Gingerbread Houses

November 19

Last week during Reader's Workshop the children practiced sequencing stories.  We read the story, The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything multiple times.   Then I taught the students a song and dance which we sang to practice sequencing the story.  One day we used instruments to represent the sounds that repeat throughout the book.  Finally after many exposures to the text students created bracelets to guide them as they retold the story in order.

This week we have been reading and writing pattern books!   To start the unit writers collaborated to create a class pattern book about dragons.  The children decided on the pattern "Dragons have...."   In pairs they completed the sentence and worked together to draw illustrations.  This book has been added to our classroom library.

Then writers began writing their own pattern books!  First they sketch their pictures and then they write the words.  Fridays have become Fancy Fridays and they get to use crayons and markers to add color to their books.  This unit will continue through December.

During Math Workshop, mathematicians have been learning how to show different combinations to make numbers.  We have been using cuisenaire rods to build number sandwiches which show all the different facts of a number.  Students have practiced writing the number sentences for each fact family.  We have practiced the sums up to five.

The children loved learning the game Monster Squeeze.  This is a game in which children try to guess the mystery number on a number line using greater than/less than clues.  We started using the numbers 0-10 but will continue to play throughout the year with different numbers.

Thank you for your collaboration on the "Turkey in Disguise" project.  I love walking down the hallway and seeing the different turkeys all dressed up.   If you are in the building be sure to walk down the hall and see all the creativity.

 

  

October 30

During Reader's Workshop readers chose their own spots to sit at. These spots will stay the same for a couple of months.   At the beginning of each week each reader chooses five books to read for the week. Each day they make a plan of which order to read them in.  Readers have been reading with partners. They learned that partners sit shoulder to shoulder with the book in between them.  Of course, they should read in a quiet voice.  

 Readers practiced reading a book called "I See Halloween."  They learned to point under each word as they read.  These books will come home at the end of the week so they can read to you! 

In math we used five frames to show different ways to make five. Then the children created fences out of popsicle sticks and five pumpkins.  They put some pumpkins on the fence and some on the ground to show different combinations to make 5.  

Mathematicians practiced solving number stories using a variety of strategies including drawing a picture and using counters.  I encourage students to use different strategies.  This helps them learn there is more than one way to solve a problem.  

Mathematicians did a variety of counting activities including playing  How Many Now?, making number boards, and playing Zap.  

On Friday students mixed paint to make their own shades of orange and green.  We will use the paper they painted with these colors to create pumpkins tomorrow.  They will be hanging in the hallway when they are finished.  

Writers chose their favorite small moments stories to put in their portfolios.  I love seeing the progress they are making.  Many students are writing labels and/or sentences. We have also been drawing and labeling the chrysalises and butterflies.  

October 14

During Reader's Workshop the children continued to read the pictures in books.  After sharing all the places where we like to read at home, we tested spots around the classroom.  Next week students will choose their own spot where they will read each day.  We also reviewed the words I, see, and a.  

 During handwriting time students practiced writing, B and R.

During writer's workshop, the children continued to write stories about their own experiences. This week they practiced adding labels to their stories. We put imaginary bubblegum in our mouths and stretched it out to hear sounds in the words.

During science time we observed our caterpillars and drew what we saw in our butterfly journals.  It will be exciting to watch the metamorphic process.

Fire Safety Week

Our greeting this week has been the fire truck greeting.  Students roll the fire truck to each other after saying hello.

At the fire station we watched a movie that taught the students about fire safety.  They learned to crawl low in smoke, create an escape plan with their families, and check the smoke detector batteries.  Then we watched a firefighter get on the gear he wears while fighting a fire.  

After giving the firefighter a high-five students had a chance to see the fire trucks and ambulance.  

The children even had a chance to go inside one of the trucks.  

                     

 

 This morning the children had a chance to crawl through the smoke trailer to practice staying low in smoke.  Thank you to all the parents that came and crawled through too!