QR "Pine" Codes

We are loving QR codes!  The kids really enjoyed the QR hunt around the school last week.  And, in centers this week, we used QR codes to learn about different kinds of evergreens.  Gainans donated several different evergreen branches.

Then, I recorded some information about each branch in a podcast.  The podcasts were linked to a QR code.  So, the children chose a branch and wrote their observations in their science journal.  Next, the kids found the branch's corresponding QR code and listened to some information about that type of evergreen.

 Last, the students recorded something they learned about that particular evergreen branch into their science journals.  The children worked very hard at this center.  I was so impressed with their observations, their ease with technology, and their learning about different types of evergreens.

Gingerbread Glyph

Our latest glyph is a gingerbread kid!  Here is the glyph explanation that the kids had to follow. Click play to hear three students telling you about their gingerbread glyph.  Enjoy!

Gingerkid 1 by niemeyerc

Gingerkid 2 by niemeyerc

 

Gingerkid 3 by niemeyerc

Santa Schema

In reading we have been discussing schema.  Schema is a person's background knowledge on a topic.  Good readers use their schema to help them understand what they are reading.  Recently, we wrote our schema about Santa.  Then, when we read the book How Santa Got His Job, our background knowledge helped us better understand the text.  The kids also drew Santa.  Their Santa schema and art are hanging in the hallway. 

Word BINGO!

I learned of a wonderful website.  ABCya is filled with interactive math and reading games.  The organization also has apps available.  One of the class's favorites is Word Bingo.  We did a Word Bingo relay on the mimio (interactive whiteboard).  The children were having such a blast that I don't think they even realized how much reading skill building they were actually doing!  Please check out the site, you won't be sorry.

"Picnik Show"

Create a free slideshow with Picnik!

Writers Workshop

The Cooperative Combo is full of talented authors.  During Writers Workshop, the children have time to explore different topics and genres in writing.  The children take their writing through the writing process: prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing.  Each child has a writer's notebook to keep his/her ideas and thoughts.  In addition to the notebooks, each child has a writing folder.  In the folders, students keep their actual stories.  The folders are getting very full!  One of the best parts of Writers  Workshop is at the end.  The workshop concludes with a sharing time.  The students love to read their writing to the class.

Missing Addends

We have been doing algebra! The kids are amazing! One concept we have been practicing is missing addends. For example, 2+?=5. Here is a short video clip of a game we played to help practice this concept. This is a game you can play at home. All you need is three players and a deck of cards. One player is the Sergeant. The two other players choose a card and put the card on their head without looking at their card. The Sergeant tells the sum of the two cards. The players have to figure out the card on their head using the sum and the addend they can see on their partner's head. The first player that figures out their number gets the point.

Tech Time

1st Grade List
1. Chicken Stack
2. Picture Match
3. Gingerbread Man
4. Christmas Lights
5. ABCya choice
2nd grade
1. Word Sort
2. Word Builder
3. Math Lines
4. Christmas Lights
5. ABCya Choice