Columbus Day - Text Features

Today we learned about two new non-fiction text features during reading. They were diagrams and labels. We then used this new information to fill in two Columbus Day diagrams with labels. We also added posters for each to our non-fiction wall.

Fire Safety

Today we were lucky enough to have the Lawrence Fire Department come to Hemlock Creek to talk to the 1st graders about fire safety. We also read books, watched a Brain Pop video, and did some other fire safety activities. One of the other activities was using an app called Hello Crayon! to create a drawing of something the kids learned about fire safely. You can view most of them below (we had some email issues). Please discuss your home plan for fire safety this weekend!

iPad Manipulatives- Tiggly and Osmo

In our classroom we are fortunate to have access to many different types of technology. This year we will be using them in many different ways. One way that we will be using the iPads is for word work and math practice. To assist in those activities we will be using some iPad manipulatives (interactive toys) from the companies Tiggly and Osmo. Through a connection at the Tiggly company, our classroom has received 2 sets of math cubes, 2 sets of shapes, and 1 set of vowels free of charge. These interactive toys can be used with the many apps from Tiggly. The kids have really been enjoying them. The number cubes have correlated well with our number partner studies. As the year goes on we will be giving feedback to the Tiggly company to help aid them in the future. We also have some set of Osmo manipulatives. The starter kit we purchased includes a set of tan-grams and letter tiles. I am also considering purchasing the Numbers set pending trial in another classroom. There are also a variety of apps that work with this manipulatives. For more information please click the links before. :)

https://www.tiggly.com/
https://www.playosmo.com/en/

Tiggly Number Cubes

Osmo Letter Tiles

Tiggly Vowels

The Little House - Setting

This week in reading we have been focusing on using illustrations to determine the setting of a story with detail. Monday-Wednesday we read books without words. The kiddos worked to become setting gurus. Today we switched to a book with words, but I did not show the kids the pictures as I read. They had to use all they learned earlier in the week to visualize and illustrate the setting the of story The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton. They did great! I choose this book because it has lots of details about the setting in the text, the setting changes throughout the book and because it has always been a favorite of mine. Please discuss the setting of stories you read together at home. :)

What is Fundations?

Each day in class we work on phonics instruction for approximately 30 min. For phonics instruction we use a program called Fundations (now K-2). You have probably already noticed the packets that have come home at the beginning of each unit. These packets let you know what we will be learning and are for use at home as you wish. They are not required. They do however, have great tips and can really help with your child's reading and writing. Below is a video and picture of the new tap to spell and tap to read strategies that we are working on. I also included a video from last year showing our warm up activities. Please let me know if you have questions at any time. :)

Drill Sound/Warm Up - Spring 2015

Fuel Up to Play 60 Friday

On Friday Morning we had a Fuel Up to Play 60 activity time. There were three stations that the kids rotated through. The first was healthy food taste testing. The second was dance party in the gym and the third was exercise stations. Below are some pictures from the morning. :)

Go Noodle Brain Breaks

Some days when we have some extra time or we need a break we do a GoNoodle brain break. They are loads of fun and good exercise! You can do them at home as well just sign up for a free account.  

Koo Koo Kangaroo - Roller Coaster 

Water Cycle Song

The kiddos have been loving this song so I thought I would share it for home too! :)

Water Cycle Lesson - Evaporation

Today we started our lessons about the water cycle. The first part of the water cycle we are studying is evaporation. To help the kids see and understand we did two experiments. First, I plugged in a humidifier. We then observed the water changing to water vapor and disappearing into the air. The kids thought this was very cool. I explained that when you heat water it speeds up evaporation and makes it visible for a short time. Next, we  painted pictures with just water. Depending on how much water was used some kids already saw the water start to evaporate. When the kids come in tomorrow we will observe our paintings to see if there is any water left or if it all evaporated. At home please encourage your child to use the word evaporation whenever possible. :) 

The Scholastic Book Box is HERE!

Yesterday afternoon our 1st Scholastic book box was delivered. Thank you so much to all who ordered. I want to share with you the books that our class received (because of your orders), how they will be used in our classroom, and why I chose the books I did.

The Books:

How They Will be Used:

The books that were ordered will have two different purposes. One is to put them into the classroom library. The second is to use then for instruction. The two dog and cat books below for example, will be used to teach fiction and non-fiction. The crayon book will be used during writer's workshop. 

 Why These Books:

When looking at a book order I try to select books that are high interest for the kids. For the classroom library I look for books that will appeal to all students. The most popular right now are Fly Guy, Splat the Cat, Lego, Star Wars, and puppy books. For instruction I look for books that will match up with our curriculum. For example I will use the ocean book during our habitat lessons.