Today, after a very short Morning Work Time and a non-existent Morning Meeting, we had our Writer's Celebration! The kids did a super job - I couldn't be more proud. After the readings, we had cookie and juice, and the kids made themselves available for complements and autographs. It was a very fun event- thank you to all who helped practicing at home, and to all who were able to come. I did videotape it, and I will send home info about making a copy of the DVD soon.

After the celebration, we had a bit of free time, and then we read a couple of books (to calm the sugar high...). We also went outside to play for a bit, and then Mrs. Bechtel came to our class for our last Catalyst class of the year. By the time we finished all of that, it was time to head home.

Today, after a very short morning work time and an equally short Morning Meeting, we spent a fair amount of time practicing for the Writer's Celebration tomorrow. The kids practiced reading their stories again, and then we practiced how to get on and off the stage.

After that practice, we headed up to the Media Center for our time there with Mrs. Hennen. when we got back down to the room each student had a chance to read a bit of their story on the stage with the microphone - they did a great job, and we are really looking forward to tomorrow!

Today, after Morning Work TIme and a very short Morning Meeting, we got right to work on Writer's Workshop - working to perfect our pieces for the Writer's Celebration on Tuesday morning. We finished the illustrations, as well as rewriting the pieces, AND practicing reading them out loud. (If you could practice some more over the weekend, that would be super!)

In the middle of Writer's Workshop, Sasha's moms came in to read two books for her birthday (and brought fruit snacks to eat - YUM!!). Then we sang (with instruments, of course) Happy Birthday to Sasha.

Then we finished up Writer's Workshop, and

Today, after Morning Work Time and a very short Morning Meeting, we spent quite a lot of time working on our writing for the Writer's Celebration next week. Today, the kids worked on their illustrations, and also practiced reading their pieces. After that, we headed up to the music room for class with Mr. Hofmann.

When we got back down to our room, Ms. Barb was here for what might be the last reading session - she brought some very fun books: Leaonardo the Terrible Monster and The Giving Tree. After that, it was time to pack up and head home!

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we had exploration time in math - the kids each had a tub of Math Tools on their table, and they rotated around to each table for free exploration. After that, we made another page for our Kindergarten Memory books - they are really coming along, and looking pretty cute!

When we finished with the Memory Book page, we headed up to the computer lab for our time there. When we got back down to our classroom, Ms. Barb (Ryan E.'s mom) came in to read to us again - she read two books:

After all of that, it was time to pack up and head home.

Enjoy your weekend, and remember that there is no school on Monday!!

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we worked on the pieces of writing that we are getting ready for our Writer's Celebration. Each kid read their writing to a partner, and then the parter helped them think of "reader questions" (questions that a reader would have after reading their work) - then they went back to write and answer those questions.

After writing, we worked on another page for our kindergarten memory books, and then headed up to the music room for class with Mr. Hofmann.

When we got back down to our classroom, we took a bit of a field trip. We went across the street to see what the big kids were up to at Field Day. The kindergartners don't participate in Field Day, but I wanted them to see what it is all about, for next year. Plus, it was good to get outside, too. By the time we got back to our room, it was time to pack up and head home!

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we did math and art, kind of at the same time - we practiced writing numbers again, and we also worked on our May self-portraits to hang on our wall. After that, we worked on a page that will go into our kindergarten Memory Book that we will be assembling in the coming weeks. When we finished with that, we worked on our writing pieces for the Writer's Celebration.

After all of that, we headed up to the computer lab for our time there, and then it was time to pack up and head home. Time flies!

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we celebrated Nicholas' brithday. We sang and played our instruments loudly, and then Nicholas' dad read two books: Duck on a Bike, and Bear Wants More. After the fun and excitement, we had Writer's Workshop. The kids are doing some really nice writing - they are excited about it.

After writing, we headed up to the Media Center for class with Mrs. Hennen. When we got back down to our room, we had reading - the kids changed the "just-right" books in their bookbags, and then read them. The books are getting harder, but the kids are up for it!

After that, we couldn't resist going outside for a little recess. After that, it was time to pack up and go home!

Today, after Morning Work TIme and Morning Meeting, we read a couple of books by David McPhail (Pig Pig Goes to Camp and Pigs Ahoy). We read them for enjoyment, first, but also because they are well-written and hopefully gave the kids some ideas that they can use in their writing.

After the books, we had Writer's Workshop. The kids wrote for about 20 minutes today - and all words (no pictures!). They did a super job.

After writing, we worked on math. We talked about number lines with varying scales (counting by 1s, 10s, 5s, and 2s) and how to show that on a number line.

After math, we headed outside in the beautiful weather for a short recess, and then up to the computer lab for our time there. After all of that, it was time for us to pack up and head home!

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Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we had a visit from a technician from a microphone company. All of the classrooms at Burroughs have been equipped with a sound projection system for the teachers to use - the amplification will enable us to use a smaller voice and still be heard all over the classroom. We learned all about how it works, and then we got to try it out. We then read a book before our Writer's Workshop - Edward and the Pirates by David McPhail. We talked about how the boy in the book got so into the book that he was reading that they seemed to be real. Then we got to writing, and tried to make our writing as real as the writing in the book. After that, we headed up to the music room for our time there with Mr. Hofmann.

When we got back down to our room, we continued writing, since the kids were really on a roll. By that time it was time to pack up and head home!

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we had Writer's Workshop. Today the kids learned about extending stories, as well as about sequencing again (making sure that stories follow a logical chronological sequence). After writing, we had math - we are wrapping up our unit on addition and subtraction. Today we 'discovered' strategies for counting the number of kids in class, and then extended that to counting the number of noses, mouths, and other body parts that each person only has one of. We then 'discovered' ways to count how many eyes, ears, nostrils (and other parts that come in twos) we have in the class.

After math, we had a short Choice Time. After Choice Time, we had Catalyst class with Ms. Bechtel. The kids got to experiment with the K*NEX blocks (they look like this). Needless to say, they were very creative and enjoyed themselves greatly.

When we finished with that, we had just enough time to pack up and head home.

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we opened three Flat Stanley packages that arrived - one for Ryan E. from New Jersey, one for Sean from Chicago, and one for Anthony from several places. After Flat Stanley, we had Writer's Workshop. Today I taught a mini-lesson about sequencing - making sure that the kids' stories go in (roughly) chronological order. It's a topic that we will return to in the comign days, certainly.

After Writer's Workshop, we headed up to the Media Center for our time there with Mrs. Hennen. When we got back down to our classroom, we had our reading guest, Ms. Barb back again. She read two books, both by Eve Bunting: The Memory String and I Have an Olive Tree.

When we finished with the reading, it was time to pack up and head home.

Today, after Morning Work time and a very short Morning Meeting, we had some more project time. We finihsed it all up, and, yes, it's still a bit of a secret. We worked hard, and the kids did some really nice work, I think. After that, we cleaned up and went outside to the baseball diamond behind the school, as Mr. Fairbanks (the art teacher) had made an open invitation to the whole school to come outside and see a guest artist from Augsburg College do some pottery firing. he was using a technique called Raku, which is from Japan. For more information on it, click here or here. We got to see the finished product from one of the firings, and we also got to see them put some more pottery into a special super-high temperature kiln. We'll see he rest of the finished products next week, I think.

After the mini-art demonstration, we headed up to the computer lab for our time there. When we got back down to our room, we had a short end-of-the-week Choice Time. Then, it was time to head on home - enjoy your weekend!!!!

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we celebrated Zarah's birthday (Happy Birthday, Zarah!). She brought in her parents (thanks!) to read Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs to us. Then we started working on a project that um, we still can't tell the world about. It was pretty fun, and it involved many steps, which was fun too. After that, we went up to the music room for our time there with Mr. Hofmann.

Wen we got back down to the room, we finished up the project that we started, and also watched a video about losing teeth (and how to take care of the teeth that we have) - it came in Leah's Flat Stanley mail a couple of weeks ago, and we are finally getting around to watching it (plus, we got to eat the yummy cupcakes that Zarah brought in for her birthday treat). After all of that, it was time to pack up and go home!

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we had a short review session - to recap some of the math and reading skills that we have covered thus far this year - counting, rhyming, letter sounds, and the like. After that, we worked on a little project that, um, we can't really talk about just yet. We also worked on our May calendar, and the kids filled in the numbers of the days of the month. Their numeral writing has really improved!

After that, we cleaned up and had a short time outside on the playground - what a beautiful day! when we got back inside, we headed up to the computer lab for our time there. after all of that, it was time to pack up and go home!

Remember that tomorrow is crazy hat day at school, and also that the all-school picnic is tomorrow evening. Also, look for your child's red folder today - I forgot to send them yesterday.

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we had Writer's Workshop. We reviewed the several ways that we have learned about that writers make their writing easier for their readers to read. Then the kids went to write. After their writing time, each student shared what the most important thing that they did to make their writing easier for their reader to read.

After Writer's Workshop, we had Reader's Workshop. The kids did buddy reading today, in which the read their "just-right" books with a partner.

After Reading, we had a short Choice Time, and then Ms. Bechtel came to our room for Catalyst class.

After all of that, it was time for us to pack up and go home!


P.S. If it was someone in this class who dropped off some lovely flowers yesterday, thank you very much - they are beautiful!

Today we pretty much focused on making May Day baskets. The kids made cone-shaped baskets and then put tissue-paper flowers in them. We also went to the computer lab, and on our way back down delivered some baskets (VERY secretly) to a couple of specialist teachers in the building.

Enjoy your weekend - remember that there is no school for students on Monday!

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we had reading. Today we read a fun book called Tracks and then learned about the difference between fiction and non-fiction. After we read, the kids did a bit of planing and then went off to write their own fictional stories. Some of them were very creative - be sure to ask them all about it.

After writing, we headed up to the music room for our time there with Mr. Hofmann. When we got back down to our classroom, we worked on numbers that add to ten, using ten frames once again. After that, it was time to pack up and head home!

After Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we opened another Flat Stanley letter - this time, Zarah got one from Sheboygan Fall, WI. There were some pretty funny pictures, including Stanley working on a farm in a tractor! After that, we had math class - today we played a game with a deck of cards that had the kids adding two numbers and comparing with a partner whose sum was larger. After math, we had a short Choice Time, and then Maddie's mom came to do our Bravo lesson. The kids heard and learned about the song Viennese Musical Clock by Zoltan Kodaly, which has a glockenspiel in it. The kids also put some of their favorite people or characters on a glockenspiel of their own.

After Bravo, we headed up to the computer lab for our time there. When we got back down, it was time for us to pack up and go home!

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we had a bit of a mixed-up day. We read a short book and watched a short video about how paper is made, and then the kids all took turns going to a center in the room where Kieran's mom volunteered to help (re)make paper. It was super fun, and the paper that we (re)made is beautiful.

During all of this, the rest of the kids were doing Writer's Workshop. Today they learned again about "Reader's Questions" - after writing, putting themselves in their reader's shoes and anticipating (and then answering in the writing) the questions that their readers might have. They all added some nice details that way.

After Writer's WS, we finished reading Invisible Stanley. Then we had math, in which the kids finished up the activity that we began yesterday (adding past ten on ten frames). When we finished with math, we headed outside for a short recess on the playground, and then it was back in for Catalyst class with Ms. Bechtel.

After all of that, it was time to pack up and head home.

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we played a vocabulary/letter sounds game to reinforce the letter sounds that we have covered already this year. Then, we had reading time. Today, we learned about a new reading strategy that the kids can use as they are reading - making predictions. After I taught a mini-lesson about that skill. the kids got their bookbags with their "just-right" books in them to practice that strategy and the others that we have discussed. After their read with their books, we gathered again and each child shared the strategies that they used during the reading time.

After reading, we headed up to the Media Center for our time there with Mrs. Hennen. When we got back down to our room, we had math time. We continued to work on addition. Today we practiced adding "past ten" (sums that add up to more than ten, where kids need to use the skill of making a ten). We used a tool called a ten frame to get the kids thinking about how to use combinations of numbers that add to ten to help with these problems.

After all of that, it was time to pack up and head home.

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we had Reader's Workshop. Today we did buddy reading, in which the kids read with a partner and practice their "just right" books. The advantage is that the kids get help with "tricky words" and have a friend to suggest reading strategies that they could use. After reading, the kids shared the reading strategies that they used, as well as rated their performance as a buddy reader (as either an "uh-oh day," a "so-so day," or a "Superstar 5" day - be sure to ask them how they get to say "Superstar 5!).

After Reader's Workshop, we had a short Choice Time. After Choice, we had math - we are beginning to talk about number combinations - how to decompose numbers into pairs of numbers that add to another (being able to see that 5 can be made up of 5+0, 4+1, 2+3, etc.). This knowledge will be the base of all of the artihmetic that they will do in school!

After math, we headed up to the computer lab for our time there. When we got back down to our class, we read a couple of chapters from Invisible Stanley. Then it was time to pack up and go!

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we celebrated Alex's birthday with loud instruments and fun singing. Then, we got to open another Flat Stanley envelope - Julia got a package from Indiana with some fun pictures and information.

Then we played a word game, in which the kids heard a word, and then had to say each sound in the word. When we finished with that, we had Writer's Workshop. Today the kids looked at all of the writing that they had in their folders, and sorted it into two piles - one of work that is "done" and one of work that they still have more to add to. After the sorting, they got busy writing!

When we finished writing, we read a couple of chapters from Invisible Stanley while we ate the yummy cookies that Alex brought for his birthday snack.

The day finished up with our weekly Catalyst lesson in our room with Ms. Bechtel. Today the kids used their very creative minds to make animals that were made up of half of one animal and half of another.

After all of that, it was time to pack up and head home!

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we read Anthony's Star of the Week poster (nice work, Anthony!). Then we had reading and writing. We read a book by Cynthia Rylant called When I Was Young in the Mountains, paying particular attention to the details and to the author's message and how she conveyed it. Then, the kids wrote a short page in the same style as the book.
After writing, we headed up to the Media Center for our time there with Mrs. Hennen. When we got back down to the classroom, we had math. The kids measured themselves using unifix cubes and recording their measurements on a data page. We will use the pages again tomorrow to look at data. After math, it was time for us to pack up and go home!

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we practiced all of the phonics sounds that we have learned this year - both letter names and letter sounds. Then we opened some more Flat Stanley mail - Kieran got an envelope with some cool postcards from his grandmother in Chicago. After "mail call," we dorked on a math game called Racing Bears, in which the kids practiced combining and taking numbers apart (the beginnings of addition and subtraction).

After math, we did our April self-portraits to hang in the gallery on the wall of our room, and them worked to finish up the "What I did over spring break" writing from ealier in the week.

After writing, we headed up to the computer lab for our time there, and then went back down to go outside for a little recess (who can resist this weather??). It was then time to pack up and go home.

Enjoy your weekend!!

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we had reading class. We reviewed all of the reading strategies that we have talked about thus far, and then the kids got their book bags and practiced using the strategies on 'tricky' words. At the end of Reader's Workshop, all of the kids shared the strategies that they used during their independent reading time.

After reading, we started to play a math game, which we will continue tomorrow.

After math, we headed up to the music room for our time there with Mr. Hofmann. When we got back down to our room, we finished looking at the Flat Stanley goodies that we have received in the mail, and then Ms. Barb (Ryan E.'s mom) came in to read to us - she read a cool book about fire horses (the horses that pulled fire engines in the old days) called Magnus and the Fire. By the time we finished with all of that, it was time to pack up and go home.

Today after Morning work time and Morning Meeting we caught up on our Flat Stanley mail. We had a pretty decent pile, and we all got to see the fun things that have come in from all over the country. After we spent some good time reading our mail, we read an Amelia Bedelia book, and then worked on reading. The kids got to swap the 'just-right' books that are in their bookbags, and had the chance to preview them as well.

After that, Maddie's mom came in to do our Bravo lesson for the day. The kids learned about a Minneapolis composer (Libby Larson) - they listened to two songs (Collage Boogie and Mr. Bell's Boogie) and then made a paper and fabric collage. When we finished with Bravo, we went up to the computer lab for our time there. When we got back down to our room, we read a book that came in the mail today in a "mystery package" full of toothpaste from Tom's of Maine. Leah solved the mystery for us when she said that her grandmother had arranged for a friend to send the little samples to us. The book came with it, and is called I Lost a Tooth in Africa.

After all of that, it was time to pack up and head home!

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we read Julia's Star of the Week poster (great job, Julia!). Then we had a reading lesson - the kids learned two more reading strategies in the mini-lesson that I taught. they learned how to look for hidden words in tricky words (like finding car and pen in carpenter), and they also learned to take off a "magic ending" (like -ed, -er, -ing), read the word, and then put the ending back on. Both are variations of the "chunk and chew" strategy that they already know.

After reading, we wrote again. The kids finished up the writing that they worked on yesterday, and we will start to use them to make a book later in the week.

After writing, we had a short Choice Time. When we cleaned up, Ms. Bechtel came for our weekly Catalyst lesson - and then, it was time to head home!!

Hello - and welcome back from Spring Break. I hope that it was a good one for all of you - the kids all had fun stories to tell abut their weeks.

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we had a nice sharing time, in which all of the kids got to share a favorite memory from Spring Break. Then, we did some fun writing, in which the kids got a page with panels like a comic strip, and they illustrated and wrote about up to 6 episodes from their week. I hope to turn these into a mini-book in the coming days, with each little 'vignette' that they wrote today turning into a 'chapter' in a larger piece of writing.

We then went up to the Media Center for out time there with Mrs. Hennen. When we got back down to our classroom, we wrapped up the writing for today, and then learned all about the new Choice Time Centers. The sand table is now out, and full of fun toys. The area that was a Post Office is now the "Room 145 Veterinary Clinic" - complete with stethoscopes, gloves, masks, scrubs, and a doctor coat, not to mention a cute stuffed puppy, a purple stuffed monkey, and a little lizard. After that, we had Choice Time - the kids had fun diagnosing various maladies in the animals!

Whew. Welcome back. :-)

Today, after Morning work time and Morning Meeting, we all had a chance to share our Spring Break plans, and talk about what we were looking forward to.

After that, we headed up to the music room for class with Mr. Hofmann. When we got back down to our room, we finished up our our discussion of 3-D shapes in math with a lesson about drawing cubes and rectangular prisms on dot paper. It was challenging for many of them, but they started to get it. After math, we just couldn't resist going outside for a little bit - the playground was calling us!

When we got back in, it was time to pack up and head home.


Remember that there is no school for students tomorrow (Friday).

Enjoy your Spring Break -- if you are traveling, safe travels. See you in a week!

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we had reading class. We talked abotu another reading strategy for the kids to use as they read books from their leveled book bags. Today they learned about looking for a pattern in a book, to see words that are repeated - that way if they are sounded out once, they won't need to be sounded out again. After I taught them the strategy, the got their book bags and read their books to practice the strategy. After that, we came back together and discussed the strategies that they used as readers today.

After reading, we had Writer's Workshop - the kids are still producing some amazing writing!

When we finished writing, Maddie's mom came to do our Bravo (music appreciation) lesson. The kids learned about Duke Ellington. After that, we headed up to the computer lab, and then back down in time for the much-awaited root beer float party. After the party, we wrote a class thank you letter to the PTA for providing such a fun party today.

Then it was time to hastily pack up and go home!

P.S. Sorry for the lack of post yesterday - I was in meetings in the afternoon, and then setting up for the Latino Family night meeting last night here at Burroughs.

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we read the poster that our new Star of the Week, Isabel B., made (great work, Isabel!).  After reading her poster, we had just a bit of time before we headed up to the Media Center for our time there with Mrs. Hennen.  We used the time to continue our exploration of 3-D shapes -  today we talked about spheres, and developed a working definition of a sphere -  which characteristics make a sphere a sphere.

Then we headed up to Media.  When we got back downstairs, we had Writer's Workshop.  The kids continue to amaze me with their writing - they are up to great things.  Be sure to ask them what they wrote about today.  In the lesson part of the workshop, I taught them about making their writing easier for their readers - including spaces between words, periods and exclamation points, and using nice printing.  

After writing time, it was already time for us to pack up and head home!

Today, after Morning Work Time, we had a short morning meeting, and then got ready for the big Read-a-thon Celebration. Once we got down to the gym, the kids were entralled. It was really quite a production - the big kids did a super job with their Wizard of Oz skit, and then Mr. Cadotte flew on the witch's broom! The kids all thought that it was pretty cool.



After the assembly, the kids had been sitting so long that we went out to play on the playground for a bit.

When we got back in, we had math class. We continued our discussion of three-dimensional shapes - today we talked about rectangular prisms, and brainstormed a list of things that are that shape, and again figured out what the essential attributes of a rectangular prism are.

After all that, I handed out the prizes from the Read-a-thon, and then we headed home!

Today, after morning work time and Morning Meeting, we had math class. We continue with our Geometry unit - right now, we are working on attributes and qualities of three-dimensional shapes. Today we brainstormed a list of things that are in a cone shape, and then we figured out what are the essential characteristics of a cone (what makes a cone a cone).

After that, we had reading class. We are working on sight words, so we quickly reviewed several sight words, and then we learned how to play "memory" or "concentration" using small flashcards. Tomorrow we will play the game, because just then it was time to head up to the music room for class.

When we got back down to the classroom, we had Ms. Barb (Ryan E.'s mom) back in to read. She read two books to the kids: The Mysterious Tadpole, and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

After all of that, it was time to pack up and head for home.

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we got to read Ava's Star of the Week poster (nice job, Ava!). After Star of the Week, we met two new High Hat friends in our phonics lesson. We met Thelma Thumb and Shy Shadow. After reading the stories, we brainstormed words that contained those sounds. Then we learned a new song - "Rhyming Teddy Bear." The kids sang along, and then had to fill in rhyming words.

After that, we headed up to the Media Center for our class time there with Mrs. Hennen. When we got back down to the classroom, we looked at a couple of the Flat Stanley postings on the blog. If you haven't looked in a while, check it out (http://flat-stanley-145.blogspot.com/). We then had a little bit of Choice Time, and then packed up to go home.

Today, after Work Time and Morning Meeting, we had a guest reader. Since it was Kieran's birthday, his mom came in to read two books (Dory Story and Henry Goes to Fitchberg). After we sang Happy Birthday to Kieran, we had reading class. We talked again about how we can use the "chunk and chew" strategy to help with tricky words.

We also had Writer's Workshop today. We are working on extending our pieces - trying to write like Cynthia Rylant, who, we 'discovered' today organizes her writing in chapters to make it make more sense.

After Writer's Workshop, we headed up to the computer lab, where we worked on literacy again, using www.starfall.com.

after all of that, we headed home.

Have a great weekend!

Today, after Morning Work Time and Morning Meeting, we had math. We are beginning a unit on geometry, and the kids worked on using the pattern blocks (they look like this) to make animal shapes from a template, and then create their own animal. As you can imagine, their imaginations went wild!

Today we worked on another reading strategy for the kids to use as they come across words that they don't know or are 'tricky.' I taught a mini-lesson about "chunking and chewing," which means that the kids can take words apart and look for familiar parts or letter combinations, and then re-assemble them to make the word that they are trying to read. The kids then went and found a comfy spot in the room to read and practice their strategies (the ones that we have talked about thus far are pointing to words as they read, using picture clues, skipping over a word and coming back to it, and now chunking and chewing). The "chewing" part comes in as the kids "chew" on the parts in their minds. They all did really well, and at the end of Reader's Workshop they all shared the strategies that they used as they were reading today. Ask your child what they did!

After reading, we headed up to the computer lab for our time there - the kids worked on www.starfall.com again - they really love it, and it teaches really solid literacy skills.

When we got back down to the room, we had a real treat - our first recess outside on the playground of 2009. Needless to say, we were all really excited to get out again!

After all that, it was time to head home.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

We had a really nice day today. After Morning Work Time and an abbreviated Morning Meeting, we got to work on reading. The kids worked on reading their "Just-Right" books in their book bags (the books are in the bags - the kids didn't get into the bags to read...). We are practicing the reading strategies that they have to read unfamiliar or 'tricky' words.

After reading, we got ready for our St. Patrick's Day/Green Party. The kids did three projects - the made a collage shamrock from torn paper, made a leprechaun puppet, and graphed the various types of marshmallows in a small plateful of Lucky Charms cereal (I know - because what could be more Irish than Lucky Charms? - apologies to those of us who are Irish).

After the party, we had Mrs. Bechtel in for our Catalyst class until the end of the day. In that class, the kids experimented with KNEX blocks, which, for those who don't know them, look like this.

P.S. The kids looked very cute in their tie-dyed green shirts:

Today we had Center Time and Morning Meeting (be sure to ask your child what language "good morning" was written in today - it was "habari za asubuhi"). We then read Nicholas' Star of the Week poster (great job Nicholas!!). By the time we finished all that, we had to head to the Media Center for our time there with Mrs. Hennen.

When we got back down to the classroom, we had a really fun Writer's Workshop. We sang a fun song about "stretching" words out and "snapping them back."We worked on "making our writing easy for readers" - making sure that the writing is clear and well-thought-out. The kids did some really, really nice writing - be sure to ask what they wrote about. We wrote so long that we didn't even have time to share our writing like we usually do, much less have Choice Time!

After writing, we packed up to go home!

As you probably know, I was out this morning. At school today, your child had Center Time and Morning Meeting, and then read a few books with the sub. They then worked on math - a game called "Roll and Record," in which the kids rolled two dice, added the numbers, and then recorded the sum on a game page.

They then went up to the computer lab for a half hour. When they got back down, the read a bit more, and then had a short Choice Time. Sorry for the sketchy details, but that's all I know...

Tomorrow is our first music class with Mr. Hofmann, the music teacher. Should be FUN!!

Today, after Center Time and Morning Meeting, Isabel B.'s dad come in to read a book for her birthday (Happy Birthday, Isabel!). He read Purplicious, which we all enjoyed. Then we sang Happy Birthday with really loud instruments. Before we went to the Media Center, since it is also Dr. Suess' birthday, we read a couple of his books - Green Eggs and Ham, and My Many Colored Days.

To continue our celebration of Dr. Sueuss' birthday, after Media we also talked about rhyming words, and started a collection of them on a paper. Later this week, we will start to try to write like Dr. Suess. Before we headed home, read Ryan E.'s Star of the Week poster (great job, Ryan!!) while we ate Isabel's yummy birthday snacks - Milano cookies!

Today, after Center Time and Morning Meeting, we a bit of time to read another book in the Flat Stanley series - the kids voted, and they decided to read Invisible Stanley next. We read a coupe of chapters of that book (since it's the last day of reading in class for the Read-a-thon). Then we headed to the gym for our class there with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson. Here's what they did:




After gym, Mrs. Pershica (who is out literacy content coach for the building), came in to read a a guest reader. She read two books: Pigs Aplenty, Pigs, Galore! and Harriet, You'll Drive Me Wild! After that, we had a fun Choice Time, and then headed home!

Today we had a busy day. After Center Time and Morning Meeting, we read bit nit more of Flat Stanley - we should finish that book up on Monday. After that, we had art class in our room with Ms. Gilman. The kids started a painting project, that they will finish up next week - all about tropical fish.

After art, we talked about the Flat Stanleys that we are going to send next week (the big parade to the mailbox will be on Tuesday - check the newsletter for the times. The kids learned about addressing a letter, and we also talked about how the post office works - how our Stanleys will get to their destinations.

After that, we had a short Choice Time. After Choice Time, we saw a number of photos on the Internet that another classroom had posted of their Flat Stanley project. I think that made the project a little more real to the kids - they will be much more into it once the letters and pictures start rolling in!

After all that, it was time for us to pack up and go home!

Enjoy your weekend!

Hello all,

Sorry for the late post once again - three meetings after school.

Today was our 100th day of kindergarten!!!! I can hardly believe that it has already been 100 days - September seems like just a few weeks ago, somehow.

We had a busy day celebrating our 100th day. The kids made badges to wear that proclaimed them to be "100 days smarter." Then we took a break from the 100th day idea and had a guest reader, Rabbi Jared Saks from Temple Israel. He read two books to us, and also explained a bit about what a rabbi does - not too many of us knew, and the subject came up in a book that Ryan E.'s mom read to us yesterday (the one about Dr. Martin Luther King and Rabbi Abraham Heschl). After Rabbi Saks finished, we finished up making our Flat Stanleys - they are all now officially "unbald." The kids glued yarn hair onto their little guys. They are really cute (the Stanleys, I mean, but the kids are cute too...).

After that,we were back to 100th day festivities - the kids took turns doing a scavenger hunt in the classroom for the numbers 1-100 and making a 100s day necklace out of Fruit Loops cereal. Both were fun - hopefully you saw either or both come home today.

By the time we finished all of that, it was time to pack up and go home.

Today was all about the reading. Alex's mom came in to read first off (Mrs. Fiona's Stupendous Pumpkin Pie and If I Made a Car). Thttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifhen we had a guest reader who was set up via the Burroughs Read-a-thon. his name is Dan Israel, and he is alocal musician. I told him that I would give his website a free plug, so here it is:

http://www.danisraelmusic.com/

He also left us a copy of his latest CD, which was very nice. Then we headed to gym, where the kids had a SUPER fun day - ropes, scooters, cargo nets and tetherball. Be sure to ask your child who was the one to climb all the way up to the ceiling on the cargo net at the very end of gym class!!

After gym, we had our regular Wednesday visit from Ms. Barb - she brought two wonderfl books: An Impossible Kind of Patriotism and Just as Good as Anyone Else.

After all of that, it was time for us to pack up and head out.

Tomorrow is the 100th day of school, too - be ready for some good stories about 100th day activities!!

Valentine's Party Day!!!







Needless to say, we had a great time!

Enjoy your long weekend - remember that there is no school on Monday!

Today, after Center Time and Morning Meeting, we worked on making Valentine's Day bags to hold all of our treats tomorrow. Needless to say, there was much excitement, and many scraps of paper everywhere. After fun decorating and hard work cleaning up, we headed up to the computer lab for our time there.

When we got back down the class, we talked about our sight words, and High Hat letter sound for the week, and sang a silly song. After that, Sean's mom came in to read to the class, and then we had Choice Time.

Time really flies when you're having fun, because after that, it was time to go home!

Today was a very exciting day in kindergarten - the room was completely re-arranged last night (a bit of middle-of-the-year changing-around). The puppet theater that was in our class is gone, and it was replaced by a Post Office (as we think in February about sending Valentines and Flat Stanleys). We are also talking in class about the fact that they are now "second-half of kindergartners," and their behavior and attitudes should reflect the fact that they are (and I hesitate to say it) almost first graders.

Today, after Center Time and Morning Meeting, we learned a new song for the week ("My Aunt Monica"), which has three sight words for the week (I, have, and said), one 'magic ending' (-ed), and our new High Hat friend's sound - (/oo// all in it. We talked about the various words and how they appear in the song, and then practiced singing as well.

After that, we headed to the gym for our time there with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson. Ask your child about the "gym monster" that appeared...

After gym, Ms. Barb (Ryan E.'s mom) came to read a couple of books to us - she read and Snow Lion and Morris the Artist.

After that, we had a very short Choice Time, and then packed up to head home.

Today, after Center Time and Morning Meeting, we had time to meet a new High Hat friend: Oopy Oops, who introduced us to the /oo/ sound (that's oo as in too). We are beginning to study the vowel combinations, which will make the kids' reading really take off as they master them.

After that, we headed to the Media Center for our time there with Mrs. Hennen. When we got back down to our room, we had math workshop. Today we worked on measurement - we measured strips of paper using popsicle sticks. The point is to understand the concept of measurement, of course, but also to get the kids thinking about the importance of specifying the units that they used to measure something.

After that, we had a short Choice Time, and then packed up to head home!

Today, it was National African-American Parent Involvement Day. We read a book, Guess How Much I Love You, and then did a fun art project that went with the book. Your child should have brought it home today. The kids also practiced reading their "just right" books from their bookbags.

After we worked on the project, we headed up to the computer lab for our time there. When we got back down to the classroom, we put the finishing touches on the art project, and then, since February is the Burroughs Read-a-thon month, we spent the rest of the time reading some fun books - we read Farmer Duck, Animals Should Definitely Not Wear Clothing, and Cousin Ruth's Tooth. After all of that, it was time to pack up and go home.

Don't forget that tomorrow is our day to check out books!

Sorry for the lack of a post yesterday - I was stuck in meetings all afternoon and into the evening.

Today, after Center Time and Morning Meeting, we celebrated Linnea's birthday. We sang, and then had a nice treat and listened to her mom and dad read a fun book to us. After that, we talked about our sight word for the week (see) and our magic ending (-ing). Then we headed to the computer lab for our time there.

After the lab, we came back to our room, and had math class. The kids found ways to measure the length of their shoes with unifix cubes, and then we made a graph of the sizes of their shoes.

After math, we had a short Choice Time, and then we packed up to go home.

Today we began with Center Time and Morning Meeting, (in morning meeting, we discovered that there are only 11 more school days until the 100th day!). After that we had a short reading lesson on sight words and word endings. Then, we headed up to the Media Center for our time there with Mrs. Hennen.

When we got back down the our room, we had another visit from Megan Pershica, who is the literacy coordinator/teacher at Burroughs. Mrs. Pershica taught a follow-up lesson to the "buddy reading" lesson from last week - the kids learned how to evaluate their work as a 'buddy' using a rubric - they evaluated themselves from a '1' (an "uh-oh" day), to a '3' (a "so-so" day), to a 5 (a "superstar 5" day, which is of course said with a dramatic gesture and voice, as one woudl expect).

After that, we talked about the Read-a-thon and the Valentine's party (the list of kids' names should be in their backpacks today), and then bundled up to go home.

Today, after Center Time and Morning Meeting, we did our self-portraits for January (a day late, but they are done nonetheless). Then we had a PTA mom, Faith McGown, come in to talk to the kids about the Read-a-thon (the Read-a-thon blog is here, if you're interested). Then we read a story about Groundhog Day, and made a groundhog project that the kids took home today.

Then we headed up to the computer lab for our time there. When we got back down to the room, we met a new High Hat friend, practiced "buddy reading," and had a short Choice Time to wrap things up.

Time flies!

Today, after Center Time, we hustled down to the gym for the Burroughs Read-a-thon Kick-off ceremony. It was really cool - the 5th graders put on a skit that was a take-off on the Wizard of Oz, and it was very, very well done. The kids really enjoyed it. (Don't forget that the Read-a-thon begins on Sunday!!)

After the ceremony, we had art class with Ms. Gilman - the kids worked with clay today.

After art, we sang Happy Birthday to Rianna (she brought some really cool treats for us too!!) and then we made a decoration for the Artium related to the Read-a-thon, and then got ourselves set up for Choice Time. Aiden's mom was here for the Take-Apart Center -- the DVD player of the day really didn't stand a chance...

Have a great weekend!!

Today, after Center Time and Morning Meeting, We had a 'guest teacher' in our room. Megan Pershica, who is the Literacy Resource Teacher here at Burroughs, came in to teach a demonstration lesson to the kids. She taught them about how to "buddy read," in which they read one of the books that are at their level with a friend -- they learned about how to listen well, give constructive help and feedback, and celebrate their friend's reading. Mrs. Pershica will be back next week for a follow-up lesson as well.

We then headed up to the computer lab for our time there. When we got back, we had another 'guest teacher' -- Linnea's mom Jessica came in to present another Bravo! lesson. The Bravo! program is designed to give the kids experience with and and understanding of classical music and composers. Today, they learned about Franz Joseph Haydn, and they heard his "Surprise" Symphony. the kids also did a craft project, in which they made a surprised face our of a paper plate.

After all of that, it was tim eot pack up and head home!

Today, after Center Time and Morning Meeting, we learned a new song - We're Going to the Zoo. It has one of our sight words in it (see), which we will talk about tomorrow. It was a fun song, and the kids got to sing along as I played the guitar.

After that, it was time to get bundled up for our gym class outside - we went to Lynhurst Park ice skating (thanks to all the parents who came along to help tie skates and hold up kids on the slippery ice!). It was really, really fun!



After gym, we got well-deserved drinks of water, and then Ms. Barb (Ryan E.'s momn) came in to read to us -- she read two very fun books.

After all of that fun (whew!), it was time to pack up and go home!

Today, after Center Time and Morning Meeting, we met a new High Hat friend (Regular Rabbit) who introduced us to the /r/ sound, and practiced using the sounds to make words.

After Media, we then started to read a new chapter book, called Flat Stanley, in preparation for a project (more on that to come this week). It was our reading lesson for the day, because we used the Interactive Read-Aloud strategy, in which the kids focus on comprehension, active listening, and making meaning from the text.

After all of that, it was time to pack up and head home!

Today, after Center Time and a VERY short morning meeting, we went down to the gym to see the Mixed Blood Theater's presentation of Daughters of Africa, which was a one woman show that traced the history of African-American women throughout American history. (For more info on the show, click here, then click on "Touring and Education" and scroll down.) After the show, we went up to the computer lab for our time there. When we got back down to the room, we had a writing lesson. For our group writing this week, we wrote a letter to the actress in the play that we saw this morning. We learned about the conventions of writing a letter - headings, ending, and the middle. We also addressed the envelope to send to her. Then each one of the kids wrote a sentence and drew a picture of their favorite part of the show. We also included these in the envelope to send to the actress.

After all of that, believe it or not, it was time to go home!


P.S. Remember that this week is skating week in gym -- Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson are always looking for (and grateful for) volunteers -- we'll go to Lynnhurst Park on Wednesday from 9:40 until 10:35, as long as the weather is above zero.

Today, after Center Time and Morning Meeting, we met a new High Hat friend in our phonics lesson -- Yellow Yo-yo. After a story that was, frankly, a bit up and down, (the kids didn't think that joke was all that funny either...), we went up to the computer lab for our time there.

When we got back down to our class, we worked on writing the letter y, both upper and lower case, and also worked on drawing and writing words that begin with the letter y. We finished the day with Choice Time, and then headed home!

Enjoy your weekend - remember that there is no school for students tomorrow!

Today, after Center Time and Morning Meeting, we had a little bit of time to meet a new High Friend in Phonics class. Today, we met Vernon and Vera, two twins who introduced us to the /v/ sound. We also played a game in which I drew pictures on the white board of things that begin with the letter v, and the kids guessed them (they were very gracious and did not make fun of my limited drawing skills once...).

After phonics, we headed for the gym for our class with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson. The kids went outside to go sledding (thanks for sending them in warm clothes!). They had a blast!

After sledding, we came in and Ms. Barb (Ryan E.'s mom) came and read two books to us - Frida and Martin's Big Words (about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.). At the same time, Sasha's grandfather came in to run the Take-Apart Center (thank you, Mr. Burris!). An electric mixer met a very timely demise today -- it was really interesting!

After all of that, it was time for us to head home!

P.S. Today, all of the kids had their vision and hearing screened by folks from the Phillips Eye Institute. The results will be sent home in the coming days.

Today, after Center Time and Morning Meeting, we read a biography of Dr, Martin Luther King, Jr, and talked about how people with dark skin were treated in the past, and the significance of Dr. King's life and work. It was good to think and talk about, especially in light of the inauguration today.

After our book and discussion, we headed up to the Media Center for our time there with Mrs. Hennen. When we got back down to the room, we talked about the inauguration day, and about the president's job. We looked at pictures of the White House and the Oval Office, and discussed the importance of the day today. We then spent the rest of the day watching the inauguration ceremony on the big screen in our room -- the kids saw Joe Biden and Barack Obama being sworn in, as well as Aretha Franklin's song, and part of President Obama's speech. I think that they really started to get the significance of the day, especially when I told them that the next time they will see an inauguration will be when they are in 4th grade!

Midway through the President's speech, it was time to pack up and go home!

Today, after Center Time and morning meeting, we had math class. We made "Pattern Snakes" out of pattern blocks. They are hanging in the hallways outside our room -- take a look next time you are at school!

After math, we had art class in our room with Ms. Gilman - the kids made family portraits. After art, we talked about the High Hat friends that we met this week, and made (and read) an "L Book," which should be in their backpacks. Ask you child to read it to you!

After all of that, we bundled up to go home.

Have a great weekend!

Today, after Center Time and Morning Meeting, we we finished the book that we began in reading class yesterday (The Quiltmaker's Gift). It had an ending that I don't think most of the kids expected! When we finished that book, we headed up to the computer lab for our half hour there.

Back down in our room, we met a new High Hat friend. It was actually two friends -- Look and Listen, who introduced us to the /l/ sound. After a bit of discussion of that sound, looked at the DVD/CD player that some of the kids in the afternoon class took apart yesterday -- pretty cool. We then had Choice Time, and then got all bundled up to head home.

Stay warm -- it can't stay this cold forever!!

Today, after Center Time and Morning Meeting, we read a book for our Reading Lesson. We did what is called an Interactive Read-Aloud, in which I ask the students focused and planned questions about the text (The Quiltmaker's Gift) as we are reading. Our focus today was on comprehension (ask your child what the book was about (keeping in mind that we only read half of it today).

After reading, we headed to the gym for class with Mr. Hill and Mr. Peterson. The kids did not go outside for obvious (BRRRRRRRRRR!!) reasons. The sledding excursion will be rescheduled, I'm sure. I'll keep you posted. Instead, they got to go bowling in the gym -- ask them how many strikes and spares they picked up!

After gym, we met a new High Friend in phonics -- Uncle Up, who introduced the short /u/ sound (as in "up"). We also talked about word families that use the short /u/ sound, such as words that end in -up and -ut.

After all of that, we had Choice Time.

Then we bundled up and headed home.

Stay warm!!

This morning, after Center Time and a bit of an extended Morning meeting, we read Isabel K.'s Star of the Week poster (nice job Isabel!!). After that, we headed up to the Media Center for our time there with Mrs. Hennen.

When we got back down to our room, we worked with pattern blocks (this is what pattern blocks look like), making pictures, as we start to study geometry. After all that, we got all bundled up to go home.

Stay warm!!

Today, after Center Time and Morning Meeting, we did a little further practicing with writing numbers on the white boards with markers (there is a practice sheet in the kids' homework this week too). After that, it was time for art class with Ms. Gilman -- the kids painted their sculptures that they made last time, and also painted or drew a winter scene.

After art, we had math - we played a game that introduced the concept of graphing. the kids rolled dice, and then recorded the results on a graph. We then compiled all of the results on a class graph, so that they could see how data can be easily recorded and interpreted.

After math, we had a short Choice Time, and then we headed home!

Today, after Center Time and Morning Meeting, we had Writer's Workshop. Today we looked at all of the pieces of writing that were in each student's writing folder -- re-read them, thought about them, and then went to work revising them. Some added to the pictures, and some added to their writing. At the end of workshop, we all shared what we worked on with a friend.

We then went up to the computer lab for our math and reading practice time there. When we got back to the classroom, we worked on writing numbers. The kids learned a song to help remember the proper way to write the numbers 1 - 10 (here it is, if you're interested). They all practiced writing on mini-white boards, which was a big hit with the kids.

After all of that, it was time to pack up and head home.

January 7, 2009

Today (yesterday, actually), was a busy day. After Center Time and Morning Meeting, we had Read Aloud, and then worked on writing -- we are working on making upper and lower case letters the proper sizes, and when to use each of them.

Then, we headed to the gym -- after bundling up warmly. The kids went outside for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and fun. They came in hot and tired, but it was great fun. Thanks for sending your child in nice warm clothes!

After gym, Ms. Barb (Ryan E.'s mom) came in to read a couple of books to us -- she read and Kat Kong and Dog Breath, both by Dav Pilkey (of Captain Underpants fame). By that time, it was time for us to pack up and go home!

Hello, and welcome back to school!

Today we had Center Time to begin the day, which consisted of independent reading at the kids' tables. Then we had Morning Meeting (it's good to get back into the routines of it all...). After morning meeting, we worked on phonics, reviewing the High Hat friends that we have already met, and the letter sounds that we have already learned.

When we finished that, it was time for us to head up to the Media Center for our library time with Mrs. Hennen. After Media, we came back down to our classroom and met a new High Hat Friend - Gordon Goat, who, predictably enough, introduced us to the /g/ sound. After brainstorming a list of words that begin with the letter g, we had a short Choice Time, and then got packed and bundled up to go home!