A Look at Our Week

This week we focused on, "Readers make connections."

I always use Scaredy Squirrel to begin my mini-lessons.  I mean, he's AFRAID of everything and kids can relate to him.  Students had to write one thing they were afraid of and share what they'd use to help with their fear.  They also made Scaredy Squirrels to go with their writing.

Here are a few examples.

I also used the book, Knuffle Bunny.  Students responded in their Readers' Notebooks about a time they lost something.

I introduced Narrative Writing this week.  Students created Heart Maps where they listed topics they could write about.

After listening to a read aloud about mom, I modeled what I did with my mom as a child, and they practiced.

And last but not least, here are our CRAZY pumpkins!  I love making these every year.  

To make these you need:

-Orange construction paper

-White pastels

-Red, orange, and yellow paint

Have students draw the outline of their pumpkin with the white pastel.  Starting with red paint begin painting, then add orange, yellow, and blend.

Once dry make your VERY own unique face.

Another Pumpkin Goes Home

Pumpkin Science

We learned a lot about pumpkins!  We read many informational and fictional books.

Students estimated how many seeds were in our pumpkin and then working in groups we counted.  Our pumpkin had 386 seeds!

We're also going to be observing some seeds and Pumpkin Jack.  We're keeping a daily journal, watching to see if our seeds will begin to change.  Of course we had to carve our pumpkin and wrote the steps.  Then we added seeds and soil to Jack to see if anything sprouts.

Joeley had the closest circumference estimate and won this ninja turtle!

Check back to see updates.

Pumpkins

We been reading and learning A LOT about pumpkins.

Students have shared what they know, made diagrams, and created some pumpkin art.

To make these silly pumpkins each student will need large orange construction paper and a white pastel (a white crayon would work to).  Have them draw the shape of their pumpkins and add white lines inside.  Starting with red paint they paint one side, then move to orange, and finish the pumpkin with yellow.

In the afternoon, they made their silly pumpkin faces.

Can you tell which one your child made?

Here are ALL of my crazy pumpkins together!!

Our First Pumpkin Goes Home

Our first pumpkin went home on Friday with Olivia.  She had the closest estimate for the circumference around the pirate pumpkin.

Our Pumpkin Family

These pumpkins made their way to our classroom this week.  I paint a handful of these that students can win!!  In order to win one students will estimate the circumference around.  The closest answer will bring one home.

Pumpkin Jack

Another pumpkin went home!!

We also had to say goodbye to Pumpkin Jack.  He was getting pretty nasty!!  These two were ready and willing to toss him outside.

Pumpkins and More Pumpkins

We finished up pumpkins last week so let me share what we've done!

During Computer Lab, students wrote a pumpkin fact and made an illustration.  They also created a diagram where once again they couldn't use scissors.  Let me just say, they're getting pretty good at ripping paper!!

We also wrote the steps on "How to Carve a Pumpkin" and we actually carved a pumpkin.  His name is Pumpkin Jack and we're making observations each day on how he looks.  He wasn't looking so good Friday and the kids even noticed the beginning stages of mold.  They went around the room plugging their noises and saying, "Pee-yew!"  I think on Monday we'll have to part ways with him.

We finished up by creating some silly looking pumpkins.  This is one of my FAVORITE activities because it involves PAINT and ART!!  We began by tracing the shape of a pumpkin with white oil pastels on orange paper.  Then with yellow, orange, and red paint we painted and blended the colors together.

Once dry, they created their very own silly pumpkins.  Notice our sign though.  They liked the sound of "Crazy Pumpkins" instead.

A closer look...

We've already received SO many compliments on how great they look in the lobby.  They make everyone smile!

Another Pumpkin Goes Home

Ayva had the closest estimate today and won our class pumpkin!

Torrential Rain and a Pumpkin Winner

We had torrential rain this week.  As buses were being called I popped into the office to see this!  As we watched from the window we continued to say, "Whatever it takes!"

Not even a rain jacket, rain boots, or umbrella helped.  By the time our principal, Ms. Tuell, came back into the building she was SOAKED! And to think she had a meeting right after this.

Thank you for making sure our students got to their buses and cars safely.

Marcus was our first pumpkin winner.  He had the closest estimate for the circumference around the ghost pumpkin.

Congrats Marcus!!

Apple Taste Test and Our Pumpkin Family

On Friday we had an apple product taste test.  Students tried a variety of apple products and decided which one they liked best.

Here are some pics.

We also conducted two experiments.  First we made observations on an apple with skin and one without.  They drew pictures each day of what they looked liked and how they changed.

Students also worked with a buddy to figure out if ALL apples have the same amount of seeds.

I also painted some pumpkins this weekend!!  Paint markers are the BEST.  One will be given away each week by estimating the closest circumference.  I can't wait to see who gets to take one home!!

Creepy or Cute? What's your Opinion?

This week we've been working with creepy, crawly spiders!!

We focused on Black Widow spiders and Tarantulas.  They completed an informational book, writing about the new information they learned.  Students also made spiders and weaved webs.  They're now hanging around our room.  Perfect for this time of year!!

We also completed Opinion Writing about spiders.  Students brainstormed reasons they like or don't like them.  Here are some examples.  Their challenge this week was to write TWO reasons!!

Our last two pumpkins went home!!  

There has been a joke in our class about the baby pumpkin always crying.  I've been telling the class that whoever wins it CAN'T bring it back if it's crying all night.  I'm sure CJ will take PERFECT care of her.

Students have been leaving messages on the board for me.  They've been trying to scare me this month, which is quite fitting with Halloween right around the corner!  Today, they told me to look under the papers on the board.  In huge letters they wrote, "BOO!"  I just can't wait to see what they do next to scare me.