If you recognize these guys, chances are you’ve become just as addicted to this show as I have! These guys are HI.LAR.I.OUS!!! The rerun marathons on A&E are the best! Did I mention they are laugh out loud funny!
I felt like they made a quick visit to our classroom last week!
We have an awesome GT teacher on our campus that just so happens to be located on the first grade hallway. Wellll, once she got wind of us studying animal groups, she offered up a few goodies to share. We had been comparing and contrasting animal groups. We had no idea by week’s end, we’d be comparing and contrasting them from the inside out! The kids absolutely LOVED it! This was also a big step for me because I am not a huge animal lover. Don’t hold it against me. In fact, I have several, (mostly) irrational fears when it comes to animals, so for me to even use these items was a BIG STEP!
So as to not step too far out of my comfort zone, I had the GT students in my class share and deliver the lesson to explain all of the goodies! This was probably the best text-to-world connection we’ve made all year and they had a hap-py, hap-py, hap-py time! We even visited {completely interrupted} my bestie’s class to share deer, hawk, raccoon, feathers, and skulls with her class too!
We laughed, learned, and had a WILD TIME! That’s a fact, Jack! Lol!
I hope you’re enjoying a relaxing holiday! While my family and I are enjoying the inauguration coverage, I thought I’d share what we’ve been up to in the classroom.
As we returned to start the new year, routines changed just a little. Students are expected to do a little more independently and academics begin to move at a faster pace {because there’s so much to squeeze in}.
One of the little things that changes is our morning work routine. During the first semester, students are expected to come in, unpack, read to self, then reflect on their book in a journal. As we’ve become more independent readers, morning work goes just a bit deeper. Now, in addition to checking in, they must also read and follow directions to complete specific tasks. These tasks will take just a little longer and will spiral/review reading skills.
We’ve also begun focusing on long vowel patterns. Sneaky e has been a lot of fun! Along with it, we’ve introduced other long vowel patterns too. This little ‘long i’ discussion quickly turned into a doodling session…
…that carried over into Science! I absolutely love when cross curricular connections are made! It makes the day at school such a snap when one idea crosses over from subject to subject! We’re currently engrossed in studying objects in the sky and were focused on what makes day and night last week. Hence our cute little snowmen…
These guys also took a long time to make, which was good……considering we also had to get through mid-year TPRI testing! Whew! I’m so glad that’s over! Now I can get back to the business of actively interacting with my kiddos…
…because they’re head over heels in love with comparing and contrasting! If your firsties might enjoy a quick activity to discuss what’s alike and different about day and night, click the pic below to grab the venn diagram we used.
Hi, Friends! How are ya? I’m so excited about my new blog design done by the fantastic team over at The Honey Bunch! They really are a group of the some of the sweetest mind-reading ladies that you’d ever want to work with.
I’m totally in love with the new design and it feels much more like walking into my classroom. Stay tuned! If you’d like to have them sprinkle a little magic over your blog, visit their site by clicking the credits below. Have a great weekend!
