Graphing

 

 

This past week we worked on graphing.  One of the great things that we tried was telling their favorite ice cream.  The students tested the ice cream and then used discussed what it would look like in a graph.  Later this week we then put the students into groups and each group had pictures and put it into a pictograph.  This really helped each student to learn to work together and helped give students an idea of what was expected of each one.  Team work was real big! 

Nonfiction Conventions

Just last week we worked on Nonfiction Conventions.  The students love looking through all the books and picking them out and sharing them with each other.  I wanted a way for the students to continue to be excited for nonfiction books so I let them use two different technology pieces to work with during our daily five time.  One was little bird tales, which you can go to and see one of the books they created:
nonfiction conventions
The second one was a voice thread.  This piece was a lot harder for them to work with and they had even said that they didn't like as much too.  Therefore I probably won't be using it as much.  Here is the link though so you can see how it turned out. 
voice thread
Please let us know which one you liked the best!

How to blow a bubble!

We have had a great beginning to our week!  We have begun to work with graphs and finishing up our how to writing.  So to combine the two we did an activity that worked on how to blow a bubble and they had to write about it.  Here is a prezi that shows how it went!
How to blow a bubble prezi

Teaching writing with technology!

I am taking a class for my masters and this semester I am taking teaching writing with technology!  I am beginning to learn so much it is beginning to be hard to soak it all in but I am!  Many of the things I will probably be posting will be ones that I will show the students in my class.  The kids love it when I use them with the technology.  This one that I am posting uses just pictures but I am sure they will love it just as much!
http://jenglish82.edu.glogster.com/daily-five
Hope you enjoy it as much as they do!

Princess Buttercup

Copy of Princess Buttercup

Here is a video I created to show the kids after Princess Buttercup arrived in our classroom.  She had to visit the vet  and it was so cold I didn't get her into the classroom so they were really upset she wasn't there.  So I decided to show them this video to let them know that she was doing okay!  I was surprised at how excited they became with just a couple of photos of her to reassure she is doing great!  Hope you enjoy as well!

Princess Buttercup

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With the winter break coming to an end, kids were excited to come back to class and see their friends.  What the kindergarten class of Mrs. English’s did not know was that upon their return they were going to be greeted by their newest friend Princess Buttercup.  Over the break Princess Buttercup who is a Russian tortoise was purchased with the help of a grant provided by Pets In The Classroom.  An organization that gives funding for classroom pets to help further the education of children.  With the addition of Princess Buttercup the kids will be given several unique opportunities.  The kids in Mrs. English’s class will have an opportunity to take Princess Buttercup (a plastic turtle not the real one) home with them and then write about their adventures and then compile a book of the many adventures that Princess Buttercup has had.  This will help the class develop their reading and writing skills.  They will also engage with her in several science and life lessons such as how to properly take care of pets, discuss different habitats and feeding habits of other creatures, and why different animals are important and need to be treated with respect.  Everyone at Pickett is excited about the newest addition to our community and we look forward to the many adventures that we will have together. 

Excited for 2012-2013 School Year!

Well, it's that time of year once again!  In my classroom I've gotten it started and wanted to share a little bit of it.  I may change it again once I get students in my room.  Things don't always go as planned once they come in and move around. I was shocked at how easy it seemed to be arranging it when I had a thought in my mind.  I didn't go into my room as I have in the years past because I've been busy the last couple of weeks in a Prairie Lands Writing Institute.  What an awesome experience!  I learned so many new things I feel as though at times thinking about it my mind might explode.  I gave an inquiry presentation for an hour and half on writing in my kindergarten class.  I feel like it will be a great tool to be able to use in my class.  I hope that it works the way I plan it too.  It really has given me a chance to really look at my education and gave me a head start on to my masters.  Starting the year has brought many things and looking at this year I can't wait!

This is the word work, word wall, and writing area.

This is the science and math area, along with one of the tables.

This is my area, along with a magnet blue closet that kids can use for magnet letters.

This is the meeting area.

This is the library area.

This is the classroom library.

This is the guided reading table and spot.

This is the kitchen area.  My daughters were using the table to do art things, while the art table was being used.

This is the block area with a table.

This is another view of that area.

The art area.

 

I will have to post a picture looking at it all after everything is all put together!  :)