Thursday, September 27, 2012

United States Symbols

What's your favorite Untied States symbol?  Mine happens to be our National Anthem.  I literally get goose bumps everytime I hear someone sing it! 

As we reviewed the symbols, we learned how to take notes in our Social Studies Journal without writing everything down.


To top off our morning, the children watched this short video clip that explained more about what the symbols stand for!

Ice Formations

This afternoon, the class participated in creating ice formations by melting two pieces of ice together with the use of table salt!  Using our observation skills, students were able to conclude that we had a Solid - to - Solid change in matter.  (Even though the ice melted a little bit...)

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Ice Experiments

Today, we spent some of our time in the Science Lab discussing Matter.  In particular, we had conversations about how liquids become solids.  We then took some cans and poured water in them to stick in the freezer.  Tomorrow, we will observe the changes that have taken place and begin to form our "ice creations".
The class also observed an ice cube melting in a cup.  They learned that heat accelerates the process and found several ways to help their cube liquify.  All in all, they had a BLAST!
Thank you to everyone who helped saved cans for us to use!

Modeled Drawing


Yesterday, my class had the privilege to have an expert mathematician help us solve problems over SKYPE!  It was a lot of fun and I'm so thankful that Ricky Mikelman could help me remember all the important steps of Modeled Drawing!  We are looking forward to our next lesson Ricky!

Monday, September 24, 2012

Part Part Whole

Here is an math problem we solved today using our Part Part Whole strategy. 

Visualize and Infer

Thank goodness for the Internet and Pinterest!  I would love to say that this was something I thought of, but it wasn't.  I really liked the way the person branched out with Visualizing & Inferring!  Here is the one that we did in class today:

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Scholastic Book Orders


Scholastic Book Orders

Book orders went home today.  Here are the directions to order them over the internet:1. Go to www.scholastic.com2. Create a login for yourself.3. Class code: GQVZL

I will also take a personal check made out to Scholastic. Homework ClarificationPlease return all homework to me on Friday.  Just makes it easier to keep it all together.


VocabularyI have yet to start this with the class.  We will shoot for next week!!! 
Library 
We will plan to go to Library every Wednesday at 8:10.  Please remember to return any books you have at home.

Classroom Rules

Here are two books that really help teach chidlren about classroom rules. 

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse


Here is a list of words tht we came up with after reading.
















Officer Buckle and Gloria

What is your favorite rule?

Ways We Make Great Book Choices

Here is yet another anchor chart that the kids helped create on "Ways We Make Great Book Choices." 

Ways We Choose Books

Here is an "anchor chart" that the kids helped create after a discussion about "How We Choose Books" to read.  They had some great ideas and I was very impressed with their background knowledge.

Week of 9/10

Here is a little “blurb” on what we are doing in class.


Language Arts

• In Reading we are continuing to build our stamina during “Read to Self” and “Read to Someone”

• We are practicing retelling (Beginning/Middle/End) a story after we have read or listened to a book

• Learning the meaning of the word of the day. Students do NOT need to spell this word, just recognize the meaning within the context of a sentence

• Beginning writer’s workshops routines

• We completed our spelling inventory and we’ll be starting spelling this week.

• DRA testing began last week. They are pretty lengthy – so, it could take up to a month to complete all the assessments.

Math

• Reading and analyzing graphs

• Place value and number sense- We are working on reviewing first grade number concepts through number of the day. They include: Even/Odd, Greater than/less than, number before/after, expanded notation, and writing the number in word form

• Reviewing math facts +1, +2, +0, -1, -2, -0

• Singapore Math Model Drawing problems

Social Studies

• We are learning about Rules and Laws. We read We the Kids and we’ll write a class constitution next week. We are also learning about the Pledge of Allegiance as many children were asking why we recite it each morning.

• We are reviewing Tribes Agreements- Attentive Listening, Mutual Respect, Appreciations/ No Put-downs, Right to Pass/Participate

Science

• We are learning about Science Safety Rules.

• We are learning about Properties of matter and using our five senses.

Love & Logic Tip of the Week: Two Rules of Love & Logic

Taken from Love & Logic, by Jim Fay & David Funk

Rule #1:

Adults set limits without anger, lectures, threats, or repeated warnings.

When we describe what we will do or allow, that is setting a limit. When we tell a child that he/she should or shouldn’t do, that is a possible fight.

o Adults remember that it is their job to set these limits.

o They also remember that it is the children’s job to test them.

o As a result, adults only set limits that they know are enforceable.

o Adults provide choices within limits to share healthy control and thinking.

Rule #2:

When children cause or have problems, adults need to hand these problems back in loving ways.

We hand the problem back by replacing anger and lectures with a strong dose of empathy followed by logical consequences.

o Adults hope and pray that children make plenty of small, “affordable” mistakes.

o Adults provide strong doses of empathy before holding them accountable for the consequences of such mistakes.

o Adults delay consequences, when necessary, so that they can respond with wisdom and compassion.

o Children are given the gift of owning and solving their own problems.

Other Reminders

• Reading and reviewing math facts should be a part of your child’s nightly routine. This week we will begin math sheets 2 nights a week and spelling homework. We are also encouraging our children to record what physical activity they do in the evenings.

• Please remember to send a healthy snack with your child each day.

• Keep your eyes out for Book Orders. I will be sending them home this week. This is a great way to build your home library.

• Open House is Tuesday, September 18th from 5:00 PM-6:00 PM.

• Karen Harrell shared this awesome deal free app for Microsoft Office Smart. It is usually $9.00! The deal is only good until tonight… Act fast! http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/smart-office-2/id504520620?mt=8