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!