Tuesday, September 28, 3015

The day started off with a few kids putting on boots (even though we didn't need them--it's a good habit) and feeding our calf. 

Reading time and groups just cruises along. We are keeping up with short and long o, and blends. And trying hard to remember that ALL sentences end with punctuation. 

In Art, 5 of the 6 tables impressed Mrs. Hageman with great behavior and amazing effort. I'm a proud teacher!

We just touched on addition and subtraction being related. More is coming. 

And what about these sentences? Written by the "peanut butter and jelly" partners. Each pair chose a High Frequency Word and wrote the sentence. Great cooperation AND collaboration. They hang now in the hallway--come and see them. 

Here are the works in progress...

Monday, September 28, 2015

We got off to a crazy start today...

Because in the middle of specials Mr. Williams brought a 3-week old calf for the first graders to care for. We stopped computer lab and went out to the pen. Mr. Williams is the first grade farm family. We learn from him throughout the year.

Mr. Williams does a great job giving information to the students. We are looking at 8 weeks of bottle feeding. Yikes! But it's pretty fun. 

Our comprehension strategy is questioning (it's review) and our stories are about friends. The phonics pattern is short o, but we continue to contrast that with vce words and open syllables. 

Today we tried math groups. I'm pretty excited to teach a whole class short (10 minutes) lesson and then start groups. The kids will rotate to games and Mrs. Gerhard and me. The games are for review and practice addition and subtraction. Mrs. Gerhard and I will reteach and extend as needed. I'm super pumped and the kids were also. They love being independent and I love finding more ways for that. 

I started a new read aloud. It is called The Hundred Dresses, by Eleanor Estes. It is quite old, but the lesson of the story is timeless. Next week is Bully Prevention week at school and this book is a great lead in to the week.

Hope you have a cool evening.

Friday, September 25, 2015

As I write, I am sitting in a room that smells of cooked apples. Yummy! As soon as the kids got back from specials this morning, they started cutting up apples (along with 4 moms who came in to help). I definitely could not have done this without help, so a great big Thank You to the helpers!

When not cooking, we worked on sorting and reading words with l blends. And writing the steps to make applesauce.

The kids got to try out the new playground equipment (purchased by PTO) this morning. What joy--swinging, running, being loud. I wish we had more recess...

This is how the kids felt about recess today...

In math we explored an addition table to see the patterns.

 And then it was time to dish up the applesauce and EAT it. Some had cinnamon, and some did not. We had enough that kids could try both, and we could share with other teachers and workers in school. Again, thanks to the 2 parents who dished it up and then helped to get everyone ready for dismissal.

Today was magical. Can't wait to see what next week brings...

A couple of days later...

We've been busy. So busy I forgot pictures. Oops!!!

What have we done?

--practiced sight words and demonstrated the word wall

--met with small groups and worked on blending words (not sharp, but easy, smooth sounds that merge together) ask the kids if they know what I mean (use these words--flag, pan, etc)

--recognized double facts in math

--drew an apple tree and wrote about it (they are awesome and hanging in the hallway)

--checked out the new chickens in our backyard

--learned some math games as we begin small groups in math

--wrote thank you letters to a donor who gave money for the stools

Busy? Yep. But, I wouldn't have it any other way. 

Tuesday, September 22, 2015

The morning seemed to run like clockwork! It was awesome. Every child met with a teacher for a reading group (to either learn to read or read to practice comprehension). And while not in a group the rest either read or went to a center. 

The children decided that they would all try to be best table at Art. And 3 tables made it. I was super proud when Mrs. Hageman told me. 

I was also super excited to introduce Shubert and his book about breathing. Ways to breathe to get calm. The kids were very engaged and excited to practice when someone gets mad or frustrated. 

We talked just a bit about our passions in order to get ideas for future projects. Could  not believe how many are passionate about books. With further discussions we will move closer to what our passions truly are. 

Math was crazy! But good. More work on equivalent equations and soon to be count on strategies. 

And some fun photos...

Monday, September 21, 2015

Well, after a long weekend, we are back at school and learning up a storm!!!

I added an activity to our schedule. Do you see it?

Brain Break. I learned of this kind of a break over the weekend and adore it!

It is not for me to tell the kids what to do, it is an opportunity for them to regulate after a particularly high-energy activity and get ready to do some more learning. The guidelines are: when your feet hit the floor, your mouth goes shut. Find a spot to sit and relax. Get a drink if you need one. No talking. Breathe Big. Be ready.

The kids did GREAT!

A new critter showed up today.

Meet Iggy Iguana. She tells us to read some words (our high-frequency words) quickly. I am hopeful with some quick learning on the first graders parts. Our HFW for this week are: be, come, good, pull.

Our phonics focus is reading words with a consonant and a "l". Like: clip, clap, flag, black. You would see several centers featuring both the HFW and the phonics focused words.

The fluency passage that we will read this week is all about Making Applesauce. Be on the lookout for a fun culminating activity.

We continue to explore addition during math time. Today we saw how turn-around, or flip facts are the same. The kids get this pretty well, because this is not the first time we've talked about it.

And, I started reading Flat Stanley aloud. I have some ideas about making this a project for our class and am excited to get that started (more details later).

Glad the sun finally came out! Have a wonderful evening!

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

It was so great to be back in the classroom after two days gone! I learned so much yesterday and even used a tiny bit of that information today. :)

In reading, we continue to "visualize" (or as we call it, Picturing Penguin) to "see" more of the story than is drawn. We practiced this in a story that has a lot of short i words (our phonics focus).I love, love, love that the kids are using their eyes to notice the letters, and how they work together to make words.

We finished reading aloud a short book by Roald Dahl, The Magic Finger. The sub started it yesterday and we finished it today. It is a wonderful fantasy that is just plain fun.

The scale got used in math today. So that we could "See" equivalent expressions. 6+1=5+2

We sort of have to solve them to know that they are equal, but don't really write the answer. A little tricky, but with the scale and counting bears, they were more quick to see when they are equal.

Lastly... It was windy, windy, windy at recess. Maybe tomorrow will blow in some calm weather.

Field Trio to the State Fair

Today was amazing. The weather was beautiful and the content so perfect. 

With so many parents (I'm pleased with the turn out) the groups could be small. Small groups are best because little people can dash here and there very quickly and get lost. No lost children today!!!

I immensely enjoyed spending the day with three kids and Miss Tara (a para at school). I told Miss Tara I want a field trip every week, so that I can have some time with each kid. Ok, Mr. Chalashtari??

What a great way to get us excited about 4-H and researching our favorite topics. I'm eager to hear what the rest of the kids thought. 

I LOVE Donor'sChoose!!!

Over the summer my Hokki Stools were funded and arrived shortly after school started.

At the end of August I posted a project for 3 cube chairs and a cube bench. It was funded in record time! Those arrived on Wednesday. (The kids adore them and use them ALL. THE. TIME.)

What is missing from this elementary classroom? A colorful rug to sit on for Teaching time. 

I am super excited that this project has been approved and is now accepting donations. If you are someone or you know someone that has a passion for education or for little people, please consider making a donation to this project. 

For the next seven days EVERY donation will be doubled by DonorsChoose.org if you enter SPARK. 

The cool thing--the total project is $242 and with the matching, it could be funded even faster than the last project. 

When this rug is funded, I think I will give Donor'sChoose a rest for a while (a year, I think!!!).

Follow this link to find the page that describes my project and possibly make a donation.

Mrs. Bartel's Donor'sChoose Page to Fund the Colorful Rug

Thank you all (parents, grandparents, friends) for reading our updates and supporting this wonderful class. Your kind words are so encouraging! Thank you!!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Bartel :)