Five for Friday - February 10th

Linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five for Friday.  We had a short four day week due to the large snowstorm that hit the Northeast.  We are buried under a foot of snow!  Winter is finally here!  

ONE: Nonfiction Book Publishing

This week and probably next week as well we will be publishing our nonfiction books for our classroom library.  I love having the kids work on a selected piece to add to our classroom library.  What I don't like is how long it takes to get the books published!  Some days it feels like the process will never end!

That being said I love how each kid edited a piece this week.  Instead of having the kids edit using a checklist, I buddied them up and had each buddy be an "editor" to help their partner.  Sometimes when I have the kids use a checklist I never really know if each student goes through each part of the checklist.  Having a buddy holds them accountable and helps them see issues in their writing.  

To help the kids stay focused on each aspect of editing we used these editing strips.  I was impressed by how each group worked together and helped their buddy edit their pieces.  Now it's on to publishing!

TWO: Kindness Matters

Every year this book gets to me.  I find myself reading it aloud and getting choked up. We read the book 3 times this week, each time focusing on different aspects of the story.  On Monday we read the book and focused on how Maya the new student in class felt.  This sparked some great discussions and awareness of how our actions impact those around us.  

On Tuesday we focused on Chloe and how her actions hurt Maya.  Our discussions centered on times that we acted like Chloe and perhaps hurt others feelings with our words, actions, or exclusion of others.  We had such a good conversation around this topic and the kids were honest about how they've acted at times and how they think these actions impacted those around them.  

On Friday we completed the same activity the kids in the book did.  I filled up a large bowl of water and we placed a rock in the bowl.  As I did this the kids and I focused on the ripples that went out.  Then I had each student come up, place the rock in the bowl, and name one thing they have done that was nice for someone else.  This proved to be a powerful visual for the kids.  After sharing, I had the kids write about the one kind action they shared with the class using a quote from the book.  

This is such a wonderful book and I would recommend it be used in every classroom!!

THREE: Solids and Liquids

Our investigation into solids this week focused on what solids sink and float in water as well as how solids react to magnets.  This week we did a few pages in our notebooks to record some observations but the focus of our week was spent talking about what we've observed.  Then we used these observations to make some statements about what solids sink and what solids float as well as what solids are attracted to magnets and what solids are not.  Once again this week I was floored by what my kiddos came up with... they're minds were working overtime and I couldn't be more proud!

FOUR: Snow Day Instagram
Thursday was a snow day and the northeast was slammed by a foot of snow.  This doesn't happen all the time here so I wanted to do something special with the kiddos.  We took a break from our usual Friday routine to create an "Instagram Post" of all the fun things my kiddos did on their snow day.  They loved getting a chance to share with their classmates what the did on the day off!

This was a big hit today and I can see many ways to use this in the coming weeks.  I'd love to use it every Friday to have my kiddos highlight what they learned during the week or what they liked most about the week... the possibilities are endless.

FIVE:  Valentine's and 100th Day

For the second year in a row, we'll be celebrating Valentine's Day and the 100th Day on the same day!  It's a catch 22... on the one hand, we get all the hoopla over on one day.  However, it's gonna be a crazy day!!  Kiddos have already started to bring in their 100 items and Valentines... since when did Valentines need candy and erasers and tiny games and gifts?  But really... who can resist the sweets!!

Have a great weekend... Don't forget to check out Doodle Bugs Teaching for more Five for Friday posts! 

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Five for Friday - February 3rd

How is it February already... where did January go?  I'm not ready for it to be February!  Here's a peek of what we worked on this week!

ONE: Morning Tubs 

This week we had a new round of morning tubs to try out.  My kiddos love these options on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.  I love that they get to use their imagination and problem solving skills to complete many of the morning tub tasks. 

TWO: Adding 3 Numbers

Last week we worked on adding three numbers when the kiddos could make a ten or a double.  This week I told my kiddos that this isn't always possible so they needed to think of a different way to add three numbers.  

To keep the kids engaged since we were working on adding three numbers for several days, I brought in some M and M cookies I baked this weekend so I could show the kids a real world application to adding three numbers.  I loved hearing their math thinking and how each kiddo used a different strategy to add three!

THREE: Solids and Liquids

Our investigation into solids this week focused on whether solids could be stacked or rolled, or in some cases, both.  We also had great discussions around what the difference between rolling and sliding is.  I was so proud of my kiddos as they came up with some characteristics that make a solid an object that is able to roll!  Such great discussions!!

FOUR: Making 10 to Add 9

Making ten to add 9... what a whirlwind.  We ended this week with the strategy and I have to say using counters and walking through it step by step with my kiddos in small groups showed me they can do it.  So proud... now we have to see if they can apply it on their own!

FIVE: February Prep

No sure how it's February already but I'm busy prepping some materials to use for Valentine's Day.  The Target dollar spot gets me every time... I have enough math counters to last a lifetime!  We have a week off at the end of February so I try to squeeze all this February stuff into the first two weeks... it's not always easy!

Have a great weekend.. Don't forget to check out Doodle Bugs Teaching for more Five for Friday posts! 

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Five for Friday - May 13th

I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five for Friday!

Here are some highlights from our week.  

ONE: Plant Unit

We finally finished our unit on plants this week.  The kids did an awesome job collecting and recording information about plants in their science folders.  To finish out the unit my kiddos planted several different seeds.  They loved that they got to pick the seed they planted.   Let's hope all the seeds sprout... perhaps I should plant a few extras next week to avoid end of year disappointment when I send home the sprouts!

Love these little planters from Walmart.  I paid $6 for 24 and the kiddos can bring them home and plant them right in the ground... so convenient and easy for the families.  

TWO: Fairy Tales

We finished reading fairy tales this week and the kiddos were kind of bummed when I told them we were done... they truly enjoyed listening to these  stories.  They did a great job making connections between the stories each day.  Next week we'll be writing about our favorite fairy tale. I can't wait to see which stories the kids pick as their favorites.

As we read several stories this week we charted each of the stories according to different fairy tale elements.  This helped us to compare and contrast the stories.  

Today I pulled out these fairy tale and folk tale mini-books.  They range in level from G-J.  Most of my kiddos are reading above this level but they still enjoyed taking a few minutes to read another fairy tale or two before the unit was over.  Sometimes it's nice for the kids to read just to read and enjoy.  We don't do that enough and it's kind of sad! :(

  THREE: Regrouping

We started regrouping this week and my kiddos rocked it!!  I love starting with this regrouping work mat before we turn to regrouping when adding vertically.  I think it's so important for the kids to see why and how we regroup before we show them the actual computations.  

Today we moved from the work mat to the computations and I was so proud of my kiddos.  A few years ago I realized that 6 and 7 year old minds need to see the two digit number they get when they add the ones place before they can carry the ten to the tens place.  

I have my kids write the number to the side of the problem, draw a line down the middle, label the tens and ones and then move the ones down and the tens up.  This seems to really help them understand regrouping and ensures they don't miss a step.   

 FOUR: Outer Space 

This week we began a unit on outer space and I cannot be more excited!  When I was in elementary school I was obsessed with outer space... I had a telescope and practically every kids book written about space.  Apollo 13 was my favorite movie and to date, I've probably seen the movie 200 times... not kidding!!

That being said my enthusiasm has waned a bit but I still find outer space completely fascinating so I'm happy to share it with my kiddos.  This week we began by learning about the sky, the atmosphere and outer space as well as how the earth moves (rotates and revolves).  Next week we'll move on to what causes day and night as well as the moon and stars.

FIVE: Friday Morning Surprise 

One of my sweet kiddos brought me this huge bouquet of lilacs... what a great way to start a gloomy Friday the 13th. The classroom smelled amazing all day!!

Have a great weekend.. Don't forget to check out Doodle Bugs Teaching for more Five for Friday posts!  

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Five for Friday... on Saturday

I'm linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching for Five for Friday... on Saturday!

Here are some highlights from our first week back from winter break... it was a long one!!

ONE: Sound Unit

We finally finished our unit on sound this week.  I decided to dive right into the NGSS standards even though New York state has not adopted the standards yet... I know they're coming and wanted to get a head start.  As I looked at the standards I thought sound would be a hard topic for the kiddos to understand but they rose to the challenge and they enjoyed learning about sound.  

To finish the unit I let my kiddos create their own instruments.  I was so impressed with their ideas as well as how they worked together to build and problem solve some issues that arose as they created these amazing instruments. 

TWO: Making 10

This week we reviewed how to make ten when adding and subtracting.  When I first looked at this strategy I really questioned whether it made sense to introduce it.  I thought maybe it would be more confusing than helpful.  This week was confirmation that it's a worthy strategy... my kiddos really "got it" and have begun to apply it independently.  I love our math block because it's an opportunity for the kiddos to use different strategies.  I love learning how there little minds work as they explain to me and their math buddy how they solved a problem.  

I found that using these double ten frames to model making 10 when adding 8 and 9 really drove the point home.  Once the kids moved the manipulatives  they made the connection to this strategy.  

THREE: Contractions

A few week ago we introduced contractions and we did some word surgery that week to help my kiddos work with contractions.  This week I wanted to add in a bit a review so we broke out these broken heart contractions.  Last year we reviewed contractions the week before Valentine's Day so the broken heart theme worked but the kids loved the game none the less.  I gave each of my kids a piece of a heart and had them circulate around the room to find their buddy.  The only rule I gave them was they couldn't talk... this was a challenge for some!!  We played a few times and they've been begging  to play more so I'll think I'll add the cards to our pocket chart next week.  

 FOUR: Superhero Day

Yesterday was superhero day at our school.  We had a ton of kids dressed up as superheros and princesses in our classrooms.  When my kiddos arrived yesterday I didn't have my costume on yet and one of my kiddos told me it was ok because teachers are superheros everyday... not sure where he heard that, but it was a sweet thing to say!  

Anyway, after our early morning special I got a chance to wear my Super E cape and mask.  I introduced the cape a few weeks ago when we started super e but the kiddos were excited to see it reappear this week!  It also served as a good long vowel review... after doing some report card assessments this week we definitely could use the review!!

FIVE: Vanilla Latte

So I love Starbucks Vanilla Latte but it pains me to spend $5 on a coffee drink.  For $5 I can get 2 medium coffees at Dunkin Donuts so it's a huge treat to stop and get a latte at Starbucks.  Last week at the grocery store I found these Starbucks Via Instant Vanilla Latte packs and I'm impressed.  Just 8 oz. of hot water, pour in the packet, and you've got yourself a vanilla latte.  Not as good as a latte from Starbucks but pretty close.  Best part is it's easy to make at school and I don't need to worry about having sugar and creamer available.  

Have a great weekend.. Don't forget to check out Doodle Bugs Teaching for more Five for Friday posts!  

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