After Afternoon Work Time and a very short afternoon meeting, we had a guest reader. Anna, who is our Star of the Week this week, brought her mom to read. She read Mercy Watson Thinks Like a Pig. After that, we watched a few short videos of the Read-a-thon closing ceremonies that I took (so that the kids who weren't here could see it as well. Mr. Cadotte actually flew on the witch's broom!!
By the time that we finished with the videos, it was time to head up to the art class. when we got back down to our classroom, we had a Bravo lesson. (Bravo is the music appreciation program that parent volunteers come in to teach). Joseph's mom Ann is our volunteer for the second half of the year. Today the kids heard and learned about the song Viennese Musical Clock by Zoltan Kodaly.
After all that, I handed out the prizes from the Read-a-thon, and then we headed home!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Today, after afternoon work time and Afternoon Meeting, we had a vey fun surprise. One of the Flat Stanleys went to Hawaii (Lili sent hers to her uncle Steve, who is a middle school teacher there). He had a great time with Stanley (see the website that he made for him here). We looked at the website, and then opened a box that he sent. It was really fun - he sent stickers from Hawaii, Hawaiian animal crackers (in shapes of Hawaiian animals - sharks, moon fish, turtles, etc.), sugar coated puffed rice, sesame crepes (pineapple flavored), and roasted macademia nuts. We are going to have a taste test/feast tomorrow! He also sent a book and a small stuffed turtle, which will be fun to read tomorrow as well.
After that, we had reading class. We are working on sight words, so we quickly reviewed several sight words, and then we learned how to play "memory" or "concentration" using small flashcards. Then we paired up and played the game for a few minutes.
We then headed up to the computer lab for our time there, and then, on the way back down to the room, we stopped in the Media Center to check out books.
When we got back down to our classroom, we had a short math class. We continue with our Geometry unit - right now, we are working on attributes and qualities of three-dimensional shapes. Today we brainstormed a list of things that are in a cylinder shape, and then we figured out what are the essential characteristics of a cylinder (what makes a cylinder a cylinder).
After all of that, it was time to pack up and head for home.
After that, we had reading class. We are working on sight words, so we quickly reviewed several sight words, and then we learned how to play "memory" or "concentration" using small flashcards. Then we paired up and played the game for a few minutes.
We then headed up to the computer lab for our time there, and then, on the way back down to the room, we stopped in the Media Center to check out books.
When we got back down to our classroom, we had a short math class. We continue with our Geometry unit - right now, we are working on attributes and qualities of three-dimensional shapes. Today we brainstormed a list of things that are in a cylinder shape, and then we figured out what are the essential characteristics of a cylinder (what makes a cylinder a cylinder).
After all of that, it was time to pack up and head for home.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we had a special guest and treat. Cosette's Flat Stanley went to Paris, France with her mom this past weekend. not only did we get a nice postcard form him in Paris, Cosette's mom came in today, and she brought pan au chocolat (and not just from Byerly's or somewhere close, but from PARIS!!). We all had a tasty treat, while I read a book.
After our treat, we got to read Anna's Star of the Week poster (nice job, Anna!). After Star of the Week, we met two new High Hat friends in our phonics lesson. We met Thelma Thumb and Shy Shadow. After reading the stories, we brainstormed words that contained those sounds. Then we learned a new song - "Rhyming Teddy Bear." The kids sang along, and then had to fill in rhyming words.
We then had a little bit of Choice Time, and went up to the computer lab for our time there. After all of that, we got ready to go home. As we were packing up, Cosette had one more Parisian treat for us - an Eiffel Tower keychain!
After our treat, we got to read Anna's Star of the Week poster (nice job, Anna!). After Star of the Week, we met two new High Hat friends in our phonics lesson. We met Thelma Thumb and Shy Shadow. After reading the stories, we brainstormed words that contained those sounds. Then we learned a new song - "Rhyming Teddy Bear." The kids sang along, and then had to fill in rhyming words.
We then had a little bit of Choice Time, and went up to the computer lab for our time there. After all of that, we got ready to go home. As we were packing up, Cosette had one more Parisian treat for us - an Eiffel Tower keychain!
Friday, March 20, 2009
Today, after Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we had a guest reader. Since it was Eleanor's Star of the Week week, her aunt from Washington State came in to read a fun book (Smelly Socks). After that, we had reading class. We talked again about how we can use the "chunk and chew" strategy to help with tricky words.
After Reading, we headed up to art room for class there.
When we got back down to the classroom, we had Writer's Workshop. We are working on extending our pieces - trying to write like Cynthia Rylant, who, we 'discovered' today organizes her writing in chapters to make it make more sense.
After Writer's Workshop, we had a short Choice Time, and then was time to clean up and head home!
Have a great weekend!
After Reading, we headed up to art room for class there.
When we got back down to the classroom, we had Writer's Workshop. We are working on extending our pieces - trying to write like Cynthia Rylant, who, we 'discovered' today organizes her writing in chapters to make it make more sense.
After Writer's Workshop, we had a short Choice Time, and then was time to clean up and head home!
Have a great weekend!
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Today, after Afternoon Work Time and Afternoon Meeting, we had reading.
Today we worked on another reading strategy for the kids to use as they come across words that they don't know or are 'tricky.' I taught a mini-lesson about "chunking and chewing," which means that the kids can take words apart and look for familiar parts or letter combinations, and then re-assemble them to make the word that they are trying to read. The kids then went and found a comfy spot in the room to read and practice their strategies (the ones that we have talked about thus far are pointing to words as they read, using picture clues, skipping over a word and coming back to it, and now chunking and chewing). The "chewing" part comes in as the kids "chew" on the parts in their minds. They all did really well, and at the end of Reader's Workshop they all shared the strategies that they used as they were reading today. Ask your child what they did!
After reading, we headed up to the music room for our time there with Mr. Hofmann. When we got back down to the room, we had math class. We are beginning a unit on geometry, and the kids worked on using the pattern blocks (they look like this) to make animal shapes from a template, and then create their own animal. As you can imagine, their imaginations went wild!
After math, we had Choice Time - the typewriter was out, and the Take-Apart Center was open too.
After all that, it was time to head home.
Today we worked on another reading strategy for the kids to use as they come across words that they don't know or are 'tricky.' I taught a mini-lesson about "chunking and chewing," which means that the kids can take words apart and look for familiar parts or letter combinations, and then re-assemble them to make the word that they are trying to read. The kids then went and found a comfy spot in the room to read and practice their strategies (the ones that we have talked about thus far are pointing to words as they read, using picture clues, skipping over a word and coming back to it, and now chunking and chewing). The "chewing" part comes in as the kids "chew" on the parts in their minds. They all did really well, and at the end of Reader's Workshop they all shared the strategies that they used as they were reading today. Ask your child what they did!
After reading, we headed up to the music room for our time there with Mr. Hofmann. When we got back down to the room, we had math class. We are beginning a unit on geometry, and the kids worked on using the pattern blocks (they look like this) to make animal shapes from a template, and then create their own animal. As you can imagine, their imaginations went wild!
After math, we had Choice Time - the typewriter was out, and the Take-Apart Center was open too.
After all that, it was time to head home.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
We had a really nice day today. After Afternoon Work Time and an abbreviated Afternoon Meeting, we got to work on reading. The kids worked on reading their "Just-Right" books in their book bags (the books are in the bags - the kids didn't get into the bags to read...). We are practicing the reading strategies that they have to read unfamiliar or 'tricky' words.
After reading, we had Mrs. Bechtel in for our Catalyst class until the end of the day. In that class, the kids experimented with KNEX blocks, which, for those who don't know them, look like this.
After Catalyst, we got ready for our St. Patrick's Day/Green Party. The kids did three projects - the made a collage shamrock from torn paper, made a leprechaun puppet, and graphed the various types of marshmallows in a small plateful of Lucky Charms cereal (I know - because what could be more Irish than Lucky Charms? - apologies to those of us who are Irish).
P.S. The kids looked very cute in thei
r tie-dyed green shirts:
We had a really nice day today. After Afternoon Work Time and an abbreviated Afternoon Meeting, we got to work on reading. The kids worked on reading their "Just-Right" books in their book bags (the books are in the bags - the kids didn't get into the bags to read...). We are practicing the reading strategies that they have to read unfamiliar or 'tricky' words.
After reading, we had Mrs. Bechtel in for our Catalyst class until the end of the day. In that class, the kids experimented with KNEX blocks, which, for those who don't know them, look like this.
After Catalyst, we got ready for our St. Patrick's Day/Green Party. The kids did three projects - the made a collage shamrock from torn paper, made a leprechaun puppet, and graphed the various types of marshmallows in a small plateful of Lucky Charms cereal (I know - because what could be more Irish than Lucky Charms? - apologies to those of us who are Irish).
P.S. The kids looked very cute in thei
r tie-dyed green shirts:
Monday, March 9, 2009
Today we had Center Time and Afternoon Meeting (be sure to ask your child what language "good morning" was written in today - it was "habari za asubuhi"). We then read Mara's Star of the Week poster (great job Mara!!).
After that, we had a really fun Writer's Workshop. We worked on "making our writing easy for readers" - making sure that the writing is clear and well-thought-out. The kids did some really, really nice writing - be sure to ask what they wrote about. We then had a chance to share our writing with each other, as well as sing a fun song about "stretching" words out and "snapping them back."
Then we headed up to the computer lab for our time there - then back down to the room just in time to pack up and be on our way!
After writing, we packed up to go home!
After that, we had a really fun Writer's Workshop. We worked on "making our writing easy for readers" - making sure that the writing is clear and well-thought-out. The kids did some really, really nice writing - be sure to ask what they wrote about. We then had a chance to share our writing with each other, as well as sing a fun song about "stretching" words out and "snapping them back."
Then we headed up to the computer lab for our time there - then back down to the room just in time to pack up and be on our way!
After writing, we packed up to go home!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
This afternoon, after Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, we talked about our writing project for tomorrow - we will be writing like Dr. Seuss. On Monday (Dr. Seuss' birthday), we made lists of rhyming words/word families, and tomorrow we will be using them to write short stories in the style of Dr. Seuss. Look for them hanging outside our classroom on the wall!
We then headed up to music for class with Mr. Hofmann. When we got back down to the room, Adele's mom brought a fun book (A Fish Out of Water) to read, since it is Adele's Star of the Week week. We then had Choice Time, and packed up to go home.
P.S. Some of the kids may come home talking about a "test" - I am in the process of giving a spelling/writing/word assessment to each child, and part of a pilot program that I am beginning. The program will provide focused instruction on spelling and words at each child's level. I will send home more information and the assessments are completed and the instruction begins.
We then headed up to music for class with Mr. Hofmann. When we got back down to the room, Adele's mom brought a fun book (A Fish Out of Water) to read, since it is Adele's Star of the Week week. We then had Choice Time, and packed up to go home.
P.S. Some of the kids may come home talking about a "test" - I am in the process of giving a spelling/writing/word assessment to each child, and part of a pilot program that I am beginning. The program will provide focused instruction on spelling and words at each child's level. I will send home more information and the assessments are completed and the instruction begins.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Today, after Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, we celebrated Connor's birthday (Happy Birthday, Connnor!) with singing and loud instruments. Since it is also Dr. Suess' birthday, we read one of his books to hear the rhyming - Scrambled Eggs Super!.
To continue our celebration of Dr. Sueuss' birthday, we also talked about our own rhyming words, and started a collection of them on a paper. Later this week, we will start to try to write like Dr. Suess. After that, we read Adele's Star of the Week poster (great job, Adele!!), and then got ready to head up to the Computer Lab for our time there.
When we got back down, we had Connor's birthday treat, which was a HUGE cupcake. You probably have found remnants of your child's cupcake in their backpack and/or all over their face...
To continue our celebration of Dr. Sueuss' birthday, we also talked about our own rhyming words, and started a collection of them on a paper. Later this week, we will start to try to write like Dr. Suess. After that, we read Adele's Star of the Week poster (great job, Adele!!), and then got ready to head up to the Computer Lab for our time there.
When we got back down, we had Connor's birthday treat, which was a HUGE cupcake. You probably have found remnants of your child's cupcake in their backpack and/or all over their face...
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