Animal Research

Students have been working hard gathering information for their research.  They've  used books as well as scanned QR codes which quickly took them to 3 great websites  - Pebble Go, San Diego Zoo and Exploring Nature.  Each day as they researched, students loved sharing their knowledge with friends.    In fact, a teacher in our building shared a cute story about one of my students.  Apparently this student asked her if she wanted to know anything about skunks.  She went on to tell her that she has been researching skunks in class and is an expert, so, if she wanted to know anything,  she would be the person to ask.   How awesome is that?

The Zoo In School??

This morning the zoo came to our school!!  During this 45 minute program we learned about 6 different oviparous animals...alligator, toad, owl, snake, parrot and penguin!  The kids LOVED it and learned so much.  Our class favorite was the penguin but the parrot was a close second!

 

Dear Deer

After reading the book Deer Dear: A Book of Homophones by Gene Barretta, students wrote a Dear Deer letter of their own.  The letter had to follow the 'friendly letter' format and the body needed to include at least 2 different pairs of homophones.  Before sending them on their way to start writing, students orally told a partner what they were going to write.  Partners had to listen very carefully for those homophones!  At first this task was a little challenging, but they got it and the letters really turned out cute!!

Homophones

Students have been learning about homophones through a variety of matching, writing and spelling activities.  Today I asked the students to create a Bridge Map (Thinking Map) on a sentence strip to show what they know about homophones.  I think they did an amazing job!

Identifying Coins

As we continue to practice identifying coins (name and value) I decided to do a quick formative assessment with the students.  First I gave each table group a bag of mixed coins.  Their job was to sort them into the 4 groups, add the value of each group and take a picture.  Students then downloaded their picture to ChatterPix, created a pix, recorded themselves identifying the coins and its value then posted it to their blog.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions

To begin our study on Texas animals I checked out non-fiction books from our local library as well as the one here at school.  I explained to the students they will be responsible for learning about one of the five animals (porcupine, owl, deer, bear or skunk).  Books were placed around the class and students circulated around looking through each stack.  Enthusiasm grew and after much contemplation students were ready to choose the animal that looked the most interesting to THEM!   Tomorrow... research begins!!  

Non-fiction Scavenger Hunt

Take a roomful of first graders, their iPads, stacks of non fiction books and magazines, a checklist and what to you have?? TOTAL ENGAGEMENT!  
This semester we have been learning about text features found in non fiction books and magazines.  Before we begin our study on Texas animals I thought a little scavenger hunt would be fun.  With their supplies in hand, students got right to work!  They took pictures of each text feature listed on the 'hunt', created a pic collage (which included labeling each feature on their pictures) and then posted to their blog.  Boy, are they ever ready for research!

100's Chart

We love the new app 'Schoolkit Math'.  Today we practiced skip counting starting at different numbers on the chart, adding and subtracting from any given number and we always enjoy going on a number hunt looking for number patterns.

President's Day

Wow!  Today sure was a busy day.  To start, we continued our research on George Washington using 'Pebble Go',  Brain Pop Jr. and listening to non fiction books including one of my favorites, George Washington's Teeth by Deborah Chandra. Once students recorded their new learning about Washington, students proceeded to research Abraham Lincoln. I read the book, Abe Lincoln's Hat by Martha Breener and students made text to self connections explaining what important things they would keep in their stovepipe hat if they owned one.   Once all research was completed, students were given a tree map and pictures.  They sorted and glued each picture under the correct header which in return turned out to be a great formative assessment.  As students finished, they asked if they could create a timeline using the app 'Timeline' depicting one of the presidents. Now how could I possibly say no to that???

Community Project

Our first grade community project was a great success!  For this project we collected a variety of requested items for our local animal shelter. 
The students were so proud knowing that they helped to make a difference in our community.  Thanks for your support throughout this project.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Thank you to all of the parents who helped to make our Valentine Party a great success.  Everyone had a wonderful time!

Is it Living or Non-Living??

As part of our living/nonliving unit students were given a gummy worm and a real worm!!  EEEK!!!
They drew pictures, measured, compared and listed characteristics of each worm to determine if it was living or nonliving.    Oh my such excitment!! 

US Symbols

 Students were placed into 4 groups and were given a 'Top Secret' envelope.  Each envelope was filled with printouts, books and QR codes telling about one of the four US symbols (US flag, Statue of Liberty, Bald Eagle or Liberty Bell).  Each group was to learn as much as they could about their symbol in their envelope, create a poster and explain/teach the rest of the class about their 'top secret' symbol.  They LOVED it!  I'm not sure what they liked the most... researching, creating the poster or becoming the 'expert' and teaching others about what they had learned.

Counting Coins

 

Busy sorting, counting and recording coins!

100th Day of School

A two hour delayed start wasn't going to stop us from celebrating our 100th day of school!  Students arrived dressed like they were 100 years old.  Our day was filled with a variety of activities which included writing, reading and mathematics.  However it was unanimous, their favorite activities were the team challenges...create something using 100 Legos, build the tallest tower using 100 plastic cups and the QR scavenger hunt!  Be sure to check out their 100th day posts!

 

Class Readers

I just love it when students ask to read their favorite book to our class!

Transportation Timelines

As we continue to discuss 'Long Ago and Today' in Social Studies today we focused on transportation.  Students were paired up and given 8 picture cards.  Their task was to place the cards on a timeline.  As I walked around, I just love hearing their conversations/reasoning as to the correct order.  Once completed we checked our timelines and discussed how transportation has changed over time (more efficient, faster etc.) .  Students then took their picture timelines and transferred this information to the Timeline app and posted to their blog.

Roll to 100

Once students created their own 100's mat they got right to playing.  Just another great way to practice place value!

Groundhog Results

With Groundhog Day being on Sunday, I gave the students weekend 'homework'  .  They needed to find out if Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow or not Sunday morning.  Well, let me tell you they couldn't wait to report their findings this morning!  Punxsutawney Phil DID see his shadow.  The students went into the app Doceri, drew a picture of Phil, recorded their thoughts and posted to their blog.  It looks like Punxsutawney Phil might be right.  Doesn't look like our winter weather will be over anytime soon!