ArrRrrr...PIRATES!!

After reading pirate stories this week we wrapped it up with completing some work on the Pros and Cons of being a pirate.

We worked FEVERISHLY on our pirate story today.  The kids completed the illustrations.  Throughout this process I continually heard kids saying how much they loved writing.  Or, "This is fun!"  This made my day especially since I find writing to be the most difficult subject for kids to enjoy.  All the writing and tiring hands!  This is so hard for me to believe because I have ALWAYS LOVED writing.

Here they are at work.  We'll be sharing our book, The Deadly Pirates, with other first grade classes.

Of course I wanted to do an illustration!!

We also completed pirate glyphs this afternoon.  I made a pirate ship and they added their pirates.  Enjoy the pics.

Some weren't done and still have to add finishing touches!

The 5 W's

Today we continued working on our pirate story.  It's getting quite exciting.  Our mini-lesson today was good writers answer the 5 W's.

Who?
What?
When?
Where?
Why?

I made each of them their own hand with a heart on the palm to remind them to always write about something that is near and dear to their heart.  The 5 W's are listed so kids can use it as a reference when they go to their writing.

As for our pirate story...We have added more!  Pirate Death found a treasure map on a broken boat with skeletons!  They decided to set out on Pirate Island at midnight when there was a full moon.  The pirates are looking for one magic gem.  The kids want them to find it on a volcano in the lava.

Noun Review

Before break we worked with nouns.  Kids created Noun Town and were searching for them in their books.

During Daily 5 (read to self or read to buddy), kids will be searching their books for nouns and adding them to our Noun Poster.  Heres's the work they did today.

"ArrRrrr" The Pirate Craze Has Begun

My kiddos have been right into pirates so I decided this would be the best time (right after break) to have them work on a class book about pirates.

They've been listening to some great read alouds.

We created a Braid Beard Character Map today with the focus being on adjectives.  After we made a class map, each made his/her own.

Another 10 minute drawing and quick coloring!

Our mini-lesson for writing was reviewing Focus Maps.  We've learned that good writers pick a topic and focus in on one idea.  We created a Pirate Focus Map and decided as a class we wanted to write an adventure story.

Sooo MANY topics to write about.  We needed to narrow it down!

So far we have created a talking lead.  Our main character is Pirate Death (creepy) who is on Pirate Island with a map looking for buried treasure.

I can't wait to see what they come up with tomorrow!!

Noun Town

Noun Town has been created.  This week we learned that a noun is a person, place, or thing.  We brainstormed a list of things we would see in our town.  I broke the kids into two groups and had them build Noun Town.  After they were done, they picked two things to label.  Here it is completed.

Friday in Review

Vacation!!  Am I ready?  YES, I am and I believe the kiddos are too.  Even with our schedule off a bit this week they've been SO well behaved!!

I was going to take more pics of our parent ornaments but with the making, wrapping, and packing I completely forgot.  I bought paint markers (the BEST invention EVER), wrote the date, and had the kiddos decorate around ornament.  Here's a pic.

One of the highlights of today was finding out that ALL of their stockings had been filled (NO naughty kids here).  They found some goodies inside and Abby handed out her holiday gifts.

Some found these sticky frogs that seemed to be quite a hit.  I tried to contain the kiddos while they went around slapping them on chairs, the board, floor, and each other.  Look closely at the next picture and see where one ended up!

OH MY!

I want to say THANK YOU to the parents who sent in a card/gift today.  I appreciate your kind works and recognition of the hard work I put into making your child's education the BEST it can be!  I truly LOVE my job!!  Thank you for sharing your child with me.

Enjoy your break, relax, and spend time with your family.  I'll see you next year!!

Sugar, Sugar, and MORE Sugar

We made our gingerbread houses this afternoon!!  Parents came in to spend time with our class, help, and eat some candy.

Serious at first...

Then...not so serious!

The kids were very focused during this time and quite creative.  Here they are at work!

After all the tasting and making, Quinn snuck back to the jelly bean table for another treat.  Here he is CAUGHT IN THE ACT!!

Random Act of Classroom Kindness

So I haven't posted our Random Acts so I'll play catch up.  Kids were to play with a new friend.  Today we thanked our principals for being SO incredibly amazing!!  We wrote letters to them and added a picture at the bottom.  We also gave the office a bag of Dunkin' Donuts Coffee (YUM!).  The principals were so thankful for this random act of kindness.

ALSO...what a complete surprise to us as we went to deliver our letters and coffee but to find a bag for us.  The mail carrier was so touched by our Random Act of Kindness (a bag of candy and thank you card) she sent in activity books and candy canes for the class.  WOW, that touched my heart and the kids were so happy that someone returned a random act of kindness to us!!

All Aboard on The Polar Express

This week our mini lesson for Reader's Workshop was good readers can retell the beginning, middle, and end of a story.  I used The Polar Express to complete this lesson.  After reading, the kids worked with me to write the beginning, middle, and end.  These are the train books they made.

When the kids came back from lunch today they began finding bells in their desk and their pencil boxes. I asked them if they could hear it ring and of course they said, "YES!"  They said that mean't they ALL believed in Santa!

 Patrick was the MOST EXCITED of all.  He continually asked how the bells got in our classroom, if I could hear them ringing, and if he REALLY could take it home.  How ADORABLE!

Compound Sentences

We've been reviewing compound sentences and completed this chart.  The kids thought of it as a game and were ready with if it was compound or not.

I also paid them Lyon's Money today if they could include compound sentences in their Take Home Journals.