Dory Story

During our ocean unit, we read Dory Story by Jerry Pallota. Before reading, we took a "picture walk" to ask questions about what we saw and to make predictions. As the students asked questions, I charted them on the board. Then, as we read, we charted the answers to those questions. If we did not find an answer in the text, we left it blank to reinterate using text evidence to support answers.

 

The next day we read the story again but this time the focus was on sequencing the ocean food chain from the book. As I read the students verbally retold the order of the food chain. They then wrote the food chain on a Flow Map and illustrated their favorite scene from the book.

 

 

Ocean Animal Research

In reading we have been learning about author's purpose, informational texts, and using text evidence. As a part of these lessons, the students worked in small groups with our Instructional Media Specialist, Ms. Hollingsworth, to research various ocean animals. The students took notes about the appearance of the animal, where they live, what they eat, and other interesting facts. They then used those notes to write a research paper. Their research papers were displayed with scuba divers in the hallway for Open House.

Probability Spinners Foldable

Using an online spinner on the Promethean Board, we practiced identifying what was certain, possible, and not possible. To assess the students understanding of probability, the students worked in small groups to create probability spinner foldables. On each flap of the four-flap foldable, they created a spinner by tracing a small bucket. On the first flap, they could only use one color. Under the flap they had to write one sentence about what color it was certain they would spin and one sentence about what is was impossible to spin. On the remaining three flaps, they created spinners with two, three, or four colors. They then wrote sentences under each flap about what was possible and what was not possible.

Empowering Writers

Our student teacher, Ms. Willemin, recently taught a grammar and writing lesson using Empowering Writers. After listening to part of a story, the students diagramed sentences to identify the noun and verb of each sentence as well as what goes at the beginning and ending of each good sentence.

Student Teacher

Our class is blessed to have a student teacher for the next month or so, Ms. Willemin. She will be gradually taking over teaching lessons one or two subjects at a time, with my help, until she reaches full responsibility. Ms. Willemin is a student at A&M University and we welcome her to our school and class! She has already taught many great lessons, including this small group lesson below, over long and short vowels.

Planting Potatoes and Onions

The students recently visited the school garden to plant potatoes and onions. The students took turns digging the holes, planting the potato pieces or onion bulbs, and then covering them. They have been watering them every two weeks. Upon our return to class, they wrote a How To paper on the steps to take in planting potatoes. The How To writing is a part of our writing program, Write From the Beginning.

Purposes of Media

As a part of our lessons on author's purpose, we have been discussing different types of media and their purposes. One of the lessons we had was over the purpose of advertisements. After looking at various examples from newspapers, we discussed how author's use bright colors, catchy shapes, pictures, the price, etc. to draw in the reader. The students then created their own advertisement to sell something from their "camping store."

How to Go Camping

The students brainstormed steps that must be taken in order to go camping and recorded their thoughts on a class Circle Map. The students then individually put the steps in order on a Flow Map with transition words. They used the Flow Maps to help them write sentences to tell how to go camping.

 

Main Idea: Snow Camping

In reading the students have been learning how to identify the main idea and topic of a story using details from the text. Because we were learning about camping, we read Snow Camping from Reading A-Z. Using a triangle graphic organizer, the students wrote down key facts about snow camping on the bottom portion of the triangle. After this, they decided what all of the facts had in common to determine the main idea (middle section) and the topic (top section). The triangle graphic organizer can also be used by starting with the details on top.

Birthdays: Making Economic Choices

In Social Studies we have been learning about the need to make choices based on economics. The students made a list of things that they would want to do, want to eat, want to play, and other things they would like to have their birthday party. I then explained that each item would cost them $10 dollars but they only had $40 total. Therefore, they could only choose 4 items. We discussed that they would need to choose just four items. This led to a discussion of choosing all four items from one group versus spreading out the choices across all four categories. They decided it was better to spread out the choices across the categories in order to meet all needs of the party. Each student then chose one item from each category that they would want at their party to illustrate on a foldable.

 

Be a Friend to Trees

During a lesson on natural resources, we talked about the need to conserve and protect trees. We read Be a Friend to Trees by Holly Keller. After reading, the students created a class Circle Map about things we would not have if we did not protect trees. They then wrote one sentence about what we would not have and illustrated it.

Shape Attributes

The students have recently been learning about the various attributes of shapes. They worked on various lessons including sorting shapes into 2D and 3D shapes. They also identified the number of edges, vertices, and faces of 3D shapes using garage sale dot stickers (it helps them identify which they've already counted). Additionally, they sorted cards of various 2D and 3D shapes into categories such as rolls, has 3 or more faces, has vertices, etc. They also made various 3D shapes out of playdough.

Family Math Night

Our school recently had Family Math Night as a way to teach students and parents games they can play at home to reinforce basic math skills. At the first grade table, students played "Place Value War." In this game, each player takes two cards from the top of the stack. They then determine who can build the largest number with their two cards. For example, if I drew a 6 and a 4, I could make 64. Whoever built the largest number, keeps the cards. The player with the most cards at the end wins. You could also play this by adding the two numbers and whoever has the greatest sum wins.

Large Scale Math Mats

Fellow teachers, if you are looking for a way to incorporate movement and engagement into your math lessons, try creating math mats on the floor with painters tap. Here are some examples of some large scale math mats we use in our class. One is a part-part-whole mat and the other is a ten frame. They are large enough that the students can step in them or we sometimes use manipulatives.

Magic School Bus Lunch

As a reward for continual positive behavior, students are occassionally invited to eat lunch in the classroom with the teacher. During their picnic lunch, they get to watch an episode of "Magic Schoolbus."