The Constitution

For Constitution Day, we used the website www.pebblego.com to learn about the history of the constitution. We then created a Double Bubble Map together to compare The Constitution to our class Social Contract. The Social Contract is a part of our discipline plan through the Capturing Kids' Hearts process. We discussed that The Constitution gives us freedom and rights. The students then wrote at least one thing that freedom means to them.

Physical Properties

In science the students learned about various physical properties. They explored various objects and described them on a graphic organizer based on their color, texture, shape, and size. To further explore the concept, the students glued down various objects onto handprint template to feel various texture.

Shape Attributes

As a part of our study of shapes, the students made shapes on geoboards. We discussed that even if shapes a different sizes, their attributes remain the same. As they made the various triangle, square, and square rectangle shapes, they counted the number of sides and vertices. They also drew pictures of their shapes on a geoboard recording sheet.

We're Going on a Bear Hunt

To practice retelling a story in order, our class and Mrs. Francis' class went on a "bear hunt." We went outside to the garden and read "We're Going on a Bear Hunt." After reading, we learned motions to go along with the story and acted out retelling the story.

Bubble Gum Graphs

To reinforce the concept of graphing, I came up with this quick yet fun assessment. The students were each given various number of dot stickers (the kind you use for garage sales). They placed the gumballs on their gumball machine template. They then had to count the number of gumballs for each color and record their findings on a table. Using the data on the table, they created a bar-type graph. On the bar-type graph, they had to label the title, the numbers, and the answer choices. They also had to answer questions based on the results of their graph. Fellow teachers, you can download this lesson my Teachers Pay Teachers store. I forgot to take a picture of their completed products but they turned out great!

 

Real Object Graphs: Apples

In math the students learned about various types of graphs: picture, bar-type, and real object. During one of the lessons, they tasted red, yellow, and green apples. They then decided which one was their favorite to place on a real object graph. After making the graph, they  talked with a knee-neighbor about the results. They then individually used the data from the real object graph to create a bar-type graph. They answered ten questions about the data to find what was the most popular type of apple, the least, etc.

Asking and Answering Questions

Before reading The Kissing Hand, the students asked questions they had based on a picture walk. We typically take a picture walk before reading a book to get the students thinking about what may happen in the book and to allow them to make predictions. Taking a picture walk and asking questions helps greatly in their comprehension of the story. As the students asked questions, I charted them on the Promethean Board. After we read, we went back through the story to answer the questions using text evidence. The students then wrote down one question and its answer. Note taking is another high yield way for students to remember what they read and aids in comprehension.

The Kissing Hand Connections

We read The Kissing Hand a while back to practice making connections. We talked about how Chester felt in the story. After reading, the students shared with a partner one thing the story reminded them of from their personal life. They then wrote a sentence about it and illustrated it.

College Week: Career Parade

The students were invited to dress up in attire for their favorite career. The students who dressed up paraded through the school while the other students cheered them on.

College Week Festivities

As a part of college week, the students made t-shirts to show when they are expected to graduate high school and begin college. I printed "College 2025" on cardstock and the students traced the letters onto their shirts with permanent markers. They then colored them in however they wanted. For the piggy banks, they cut strips of construction paper and glued them in various patterns. We are trying to instill in the students at an early age that college is important and they need to start saving for their future now. The students also added their handprint to a grade level banner that we will keep hanging in our common area all year as a reminder of our belief that they will attend college one day.

College Week: Guest Speakers

During College Week, the students had two guest speakers come talk to them about the importance of going to college. The first is a scientist from The University of Texas at Arlington. She talked to the students about what she studied in college and what she does now. The second works in finance for Honda. He talked to the students about the importance of earning good grades. He equated earning good grades and getting scholarships to college to having a good credit score. The students were very engaged and full of questions.

Cardinal Directions and Maps

In Social Studies we learned about cardinal directions and maps. The students play "Simon Says" using cardinal directions, drew a map of the classroom according to items' location in the room, and went on a walk through the school using a blueprint map.