Making Connections: The Cow Who Clucked

We recently read The Cow Who Clucked by Denise Fleming as a part of our lessons on making connections. After reading, the students wrote at least one connection they had to the story and supported it with text evidence. For example, the students would write "The Cow Who Clucked reminded me of (personal experience) like when (textual evidence) happened in the story." The students wrote their connections on the outline of a person and then colored it to look like themselves.

Place Value: Interactive Hundreds Board

To help the students prepare for their end of year exam and to review place value, we played a game on the Promethean Board using the interactive hundreds board on TeacherLed. I woud call out a clue to a mystery number that they students had to find on the board. For example, I would say "I'm thinking of a number that has seven tens and four ones." They students would highlight the number on the board. Other clues would be "I am thinking of a number that is the same as the expanded notation 40+5." I planned ahead what numbers to use so that the numbers would make a design once we were completed. This added to the students' level of engagement as they tried to figure out what the mystery picture would be. This mini-lesson is inspired by the work of Marcy Cook.

Comparing Weight

My teammate, Ms. Branch, came up with a great way to assess if the students understand how a balance scale works and if they have the ability to compare the weights of various objects. The students created a balance scale on construction paper out of a one inch strip of paper and a die-cut "v". They then chose two magazine pictures to glue on the scale to show which was the heaviest and which was the lightest. They then wrote comparative sentences to describe the weight of the objects.

Inventor Research Papers

Using PebbleGo, the students researched an inventor of their choice. They recorded information they found on a Circle Map and then used those Circle Maps to help them write a research paper. After editing their papers in writing workshop with me, the students typed their research papers in Microsoft Word. They printed their paper and glued to to construction paper along with a picture of their inventor, which they found in PebbleGo.

My Robot

In Social Studies we spent several weeks studying various inventors such as Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Alva Edison, and Garrett Morgan. At the conclusion of our inventor unit, the students had the opportunity to become inventors themselves. With just two boxes covered in foil, a hot glue gun (used by the teacher, of course), and a bunch of junk, the students created their own robots. They turned out really great. The students created a plan, implemented that plan, and then wrote about what their robots could do.

Baseball Place Value

While at the Texas Ranger's game the other night, I came up with a baseball themed game to review comparing larger numbers: Baseball Place Value. To play the game, divide your class into two teams. One team will be the guests and the other will be the home team. A player from each team will draw a number card and each will build their specific number with the bats (tens) and baseballs (ones). The player with the largest number will move their player to the first base. The player with the least number will pick up a strike card. Play continues to the next players on the team. Once a team gets their player around all the bases, they mark their score on the scoreboard with tally marks. When one team receives three strikes during an inning, that inning is over and all players start back at homeplate. The team with the most runs at the end of the ninth inning wins! After modeling a few times, students should be able to play this game in small groups during math centers. To download the game, visit my Teachers Pay Teachers Store.

Voting Open: 2012's Most Fascinating Elementary Teacher Blog

Bishop's Blackboard has earned  a nomination for 2012's Most Fascinating Elementary Teacher Blog. Voting is now open and the blog with the most votes by May 21st will win. It is nice to know that others read and value what I write. So, if you find my content useful, feel free to vote by visiting the link above . If you do not have Google+ you will need to sign up. Once you sign up, you will see Bishop's Blackboard listed first under the comments section. You should see a +1 next to my blog. Click the +1 and you have voted. Thanks for your support!

Mother's Day Artwork

As gifts to their mothers, the students painted ceramic wall tiles with their handprint and polka-dots. I then added a ribbon on the back with hot glue.

Inventors: Garrett Morgan

In Social Studies, we have been researching various inventors. One of the inventors that we studied was Garrett Morgan. Garrett Morgan invented the traffic light. We began our study by reading about him on Reading A-Z. We then discussed why he invented the traffic light which led into a discussion about how inventors first identify a problem, then find brainstorm a solution, and finally create a plan to put that solution into action. We then created a class Circle Map to record facts learned about Garrett Morgan. The students then created a traffic light out of construction paper to write "Did you know?" facts about Garrett Morgan on each "light."

Inventors: Thomas Alva Edison

In Social Studies, we are studying various inventors. One of the inventors we are studying is Thomas Alva Edison. After reading about his various inventions and how they have led to other inventions we use each day, the students created a Bubble Map using Kidspiration software to brainstorm as many inventions that we use today that have a lightbulb. The students then wrote papers about at least one invention we would not have if it had not been for Edison's invention of the lightbulb and typed them in Microsoft Word. They then exported their Bubble Map from Kidspiration and imported it into Word at the bottom of their sentences. It is amazing how much technology students can learn if they are just exposed to it. Their final drafts were printed and displayed in the hallway. They also uploaded their Kidspiration Bubble Maps into their KidBlog.

Fraction Caterpillars

To review parts of a set, the students created Fraction Caterpillars that were inspired by a lesson I read about on The First Grade Parade. On Mrs. Carroll's lesson, the students used pom pom balls to create the fraction caterpillars but we used Do-A-Dot paint. The students chose three different colors to create their caterpillar and then recorded the parts of a set on the recording sheet. They then cut out their caterpillars and glued them to the top of the recording sheet.

David Shannon: Comparing Stories

After reading Toy Many Toys and A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon, we discussed how the books were the same and different. We charted the student responses on a Double Bubble Map. The students then completed a Venn Diagram independently to compare the stories.

Using the Venn Diagram for help, the students created a four-tier foldable to identify one way that the two stories were the same and then something that was different yet related.

A Bad Case of Stripes

As a part of our author study on David Shannon, we read A Bad Case of Stripes. After reading, we created a class chart to write down our discussion about the characters, setting, problems, and solutions found in the story. The students then created their own Story Maps on construction paper to put the elements in their own words.

The next day we reread the story focusing on retelling the story from beginning, middle, and end. The students then created a three flap foldable to write and illustrate a retelling of the story in their own words.