Week 20: Learning to Research

We are continuing to write All About Books in first grade.  My students are learning the basics of how to research a topic.  This week, we all researched Penguins!  First, I read a non-fiction book to the class about penguins.  Then, I gave the students a photocopy version of the book.  They had to find different facts about penguins in the book.  They used different colored highlighters to represent different facts.

After they researched and completed highlighting facts, they used their research to write an All About Penguins book!

Throughout the week, we also read some fiction books about penguins!  The children were able to compare and contrast the similarities and differences between a fiction penguin book and a non-fiction penguin book. 

Next week, we will be researching Polar Bears!!

Week 19: Martin's Big Words

This week we had Monday off.  Many of us enjoyed sleeping in and spending time with our families, but there was a very good reason for having a day off from school.  It was Martin Luther King's birthday!

 

When we came back to school on Tuesday, we read an awesome book about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his amazing actions to help promote equality in our country.

The book was called, Martin's Big Words.

 

 

 

 

 

The children learned a lot about this important man and was able to write an All-About book about him on Friday.

Some of Martin's big words are:  Peace, Love, "I have a dream", and Equal.  Maybe you can use some of these words this weekend while having conversations with your family!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week 18: All About Books

During the months of January and February, we are writing non-fiction text that teaches our readers about the topic. 
 
We learn the difference between a factual sentence and an opinion sentence.

 
Then, we choose topics that we already know a lot about and begin writing.

We will also learn how to research topics that we do not know a lot about.  And then write All About books based on the facts we learned about the topic. 

Week 17: Math in Mrs. Cady's Class

I love teaching math!  Our math instruction is jam packed with educational activities that last no longer than 10 minutes at a time.  I also teach guided math groups every week that allows me to focus on children's individual needs.  Here is a description of what our day looks like in math: 

I-Pad Math Review
At the beginning of math, we always start with an I-pad game that reviews previous skills.  We are able to project the I-Pad onto the smartboard that allows everyone to watch and participate.  The Busy Bee of the day gets to hold the I-Pad.









Math Mini-Lesson
I introduce or continue teaching the skills that we are learning.  We are learning about place value.  We usually use the smartboard or the whiteboard to show and practice examples together.  My mini-lessons are no longer than 10 minutes. 

Whole Group Activity
After we practice together as a whole group, then we complete an activity together with manipulatives or activity sheets.  This is still completely guided and I am able to determine who needs some extra help with the skill being learned. 

Math Choices/Guided Math
After we have practiced together, I meet with a guided math group to practice the skills on their level.  All the other children are completing "Math May-Dos"  like timed tests, dice games, or reading math books.