I have not updated this blog in several weeks. I apologize! I hope I can get back into the weekly groove of posting. In the meantime, here are some updates and photos from the weeks I have missed.
/ar/ Pirate!
A few weeks ago, our sound of the week was the /ar/ sound in words. There is an excellent video on Youtube featuring an animated pirate singing a song about the sound. The kids loved it! We watched it almost every day that week, while they sang along. Click this link if you would like to watch it at home: AR Pirate
Count on to Add
One addition strategy that we were working on last week was counting on from the bigger number. We played a game during math time that helped students practice this skill. I held up a math problem, and the students were in charge of making the two addends with their snap cubes. I would call one friend up to the document camera to show their cubes, and model counting aloud from the bigger number. Each table was their own team so and we kept track of the score. There ended up being a four-way tie, so all of the kiddo's got to vote on a free-time activity as a reward.
Fact Fluency Testing
I administered the first fact fluency test of the year last week. In this test, the students have 3 minutes to successfully complete 40 addition problems. Something I have learned about this group of kiddo's is that they LOVE a challenge. Giving them a time limit really heightened their engagement. They worked really hard, and there were quite a few kiddo's who passed the test (completing 35 or more within the 3 minutes). Being fluent in their addition is a very necessary skill for students so that when more challenging math concepts come along, they will struggle less because they can add so quickly. We will continue to build this fluency all year and there will be more fact fluency tests coming as well.
United Way Celebration
A few weeks ago, the Luff Elementary students were raising money for United Way. The class that raised the most money got to turn Mrs. Carver, Mr. Nagel, and Coach Wilson into ice-cream sundaes. Mr. Browning's class in fourth grade was lucky enough to earn this amusing reward. The whole school got to sit around and watch the fourth graders dump ice-cream, syrup, cherries, whipped cream, etc... all over these wonderful teachers. It was a sight to see, and your kiddo's loved it!
7 Habit Character Winner!
Last week we had a character trait/7 habits reward ceremony in the gym. All of the students and staff from Luff joined together in the gym to sing songs and discuss the 7 habits of being a leader. Also, each teacher chose one student in their class that have been exhibiting one of the 7 habits very well during the first two months of school. In our class, Timothy won the Habit 1: Being Proactive reward. He was very surprised that he was chosen, and was absolutely thrilled when he noticed his mother sitting in the back of the gym supporting him. It was a heart-felt moment. As the year goes on, we will have more celebrations such as this where I get to choose other students showing excellent leadership qualities. If your child is picked, you will be contacted and invited to the ceremony as well!
Reading Journals
This past week we have transformed our reading and writing workshops in order to push your kiddo's even further in their reading/writing skills. I introduced "Reading Journals" to the students, which will be a place for them to start putting down the thoughts they have while they read. It can be a very difficult skill for students to transform their thoughts into words on paper, but this will be a way to build that skill. Also, children rarely notice that they are even thinking while they read, but they do. Making them cognitively aware of their thoughts will help them understand their books on a deeper level. Pictured below are a few students decorating the cover of their journals. Individualizing the journals help the students feel more engaged and helps them take more ownership for their work.
When You Think Your Done, You've Just Begun!
Our writers workshop has also transformed into something amazing. The students now have a lot more writing/creative freedom and have been producing some amazing things. One thing I try and stress to them is that during writing time, they need to write the whole time! When they think they are done with a piece, there are three things they need to do. 1. Add details to the picture. 2. Add details to the words. 3. Start a new piece. This helps them build their writing stamina and encourages them to get all of their ideas out. We went from only being able to write for 5 minutes a day to 15. This is an incredible improvement! The students are very proud of themselves, as am I!
Guest Teacher!
To help us transform our workshops, I elicited the help of another AMAZING teacher in the building. Mrs. Asberry in 3rd grade is an absolute genius at readers and writers workshop, and she offered to come spend some time with your kiddos to help launch this amazing program. The students have LOVED having her in the room, especially since she is accompanied by her little friend Nae Nae. Nae Nae is a puppet that Mrs. Asberry uses to help motivate and amuse the children, and boy does it work like a charm! Nae Nae (pictured below) has been in our room all week helping the students stay on task and working hard. She may stay with us for a few more days, but Miss. Elliott is definitely contemplating adopting her own special puppet friend. The kid's just love it too much for me to let go!
I am looking foward to a new week in room 25! This week we have a pep assembly, and Grandparents Day! It should be so much fun! If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to e-mail or call me!
Hope you all have a wonderful week! See you soon!
-Miss. Elliott
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