Learning Adventures

We Dream of A World...

2012-01-25T20:26:00.000-06:00

Ms. Riner and our third grade reading buddies came down for a joint social studies lesson. Ms. Riner read the book We Dream of a World. Then she talked with them about Martin Luther King, Jr. and his dream. Then the kinders got with their reading buddy and talked about what their dream is. The third graders wrote the kinders' dreams and sketched them. Then the kinders colored the pictures. Our students had so much working together and were so proud that Ms. Riner displayed their work in the front school hallway for everyone to see! Ms. Riner was also kind enough to give me the gift of time to take care of a few lesson preps things for the following week while she taught our classes!

Day and Night in the Science Lab

2012-01-24T19:27:00.000-06:00

In the science lab, Mrs. Riggins used a globe and a lamp to demonstrate how the earth rotates and why we have day and night. She also talked about how this is a model to help us understand.

Then we talked with at our tables about day activities. A spokesperson from each table shared an activity as Mrs. Riggins charted. Then we talked about night activities and shared.

Then Mrs. Riggins showed us a video clip about day and night. It showed how we rotate around the sun as we rotate on our axis. When we got back to our classroom, we illustrated 4 characteristics of day and 4 characteristics of night.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

2012-01-23T00:51:00.000-06:00

We learned about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as part of our study on ordinary people who had a great impact on our nation. We watched Martin's Big Words and talked about his dream and what it meant. Then we wrote together about Dr. King's dream.

We read Martin's Important Lesson and then discussed our dreams. We wrote about our dreams and put together our I have a dream projects.

To finish up our study of Dr. King, we read Martin Luther King, Jr. Then we created a Venn Diagram comparing and contrasting our class with Dr. King.

Comparing Numbers 15-20 on Ten Frames

2012-01-22T00:42:00.000-06:00

We started our lesson by identifying numbers and using the students as manipulatives on our ten frames I taped off on the floor. Once they organized themselves on the ten frames, we practiced making one/two more/less and identifying the new number. Then students went to the tables where I had put ten frames mats, manipulatives, and a number. They had to represent that number on their ten frames. While they were doing that, I worked with one table making one/two more/less and comparing the numbers with the emphasis on the students using comparative language to describe the relationship between the number they started with and their new number. They rotated through all the tables. I noticed after I worked with each group the students began asking each other to make one/less, two more than their original number. I love when the students mimic what we've worked on together without being asked to!

Following Pictorial Directions

2012-01-22T00:26:00.000-06:00

We've been working on reading and following pictorial directions. We started by looking at examples of pictorial directions. I brought directions from some of Logan's toys and games. We also talked about how pictures help us understand what to do. Students were shown the steps to illustrate a snowman and then they created their own scribble art snowman.

We also used the pictorial directions on the back of the Trouble game box to play the game Trouble together.

I also created cars and building with the boys' Lego's. I took pictures of each step and printed them out. Then I handed out a baggie to each table that contained the pieces they needed and the pictorial directions. I think building with Lego's was the students' favorite lesson! I wish I had remember my camera that day.

Numbers 15-20 on Ten Frames

2012-01-21T00:05:00.000-06:00

We've been working on identifying and creating sets using numbers 15-20 on ten frames. I taped off two ten frames on our classroom floor. We started by using flashcards to review numbers 1-15. Then I mixed the cards up and held up a card, the students had to identify it, and work together to represent that number using themselves on our ten frames. They loved being the math "manipulative" and were all so quiet and still because they each wanted a turn.

After making about half the numbers using the students as the manipulative. We went back to our tables and I passed out ten frames mats to the students and a different manipulative to each table. Then I held up a number, and the students had to identify it and represent it on their ten frame.

Then students took turns calling out numbers at their tables and representing that number on the ten frames. After they made the number and counted to check, the caller checked their work as well.

Sensory Details in There Was a Cold Lady who Swallowed Some Snow

2012-01-19T17:43:00.000-06:00

We reviewed our five senses and sang I Have Five Senses by Dr. Jean. Then we discussed how sensory details help us picture the story in our mind like black hat or steaming hot cocoa. Then we read There Was a Cold Lady Who Swallowed Some Snow. We stopped to discuss things we could see, hear, smell, taste, and touch in our story. Then students were given a sticky note and a sense. They went to their seats and illustrated something from the story they could experience with the sense they were given. We came to the carpet, students shared as I labeled their pictures. Then they sorted their pictures by sense on our chart.

Patterning with Snowmen, Snowflakes, and The Mitten

2012-01-18T22:33:00.000-06:00

I modeled making and extending several patterns for the students. Then I started a pattern and choose students to continue my pattern. We identified the type of pattern it was. Then I choose students to start a pattern and they choose who continued their pattern.

We read Then Mitten by Jan Brett. Then students colored and labeled a mitten pattern book.

Fair Shares and Part Part Whole with Percy Penguin

2012-01-17T17:55:00.000-06:00

We read Mary Clare Likes to Share and discussed the examples of fair shares and part part whole in the story. Then rolled a die, counted out that many pieces of bubble gum, and then shared them between two students. We identified the parts and the whole and recorded on the whiteboard. Then we identified if it was a fair share or not.

Then we learned the Percy Penguin sharing song. Students took turns drawing a fish from my "fishbowl" (blue plastic cup). Then students counted out that many fish and put at the top of their penguin mat. Then we sang the Percy Penguin sharing song as students shared the fish crackers between the two penguins. We identified the parts and the whole and if it was a fair share. Then students recorded on their recording sheet.

Then of course we enjoyed our goldfish snack when our math lesson was over.

Making Connections with The Mitten

2012-01-16T14:55:00.000-06:00

We read The Mitten by Jan Brett. We retold the story with our partner. As we read, I modeled making my own connections to the story. In the story, Nicki looses one of his white mittens in the snow. I talked about how earlier this week, I lost one of my earrings and how Logan (my kindergartener) found it and brought it to me. When we finished reading, the students shared with each other I time they lost something or had to leave something important to them behind. Then the students went back to their seats and I gave them a white mitten. They wrote and illustrated about a time they lost something important to them.

Snow Fun Graphing

2012-01-15T17:33:00.000-06:00

We read Huggles' Snow Day by Ted Arnold. We talked about the different snow day activities in the story. Then we talked with our partner about which one of the the following three activities we would want to do: build a snowman, have a snowball fight, or make snow angels. We lined up and made a graph on the carpet.

Then the students put their name cards down to graph the activity they chose.

Finally, we collected data by making tally marks to represent those who chose each activity. Then students created their own graph. We discussed the data represented on our graph and wrote about the results.

Naming Words with The Jacket I Wear in the Snow

2012-01-14T17:16:00.000-06:00

We reviewed naming words. Then the students found objects in the classroom. They had to tell us the naming word and classify it as a person, place, or thing. They found:

a computer-thing,

the class library-place,

and a friend-person.

Then we read The Jacket I Wear in the Snow stopping to discuss the naming words on each page and classifying them as a person, place, or thing. Then we used interactive writing to write the naming words and label the clothes on our girl cut out and wrote about what we wear in the snow.

When I take our writing down, I will make them into a class book and add to our class library for the students to read.

Seasons in the Science Lab

2012-01-13T19:21:00.000-06:00

In the science lab, Mrs. Riggins had pictures that represented the seasons hung around the room. We walked around and looked at the pictures. Then we talked about the pictures and what season it represented. We also talked about how the seasons are a pattern called a cycle that repeat over and over.

Students created a seasons wheel on a paper plate. They had to draw 5 different pictures for each season and label correctly.

Roll a Snowman Addition

2012-01-12T17:57:00.000-06:00

We practiced addition with our partners. Students were given a snowman mat with numbers on them. They will given two dice and some two color counters. They had to take turns rolling the dice, adding the numbers, covering up the sum on their snowman, and then recording their addition sentences. They had so much fun playing this game they didn't want to stop when it was time to clean up and share.

Making Connections with Snowmen

2012-01-11T19:04:00.000-06:00

We read Snowmen at Night and then created a Venn Diagram to compare and contrast our class with the Snowmen. Then we made these cute snowmen as art response to our poem Little Snowman.

Snowmen and Text to Self Connections

2012-01-10T19:48:00.000-06:00

We've been working on making text to self connections. We read My Snowman by Deanna Jump, and then wrote and illustrated in our reader's notebooks a time we counted down to something we were excited about.

Then we read Snowmen at Night and wrote a way we are like the snowmen and a way we are different from the snowmen. Then we illustrated a picture of ourself and the snowmen.

Part Part Whole Addition & Subtraction

2012-01-09T19:40:00.000-06:00

We started by reviewing addition and subtraction by telling stories for the students to act out. Then we used the part part whole mat I taped off on the floor. We told addition stories by putting girls in one box and boys in the other and then joining them into one group. Then we identified the parts.

We used chocolate graham crackers to tell addition stories. We focused on identifying the parts and then bringing them together and identifying the whole. Then students practiced independently by rolling dice for the parts and combing the whole.

We also modeled subtraction problems and worked on identifying the whole and then breaking it into parts. After practicing by telling and working subtraction problems together, students worked with their partner to roll a dice to find the whole. Then they took turns pulling some down into one of the "part" boxes. Then they identified the parts.

New Year's Traditions

2012-01-06T18:30:00.000-06:00

We're back at school and started 2012 by learning about New Year's traditions. We read Squirrel's New Year Resolution. We talked about what resolutions are: a promise you make to yourself for something you want to learn or do to make yourself better. Then we talked with our partners about some possible resolutions and then shared and created a bubble map. Then the students created these balloons with their resolutions. The most popular was help mom or dad every day.

We also read The Night Before New Year's and discussed what we did on New Year's eve. We illustrated/wrote about a tradition we shared with our partner. Then we talked about the foods we eat on New Year's Day and why we eat those foods. We tasted black eyed peas and graphed if we like them or not. Then we analyzed our results.

Winter Wonderland Giveaway

2012-01-03T19:33:00.003-06:00

Head over to Mrs. Albanese's Kindergarten Class to check out her Winter Wonderland Giveaway!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-26T21:25:00.004-06:00

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from my family to yours!

Winter Party 2011

2011-12-24T23:08:00.000-06:00

At our holiday party we decorated Santa graham cookies and drank juice. The students had so much making their Santa cookie and eating them! Go to the Pillsbury website for the recipe to make Santa grahams at home.

Polar Express Day 2011

2011-12-23T22:59:00.000-06:00

We went to the science lab and learned about arctic animals and their adaptations with Mrs. Riggins.

We experienced how their fat keeps them protected from the cold. We put our hand in baggie that contained a baggie filled with Crisco. We put the side that wasn't covered by the Crisco on the ice water first and then flipped it to the where the Crisco was between our hand and the ice water to see how their fat keeps them warm.

Then we went to the library. Mrs. Anderson read The Polar Express to us and Mr. Gonzalez showed us the pictures on a PowerPoint.

Next we went to the reindeer food station. We read the poem, talked about what the word "roam" means. Then we made our baggie of reindeer food. We also read the story Imogene's Antlers. In the classroom, we filled in the word wall words in our poem.

We played Christmas bingo using M&Ms as our markers. The students had fun taking turns being the bingo caller.

When we were finished playing we ate our M&Ms! Yum!

Mr. Grinch

2011-12-22T22:41:00.000-06:00

We read The Grinch who Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss. We used the story to focus on characters and motives.

We used it to review text to self, text to text, and text to world connections.

We wrote our text to self connections about what makes us grumpy and happy.

We also wrote about what we would do to make the Grinch grin and made the Grinch.

A Very Merry Giveaway

2011-12-22T00:36:00.000-06:00

Mrs. Lemons at Step into 2nd grade with Mrs. Lemons is hosting a giveaway for DJ Inkers Fontastic 3 cd. Check it out here.

Characters and Motives

2011-12-21T22:36:00.000-06:00

We have been learning about characters and their motives for doing and saying things in stories to help us better understand what we read and what is read to us. We introduced this by reading Auntie Claus. I modeled the first three examples on our chart. Then for the last two, the students talked with their partners and I wrote down what they discussed. We also reviewed theme or the big idea of the story. All the students agreed that the big idea was it is better to give than receive. We talked about how we can give our time to help someone else that giving is not just material things.

We are Poets!

2011-12-20T22:24:00.000-06:00

We brainstormed about the Gingerbread men we had eaten using our five senses.

As a class, we wrote a five senses poem about gingerbread men. The students wrote on their own white boards while I wrote what they dictated to me.

We brainstormed about Christmas using our five senses.

Then students used the ideas we brainstormed to write their own five senses poem about Christmas.

We brainstormed about Christmas trees by creating a bubble map.

Then we created a shape poem about a Christmas tree. I wrote what the students dictated as they wrote on their own white boards at the same time.

We brainstormed about presents by creating a bubble map.

Then students used our bubble map to write their own shape poems about presents.

Winter Addition and Subtraction

2011-12-19T22:09:00.000-06:00

We started our addition and subtraction unit by reading Christmas Angel from Clifford's Puppy Days series. Then I passed around a bag of Christmas decoration and each student took one. Then I told addition and subtraction stories about decorating a Christmas tree. We worked on making two sets and then joining them together or making a whole and separating them.

Here's a peek at our math journal!

We read Happy Holidays by Deanna Jump and then used a Gingerbread house mat and gumdrops and peppermints to model addition and subtraction stories. I recorded the number sentences on the white board as we told our stories. I modeled telling the stories and then choose different students to give a story to model and they had to tell me if it was joining (addition) or separating (subtraction).

We also used a Snowman mat and buttons to model addition and subtraction stories. Students did more of the story telling that day and took turns modeling on the elmo the stories as worked them together.

Christmas Around the World

2011-12-18T21:53:00.000-06:00

We watched a video on Discovery Streaming about Kwanzaa and then made and ate fruit kabobs because part of Kwanzaa is a harvest celebration. The kids noticed that Kwanzaa is a similar to our Christmas and Thanksgiving celebrations.

We read Mrs. Greenberg's Messy Hanukkah and discussed how Hanukkah was started and why it is celebrated. Then we tasted pancakes and latkes. Then we created a real object graph using the students to answer the question Which did they like better?. Then we collected and analyzed the data from our graph.

We watched a Multi Cultural Christmas video on Discovery Streaming and focused on the origin of Christmas card tradition. Then we made a Christmas card for the firefighters who came to visit us back in October.

We read The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree and talked about how the tradition of trees and ornaments started in Germany. Then we created snowflake Christmas ornaments.

Reading Comprehension

2011-12-17T23:02:00.000-06:00

We worked on making inferences which is using what the story says, what I know, and looking at the pictures to figure out things are aren't completely explained in the story. This is a chart we made as we read three mini stories. I modeled the first one, the students and I talked through the second story with the students, and then the students talked to their partner for the third story and agreed what we should write in each column.

We've been working on using our five senses to identify sensory details in stories and poems. We read the poem Christmas Presents. Then we charted the sensory details the author used to help us create a mental picture. We also acted out the poem.

We read Christmas Angel in the Clifford's Puppy Days series. As a class, we created a story map that included the main characters, setting, and key events from the beginning, middle, and end of the story.

ABCya

2011-12-17T17:50:00.000-06:00

Found this really cute, fun, and great website for reading and math practice through Mrs. Bickston who teaches first grade at our school. The great thing about this website is it offers reading and math practice through 5th grade!!! Once your child masters the kindergarten games, you can move them to the next grade level games to practice. Check it out here!

A Treeful of Good Behavior

2011-12-16T23:06:00.000-06:00

For the last couple of weeks, students have been earning ornaments for their Christmas trees. Every time they were caught doing something good or making wise choices and following directions especially when those around them were not, they got to add a sticker (ornament) to their tree. Once they earned 12 stickers, I put a sparkly blue snowflake at the top of their tree. The students were so proud of their Christmas trees!

Oh the Things Santa Can Help Us Learn!

2011-12-16T22:49:00.000-06:00

We finished our needs and wants unit by writing a Christmas wish list. Before writing their list, we practiced stretching out words and writing the sounds we hear. Then students wrote/illustrated three things they want for Christmas. They shared their list with their partner and then identified the items on their list as needs or wants and explained how they knew the item was a need or want. We created a Santa glyph to compare Santa family traditions such as if they write a letter to Santa or not, if they leave him cookies/milk, or not, etc. Then we collected the data from our glyphs and compared using more/less/same as.

Creating Sets and Comparing Numbers

2011-12-15T22:38:00.000-06:00

We've been working on identifying and creating sets of numbers 1-15. I gave the students a Christmas light cut out. We drew a card from a deck and put that many "lights" on our Christmas tree. The students worked together to create the set and then we counted to check our work. Once students were able to do this quickly, we drew a card and then used the more/less spinner to create a set more/less than the number we drew. Once again the students worked together to figure it out and then we counted to check.

Then students went back to their sets and worked with their partner, to create sets of decorations on a Christmas tree from the number card drawn. Then we used the more/less spinner to create sets more/less than the number drawn.

We also played a comparing numbers game, where each partner drew a number card and then they used math talk to compare numbers (9 is less than 13. 13 is more than 9.). Then they laid their cards on the more/less mat and then spun the more/less spinner to determine who won the cards. Once all the cards were played the partners counted their cards and then spun the more/less spinner to determine the winner.

Gingerbread Man Learning Fun

2011-12-14T22:23:00.000-06:00

We read several different versions of The Gingerbread Man and we compared and contrasted the different versions of the story. We created a story map that included characters, setting, and key events for Deanna Jump's Gingerbreadman story. We also acted the story out. We also used our five senses to identify sensory details in the story and charted the words that helped us to see, hear, taste, touch, and smell details in the story. We also wrote a Gingerbread poem and created Gingerbread men glyphs.

We did an experiment with a Gingerbread Man cookie to figure out why he didn't swim across the river himself. We put a cookie in a cup of water and recorded our hypothesis.

We recorded what the cookie looked like when 20 minutes had passed.

We recorded what the cookie looked like after an hour and wrote/illustrated our conclusion.

Of course, we enjoyed eating gingerbread man cookies.

Graphing Fun

2011-12-13T22:05:00.000-06:00

We sorted and graphed M&Ms.

We sorted and graphed Skittles.

We passed around a bag of Christmas decorations and the students choose one. Then we sorted and used them to create a real object graph. Then we used comparative language more, less, same as to describe our data.

Rocks, Water, and Soil

2011-12-12T21:47:00.000-06:00

We explored and sorted rocks by properties in the science lab.

We looked at pond water and water from the sink under the microscope in the science lab.

We also looked at them with the hand lens and recorded what we saw.

We explored clean and dirty water and recorded what we saw. We also discussed the importance of clean drinking water.

We went on a soil walk around our school and then came back to the classroom and wrote about what we discovered.

We brainstormed uses for water and then categorized them.

We also wrote and illustrated ways we use water at home.

Thanksgiving

2011-12-11T21:37:00.000-06:00

We read Sarah Morton's Day and then compared us life with the Pilgrims' life.

We created turkey glyphs and then collected, analyzed, and graphed our data.

We tasted turkey and graphed whether or not we like to eat it, and we also tasted cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie and graphed which was our favorite Thanksgiving food.

Veteran's Day

2011-12-10T21:26:00.001-06:00

On Veteran's Day, we had a big assembly and the student's invited their friends and relatives that are Veterans. Logan and I were so proud to have my dad their. We played an ordinal positions line up game using military themed pictures. We also illustrated connections we made between ourselves and the Veterans. We also labeled a hero and talked about the purpose of each part of their uniform.

Movement

2011-11-12T09:30:00.000-06:00

We used K'Nex kits to build vehicles that move quickly down a ramp. We described how they moved using words like straight, zigzag, front and back, etc.

Halloween is for Learning

2011-11-11T22:07:00.000-06:00

We read Where's My Mummy? and wrote text to self connections about what we do when we're scared. We also discussed characteristics of circles and ovals and compared/contrasted circles and ovals on a double bubble map. We cut circles and ovals from squares and rectangles to create Baby Mummy.

We read The Bumpy Little Pumpkin and wrote text to self connections about how we are special.

We My Friend Frankie by Deanna Jump and then discussed characteristics of good friends. We created a bubble map about Frankie and used our bubble map to write poems about Frankie. We collected and analyzed data about class by making a Frankie glyph, sorting our ourselves by answering the questions, and then graphing the results.

Magnets

2011-11-10T21:53:00.000-06:00

We used magnets in the science lab to explore objects. We recorded in our science journals objects that were magnetic and nonmagnetic.

Nature Center 2011

2011-11-10T02:30:00.000-06:00

We took a trip to the GPISD Nature Center. The kids were so excited to ride the bus. They were good listeners while Mrs. Hollis gave us directions.

We used hand lenses to examine objects we found. We illustrated what it looked like in our hand and under the hand lens.

We read Life in a Tree and discussed the life we could see in the tree. Then we measured the trunk of the tree using links and then our hands.

Then we read There Was An Old Who Swallowed a Fly and acted our the story as we read. Then we used hand lens to examine insects. We illustrated an insect and answered questions about our insect.

We read My 5 Senses and then discussed our five senses and how they help us learn about our world. Then we went on a five senses walk in the garden. We illustrated and wrote the things we observed using each of our five senses.

Positional Words

2011-11-09T23:46:00.000-06:00

We read We're Going on a Ghost Hunt and focused on the positional words (through, over, under, etc.) used in the story. Then we went on our own ghost hunt using clues that contained positional words.

Then we used candy corn to practice the positions above, below, in front of, behind, and beside.

Heat and Cookies

2011-10-24T04:00:00.000-05:00

We've been exploring heat in science. We read a book about heat and its sources and then created a circle map.

We discussed with our partners what happened in our popcorn experiment. Then we passed around sugar cookie dough to explore. We illustrated what our cookie dough looked like in our science journals and watched a short video clip about heat causing change on Discovery Streaming while our cookies baked.

When they came out of the oven we looked at our cookies and discussed what changes we observed. Through interactive writing (where the students and I share the marker) we created a tree map to record our observations before and after heat. Then students illustrated what our cookies looked like after being heated in the oven.

Pumpkin Time!!!

2011-10-23T22:35:00.000-05:00

We started by talking about what schema is and then discussing with our partners our pumpkin schema. We corrected misconceptions and added new learning throughout our study. We also reviewed the characteristics of nonfiction/informational text. We reviewed identifying the topic and details of informational text.

We learned about the parts of a pumpkin and each part's purpose. Students worked in small groups to paint a part of the pumpkin for our pumpkin brace map. After the paint dried, students work together to build our brace map and label the parts. Students then shared a part of the the pumpkin and it's purpose with their partner.

We used pumpkin candy to create positional patterns. Students identified and extended patterns I modeled for them. Then they worked with their partner to create a positional pattern. Then we shared and extended patterns partners made. Of course what's the fun of working with candy if you can't enjoy a little bit of it! Then we created and recorded patterns using our thumbprint as the pumpkin shell and our pinkie print as the stem. We labeled our patterns and identified the core (the part of the pattern that repeats).

We also sequenced the pumpkin life cycle. We illustrated and labeled the life cycle on a flow map.

We created a circle map using descriptive words for pumpkins as a class. Then we created our own pumpkins/jack-o-lanterns and used words from our circle map to write a pumpkin poem.

Light, Color, and Sight

2011-10-21T18:00:00.000-05:00

We went to the science lab and explored with our sense of sight, color and light. We used prisms and peeps and recorded our observations in our science journals. Then we watched a short video about light.

Go Away Little Pattern Monsters!!!

2011-10-20T16:30:00.000-05:00

We read Go Away Big Green Monster and practiced making AB patterns using pattern blocks. Then we made them with our partners. Then we created these pattern monsters independently and wrote about them!

Firefighters

2011-10-19T18:02:00.000-05:00

We started our firefighter unit by making a KWL chart about firefighters. We started by sharing what we know and wanted to know. We read I'm a Firefighter.

As we learned throughout the week, we added the information we learned to the learned section of our chart. We also read A Day in the Life of a Firefighter and Clifford and the Firehouse.

We also created a class bubble map about firefighters, and illustrated fire safety rules.

We've been working on identifying the topic and details from informational texts, so we read Russ and the Firehouse. We illustrated the topic and wrote/illustrated 3 details from the story.

Christopher Columbus

2011-10-18T17:00:00.000-05:00

We started by reading Deanna Jump's If I Were a Pirate and taking about explorers. We made a bubble map as a class about explorers. Then we wrote about what we would explore.

We started a schema chart on Christopher Columbus to see what we knew before we started our study. Then we went back and moved stickies to the misconceptions sections or added stickies to new learning the rest of the week.

We read A Picture Book of Christopher Columbus and created a tree map about Christopher Columbus.

We read Christopher Columbus and created a circle map about Columbus as well.

Literacy and Laughter Giveaway!!!

2011-10-17T21:24:00.000-05:00

Attention Teacher Friends! Literacy and Laughter is hosting a giveaway! It includes an autographed copy of Square Cat by Elizabeth Schoonmaker and a $15 gift card to Lettering Delights. Here on over to Literacy and Laughter to enter!

Sight and Color Mixing

2011-10-15T14:00:00.000-05:00

We've been learning about using our sense of sight as an observation tool along with color and light. We mixed red, blue, and yellow play doh to see what new colors we could make while singing a color mixing song. We recorded our observations in our science journals. This has been one of our favorite science lessons so far this year!

Ordinal Numbers

2011-10-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

We practiced lining up according to ordinal positions 1st-10th. Then we talked with our partners about where we hear and use ordinal numbers. Then we created a circle map about ordinal numbers. This was a circle map the first day. Later, we went back and added the ordinal numbers to our circle map as well as other times we thought of that we use ordinal numbers.

We reviewed good listening skills and as a class voted for the 10 best listeners. Then we handed out ribbons with the ordinal number written for which place they got. The students voted for the Best Listener awards.

We read Ten Trick or Treaters and located the kids according to their ordinal positions in line. Then we used our critical thinking skills to line up our monsters in our books according to the clues given about their ordinal positions.

We read The Berenstein Bears and the Spooky Old Tree. We focused on sequencing their walk through the tree and then their obstacles on the way home using ordinal numbers.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom Tree

2011-10-13T19:40:00.000-05:00

Here's the coconut tree Mrs. Loftus, Mrs. Reed, and my class made. We painted paper plates brown and used construction scraps to make tear art letters on our coconuts. We made the letter our first name begins with.

10 Black Dots

2011-10-10T13:00:00.000-05:00

We have been working on one to one correspondence to 10. First we practiced making sets of froot loops on a plate with numbers 1-10. Then we read all, but the last couple of pages of Ten Black Dots by Donald Crews. After reading numbers 1-9, I passed out 10 dots stickers and a piece of paper to each student. They were to use their dots to create a picture and complete the sentence Ten black dots can make.... We came to the carpet and shared our pictures and counted one to one to show our ten black dots. Then we read the rest of the story and compared our pictures to the what ten black dots made in the book.

It Looked Like Spilt Milk

2011-10-09T21:43:00.000-05:00

We read It Looked Like Spilt Milk by Charles Shaw. Before reading, we talked about looking at clouds and how we can see pictures in them sometimes. Students talked with their partner about what clouds looked like. After reading the story, we painted with white paint on one half of our paper to make a cloud. Then we folded our paper on top of the white paint and smoothed it with our hand. Students were given a few minutes to study their cloud and think about what picture they saw in their cloud. Then we came to the carpet and shared our cloud and the picture we saw.

Candy Corn Counting

2011-10-06T05:30:00.000-05:00

We've been working on making sets of numbers 1 through 10. We used an autumn story mat and told stories to create sets up to 10 using candy corn. The students loved counting and eating the candy corn!

Who Took the Apples?

2011-10-05T16:30:00.000-05:00

We read Deanna Jump's Who Took the Apples from the Apple Tree?. As a response of our Friday, we made our own version of the story. Students illustrated their self and wrote their name. I kept the ending a surprise until we finished our book and read it aloud. The students loved the surprise ending!

Heat Causes Change

2011-10-04T05:00:00.000-05:00

We've been learning about how heat causes change. We looked at a popcorn kernel and discussed it's properties and added them to our circle map in brown. We microwaved our popcorn and then discussed it's properties after change and added them to our circle map in blue.

Firefighters Visit

2011-10-03T21:39:00.001-05:00

The firefighters on Engine #3 visited our kindergarteners today! They talked to us about fire safety and the importance of having a fire safety plan at home in case of a fire. Fireman Brantley dressed up in his fire fighting gear to show us there is no reason to be scared of them.

Then they took us outside to show us some their tools and their fire engine.

Here's my kindergartener.

Bath Time Learning Fun!

2011-09-27T20:04:00.000-05:00

Tonight while Logan was taking a bath I remembered we hadn't practiced word wall words. So I found some bath foam in the bottom of the cabinet (shaving cream will work also). We practiced writing word wall words on the side of the tub with his bath foam. He loved practicing this way! This is another easy and fun way for you to practice word wall words, letter/number formation, and name writing as part of your normal routine.

If you look closely, you can see where Logan wrote "am" in the foam.

Textures in the Garden

2011-09-26T22:22:00.000-05:00

We went outside today and explored our sense of touch and different textures in our garden. Before going outside, we talked with Mrs. Riggins, our Math/Science strategist about what texture is and our sense of touch. She showed up how to make crayon rubbings of different textures. Then we lined up with paper and crayons and went outside to explore texture in our garden. I was so proud to hear them using texture vocabulary like rough, smooth, bumpy without being prompted.

Here's some pictures exploring texture in our garden:

Here's Mrs. Riggins helping one of our friends do a crayon rubbing of a cantaloupe.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

2011-09-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

The students had so much fun learning with the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. We practiced identifying and locating letters and words. We practiced matching capital and lowercase letters. We worked with sequencing the letters in our names. We also made our own coconut trees and sequenced the letters in our names.

Goldfish Counting

2011-09-24T22:11:00.000-05:00

We read the book I Have a Pet and discussed the different pets they have or would like to have. Then I told the students about my brother's goldfish Moo and Mesa. (He was 4 and his favorite cartoon was The Wild West Cowboys of Moo Mesa.) I told them about how my brother would count them all the time. Then I passed out fishbowls to the students and some goldfish crackers. We practiced making sets of numbers 1 through 5.

Then while the students ate their goldfish crackers, I passed out a playing card to each student that had a number 1 through 5 on it. They created a set of fish using stickers for our class book. Our book turned out really cute!

Home School Connections

2011-09-22T16:21:00.001-05:00

I found this blog Kindergarten for Teachers and Parents while reading some of my favorite teacher blogs. If you click on the title above, it will take you to a blog post with ideas to specifically practice your child's name, however, you could use the same ideas to practice word wall words, alphabet formation and recognition as well as number formation and recognition. 10-15 minutes of practice at home makes a huge difference in the long run.

Give Away!!!

2011-09-13T17:33:00.001-05:00

Head on over Kreative in Kinder for a give away where everyone is a winner!

All About Me

2011-09-03T13:24:00.000-05:00

In social studies, we've been talking about ourselves, how we want to be treated, and seeing how we are similar and different from each other.

At the beginning of the week we focused on how we want to be treated by each other and created our class promise. Then we created our faces as our signature around our promise.

We spent the rest of the week with getting to know each other activities and focusing on ourselves. We created an All About Me book and then our self. We stapled our book to the shirt of our person. The students had so much fun working on this project!

Math and Literacy Fun!!!

2011-09-03T13:10:00.000-05:00

This week in math we worked on demonstrating one to one correspondence and writing numbers 0-5. We created sets to count using play dough, color tiles, and cubes.

We used our lap boards to practice writing numbers 1-5 while singing Dr. Jean's The Numeral Song to help us remember the correct strokes for writing our numbers.

This week we also began our Name of the Day activities by "fixing a name" a day. The students have so much fun trying to figure out the mystery student and putting the letters in their in the correct order. Then students are given a page and a strip of letters to cut apart and put in order on the page. Then they illustrate our mystery student and combine them to make a book.

We also have been working on identifying uppercase and lowercase letters with students recognizing the letter name and if it's capital or lowercase. We have also been working on ordering the letters of the alphabet. The students had a lot of fun working in groups to match and order the alphabet.

We've also started our independent reading time. The students choose a book and spread out around the room in a spot of their choice. Right now we are working on quietly looking at the pictures, carefully turning the pages, and pointing to each word on the page, as well as "reading" from top to bottom and left to right.

First Week of School

2011-08-28T21:43:00.000-05:00

We had an awesome first week of school! We had no tears, but lots of sleepy eyes by the end of the day (including mine!). Besides learning rules and procedures about how our school and classroom work, we worked on the difference between capital and lowercase letters, how the alphabet and our names are in a certain order. Letters together make words. We worked on name puzzles and drawing a picture of our faces and writing our names. We also explored math manipulatives, our calendar and days of the week. We learned how to wash our hands and about recycling. Here's a few pictures from our week:

Here's a picture of Lucas and I with Logan on the first day of school-can't believe my oldest baby is in kindergarten!

My Family

2011-08-21T15:45:00.001-05:00

I am so excited to get to know your child and your family this year. I thought I would start by sharing a little bit about mine. I am married to Joshua and we have two sons together, Logan Elijah and Lucas Elisha. Logan is 5 and Lucas is 2. Logan is attending kindergarten at Hobbs Williams Elementary this year! I have a stepson Justin who is 10. Justin lives in Weatherford with my in-laws and will be in 5th grade this year. Joshua is a store manager for Walgreens and we met at our church Inglewood Baptist in Grand Prairie where we still attend. We both help with Extended Teaching Care once every seven weeks on Sunday mornings and I lead a small group of 7th and 8th grade girls on Wednesday nights. My favorite leisure activities are spending time with my family, serving at church, reading, and shopping. Below I made a digital photo book so you can see pictures of my family. I'm am so excited about the new school year and having your child in my class.

Create your own photo album

Kindergarten Tales Giveaway

2011-07-19T18:18:00.000-05:00

Kindergarten Teacher Tales is celebrating her 101th follower! Head over to check out her supercute giveaway!!!!

internteachertales.blogspot.com

First Grade OWLs Giveaway

2011-07-19T18:06:00.000-05:00

First in OWLS is having a give away to celebrate their 100th follower. Head on over and check it out!

firstgradeowls.blogspot.com

Peace, Love, & Kindergarten Giveaway

2011-07-07T23:54:00.000-05:00

I found this awesome blog with lots of free downloads. Check it out at http://peacelovelearning.blogspot.com/.

Giveaway!!!!

2011-06-21T22:15:00.000-05:00

Head over to the Moffatt Girls for a fantastic gingerbread man giveaway!

Welcome to Learning Adventures

2011-06-14T13:36:00.000-05:00

A welcome message...

Listen!

Aliens, Pizza, and Sundaes! Oh My!

2011-06-03T20:17:00.001-05:00

We read Aliens Love Underpants! and created a bubble map describing aliens. Then students created their own.

We also read One Little Alien by Deanna Jump and then used pattern blocks to create spaceships. Then we graphed the pattern blocks we used and write about our data. Then we used our data to work addition stories using our pattern blocks.

One of our parents brought us pizza and juice for lunch!

Then we had ice cream sundaes to celebrate the end of school and good behavior!

Oceans of Fun!

2011-06-03T20:02:00.000-05:00

We reviewed animal characteristics and created a Venn Diagram to compare/contrast Great White Sharks with Orca Whales. Then students created their own.

We acted out Hungry Shark and practiced subtraction stories. Then we played a game with goldfish crackers where we spun the fish spinner to determine the number of goldfish we need and then spun the shark spinner to determine how many fish were eaten. Then we wrote the subtraction sentences.

We read In The Deep Blue Sea by Deanna Jump. We created a tree map of adjectives, nouns, and verbs from the story. Then students responded through writing by using the pattern from the story.

Popcorn

2011-06-03T19:45:00.000-05:00

We reviewed how heat causes change and compared/contrasted a corn kernel before and after it has popped. We also told addition stories using popcorn.

We tasted butter, cheese, and kettle popcorn. Then we voted for our favorite and graphed/analyzed the results.

We reviewed adjectives by using our five senses to describe our popcorn. We created an anchor chart together and then the students created their own popcorn adjectives.

Oh the Things You Can Learn with Cupcakes!!!

2011-05-31T22:39:00.000-05:00

We read If You Give a Cat a Cupcake. We talked about how heat causes change. We made cupcakes and wrote and illustrated the cupcakes before and after we baked them.

We made a cupcake glyph to answer the following questions: What is your favorite kind of cupcake? How old are you? Do you like baking?.

We learned about a baker's job and decorated our cupcakes.

We illustrated and order the events from the story.

We wrote how to decorate a cupcake.

Then we ate our cupcakes!

Wild Things

2011-05-30T22:06:00.000-05:00

After field day, we read Where the Wild Things Are. We reviewed describing words and talked with our partners about adjectives for the Wild Things. We created a circle map.

We we decorated our own Wild Things.

We created a Venn Diagram to compare/contrast our Wild Thing with our partner's.

We created positional patterns using our Wild Things. Then will illustrated and labeled a Wild Thing positional pattern on a sentence strip. We watched the Scholastic video Where the Wild Things Are. Then we reviewed actions words and created a circle map of things our Wild Things can do.

Then we wrote a sentence about what our Wild Things can do.

Field Day!!!

2011-05-30T21:54:00.000-05:00

We played TBall.

We had relay races.

We threw Frisbees into hula hoop.

We had sack races.

We had races where we carried a hula hoop, fish, ball, and Frisbee to a bucket, ran to the fence, picked the stuff back up and ran to the cone.

We passed water balloons back and forth in a line.

We hula hooped and jumped roped.

We threw softballs and had to find the number ball for our team.

We had races where we ran, skipped, hopped, etc.

We had chicken races.

We ate Popsicles while we watched the teachers do the water balloon toss.

Picnic Time

2011-05-28T21:04:00.001-05:00

The students had so much fun at our end of the year picnic!

We played on the playground.

We drew with chalk.

We blew bubbles.

We had races!

We ate lunch in our classroom and watched an episode of PBS Kids! Curious George.

We ate Popsicles with Mrs. Guntroius' class.

Dino-Mite Learning

2011-05-28T21:01:00.001-05:00

We used dinosaurs to review concepts we learned this year. In science, we reviewed characteristics of reptiles and discussed how dinosaurs are like a system. We discussed the purpose of their parts. We also reviewed life cycles and compared and contrasted herbivores with carnivores. Two science vocab words that have been the science word of the week recently.

In math, we told addition and subtraction stories using dino fruit snacks. We created dino positional patterns. We read How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? and then discussed bedtime routines and acted two out a time and used comparative language to describe the length of time each activity took. We also drew our favorite dinosaur and used different manipulatives to find the length and area of our dinosaurs. Then we compared with our partner. We also made dinosaur glyphs to answer the following questions: Do you like carnivores or herbivores best? Did you like the book Dinosaur Roar! or Dinosaurumpus best? Do you think dinosaurs are creepy or cool? We graphed the answers for the class all together. Then students went to their seats and graphed the answers for their table.

In social studies, we learned about the job of paleontologists. We watched two different Discovery Streaming videos about their job. We also excavated chocolate chips from cookies. We created a concept anchor chart to show what we knew and what we learned.

In language arts, our focus poem was about dinosaurs. We clapped to the rhythm of the poem. We looked for rhyming words, word family words, helpful chunks, and word wall words. We acted out our poem. We did dinosaur word wall words where we stomped like dinos as we chanted the letters and then roared the words.

Math Work Stations & Guided Math Giveaway

2011-05-28T18:39:00.002-05:00

Go to www.teachingblogaddict.com for a chance to win Debbie Diller's Math Work Stations and a guided math book. You can also participate in a book study!!!

Farm Times!!!

2011-05-22T17:19:00.000-05:00

We sorted farm animals by coverings.

We created a circle map of farm jobs.

We compared and contrasted sheeps and pigs.

We sorted pictures by producers and consumers.

Measurement

2011-05-22T16:52:00.000-05:00

We have been working on measurement this last six weeks. Here are some of the activities we have done so far:

We used Twizzlers as our measuring sticks and found objects around our classroom that are longer/shorter/same length as our Twizzler.

We brought stuffed animal pets from home and worked in small groups to weigh them on our balance scales. Then we ordered them from lightest to heaviest.

We used our shoes to find the area of large fish, turtle, starfish, and whale cut outs.

We found the capactiy of small paper cups using goldfish crackers, shell pasta, and star cereal.

Maps

2011-05-22T16:42:00.000-05:00

We read Parts by Tedd Arnold and created and labeld the parts of our body. We read Rosie's Walk by Pat Hutchins and created a map of Rosie's walk. We read Me On the Map and watched a Discovery Streaming video on maps and models.

Insects

2011-05-22T16:39:00.001-05:00

We learned about the parts of insects and their purpose. We created a brace map of a bee. Then we learned about the insect life cycle. We also made a model of an insect using candy.

We read Because a Little Bug went Ka-CHOO! and created a tree map of causese and effects.

We read The Very Hungry Caterpillar and created caterpillars of three different lengths on a leaf and labeled them long, longer, longest.

Money, Money, Money!!!

2011-04-11T07:53:00.000-05:00

We created an anchor chart of the coins we most use.

We also practiced coin/value identification by toss a bean bag onto a coin and naming it and its value.

We practiced counting and making specific amounts with coins. We also played lots of small group and partner games to practice coin/value identification, we added our favorites to a money math tub. During ?Think Math? we also brainstormed what coins we could use to make different amounts of money.

Ponds

2011-04-11T07:47:00.000-05:00

We researched the physical characteristics of ponds: landforms/bodies of water, weather, plant, and animal life. We worked on creating a mural of a pond all week. Then in the computer lab, we wrote about what we learned.

Health and Safety

2011-04-04T07:52:00.000-05:00

We made a food pyramid after researching the food pyramid at mypryamidforkids.gov.

Then we created a healthy meal menu.

We read Aruthur's Chickenpox and then created chicken pox addition stories.

We created sets of two food items and then practiced describing our sets using comparative language. Then we recorded and made a class book.

We read A Bad Case of Stripes and then wrote our own prescriptions for silly and serious illnesses. We also discussed medicine safety rules.

Texas

2011-04-01T13:53:00.001-05:00

We learned about Texas symbols. We colored and wrote about our state bird the mocking bird.

We created a bluebonnet, labeld the parts and wrote about the function of the parts.

We learned about cowboys' clothing and how it meets their needs. Then we colored and labeled his clothing.

We learned about the state motto Friendship and wrote about being a good friend!

We learned drew a pecan tree and how it's needs are met. then we labeled.

We created positional patterns using "Texas" shapes!

We read The Little Red Hen and Armadilly Chili. Then we compare/contrasted the two stories. We also made chili and graphed if we liked it.

Mrs. Shaw's Most Wanted:

We collected data about our class by making Cowpoke glyphs and then analyzing the data.

St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-29T11:20:00.000-05:00

We used pot of gold ten frams and gold coins to pratice making numbers 11-20. We also used them to make two more, one less than a given number.

We sorted, graphed, and added skittles!

We made shamrocks!

Dr. Seuss Fun

2011-03-07T16:14:00.000-06:00

Dr. Seuss week has been the students' favorite by far! We had so much fun reading his stories and integrating them into our lessons last week!

On Monday, we had Cat in the Hat day. We wore black and white and read the story. We wrote about what we do if the Cat came back. We read One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish and created fish additon stories using color goldfish crackers. We learned about Dr. Seuss' life.

On Tuesday, we wore silly socks for Fox in Socks. We graphed whether or not we wore silly socks to school and anaylzed our data. We also created pairs of rhyming socks. We reviewed systems and created machines to clean our rooms. We also read My Many Colored Days, chose a color, and wrote how we feel on that color days.

On Wednesday, we wore mismatched clothes for Wacky Wednesday! We also had a special visit from the Cat in the Hat who read to us The Cat in the Hat Comes Back. We compared that story with the stories we wrote on Monday. Then created a story map for Wacky Wednesday. We read Bartholomew and the Oobleck and made oobleck with Mrs. Guntorius' class. We read Happy Birthday to You and created a cirlce map of birthday celebrations. We also had blue goo and pink ink for Dr. Seuss' birthday.

On Thursday, we wore slippers for The Foot Book. We took off one slipper/shoe, put in the middle, then sorted and made a list of the ways we sorted. Then we compared and contrasted using a double bubble map the oobleck we made with Dr. Seuss' oobleck. We read Oh The Places You'll Go and wrote about a place we would like to go. We read Dr. Seuss' ABC and created our own ABC book.

President's Day

2011-03-07T15:56:00.000-06:00

We had lots of Presidential fun integrating President's Day into our lessons! Here's a few activities we did:

In Math, we told subtraction stories using pennies about buying items at a bake sale.

In Social Studies, we learned about George Washington, made a three corner hat, and wrote facts on our hats.

We also learned about Abraham Lincoln and wrote facts about him as well on his beard, used a black and white picture of ourselves as his face and made a top hat.

We read My Teacher for President and created a double bubble map comparing and contrasting the President's job with a teacher's job.

Day and Night

2011-01-23T20:43:00.000-06:00

We're learning about space. We focused on day and night. We created a tree map of things associated with day and night. Then we sang Mr. Sun and Mr Moon. Then we discussed the differences in the two songs and created a venn diagram to compare/contrast day and night.

Then we read My Day: Morning, Noon, and Night. We created a list of night activities. Then we created a good night class book of what we like to do at night.

We also created a list of day activities and created a good morning class book of what we like to do during the day.

We also graphed whether we liked day or night better and analyzed our data.

The Mitten

2011-01-23T20:29:00.000-06:00

We read The Mitten by Jan Brett. The students LOVED this story! Everyday they asked me to read it several times. We illustrated and wrote about an animal from the story on a mitten.

We sequenced the animals from the story on a mitten and then labeled the pictures with the animal name and ordinal number for the order they went into the mitten.

We read The Missing Mitten Mystery and created mittens. Then we labeled them by counting by twos. We used our mitten to practice skip counting by 2s. The students also created story maps for The Missing Mitten Mystery in their reader's notebooks.

Community

2011-01-23T20:18:00.000-06:00

We have been learning about ordinary people who make an extraordinary impact in their communities. We learned about four famous African Americans: Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges, George Washington Carver, and President Obama. Then we created a bridge map to help us remember each person's contribution to their community.

Shapes Everywhere

2011-01-23T20:12:00.000-06:00

We reviewed two dimensional shapes and their properties. We read The Shape of Things and then took a shape walk around our school and recorded in our math journals all the shapes we found. We took pictures on our walk. We read The Greedy Triangle and then we used the pictures to create a tree map of the shapes we found.

We watched The Number Crew: Shape Escape on Discovery Streaming and then found a picture of a shape in magazine, cut and glued it on our paper, and then wrote about that shape and one of it's properties.

Snowman Estimation

2011-01-17T13:39:00.000-06:00

We read A Really Good Snowman. Then we discussed estimation. We estimated how many cottonballs would fit inside a picture of a snowman. Then we put the cotton balls on the snowman and counted to find the actual number. We did this two more times. Then we wrote about what we learnd about estimation.

Penguins

2011-01-17T13:32:00.000-06:00

Some penguin fun we had this week:

We made a penguin brace map and discussed the parts and their functions of penguins.

We created a penguin tree map to show what we learned about penguins.

We conducted an experiment to see how penguin feathers keep out water and how their blubber keeps out cold. We put Vaseline on our hand and put it in the water. The water bubbled up where the Vaseline was. Then we put one hand in a blubber (Crisco) glove and one straight in the ice water. We experienced how their blubber keeps out the cold.

We read Tacky the Penguin. Then we illustrated a penguin and used cubes to measure how tall our penguin was. Then we made them into a class book.

We made penguin glyphs to collect data about our class. Then we used our glyphs and graphed the results and wrote about our data.