Weathervanes

This week in science we have been learning about meteorologists and the tools they use to record weather patterns.  After much discussion it was obvious students were familiar with thermometers, wind socks and rain gauges but not weathervanes.  So, I decided an inquiry lesson was needed!  Their task was to 'design a weathervane that accurately shows wind direction'.
First, I explained the rubric that will be used to score their project and then we got started!  They researched weathervane websites, designed and labeled a vane on paper then followed their design to construct it.  Finally, on Friday we tested them!   Well... some vanes worked while others...not so much!  Some vanes showed movement but not direction, while others had direction but no movement!  Students were so engaged!  They talked about changes that needed to be made and even gave each other suggestions.  Now on Monday students will make those changes, then test their vane one final time to see if it  'accurately shows wind direction'.

Punctuation Practice

After reading the story 'Punctuation Takes a Vacation', students were placed in groups and given a handful of sentences (thanks Mrs. Lemon) missing punctuation.  Their job was to read each sentence, decide which punctuation it needed and place the strip under the correct header.  Once all sentences were sorted, students moved to a different table to 'check' each others work.  

Boosterthon

We reached our school goal in Boosterthon pledges so Mrs. Galloway and Mrs. Torres spent the day in roller skates!  The students loved watching them glide and spin through the halls!                                  Thanks again for your continued support!

Role Play

In Social Studies we have been learning about making responsible choices.  Today I had students get into groups of 4 and gave them a scenario to solve.  Groups worked together, came up with a solution to their problem and presented it to the class.   Loved this!  Great participation by all!

Words Their Way

Our first 'Words Their Way' sort!  Students got with their partner and sorted for the first time.  They did an amazing job!  Next Friday will be our first test.

International Dot Day!

Today is Dot Day!  This international day is named for the classic Peter H. Reynolds book, The Dot.  This book shares the story of a girl who begins a journey of self-discovery after a caring teacher challenges her to 'make her mark'.  After much discussion about why Mr. Reynolds wrote the story students were given the opportunity to create their own dot, incorporate it into a picture and write about it. Wow...love of creativity!  Our math lesson was also filled with dots...domino dots followed by a Dot Candy challenge.  For this challenge students were given ten Dots and toothpicks to create anything they wanted.  Once they finished they took a picture of it and posted it to their blog.  Check out a few pictures I snapped...pretty creative!

Carousel

Chair

Bug (antenna included)

Pencil

Spaghetti Challenge II

Yes...today IS the day!  Students couldn't wait to have a second chance with their Spaghetti Challenge.  If you haven't heard, last Friday students tried the challenge and none of the teams were successful.  After making revisions to original plans teams were ready to give it another try.  Well..... I am happy to report ALL teams successfully built a standing tower!!  Afterwards they took a picture of their tower and blogged about the experience...Whew!!!

Boosterthon

Thanks for ALL your support this past week at the Boosterthon!   The students really had a great time at the Fun Run!  I am so proud of them!!

We haven't officially heard if our class won in pledges or not. I know it's close!!!  Hopefully we will find out on Monday!

Real World Math

Today the class solved their first 'real world' math problem as second graders. I told them that Mrs. Keller, our librarian needed their help.  She recently received 134 books and needed to know how many book shelves to purchase if one shelf held 10 books.   Teams were given chart paper, and a variety of math manipulatives to help solve their problem. Once each team had an answer for Mrs. Keller, they presented their chart to the class explaining how they solved the problem.   What a great way to practice place value and problem solving.

What is a Scientist?

This week we reviewed who Scientists are and what they do. Information was recorded using the Frayer model. Students defined scientist and created a gami using the app, Tellagami.  This app was new to most of the students so it was wonderful watching and  listening to the 'experts' help each other.  

Spiral Math

One math game my first graders enjoyed last year was 'Spiral Math'.  It's great because all you need is a deck of cards, dice and game markers.  To play remove all face cards (ace will be worth one) and lay the cards out in any order to form a game board.  Once cards are placed a student rolls the die and moves their marker that many spaces.  They add the number on the die to the number card they landed on.  If the student adds correctly they stay on that card if not they to move back to where they were.  The first person to land on the last card is the winner.  This game is great to use for differentiation because students could multiply the numbers just as well.

Even or Odd?

Today I read two stories, If You Were an Even Number and If You Were an Odd Number.  These books follow the same story pattern...they define even/odd numbers, place numbers on a line and use pictures to show different scenarios--sporting events, animal feet, branches on a tree etc. to determine if a number is even or odd.  After some discussion about even and odd numbers I gave students 3 cards and a box of dominoes.  The object was to count the dots on one side of the domino, decide if it was an even or odd number, count the other side and decide if that number was even or odd.  If both numbers were even they would place the domino on the 'even' card, if both numbers were odd they would place it on the 'odd' card and if one number was even and one was odd they would place the domino on the 'both' card.  Once all dominoes were sorted I had students rotate to another table and check another students sort.

Spaghetti Noodle Challenge

It's Friday and it's time for another challenge!  Today I gave each team 25 spaghetti noodles, one giant marshmallow and 12 inches of masking tape.  The challenge was to build the tallest standing tower with the marshmallow on top.  Each team developed a plan and tried it out.  I can report that NOT one group was successful.  So I gave them time to collaborate with their team to discuss what worked, what didn't and adjustments they would need to make.  Stay tuned...they will have the same challenge next Friday to see if their improvement plans work!

120's Chart

Who can build a 120's chart quickly and correctly?  Groups were given number cards and asked to build a chart.  They quickly learned looking for number patterns helped them to build it faster rather then going in number order!

Science Tools

To start the year off in science I did a simple activity with the students.  I had them close their eyes and imagine what a penny looks like.  They opened their eyes and recorded what they had envisioned in their notebook.  Next, I gave each student a real penny and asked them to draw it. We had a brief discussion as they compared their two illustrations.  Lastly, I gave them a tool scientists often use when they need to examine an object, a magnifying lens.  Using the lens, students drew their 3rd penny.  Wow, the details they were able to add to their 3rd penny confirmed the importance of the tool as well as how important detailed illustrations are when recording their observations.