ABC Countdown, a few notes and Happy Mother's Day!

A few notes:

*ALL library books should be returned Monday 5-12-14

*Last week for Spelling words and homework!  YAY!

ABC Countdown this week:

*5-12 L Lollipop day!

*5-13 M Movie Day

*5-14 N New Name day

*5-15 O Outside Day-we will work outside

*5-16 P Pajama Day!!!

And finally-Happy Mother's Day to you all!  I hope you are enjoying your special weekend!!!

ABC Countdown!!

Tomorrow starts our ABC Countdown!  Can you believe we only have 26 days of school left!  Here are the first few days!


April 25th-A day!  Bring your favorite stuffed Animal to school day!

April 28th-B day!  Bring a book to buddy read with a friend!

April 29th-C day!  CAMO day!  Wear your best camo (or green and brown)

***SUPPLIES***

Dear Parents,
     We are in NEED of supplies in our classroom!  The children have used ALL of the scissors, glue sticks, dry erase markers, erasers and highlighters that were sent in at the beginning of the year.  I can't figure out where they have gone!  If you are out and are willing to replenish some supplies in our classroom, we would GREATLY appreciate it!  Thanks in advance!

VOCABULARY STRATEGY #5

This week we learned another vocabulary strategy with Mrs. Koch.  She worked with me on teaching the students how to use a dictionary to look up what unknown words mean.  We did a mimio lesson on how to use a dictionary (using guide words) and the kids LOVED it!  They are ALL about technology!  We practiced ABC with this skill as well.  The students all had a story to read.  The story was higher level and had several unknown words.  We then broke the students into groups of 3 and gave them a word we had circled from the text.  They had to look it up in the dictionary and write down the definition.  Then when we reread the story, that group was the experts on their word.  It was great and the kids were actually asking to read the dictionary and use guide words at recess..not kidding!  Love when they get excited about learning!  Check us out below!!

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VOCABULARY STRATEGY #4

This week we focused on using our pictures to gain clues as to what unknown words may mean.  We had already learned about context clues in the text-these are context clues in the pictures!  We used a Common Core Exemplar text called Earthworms.  Kids broke up into groups and each group had a page(s) from the book with vocabulary words on it that they do not know.  They had to create a web of clues they got from the picture to help them figure out what the unknown words meant.  I feel Mrs. Koch's lessons are AMAZING and she is helping us build vocabulary strategies for your children that will benefit them for years to come!

Black History Month Research Project!

I am AMAZED at what my students can do!  Our wonderful student teacher, Miss Wolfe, created a unit to celebrate Black History Month.  They studied, MLK Jr., Ruby Bridges, and Rosa Parks.  Students then got to choose one of them to research.  They filled in planners and then created Biography Flowers on that person!  They learned to research on the IPADS and worked with other students who were researching the same person to find the most interesting facts!!!  Best of all...they had FUN!

Jargon Journals! I LOVE them!

     For the last couple weeks we have been using Jargon Journals, also known as vocabulary journals, in our classroom!  The kids have ROCKED them and they are learning SO much about...you guessed it...VOCABULARY!
     I found the Jargon Journal idea here
 http://www.secondstorywindow.net/home/2013/11/acquiring-vocabulary-with-a-weekly-words-progam.html 
This lady is amazing and I love her ideas!  We read a book from her units and focus on the four important words from the book.  Then, this is when your children AMAZE me, we create a vocabulary flap with those words from the book.  The kids come up with a visual representation of the word, a kid friendly definition of the word and they also make a connection to the word.  Making a connection to an important word is HUGE!  It helps students recall and be able to use the words in their everyday life!  These Jargon Journals are amazing!

Are you seeing a pattern...VOCABULARY!  Leave me a comment and tell me what your child knows about the vocabulary we have learned!

Have a great weekend!

VOCABULARY STRATEGY #3

     Mrs. Koch was back in our room this week with another great vocabulary strategy.  This week we worked on root words, prefixes and suffixes.  The kids had to read passages and try to figure out the unknown bold print words.  Not only were they using their knowledge of word parts, but I heard some of them using and discussing context clues!  YES!!! 
     These strategies will be so helpful to the kids as they read harder materials and find words they do not know!  We have been focusing SO hard on vocabulary...ask them about our new journals!  That will be my next post :) 
     I couldn't get my pictures to load, I'll try again on the next post!  Have a great weekend!

Reader's Theater

     A small group of students had a blast this week practicing and performing a Reader's Theater play for the class.  I am so proud of their hard work!  They practiced their lines during Daily 5 and on their OWN at recess!  Wait...they voluntarily gave up their recess to practice...YES THEY DID!
     The title of their play was The Life Cycle of a Snowman!  We tied this into our matter unit.  The students were able to name the 4 parts of the life cycle and tell what makes the snowman turn into a puddle!  So much fun and such a funny play!

     So WHY READER'S THEATER??  Scholastic gave these beneficial reasons for Reader's Theater-

Benefits of Using Readers Theater in the Classroom

Readers Theater helps to….

• develop fluency through repeated exposure to text.
• increase comprehension.
• integrate reading, writing, speaking, listening in an authentic context.
• engage students.
• increase reading motivation.
• create confidence and improve the self-image of students.
• provide a real purpose for reading.
• provide opportunities for cooperative learning.

I was only able to take 2 pictures because my phone died, but I can't tell you how proud I am of this group!  They were so fluent and SO expressive and they were very much into it!  Perhaps the best thing that came out of today-other students were inspired to perform a play to the class!  YAHOO!

VOCABULARY STRATEGY #2

Mrs. Koch came into our room in the middle of our two hour delays and snow days and introduced the kids to another vocabulary strategy-Pulling on what you already know on a topic to figure out unknown words!  We used the topic-matter.  We are just starting to learn about matter so they had to use what they knew to figure out the meanings of unknown words.  Why are we teaching vocabulary strategies?  These strategies will help students better comprehend and understand what they are reading if they help them figure out unknown words.  We will be working on vocabulary alot this month! 

WHERE DID JANUARY GO????

VALENTINE'S DAY PLANS!

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VOCABULARY STRATEGY #1

Yesterday our academic coach, Mrs. Koch, came in and did a lesson for us.  She is working with me on teaching the students important vocabulary strategies they can use when they come to a word they don't know!  The first strategy was using the context clues in the sentences.  The students picked out key words, around the unknown word, that could help them.  Check out our learning!!

BOY can we measure!

We have been learning all about measuring the last couple weeks.  We created a Google Slide Show and practiced taking notes each day on the important points we were learning about measuring!  If I can figure out how to attach it, I will :)  I'm still learning!  I can add pictures though!  Ask your child about standard and non-standard measurement!

We have a STUDENT TEACHER!

I am so excited to tell you that we have a student teacher from Capital University starting Monday in our classroom!  Her name is Rozalyn Wolfe!  She will be sending a note home introducing herself this week!

And we are BACK!

Tomorrow we are FINALLY back to school!

Let's Go Bucks!

GO BUCKS!!!

See you Jan. 6th!

It has been a great break, but I am excited to get back to school to see the kids!  Although, I did hear that we are expecting SNOW!!!

VERY FIRST POST!

Welcome to my very first post on my classroom blog!  I hope to use this to give you daily updates and important information you may need!  Please check back daily!