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October 25, 2012

Nocturnal Animals

We're continuing to learn about nocturnal animals.  We brainstormed a list of nocturnal animals, completed an Owls, Can, Have, Are worksheet, and students listened to the story Owl Babies.




Today, they made their very own owl babies.  I heard a lot of, "Ahhs," "Ohh," "They're SOO cute!"  I have to admit they did come out quite well.  Here are a few examples.





October 23, 2012

How to Carve a Pumpkin

We completed some informational writing on how to carve a pumpkin.  The kids and I walked through the steps, talked about sequencing words, and wrote the steps.  Students filled in their individual worksheets and then made a silly pumpkin!

I can admit, I've been quite bad lately and haven't taken many pics of the kiddos.  I get so consumed in the lessons and often find myself working with groups instead of having the camera in their faces!! :o)






I added the worksheet on my TpT Store if you're interested!

October 18, 2012

Bats

Today we began learning about bats.  We talked about our schema and wrote down on Post-Its what we already knew.


Kids will continue to listen to read alouds, will make a diagram, and write 3 new facts.

Pumpkin Diagrams

Here are a few pumpkin diagrams.  Just like our apple diagrams, the kids COULD NOT use scissors!!  


I think they came out quite well.

More on Spiders

Here's more of the work we did with Spiders.  We talked about schema (our background knowledge) and wrote what we already knew on Post-Its.


Then they made webs and spiders.

To make them, it does take some prep time.  I bought black plates, cut out the middle, and hole punched around the plate.  I tape a long piece of yarn to the back and the kids weaved.

To make the spiders, I bought styrofoam balls.  I had to paint them black.  The kids glued on the eyes and pushed the pipe cleaners (legs) into the foam ball.

The kids who wanted them in the web just wrapped the spider legs around the yarn.  If they wanted them hanging, I tied a piece of yarn around a spider's leg and tied it to the web.

I think they look "almost" real and teachers passing by have commented on them!



October 16, 2012

JoJo's Magic Tricks

JoJo has been entertaining us the last couple of weeks with some magic tricks!  Here he is at work.


Real Squirrels Vs. Scaredy Squirrel

We completed this work last week but I wanted to show you our finished work.  We read informational books on squirrels and then read the Scaredy Squirrel series.  The kids completed a Venn diagram to compare the two.


Our mini-lesson was "Good readers make connections."  We talked about Scaredy Squirrel and ALL of his fears.  The kids and I brainstormed what we're afraid of.  I told them even adults have fears.  I'm afraid of heights and flying.  Yikes!!

Students completed a worksheet, stated their fear, and showed what they'd need in order to face it.


Side note...I found these CUTE lion tags at the Dollar Store. They fit perfectly into my classroom!!  I plan on displaying work of students who do their best!

Scaredy Squirrel Worksheet
The worksheet we completed is on my TpT Store for FREE!!


Eeek...Spiders

We've been reading informational books on spiders.

Today we completed Spiders Can, Have, Are.


The kids will be writing in their Writer's Notebook tomorrow.  They'll be making a spider diagram and writing 3 new facts.

Then, they'll make a spider and web.  Today they weaved the webs.  Look back to see them finished!!


October 9, 2012

Our Little Pumpkin Family

Here are some pumpkins I painted!!  This has become an annual activity for me.  Just my luck though.  I bought 6 this weekend to find that 2 I had just painted were beginning to rot.  YUCK!  So off I went to the store to buy 2 more.

The kids will have the chance to win them.  Each week the kids will estimate the circumference of each pumpkin.  The closest estimate will WIN!!

This year I have a mummy, vampire, baby, pirate (ArrRRR), and one with purple hair.


Today, Kyler won the vampire pumpkin!!

Special Person: Teddy

Meet Teddy!!


Special Person: Holly

Meet Holly!!