Winter Fun and a Day Off

Ah, what better topic to write about today?!  WINTER...here I sit on a snow day, under the blankets of course, listening to the wind howl outside.  Fingers crossed we'll have power through the night.  I hope all of you are warm and safe!!

Here is some of the winter work we've completed.  If you haven't seen this book you should check it out!  The kids loved listening to it.

We brainstormed a list of activities we would do if we lived in a snow globe.  After writing, they created the snow globes below.  I took pictures of them acting out what they would do and then they painted the background.  Of course, glitter was needed because who doesn't love a mess?  They came out adorable and are hanging outside our classroom (click to enlarge).

We also completed some penguin number stories.  Here are a few examples.

Hopefully, this storm will clear out soon and we'll be back in school tomorrow.  I REALLY don't want to be in school at the end of June!

Symmetry with Snowmen and Snowflakes

On Friday we took a closer look at symmetry by looking at snowmen.  Working in groups, students had to complete the second half.  Of course I added Olaf into the mix!

After they showed they understood the concept they created a snowflake using shapes.  Here are a few examples.

Math Workshop

So how do you manage Math Workshop?  This is still one part of my day I'm trying to figure out.  I teach math after lunch so after the lesson is done it doesn't leave much time for the workshop model.

After the math lesson is completed, students will go to MATH (fancy, right?).

M-manipulatives/games (Everyday Math)
A-apps on the iPads
T-teacher time
H-Homework Page (an activity that goes with a math read aloud)

I've introduced each one and they practiced last week.

During teacher time, students will be working in an interactive notebook.  I'll also focus in on skills students need extra practice with.

I'm hoping to use this framework Monday-Thursday.

Let me know how you run your workshop!!

Eskimo Math

It was a perfect day today!!  I will say having the temperature in the 30's and outside recess also makes the day seem brighter.

Plus, for math today, the kiddos ate ice cream!!  I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!!  Give kids some food and the room goes completely quiet...a hush fell upon the classroom and it was at the end of the day.

We completed some Eskimo Math.  Students estimated, counted, and tallied how many bites it took to eat their popsicles.  They also completed some writing.

Here they are eating their DELICIOUS treat!!

Spooky Halloween Math Activities

If you haven't checked out Cara at The First Grade Parade you should!!  She created a fantastic 10 frames activity with zombie eyes and pumpkin ice cube trays.  My kiddos have loved this activity and it made my planning easier because she created a FREE recording worksheet.

I also added Witches' Brew.  I added eyeballs, ants, and garland for the soup mixture.  Students use the ladle to find two eyes with numbers.  They write them down and add them up!

iPads During Math

We're becoming familiar with the iPads (Interactive Telling Time app) and have been using them during BUILD time.  Last week the kids used them for practicing telling time.  They're excited to have these in class!!

They've also been working in their Math Notebooks.  Students stamped and wrote clock times.

A Little Bit of Everything

Meet Teg!!

We've focused A LOT on bullies and have read these books.

We completed some character maps and compared Mean Jean and Bootsie Barker.

Today I gave groups a copy of The Recess Queen.  We made a list of describing words for Mean Jean. Using Post-Its, the kiddos had to prove it with evidence from the book!

They did a great job with this and shared many examples from the book.

During Math Workshop, I introduced Independent Read.  The kids can browse through math books during BUILD.  I also plan on including activities for some of the books.  This week they can practice writing numbers and filling in the 10 Frames with stickers.

Meet Maddie and a Bit about Math

Meet Maddie!!

We completed our FIRST math journal page today.  So...exciting...! We've also been working on wipe off boards, in our math notebooks, and learning about math tools.

This week I'll be introducing BUILD.  Check out Adventures in Teaching to read more about this.

B-Buddy Games
U-Using Manipulatives
I-Independent Reading
L-Learning Numbers
D-Doing Math

Once the kiddos have completed the lesson they are able to pick an option to go to.  This is set up like the Daily 5 where they have options to choose from.  During this time I can meet with small groups to work on skills or help to complete math pages.

Yesterday I introduced "Buddy Games" and today I showed them "Using Manipulatives."  I added some number puzzles in for them to use this week.

I'm going to try using these bins this year.  I had tall storage containers that just didn't seem to work last year.

Keep checking back in to see what we've been up to!

The LONGEST Blog Post and a Giddy Teacher

So I'm quite giddy tonight.  I came home to find out my husband had bought me a NEW Mac Pro.  My school laptop had to be sent away to be fixed and lets just say I've been quite cranky lately because I haven't been able to create!!

I think he wants me to get back to work!!

SooOoooo...if you have time, sit back and see what we've been up to the last two weeks.  This post will have LOTS of pics!!

We learned a lot about penguins.

Penguins Can, Have, Are

Penguin Facts and Number Stories

We've also been learning about Matter.  Our focus has been solids and liquids.  The kids sorted different types of beans and even built towers with everyday materials.

We've completed  some winter writing.  We wrote what we'd do if we were stuck in a snowglobe and students wrote steps on "How to Build a Snowman."  I used Ivory Flakes and the kids helped me measure the ingredients so they could create their own snowmen.

I consider myself to be quite crafty...but not in the sewing department.  I was looking for a way to cover my windows and here's what I came up with.  My grandmother gave me a quick lesson (which was quite comical) on how to do a straight stitch.  I used tension roads and have a ribbon attached to the larger window fabric so I can roll it up.  I think they came out cute and I LOVE the fabric!

We also celebrated the 100th day of school!!  Wow, the excitement over the number 100.  The kids went to each first grade class and completed activities.  They exercised, stamped, made Cheerio necklaces, put together 100 piece puzzles, and made their portraits of what they'd look like at 100.

The kids completed Eskimo Math.  They predicted, tallied, and recorded how many bites it would take to eat a Klondike.  YUM!!  Students also had to describe what it looked like and how it tasted.  Let's just say, they ENJOYED this activity.

And last but not least...I introduced Brown Bag Book Club last week.  This is when kids get together with a buddy and share a GREAT book they've read during the week.  They fill out a quick worksheet, share their books, and eat a snack provided by me (that's why they have the brown bag).

I hope you haven't fallen asleep yet but I had so much to share!

Back to School...

Back to school...I planned on hugging each and everyone of my kiddos this morning but they seemed to find me first throughout the day.  They just needed that extra squeeze!

Our teachers were given a script to read which I did stick to...I really did...The tears did well up as kids began talking about what they knew or heard.  I reassured them our school is a safe place.  Our job is to teach and keep them safe.

After our morning meeting, I kept the day as routine and normal as possible.

For Writer's Workshop I read, Olive, the Other Reindeer.  Each of them filled out a Reindeer Application and then made themselves as a reindeer.  So darn cute!!  You'd hire them, right?

On Friday, we made Geo-me-trees!

Dino Number Stories

Here are a few examples of the Dino Number Stories the kiddos completed.

Tower Building

The kiddos have been right into tower building!

Snowflake Symmetry

On Friday, the kiddos worked with symmetry.  They created snowflakes from white shapes I had cut out.  Here an example.

Penguin Number Stories

Today we made Penguin Number Stories for math.  They came out quite well.  I would've posted more pics but my poor camera has been on overload and the batteries died!!