First we went to a Respect Assembly.
"After the Respect Assembly, everyone got right back to work. I couldn't believe it!
Next we read a Friends book.
After Friends book we did Writer's Workshop.
We went to lunch.
We had P.E. We played different tag games.
We had a special activity.
We went to recess.
We had a fire drill. Mrs. T said we were the best class she had ever seen.
Finally we had a great day.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
"Just make a mark and see where it takes you."
Half days are hard. The momentum is built, we get to work . . . the bell rings.
"Wait I'm not finished!"
"Where's my jacket?"
"We didn't do the blog!"
Today we read The Dot, by Peter Reynolds. Everyone got a "never-before-used set of water colors and set to work."
Photos will be posted this weekend. This class has imagination, voice, a strong eye for color. They are creative at heart, and boy was it fun.
"Wait I'm not finished!"
"Where's my jacket?"
"We didn't do the blog!"
Today we read The Dot, by Peter Reynolds. Everyone got a "never-before-used set of water colors and set to work."
Photos will be posted this weekend. This class has imagination, voice, a strong eye for color. They are creative at heart, and boy was it fun.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
How Fast The Summer Ends
We had a Morning Meeting.
We Read to Self for 10 minutes.
We learned about Read to Someone.
We draw about Harold and the Purple Crayon, by Crockett Johnson.
We went to Lunch.
We wrote what our names felt like during Writer's Workshop.
We went to Coach and she taught us Wall Ball.
It started raining and we sang songs.
Today's snack was pears and plums.
How fast the summer ends is a line from one of the songs we were singing today. As we were trying to find a title for today's entry someone was singing it softly and it just seemed perfect.
We Read to Self for 10 minutes.
We learned about Read to Someone.
We draw about Harold and the Purple Crayon, by Crockett Johnson.
We went to Lunch.
We wrote what our names felt like during Writer's Workshop.
We went to Coach and she taught us Wall Ball.
It started raining and we sang songs.
Today's snack was pears and plums.
How fast the summer ends is a line from one of the songs we were singing today. As we were trying to find a title for today's entry someone was singing it softly and it just seemed perfect.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Week 4 Begins
We had morning meeting.
We had a special activity. Mrs. E came to learn names, play games, and read Shel Silverstein poems. The teacher got to read with students!
We did shapes.
We had Ms. Natalie.
We did math.
We did our jobs.
We had Watermelon for snack today.
We of course, go to recess.
We did calculators.
We did choice time.
We did cubes.
We ate lunch.
Some of us helped other people.
That's what our day was.
Thanks for reading,
Students of Room 9
A note from me:
One purpose of this blog is to give students a time to put their learning into words and reflect on their day. Today was our first whole class blog post. I wrote down exactly what students said (well, I did add one or two things). As we develop our understanding of school expectations and every day's learning we will see more sophisticated reflections and writing. "Some of us helped other people." was a particularly astute observation. It is thrilling to see how we are coming together as a classroom community.
We had a special activity. Mrs. E came to learn names, play games, and read Shel Silverstein poems. The teacher got to read with students!
We did shapes.
We had Ms. Natalie.
We did math.
We did our jobs.
We had Watermelon for snack today.
We of course, go to recess.
We did calculators.
We did choice time.
We did cubes.
We ate lunch.
Some of us helped other people.
That's what our day was.
Thanks for reading,
Students of Room 9
A note from me:
One purpose of this blog is to give students a time to put their learning into words and reflect on their day. Today was our first whole class blog post. I wrote down exactly what students said (well, I did add one or two things). As we develop our understanding of school expectations and every day's learning we will see more sophisticated reflections and writing. "Some of us helped other people." was a particularly astute observation. It is thrilling to see how we are coming together as a classroom community.
Friday, September 23, 2011
Person of the Week!
This week we had our first "Person of the Week". It was me...
On Monday I modeled what our posters could look like. Add photos if you like, color it in, draw all over. Do your best.
On Tuesday I shared my favorite book. It's called Gregor The Overlander by Suzanne Collins. This copy is signed by the author, it is worn from multiple readings, and it is a treasured piece of my library. Bring in something you hold dear but not too valuable or delicate we don't want any lost or broken treasures.
On Wednesday I received complements and a certificate in my honor. I'm excited to see what our first student of the week shares next week!
On Monday I modeled what our posters could look like. Add photos if you like, color it in, draw all over. Do your best.
On Tuesday I shared my favorite book. It's called Gregor The Overlander by Suzanne Collins. This copy is signed by the author, it is worn from multiple readings, and it is a treasured piece of my library. Bring in something you hold dear but not too valuable or delicate we don't want any lost or broken treasures.
On Wednesday I received complements and a certificate in my honor. I'm excited to see what our first student of the week shares next week!
Sunday, September 18, 2011
A Week In Review
This week we continued to get to know each other. Here is a scavenger hunt. There was much collaboration, and plenty of comparing answers.
We did some draw and writes to accompany a reading of Eric Carle's A Very Hungry Caterpillar
We started a Cooperation Coloring Project. I'll post the final puzzle when it's finished.
Exploring the math manipulaitves is always fun.
We read I Drew A Yellow Unicorn, a poem by Jack Prelutsky. This is a class of imaginative artists. They drew fantastic images and then wrote their own poems.
Our daily reflections, when we remember, are starting to show more specifics on the day's activities.
It was a great week. Looking forward to getting our routines down, writer's workshop up and running, and building more connections during Number Corner. What was your favorite part of the week?
Finally two pictures I couldn't help but publish.
Look at this creative take on building a structure...
...and this fabulous drawing! GO BEAVS!
We did some draw and writes to accompany a reading of Eric Carle's A Very Hungry Caterpillar
We started a Cooperation Coloring Project. I'll post the final puzzle when it's finished.
Exploring the math manipulaitves is always fun.
We read I Drew A Yellow Unicorn, a poem by Jack Prelutsky. This is a class of imaginative artists. They drew fantastic images and then wrote their own poems.
Our daily reflections, when we remember, are starting to show more specifics on the day's activities.
It was a great week. Looking forward to getting our routines down, writer's workshop up and running, and building more connections during Number Corner. What was your favorite part of the week?
Finally two pictures I couldn't help but publish.
Look at this creative take on building a structure...
...and this fabulous drawing! GO BEAVS!
Reading
Reading is one of my favorite things to teach. I try to make sure students get as much exposure to quality literature as possible.
In the beginning of the year students are eager to get their hands on the hundreds, if not thousands of books in our library. Week 2 started off with much exploration in the Library, and reading with friends.
Then we got our book boxes and started building our reading stamina with Read to Self the first phase of our reading structure called The Daily 5.
It is a fabulous structure created by 2 sisters, Gail Boushey and Joan Moser. For more information about The Daily 5 and the 2 Sisters click the links above.
Before starting we brainstormed what Read To Self would look like, and sound like in Room 9. The class decided Read to Self expectations are:
Get Started Right Away
Read The Whole Time
Stay In One Spot
Read At A Level 0 Voice.
We were able to read following these behaviors for 5 minutes! It might not sound like much now but keep checking back to track how our reading stamina grows.
Here's a look at everything we read this week. We also started Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar. Ask about it. We only read the first chapter but oh it's a good one!
In the beginning of the year students are eager to get their hands on the hundreds, if not thousands of books in our library. Week 2 started off with much exploration in the Library, and reading with friends.
Then we got our book boxes and started building our reading stamina with Read to Self the first phase of our reading structure called The Daily 5.
It is a fabulous structure created by 2 sisters, Gail Boushey and Joan Moser. For more information about The Daily 5 and the 2 Sisters click the links above.
Before starting we brainstormed what Read To Self would look like, and sound like in Room 9. The class decided Read to Self expectations are:
Get Started Right Away
Read The Whole Time
Stay In One Spot
Read At A Level 0 Voice.
We were able to read following these behaviors for 5 minutes! It might not sound like much now but keep checking back to track how our reading stamina grows.
Here's a look at everything we read this week. We also started Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar. Ask about it. We only read the first chapter but oh it's a good one!
Room 9 Publishing
Finally got a photo of our first published work based on The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.
The class had plenty of connections to how the main character felt on his first day of school.
The class had plenty of connections to how the main character felt on his first day of school.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Wow we made it!
What a week. As Friday came to a close, and I sprayed sticky popsicle covered hands in the sweltering September heat I felt a calm sense of satisfaction about our first week together, but also one of mild panic as I thought of everything we have to accomplish this year. Here are some highlights of the week.
Once the dust settled we discovered our final count; 27 students, many different languages, and a lot of different learning styles. We practiced procedures, like walking in the hall.
We added some color to the classroom...
...talked about respect and what it looks like at school...
...read many books. We even published one too but I forgot to take a picture of it.
We explored math materials and worked together.
This is a Rhinocerous.
We always do lots of math week one. Here is our "Getting to School" graph, the observations we made, and the vocabulary we discussed: more, most, greatest, least, less.
Finally we started the very important process of reflecting on the day. Right now it's rather simple but it will become more complex as the year goes on, and serve as one of the foundations of this blog.
Everyone was very excited so see photos of the classroom on the internet when I introduced the blog this week. They are quite enthusiastic about sharing their learning with their families through this medium. Cheers to an exhausting but fulfilling, and fun first week.
Once the dust settled we discovered our final count; 27 students, many different languages, and a lot of different learning styles. We practiced procedures, like walking in the hall.
We added some color to the classroom...
...talked about respect and what it looks like at school...
...read many books. We even published one too but I forgot to take a picture of it.
We explored math materials and worked together.
This is a Rhinocerous.
We always do lots of math week one. Here is our "Getting to School" graph, the observations we made, and the vocabulary we discussed: more, most, greatest, least, less.
Finally we started the very important process of reflecting on the day. Right now it's rather simple but it will become more complex as the year goes on, and serve as one of the foundations of this blog.
Everyone was very excited so see photos of the classroom on the internet when I introduced the blog this week. They are quite enthusiastic about sharing their learning with their families through this medium. Cheers to an exhausting but fulfilling, and fun first week.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Here we go...
Here it is friends, the final product. I am so thrilled by the layout of the room this year. We have a lot of space for getting comfy to read, spreading out to work on projects, and maximum movability so everyone can maintain personal space. Sorry for the blurry photos, I am still getting used to my phone.
Our journey together begins now...
Number Corner
Cafe Menu and reading/meeting area. Ahhh reading. I have so many read alouds planned for the first week.
Look at my clean and neat desk. That wont last long for sure.
Morning message for day 1.
We have 3 class computers this year.
Look at all your seats.
Cozy fiction library...
and very well organized.
Non-Fiction Library
Writing process wall
Reading Buddies!
Finally, my teacher center. This is where all the magic is kept.
See you all soon.
Our journey together begins now...
Number Corner
Cafe Menu and reading/meeting area. Ahhh reading. I have so many read alouds planned for the first week.
Look at my clean and neat desk. That wont last long for sure.
Morning message for day 1.
We have 3 class computers this year.
Look at all your seats.
Cozy fiction library...
and very well organized.
Non-Fiction Library
Writing process wall
Reading Buddies!
Finally, my teacher center. This is where all the magic is kept.
See you all soon.
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