Thursday, March 31, 3016

Two quick pictures from recess today...

Our calf pen got some spring cleaning. Thanks for working hard kids!!!

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Out of the mouth of a first grader...

"Today is the best day ever!"

Really, to me it wasn't special, but to many there was just enough of a change to make it fun. 

A quick directed drawing of a bee, Scholastic News about eggs, and snack (we've cleaned out the cupboard-a bag of pretzels would be nice) must have done the trick. 

Math vocabulary was big today. Half, quarter, and a fourth as related to circles and squares. Pros, they are. 

I leave you with the awesome photo of the day. 

Tuesday, March 29, 2016

This is a glimpse of what kids do when I'm working with a small group during reading time--

After lunch the kids worked on collaboration skills. The assignment was to create something TOGETHER. 

I talked for just a bit about collaboration, gave them time to work, reviewed collaboration, more work time, reviewed, then toured each group to see what they made. 

During math intervention, the kids with me worked on quickly adding with ten. They played a game for practice. 

We ended the day with me reading about George. The kids LOVE the book "George's Marvelous Medicine" by Roald Dahl. Can't wait to read more on Wednedsay. 

Monday, March 28, 2016

It's the season of sounds! Anyway, we are reading about sounds this week and about honeybees. 

To go along with the fluency, we made bees and made a fun wall. 

Finished project...

The phonics pattern is OU/OW. 

You can also see the geometry cards. Today was awesome! The kids used shapes to create a different shape. The kids brought this cat picture home to share with families. Check backpacks for it. 

And recess was sunny and lovely. Great start to a wonderful week!

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

So fun! Our class did chores today! It's not our week, but Mrs. Black let us so that we could be videoed. Hopefully we will have a little video to show us choring at Ag Fair. Here is who did what--

And what do you do if the goat feed is empty and you need to ask Mrs. Friesen if this is the right bag to use next? 

Take a photo on your phone and send it with two kids to ask. What responsible kids!!

Yep, it was right. The goats got fed. 

It's been so fun this week reading about inventors. The kids are EATING it up!!! Reading to them picture books has been a highlight for me. 

Geometry is more fun when you play a game. So--Headbandz is it!

Give clues (attributes) about the shape and then the other guesses. FUN!

We ended the day with a stellar fire drill. Meaning--they showed integrity. They did what they were supposed to. Were quiet. (Without adult prompting.) And followed all directions. 

Proud teacher for sure. 

Love these first graders so much. 

Tuesday, March 22, 2016

Here's a quick photo of some kids using the Versatiles...

Once the kids understand how to use them, they can do them independently which will allow for more small group instruction. So exciting!!!

Monday, March 21, 2016

Happy Spring!!!

It was so good to see and be with our class today. We were happy to have time off of school and now we are glad to be back. 

Here are a couple of highlights:

What fun to read some new fluency folders. I'm still amazed at what readers they have become!

We are reading lots of non-fiction this week. Mostly about inventors, the problems and solutions they had, and slipping in our pattern (or, oar, ore). 

Geometry began with a lesson on shape attributes (characteristics). What fun to build with coffee stirring sticks. Hopefully tomorrow I'll grab a few pictures. 

And I hope to take a picture of the new Versatiles. More info tomorrow...

Friday, March 11, 2016

It was a whirlwind of a day. 

Finished up chores. The kids did so great!!!

Practiced reading and spelling words with "er, ir, ur" with a partner. 

Took a class photo and individual photos. 

Got a new seating chart. 

And everyone ate lunch in the classroom. 

Starting after spring break the reward for most table group points will be a prize box instead of eating in the classroom. So, if you are interested in donating Fun Pencils we would really appreciate it. Or fun erasers. 

The kids rocked a timed math test. (I'll grade it sometime in the next 8 days, but they did great!) 

Yes, I was the teacher giving a test at 2:00, and then teaching a math lesson!😬 But the kids really needed consistency yesterday. 

Hope you have a wonderful spring break, whatever you do and wherever you are!!!

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Yesterday was a good day! (Maybe a little long for me...)

I loved meeting with small groups for reading and introducing a time line. 

It was rainy at recess time, so we ran around the gym for a couple of minutes until that was too much for me. I played "Mother, May I?" with the kids and thought that was fun. Then I left them run and found a small group playing it again. 

Today we had a pre-service teacher (she's in college) observe in our room. She is Mrs. Friesen's (3rd grade teacher at WRLC) daughter and was helpful and fun. She played at recess and made some kids really happy. 

A joy--watching kids choose to read during a spare moment before lunch.  

A highlight was practicing a tornado drill. We got all 200 kids and 20 staff in the computer lab. My hope is that the drills are the only reason to ever be in the computer lab like this. 

Monday, March 7, 2016

So this is going to be an exciting week!

Our class is responsible for morning chores. Pictures are difficult to take, but I'll see what I can get...

Reading passages this week are about what we can see in the sky. Our phonics pattern is er, ir, ur (and or after w).

We will continue place value, adding two digit numbers and basic facts. 

It's also time we really learn about beef cattle. Mrs. LaMar has taught some during cloverbuds, so they have a start. 

Looking forward to a weather-filled week.

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Thursday was a day full of catching up. We caught up on some assessments, some reading, some math, and a birthday party.

It has only been a week since we got a new seating chart (which meant cleaning out desks), but some desks were A MESS. So, a little time with "teacher directed organization" was a must.

I'm happy to report that our room is clean, organized and ready to go for the upcoming week.

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

How about some Seuss Day fun?

Mr. C made green eggs and ham for the students to try and then read us a story. So happy with our polite class!

And more addition. (Don't tell the kids that they are doing regrouping, but--they are!)

Many do the addition by drawing the tens and ones. Remember--soon they will "see" this in their heads, but for now they are "seeing" it concretely. So many smiles! From kids and teacher.