Using pattern block stickers to create insects!
Exploration with geoboards.
Class Picture
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Sorting
We've been estimating, counting by 1's, 2's, 5's, and 10's, and sorting many many ways. Our class has doing this using insects, sea creatures, and frogs. INQUIRE with your child what his/her favorite has been and what they sorted them by. You may wonder what the benefits of sorting are in first grade? Look at the information below from the Bridges program to find out why.
Q: What is the value of having students do so much sorting?
A: Young students enjoy sorting the buckets of buttons and plastic bugs and sea creatures in this
unit. They inspect the buttons or creatures closely and arrange them into groups in a variety of
ways, according to different features. Bringing order to a large group of objects in this way
provides many opportunities to create groups of things that can be counted (by 1’s, 2’s, 5’s, and
10’s), combined (addition), and compared (subtraction). In addition to providing a context for
counting, adding, and subtracting, sorting is the first step in finding patterns, organizing data,
and solving problems of all kinds.
Q: What is the value of having students do so much sorting?
A: Young students enjoy sorting the buckets of buttons and plastic bugs and sea creatures in this
unit. They inspect the buttons or creatures closely and arrange them into groups in a variety of
ways, according to different features. Bringing order to a large group of objects in this way
provides many opportunities to create groups of things that can be counted (by 1’s, 2’s, 5’s, and
10’s), combined (addition), and compared (subtraction). In addition to providing a context for
counting, adding, and subtracting, sorting is the first step in finding patterns, organizing data,
and solving problems of all kinds.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Reading Strategies
As we read a variety of books during literacy (see shelfari on the side of the blog for book titles) students are continuing to learn how one continuously "checks for understanding" while reading a book. We are doing this as a class, and students are able to practice this skill in their own reading. When doing this, we stop reading every few pages and ask ourselves what just happened. We sometimes even retell each other what happened. Children are also cross checking and asking themselves questions such as, "does this make sense? Does this sound right? and Does this look right?" as they are decoding words.
Glyphs
Yesterday we created ladybug glyphs that told information about ourselves and our experiences with insects. This was done as a group and was a great exercise in listening intently to the specific directions that were being given. By looking at the "code" as the students called it and by examining each ladybug, we can tell who would hold a ladybug, what bugs each child dislikes, whether we are afraid of insects, whether we've caught an insect, or whether we've been bitten or stung by an insect.
Today we also came up with a list of everything we've learned about ladybugs. Working in pairs, students wrote down these facts together. We decided to hang them in the hallway so other students can learn about ladybugs as they are walking in the hall!
Today we also came up with a list of everything we've learned about ladybugs. Working in pairs, students wrote down these facts together. We decided to hang them in the hallway so other students can learn about ladybugs as they are walking in the hall!
Writer's Workshop Update
First Graders have been intently working on becoming the best authors and illustrators they can be. While reading a variety of published books written by school aged kids around the country we are getting inspired to publish our own books in a few weeks (although I have yet to sign a contract with a publishing company..hmm, better get on that!) Anyways, the children are getting excited to go through this first publishing stage, even if it won't look exactly like the bound books we read everyday. We are continuing to write personal narratives about ourselves while remembering to include pictures and words, just like famous authors and illustrators. We have been talking about taking risks in our illustrations and not throwing away an idea for a topic just because we don't know how to illustrate it. We are also paying close attention to making sure our writing and illustrations match. The students are continuing to work on routines. A big thrill to students this year is the use of the stapler...and boy does this take practice! It is amazing to see the focused attention during this time of our day. The children are taking their time to reread their work, and add on to it every day. I am excited to finish off these first few pieces and share with you the progress each child is making every day!
Monday, September 19, 2011
Math Problem Solving
We have been using our knowledge of insects to create math story problems. Our class has been looking closely at butterflies, praying mantis, and beetles, noticing various characteristics of each and studying the similarities and differences of their life cycles. INQUIRE with your child what the difference between a butterflies life cycle is compared to that of a praying mantis. To create our math story problems we used ladybugs and came up with a variety of different stories about these insects. We used addition and subtraction to solve the problems. It was a challenge for many of our students to show their math thinking as opposed to just giving an answer. INQUIRE with your child what it looks like to "show their math thinking."
Guidance
This year, Guidance is being offered as a "special." Guidance, Technology, and Library will be rotated. The first part of the year we will have guidance, the next, Library, and in the spring we will have Technology. These classes will be held on Tuesdays at 1:00, our regular specials time. I am, however, finding time on Tuesdays to visit the library to take out books. We will do this throughout the year. Eventually, I will do this for Technology as well.
During this first part of the school year, Shannon Baker, our school's guidance counselor will be helping to enrich the social/emotional curriculum that is already in place in our classroom. Shannon will be teaching lessons designed around our responsive classroom school-wide expectations of CARES (Cooperation, Assertiveness, Responsibility, Empathy, and Self-Control.) Here is Shannon with our class teaching a lesson on Cooperation and also reviewing what it looks like to stay in our own personal, "bubble." INQUIRE with your child what the boy thought he was going to learn about at school when his teacher talked about space bubbles.
During this first part of the school year, Shannon Baker, our school's guidance counselor will be helping to enrich the social/emotional curriculum that is already in place in our classroom. Shannon will be teaching lessons designed around our responsive classroom school-wide expectations of CARES (Cooperation, Assertiveness, Responsibility, Empathy, and Self-Control.) Here is Shannon with our class teaching a lesson on Cooperation and also reviewing what it looks like to stay in our own personal, "bubble." INQUIRE with your child what the boy thought he was going to learn about at school when his teacher talked about space bubbles.
Cooperative and Happy Girls!
I observed the girls in our class working cooperatively to maneuver their way around the gymnasium toward the end of P.E. class today. They successfully managed to connect all the scooters and as a group scoot around the gym, worked on balance, coordination, and strengthening various muscles! Cooperation is one of the components of our C.A.R.E.S. social curriculum.
Kids Making Change Campaign
To help Montpelier UES students to get connected and involved in flood relief efforts here in Vermont, we have created a connection with Moretown Elementary to help serve the kids and community impacted by Hurricane Irene floods. We have been told by the administration at Moretown Elementary that the greatest need is having financial resources available for school activities.
To this end, UES will hold a week long "Kids Making Change" campaign. In each classroom at UES there will be a donation jar/jug where kids in that classroom can contribute change from their home penny jars and allowances that will go directly to help kids in Moretown. At the end of the week, the monies from each classroom will be added up and parents will be asked to make a 2:1 match of the money raised by their kids.
In our classroom, a reporter came in to take a picture of our students donating to this good cause. Check out the TIMES ARGUS for our picture! If someone would like to send in a copy of the newspaper for our classroom, we'd be grateful! Here's a picture of our class getting their pictures taken by the reporter! We will be accepting donations throughout the week so if your child has loose change, please feel free to have them bring it to school to help this great cause.
To this end, UES will hold a week long "Kids Making Change" campaign. In each classroom at UES there will be a donation jar/jug where kids in that classroom can contribute change from their home penny jars and allowances that will go directly to help kids in Moretown. At the end of the week, the monies from each classroom will be added up and parents will be asked to make a 2:1 match of the money raised by their kids.
In our classroom, a reporter came in to take a picture of our students donating to this good cause. Check out the TIMES ARGUS for our picture! If someone would like to send in a copy of the newspaper for our classroom, we'd be grateful! Here's a picture of our class getting their pictures taken by the reporter! We will be accepting donations throughout the week so if your child has loose change, please feel free to have them bring it to school to help this great cause.
Friday, September 16, 2011
email updates
I cannot seem to figure out how to sign up for an automatic update sent to email when a new post is created. If any readers of our blog have had success, let me know how you did it! THANKS!
Quiet Cafe
A NOTE FROM OWEN:
We hope that the word is out about a very special place in our school---the Quiet Café. This is located in the Excel Room, which is just a short distance to the cafeteria. There is a staff member in this room at all lunch times. At the present time 12 students may sit comfortably. The small number of students allows for quiet conversation to occur more easily. The Quiet Café is open to any of our students. Students may come as few or as many days they choose. Students only need to ask Ms. Famette, who oversees the larger cafeteria, for permission to visit the café. There may be days that Ms. Famette, or a classroom teacher, will recommend that a student use the café to practice a certain skill before returning to the larger cafeteria.
We hope that the word is out about a very special place in our school---the Quiet Café. This is located in the Excel Room, which is just a short distance to the cafeteria. There is a staff member in this room at all lunch times. At the present time 12 students may sit comfortably. The small number of students allows for quiet conversation to occur more easily. The Quiet Café is open to any of our students. Students may come as few or as many days they choose. Students only need to ask Ms. Famette, who oversees the larger cafeteria, for permission to visit the café. There may be days that Ms. Famette, or a classroom teacher, will recommend that a student use the café to practice a certain skill before returning to the larger cafeteria.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
IPICK and Voracious Reading
As students are learning how to organize books in the library, they are also learning how to choose "just right readers." We discussed the acronym, "IPICK" which illustrates to the children how to go about choosing a just right reader. We relate this to riding bikes and wearing shoes. INQUIRE with your child how a just right book relates to doing these things. When we pick out books for ourselves, we want to be sure that we are choosing a book that is interesting, purposeful, makes sense to us, and one that we know most of the words. We use a five finger rule to determine if the book is just right for us. We are practicing voracious reading by building our fluency through re-reading just right books. When the book students choose is on their reading level and they are interested in it, they will be able to practice reading smoothly and with expression. They will understand what they are reading and ultimately improve their fluency. Students who are reading books that are too hard for them, struggle, become frustrated, and never get the practice of building fluency because they are continuously trying to decode and solve for words. What kind of books is your child reading at home? Remember, it doesn't hurt to have them reread these over and over again!
Writer's Workshop
This week, we've launched our afternoon writer's workshop. The class has discussed the idea that if we write every day, we'll get a lot of practice and therefore gradually get to become really good writer's. Many other students relayed that they believe writing to be fun, relaxing, and much discussion was had about the purpose of writing. "My mom writes you notes." "We write a grocery list." My dad types a lot on the computer...I think this is like writing too but without a pencil. We observed all the writing in our classroom and have been reading many books. Throughout the year, we will use many books as models for our own writing. This year, the students are only using a pencil to do their drafting (pictures and words) and will be allowed to use color during the publishing process, which will happen ever 4-6 weeks. Each lesson begins with a mini-lesson where the students hear a teaching point, hear the language authors use, have a discussion on the teaching point, and find a connection to their own writing. The students then independently work on their own writing piece while I confer individually with about 5 children per day. After the writing time, we close the lesson with a share and review of the strategy taught. The student have been getting used to learning about how to use supplies, where to keep them, what to do when they're stuck, and what to do when they think they're done. Our current unit of study is personal narratives. During this unit, students are writing about experiences they've had.
FYI
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Birthday Celebrations
This year, your child's birthday will be celebrated the last Friday of the month. On this day, from 8:15-9:00, families are welcome to visit the classroom, connect with other families, and celebrate their child's birthday together. I am looking for families to sign up to bring a healthy breakfast food (muffins, fruit, etc) so if you're willing to help make this a success, sign up for a month or two and join us. Families are welcome each month, not just on your child's birthday month. Our summer birthday's will be celebrated in June. The dates are listed on the calendar of events and a letter will be sent home soon. Please email me if you'd like to help out!
Parents Night
Thanks to all the parents who attended last night's information meeting. I hope that in the little time we had that you were able to connect with some new parents, reconnect with familiar others, and learn a bit about what the children will be doing throughout the day. PLEASE, feel free to ask me any other questions that may still be lingering. With the brief amount of time we had and after reading the information packets that were provided, I am sure there will be more questions. As I explained last night, our communication will play a huge role in your child's success this year so stay connected. If you are reading this blog, please make sure to indicate on the side bar poll. I'm curious as to how many readers are out there!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Rule Creation
After reading our hopes and dreams to one another, we talked about what it will need to look, sound, and feel like in our classroom if we want to do all the things we dream of doing in first grade. As a class, we brainstormed a GIGANTIC list of rules we thought we needed. As a class, however, the students agreed that this list was TOO BIG and realized that most of the rules can fall under one of the rules we had listed: THE GOLDEN RULE. We settled on 2 rules to have in our class and made a promise to follow these guidelines:
The Golden Rule
Take care of classroom materials
Our class then reviewed what it looks like if we choose not to follow these rules. Many of us have practiced what it looks like to take a break to regain self control and be ready to learn. Today, we also reviewed what happens when students are unable to regain self-control in the break chair and are continuing to be disrespectful and not follow directions. Responsive Classroom refers to this procedure as "buddy teacher." In our classroom, if a student is not able to re-gain self control while taking a break within the classroom, the child will go with our "buddy teacher" (who comes to get the student) and take a break in their classroom. Today, Mrs. Wrigley and I taught our students what this looked like and we were able to learn what happens in this situation and where the buddy teachers' break chairs were held. In this instance, the student is expected to stay in the buddy teachers room for at least 5 minutes and will process with the buddy teacher what it will look like, sound like, and feel like upon re-entry to the classroom.
Hopes and Dreams
Over the last few days our class has been brainstorming ideas about what they want to do and accomplish in first grade. Every child contributed and as a group, we came up with a long list of hopes and dreams. Then individually, each child thought about what was most important to them and wrote about their own hopes and dreams for the school year. We are working with watercolors and will write our hopes and dreams on top of the art. These will be on display for most of the year. You will get to see them at open house, but in the meantime, INQUIRE with your child what their hope and dream is for First Grade. If you're a parent or guardian, think about your hopes and dreams for your child. Think about how we can work together to achieve this hope and dream.
THANK YOU!
I wanted to thank a few specific people for helping us get off to a great start.
The Lumbra Family- Thanks so much for donating and building 2 brand new beautiful bookcases for our classroom! They are being put to great use, they help us to stay organized, and of course look spectacular! (hopefully I'll get around to painting them over a vacation, but if you are looking for a volunteer option and like manual labor, let me know!)
The Joyner Family- Thank you so much for offering to fill our classroom aquarium. Kellie, Autumn, and Rye graciously came in on Saturday and donated 3 goldfish and supplies to our class. Unfortunately, one of the fish had a catastrophe on Sunday and only 2 fish were remaining on on Monday. We are currently brainstorming a list of ideas on what to name our new pets!
Shannon Gilmour- Thanks so much for spending the extra time these past weeks organizing our 4 winds program and recruiting new parents to get on board!
ALL FAMILIES- Thanks for helping your child get ready for a great school year. Thanks for communicating with me and allowing for open communication between home and school!
The Lumbra Family- Thanks so much for donating and building 2 brand new beautiful bookcases for our classroom! They are being put to great use, they help us to stay organized, and of course look spectacular! (hopefully I'll get around to painting them over a vacation, but if you are looking for a volunteer option and like manual labor, let me know!)
The Joyner Family- Thank you so much for offering to fill our classroom aquarium. Kellie, Autumn, and Rye graciously came in on Saturday and donated 3 goldfish and supplies to our class. Unfortunately, one of the fish had a catastrophe on Sunday and only 2 fish were remaining on on Monday. We are currently brainstorming a list of ideas on what to name our new pets!
Shannon Gilmour- Thanks so much for spending the extra time these past weeks organizing our 4 winds program and recruiting new parents to get on board!
TOMORROW NIGHT!
Parent Info Night
UES Parent/Caregiver Info Night is Wednesday, Sept.14, from 6:30pm - 7:30 pm. This is different from Open House, which is October 19th. Wednesday's meeting will focus on curriculum; Responsive Classroom and our behavioral expections; homework and other issues and policies.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Hands on inquiry science
We observed, explored, created, and asked questions throughout the day today and continued our study of insects. Our students practiced "traveling" and walked to Harrison Field to observe and look for ants as well as other insects. We participated in a whole class game of "Fishy, Fishy, Cross my Sea" before setting out to explore the grounds. While reading some books about ants, we were amazed at the similarities that ants and bees have and were quite surprised that ants can lift 20 times the weight of their body!
Later in the day we created more insects during math work places. Using some imagination but knowing that insects have 3 body parts and six legs, we created our own insects. Some friends also played bugs on board (similar to tic tac toe but using coordinates and insects!
We even had insect centers this afternoon. All friends enjoyed, "ants on a log" and then explored with a variety of materials. Insect stamps, insect crayon rubbings, insect bingo, "how to draw" insects, 3-D insect observing, and reading insect books. What an insect filled day! INQUIRE with your child what they chose to do at centers, who they worked with, and what kind of insects they found in Harrison field. If you're lucky, maybe they'll share their recipe for "ants on a log."
Later in the day we created more insects during math work places. Using some imagination but knowing that insects have 3 body parts and six legs, we created our own insects. Some friends also played bugs on board (similar to tic tac toe but using coordinates and insects!
We even had insect centers this afternoon. All friends enjoyed, "ants on a log" and then explored with a variety of materials. Insect stamps, insect crayon rubbings, insect bingo, "how to draw" insects, 3-D insect observing, and reading insect books. What an insect filled day! INQUIRE with your child what they chose to do at centers, who they worked with, and what kind of insects they found in Harrison field. If you're lucky, maybe they'll share their recipe for "ants on a log."
Assembly
Once a month, the entire school, faculty, staff, and students gather together for a whole school morning meeting, sometimes referred to as an assembly. The structure of this morning meeting replicates that of what we do in our own classroom. As an entire school, we greet each other, read a message, share news, participate in a song or activity, and acknowledge those who had a birthday. Are students are not only creating community in their respective classrooms, but as a whole school. We had our first assembly this morning. I was incredibly impressed with your child's respectful behavior and active participation. We were great role models for all the new Kindergartners at UES!
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
4 Winds Hands on Science Program
Do you have a few free hours a week free? Are you interested in science? Do you want to spend time teaching your child and their peers once a month in the classroom? Why not consider volunteering to be a 4 winds volunteer! We are seeking volunteers who can provide a few hours a month to devote to this engaging program. Spend time with other parents from the classroom and get to know them as well as your child's peers. If you're interested, contact me ASAP!
INQUIRE WITH YOUR CHILD
Many of you have expressed frustration in not knowing what is happening within the walls of our classroom. Hopefully, I'll find the time to include a "inquire with your child" discussion prompt into my posts. Look for the writing in BOLD for these prompts and most importantly, let me know if there is any information about the day that you'd like to hear about or questions you may have! Feel free to comment or send me an email!
Drop Off on Rainy Days
We started our day with a rainbow greeting this morning (inquire with your child what this looks and sounds like during morning meeting!) but am not sure our wish will come true. Let's hope for ALL sunny days for the rest of the week, but in case our wish of a rainbow does not come true, please remind your child to go straight to the auditorium if they are arriving prior to 8:20. If you think we may be in the classroom, please remind your child that if the class has not entered, to wait outside the door or report to the auditorium. Thanks for your help.
Also, I was hoping to travel as a class to Harrison Field this week to practice not only traveling but to engage in a few group community building games. I am holding off and waiting for the rain to stop, but if it does, we may be out of the building for a half hour or so. If your child needs to leave school for an appointment, etc, please make sure you send me a note with the approximate times so I can plan accordingly.
Inquire with your child...what games/songs has she/he enjoyed the most?
Also, I was hoping to travel as a class to Harrison Field this week to practice not only traveling but to engage in a few group community building games. I am holding off and waiting for the rain to stop, but if it does, we may be out of the building for a half hour or so. If your child needs to leave school for an appointment, etc, please make sure you send me a note with the approximate times so I can plan accordingly.
Inquire with your child...what games/songs has she/he enjoyed the most?
Our Favorite Part of First Grade
To close each day, our class comes together to reflect on the day. We often reflect on the choices we made, the learning that occurred, and determine goals for improvement. Our class has continued to reflect on their favorite part of the day: MATH! Who would have thought?!
Our new math program this year, Bridges, has been an exciting and engaging part of the day. It is thoroughly integrated into our science objectives and while we are learning all about the calendar, days of the week, counting in groups of ten and learning how to tell time, we are also learning all about insects! We are currently comparing and contrasting the lives of beetles and butterflies while observing a variety of insects while counting and sorting!
We launched math centers today where children were able to engage in a guided discovery of unfix cubes, polydrons, pattern blocks, and insects! Inquire with your child which math center they chose on Thursday and Friday. What part of "number corner" do they like best? During this time, the children are also building community by working together, taking turns, listening to one another, and making decisions.
Our new math program this year, Bridges, has been an exciting and engaging part of the day. It is thoroughly integrated into our science objectives and while we are learning all about the calendar, days of the week, counting in groups of ten and learning how to tell time, we are also learning all about insects! We are currently comparing and contrasting the lives of beetles and butterflies while observing a variety of insects while counting and sorting!
We launched math centers today where children were able to engage in a guided discovery of unfix cubes, polydrons, pattern blocks, and insects! Inquire with your child which math center they chose on Thursday and Friday. What part of "number corner" do they like best? During this time, the children are also building community by working together, taking turns, listening to one another, and making decisions.
Meeting Rules
Over the last few days, our class has been discussing various actions that will help us do the best learning we can. While on our meeting area, where stories are read, lessons are taught, community gatherings and class meetings are held, we decided as a class to create a set of rules to follow when together on the "sun rug." The students decided that if they listen to their friends with a quiet voice, raise their hand, help their friends, and have calm bodies they will be able to learn a lot from both their peers and teacher. Having these self-created meeting rules helps students set guidelines for themselves so they can do their best job. We practiced what it looks like if we are unable to follow these rules. In our classroom, everybody has the opportunity to practice, "taking a break." This opportunity to regain self-control is used routinely in our classroom. It is not used as a punishment, but is a logical consequence a child receives when disrupting their peers learning. It is used as an opportunity to take a quiet moment away from the group to review and reflect on rules not followed, to take a few breaths, relax, and calm one's body. It can be simply referred to an area called the "rest stop." Later in the week, we will be generating class wide rules. Stay tuned to find out what the children come up with! In the meantime, inquire with your child what rules they use when in the meeting area and why their class created these rules!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
We're first graders!
Our class has had a wonderful start to the new school year. The first days were filled with learning all about each other and our classroom. We've been busy exploring new routines and expectations, and finding out the changes that have occurred within the school. Students have been discovering new materials and helping each other throughout the day. The first six weeks of school is filled with adventures and explorations. Check out our new cafe table spots below. Ask your child what makes the cafeteria different this year. How about recess?
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