Today, after Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, we celebrated Annie's birthday with the usual exuberant instruments and singing. Annie's mom also came in and read a book to us, before we headed to the gym for our time there with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson. The kids bowled inside instead of going out for obvious (BRRRRRRRR!!!!) reasons. The outdoor activities from this week may be rescheduled; I'll keep you all posted.
After gym we headed back down to our classroom to meet a new High Hat friend. It was actually two friends -- Look and Listen, who introduced us to the /l/ sound. After a bit of discussion of that sound, we went up to the Media Center for book check-out, and then back down to our room to get ourselves all bundled up to go home.
Stay warm -- it can't stay this cold forever!!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Today, after Center Time and Afternoon Meeting we finished the book that we began in reading class yesterday (The Quiltmaker's Gift). It had an ending that I don't think most of the kids expected!
After reading, we worked on math - -using the pattern blocks to make shapes again. This serves to reinforce the basic concepts of geometry. Today the kids had to use a bit more creativity to solve the puzzles -- the figures were outlines only, as opposed to having the lines for each individual piece in the puzzles yesterday.
After math, we met a new High Friend in phonics -- Uncle Up, who introduced the short /u/ sound (as in "up"). We also talked about word families that use the short /u/ sound, such as words that end in -up and -ut.
After all of that, we had Choice Time. Adele's mom came in to run the Take-Apart Center, and it was really cool. Some of the kids got to take apart a DVD/CD player, and see what was inside. They also dismantled a waffle maker. Both will be on display in the classroom for everyone to see.
Then we bundled up and headed home.
Stay warm!!
After reading, we worked on math - -using the pattern blocks to make shapes again. This serves to reinforce the basic concepts of geometry. Today the kids had to use a bit more creativity to solve the puzzles -- the figures were outlines only, as opposed to having the lines for each individual piece in the puzzles yesterday.
After math, we met a new High Friend in phonics -- Uncle Up, who introduced the short /u/ sound (as in "up"). We also talked about word families that use the short /u/ sound, such as words that end in -up and -ut.
After all of that, we had Choice Time. Adele's mom came in to run the Take-Apart Center, and it was really cool. Some of the kids got to take apart a DVD/CD player, and see what was inside. They also dismantled a waffle maker. Both will be on display in the classroom for everyone to see.
Then we bundled up and headed home.
Stay warm!!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
This afternoon, after Center Time and Afternoon meeting, we read Cosette's Star of the Week poster (nice job Cosette!!). We then read a book for our Reading Lesson today. We did what is called an Interactive Read-Aloud, in which I ask the students focused and planned questions about the text (The Quiltmaker's Gift) as we are reading. Our focus today was on comprehension (ask your child what the book was about (keeping in mind that we only read half of it today).
After that, we headed up to the Computer Lab for a half hour of math and reading practice. When we got back down to our room, we worked with pattern blocks (this is what pattern blocks look like), making pictures, as we start to study geometry. After all that, we had a short Choice Time, and then got all bundled up to go home.
Stay warm!!
After that, we headed up to the Computer Lab for a half hour of math and reading practice. When we got back down to our room, we worked with pattern blocks (this is what pattern blocks look like), making pictures, as we start to study geometry. After all that, we had a short Choice Time, and then got all bundled up to go home.
Stay warm!!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Today, after Center Time, we had another BRAVO lesson. The BRAVO program introduces the kids to classical music and composers -- today Adele's mom Christine taught us about the composer Franz Joseph Hayden about the structure of symphonies (I have to admit, that I learned new things today too!!). Click here for more info about the BRAVO curriculum.
After Bravo, we did a little further practicing with writing numbers on the white boards with markers (there is a practice sheet in the kids' homework this week too). Then wwe headed up to the computer lab, and then back down to our room again for end-of-the day organization and a short Choice Time. Then, off to the weekend!!
After Bravo, we did a little further practicing with writing numbers on the white boards with markers (there is a practice sheet in the kids' homework this week too). Then wwe headed up to the computer lab, and then back down to our room again for end-of-the day organization and a short Choice Time. Then, off to the weekend!!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Today, after Center Time and Morning Meeting, we headed to the gym -- after bundling up warmly. The kids went outside for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and fun. They came in hot and tired, but it was great fun. Thanks for sending your child in nice warm clothes!
When we got back to the classroom, we unbundled and worked on writing numbers. The kids learned a song to help remember the proper way to write the numbers 1 - 10 (here it is, if you're interested). They all practiced writing on mini-white boards, which was a big hit with the kids.
After all of that, it was time to pack up and head home.
When we got back to the classroom, we unbundled and worked on writing numbers. The kids learned a song to help remember the proper way to write the numbers 1 - 10 (here it is, if you're interested). They all practiced writing on mini-white boards, which was a big hit with the kids.
After all of that, it was time to pack up and head home.
January 7, 2009
Today (yesterday, actually), was a busy day. After Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, we had Read Aloud, then worked on math -- we played a game that introduced the concept of graphing. the kids rolled dice, and then recorded the results on a graph. We then compiled all of the results on a class graph, so that they could see how data can be easily recorded and interpreted.
After math, we worked on writing -- we practiced writing both upper case and lower case letters, and making them the proper height. After writing, we worked on counting by 2s, 5s, and 10 on the number chart.
After Choice Time, we had a bit of time to read a book, and then we went on our ways home.
Today (yesterday, actually), was a busy day. After Center Time and Afternoon Meeting, we had Read Aloud, then worked on math -- we played a game that introduced the concept of graphing. the kids rolled dice, and then recorded the results on a graph. We then compiled all of the results on a class graph, so that they could see how data can be easily recorded and interpreted.
After math, we worked on writing -- we practiced writing both upper case and lower case letters, and making them the proper height. After writing, we worked on counting by 2s, 5s, and 10 on the number chart.
After Choice Time, we had a bit of time to read a book, and then we went on our ways home.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Hello, and welcome back to school!
Today we had Center Time to begin the day, which consisted of independent reading at the kids' tables. Then we had Afternoon Meeting (it's good to get back into the routines of it all...). After morning meeting, we sang Happy Birthday to Joseph, and played out instruments alkong with it, really loudly. Joseph's dad also read three stories from one of Joseph's favorite books, Frog and Toad Are Friends. After that, we had Writer's Workshop. The kids wrote about their most fun thing from Winter Break - each kid made a page that will be part of a class book that I will compile, and have in our classroom library. we worked on phonics, reviewing the High Hat friends that we have already met, and the letter sounds that we have already learned.
When we finished that, it was time for us to head up to the computer lab for our math and reading practice there. After computers, we came back down to our classroom and met a new High Hat Friend - Gordon Goat, who, predictably enough, introduced us to the /g/ sound. After brainstorming a list of words that begin with the letter g, we ate the YUMMY cupcakes that Joseph brought for his birthday snack, had a short Choice Time, and then got packed and bundled up to go home!
Today we had Center Time to begin the day, which consisted of independent reading at the kids' tables. Then we had Afternoon Meeting (it's good to get back into the routines of it all...). After morning meeting, we sang Happy Birthday to Joseph, and played out instruments alkong with it, really loudly. Joseph's dad also read three stories from one of Joseph's favorite books, Frog and Toad Are Friends. After that, we had Writer's Workshop. The kids wrote about their most fun thing from Winter Break - each kid made a page that will be part of a class book that I will compile, and have in our classroom library. we worked on phonics, reviewing the High Hat friends that we have already met, and the letter sounds that we have already learned.
When we finished that, it was time for us to head up to the computer lab for our math and reading practice there. After computers, we came back down to our classroom and met a new High Hat Friend - Gordon Goat, who, predictably enough, introduced us to the /g/ sound. After brainstorming a list of words that begin with the letter g, we ate the YUMMY cupcakes that Joseph brought for his birthday snack, had a short Choice Time, and then got packed and bundled up to go home!
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