Tuesday, November 20, 2012

November Mystery Reader

We are so thankful for Mrs. Smith, Clay's mother, for volunteering to be our November Mystery Reader. The kiddos had a blast guessing the reader, listening to stories, and making an edible craft.  We love you Mrs. Smith!


Mrs. Smith read this holiday favorite. I have so many versions of this story and I love them all!















Thank You Veterans!


Last Monday, we learned about all the different branches of armed forces.  My kiddos were amazed at the different ways men and women serve our country.  When I asked them to use one word to describe our soldiers, BRAVE was the one word that came to their little minds.  THEY GOT IT RIGHT!

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Watch Party

First graders had a watch party after their morning election.  Oh boy, the anticipation of who won was huge in my class.








Election 2012

Look at these PROUD registered voters!

They are definitely learning patience at the polls.




We even had "Sassy" voters, lol.





A BIG thanks to Ms. Robinson and Ms. Woods for volunteering at the polls.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Daily Five Update

My kiddos are now adding posts to our CAFE board.  CAFE stands for comprehension, accuracy, fluency, and expanding vocabulary.  I introduce and model strategies for each of the four areas daily and encourage students to use them independently.  As students begin to monitor their own reading behaviors, they post the specific strategy that helped them from the menu.  This is the best bullentin board ever!!!  It truly fosters life long readers and deep thinkers.



Listening Station

Writing Station
  
Word Work Station

Read to Self

We Love Stick Pretzels

Students were studying the voting process this week and learning about the two 2012 presidential candidates.  We are getting ready for election day and our students WILL be at the polls.  Today was a simple taste test to better understand the process but Tuesday they will make a critical decision.  The question they are still demanding an answer to....What are the candidates favorite colors?  Man, oh, man this is deep stuff!





STICKY SCIENCE

Students are closely observing drops of shampoo, corn syrup, glue, and water to determine the properties of these liquids.





These kiddos are finishing up a Power Point about solids and liquids to share with the class as we wrap up our mini unit of study.  Yes, first graders can create Power Points better than I can.  These days students are born with technology in their fingers. We will create Oobleck next week and complete a prompt as our unit assessment.  Stay tuned!



BOO!

These kiddos aren't afraid of catching ghost.  Students play  "Catching Ghost", a number game that reinforces their understanding of even and odd numbers.