Tuesday 10/29

Today the children added dedication and about the author pages to their stories. We look forward to having an author celebration soon to share published pieces.  Keep an eye out for an invitation in your child's home/school folder soon.... 

We spent some time today talking about our new Readers Workshop.  We are a special group of people in a reading club together--- the super awesome first grade reading club :)

We thought about the steps of reading.  We compared it to playing soccer. 

1- getting your brain ready- warm up

Take a picture walk

Think about what might happen 

2- read the book- go!

Tap out words

Look at the picture

Find chunks 

Ask yourself does this make sense?

Reread the sentence 

3- talk or think about the book- cool down 

Favorite part

Characters 

Retell

We started our first chapter book read-aloud: My Father's Dragon.  Ask your child what they know about Wild Island so far.. What happened to the dragon? 

New Open Circle game today- Don't wake the dragon. Ask your child how to play!

Tomorrow a permission slip and informational packet will be in your child's folder regarding Scratch Jr.  We are so lucky to be piloting this great program. Please send these permission slips (pink star on the last two pages) back by Monday.  There are different aspects of research that Tufts would like to gather- you can allow as much as you feel comfortable.  Our first lesson will be next Tuesday. Let me know if you need further information after reviewing the informational packet. 

Reminder- no school on Friday. 

Monday, Oct. 28

Today we started using Class Dojo! 

It's a way to reward positive behavior and correct negative behavior.

Ask your child if they received a Dojo point today.

Check out the intro video here 

A short vowel Fundations check-in was started today. We'll finish it up tomorrow... So far so good :)  

A few new math games were introduced but just one was practiced today.  Making a prediction of how many cubes could fit on a line and then figuring out how many actually fit.  Sometimes you might change your prediction once you add some cubes.  

We spent some time on the Great Body Shop today- the focus on our bodies- discussing jobs of important organs and ways to keep your body safe.  

Centers and Reader's Workshop are combined this week.  We'll show this change goes! 

We ended our day with a fun read-aloud, There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves.

My Vimeo account finally had space to post a new video.. Might be time to upgrade!? 

Weeks 10-7 10-14
https://vimeo.com/78029458

Readers Workshop

As part of a year-long tech professional development course, I have a weekly online assignment.  This week I learned about Animoto.  Check out my first one here, sorry that it's a bit blurry!

In case you'd prefer to watch directly on Animoto: Readers Workshop

Friday 10/25

A very productive Friday finish-up time!

The children are working on sequencing parts of a story.  At home, they could practice sequencing the steps to get ready for school or doing their chores.

During Math, the students created story problems on Explain Everything.  A classmate then solved the story problem.  

Some of the researchers from Tufts stopped by to meet the kids.. Look for a permission slip in your child's folder this week so they can participate in the Scratch, Jr. pilot!

Two favorite activities from Friday Fun were the new Kinex set and creation station.

Kidblog posts finally up!

Family Flu Clinic

Tomorrow is the Family Flu Clinic for Arlington students and their families. 

 

Date:  Thursday, October 24

Time:  5:00pm to 7pm

Location:  Ottoson Middle School

Wednesday 10/23

A new favorite word game..typing out your spelling words!

During Reader's Workshop today the students had 10 minutes of buddy reading (what do your elbows and knees need to do?) and 10 minutes of just-right independent reading.  Ask your child to tell you their favorite place to read in our room.

Students learned a new math activity- Double Compare.  They also practiced a few other games to strengthen their number sense.

This afternoon the kids worked on an alliteration project.
They also thought about a time they were proactive and reactive.

Tomorrow I'll be at MassCUE, a technology conference, learning more ways to implement technology into our classroom and into my professional practice.  I walked the kids through the schedule and I know they'll have a great day with Ms. Thomas.

See you all on Friday!

Tuesday 10/22

A short but productive day! 

Up to 9 minutes of independent reading time!

Kids continued to work on making their Open Circle book about how we are alike and different. 

Two new math games today- Fix It & On/Off. Ask your child how to play. 

A math activity was sent home today- the activity should be played multiple times over the next 2 weeks. It can be left at home. If your child comes up with a new game, please have them share it with our class.  

Lending library book bag- just to clarify, this bag can be brought back as often as every day. Your child is responsible for switching out their book first thing during the morning routine. 

Online Bookshelf

There is something new under Parent Links.  You can now view what books have been read during Read-Alouds in our Online Bookshelf.

http://www.shelfari.com/o1514683602

Monday 10/21

We started our day with weekend writing. The kids worked really hard to add many details to their writing.

Rhyming words :

Patterns- finishing the pattern and naming the pattern.  Ask your child to make and name a pattern at home. 

Here's the mystery question from the morning. We had a great discussion since not everyone agreed. 

Independent reading time- focus on stamina.  

Check out our twitter page @MrsMelnik1 to see a picture and find out how long we read for today.  The techies will be in charge of a daily tweet! 

Early Release on Tuesday!

A few updates...

I'm honored to have been mentioned in the Arlington Advocate after speaking at School Committee. I'm really excited to spend 2 days at the iPad Summit in November, one of those days leading a workshop about using social media to connect with parents.  I'd love any feedback you have about my blog posts and iMovies.  If you'd like to read the article, please click here: Arlington-teachers-to-speak-at-national-educational-conferences

If you are on Facebook, please like the PTO page to keep up to date on events and information from our wonderful PTO. 

I spent Saturday in NYC with a group of APS teachers at Teachers College at Columbia University. This day long professional development opportunity focused on reading and writing.  With the new teacher evaluation system, each teacher sets a professional goal as well as a student goal.  Both of my goals are on reading.   I look forward to implementing what I learned to help all of my students become more active and engaged readers.    

Reminder: 1:00 dismissal on Tuesday

Friday, October 18th

We started our morning with Friday Finish-Up time. 

Word time focused on digraphs. What words can your child think of that start and end with ch like chin? Sh like ship?

The weather was perfect for morning recess.  

During Math, the students solved some story problem. Ask your child what they used the highlighters for. 

Friday Fun was definitely fun!! 

Creation Station- Continue to send in those recyclables! 

Building and pretending 

Card making 

Our day ended with our fifth grade buddies. The kids worked together on Drawing Pad and Book Creator.  

Have a wonderful weekend!  

Tomorrow I am heading to NYC with other APS teachers for a writing workshop. Looking forward to learning some new things to try this year! 

Thursday 10/17

We had our first whole school assembly!  The theme was getting to know you.  I shared an iMovie that I made of students in all grades sharing what they like about our beautiful new building. When we got back to our classroom, each child made a page on Book Creator (importing an illustration from Drawing Pad and a photo from the camera roll) for a class book on this same topic.  

Our focus in math was on story problems.  We worked on finding the sum and even tried finding a missing addend! 

The kids used Explain Everything to solve a story problem.  I love seeing all of the different strategies to find an answer.

Check out what we found on the playground this morning:

Wednesday 10/16

The kids enjoyed some new word games. I Have, Who Has is a big hit!  

The children continued to work on their pumpkin and leaf stations. 

The kids tried to install RAZ-Kids to their iPads but we had some difficulty. Everyone was so patient while we had two people from the tech department come to help us!! Unfortunately it's still not loaded. It was the perfect opportunity for the kids to see our habit in action- be proactive.  I think I can, don't blame others, try even if its hard, do your best even when no one is watching. Ask your child how they can be proactive at home? School? On the playground? 

I introduced a new app, Socrative, a web based quiz/survey. Its quite tricky but the students are really  excited about it. I look forward to using it this year.

A reading group in action. 

Mrs. Cummings introduced us to a new app, Rainbow Sentences. 

Thanks!

Thank you SO much to everyone that signed up to donate something to our classroom.  The wish list will be updated often.  

I just realized that we need cotton balls for an upcoming cloud activity.  Please sign-up here: wish list if you can contribute.

I also have some home projects that could be worked on over the next few weeks.  Let me know if you have a few extra moments to help out.

Thanks!! :)

Tuesday 10/15

Centers today were based on pumpkins and leaves.  

One station was observation of crabs that I found at the beach this weekend. 

Words games focused on short vowels and digraphs.  

 

We started to talk about clouds... 

We ended our day with cooperative games. Everyone worked hard to remember the rule-play fair! 

Friday 10/11

Everyone worked hard during Finish-Up Friday!  

The kids loved bringing their stuffed friends and watching Curious George. I'm so proud of all the great behavior in Room 108 :) 

Creation Station was a big hit during Friday Fun.  Please send in recyclables--cereal boxes, cracker boxes, toilet paper/paper towel rolls, etc... 

The day ended with buddy reading- with our fifth grade buddies!  Happy long weekend! 

Wish List

Our wish list has been updated!  There are a few things we could use in our classroom.

Please click on wish list under parent links on the right side of the blog or click on this link.

Thank you in advance for your donation to our classroom!

Thursday, 10/10

 After our read-aloud

We went on a leaf hunt! 

Working hard during Writing. 

Using a blinder and a sound chart during Writing. 

Our goal chart got filled up today!!! On Friday, the kids can wear comfy clothes and bring a stuffed friend! I'm so proud of the kids... They received so many compliments and I spotted good behavior.  

Wednesday, October 9th

We attended the fire safety assembly today. Ask your child to tell you about what they learned-

When would you do stop, drop, and roll?

What should you do if you hear the smoke detector? 

Discuss a family meeting place. 

Please check out an event that's going on this weekend: 

arlington-fire-department-open-house-on-sat-oct-12

We discussed why vowels are so important: Vowels Save the Day!

The kids are working hard on hearing and spelling digraph- the H king/queen loves to buddy up with C, S, & T to change their sound.  What words does your child know that begins with ch? Sh? Th?  The wh is tricky!  The kids will learn ck next week. 

A new game was introduced at math today- compare. You could play this game at home with cards. The most important thing to remember is to compare the numbers-how many more? 

During Science, the students used Explain Everything to show me all they know about the water cycle. A mini-assessment where they drew the water cycle and then recorded their voice and pointed to what was happening.  These will be added to their growing portfolio of iPad projects on Google Drive.  We hope to have a morning soon when we can invite you all in to see some of this great work!! 

Video of the week:9/30

Check out what we did last week!

watch on vimeo

Tuesday Oct. 8

Word games this morning focused on the digraphs- two letters that make one sound together. 

We finished going through the steps of how to form all of the lowercase letters.  Some letters are top start, some are middle start, and a few are middle start below the line.  The kids love using their stylus to form neat letters. 

A new math game was introduced today--Build a Floor.  Ask your child why you use two different color cubes.

The kids explored one of my favorite apps- a screen casting app called Explain Everything.

I spent my afternoon at a math workshop. I look forward to trying some new activities with the kids soon! 

Monday, October 7th

The children started their morning with Weekend Writing.  Many kids are stretching out words and adding more sounds. 

 

Math stations were review today as I had to step out for a meeting.  I'm very excited to share that our class will be piloting an app before it goes public.  We'll have students from Tufts University teaching us how to use this computer programming app.  I will be sending home a permission slip and more information next week.  It seems like a great opportunity for us to try!! 

Centers are based on the four seasons this week. 

First night of homework!  The "All About Homework" page is posted on the right side of blog.  Please let me know if you have any questions/concerns.  I've implemented some new routines, so I'd love your feedback.  The green homework sheets should be sent back on Friday, October 18th.  Lending library bags can be sent back as often your child would like to borrow a new book.

Courtney Burden started working today as a teaching assistant.  Her time will be split among a few classes, but she will be with us most mornings.  Please welcome Ms. Burden to Thompson School!  

***1:00 dismissal on Tuesday***

Volunteers needed!

***Looking for volunteers to make books for our lending library***

Two different volunteer options: 

-copying the books at school

-folding & stapling the books at home 

Please let me know if you can help out! Thanks! :)

Friday, 10/4

What a busy, fun day!! 

A quick recap of our day-

-word stations to start the day, the kids loved it and we will often start our day with these engaging activities 

-math shape pictures while listening to math songs

-water cycle in a jar... SO cool! And then it started to rain outside!

-water cycle project... They look great on our bulletin board in the hallway.

-met our fifth grade buddies and played games with them!

Video of the week will be posted during the weekend... 

Enjoy the weekend! 

Reminder- picture day on Monday!! 

Thursday 10/4

7 minutes of independent reading time!  Kids now have 3 new books to read in their just-right bag.  

The children added more pages to their first written story.  Many children decided to share their pieces with the class-They love using the microphone!

Some pictures from Math Centers today:

New game- combination toss.  Ask your child how to play.

Class name graph 

Open Circle

Each child made a picture on their iPad of another nonverbal signal.  They will be put together into a class book.  Ask your child to show you a nonverbal signal for- me too & stop. 

Home Link: 

In Open Circle recently, we talked about nonverbal signals. A nonverbal signal is a way of communicating without using words. We tried out many nonverbal signals that we already know, such as the signals for okay, no, great job, and let’s be quiet. We talked about why it might be helpful to have some nonverbal signals in the classroom that everyone agrees to and is clear about instead of using words. The class chose several nonverbal signals that we agreed to use this year in the classroom. Ask your child to demonstrate these signals. Ask your child to demonstrate some other nonverbal signals and have you guess what they mean. You and your child might want to develop your own nonverbal signals to use at home.

Wednesday Oct. 2nd

Mrs. Cummings, the school speech teacher, introduced some of the digraphs this morning.

Two letters that make one special sound when together.  They get one tap. 

Ch chin 

Sh ship

Th thumb 

The kids choose one of their seeds from their notebook to start to write a book about. They have been challenged to write many pages about this one topic.  They will "publish" this story sometime next week. 

The children had their first independent reading time.  Each child read a book on their level from their just-right reading bag. Today the expectation was to have 5 quiet minutes of reading-success!!  We will continue to increase this number! 

Thanks to Anacamila's Dad for helping at Centers and Visa's Mom for helping at Math!  

Kidblog Comments!

Please check out our weekend writing from Monday.  The kids were encouraged to answer the questions: Who? What? Where? When? in their writing... You'll be impressed with the amount of details they are adding into their writing!  Please comment on their writing :)
There are a few kids who must not have pressed publish because they weren't in my list of posts to approve... We'll look into it tomorrow!
During Centers the kids are writing comments to each others!

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Tuesday 10/1

This morning the kids focused on the tricky short vowels!
A apple
E Ed
I itch
O octopus
U up

During handwriting, the kids practiced lowercase letters that have a middle start.

Math stations went very smoothly today.  They will finish the rest of the stations tomorrow.
Graphing, Bulldozer with recording the number sentences, Number Story book- number 5, number of the day 6, building animals and telling how many more/less do you need to make 10.  Ask your child to tell you someone they worked with during Math today.

Afternoon centers went well!  The kids are working through their checklists.  I saw so many kids reaching out to help others.

Science-
Check out the Water Cycle Video we watched today.
Water Cycle Song

Week of 9/23/13 Video

Check out what we did last week: 

Movie on Vimeo