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.

Too Many Toys

As a part of our author study on David Shannon, we read Too Many Toys. After reading and discussing as a class, the students created a Story Map independently to write about the characters, setting, problem, and solution of the story.

The next day, after rereading, the students created a three-flap foldable to retell the story from beginning, middle, and end.

Author Study: David Shannon

We recently conducted an author study about David Shannon. He is the author of David Gets in Trouble, No, David!, Alice the Fairy, and more. As a part of our study, we watched a video interview from David Shannon on Reading Rockets. We also read a transcript of one of his interview's with Scholastic.

Eric Carle: Comparing Stories

After reading The Mixed-Up Chameleon and The Foolish Tortoise, both written and illusrtated by Eric Carle, we created a class Double-Bubble Map to compare the two stories. The students then used the class chart to help them create their own Venn Diagram independently. The next day, the students created a foldable to write sentences: one thing that was unique, or different, about each story, and one thing that was the same about the stories.

The Foolish Tortoise

As a part of our study on author and illustrator Eric Carle, we read The Foolish Tortoise. As we read, we discussed and charted the characters, setting, problem, and solution. The students then created their own Story Maps on construction paper to identify and write about the information.

The next day we read the story again but this time we focused on retelling the story from beginning, middle, and end. The students then created a three-flap foldable to retell the story.

The Mixed-Up Chameleon

As a part of our author study on Eric Carle, we read The Mixed-Up Chameleon. After reading, we discussed the characters, setting, problem, and solution. The students then created Story Maps about the book.

We then read the book again focusing on retelling. The students then created a foldable to retell the story from beginning, middle, and end.

Field Day 2012

Thanks to the great organization of our P.E. Coach, the students had a great Field Day. They rotated through various stations including Tug-of-War, Shoe Fling, Ball Hug Race, Scooter Races, and more. Below are a few pictures from our fun day!

Author Study: Eric Carle

In reading we are studying various authors. One of the authors we are studying is Eric Carle - one of my favorites. Not only do I love his stories, I love his illustrations. As a part of our study, we read about Eric Carle and his accomplishments on his website. Our specials teachers also taught the students about his artwork by showing examples of his artwork and taking them on a virtual tour of his museum.

Garden Research Visual Displays

After spending a few weeks researching the garden habitat, the students created visual displays to share facts that they learned. Because this was this first time to create a visual display to share their research, I taught the students how to fold the paper to plan out how to space the drawings and writing on their displays. In the center of each flower, the students wrote a "Did you know?" fact based on their research findings. We also talked about what quality work looks like - neat, accurate, etc. Because of this, their displays are very similar, as you can see in the pictures below.

Measuring Area

We had several lessons on how to measure area using non-standard units. One way was to measure the area of square rectangles using the tiles on the floor. We marked off various squares and square rectangles with painting tape and then counted how many tiles it took to cover that shape. To reinforce that area measures the amount of surface that is covered, the students covered crackers in spreadable cheese making sure to cover the entire area. They also made various squares and square rectangles out of color tiles. They then recreated those shapes on construction paper with paper color tiles. They then counted how many tiles it took to create the shape and recorded it. They also cut out various shapes and layered them on top of one another to see which one covered the most surface. We discussed that when you layered two objects, if you could still see the outside edges of one of the shapes or if the shape covered the other shapes completely, then it had a larger area. Last but not least, the students created squares and square rectangles out of Cheez-Its. They then went on a gallery walk to compare the area of the various shapes they created. After comparing the areas, then of course they ate them!

Measuring Length

In math we have been learning to measure using non-standard units. In the computer lab, the students drew three lines of varying length in Kidspiration. They then used electronic color tiles to measure the length of each line. They then wrote comparative sentences to identify which line was the longest, which was the shortest, and which was the middle length.

Winner! Winner! Samson's Classroom

Congratulations to Miss Nelson from Run! Miss Nelson's Got the Camera for winning a year's subscription to Samson's Classroom. Thank you to those who entered the giveaway. Miss Nelson, check your email soon for login information. The winner was chosen using a Random Number Generator. The widget can be found at Random.Org.

Earth Day Book Swap and Donation

I recently coordinated an Earth Day Book Swap for our school as a way to promote recycling and reusing what we already have. Students were asked to bring in books to trade with their friends. For each book brought in, they received a ticket which was used to "purchase" a book someone else had brought in. The students swapped almost 600 books. As a part of the Book Swap and as a part of our committment to Rachel's Challenge, the students were also asked to donate books to a local charity. With the help of one of our district's middle schools who also donated books, we collected over 750 books to donate! I am so proud of our students!

Earth Day Art and Writing

During Social Studies, we talked about the importance of Earth Day and the need to take care of it not only on this special day but everyday. As we talked we reviewed how our planet is covered mostly in water. We reviewed the different bodies of water. We then discussed ways we can help the take care of the water and land on Earth. The students then created a fun, Pinterest-inspired artwork. The first drew landforms and water on a coffee filter with marker. They then sprayed the coffee filter with a water bottle causing the marker color to run and bleed onto one another. While we waited for the artwork to dry, we visited the computer lab so the students could type three ways they could help the Earth. They added their sentences to their artwork.