Where does the time go?

So much has happened since our last blog. We sailed through Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas with hardly time to breathe! Our class has worked so hard and learned so many new concepts it is amazing. We have been visited by our principal, Ms. Lightsey during "Investigations" and during our Readers Workshop.

Readers Workshop was first. We are practicing how to find answers to questions in books. It is called the QAR method. That stands for Question-Answer-Response. It is a very effective way to find answers to questions and identify what kind of questions they are. This will be very helpful as students move on to the older grades and have to analyze questions and how to find the answers. So important!!

Math Investigations was next. We are progressing to counting in different ways to 100, working on fractions, identifying patterns, sorting objects and many other games used for learning number sense and developing math language. Our class loves all these learning activities and the math talk that is happening is amazing!!

Guided Reading--A Big Piece of the Puzzle

Diagnostic testing has been completed and we are now meeting everyday in small groups for Reader's Workshop. We begin each Workshop with a meeting and a mini-lesson. This lesson depends on what we see and hear each day in reading groups. We also work on story elements such as main idea, characters, setting, problem/solution, author's purpose, connections to the text and strategies for when we get stuck in reading.

Children are leveled into groups of 4 or 5. Before we read, a book is introduced and discussed to build interest and a reason for reading. The next step is for children to read softly as I listen to each one independently. Teaching points are recognized as the children read and lessons are formed from these sessions.
After reading children are discussing the story, answering questions, discussing the setting, characters and making connections through the story and their life experiences. This gives opportunities to take anecdotal notes on each students strategies used and ideas for future lessons.
Reading is a celebration in our room everyday.......from Book Box challenges to Guided Reading leveled books at students instructional level. Exciting things are happening on this journey!

Using What We Learn!

Each day after Writer's Workshop students transition into Literacy Stations. These literacy stations include Shuffles and Big Books, Shuffles and Draw, Post office, Computers, Shuffles and favorite books. This is one of the most important times in our room. Students use what they have learned in their stations to produce books and pictures with words, and gifts for friends. After stations are over, students are allowed time to share where they were and what they created. This is one of the most favorite things your children do all day! Ask them about Listening Centers!

Shuffles for Success

Technology is everywhere in our room! Look closely clipped to the shirt!

During literacy centers, students are listening to Big Books sing-a-longs downloaded onto Ipod Shuffles. They are also listening to great stories in the Books and Shuffle center! The students have learned how to operate the shuffles and they love it. Another listening center is "Listen and Draw" where students are drawing and listening to seasonal music and childrens songs learning sounds, colors, days of the week, and so much more.

The materials bought to download on these Shuffles provided by the CFB technology department, was bought with grant money presented to me last April from the Educational Foundation of Carrollton Farmers Branch School District. This grant has enabled me to bring my classroom into the 21st century and created a "cutting edge" academic enhancement for my students.

What a wonderful program to bring materials to the classroom that would not be possible otherwise!

Math Investigations

As we travel through this new math program called "Investigations", students work with partners to discuss solutions and strategies used to solve problems. Students use Math Journals to record their thinking and then share with a partner. Unit 1 of this program was all about combining different numbers and finding different ways to compare. Our math workshop uses all kinds of games to help students have a deeper understanding of the math that is being practiced.

This conversation during Math Workshop helps the children discuss with "math talk" how they solved and what they are thinking as they solve activities during the game.

When we played a game called "Double Compare" the students draw two cards and decide who has the larger sum. The one who does says "Me"! They found that sometimes they could tell just by looking at the pictures who has more, but sometimes they had to count to know for sure! The students love this kind of learning! More to come...

Writer's Workshop through Technology!

One of the most important steps in Writer's Workshop is that of sharing with the class. Students share their stories from time to time by way of the Document Camera in our classroom. It is a time for the teacher to see if the mini-lesson taught is understood and gives those that didn't understand another look at the concept!

After the sharing, classmates give meaningful comments: "I like how you used punctuation", "You really stayed on topic". These comments validate the writing and encourages other writers to improve their own pieces.

The technology is a great tool for our First Grade Classroom.

Reader's Workshop and "Stars"

Baskets of books are everywhere in our classroom. We will be testing reading levels next week, but we already know the books that are "just right" for us. We are busy working towards Guided Reading groups which will be formed by the end of this week. The children love their reading time. We are exploring characters,how they feel and what they are doing. The settings, where the story is happening, what the season is, what time of day it might be. After reading we have time for discussions about wonderings, what they noticed about the stories. We began our "Star Vocabulary" introduced with the story Goldilocks and The Three Bears. The words we used and learned about were "tempted, gruff and enraged". I heard many use this word and they received a "Star" certificate everytime I noticed they used the new word. What a great way to increase vocabulary! Such a fun way. Next week The Gingerbread Man will bring us some new "Star" words. I can't wait to find out what they are!!

PS Ipod Shuffles are coming to our room soon!!!

"Sharing" Writer's Workshop

One of the most important aspects of Writer's Workshop is the "sharing". The stories are flowing in Room 12 and we love to share. In our classroom we have a technology cart that includes a document camera where the children can place their writing to be shared with all. It gives the teacher a chance to check for understanding of the mini lesson that was taught and allows the students to see how their friends are writing and encourages improvements. Students give compliments to the writer and noticings of not only the story elements, but the conventions of the story. A great way for students to share and use the cutting edge techology that we are so fortunate to have in our classroom. Pictures to come!

Storm Watching

Your children and I had a great first week. We were very busy learning and practicing rules and routines. We've started our Journals, which by the way, are going to be such a joy for you to read after our 180 day adventure is done! I can already see that I have many good readers and writers.
We also started our new Math program Investigations and what fun it is! The pictures you see on "Rock You" are mostly taken during Math. Next week we will explore counting to 20 in many different ways including some games that always make learning a little more fun.
Next week we will begin our "Star Vocabulary" Unit. This is a unit created by a group of teachers in Jacksonville, Fl. It is designed to increase the vocabulary of our young readers using words that are in our all time favorite books. Don't be surprised if you hear a new word or two! If you do, ask your child what that word means and then praise the of course for being a STAR word user!
We will also begin to bring home Reading Homework every night, Spelling twice or three times a week and Math twice a week. Reinforcement at home is very important so please go over your child's homework each night to reinforce what we are doing at school. Send all homework back in the "Blue" folder and don't forget to sign your child's planner.
That pesky storm, Gustav may be bringing some rain our way by Wednesday...so your children and I will be doing a little storm watching. That makes for some really good stories!!

First Day of our Adventure

Today was the first day of the next 180 days of our lives. As the students entered Room 12 today, there was much excitement when friends saw each other after a long, hot summer. After announcements we were quick to start our day by working on the cover to our Journal. We all met on the rug for a back to school story and began the investigation of our new room and some new skills. I was very surprised to notice that I have a class of very good listeners. After a "walk around" our room, we worked on First Grade work. The children seemed very excited about these new procedures and activities that they will call First Grade!

After recess and lunch we talked about Readers Workshop and spent some time reading silently. We made a First Day in First Grade book and shared the book as we gathered on our ABC rug. Math was next. We have a new Math program this year called "Investigations". It will be a very hands-on experience for my students and a way to foster a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. I think the children will just love it. We will be keeping a weather chart for the whole year! More on this program as we move through the Units of study.

The end of the day was spent reading "David Gets In Trouble" and we talked about rules we should have for our classroom. It was very clear that my new students understand how learning happens in a classroom and how rules are important! Really great ideas!

Before you knew it, our day was over and we packed up new "Homework Folders" and B.E.A.R (Bring Everything Always Ready) Binders in new backpacks! Our first day of First Grade is just a memory....and a great one at that!

Hop On In!

The names are on the desks, the supplies are out and the cubbies are ready for some brand new backpacks. Get ready for a great year in Room 12. You can view this blog weekly for news about our classroom, view some pictures, find out what books we are reading and what projects we are working on. An update will be posted on the first day of school! This is my first year to include a blog in our experience! I'm very interested in trying new things and technology has become a new passion of mine. Please check our website often to look for updates and check this blog weekly for news of our adventures this year in "Froggy Pond"!