Surveys and Interpreting Data

Our math lessons during the past few days have focused on surveys and interpreting data. We started with simple yes/no surveys. First, I encouraged my students to determine which response had more. Then I challenged my students to find out how many more. Since our math units are inquiry based, I ask my students to prove their answers by showing their thinking on a recording sheet.

The process of inquiry based learning allows students to make learning discoveries to help them develop a deeper understanding of the concepts we are trying to teach. We stop frequently during work time to allow students time to share their thinking (which often sparks new ideas and or deepens the understanding for other students). My job is to ask carefully planned questions to guide them to make those meaningful discoveries, rather than teaching them in a direct lesson format.

At first, many of my students were able to come up with the correct answer to how many more, but proving it by showing their thinking was the challenge. I also expect them to be able to use math talk to help a partner or our group understand their thinking. We follow the rules for discussions that I posted about a few weeks ago during math discussions each day.

The surveys I used are from the Survey Pack that I recently posted on Tpt and at Teachers Notebook. You can read a detailed description about it by clicking on the image below. It will take you to my Tpt store.

I'm off to cheer for my favorite baseball team.  Go Tigers!!!  I'm also hoping to wake up to 800 tomorrow morning.  So close...

Word Work Linky Party

I use a modified version of Daily 5, so my students visit 8 literacy centers each week. Five are the normal Daily 5 choices and I always have 3 other centers. I think "working with words" might be my students favorite literacy center.

One of the word work games my students will play throughout the year is Connect Four.  You can click on the pictures of the Connect Four games to download them.

 

Several of the products my students use for working with words throughout the year are available in my Teachers Notebook shop and Tpt store.  The previews below are a few examples.  If you click on the pictures, it will take you to my Teachers Notebook shop.  If you'd prefer to visit Tpt, you can click on my Tpt link on my side bar.

I'm linking up with Hilary's word work linky party at  Rockin' Teacher Materials.  You can visit her blog to find lots of word work ideas.

5 Senses Freebie

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I only have about 2 1/2 minutes to post this morning. So this is gonna have to be short (for once). We are working on a weather unit in my room. I use this 5 senses web for several different science related topics throughout the year. We make an anchor chart with the same format as a large group about one type of weather. I would love to show you a picture, but I haven't made the chart yet this year. Later in the unit, I use this form to help my students organize their thinking for a writing activity about a different type of weather (their choice). The form is not fancy, but I am able to use it for different activities throughout the school year. You can click on the picture if you'd like to download it.

Science Books for Seasonal Poetry

I'm so excited to participate in Science Week by sharing a few of my favorite science books. We just started a unit on weather. Part of the unit focuses on seasons. My students are required to write a 5 senses poem about a season. We use the following books to expose students to poems about different seasons. My students love the poems from these books by Douglas Florian.

Head over to TBA to find the linky party for more ideas of science related books.  

A special thanks to Jennifer from Rowdy in First Grade for organizing Science Week!

Super Spelling Slippers

When I first started teaching 1st grade, there was a great debate at my school (ok, it wasn't so great) about whether or not first graders should take spelling tests. As a result, first grade teachers in my district are able to choose whether or not to do spelling tests in their classrooms. I chose to go with the spelling tests for 3 reasons.

1. I work really hard to make spelling (even the tests) fun in my room.

2. I want my students to be prepared for 2nd grade (where they will all be expected to take weekly spelling tests).

3. Data is good. It helps me plan instruction and intervention.

Before we take our first spelling test, I read Fancy Nancy Splendid Speller to the class. This story covers everything from "eyes on your own paper" to "I'm going to be happy if you try your best". My students loved this story and I love Fancy Nancy (a win-win)!

How about the fun part? I invite my students to wear Super Spelling Slippers during the test each week. Wearing Super Spelling Slippers is completely optional for my students. Many students who chose to wear them have reported that they feel like they have extra spelling power with their Super Spelling Slippers on during the test. I also wear my own Super Spelling Slippers during the test each Friday.

Here is a picture of some of the Super Spelling Slippers in my room this year.

It's all about how much fun you make it. :)

Writer's Workshop

My students have been working hard during our writer's workshop time. Here are some of the books I've used with my mini-lessons in the past few weeks. The focus of the mini-lesson is under each picture.

tools writers use

tools writers use

great wordless picture book - sharing stories with pictures

writers are called authors

illustrators draw pictures

We've made a few anchor charts to go with our first writer's workshop lessons this year.  Here are two of them.  The one on the left was inspired by Mrs. Carroll at The First Grade Parade.   I love her anchor charts!

I'll try to remember to take a few pictures of the other charts next week. 

I'm adding this post to an anchor chart linky party hosted by Tales of Frogs and Cupcakes.  Stop by to visit to check out the other anchor chart ideas.

Who Me? A Versatile Blogger!

I'm honored that Patti from A Series of 3rd Grade Events and Jennifer from Rowdy in First Grade chose little ole' me to receive the Versatile Blogger Award. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

According to the rules... I'm supposed to tell you 7 things about myself.

1. I'm short (4'11").
2. I am a terrible cook (but you should taste my cookies)!
3. I might be obsessed with brushing my teeth and my hair (maybe).
4. I love to give speeches. (I talk and talk and talk. I love to talk. Everyone sits there and listens. How great is that?!)
5. I coach girls lacrosse at our local high school.
6. I'm super freaked out by lice. (I use an organic spray on my hair every school day. I KNOW - FREAK! Let me know if any of my fellow freaks out there want the name of the spray.)
7. I really want to travel to Italy.

Enough about me...

Here are 15 of the blogs hat inspire me on a regular basis.  A few have already received the Versatile Blogger award from another blogger... but a double award is well deserved by these gals.