Friday Fast 5 Catch-Up

It's that time! Here's 5 quick recaps of what we have done in our class recently....I'm even throwing in a picture of me.

That's right.....that IS a packet of ketchup. If you didn't read the title and immediately think of ketchup I bet you will next time. This picture will pop into your mind every time you read catch-up now. You're welcome! Now let's get to work!

Each month we introduce a new author to our class. This author becomes a close friend as the month goes along. We start to see similarities in their writing and illustrating techniques. We also get to become close friends with the characters.

Last month we focused on Bill Martin Jr. This month we are becoming fast friends with Eric Carle and his wonderful colors!

One of my favorite ways to review our math concepts with my kiddos is to break out the flashlights, turn the lights off, and hunt for our problems. We are still using the school math curriculum but printing the questions off and hiding them around the room is a lot more interesting than working from a book.

The kiddos had a blast. They worked well with their partners, managed the flashlights and navigating the room well, and the discussions I heard about the problems warmed my heart. We will definitely be reviewing by flashlight again this year!

Does this really even need explaining? GoNoodle brain breaks are the best kind! My kids already have their favorites: Slo-Motion Machine (Koo Koo Kanga Roo), Milkshake (Koo Koo Kanga Roo), and Don't Read Like a Robot (Blazer Fresh)

Watch us in action!

Comment below you favorite GoNoodle brain break! We'd love to try it out!

 We have started our first science unit and we are investigating Sound. I am loving the way our updated FOSS curriculum is set-up. Each investigation part is driven by a focus question that students then try and solve. This unit on sound has taught us that sound is caused by vibrations. We've also gotten a chance to explore different sound sources.

We finished off this week doing a little listening outside in our learning garden to figure out what sounds we could hear outside. We then discussed what the sources of those sounds could be. Thanks to the Kansas weather for cooperating with us! :)

https://theglobalreadaloud.com/

Last but not least, we began our journey with the Global Read Aloud. This is my first time joining this initiative but I can tell you I am hooked. If you are wanting more information be sure to clock on the header to visit the website. My kids are loving the idea of kids and classes all over the world reading the same books. After we read the specified chapters this week, groups discussed the guided questions. Check out our answers.

Q1. Why doesn't Sophie leave the window when she sees something strange?

Q2. Why doesn't Sophie wake the other children?

Q3. What were Sophie's first impressions of the giant?

Q4. What is one character trait you would give Sophie?

Q4. What is one character trait you would give Sophie?

Be sure to follow along with our journey, as well as readers around the world, as we explore this story. If you're on Twitter, follow the hastags #GRABFG and #BGFslowchat to join in the fun!

As you can see, we've had an awesome start to our year! Be sure to check-in and let us know how your start has been. We love getting comments!

Fast Four: WBT, Hide-N-Seek, and GoNoodle

Hey there all! Man has this been a great week and it's only Tuesday! How often can we say that? Hopefully, very often. At least that has been the case this year. My kiddos are rocking with their use of WBT, our activities, and their responsibilities. Because they have been absolute ROCKSTARS this week, I thought I'd quickly share four of the joys so far. Keep an eye out as this will hopefully be a new section of post this year (Fast Four)!

1. GoNoodle!
"Hey Class!" Hey What? "Are you ready?" For what?.....For some awesome brain breaks, that's what! If you haven't jumped over to GoNoodle you are missing out. We love doing their videos for quick little breaks. With each video our champ gets closer to moving up a level. We only need one more video and we get to head to the transmogrifer! It's always a hooting and hollering good time as our champ grows!

2. Hide-N-Seek
Everyone loves the game. How fun would it be to use this game while learning? That's exactly what we did. For our last math unit over number bonds I created a review activity before our test. I took pictures and material from our series, Math in Focus, and created 16 different question cards. I then hid these around the room while the class waited outside. Pairs were then tasked with 1) finding the cards 2) working together to create the number bond 3)switching roles. The kids had a blast and to make it better.......wait for it.....we did it in the dark and used flashlights!!!! Cue the teamwork and awesomeness!

3. WBT Connection
We have really been working on using our Whole Brain Teaching strategies, tools, and gestures. The students have been rockstars with using the correct responses, following the examples, and trying. That last part is the most important. This isn't just a passing trend. This really is something we are all working on and the students really are trying. For an added bonus I showed a video from the wonderful Mrs. Shipley who has offered me a ton of guidance and support through this journey. The video showed her teaching about sentences with her past kindergartners. Small world....that's exactly what we are learning about now! Students found similarities and differences and then we practiced our gestures!

4. WBT Gestures!
After we reviewed our writing gestures and watched other students using gestures we decided to practice. As an added challenge I gave the presenters the tasks of calling the attention of the class as well as leading them in their example. These are only a few of the amazing examples we had today! Notice they are not only presenting, but also leading their class (who are all mirroring them) and using gestures! Proud teacher moment right here! *insert teary eyes and goofy smile*

They amaze me every day. Here's hoping you are having an amazing week too! 

Bulletin Boards - Borders, Placement, & Content....Oh My!

Hey all! We are getting closer to the beginning of the school year. What does that mean for teachers? That means we are in our classrooms moving stuff around and getting ready for a new group of kiddos. One of the first things I tackled this year were my bulletin boards. I found some great fabric for curtains and tied all my boards into it with colors and grey borders. Thanks to Ashley over at Schroeder Shenanigans in 2nd and Angie at Lucky Little Learners for creating this Link-Up. We are all blogging about our bulletin boards. Be sure to click on the banner below to find the post with all of the other bloggers who are joining in! Is there any better way to get a ton of bulletin board ideas, tips and pictures in one place? I dare you to check it out and find something better ;)

Before I show my bulletin boards let me give you a few tips I've come around to learning (some the hard way).
1. Make the content meaningful: Don't put things up just to cover space. Make the material count and be useful to students.

2. Use pushpins and don't staple material down if you plan on taking it off to utilize and demonstrate with students.

3.If you are going to be moving materials often invest in fabric! Paper or plastic table cloths work but will rip eventually. Fabric will last and can be washed and then reused.

4. It's okay to start the year with blank bulletin boards and add to them with your class as the year goes on.

5. If students are going to contribute to the bulletin boards or will use them for reference then make them accessible! Put materials where they can reach and see easily!

6. Don't over do it and clutter the space. Many times, less is more!

Now let's get onto my boards:

This is the first board you see when you walk into my room. This board is the focus of many class meetings. We start with this base and then add strategies as the year progresses. The 5 point scale is one of the first pieces we utilize in reference to our feelings. EMAW will be expanded as the year goes on to include E(everyone participates) M(minute to think) A(all agree on plan) W(work the plan).

Directly next to the Problem Solving Board you'll find this split board. We post our monthly Author Study materials above the book rack. We will include the author's name, pictures, book characters, and interesting facts. The writing materials remain up all year and are referenced almost daily.

At the front of the room we have an entire board dedicated to math! Students help build this wall as the year goes on. As we work on different math activities we post them and expectations on here for reference. The space in the middle is used for posting content vocabulary from our math series (Math in Focus). The math strategies are on pushpins so they can be taken down and referenced when needed. Above the board are school-wide strategy posters that are used in every grade. I connect the primary-looking strategy cards to the school strategy cards as we touch on them.

Lastly, here's my board! This board is behind my desk and is part of my central hub. I've got my curriculum map for the year to help keep me on pace and structured. I've also got some district tech policies I've written up. As the year goes on I'll add our class schedule once I can get it finalized. I'll also add any important docs that I'll need to constantly reference from my administration or colleagues. The upper corner is dedicated to student work. I can't wait to see the creations they gift me :)

So those are the boards in my room this year (and hopefully years to come). The material might change but I plan on keeping the themes the same for a while. Please be sure to click the picture below (or the banner at the beginning) to check out some other amazing blog posts about bulletin boards. Get excited ya'll! It's almost time to start school and things are getting real!

Here's to successful work days as we all get ready for school whether you be a teacher or a parent. There is work to be done and as always #2getherWeAreBetter !

Surprises, trips, and videos!!!

We've had a lot of wonderful things happening in our classroom lately. One of those was what I found while doing a little investigating......

Every student has a release form on file in the office that is part of their enrollment packet from the beginning of the year. It dawned on me that there may be something included for classroom photos and videos. So I told me self, "Self! We need to go check and figure this out." Low and behold there is!!!!! I may have actually did a little jump and dance once our fabulous secretary clarified for me that it does indeed include and cover teacher creations such as this blog! *woot! woot!* Let's all take a moment to celebrate *insert your own dance break!*

Now that that's over I invite you to see what we've been doing in our classroom with some examples that SHOW us doing it!


Miss Isbell my fabulous intern has been using Kahoot to review with our students. The kids are loving it.

The other day all of first grade went to the Milford Fish Hatchery and Nature Center. We got to look at Walleye in their different stages. We also got to check out the catfish and coy in the raceways. We went on a hike and used our senses to help. We did a hands-on program and even a scavenger hunt.

Lastly, this week we have been working on writing our own plays. Groups worked to create their own plays. They then performed them today!

 We have been having a blast. I can't believe the year is almost over. That leaves us so little time to squeezing in more amazing learning, activities, and fun. Don't worry though.....We're up for the challenge!
#ChallengeAccepted