If I Lived in a Snowglobe Podcast

Here is a podcast of the students reading what they would do if they lived in a snowglobe. The podcast was recorded using Audacity software and was then uploaded to our class podcasting site hosted by Podbean.

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Hand in Hand with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Last week we learned about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his contributions to society. As we read various books about him and created timelines of his life, we added information to a class Circle Map. The students then created their own Circle Map of important information. They then used these Circle Maps to write five facts about him on a multicultural handprint. We then displayed the hands on the bulletin board along with a timeline of his life that I got from a Time magazine a few years ago.

If I Lived in a Snowglobe...

This is another idea that I found on Pinterest. Our class, along with Ms. Branch's class, recently had the responsibility of sharing something we learned during our weekly Pride Rally. Each student created a snowglobe and illustrated one thing they would do if they lived in the snowglobe. They then wrote the sentence. Each student shared their sentence at Pride Rally.

The Emperor's New Clothes

Last week we read The Emperor's New Clothes and the students again created a foldable to retell the story in their own words. This story is pretty complex for first grades but they did a good job!

Cinderella and Prince Cinders

As a part of our study of fairy tales, we read Prince Cinders by Babette Cole. Prince Cinders is a funny and modern twist to the classic Cinderella story. After reading, the students discussed with a partner events that were similar and different from the two stories. We then created a class Double Bubble map to chart their findings. The students then took notes on their own Double Bubble map. They then created a foldable to describe two events in the story that are similar, but not exact, along with the main idea that makes them similar. For example, in Cinderella, she goes to a ball. In Prince Cinders, he goes to a disco. In both, they go to a party.

Cinderella: Reality or Fantasy

The last few weeks we have been reading various fairy tales. One of our lessons focused on identifying events in Cinderella that could be real and events that could only be fantasy. After reading the book and discussing, the students wrote one event that could be real and one that was fantasy.

The Princess and the Pea

Last week we read The Princess and the Pea in order for the students to practice retelling the main events. The students then created foldables to write and illustrate what happened in the beginning, middle, and end of the story.

Missing In Action...

In case you wondered where I disappeared to...I'm here! While on Christmas break I realized how nice it is to have nothing work-related to do in my "off" time. With that said, I love my job but needed a mini-break from coming home and jumping straight into work again. I tend to spend hours working at home - like most teachers do - once the school bell rings. But, I love blogging and see great value in it for both parents and fellow teachers. So, I'm back and new blog posts are soon to follow!

Holiday Party

For our holiday party this year, the students created their own edible Christmas trees. They used a sugar cookie for the tree skirt and then placed an ice cream cone on the top for the tree. They covered the tree in green icing and then decorated it with M&Ms and Skittles. They then used Starbursts as the presents around the tree. For a special drink, they were treated to Sprite with Candy Canes in them. They loved watching the Sprite change colors. I think they had more fun making their treats than they actually did eating them! Click below to watch a slideshow of pictures from their party.

Personalize a digital ecard

Polar Express Ornament and Gift

Each year the teachers at our school give the students a Polar Express train ornament with a class picture on it. Thankfully we have parent volunteers who are willing to help with this project for the kids. It is a nice keepsake and helps them remember this special tradition at our school. In our grade we also give the students silver bell necklaces to help the students make a connection to the gift in the story.

Polar Express Day

Last Friday the students were treated to a special story time in the library with our principal, Mrs. Oliver. Mrs. Oliver read The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. The students were very comfy as they listened because it was also pajama day. Following the reading, the students enjoyed hot chocolate.

Holiday Sing-Along

All the students joined together last Friday in the cafeteria for a holiday sing-along. They students were so happy and singing so loudly!

"Snow" Fun!

This morning the students practiced writing words and drawing pictures in "snow" (otherwise known as shaving cream). The students love playing in shaving cream and it is a great tool to keep students engaged. We use shaving cream for many purposes such as writing word wall words, drawing sticks and dots for place value practice, writing addition and subtraction sentences to word problems, etc.

Christmas Light Addition

To help the students practice addition and to have a little painting fun, the students used Do-A-Dot Paints to create Christmas lights in two colors. They then counted how many of each color they used to create their lights and wrote corresponding number sentences with labels. We have been working on using labels when answer addition and subtraction word problems.

The Snowman

We watched the dvd version of The Snowman by Raymond Briggs. After watching the students verbally identified the characters, setting, problem, and solution. The students then created their own snowmen.