kid’s writers) called Julius, Baby of the World. It’s a really cute book, especially for kid that have new or little brothers or sisters. We spent the Workshop today looking for what we call “lovely language” – words or phrases that are especially neat, novel, or great sounding. We made a list of them, and then the kids looked for lovely language in the books that they were reading independently. At the closing share of workshop, each kid shared one or two examples of lovely language that they found on their own.
After reading, we went straight on into Writer’s Workshop. We basically continued the concepts from Reader’s Workshop by looking at things around our room, including books, posters, and anything else for examples of lovely language to put in our Poetry Idea books. Then the kids went around the room looking at things in the room “with a poet’s eye,” which we practiced on Monday. They found things like “a ceiling like Oreo cookie ice cream (our ceiling is white with black flecks in it), a clock that is like a big cookie that tells time, islands in the globe that are like crumbs on a big blue counter, etc. They are very clever poets! We’ll use these fragments and bits of lovely language to craft poetry in the coming days.
When we wrapped up writing, we headed on down to the cafeteria and then out for recess (what a great day, weather-wise!!!!). When we got back in, we read some more of the Jigsaw Jones book that the kids began with the sub yesterday. At noon, we walked upstairs to the art room for class with Mr. Fairbanks.
When we got back to our room, we flip-flopped Science Lab and Math Workshop to do Science Lab first. We are working on Electricity, and the kids spent quite a long time experimenting with a battery, a wire, and a small light bulb, trying to figure out how to get the bulb to light. They were so into it, and so excited about it, that I couldn’t stop them. We discussed what they discovered, and then went back to do some more experimenting. By the time we got to a good stopping point, it was time to go home – we’ll have to do double math tomorrow, I guess!
Anyhow, it was another nice day in Room 240 – here’s the lowdown:
After Independent Literacy Time and Morning Meeting, we had Reader’s Workshop. Today we looked at a book that we read on Monday by Kevin Henkes (one of my favorite kid’s writers) called Julius, Baby of the World. It’s a really cute book, especially for kid that have new or little brothers or sisters. We spent the Workshop today looking for what we call “lovely language” – words or phrases that are especially neat, novel, or great sounding. We made a list of them, and then the kids looked for lovely language in the books that they were reading independently. At the closing share of workshop, each kid shared one or two examples of lovely language that they found on their own.
After reading, we went straight on into Writer’s Workshop. We basically continued the concepts from Reader’s Workshop by looking at things around our room, including books, posters, and anything else for examples of lovely language to put in our Poetry Idea books. Then the kids went around the room looking at things in the room “with a poet’s eye,” which we practiced on Monday. They found things like “a ceiling like Oreo cookie ice cream (our ceiling is white with black flecks in it), a clock that is like a big cookie that tells time, islands in the globe that are like crumbs on a big blue counter, etc. They are very clever poets! We’ll use these fragments and bits of lovely language to craft poetry in the coming days.
When we wrapped up writing, we headed on down to the cafeteria and then out for recess (what a great day, weather-wise!!!!). When we got back in, we read some more of the Jigsaw Jones book that the kids began with the sub yesterday. At noon, we walked upstairs to the art room for class with Mr. Fairbanks.
When we got back to our room, we flip-flopped Science Lab and Math Workshop to do Science Lab first. We are working on Electricity, and the kids spent quite a long time experimenting with a battery, a wire, and a small light bulb, trying to figure out how to get the bulb to light. They were so into it, and so excited about it, that I couldn’t stop them. We discussed what they discovered, and then went back to do some more experimenting. By the time we got to a good stopping point, it was time to go home – we’ll have to do double math tomorrow, I guess!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Q: What do you call a camel with no humps?
A: A horse!
Yet another great day in Room 240 – read all about it…
After Independent Literacy Time and Morning Meeting, we had, like usual, Reader’s Workshop. Today the kids reviewed the sounds that the long vowels make (/a/ as in cake, /e/ as in feet, /i/ as in sigh, /o/ s in moon, and /u/ s in use). We brainstormed a list of words that have those vowel sounds, and tomorrow we will review the list to see which letters (and combinations of letters) can produce those long vowel sounds. Then, as the kids went off to read, they paid close attention to words in their books that have long vowel sounds.
After that, we had a song – the Planet Song again, which they can’t seem to get enough of. They all know it, so have them sing it for you. When the music died down, we began Writer’s Workshop. Today we made a list of “The Secrets of Writing” – Mr. Wold’s class requested it during our Writer’s Celebration yesterday. When we had complied a two-page list of “secrets,” the kids went off to their tables to sort their writing from the previous unit. They kept one piece that is in progress in their writing folder and gave me one piece for their cumulative record (I’ll send it home at the end of the year). The rest of the writing they will bring home tomorrow, so expect some good reading material in their folder tomorrow!
It was then time for lunch and indoor recess. After recess we started a new Read Aloud book – Jigsaw Jones and Case of the Runaway Dog. The kids really seem to enjoy mystery stories (me too!). After only two chapters (and just when we were getting to the good part), it was time to head down to the gym for class with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson.
When we got back up to our classroom from the gym, it was time for Math Workshop. In math today, we worked on a slightly different concept tan we have been studying all week. Today we solved problems that involved combinations up to 12, instead of just 10. Plus, the problems were in story form, so the kids had to figure out which operation (adding or subtracting) to do, and then how to best solve the problem. We had some really nice discussion around the different approached that the kids took.
After math, it was time for Science Lab. Today we finished the planet project – the kids did their ‘research’ for a small information sheet that we’ll attach to their planet in our room. They also finished an illustration for the letter to “Poor Pluto” that they wrote yesterday. Both will be hanging up outside our room shortly, so come and take a look!
By the time we got all of that done, it was time to pack up and head home!
A: A horse!
Yet another great day in Room 240 – read all about it…
After Independent Literacy Time and Morning Meeting, we had, like usual, Reader’s Workshop. Today the kids reviewed the sounds that the long vowels make (/a/ as in cake, /e/ as in feet, /i/ as in sigh, /o/ s in moon, and /u/ s in use). We brainstormed a list of words that have those vowel sounds, and tomorrow we will review the list to see which letters (and combinations of letters) can produce those long vowel sounds. Then, as the kids went off to read, they paid close attention to words in their books that have long vowel sounds.
After that, we had a song – the Planet Song again, which they can’t seem to get enough of. They all know it, so have them sing it for you. When the music died down, we began Writer’s Workshop. Today we made a list of “The Secrets of Writing” – Mr. Wold’s class requested it during our Writer’s Celebration yesterday. When we had complied a two-page list of “secrets,” the kids went off to their tables to sort their writing from the previous unit. They kept one piece that is in progress in their writing folder and gave me one piece for their cumulative record (I’ll send it home at the end of the year). The rest of the writing they will bring home tomorrow, so expect some good reading material in their folder tomorrow!
It was then time for lunch and indoor recess. After recess we started a new Read Aloud book – Jigsaw Jones and Case of the Runaway Dog. The kids really seem to enjoy mystery stories (me too!). After only two chapters (and just when we were getting to the good part), it was time to head down to the gym for class with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson.
When we got back up to our classroom from the gym, it was time for Math Workshop. In math today, we worked on a slightly different concept tan we have been studying all week. Today we solved problems that involved combinations up to 12, instead of just 10. Plus, the problems were in story form, so the kids had to figure out which operation (adding or subtracting) to do, and then how to best solve the problem. We had some really nice discussion around the different approached that the kids took.
After math, it was time for Science Lab. Today we finished the planet project – the kids did their ‘research’ for a small information sheet that we’ll attach to their planet in our room. They also finished an illustration for the letter to “Poor Pluto” that they wrote yesterday. Both will be hanging up outside our room shortly, so come and take a look!
By the time we got all of that done, it was time to pack up and head home!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Q: If two is company and three is a crowd, what are four and five?
A: Nine.
Another great day in Room 240 – a bit crazy schedule-wise, but we’re none the worse for wear.
After Independent Literacy Time, we went down to the Atrium for spring picture day. Everyone had great hair, big smiles, and took cute pictures. Look for a packet with proofs to come home in a few weeks – order if you like.
After pictures, we came back up to the room and got it set up for our Writer’s Celebration today. The kids got in some last-minute rehearsing/practicing, and we got organized into reading teams.
It was then time for lunch, and indoor recess. After recess in our room, we finished the Cam Jansen book that we were reading, and headed up to the art room for class with Mr. Fairbanks and his student teacher. You should see the fruits of their labors today – they brought them home.
When we got back down to our class, we had Math Workshop, in which the kids each made a “Tens Book,” which had a different page for each number combination that adds up to ten, along with the equation and an illustration. They will come home tomorrow.
In Science Lab, at the end of our day, we read a fun book called “Poor Pluto.” It’s funny, and written by a class of third graders in California. Each of the kids wrote a letter to Poor Pluto (who is poor Pluto, by the way, because he’s not a ‘real’ planet anymore – he’s a dwarf planet). By the way, it’s the book, and not me, that assumes that Pluto is a he. Tomorrow we’ll be illustrating the letters.
After all of that, it was time to pack up and head out!
A: Nine.
Another great day in Room 240 – a bit crazy schedule-wise, but we’re none the worse for wear.
After Independent Literacy Time, we went down to the Atrium for spring picture day. Everyone had great hair, big smiles, and took cute pictures. Look for a packet with proofs to come home in a few weeks – order if you like.
After pictures, we came back up to the room and got it set up for our Writer’s Celebration today. The kids got in some last-minute rehearsing/practicing, and we got organized into reading teams.
Then the kindergartners from Mr. Wold’s morning class came up to be an attentive and eager audience. Both classes were split up into teams, and the first graders took turns reading to a small group of kindergartners. It went really well – the kids really had a chance to shine, and I think that the kindergartners were sufficiently awed.
After the celebration, the kids had a chance to share “The Secrets of Good Writing” with the kinders – it is amazing what they have learned and retained in writing!
It was then time for lunch, and indoor recess. After recess in our room, we finished the Cam Jansen book that we were reading, and headed up to the art room for class with Mr. Fairbanks and his student teacher. You should see the fruits of their labors today – they brought them home.
When we got back down to our class, we had Math Workshop, in which the kids each made a “Tens Book,” which had a different page for each number combination that adds up to ten, along with the equation and an illustration. They will come home tomorrow.
In Science Lab, at the end of our day, we read a fun book called “Poor Pluto.” It’s funny, and written by a class of third graders in California. Each of the kids wrote a letter to Poor Pluto (who is poor Pluto, by the way, because he’s not a ‘real’ planet anymore – he’s a dwarf planet). By the way, it’s the book, and not me, that assumes that Pluto is a he. Tomorrow we’ll be illustrating the letters.
After all of that, it was time to pack up and head out!
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Q: What do you call a camel with three humps?
A: Humphrey.
Here’s the update on our day – another good one in Room 240!
After Independent Literacy Time and Morning Meeting, we had Reader’s Workshop. Today I taught the kids about “magic endings” for words (endings like –ing, -ed, -ist, -ly, and –tion). If they come across a tricky word in their reading, they can take off the magic ending, and then try to read the word. After we learned about that, they went off to practice that skill in their reading, both independently and with a buddy.
After reading, we moved on to Writer’s Workshop. Today the kids practiced reading the pieces that they will read to the kindergartners tomorrow at our Writer’s Celebration. They are really good – they will be bringing home a lot of their writing this week. Our next writing unit is poetry, which I’m really looking forward to. (Also, check the blog tomorrow – I will try to post some photos and/or video of the celebration.)
After writing, we headed down to the lunchroom for lunch and then out for recess. When we got back up to our room, we started a new Read Aloud book – Cam Jansen and the Mystery in the Haunted House. After only 2 chapters, it was time to walk down the hallway to the Media Center for class with Mrs. Hennen.
When we got back to our classroom, we skipped over Math Workshop today, and had an extended Science Lab. We learned about the moon, and did an experiment with balls of various sizes – we dropped them into a box of flour (to simulate and asteroid’s impact on the moon) to see how the size and speed of an object affects the size of the crater that it leaves. The experiment looked like this, only without the chocolate powder on it, because... well, super messy.
At the end of Science Lab, the kids finished up the planets that they have been working on – I’m going to hang them in the room tonight. They are all to scale – Jupiter is over two feet across, and Pluto (yes, we included Pluto – we felt badly leaving poor little Pluto out, even though it’s been relegated to a dwarf planet) is the size of a hole punch, like from a three-hole punch machine. The planets are also in scale going across the room – Mercury is about 4 inches from the sun in our model and Pluto is all the way across the room – about 400 inches! Pretty cool stuff.
After that, it was time to pack up and head out!!
A: Humphrey.
Here’s the update on our day – another good one in Room 240!
After Independent Literacy Time and Morning Meeting, we had Reader’s Workshop. Today I taught the kids about “magic endings” for words (endings like –ing, -ed, -ist, -ly, and –tion). If they come across a tricky word in their reading, they can take off the magic ending, and then try to read the word. After we learned about that, they went off to practice that skill in their reading, both independently and with a buddy.
After reading, we moved on to Writer’s Workshop. Today the kids practiced reading the pieces that they will read to the kindergartners tomorrow at our Writer’s Celebration. They are really good – they will be bringing home a lot of their writing this week. Our next writing unit is poetry, which I’m really looking forward to. (Also, check the blog tomorrow – I will try to post some photos and/or video of the celebration.)
After writing, we headed down to the lunchroom for lunch and then out for recess. When we got back up to our room, we started a new Read Aloud book – Cam Jansen and the Mystery in the Haunted House. After only 2 chapters, it was time to walk down the hallway to the Media Center for class with Mrs. Hennen.
When we got back to our classroom, we skipped over Math Workshop today, and had an extended Science Lab. We learned about the moon, and did an experiment with balls of various sizes – we dropped them into a box of flour (to simulate and asteroid’s impact on the moon) to see how the size and speed of an object affects the size of the crater that it leaves. The experiment looked like this, only without the chocolate powder on it, because... well, super messy.
At the end of Science Lab, the kids finished up the planets that they have been working on – I’m going to hang them in the room tonight. They are all to scale – Jupiter is over two feet across, and Pluto (yes, we included Pluto – we felt badly leaving poor little Pluto out, even though it’s been relegated to a dwarf planet) is the size of a hole punch, like from a three-hole punch machine. The planets are also in scale going across the room – Mercury is about 4 inches from the sun in our model and Pluto is all the way across the room – about 400 inches! Pretty cool stuff.
After that, it was time to pack up and head out!!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Q: Why shouldn’t you play cards in the jungle?
A: Because there are too many cheetahs!
Another very productive day in Room 240 – here’s the lowdown:
After Independent Literacy time and Morning Meeting, we had Reader’s Workshop. Today we talked about the strategies that readers use when they encounter a tricky word – see how many your child can recall! Scroll down to the post from last Tuesday for a list of the strategies. The kids also traded books for their independent reading bookbags, and did both independent reading and buddy reading. After that, we had a song (the Planet song, which is pretty catchy, actually – have your child sing it to you!).
After our sing-along, we had Writer’s Workshop. Today the kids worked on practicing reading their stories that they will present at our Writer’s Celebration on Wednesday. We will be hosting a class of kindergartners to read our work (don’t worry – the next two celebrations will DEFINITELY be parent and family invites). After we had practiced and done a little ‘fixing and fancying,’ they were almost literally dying to have some time to start new pieces, and who am I to say no to eager writers?
By the time we finished all of that, it was time to head downstairs for lunch and recess. When we got back up to our room, we read some more of Cam Jansen, and then we were off to the gym for class with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson.
When we got back up to our room, we had Math Workshop. Today the kids played a card game with number cards that is similar to “Go Fish” – except that they had to make combinations of ten, instead of matching the numbers. After they got the hang of that, they were able to choose which game to play with their partner – Go Fish, Face-up (the game from last week), or Face-down (like Memory or Concentration, but with making tens again).
At the end of the day, we had Science Lab. We worked on the planet project again today – the kids did a little bit of research about their planet, and then we measured out where the planets should go in the room (in scale). It is amazing to see – in our model, Mercury is about 4 inches from the sun, and Pluto is all the way across the room (diagonally). We’re still working to get the kids’ heads around the concept of a model, but the distances are really interesting. We will be hanging our planets tomorrow, hopefully, so stop in and have a look when you get a chance!
Whew. After all of that, it was time to pack up and head out!
A: Because there are too many cheetahs!
Another very productive day in Room 240 – here’s the lowdown:
After Independent Literacy time and Morning Meeting, we had Reader’s Workshop. Today we talked about the strategies that readers use when they encounter a tricky word – see how many your child can recall! Scroll down to the post from last Tuesday for a list of the strategies. The kids also traded books for their independent reading bookbags, and did both independent reading and buddy reading. After that, we had a song (the Planet song, which is pretty catchy, actually – have your child sing it to you!).
After our sing-along, we had Writer’s Workshop. Today the kids worked on practicing reading their stories that they will present at our Writer’s Celebration on Wednesday. We will be hosting a class of kindergartners to read our work (don’t worry – the next two celebrations will DEFINITELY be parent and family invites). After we had practiced and done a little ‘fixing and fancying,’ they were almost literally dying to have some time to start new pieces, and who am I to say no to eager writers?
By the time we finished all of that, it was time to head downstairs for lunch and recess. When we got back up to our room, we read some more of Cam Jansen, and then we were off to the gym for class with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson.
When we got back up to our room, we had Math Workshop. Today the kids played a card game with number cards that is similar to “Go Fish” – except that they had to make combinations of ten, instead of matching the numbers. After they got the hang of that, they were able to choose which game to play with their partner – Go Fish, Face-up (the game from last week), or Face-down (like Memory or Concentration, but with making tens again).
At the end of the day, we had Science Lab. We worked on the planet project again today – the kids did a little bit of research about their planet, and then we measured out where the planets should go in the room (in scale). It is amazing to see – in our model, Mercury is about 4 inches from the sun, and Pluto is all the way across the room (diagonally). We’re still working to get the kids’ heads around the concept of a model, but the distances are really interesting. We will be hanging our planets tomorrow, hopefully, so stop in and have a look when you get a chance!
Whew. After all of that, it was time to pack up and head out!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Sorry for the short post today - it's conference day, and I'm booked. Great day today, though!
Reading: Looking for dialogue and "fancy words" in our books
Writing: How to sign up for a writing conference with me (plus writing, of course)
Read Aloud: New book: Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Circus Clown
Math: Subtraction game with dice, and the same card game (Making Tens) from yesterday
Science: Basic info about planets, and set-up for our in-class planet project (more on that tomorrow!)
Thanks - enjoy the sun!!!!
Reading: Looking for dialogue and "fancy words" in our books
Writing: How to sign up for a writing conference with me (plus writing, of course)
Read Aloud: New book: Cam Jansen and the Mystery of the Circus Clown
Math: Subtraction game with dice, and the same card game (Making Tens) from yesterday
Science: Basic info about planets, and set-up for our in-class planet project (more on that tomorrow!)
Thanks - enjoy the sun!!!!
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Another nice day in Room 240! Our schedule was a bit mixed up, but we all came through just fine, I think.
After Independent Literacy Time and Morning Meeting, we had Science Lab instead of Reader’s Workshop. We worked on the vocabulary that would be included in the presentation in the Exploradome. The kids learned the words, and illustrated them. They should have brought the mini-books that we made home today.
After Science Lab, we headed down to the gym for our session in the Exploradome. It was really cool – the program that we saw was called “The Night Sky” – we saw constellations and talked about the sun and moon rising and setting. It was quite a sight to see all of us (me included) laying inside this huge bubble on our backs, looking up at the screen. It was very well done, and a great kick-off to our mini-unit on space in science.
We had just a little bit of time before lunch, so we came back up to our classroom and finished the Cam Jansen mystery that we started this week. After lunch and recess, we were back up in the room for Read Aloud – we chose Mr. Putter and Tabby Make a Wish. By this point, Mr. Putter and his cat Tabby are old friends of ours. After Read Aloud, we headed upstairs to the art room for class with Mr. Fairbanks.
When we got back down to the room, we had Writer’s Workshop. Today the mini-lesson was about what to do when the kids have a writing conference with me during their writing time. The goal is to get them to talk not only about the topic of their writing, but what they are doing as a writer (techniques like adding dialogue, using fancy words, adding more details, or even taking some details out). The additional point is to get them to think about why they would use a particular technique in their writing – to what effect.
After writing, we moved on to Math Workshop. The kids played a card game in which they had to match up pairs of number cards that add to ten. It was sort of like the game Concentration, except all of the cards were face up.
After all of that (whew!) it was time to head home!
After Independent Literacy Time and Morning Meeting, we had Science Lab instead of Reader’s Workshop. We worked on the vocabulary that would be included in the presentation in the Exploradome. The kids learned the words, and illustrated them. They should have brought the mini-books that we made home today.
After Science Lab, we headed down to the gym for our session in the Exploradome. It was really cool – the program that we saw was called “The Night Sky” – we saw constellations and talked about the sun and moon rising and setting. It was quite a sight to see all of us (me included) laying inside this huge bubble on our backs, looking up at the screen. It was very well done, and a great kick-off to our mini-unit on space in science.
We had just a little bit of time before lunch, so we came back up to our classroom and finished the Cam Jansen mystery that we started this week. After lunch and recess, we were back up in the room for Read Aloud – we chose Mr. Putter and Tabby Make a Wish. By this point, Mr. Putter and his cat Tabby are old friends of ours. After Read Aloud, we headed upstairs to the art room for class with Mr. Fairbanks.
When we got back down to the room, we had Writer’s Workshop. Today the mini-lesson was about what to do when the kids have a writing conference with me during their writing time. The goal is to get them to talk not only about the topic of their writing, but what they are doing as a writer (techniques like adding dialogue, using fancy words, adding more details, or even taking some details out). The additional point is to get them to think about why they would use a particular technique in their writing – to what effect.
After writing, we moved on to Math Workshop. The kids played a card game in which they had to match up pairs of number cards that add to ten. It was sort of like the game Concentration, except all of the cards were face up.
After all of that (whew!) it was time to head home!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Q: Why did the book join the police department?
A: So he could work undercover.
Here’s the lowdown on our day in Room 240 – yet another good one!
After Independent Literacy Time and Morning Meeting, we had Reader’s Workshop. Today I taught a mini-lesson that was really more of a review of past lessons, as a refresher. We talked about and then practiced reading strategies to use when they encounter a tricky word. There are 6 that we discussed today:
1. Looking at the pictures for help
2. Getting your mouth ready to say the word (first sounds)
3. Does the word make sense?
4. Leapfrog – skipping over the word and then coming back to it to figure out what it is from context
5. Chunking – looking for smaller word parts or familiar words inside the word for clues
6. Pointing to the words as you read.
The kids all practiced those skills as they read independently and did buddy reading today. At our end-of-workshop share, each shared one of the particular skills that they used today in their reading.
After reading, we worked on our spelling word sort for the week – the kids brought it home today, along with their words. In each word sort, there is a sound (phoneme) that the kids are working on.
When we finished our word sort, we moved on to Writer’s Workshop. Many of the kids were itching to start a new piece of writing today, so many of them did. Officially, we’re still working on “fixing and fancying” our pieces for publication. At the end-of-workshop share, every student chose the best sentence that they wrote to day to read out loud to the class.
After all of the writing and reading were done, we headed down to the lunchroom for lunch, and then outside for recess. When we got back up, we read some more of our Cam Jansen mystery novel – it’s quite suspenseful. Then it was time to head down the hallway for Media with Mrs. Hennen.
When we got back to our room, we had Math Workshop. Today we worked on refining the kids’ skills in using a problem solving process to solve word problems using both addition and subtraction. It is the same process that we used last week – they are really catching on to it!
After math, it was time for Science Lab. Since we are going to the ExploraDome tomorrow morning (check the Burroughs Bulletin for more information about it, or click here), we worked on some of the vocabulary that they will hear and use tomorrow. We talked about constellation, horizon, and Milky Way. We’ll go back over those terms and a few more tomorrow before we go.
After all of that, it was time to clean up, pack up, and head out!
A: So he could work undercover.
Here’s the lowdown on our day in Room 240 – yet another good one!
After Independent Literacy Time and Morning Meeting, we had Reader’s Workshop. Today I taught a mini-lesson that was really more of a review of past lessons, as a refresher. We talked about and then practiced reading strategies to use when they encounter a tricky word. There are 6 that we discussed today:
1. Looking at the pictures for help
2. Getting your mouth ready to say the word (first sounds)
3. Does the word make sense?
4. Leapfrog – skipping over the word and then coming back to it to figure out what it is from context
5. Chunking – looking for smaller word parts or familiar words inside the word for clues
6. Pointing to the words as you read.
The kids all practiced those skills as they read independently and did buddy reading today. At our end-of-workshop share, each shared one of the particular skills that they used today in their reading.
After reading, we worked on our spelling word sort for the week – the kids brought it home today, along with their words. In each word sort, there is a sound (phoneme) that the kids are working on.
When we finished our word sort, we moved on to Writer’s Workshop. Many of the kids were itching to start a new piece of writing today, so many of them did. Officially, we’re still working on “fixing and fancying” our pieces for publication. At the end-of-workshop share, every student chose the best sentence that they wrote to day to read out loud to the class.
After all of the writing and reading were done, we headed down to the lunchroom for lunch, and then outside for recess. When we got back up, we read some more of our Cam Jansen mystery novel – it’s quite suspenseful. Then it was time to head down the hallway for Media with Mrs. Hennen.
When we got back to our room, we had Math Workshop. Today we worked on refining the kids’ skills in using a problem solving process to solve word problems using both addition and subtraction. It is the same process that we used last week – they are really catching on to it!
After math, it was time for Science Lab. Since we are going to the ExploraDome tomorrow morning (check the Burroughs Bulletin for more information about it, or click here), we worked on some of the vocabulary that they will hear and use tomorrow. We talked about constellation, horizon, and Milky Way. We’ll go back over those terms and a few more tomorrow before we go.
After all of that, it was time to clean up, pack up, and head out!
Monday, March 1, 2010
Q: What did the blanket say to the sheet?
A: I've got you covered!
Today was another great day in Room 240 – here’s the scoop-
After Independent Literacy Time, we had Morning Meeting. When we finished with Morning Meeting, we worked on moved all of the kids’ stuff from one table and set of shelves to another – quite a process, as you can well imagine. After we got everybody settled and ready in their new spots, we began Reader’s Workshop. Today I taught a mini-lesson (more of a reminder lesson) about how to treat books properly, since we just got a huge number of new books (thanks, PTA!!!). The kids enjoyed trading the books in their Independent Reading book bags for new ones for the week. We also had time for independent reading, and then to write a short reaction to the text in their journals.
When we finished with reading, we had a short song – Down by the Bay (again). It seems to be a crowd favorite – probably because they get to make up silly verses for all of us to sing.
After the song, it was on to Writer’s Workshop, in which I taught the kids about the different ways that writers can use dialogue in the stories, and the way it changed the story. We talked about how to use words other than “said” in their writing: words like “whispered,” “yelled,” “told,” and “asked.” A particular one that appeared in some very choice spots in some kids’ pieces was “sassed.” ☺ Here’s the chart that we made to help remember the words:
After writing, we headed down to the lunchroom for lunch, and then the kids went out for (a pretty soggy) recess. When we got back in, we started a new Cam Jansen book (the Mystery in the Monkey House). We had to leave off at a very suspenseful part! After Read Aloud, it was down to the gym for class with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson – the kids worked on jump roping, I think.
When we go back up to the class, we had Math Workshop. Today we worked on writing number sentences (except now in first grade we use the math name for it – “equations”) that correspond to dot pictures of numbers (click here for some .pdf examples of dot pictures). The goal is to get the kids thinking about how numbers are composed (which numbers can be used to make another number, either with subtraction or addition).
For Science Lab, at the end of the day, We began our new science unit – we will be studying space. The kids are excited about it, I think. Today we spent our Lab time talking about the things that we already know about space, and things that we would like to find out. Part of the kids’ homework tonight is to ask someone at home about the significance of the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper – I told them that if they were lost at night (and had a map), they could use those constellations to find their way home. If you want to study up a bit, go here or here.
After all of that, it was time to clean up, pack up, and head out!
A: I've got you covered!
Today was another great day in Room 240 – here’s the scoop-
After Independent Literacy Time, we had Morning Meeting. When we finished with Morning Meeting, we worked on moved all of the kids’ stuff from one table and set of shelves to another – quite a process, as you can well imagine. After we got everybody settled and ready in their new spots, we began Reader’s Workshop. Today I taught a mini-lesson (more of a reminder lesson) about how to treat books properly, since we just got a huge number of new books (thanks, PTA!!!). The kids enjoyed trading the books in their Independent Reading book bags for new ones for the week. We also had time for independent reading, and then to write a short reaction to the text in their journals.
When we finished with reading, we had a short song – Down by the Bay (again). It seems to be a crowd favorite – probably because they get to make up silly verses for all of us to sing.
After the song, it was on to Writer’s Workshop, in which I taught the kids about the different ways that writers can use dialogue in the stories, and the way it changed the story. We talked about how to use words other than “said” in their writing: words like “whispered,” “yelled,” “told,” and “asked.” A particular one that appeared in some very choice spots in some kids’ pieces was “sassed.” ☺ Here’s the chart that we made to help remember the words:
When we go back up to the class, we had Math Workshop. Today we worked on writing number sentences (except now in first grade we use the math name for it – “equations”) that correspond to dot pictures of numbers (click here for some .pdf examples of dot pictures). The goal is to get the kids thinking about how numbers are composed (which numbers can be used to make another number, either with subtraction or addition).
For Science Lab, at the end of the day, We began our new science unit – we will be studying space. The kids are excited about it, I think. Today we spent our Lab time talking about the things that we already know about space, and things that we would like to find out. Part of the kids’ homework tonight is to ask someone at home about the significance of the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper – I told them that if they were lost at night (and had a map), they could use those constellations to find their way home. If you want to study up a bit, go here or here.
After all of that, it was time to clean up, pack up, and head out!
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