BIC

It's happening ladies and gentlemen, Breakfast in the Classroom is here.  Well we might as well learn from it.  Here is a recent project:

Place setting place mats for BIC

 This is where the plate, spoon, napkin and drinks go.

 Rulers are very helpful when planning

They go out everyday for breakfast.

Work work work

This new panorama photo option is so cool.  You may not be able to tell but this is Writer's Workshop.  There is a lot of work happening here.  Everyone is moving with purpose.  The stories during share time were fantastic. 

Weather Reports from Room 9

I think we might finally have video play figured out.  Here are some of the weather reports we have done so far...and an extra from an eager student who wanted to make a report at home!

Apologies on orders and spacing.  I'm still figuring this out.  P.S. the blog has been down due to a new phone and new cords that don't fit yet.  The problem is being remedied and we will be back soon.

Lunch Choice and Taking Attendance

There is a lot to do in the morning:

• Get To School On Time 
• Eat Breakfast
• Line Up
• Greet Teacher
• Hang Up Backpacks and Jackets
• Eat Fluoride
• Make Daily 5 Rotation Choices
• Make Lunch Choice
• Take Attendance
• Morning Meeting
• Read Daily Schedule
• etc, etc, etc

One of the ways we make the morning easier is our daily lunch graph.  It also serves as a way to see who is at school and who is missing.  Everyone gets their own

Word work revisited

Spelling lists and magnets

Writing words

Putting words in motion.  In this case, jumping jacks and saying the words

Saying the words with an opera voice.

Homework

Thank you to those of you who turned in homework.  It was confusing with having two 4-day weeks in a row.  We are getting some very high quality work coming in.  It is clear that you all are working together.  Remember, we are learning responsibility.  I know homework is important to all of you. Sometimes a student might forget to turn it in, or you have a very busy week.  That's ok!  Get the homework in when you can.  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Metacognition: Thinking about thinking

Here we are working on thinking about what we are reading.  Genius!

Read to Someone

Now that we are experts at choosing a partner it's time to learn READ TO SOMEONE, a Room 9 favorite.  

Look at that focus!

Reading with a friend is a great way to build fluency, accuracy, and talk about books.

These two read the whole time!

These guys were so excited to a) be partners, b) read about volcanoes, c) share books.

Listening, speaking, and choosing a partner

We have been practicing three things:

1. How to share information
2. How to be a good listener
3. How to choose a partner

What better way than to do them all together! 

Here is how we choose a partner:
First we choose a partner by making eye contact with someone we think would be a good person to work with or someone we don't know very well.
Second we stand up and put our hands together. 
Next we ask, "Will you be my partner?".  The only answer is, "Yes",  even if it's not someone we like.
Finally we sit EEKK style (elbow to elbow, knee to knee) to show teacher we are ready.

We have been using question cards to share information.  The first person gets to talk for 30 seconds with no interruptions.  If they run out of things to say the second person waits to give them think time without saying a word.  It's a hard skill to work on.  Then the second person shares the information they just learned with the group.  Then we do it again with the second person.

Listening is hard.  Listening and not interrupting is even harder!  We are working hard on this skill, and becoming but better active listeners and thoughtful speakers.  It's really fun!

Writing about our reading

Have you ever seen a more focused group?
In reading group have been talking about identifying characters, setting and what a story is about.  Then we get a few moments to write down our thinking.  I asked this group about their Magic Tree House books but during our discussion they seemed antsy.  I asked what was going on.  One brave soul said, "Can we just write about what's happening in our stories.  I've read so much, I want to get my work done."  Consider my mind blown.  I left them to their work.  I guess we will have a discussion next time we meet.

Jasper Johns and the American Flag

We finished our flag project inspired by Jasper Johns' Flag from 1954-55.  Check out this video for some background on the history of the artist and this piece.

First we had to practice using a ruler to measure and make straight lines.  It's harder than you would think.

 Here is an animated discussion about the difficulties of straight lines.

 Some very focused artists/mathematicians hard at work.

 A little encouragement was all these guys needed from each other.

 All done!

 A little help is always nice to have.

Day two was a bit chaotic.  Pictures to follow.

Teaching

Our dear Mr. G next door is working with some of our mega math minds in class.  These guys came back from math club the other day and said they needed time to teach something they just learned.  Well naturally I was thrilled that someone else wanted to do the teaching.  Here they are explaining lines, segments, and rays to the class.

Citizenship

Here it is ladies and gentlemen, the first 1st & 2nd grade community project.  It looks so great we hope to do more community projects in the future.  Not only did all the kids create amazing work but it gave all us teachers time to work together and share stories about our classrooms as we worked.  I'm a bit forgetful so naturally I missed most of the work talk.  Shoot!  This project, found on Pinterest, is so wonderful!