Spiders, Spiders Everywhere

Our Early Out day was all about spiders.  We incorporated many of our learning objectives into the spider theme.  Who knew spiders could be so versatile?  In math, we conducted a survey asking the question, "Are spiders creepy or cool?"  The children had to ask the questions to 8 different people. They used tallies to record the data and then used a pie graph to display the findings.

After making the graphs, we did some nonfiction reading about spiders.  We also watched a video that gave us great information about arachnids.  Some of the children changed their "creepy or cool" opinion after learning new information.



We wrote an opinion piece on whether spiders were creepy or cool.  The children had to state their opinion and use evidence from our reading to support their opinions.  Can you believe these writers are first graders?  Very exciting.

In reading, we worked on retelling a story using the story elements of character, setting, problem, ordered events, and solution or ending.  We took the very familiar story of the Itsy Bitsy Spider and made a story map to include the elements of a complete retell.

To practice some spelling and creative writing, the children wrote a recipe for spider soup.  Little did they know, I had collected just enough spiders to make a batch!  Mmmmm, tastes like chicken!  We ended the busy half day with delicious spider soup.

Signs of Fall

Thank you for all the interesting signs of fall. Our science center is awesome! The first grade scientists are enjoying observing and taking notes. They are making all sorts of interesting discoveries, for example, large bugs can hide in tiny seed pockets of plants! In the upcoming weeks, we will be doing some pumpkin investigations. We have two classroom pumpkins. We could still use a couple more if you are able. Thanks!

Original Works

This free slideshow made with Smilebox

This year for our original works project we drew self portraits. The children worked very hard! I just love the pictures, they were able to capture themselves so well. In the Wednesday envelope, I sent your child's art and ordering information if you are interested in getting your child's artwork printed on one of the items.

Nursery Rhyme Fun

The students of Connected 1.0 are excited about their upcoming performance on October 31st.  They are loving learning and hearing different nursery rhymes.  Here are some great resources to read and enjoy a variety of different nursery rhymes. 
   There is a great site at http://www.speakaboos.com/ that will read nursery rhymes and other stories aloud.  Also, on the top button bar of the blog, I have linked some videos of different rhymes.  I will be updating the symbaloo as I find more.

And, I have some more exciting news with nursery rhymes!  RazKids couldn't be more timely!  They have updated their app and website and included nursery rhymes!  To get to the rhymes, log in to RazKids.  Our username is "connectedkinders."  Then, go to the bookroom. 

Once in the bookroom, on the left change "leveled books" to nursery rhymes...then enjoy!  I can't wait to show the kids this new feature on Monday!  They will be so excited.  What a coincidence!

  

Good Friends

   As part of our unit on friends and our study of main idea and details (see previous post) we read the book How to Lose All Your Friends.  While the students loved the book, they were appalled by the girl's behavior.  We decided to do a rewrite! 
   Together the students put together the main ideas of how to be a good friend.  They came up with six ideas:

1. Smile.

2. Be kind and caring.

3. Be helpful.

4. Use good manners.

5. Be a good sport.
6. Share.

    Next, the students got into small groups.  Each group took one of the main ideas from our list.  They used our guided reading books about friends to come up with two details (examples) of each good friend trait.  They had amazing discussions.
    Later in the day, our buddies came.  With our buddies, each group developed a skit and made a video example of their details.  Here is just one example of their work....more to come!

Main Idea and Details

Identifying the main idea and details is a difficult concept for young students but a very important skill for retelling and comprehending text.  In both small groups and as a whole class we have been working on this skill by color coding. 

Yellow is for the main idea and red indicates the details.  We have been practicing this skill in our guided reading books.  After reading a book, students use the text to find and order the main ideas from the book.  Then, they have to place the details under the correct main idea.  The students of Connected 1.0 are working very hard!

Problem Solving

    When I got out the math journals for the first time this year, one of the students said, "Okay, now it is time to really think!"  We love math journals.  I love watching the students solve difficult problems and explain their thinking.  I love to hear their mathematical discussions as the students explain multiple ways to arrive at one solution.
     In addition to our math journals, we have an excellent app that uses problem solving to practice and enrich the students' math skills.  As students move through the app and solve problems correctly, the app increases the difficulty of the problems and awards trophies.  I see students working on early addition to beginning algebra and even logic while moving through the apps different levels.  Then, I see students getting together and helping each other through difficult problems.  Certainly an app to put on your "wish list" for home!
   Both this week and last week, the number one choice for "Free Choice" Friday was working on Slate Math.  They LOVE it....and I am thrilled with all the problem solving practice they are getting.  Check out Slate Math in the itunes store.

Candy Corn Math

We worked on making 15 in a very delicious way! Each student received a bag of 15 candy corn. The mathematicians manipulated the candy corn to compose and decompose 15 as many ways as possible. They came up with equations with 2, 3, 4, and even 5 addends. Incredible math!

Alphabet School

   As part of our Alphabet book study, we read this amazing Caldecott winner, Alphabet City.  The Caldecott medal is given to children's books for illustrations.  The book is full of city photos that have all the letters of the alphabet made from city scenes.     The students loved the book.  We talked about how the author really had to concentrate on details to find the letters hidden in around the city.  We decided to be letter detectives as well.  We searched the playground to see if we could find the letters in the details.  We all worked together on the detail search.

The letter detectives did end up finding all 26 letters....although we had to get a bit creative on a few.  View the slideshow below and see if you can see the letters we found.

Digital slideshow created with Smilebox

  

Alphabet Acrobatics

We have been reviewing the alphabet letters and sounds by reading and writing alphabet books. Here are some of our favorite books.

 When we read A my name is Alice, we did our own version of a rewrite.  The students had to use the first letter of their name and find something they liked that started with that letter.  Then, they made a self portrait.  The pages turned out darling!
   We also wrote a class alphabet chart and individual alphabet books. During these writing projects the students learned how to navigate their way through a dictionary. 

There are some great apps that work on identifying letters and sounds and writing letters.  Also, the app Endless Alphabet is a great vocabulary builder set up as an alphabet book.  The kids LOVE it!  Click on the app name to be taken to more information.
Letter School, Starfall, Writing Wizard, Sound Sorting, ABC Magic, Endless Alphabet