Thursday, October 8, 2015

We enjoyed working in our "new to us" center rotations today. And they could hardly wait to continue working on the stick puppets.

We practiced a bit, and then some even performed at recess.

Here is a taste of what math story problems look like. Do not panic!! The kids get the answers before I even finish reading it!

I challenged a couple of kids today with a math puzzle. I was tempted to explain it here... But it is just too hard. Even though the puzzle is "simple" to understand, it is not as easy to complete. I was so proud of the eager children that tried and succeeded.

Violet is now 4 weeks old. We feed her two bottles a day, and a little grain. Mr. Williams brought more milk replacer today (we were almost out). I was in a bit of a panic this morning when a student said we were almost out of milk!!! What? How did that happen? I should have called Mr. Williams earlier to have him bring more... But then I remembered--Do not panic. I called, left a message, and this afternoon Mr. Williams brought some more milk by. He was driving his big tractor and it was pulling his drill. He is getting ready to sow wheat and soon we will have that lesson. Talk about excited kids!!!

So, why did I not know we needed more milk? Because the kids are doing ALL of the work!!! I barely do anything. What a joy for me and the kids to be helping another living creature stay alive.

Have a great evening!

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

I just love it when a great lesson becomes even greater. :)

All year we will work on comprehension skills (visualize, predict, ask and answer questions, and retelling). We just keep working on them in whole class books, and also in independent reads. Since the kids LOVE the story "The Lady with the Alligator Purse," I thought we could use it to practice retelling. It is short and sweet, and we can even sing it.

To help with retelling, we made paper puppets and taped them to sticks. Instant retelling props! I hope to continue to do this as the year goes on, to support retelling and make it fun.

We were even privileged to have a puppet show. There may be plans of taking our show on the road (to another class at the school).

So, we have comprehension skills and critters that help us with them, and now a fun way to practice at least one. I'll be on the look-out for more fun ways to practice comprehension...

The First Part of the Week

I got some great photos yesterday. Just completely forgot to put them on the blog. So, Monday and Tuesday combined...

We created our October quilt last week and now it hangs in our room.

As we cruise through the week of reading, we will read words with beginning blends and read stories about how animals and humans move.

We had a chance to discuss Assemblies and what to expect and how to act. See our ideas...

Then we practiced them at a Fire Safety presentation by the Newton Fire Department. Thanks for a great reminder!

In math we are tackling "story problems." But Do. Not. Panic. These kids are pros and not scared by them at all.

Just looking at these photos reminds of how much I love being a teacher. And these first graders are amazing. I cannot wait try more ideas to help them become better readers, mathematicians and good citizens!

Friday, October 2, 2015

With after school commitments both school and family related, I have been unable to update the blog. I've missed sharing what we've done. Glad to be back today.

Another new critter joined our class. This is Jabber the Reteller. He taught us what to include when we retell a story. The kids love Jabber and are eager to use him during centers time. 

We finished up reading words with short o (although we will keep practicing so that we don't forget) and presented the Apple Tree Poem. Lovely job First Graders!!!

All our stories this week were about friends, so on Thursday kids, in partner groups, created a poster about what friends do. It was a fantastic opportunity to work and share and collaborate together.

Today we were happy to be the audience for some fourth graders who presented a germ reader's theater. Not only was it funny, it was informative. They also did a great job!!!

So far in math we have worked on addition to 10 and counting on or using number bonds to find the answer. This week we included how to use a number line to find answers as well as figuring a subtraction sentence that goes with an addition sentence. 

Grouping the kids for extra instruction has been great!!! I'm really looking forward to some tweaks to make it even better. 

Mr. Williams came on Thursday afternoon to show us his fertilizer truck and share about soil samples and fertilizing. The impressive part was how big the tires are!!

Oh, yah... Our Bead Party. The Candy Party. 

It was totally their idea. And we made it up as we went, because I've never been to a candy party before. What I loved the most:

1. Seeing the students joyfully pass out candy to everyone. 

2. Hearing "thank you" from the students as they received the candy. 

Kids love sharing and I'm grateful for the support of parents who help make this happen. 

I will leave you with a sample of writing from this week:

Next week... on to more October and pumpkins.

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...