Article posted June 29, 2012 at 02:49 AM GMT0 •
comment (14) • Reads 64238
The students have taken phenomenal steps in learning this year. Below are, in their opinions, the highlights of their learning. I think you will notice a theme...
Article posted June 29, 2012 at 02:49 AM GMT0 •
comment (14) • Reads 64238
Article posted June 26, 2012 at 02:51 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 6424
Earlier this year, our class combined with a PreK class from China and a first grade and second grade class from the USA to make this e-book. In it, each of the classes shared some of their celebrations.
We hope you enjoy reading it as much as the children enjoyed writing it. Just click on the image below to read it.
Celebrate with us!
Article posted June 26, 2012 at 02:51 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 6424
Article posted June 20, 2012 at 10:45 PM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 9552
The students LOVE the Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems. We've been reading them a lot lately to practice our reading fluency. Thank you, Kinderkids and Mrs. Knee, for telling us about Elephant and Piggie and for the great idea for the headbands!
Article posted June 20, 2012 at 10:45 PM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 9552
Article posted June 14, 2012 at 04:57 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 3042
Two men from Shaw TV were in our classroom recently to film us using our iPads. The highlight of their visit was a chance for the students to check out the view through their camera!
Article posted June 14, 2012 at 04:57 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 3042
Article posted June 12, 2012 at 05:03 PM GMT0 •
comment (7) • Reads 4390
We tried out a new app recently (Tens Frame) that lets us use the iPad as a math manipulative for addition and subtraction. Not one of the "counters" got lost and there was no mess on the floor to clean up afterwards!
Article posted June 12, 2012 at 05:03 PM GMT0 •
comment (7) • Reads 4390
Article posted June 10, 2012 at 10:49 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 3416
This spring, our class has been working with other classes around the world--sharing and learning together. Several collaborative projects have resulted. The book below is one of the products from that collaboration and contains pages created by various PreK - 2 classrooms from around the world as part of the Flat Classroom Project.
Each of the participating classes focused on "A View From the Window" of their school in a different way. Our page (containing photos and text created by the students) is first, but it is fascinating to see what all of the other classes have created as well. Click on the image to see the finished product.
Article posted June 10, 2012 at 10:49 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 3416
Article posted June 1, 2012 at 11:21 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 10164
This week two special ladies came to our classroom to help us learn about recycling. With their encouragement, the children made some cooperative posters about recycling that will now hang in their office at Recycle Saskatchewan.
Article posted June 1, 2012 at 11:21 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 10164
Article posted May 31, 2012 at 11:59 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 2552
Since the first week of school, my students have been asking me when it will be their turn to read to the kindergarten students. They remember when last year's grade ones read to them, and look forward to being the readers.
This week it was finally their turn.
Article posted May 31, 2012 at 11:59 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 2552
Article posted May 25, 2012 at 02:05 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 11955
After having a chance to love and enjoy the new babies, we have given the pheasants back to the Wildlife Federation, who will raise them until they are old enough to be released into the wild.
Article posted May 25, 2012 at 02:05 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 11955
Article posted May 19, 2012 at 03:24 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 9669
For the past few weeks, my students have been faithfully caring for some multi-coloured pheasant eggs we received from the Wildlife Federation. Once the eggs have hatched, we will give the baby pheasants back to the Wildlife Federation who will care for them until they are grown and then release them into the wild. They should be hatching in the next few days. We can't wait!
Article posted May 19, 2012 at 03:24 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 9669
Article posted May 13, 2012 at 11:14 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 6785
If you follow this blog regularly, you will have seen the letter the students wrote last December to the Ministry of Education about the bandwidth at our school. Since then, the students have continued to wonder about this issue. This video shows the students continuing quest to understand, and finally, an answer!!
Article posted May 13, 2012 at 11:14 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 6785
Article posted May 4, 2012 at 02:53 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 7976
We're participating in a project that involves schools from around the world sharing what it looks like where they live. To show what it looks like around our school, we headed outside with our iPads to take pictures of what we saw. Many of the students felt they could get a better "view" from this dirt mound.
Article posted May 4, 2012 at 02:53 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 7976
Article posted April 28, 2012 at 11:55 PM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 5782
Our new iPads have finally arrived in our classroom! We christened them by playing new games, drawing and taking some photos. I think I can safely say that the students unanimously love our new learning tools.
Article posted April 28, 2012 at 11:55 PM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 5782
Article posted April 24, 2012 at 03:35 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 6377
Our class has been connecting and learning with classrooms from many places. The story below was written in cooperation with Mrs. Bair's fourth grade class in Pennsylvania. Our classes took turns adding to the story. We love the way it turned out!
Article posted April 8, 2012 at 04:16 PM GMT0 •
comment (6) • Reads 8171
Sandra and Diane visited our classroom again to help us make another splendid craft. This time we made Easter egg window clings using Sandra's special paint.
Article posted April 8, 2012 at 04:16 PM GMT0 •
comment (6) • Reads 8171
Article posted March 29, 2012 at 01:51 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 4643
A few days ago, my students made this video to introduce ourselves. It was posted earlier, but here it is once more. You may want to compare it to the second video.
Article posted March 26, 2012 at 04:06 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 3901
Ms Bair's class in Pennsylvania saw our video that introduced us and our classroom. They made a video to introduce themselves and then this video to ask us some questions:
This video is our response. It includes our answers to their questions as well as some connections we saw--that is, something in our classroom that their video reminded us of.
Article posted March 26, 2012 at 04:06 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 3901
Article posted March 23, 2012 at 02:22 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 3001
After a tour of the Moose Jaw Art Museum and discussing the ways that houses and shelter have changed in Moose Jaw over the past one hundred years, the students created these tipis. The students were VERY impressed with their creations.
Article posted March 23, 2012 at 02:22 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 3001
Article posted March 18, 2012 at 08:57 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 5258
Some of our counting goals for this year include
-counting to 100
-counting to 100 by tens
-counting to 100 by fives
-counting to 20 by twos
All of the children know which of these counting goals they have already reached and which they still need to practice. Below are some photos of the students practicing their counting using tools of their choice.
Article posted March 18, 2012 at 08:57 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 5258
Article posted March 11, 2012 at 12:13 AM GMT0 •
comment (6) • Reads 7968
Over the next while, we will be doing some communicating and creating with some other classrooms from various places around the world. We wanted to introduce ourselves to them, so the students talked about the questions they had about the other classrooms. We decided that the other classrooms probably had the same questions about us, so we made this video to answer the questions the other students might have.
This video was planned, filmed and narrated by the students themselves.
Article posted March 11, 2012 at 12:13 AM GMT0 •
comment (6) • Reads 7968
Article posted March 7, 2012 at 02:06 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 4127
As we were finishing up our Rules, Relationships and Responsibility unit, we had some questions about rules to keep us safe outside of our school or our home. Since no one knows the answers to those questions better than a police officer, we invited Constable Mohle to our classroom. Sure enough, he knew all of the answers.
Thanks, Constable Mohle, for helping us to learn!
Article posted March 7, 2012 at 02:06 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 4127
Article posted March 3, 2012 at 09:37 PM GMT0 •
comment (8) • Reads 3745
Last fall, I applied to Best Buy's "Best in Class" contest. This week, some representatives came to our school to present us with this giant gift card. We also have some real gift cards that we can use to buy $20000 of technology for our classroom. I discussed our options with the students, and they agreed with my original plan to buy enough iPads so that all of the students will have access to an iPad at the same time.
Another highlight for the students was meeting Taggie, the Best Buy mascot.
We're looking forward to having this wonderful new technology in our classroom. Thank you, Best Buy!
Article posted March 3, 2012 at 09:37 PM GMT0 •
comment (8) • Reads 3745
Article posted February 26, 2012 at 04:04 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 5817
Nothing tastes better than pancakes, and when those pancakes are accompanied by fruit and cheese they are even better. The children ate more than I imagined it would be possible for them to eat!
Check each of the students' blogs to see their video explanation what we did together.
Article posted February 26, 2012 at 04:04 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 5817
Article posted February 14, 2012 at 03:23 AM GMT0 •
comment (8) • Reads 8861
On February 1st, as part of a cross-Canada project, the students took turns taking pictures of our day. Altogether, the students took 513 photos! Both cameras were full well before lunch and had to be emptied to allow pictures in the afternoon.
I asked them what they thought the story should be about, and the unanimous answer was "learning". The title was suggested by one of the students.
Together, the students wrote and edited the story of their day and we began to look through the photos they had taken to illustrate it. This proved to be a pretty arduous task given the number of photos, so I eventually had to take over this part. The students all approved of the choices I had made, so we can now share it with you.
We can't wait to see the stories done by other classrooms!
Article posted February 14, 2012 at 03:23 AM GMT0 •
comment (8) • Reads 8861
Article posted February 9, 2012 at 03:39 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 5059
At last we reached the 100th day of school. We had talked about it beforehand, and each of the children had thought about what he or she wanted to know about big numbers and about one hundred. Here are some scenes from our day.
Article posted February 9, 2012 at 03:39 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 5059
Article posted February 2, 2012 at 02:28 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 2184
My students have become experts in subtraction. To show their skills, each student made a video showing a subtraction story and the accompanying number sentence. You can see more of these great stories on the students' individual blogs. Just click on their names on the right-hand side. All videos are filmed by another student.
Article posted February 2, 2012 at 02:28 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 2184
Article posted January 28, 2012 at 10:35 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 2579
The students are learning a new way to be fluent readers--by re-reading books they know. Check on the students' blogs to hear some some smooth reading of familiar books.
Article posted January 28, 2012 at 10:35 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 2579
Article posted January 21, 2012 at 01:49 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 8279
Flu season decimated our classroom this week. To help the students who have been away understand about silent e and how it changes a word, the students who were at school made videos explaining what they had learned. One of the videos is below--the others are posted on each creator's blog.
Article posted January 21, 2012 at 01:49 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 8279
Article posted January 17, 2012 at 02:50 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 4731
We're trying to learn words that are tricky for us! If you happen to see one of us with one of these lanyards on, be sure to ask us to read the word to you.
Article posted January 17, 2012 at 02:50 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 4731
Article posted January 15, 2012 at 09:29 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 2419
One day, the students brought their games to show us at school. Many of the students brought a Nintendo DS game.
After showing how everyone how our games worked, we used the PictoChat feature, which allows the DS and DSi's to wirelessly communicate with each other. We drew pictures for each other, practiced spelling some words and wrote number stories to go with problems.
The students loved it, and hope to do it again, soon!
Article posted January 15, 2012 at 09:29 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 2419
Article posted January 6, 2012 at 02:50 AM GMT0 •
comment (6) • Reads 11115
Can using the Nintendo DS help us learn about rules? We think so. Today eighteen children tried using six NintendoDS with no rules. No one was happy. Together, the students helped to make some rules--you can see the results below.
Article posted January 6, 2012 at 02:50 AM GMT0 •
comment (6) • Reads 11115
Article posted December 23, 2011 at 04:05 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 13702
On the last day of school before the Christmas holidays, we spent some time talking about all of the people who have helped us to learn so far this year. Here is our thanks:
Article posted December 23, 2011 at 04:05 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 13702
Article posted December 22, 2011 at 05:08 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 2290
...and all through the school, the students were busy!
Every year, the School Community Council at our school hosts a Christmas store. The students can purchase new or gently used items for .25, .50 or $1.00. When these important gifts have been selected, a volunteer wraps the gifts for my students and he or she is able to take home purchased and wrapped gifts for their entire family. Just look at these busy and happy students!
We have also been busy beginning our learning about addition and subtraction. We began by making number trains as many different ways as we could.
Mrs. Marranan and the 2MGems sent us a wonderful picture book about Santa Koala. (The other book in the picture below was sent to my class last year.)
We liked the song about Santa Koala so much that we decided to sing it as a thank you for Mrs. Marranan.
Article posted December 22, 2011 at 05:08 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 2290
Article posted December 16, 2011 at 02:58 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 7810
Thanks to a generous donation of some Christmas ornaments, our class made some gorgeous wreathes. The students left the school excited to put their treasures up at home. Thanks for your help, Sandra and Diane!
Article posted December 16, 2011 at 02:58 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 7810
Article posted December 11, 2011 at 12:42 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 5841
At the culmination of our unit about using objects and materials, we had a construction day. Each student created many delightful articles, but only shares one in the video below.
Article posted December 11, 2011 at 12:42 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 5841
Article posted December 9, 2011 at 08:03 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 2066
This week my students were unhappy when some videos we were trying to watch kept pausing to reload during our viewing. This is the letter they wrote to the Ministry of Education to ask for increased bandwidth. We hope we get an answer!
Article posted December 9, 2011 at 08:03 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 2066
Article posted December 7, 2011 at 03:09 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 3618
We are very fortunate to have an Art Museum and Gallery here in Moose Jaw. The students learned so many things in the gallery (ask them about Resolute Bay) and from Christy, the resident artist who helped us make the clay snowmen.
Article posted December 7, 2011 at 03:09 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 3618
Article posted December 2, 2011 at 02:51 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 6242
We are continuing to explore numbers up to twenty. The students in the picture above are helping to make a number line out of ten frames.
Parents, this is a very do-able at home activity. Make a series of Cheerios, Lego or any other small object you have lots of. Start with one, then put two, then three etc. up to twenty. Ask your child to write the numbers on small pieces of paper and add them to your "number line". Ask questions about which number comes "after" or "before" a certain number. Ask, "Which number is after eleven?" "Which number is two less than fifteen?" etc.
Enjoy math together!
Article posted December 2, 2011 at 02:51 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 6242
Article posted November 24, 2011 at 02:10 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 5226
Our school sold chocolate milk and cookies as part of the Movember fundraiser. These students wanted to have mustaches as well. (And some students wanted nothing to do with it!)
Article posted November 24, 2011 at 02:10 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 5226
Article posted November 19, 2011 at 10:28 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 5583
Take a peek into our classroom and see what it currently looks like during our literacy time. There are two things missing in this video. One is the teacher having conferences with individual students (someone had to hold the camera, after all) and the other is the hum of voices reading. Reading is NOT a quiet activity in grade one, but most of the children get very quiet when the camera is on.
Article posted November 19, 2011 at 10:28 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 5583
Article posted November 9, 2011 at 02:51 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 12642
Despite the snow on the weekend, the students watered their seedlings. We plan to keep watering them until the end of November as instructed by the greenhouse. The pine trees weren't the only thing that got wet as we carried the water from the school to the adjacent field!
Article posted November 9, 2011 at 02:51 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 12642
Article posted November 7, 2011 at 12:43 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 3128
Our class was given some pine Scotch Pine tree seedlings. Together with the grade six students, we planted them in the field by the school. We can't wait to watch them grow!
Article posted November 7, 2011 at 12:43 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 3128
Article posted November 5, 2011 at 05:01 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 2810
Representing is a strand of our language arts curriculum that means showing your learning through a drawing, drama, or some other artifact. All of the students drew me this week to show what they have been learning about representing through a drawing. The characteristics we have focused on include shapes, size, use of space and details. There are four examples on the left, but each student has his own customized version of me posted on their blog. I have a lot of different looks!
Article posted November 5, 2011 at 05:01 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 2810
Article posted October 26, 2011 at 04:07 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 14871
As part of our new topic, "Is It Alive?", we have been finding answers to our questions about the heart lungs and brain. Today we looked at a model of our heart and tried to hear our heartbeat. (We need a better stethoscope.). Later this week, we'll be talking to a nurse on Skype.
Article posted October 26, 2011 at 04:07 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 14871
Article posted October 18, 2011 at 04:05 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 5521
As a start to our next inquiry unit "Is It Alive?", we examined ladybugs, read books about ladybugs and watched video about ladybugs. We are now ladybug experts. Before we began, we had lots of questions. In the pencast below, the children share the questions they had, and the answers they discovered.
Article posted October 11, 2011 at 01:49 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 10147
While patterning will continue to be a focus throughout the year, we have officially finished our patterning unit. To show their learning, each child produced some type of an artifact to post on his or her blog. Some children chose to make a poster and talk about it on video. Others chose to use an iPad app called Screenchomp to explain what they had learned. A few children chose to make a pattern using Animationish, an animation program we have in our classroom. Still others chose to use a digital drawing program and to record their explanation on Audioboo.
Check the students' blogs (linked on the right) to see the learning they have shared.
Here is one child's patterning artifact as a teaser.
Article posted October 11, 2011 at 01:49 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 10147
Article posted October 8, 2011 at 04:26 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 4304
It's amazing what you can find in grass. We found a lot of ladybugs as well as an assortment of other bugs. The ladybugs were very speedy and hard to observe. So, to slow them down, we put them in the fridge! Later, we looked at them with magnifying glasses. Ask your children what ladybugs REALLY look like.
Article posted October 8, 2011 at 04:26 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 4304
Article posted September 20, 2011 at 03:18 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 8183
More patterning--this time with boxes. This idea was from one of the students. Now to decided what to do with those gorgeous, appealing boxes that take up soooo much room.
Article posted September 20, 2011 at 03:18 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 8183
Article posted September 16, 2011 at 06:56 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 5387
If you are going to make patterns, it is helpful to be ble to find the core (the part that is repeated). So, this week we spent some time finding the cores of patterns. On each of the chilren's blogs is an example of at least one pattern they created and then found the core of. These patterns were mostly drawn on the top of our tables which have been covered with idea paint. Check their blogs to see some fabulous patterning.
Article posted September 16, 2011 at 06:56 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 5387
Article posted September 15, 2011 at 03:53 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 5477
This afternoon we talked on Skype with Year 2 class in New Zealand. After the students got over the wonder of the fact that we could see AND talk to someone outside of the classroom, we discovered some other things that seemed pretty strange to us. It was Wednesday when they called us, but it was Thursday in New Zealand. We thought that they talked funny, but they thought that we did. They told us that they go swimming at the beach on Christmas Day. These things seemed pretty strange to us.
They also helped us learn about patterns by telling us what they had learned in their pattern studies earlier in the year. They learned some of the same things that we have!
Article posted September 15, 2011 at 03:53 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 5477
Article posted September 14, 2011 at 03:46 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 2979
Students and staff from John Chisolm High School came to our school and set up this tipi for us. The students from the grade four/five class took some time to tell us about what they had been learning about how the tipi was moved by First Nations People, how it was made and what the poles represented.
Article posted September 14, 2011 at 03:46 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 2979
Article posted September 10, 2011 at 02:59 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 6639
This week we continued to work different kinds of patterning. One of the children wondered if it was possible to make patterns with cake. As you can see, the answer is "Yes"!
Article posted September 10, 2011 at 02:59 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 6639
Article posted September 4, 2011 at 04:30 AM GMT0 •
comment (8) • Reads 9494
We're back!
I have a brand new group of lively five and six year old students who are eager to learn and connect with other classrooms around the world.
Our first week was a busy one. The Animoto below is a collection of images taken throughout the week. Most of the pictures were taken by the students themselves. Our first theme this year is patterns, which is VERY evident in the pictures below.
Article posted September 4, 2011 at 04:30 AM GMT0 •
comment (8) • Reads 9494
Article posted June 25, 2011 at 03:49 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 77165
The end of the school year is always a time for reflection. In the video below, each of the students thinks about what the "best" thing each of them learned in grade one was. There are several fairly common themes...
Article posted June 25, 2011 at 03:49 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 77165
Article posted June 22, 2011 at 12:34 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 4873
This week we were able to talk on Skype with the Kinderkids--a class of kindergarten students in New Hampshire. We did the Double Dream Hands dance together and had lots of questions about animals for them. They taught us about the horseshoe crab, an animal that none of us had ever heard of before. Now, we are horseshoe crab experts. Just ask us.
Article posted June 22, 2011 at 12:34 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 4873
Article posted June 18, 2011 at 05:56 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 9127
As we finished our plant unit, the students thought about the things they had learned, and posted an artifact on their blog to show what their learning.
They chose many different ways to show their learning, such as video, pictures, writing etc. A couple of students even chose to use Storybird, such as the example below. As always, you can see the rest of the students' reflections by clicking on the student names on the right.
Article posted June 11, 2011 at 07:57 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 10645
My students and I know each other pretty well. This week, in my ongoing pursuit of getting them to write more ideas about a topic, I asked them to write about me. I gave them several ideas for ways to start a sentence and then they were off and writing.
This is was a bit scary, as children are brutally honest, but their articles and illustrations gave me some great insight into their perceptions of me. Apparently I do not enjoy kids using swear words, kids not listening or kids who scream. You can read more perceptive comments on each student's blog.
Article posted June 11, 2011 at 07:57 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 10645
Article posted June 5, 2011 at 08:55 PM GMT0 •
comment (15) • Reads 9117
Hatching pheasants is a chancy business. Not only are you never sure how many will actually hatch, you also cannot count on them to hatch when there are children around to see them. One year, all the pheasants hatched outside of school hours and I had some very unhappy children on my hands.
Fortunately, that was not the case this year. The baby pheasants fully cooperated. The children were able to witness twelve of the eggs hatching within a three hour period.
Then, when the pheasants had dried, they all got a chance to hold and love the babies a couple of times before Mr. Dodds whisked them away to the baby pheasant farm.
It was an exciting time-so exciting that I didn't take any video! Instead, here is a video I made of the hatch last year. This year's class love to watch it over and over.
Article posted June 5, 2011 at 08:55 PM GMT0 •
comment (15) • Reads 9117
Article posted June 2, 2011 at 02:54 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 4147
We have pheasants hatching in our classroom. During our school hours for the next couple of days (9:00 - 3:30CST), you can watch along with us by clicking here: Watch the pheasants hatch on a Computer
or
watch the pheasants hatch on an iPad, iPhone or iPod.
Article posted June 2, 2011 at 02:54 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 4147
Article posted June 1, 2011 at 04:18 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 2972
Do you know what good "representers" do? If not, my students can show you. They used colour, space, shape, size and motion in their clay representations of fairy tales. You can find a video example on each child's blog by clicking on their names on the right-hand side of this blog.
Article posted June 1, 2011 at 04:18 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 2972
Article posted May 28, 2011 at 04:18 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 6240
Each spring I take the students to the kindergarten classroom to show off their growing reading skills. This is a highly anticipated event! In fact, some of the students have been asking me since last September when it would be "their turn". The day finally arrived:
Article posted May 28, 2011 at 04:18 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 6240
Article posted May 20, 2011 at 09:24 PM GMT0 •
comment (6) • Reads 10714
We have butterflies emerging from their chrysalis in our classroom! About ten butterflies were out when we left on Friday for our long weekend. You can see the butterflies live in our classroom by clicking on the links below:
Note: This feed has been discontinued as the butterflies have been released!
To answer the most frequently asked questions:
The brown in the bottom of the container is a paper towel to help keep the butterflies from sticking to the plastic. The red that you see on the sides and bottom is NOT blood. It is maconium, which is tissues and colouring left over from the butterfly and wing formation. The small round lid contains sugar water, which the butterflies will drink until they are released into the wild.
Article posted May 20, 2011 at 09:24 PM GMT0 •
comment (6) • Reads 10714
Article posted May 9, 2011 at 02:43 PM GMT0 •
comment (12) • Reads 17935
Awhile ago, we started a google doc to collect breakfast foods and where the people who ate them lived. Many people from around the world contributed to the doc and helped us learn. (Thank you for that!)
Recently, we took all of the words from the google doc and put them into a Wordle. Here is what it looked like. You can clearly see some of the most common breakfast foods as well as where many people were from who helped us out.
The children noticed that a few people had written that they ate Vegemite for breakfast. We had to try it.
As you can see, not everyone thought it was the best food ever. Each child chose one word to describe the taste of Vegemite, and we again made a Wordle to see what the most common reactions were. Definitely mixed opinions!
Article posted May 9, 2011 at 02:43 PM GMT0 •
comment (12) • Reads 17935
Article posted April 25, 2011 at 09:29 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 22063
We have learned several strategies to help us add numbers. My students each made a video to show the strategy that he or she preferred. It is fascinating to me to hear each of the children explain their process. Check each student's individual blog (linked on the right) to see and hear them explain their learning.
Article posted April 25, 2011 at 09:29 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 22063
Article posted April 23, 2011 at 07:23 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 5828
This week Sandra and her wonderfully crafty helpers came to help us make these Easter Bunny containers. The Easter Bunny must have known what we were doing -- he stopped at the school while we were out at lunch to leave us a treat.
Article posted April 23, 2011 at 07:23 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 5828
Article posted April 15, 2011 at 03:06 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 14259
We recently finished our sock puppets and have begun making up short puppet plays to show our classmates. The students have shown us lots of imaginative ways to tell stories.
This week we had another kind of puppet at school. We could see the people holding the puppets! Kids on the Block were at our school to talk about diversity. They reminded us that we can all do the same things--we just do them in different ways.
Article posted April 15, 2011 at 03:06 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 14259
Article posted April 8, 2011 at 02:56 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 11414
One of the objectives of our curriculum is to be able to show what we have learned or know using various media. We have been practicing using drama to show what we know about animals. The students made a video of each other showing either cat or dog movements. Those videos are now posted on each student's blog. Here is one example of a cat. Check the student's blogs (linked on the right) for more catty or doggy drama. Thanks Mrs. Pavier for loaning us your shadow screen!
Article posted April 8, 2011 at 02:56 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 11414
Article posted April 4, 2011 at 03:04 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 8471
In social studies, we have been learning about the way that people are the same and yet have differences in their lives. The students in my class are all in grade one, but they don't all eat the same thing for breakfast. We wondered what other people eat for breakfast...so we started a Google doc . Over one hundred people from at least four different countries have added their breakfasts to our list. Now, we are busy using another Google doc to record our learning from the list. Thanks for helping us to learn!
Article posted April 4, 2011 at 03:04 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 8471
Article posted March 29, 2011 at 03:51 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 9626
Children are attracted to games of all kinds, but the Nintendo DS are especially popular in my classroom. The students have been using the Pictochat feature to practice spelling words, to solve math stories and to think of numbers before and after. Recently, we began to play the game Nintendogs as well. The children enjoy the challenge of raising a dog together. The hardest part is waiting for and giving up their turn!
Article posted March 29, 2011 at 03:51 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 9626
Article posted March 20, 2011 at 08:45 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 14671
When a students moves from our classroom, we all miss him/her and wonder what their new classroom is like. Recently, we got a chance Skype with the class of one of the students who has moved. It was great to see our friend again and find out which things are the same and which are different between our two classrooms. it also provided a great sense of closure for the students and their teacher. I haven't heard an "I miss ..." since.
Article posted March 20, 2011 at 08:45 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 14671
Article posted March 14, 2011 at 01:26 AM GMT0 •
comment (7) • Reads 12223
Yum, yum! On Shrove Tuesday, we ate pancakes at school. They must have been tasty, as they all disappeared along with a LOT of fruit and cheese sent by our parents. As part of our reflection on the process, we each recorded the steps for making pancakes for our blog. Alex's instructions are below. You can check the children's blogs on the right hand side to hear each of their directions.
Article posted March 14, 2011 at 01:26 AM GMT0 •
comment (7) • Reads 12223
Article posted March 4, 2011 at 01:39 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 12465
This week, we watched this video showing how fast a boy in Quebec could put his snow clothes on. We wondered how fast we could put on OUR snow clothes. So we used a timer to see. Check the video below to see how fast we all are.
Article posted March 4, 2011 at 01:39 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 12465
Article posted February 26, 2011 at 08:29 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 6867
I sometimes remember to pull out our Flip video camera when we are in the midst of our learning. That video footage often gets put aside and forgotten, but this week I decided to put together some footage from three occasions that were sort of special—learning to Zumba, printmaking and trying Mathletics for the first time. Enjoy these grade one moments!
Article posted February 26, 2011 at 08:29 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 6867
Article posted February 19, 2011 at 03:24 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 9452
Today my classroom started a two week trial of Mathletics. There were cheers and squeals of excitement as the students set up their avatars and began to play the live games against other students from around the world.
The children left the school excited to continue to play the games during our break next week. When we're back together in March, we'll try out some of the other curriculum activities. The next two weeks are an experiment as we try out this new learning tool. Let me know what you think, grade one. Should we keep using Mathletics when the two weeks are up? Does it help you to learn?
Article posted February 19, 2011 at 03:24 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 9452
Article posted February 14, 2011 at 01:37 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 7785
As part of our animals unit, each child has chosen an animal that he or she would like to learn more about. As we learn about this animal, we will be recording our learning on our Animals Wiki.
Because we hadn't used a wiki yet, we practiced using a wiki by adding our names to the Kinderkids Names Wiki. We even hyperlinked our names to our blog, so that if anyone sees our names and would like to see our work, they can!
Names are very important to young children. (Just try accidentally calling a child by the wrong name and see what happens.) The Kinderkids have plans for the data they collect, so hop over to their wiki and help them out by adding your name.
You can watch our animals wiki grow over the next while as we use it to show our learning as well.
Article posted February 14, 2011 at 01:37 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 7785
Article posted January 31, 2011 at 11:03 AM GMT0 •
comment (7) • Reads 15998
What are some of our rituals? After discussing the rituals of our daily life, the students each illustrated a ritual and wrote a short description of it. Then, we put the rituals in order and recorded our voices reading what we had written. This video is special because, as you can see below, the students helped to edit it.
We'd love to know what rituals YOU have.
Article posted January 31, 2011 at 11:03 AM GMT0 •
comment (7) • Reads 15998
Article posted January 22, 2011 at 09:42 PM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 11719
We've just started a puppet unit, and our first puppets were hand puppets--literally. We dressed up our hands with marker, lipstick, stickers, yarn and fabric to make our own special puppet. Then, we made up a short puppet dialogue. One of the "shows" is below.
Article posted January 22, 2011 at 09:42 PM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 11719
Article posted January 11, 2011 at 10:39 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 11881
We've been practicing a new problem solving strategy in our class. We guess what we think the answer might be, and then check to see if our answer is correct. If it isn't, we make another guess, and check again.
Here is a problem for you to solve. Please leave a comment if you can figure out the answer, and let us know if you used the guess and check strategy.
There were twelve children playing on the playground. Some were boys and some were girls. There were two fewer girls than boys. How many girls were there on the playground?
Article posted January 11, 2011 at 10:39 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 11881
Article posted December 27, 2010 at 09:01 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 13346
The build-up to Christmas was hectic in our classroom. Here are three moments from that special time.
Each year, the parents' committee sets up a "Christmas store" in our gym. For sale are new and gently used items that have been contributed by parents and members of the community. The students can purchase these items for 25 cents, 50 cents or $1.00. The purchased items are then wrapped by parent volunteers so that the children can take them home and put them right under their Christmas tree. Here are some happy shoppers:
Our Christmas concert was another highlight for the children. They sang a French song called Bon Homme (snowman).
Mrs. Knee, who teaches the Kinderkids in New Hampshire, kindly sent us a special Advent calendar that had a video or other special activity for each day leading up to Christmas. A few of the children made this video to thank her.
Article posted December 27, 2010 at 09:01 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 13346
Article posted December 10, 2010 at 03:38 AM GMT0 •
comment (6) • Reads 18354
After spending some time talking about the POLITE way to write a letter to Santa, we got down to work. You can write to him, too! He says he'll write back. His address is
Santa Claus
North Pole
Canada HOH OHO
Article posted December 10, 2010 at 03:38 AM GMT0 •
comment (6) • Reads 18354
Article posted December 6, 2010 at 01:58 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 5602
This week a parcel arrived for us from Australia. When we opened it, we discovered lots of wonderful and Christmas-y things from the land down under.
Later in the day, some of the students decided that they needed to make a video to thank Ms Marrinan, the teacher of the 2M Gems and her students. The Gems, who have been faithful commenters on our blogs, are on their summer holidays right now. This makes the students very jealous, but they are taking some consolation from the fact that the new Gems will be working in school while we are on holidays next summer.
Each student chose what he or she would say for this video. This is for you, Ms. Marrinan and Gems!
Article posted December 6, 2010 at 01:58 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 5602
Article posted November 27, 2010 at 03:06 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 11052
Ms. Orr and her first grade students in Virginia made this Voicethread for us about their holiday traditions. You can see a bigger version of it here. Are some of your traditions the same as their traditions? Some of ours are.
We are also learning about traditions in our classroom. Watch for a video from us about our holiday traditions soon!
Article posted November 27, 2010 at 03:06 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 11052
Article posted November 13, 2010 at 04:04 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 8610
Recently, author and illustrator Chris Tougas visited our school. He is very sharp in the way he uses shapes. He talked to us about drawing with shapes, and the way that different shapes can give us different feelings.
What feelings do you get from these round shapes
or these rectangular shapes
or these triangular shapes?
We get really different feelings from these pictures, so we are practicing using them when we draw as well. Now, we'll be shape sharp, too.
Article posted November 13, 2010 at 04:04 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 8610
Article posted November 6, 2010 at 04:46 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 8445
This week each of the students chose a book, and we recorded their reading using a tool called Vocaroo. Some of the students chose to read the words of a book they had been practicing, and others chose to "read the pictures" of a book. Each of their recordings has been posted on their blog (the students' blogs are linked on the right hand side of this page). Just click on the arrow on the right side of the Vocaroo icon to hear us. We're readers!
Can you guess which reader this is?
Article posted November 6, 2010 at 04:46 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 8445
Article posted October 31, 2010 at 03:02 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 7342
Perhaps you have been wondering what all the students in our class will be wearing for Halloween? Wonder no more. This week each of the children drew a picture of themselves dressed up in their trick or treat finery. Have a peek at their blogs and you will be able to recognize the students when they come knocking at your door looking for candy.
Happy Halloween!
Article posted October 31, 2010 at 03:02 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 7342
Article posted October 23, 2010 at 11:14 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 7609
This past week, as part of our Education Week activities, our all of the students in our school walked to Riverview Collegiate to watch the Fisher Dancers. The Fisher Dancers are a family of dancers that values the traditions of their culture. It was a special opportunity for the students and they were fascinated by what they saw.
Article posted October 23, 2010 at 11:14 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 7609
Article posted October 10, 2010 at 02:52 AM GMT0 •
comment (6) • Reads 10478
This week, four wonderful ladies who like to make crafts visited our classroom and helped us make turkey centerpieces for Thanksgiving. You can watch us in action, and hear one thing that we are each thankful for in the video below.
Happy Thanksgiving!
We're also thankful for our craft helpers!
Article posted October 10, 2010 at 02:52 AM GMT0 •
comment (6) • Reads 10478
Article posted October 1, 2010 at 03:13 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 7261
We've just finished our patterning unit. Now, we notice patterns everywhere, and we can tell you all about them. We can also make patterns with all sorts of objects. Try asking us to make a colour pattern into an alphabet pattern, or to make that alphabet pattern into a sound pattern. We can do it all!
Article posted October 1, 2010 at 03:13 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 7261
Article posted September 15, 2010 at 04:37 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 14062
Our first math unit is about patterning. For the last couple of days, we have been practicing making the same pattern in different ways, such as with letters, numbers, actions or sounds. Each of the students made a picture to post on their blog to show their understanding of this concept. Check them out!
Article posted September 15, 2010 at 04:37 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 14062
Article posted September 8, 2010 at 03:43 PM GMT0 •
comment (16) • Reads 10752
This year my class is using a program called the Daily Five. It is a method of teaching language arts that seeks to help children learn how to become independent learners who take responsibility for their own learning. For the first two weeks of school, we have been working on what it looks like to work by yourself. (I also want them to learn how to collaborate--that is next!) Here is a peek into what it looked like in our classroom yesterday while the students were practicing their independence.
Parents, you should be very proud. I am.
Article posted September 8, 2010 at 03:43 PM GMT0 •
comment (16) • Reads 10752
Article posted August 30, 2010 at 02:36 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 8976
We're back at school at last. We're making new friends, practicing new routines, having fun and learning together.
On Friday, we learned from someone the students had never met before. Her name is Ms. Marrinan, and she teaches the 2M Gems in Brisbane, Australia. She got up at 7:00 to answer our questions and to read us a story via Skype. We found out that it is winter in Australia right now, and that it was already Saturday in Australia when we talked to her.
Skype is a tool that allows us to talk to people in other places via the computer. We'll use Skype to connect with and learn from lots of people this year. We can't wait!
Article posted August 30, 2010 at 02:36 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 8976
Article posted June 24, 2010 at 03:24 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 4348
Recently, while we were reviewing all the things that we had learned this year, we realized that we had not made a video about the letter x to put on our alphabet wiki. We remedied that with the video below, and not only showed our own learning, but made something to help next year's grade one class as well.
Article posted June 24, 2010 at 03:24 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 4348
Article posted June 18, 2010 at 04:36 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 17114
There are so many things that we want to learn. Recently, we made a list of things that we wanted to know about rocks. Dr. Trish Gregg, a geologist who lives in Oregon, came into our classroom via Skype to answer those questions. Here are the recordings of part of our conversation with her.
Article posted June 18, 2010 at 04:36 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 17114
Article posted June 15, 2010 at 10:21 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 5106
It's the time of year when we reflect on all the things we have learned this year. Here is a peek at some of the things we've learned about word families.
Article posted June 15, 2010 at 10:21 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 5106
Article posted June 6, 2010 at 04:56 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 21946
After a solemn ceremony, in which we each talked about our favourite thing about the butterflies, we let them fly free near our school. We had talked about the fact that butterflies have a liquid diet of nectar, so the children cleverly picked dandelions to attract them. It was one of those times you never want to forget--and we have a video so that we won't.
Article posted June 6, 2010 at 04:56 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 21946
Article posted June 4, 2010 at 05:10 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 5606
About three weeks ago, some tiny caterpillars arrived in our classroom. These caterpillars grew at a furious rate (they must have been very hungry), and last week, they each made a chrysalis. This week, to the delight of the children, they have been emerging as butterflies.
In our writing, we have been talking about the trait of "voice". This is a hard concept to understand when you are in high school, and even harder when you are six or seven. To help the children understand that different people say things in a different way, or using a different voice, we read Eric Carle's story called The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Then, we each chose one of the foods that the hungry caterpillar ate to talk about. What would that food say if it wanted the caterpillar eat it? This was so much fun, that the children asked if we could make a video of our caterpillar.
Article posted June 4, 2010 at 05:10 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 5606
Article posted May 28, 2010 at 03:10 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 13742
For the past while, we have been working on addition, subtraction and story problems. Today the students showed their learning by making up an addition story problem using Storybird and solving it themselves. Check their blogs to see if you can solve the problems, too!
Article posted May 20, 2010 at 02:21 AM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 17540
As you will hear in the video below, there was big excitement in my classroom as these pheasant eggs hatched. It was a tremendous learning opportunity for the students.
I streamed the event on the internet, and at some points there were up to 25 other computers watching along with us. These included other classrooms in our school, a grade one class in Manitoba, and someone in California. Some of the people watching typed in questions, which the students proudly answered as I typed.
I have had pheasants hatching in my classroom for several years, but this is the best "event" we have had. There were two other classes of students in my classroom watching as the first egg in the video hatched, which is a difficult event to predict the timing of. Sometimes the eggs have all hatched outside of school hours!
I want to say a huge thank you to Mr. Dodds and the Wildlife Federation, who brought us the eggs and will look after the pheasants until they are old enough to be released into the wild. Without their efforts, this wouldn't have been possible.
Article posted May 20, 2010 at 02:21 AM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 17540
Article posted May 8, 2010 at 03:26 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 15886
My students love their mothers! This week they used Sketchcast to draw pictures of the wonderful woman who is so important in their lives. Sketchcast makes a movie of the drawing process. While it is fascinating to see the thought process that each student went through to create the finished product, it is in real time, so the action is sometimes quite slow moving. You may want to drag the cursor across the bottom of the video to speed things up.
Here is one of the student's finished product. You can see the rest on each student's blog.
Article posted May 8, 2010 at 03:26 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 15886
Article posted April 29, 2010 at 08:40 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 13791
This morning we got to go to the kindergarten classroom to read to the kindergarten students. The students remembered being in kindergarten and being the listeners. In fact, they have been asking me since the fall when it will be their turn to be the readers. Today was the big day, and the kindergarten students were suitably impressed.
Article posted April 29, 2010 at 08:40 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 13791
Article posted April 27, 2010 at 02:32 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 4547
Recently, the students wrote stories using Storybird. I was impressed with the thought and time they put into creating these books. They choose pictures and words with care to tell their own story. Here is just one example. You can read the others on the student's blogs!
Article posted April 19, 2010 at 12:53 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 12445
On Friday we became the guardians of 28 pheasant eggs. Our class will have to act like a mother pheasant would. We will have to turn them several times a day and keep them warm in the incubator. They should hatch in 24 - 28 days.
Article posted April 19, 2010 at 12:53 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 12445
Article posted April 17, 2010 at 07:47 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 2960
It was a very special day when our "big" blogging buddies, who are pre-service teachers at the University of Regina, came to visit our classroom. We have been looking forward to this day for a looooong time and the students were very excited. Once they arrived, all of the big buddies and little buddies got down to work drawing each other. These drawings are all posted on the students' blogs along with the grade one students' reflections about the event.
After the drawings were complete, it was time to eat cookies and listen to Patrick Lewis, who teaches the big buddies, tell a story about a wide-mouthed frog! I didn't record this story, but you can hear him telling it to my class two years ago here.
One of the students, who was sick at home with the chicken pox, was able to chat with his buddies and watch what was going on in our classroom via Skype. He even got to hear Mr. Lewis' story as his big buddy sat and listened with the laptop on her lap.
Article posted April 17, 2010 at 07:47 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 2960
Article posted April 11, 2010 at 05:14 PM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 6625
Awhile ago I was contacted by Susan Hart, a teacher at the International School of Belgrade. She suggested that we connect our classes in some way so that the students could learn from each other. Since connecting our classes through Skype was difficult with the time difference between our locations, I suggested that we exchange ten questions and each make a video of the responses. The first video below shows our answers to their questions, and the second video is their answers to the questions we asked.
This has provided lots of learning for the students, both in the making of our video and in seeing the differences and similarities in the other classroom. Thanks for making us a video, Ms. Hart's class! We learned a lot from you.
Article posted April 8, 2010 at 06:31 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 4404
Last month, storyteller Patrick Lewis, who also happens to be our university blogging buddy's professor, came to Moose Jaw to tell us some stories. The students loved him and have been asking for the video that I took of his stories. I have separated the finger plays and rhymes he taught the children onto one video, and each of the stories onto three others. We can't wait until next week when the blogging buddies will all come to Moose Jaw to meet us!
Finger Plays and Rhymes
My Aunt the Tailor
The Teeny Tiny Woman
Why Dogs Sniff Each Other's Bums
Article posted April 8, 2010 at 06:31 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 4404
Article posted March 23, 2010 at 03:50 AM GMT0 •
comment (8) • Reads 14353
After talking about how we had changed and things around us had changed, we also talked about how things might have changed since our grandparents were children like us. The list below is all the things that we have, but we don't think our grandparents had. Now, we are going to ask our grandparents to see if we are right.
Are you a grandparent? You can help us. Did you have things like this when you were a child? Pleave us a comment and let us know.
Article posted March 23, 2010 at 03:50 AM GMT0 •
comment (8) • Reads 14353
Article posted March 8, 2010 at 02:19 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 3586
This week, after talking and reading about foods from different countries, we tried eating kaow tom, a Thai dish with rice, pork, garlic and cilantro. Reviews were mixed as to whether it was something the children would want to eat again, but almost everyone was willing to try it.
Article posted March 8, 2010 at 02:19 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 3586
Article posted March 1, 2010 at 02:33 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 8257
Recently, we read a wonderful picture book entitled One World, One Day. It was given to us by Mrs. Knee who teaches the Kinderkids. This book helped us to think about the things we do each day and the way that kids all over the world do these same things. We liked it so much that we made our own version of the book and put it in the Animoto below.
Article posted March 1, 2010 at 02:33 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 8257
Article posted February 16, 2010 at 02:58 PM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 13752
Each of the students in my class has a blogging buddy (or two) at the University of Regina.These buddies are pre-service teachers who are part of a class about how to teach writing to young children. As part of the requirements for their class, they are required to comment on each blog posting that their six-year old buddy makes during this semester. Each Thursday, a few of my students also get to chat with their buddies via Skype. Last week we received real letters in the mail from our buddies. What excitement in our class! All of the students wanted their letter read aloud, but some of them discovered that they could actually read the letter themselves and the others could find words that they knew. It was a great literacy moment. Thank you blogging buddies.
Article posted February 16, 2010 at 02:58 PM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 13752
Article posted February 15, 2010 at 02:48 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 3630
Early in the day, we put our valentines into the Valentine Bags that we had carefully decorated the day before. All day, they tempted us with their intriguing bulkiness. Finally the time came when they could be opened!
Article posted February 15, 2010 at 02:48 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 3630
Article posted February 4, 2010 at 01:31 AM GMT0 •
comment (15) • Reads 10240
This is a video that I made about some of the ways that we use technology in our classroom. I was fortunate enough to win an award from Mindshare Learning with it.
Article posted February 4, 2010 at 01:31 AM GMT0 •
comment (15) • Reads 10240
Article posted January 26, 2010 at 03:54 AM GMT0 •
comment (8) • Reads 9636
Today was a snow day and only two students were at school. The snowdrift outside our window was taller than the students! Click here to see one of the things we did in the afternoon.
Article posted January 26, 2010 at 03:54 AM GMT0 •
comment (8) • Reads 9636
Article posted January 15, 2010 at 02:45 AM GMT0 •
comment (6) • Reads 9587
The father of two of my former students got to carry this torch when it was in Saskatchewan last weekend. Today he allowed his children to show it to us! In case you're interested, it weighs about five pounds and is white because of the snow.
Article posted January 15, 2010 at 02:45 AM GMT0 •
comment (6) • Reads 9587
Article posted January 13, 2010 at 02:02 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 5040
If you're wondering why we were eating toast at school, check out the step by step instructions for making toast that the children posted on their blogs. We tried to write down all the steps in just the right order. Organizing their writing like this is just one of the things that good writers do, and we want to learn them all.
Article posted January 13, 2010 at 02:02 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 5040
Article posted December 24, 2009 at 02:29 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 16244
I promised my class that I would put this link up before Christmas. For years, Norad has tracked Santa's journey. This year, you can watch Santa's journey around the world on google earth, or watch live video on pre-positioned cameras.
Article posted December 6, 2009 at 02:52 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 10390
Just in time for Christmas, we have been talking about traditions we have. Last year, I created a wiki to collect traditions. This year, we checked out the traditions wiki to start our thinking about what our own traditions were. Check out the student's blogs to see one of their Christmas traditions. You can also add a tradition of your own to our tradition wiki. We'll be watching it to see what traditions other people have.
Article posted December 6, 2009 at 02:52 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 10390
Article posted November 24, 2009 at 05:57 PM GMT0 •
comment (61) • Reads 12459
I made the video below for a presentation that I was giving about media literacy for primary students. It features students of mine from last year and this year. When I showed it to the class this morning, they wanted it to be put on our blog so that they could watch it again!
Article posted November 24, 2009 at 05:57 PM GMT0 •
comment (61) • Reads 12459
Article posted November 12, 2009 at 02:42 AM GMT0 •
comment (9) • Reads 5370
Recently we had a surprise Skype call from Ms. Adams' class in New Hampshire. They had moon rocks in their classroom and wanted to show them to us.
The students in Ms. Adams' class were very articulate. Besides showing us the rocks in their plastic container, they showed us a model of the Saturn V rocket that went to the moon to collect the rocks, showed us how the moon goes around the earth, and the special case that the moon rocks travel in.
Thank you for helping us to learn, Ms. Adams' class. You were good teachers!
Article posted October 26, 2009 at 07:15 PM GMT0 •
comment (16) • Reads 7455
A horrible thing has been growing on the wall outside of our classroom. Together with Mr. Silversides' class, we have been participating in The Monster Project. There are thirty-eight classrooms from nine countries participating in this project. First, each classroom was asked to write a twelve word description for one body part. We wrote a description for the hair. Next, each classroom had to build a monster using all of the descriptions that had been written. Our next project is to think up a name for our monster. It should be a name that describes him. Can you help us out? What do you think we should call our monster?
Article posted October 26, 2009 at 07:15 PM GMT0 •
comment (16) • Reads 7455
Article posted October 18, 2009 at 03:19 AM GMT0 •
comment (10) • Reads 8040
We have. Nothing tastes as good as the Carmello Koalas we received from Ms. Marrinan, the teacher of the 2M Gems in Brisbane. She also gave us a book called Wombat Stew. It's a wonderful story about a lot of animals we do not have in Canada. We chanted and giggled our way through it. Thanks, Ms Marrinan! We loved the chocolates.
Since our first blog posts this year, the wonderful Gems have been commenting on our blog. Thank you, Gems, for being part of our learning.
Article posted October 18, 2009 at 03:19 AM GMT0 •
comment (10) • Reads 8040
Article posted October 9, 2009 at 04:27 AM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 6231
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the publication of Eric Carle's book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, our class did a reader's theatre production of this famous book with a class of first graders from Gadsden, Alabama. The Skype video recording is fuzzy, but there was some amazing reading for so early in the school year. Well done!
Article posted October 9, 2009 at 04:27 AM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 6231
Article posted September 2, 2009 at 03:29 PM GMT0 •
comment (11) • Reads 10041
As of late yesterday, there are eighteen new bloggers in the blogosphere. Their names are along the right hand side of this page. Each child choose their own colour for their blog, and drew a picture of themselves to include. They have also all written their first blogpost. Most of these posts needed to include an editor's note to show what they wanted it to say, but keep watching. You'll see their writing skills grow before your eyes in their own personal space.
Check out my studnts' blogs. Leave a comment. We'd love it.
Article posted September 2, 2009 at 03:29 PM GMT0 •
comment (11) • Reads 10041
Article posted June 25, 2009 at 11:14 PM GMT0 •
comment (17) • Reads 63775
In the midst of cleaning up our classroom, we took some time on the last day of school to think about what we had learned in grade one. Each child chose themselves what they wanted to share on the movie. It was interesting to me to see what each child chose to talk about. As you can see by the variety of answers, we have learned a lot this year!
Have a great summer, grade one, or should I say grade two! I'll see you at the end of August.
Article posted June 25, 2009 at 11:14 PM GMT0 •
comment (17) • Reads 63775
Article posted June 19, 2009 at 03:22 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 12737
Recently, we made some clay representations of a fairy tale. The students all chose which part of the fairy tale they wanted to use, and tried to convey their ideas using colour, shape, size, etc. Watch this slideshow of their representations to see if you can guess which fairy tale they are representing. If you're still stuck after watching, you can click here to see the answer.
Article posted June 19, 2009 at 03:22 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 12737
Article posted June 15, 2009 at 04:08 AM GMT0 •
comment (7) • Reads 9288
I was recently contacted by Travis MacLeod, who teaches in Seosan City, South Korea, to see if we could do a partnership between our classrooms. Since they are in school while we are in bed sleeping, we couldn't use Skype. We decided to do an exchange of videos instead. Each class made a list of questions they had for the other class to answer. Below are the video we made for the kids in Korea, and the one they made for us.
Article posted June 15, 2009 at 04:08 AM GMT0 •
comment (7) • Reads 9288
Article posted June 7, 2009 at 09:42 PM GMT0 •
comment (11) • Reads 14813
Look what I found in our incubator when I came to the school today, grade one! Can you count how many baby pheasants we have?
Do you see the one that does not look fluffy laying in the middle of the right side? He came out of his egg just before I took the picture and has not dried yet. If you look closely, you can see a peck hole in one of the other eggs, too.
You can see them all when you come to school tomorrow morning!
Article posted June 7, 2009 at 09:42 PM GMT0 •
comment (11) • Reads 14813
Article posted May 29, 2009 at 03:08 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 17083
This week the students wrote their own addition or subtraction story problems and had to solve them by making a picture on KIdPix. All of the number stories were great, and each student was able to solve the problem that he or she wrote. Emily's problem is indicative of the issues we have had over the course of this school year.
Article posted May 29, 2009 at 03:08 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 17083
Article posted May 27, 2009 at 03:55 AM GMT0 •
comment (11) • Reads 6741
My students have been pestering me for about a week to post a link to this site on my blog. They are fascinated by the images they can create using only coloured sand.
I never cease to be amazed by the way my students can take the basics of a website that I show them and begin to show ME other ways that it can be used.
Here you are, grade one. Enjoy.
Article posted May 27, 2009 at 03:55 AM GMT0 •
comment (11) • Reads 6741
Article posted May 23, 2009 at 09:14 PM GMT0 •
comment (8) • Reads 8194
This week a real, live geologist, Dr. Trish Gregg, called us on Skype from Oregon to answer our questions about rocks. She was very patient and told us that we asked good questions. We know a LOT more about rocks now. She inspired us to look more closely at rocks. In fact, we each also started our own rock collection!
We recorded our conversation on Skype. It is in three parts below because the video feed froze part of the way through our conversation, and Youtube does not allow videos longer than ten minutes.
Thank you, Dr. Gregg!
Article posted May 23, 2009 at 09:14 PM GMT0 •
comment (8) • Reads 8194
Article posted May 20, 2009 at 03:45 AM GMT0 •
comment (7) • Reads 5467
Squeals of delight greeted me as I unwrapped these "preserved" animals. Viewing them gave us a chance to talk about the different kinds of coverings that animals (including, gasp, us) have. Several children have been waiting very impatiently for this picture to be posted.
Article posted May 20, 2009 at 03:45 AM GMT0 •
comment (7) • Reads 5467
Article posted May 13, 2009 at 04:58 AM GMT0 •
comment (7) • Reads 10189
Today we showed off our fabulous reading skills to the kindergarten kids. They were super listeners. We all remember when the grade one kids read to us last year, and we thought they were so smart. Now it is our turn to shine!
Article posted May 13, 2009 at 04:58 AM GMT0 •
comment (7) • Reads 10189
Article posted May 11, 2009 at 03:02 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 1538
One of the six "strands" or areas of our Language Arts Curriculum is Listening. One of our end of the year goals is to be able to tell what someone else has told us. To help us practice this, we sometimes share our thoughts with the person beside us, and then that person has to tell the whole class for us. It's not easy to be a good listener, but we're learning.
Article posted May 11, 2009 at 03:02 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 1538
Article posted April 29, 2009 at 03:50 PM GMT0 •
comment (28) • Reads 8175
Tonight when we came to school for a literacy night, we got to talk with the Gems, our blogging buddies in Brisbane, Australia. It was six o'clock at night for us, and ten o'clock the next morning for them. Below is the first part of our call. Later, after we stopped the recording, we also each got an opportunity to ask and answer questions that we had about each other. We learned a LOT from them.
Article posted April 29, 2009 at 03:50 PM GMT0 •
comment (28) • Reads 8175
Article posted April 26, 2009 at 09:32 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 5151
The children in our class have learned a LOT in their six or seven years of life. We spent some time thinking about who they have learned from and what they had learned from each of these people. We discovered that some things were the same and some were different. All of them had learned reading and math from their teacher, but each of them had learned different things from their grandparents. One of the groups they all felt they had learned from was their blogging buddies. While what they recorded on their webs reflected what they had learned from their "big" blogging buddies at the university, they also agreed that other classes of children in other places had contributed to their learning as well. If you are in one of those classes who has helped us to learn this year, THANK YOU!
Article posted April 26, 2009 at 09:32 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 5151
Article posted April 17, 2009 at 11:07 PM GMT0 •
comment (7) • Reads 13150
We recently finished our math unit about shape. One of the outcomes we were trying to achieve was to be able to sort 2D and 3D shapes by their attributes. Just see how well we can do this in the video below.
Article posted April 17, 2009 at 11:07 PM GMT0 •
comment (7) • Reads 13150
Article posted April 16, 2009 at 04:16 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 3334
At long last the day we had been waiting for arrived--our big blogging buddies from the university came to visit us. We drew pictures of our buddies, read them stories and munched cookies with them while we listened to Mr. Lewis tell us a wonderful story. Here is the story he told us. Filmed by one of Mr. Lewis' students.
Article posted April 16, 2009 at 04:16 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 3334
Article posted April 2, 2009 at 07:01 PM GMT0 •
comment (6) • Reads 25012
Just look at the beautiful book and letters we received from Ms. Loughran's class in New Orleans! Some of the children drew pictures for us as well. We were especially interested in the recipe at the back for Red Beans and Rice. We just read a book about the ways that people from different places cook rice, and now we know another way.
Thank you Edward Hayes Charter School. We'll be writing letters back to you next week!
Article posted April 2, 2009 at 07:01 PM GMT0 •
comment (6) • Reads 25012
Article posted March 30, 2009 at 05:16 AM GMT0 •
comment (12) • Reads 8882
By the end of the year, the grade ones should be able to count to one hundred by ones, fives and tens, and by twos to twenty. We are all well on our way to these goals. Check out our skip counting below. Filmed by Alyssa.
Article posted March 30, 2009 at 05:16 AM GMT0 •
comment (12) • Reads 8882
Article posted March 24, 2009 at 01:41 PM GMT0 •
comment (8) • Reads 8859
Good morning, grade one! I'm in Saskatoon telling teachers about the wonderful work you are doing. I showed them the video we made about why teachers should use video in their classrooms. Here it is so that you can see it too.
Article posted March 24, 2009 at 01:41 PM GMT0 •
comment (8) • Reads 8859
Article posted March 19, 2009 at 04:31 AM GMT0 •
comment (7) • Reads 6666
Today we received letters (ones you can hold in your hand, not the digital kind) from our blogging buddies in Regina. Pure joy. Many of the children had no idea how to open a letter, but we soon figured that out and then helped each other read them. Thanks, buddies. Watch your mailbox. You just might get something back!
Article posted March 19, 2009 at 04:31 AM GMT0 •
comment (7) • Reads 6666
Article posted March 13, 2009 at 04:37 AM GMT0 •
comment (11) • Reads 8568
For those of you who read our blog who do not yet know how to ice skate, this video contains demonstrations and several six year old explanations of how it is done. Follow their advice and you will be gliding around the ice in no time.
Article posted March 13, 2009 at 04:37 AM GMT0 •
comment (11) • Reads 8568
Article posted March 2, 2009 at 01:50 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 5322
Check out the children's blogs to find out some of the important information each one has been learning about the animal of their choice. (Photo credit: Macee's Cheetah)
Article posted March 2, 2009 at 01:50 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 5322
Article posted February 26, 2009 at 03:54 AM GMT0 •
comment (14) • Reads 5425
Just look at the wonderful pictures of kangaroos that Georgia from the 2M Gems sent us. They just hopped onto her poppy's lawn, ate some grass and then hopped off to the beach. We really like these pictures! Thanks, Georgia and Georgia's mom for helping us to learn. Our favourite is the picture of the kangaroos hopping. We are finding out about lots of different kinds of animals in science, and now we have learned about kangaroos too.
We also think we know what a poppy is. It must be a poppa!
Article posted February 26, 2009 at 03:54 AM GMT0 •
comment (14) • Reads 5425
Article posted February 11, 2009 at 10:58 PM GMT0 •
comment (15) • Reads 14149
The children all agreed that today was the "best day ever" after our all day presentation about the importance of preserving wildlife and prairie habitat. A few of the great moments are captured below.
Article posted February 11, 2009 at 10:58 PM GMT0 •
comment (15) • Reads 14149
Article posted February 11, 2009 at 03:43 AM GMT0 •
comment (13) • Reads 2896
We had a huge celebration on the 100th day of school. It was so busy that I almost forgot to take a picture. We wrote the numbers to 100, made 100 dots, read 100 books, made a booklet about 100, ate 100 snacks and worked on puzzles with 100 pieces.
We have worked hard for the last 100 school days and have learned a lot of things. We can't wait to see what we will learn in the next 100 days!
Article posted February 11, 2009 at 03:43 AM GMT0 •
comment (13) • Reads 2896
Article posted January 31, 2009 at 02:00 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 7231
One part of being a good reader is reading fluently. In grade one we call it reading smoothly. Reading smoothly is one of our reading goals, so we have been practicing to improve this. To help the children hear how they sound when they are reading, each child got to read a couple of sentences to post on their blog. Check out each child's smooth reading by clicking the arrow on the Vocaroo icon on their blog.
Article posted January 29, 2009 at 02:38 PM GMT0 •
comment (12) • Reads 2860
In social studies, we have been learning about the difference between what we need and what we want and what the things are that we really need. Some of the children show their needs and wants in this video. Filmed by Jeremy.
Article posted January 29, 2009 at 02:38 PM GMT0 •
comment (12) • Reads 2860
Article posted January 25, 2009 at 02:20 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 6309
One part of our language arts curriculum is called representing. When we represent, we show our learning through drawing, 3-D representations or drama. Here are some of the children using shape, colour and details to show what they know about animals.
Article posted January 25, 2009 at 02:20 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 6309
Article posted January 21, 2009 at 02:42 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 5230
Just look what we are using in our classroom to help us with problem solving--Nintendo DS. For ten minutes each day, some of our grade seven reading buddies come to help us read the words and we "play" Nintendogs together. The children are in groups of four and take turns as the person holding the stylus. Problem solving was never so much fun!
Article posted January 21, 2009 at 02:42 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 5230
Article posted January 14, 2009 at 02:47 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 10274
It's amazing how much excitement the prospect of meeting our new blogging buddies from the University of Regina via Skype generated in our classroom. I felt like I was scraping the children off of the walls all day.
At long last (is it time yet?) the time arrived and almost half of the children had a chance to chat face to face digitally with their buddy. The others will get a chance to talk on Thursday.
Our partnership with them will last until the first week of April. My students get to be mentored by a teacher-to-be whom they adore, and the university students get to participate in the writing development of a primary student. It's a win-win situation.
Article posted January 14, 2009 at 02:47 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 10274
Article posted January 6, 2009 at 02:33 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 3587
Just look at the belated Christmas gift we got from the 2M Gems in Australia. The children hooted and laughed through the whole book. Before Christmas, I had read them several versions of The Night Before Christmas and we had compared them, so we were able to compare this version as well. Much different! The children especially loved the pictures. The one they are pointing to was their hands down favourite. If you can't quite tell why by looking at this picture, click on the picture, and then click on "all sizes" to see a larger version.
Thank you 2M Gems!
Article posted January 6, 2009 at 02:33 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 3587
Article posted December 19, 2008 at 07:35 PM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 15371
This holiday season, I want you to know how much it means to my children that you are reading this blog posting. You are part of their audience, and a huge motivator for them as they write and show their learning in various ways. Thank you for that. Have a wonderful time with friends and family over the next couple of weeks.
The children's Christmas wish for you is below.
Article posted December 19, 2008 at 07:35 PM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 15371
Article posted December 16, 2008 at 02:41 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 4045
We've now made videos to show you what we know about almost all the letters of the alphabet. Here is what we have learned about the letter I. Filmed by Kabry.
Article posted December 16, 2008 at 02:41 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 4045
Article posted December 4, 2008 at 03:32 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 6261
We do! We made paper chains with one link for every day until Christmas. Every day, we are going to take off one link to help us see how close we are getting to the big day.
Article posted December 4, 2008 at 03:32 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 6261
Article posted November 17, 2008 at 10:34 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 2287
One of our math outcomes is to identify the number that is one or two more or less than a given number. In the smartboard video below, four of the students demonstrate their thinking in finding these numbers.
Article posted November 17, 2008 at 10:34 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 2287
Article posted November 11, 2008 at 03:23 AM GMT0 •
comment (9) • Reads 6423
We took some time last week to talk about peace. Peace is not an easy concept when you are five or six years old, but by the end of our discussion, I could tell that the children understood the concept. The proof is in the photos below. Each of the children got to set up and take a picture of what he or she thought peace looked like in our classroom. I think they got it just right.
Our photos have also been included in a collaborative project started by Chris Harbeck in Winnipeg. You can see the peace pictures from eight other classrooms from Canada and Australia here.
Article posted November 11, 2008 at 03:23 AM GMT0 •
comment (9) • Reads 6423
Article posted November 3, 2008 at 02:40 PM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 6037
October 31st was orange and black day at our school. Don't we look fabulous? Each of the children blogged about what they were going to dress up as for Halloween that evening. Check out their blogs to see!
Article posted November 3, 2008 at 02:40 PM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 6037
Article posted October 31, 2008 at 12:08 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 8379
Today the students got to bring an item of their own choice from home to show to the other students. At their suggestion, we took a picture of the items for this blog. Then, they wondered if any of the kids (or adults)who read our blog have any of the same things as they do. Do you?
Article posted October 31, 2008 at 12:08 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 8379
Article posted October 19, 2008 at 12:08 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 20386
We had a question: If you arrange a certain number of objects in a different way, does the number of objects stay the same? We are happy to report that the answer is "yes"! You can see some of the pictures we made to prove our theory on our blogs.
We've also been using ten frames to help us learn to recognize groupings without counting, and to practice counting on from five when we need to count. One day we made a giant ten frame on our carpet and used students for the counters. Can you tell what number we are representing?
Article posted October 19, 2008 at 12:08 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 20386
Article posted October 9, 2008 at 12:20 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 2813
One more, one less, two more, two less... Today we used ten frames to help with these concepts. This is a good activity to pass time while you are travelling. What number is one more than five? What is two less than nine?
Article posted October 9, 2008 at 12:20 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 2813
Article posted October 2, 2008 at 03:11 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 9869
This video is all about the letter Q. Do you know what letter is such a good friend to Q that he never wants to be in a word without it? This video was filmed by Jamie.
Article posted October 2, 2008 at 03:11 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 9869
Article posted September 28, 2008 at 03:10 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 9952
We've begun a new unit in math about numbers to twenty. We've been practicing counting, writing and recognizing these numbers. Here are some of the students matching the numbers and number words.
Article posted September 28, 2008 at 03:10 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 9952
Article posted September 16, 2008 at 12:11 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 2272
We brought a lot of things that begin with the letter G to school. Some of them are on the left. Can you see a goat, a Gameboy, some glue, some grass, a guitar, some grapes, two golf balls and a gorilla?
Article posted September 16, 2008 at 12:11 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 2272
Article posted September 9, 2008 at 04:48 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 2010
This afternoon we walked over to Buzzy's Hill to watch Mr. Dodds release some pheasants into the wild. The pheasants were hatched in our classroom last spring, and now they are big enough to live on their own. We even got to touch the pheasants before we let them go.
Then we watched them fly away into the valley.
Article posted September 9, 2008 at 04:48 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 2010
Article posted September 4, 2008 at 01:46 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 3067
C-C-C-C. We made that sound all day long. The pictures below were taken by the children of objects in our classroom. Can you see the confetti over the pictures?
Article posted September 4, 2008 at 01:46 AM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 3067
Article posted August 27, 2008 at 12:49 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 2481
For the first month of school, we will be reviewing a letter and its sounds every day. Today we made muffins and wrote the letter m. Check out some of the things we know about M in the video below. It was filmed by Nick.
Article posted August 27, 2008 at 12:49 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 2481
Article posted June 30, 2008 at 09:57 PM GMT0 •
comment (13) • Reads 49816
On the last day of school, we made this tribute to our blogging buddies. Thank you Ms. Hayes' class in New Zealand, Ms. Marrinan's class in Australia and Mr. Lewis' class in Regina. You helped us to have a great year. This rap is for you. Turn your volume way up because some of our voices are small.
Article posted June 30, 2008 at 09:57 PM GMT0 •
comment (13) • Reads 49816
Article posted June 23, 2008 at 11:33 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 7403
We are just finishing up our science unit on plants. Since many of our wheat seeds did not germinate, we had fun today pulling up the ones that did and examining their roots. Then, we got some robust marigolds to take their place in our pots. Mat filmed this short video about the parts of plants.
Article posted June 23, 2008 at 11:33 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 7403
Over the past few weeks, the children have been doing some great work with drawing and collage. We have been focusing on details, use of space, colour, size and shape. Today I put a Flickr badge on each child's blog, showing some of the pictures they have made. They do not actually look like the badge above(check out their blogs on the right to see them), but I could not get their badges to work on my blog! The badge shown here displays Jasmine's artwork.
Article posted June 23, 2008 at 02:08 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 3921
Article posted June 19, 2008 at 03:41 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 7390
This week the grade eights at our school held a cookie sale. For the previous week each of the vendors had been advertising their cookies with posters around the school, so the sense of anticipation was high. As you can see by the photo, there were some very creative marketing ideas displayed. Each child had to vote for the booth with the best display and then vote with their money by purchasing the cookie of their choice. It was a great learning experience for the grade eights, and a "filling" experience for the rest of the school, who eagerly wait for their turn to be the cookie sellers.
Article posted June 19, 2008 at 03:41 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 7390
Article posted June 13, 2008 at 04:49 AM GMT0 •
comment (12) • Reads 14197
Recently I was doing some assessment and I realized that some of the children are a little fuzzy about what "equals" actually means. This week we've done a few hands-on activities to get better aquainted with this famous concept. Today we made up some number stories that had the sum on either the left or right of the equation. They were so good that we decided to film them with our new Flip camera.
Article posted June 13, 2008 at 04:49 AM GMT0 •
comment (12) • Reads 14197
Article posted June 10, 2008 at 03:29 PM GMT0 •
comment (10) • Reads 6995
Update: We have now turned off our butterfly cam. We hope to relese them tomorrow if it stops raining long enough!
Only a few of our butterfiles have not yet emerged from their chrysalis. Until they do, our "chrysalis cam" has turned into a "butterfly cam". Once they have all emerged, we will release them outside. The red spots all over the container are not blood. It is a red liquid called maconium which is made of tissues no longer needed by the butterfly and leftover colouring from the wings. These seem to be especially messy butterflies. Webcast by Ustream.TV
Article posted June 10, 2008 at 03:29 PM GMT0 •
comment (10) • Reads 6995
Article posted June 6, 2008 at 11:55 PM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 1662
One of the ways you can get to be a better artist is to imitate art you like. We've been reading books by Leo Lionni and imitating his style. Today we read Pezzettino. The representations below are our tribute to his great pictures.
Article posted June 6, 2008 at 11:55 PM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 1662
Article posted June 4, 2008 at 12:16 AM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 6663
A few weeks ago, a teacher in Israel who was doing a research project about parent responses to blogging asked me if I would be willing to send home a survey to the parents of my students. Since many of the questions were similar to questions that I usually ask on a June survey of my own, I agreed to do so.
As a thank you to the students and their parents for completing the survey, the teacher sent the children bookmarks and flags from Israel. The students loved them. Thanks, Etty! And thanks parents for taking the time to fill out those surveys! Etty and I will both learn from them.
Article posted June 4, 2008 at 12:16 AM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 6663
Article posted June 2, 2008 at 03:00 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 3950
Our blogging buddies in Australia have been asking some good questions about our caterpillars, so we made a movie to tell them what we know about them. The camera work was by a talented young six year old filmmaker.
Article posted June 2, 2008 at 03:00 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 3950
Article posted May 26, 2008 at 03:42 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 11539
Recently, our school had the pleasure of hosting a concert by UMOJA, a drumming, dancing and movement group from Regina. It was a treat to hear these young students share their unique sounds and performance style. Their use of many different percussion instruments, varied repertoire and audience involvement kept the children spellbound. You can hear a sample of their music by clicking on the podcast link below. Thanks for coming, UMOJA!
Article posted May 26, 2008 at 03:42 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 11539
Article posted May 22, 2008 at 10:56 PM GMT0 •
comment (9) • Reads 7738
We are now the proud parents of about forty caterpillars. We'll watch them grow and change over the next few weeks until they become butterfiles. The caterpillars are very self-sufficient. Now that we have put them in containers with food, they will eat and grow on their own until they make their crysalis. Unlike our pheasant eggs, they do not need to be turned!
Article posted May 22, 2008 at 10:56 PM GMT0 •
comment (9) • Reads 7738
Article posted May 14, 2008 at 06:55 PM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 15092
Did you know that there are different ways to add? We know at least three different strategies that you can use to add numbers. Take a peek at what we know. Camera work was by Hailey J.
Article posted May 14, 2008 at 06:55 PM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 15092
Article posted May 13, 2008 at 11:10 PM GMT0 •
comment (10) • Reads 2814
Now that Mother's Day is over and there is no chance of someone seeing something before they should, here are some pictures that I took while the kids were making their gift for their mothers.
Article posted May 13, 2008 at 11:10 PM GMT0 •
comment (10) • Reads 2814
Article posted May 13, 2008 at 03:35 PM GMT0 •
comment (27) • Reads 2112
Here are some pictures that we took while an egg was hatching and when we got to hold a chick. Now, we have given the chicks back to the Wildlife Federation (much to the children's disapointment). They will keep them over the summer, and then in the fall, they will release them into the wild.
Article posted May 12, 2008 at 04:09 AM GMT0 •
comment (6) • Reads 4916
At long last, after what seemed like an endless round of turning eggs and waiting, some of our pheasant eggs began to hatch. We all got to watch as the eggs rocked, and the cracks in the eggs oh so slowly got longer. Then, wonder of wonders, one of the pheasants popped out of the egg right before our eyes. About an hour later, when we had all calmed down, we paused to make this movie of our babies with a few of the children sharing observations about what had happened. Carly did the filming.
Article posted May 12, 2008 at 04:09 AM GMT0 •
comment (6) • Reads 4916
Article posted May 6, 2008 at 10:56 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 5639
One of the reading skills that we have been working on lately is fluency. To help us listen to what our reading sounds like, we have been making podcasts of ourselves reading. Most of the children now have a recording of themselves reading a selection of their choice, and those that don't should have one tomorrow. Just click on the top icon (like the one below) on each child's blog to hear what fluent readers we are becoming.
Article posted May 6, 2008 at 10:56 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 5639
Article posted May 1, 2008 at 06:27 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 9896
Recently, we grabbed some books that we could read well and headed to the kindergarten classroom. While we were there, we showed off our reading skills to these appreciative listeners. It seems like it was only last year when we were the ones listening!
Article posted May 1, 2008 at 06:27 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 9896
Article posted April 26, 2008 at 09:47 PM GMT0 •
comment (13) • Reads 6478
On Fancy Friday, we wore fancy clothes to school and used fancy words all day. We used fancy words to comment on the blogs of our buddies in Australia (we hope they notice our big words) and made some fancy pictures in the style of Leo Lionni. In the gym, we did some fancy footwork. This was all in honour of one of the six traits of writing, word choice, which we have been talking about and practicing for the past while.
Take a look at our fancy ensembles below.
Article posted April 26, 2008 at 09:47 PM GMT0 •
comment (13) • Reads 6478
Article posted April 24, 2008 at 09:53 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 1605
We had a Skpye conversation today with a grade one class in Memphis. In our class discussion afterwards, we came to these conclusions.
Some things are the same:
1. We all have jobs at home.
2. We have the same school rules.
3. We have the same rules at home.
4. We all like to play video games.
Here are some differences:
1. They have no school buses.
2. They have no girls at their school
3. They have to wear certain clothes.
4. They all stay at school for lunch.
5. They all get rides to school from their parents.
Article posted April 24, 2008 at 09:53 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 1605
Article posted April 24, 2008 at 09:41 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 1762
Some of the blogging buddies and Mr. Lewis came back to see us this week. Mr. Lewis told us not one, but two wonderful stories. The children had heard this story about the wide-mouthed frog before and were so delighted with it that at one point they took over and began to tell the story by themselves.
Article posted April 24, 2008 at 09:41 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 1762
Article posted April 23, 2008 at 11:54 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 1748
We've been discussing rules in social studies. Last week we talked about rules in our family and this week we discussed the rules we have at school. Each of the children wrote about and illustrated a rule we have at school. A few of them were rules that I had never thought to articulate, but were certainly good things to remember. The picture on the right was done by Kayleigh and illustrates her rule "no pushing".
Article posted April 23, 2008 at 11:54 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 1748
Article posted April 22, 2008 at 01:52 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 1531
About ten days ago, ten shiney, new laptops arrived at our school, destined to be used by the four classrooms in our wing of the school. We have been waiting patiently ever since for the wireless to arrive as well, and this afternoon, it did! After a few instructions about care and use, the questions began. "Can we blog?" "Can we comment?" "Can I look at my blog?" Yes, yes and yes. To say the kids were excited would be an understatement and, yes, so was their teacher. We can't wait to see what we will be able to do with them.
Article posted April 22, 2008 at 01:52 AM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 1531
Article posted April 17, 2008 at 11:09 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 1548
We've begun learning about geometry. Today we sorted some solid shapes. Can you guess how we sorted them? If you can't guess, put your mouse over the picture, and you'll see the answer.
Article posted April 17, 2008 at 11:09 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 1548
Article posted April 15, 2008 at 11:07 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 1612
Despite the excitement in our classroom, the children were able to calm down enough to tell you these things about the eggs that we have from the Wildlife Federation. Camera work by Jasmine.
Article posted April 15, 2008 at 11:07 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 1612
Article posted April 12, 2008 at 10:45 PM GMT0 •
comment (8) • Reads 1648
Just look who I met, grade one. This is Paulette Bourgeois who wrote all of the Franklin books that we love to read. She autographed this book for me, and wrote a special message inside. I'll show it to you next week, and I'll tell you where she gets the ideas for her stories.
Article posted April 12, 2008 at 10:45 PM GMT0 •
comment (8) • Reads 1648
Article posted April 9, 2008 at 03:35 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 1755
When we were the library, we discovered a book that we had seen on the blog of our buddies in Austrailia, the Gems. We just had to read it, and guess what? We loved it too. The story is called "Punctuation Takes a Vacation". Just ask one of us and we'll tell you what happens when there is no puncutation around. Thanks, Gems!
Article posted April 9, 2008 at 03:35 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 1755
Article posted April 5, 2008 at 09:13 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 1595
This week, after waiting for three months, the children finally got to meet their blogging buddies from the Univeristy of Regina. I can't tell you how many times in those months I answered the question, "when are our blogging buddies going to come to see us?" The children all took the opportunity to draw a picture of their buddy and to write about this auspicious moment. Then, it was back to our classroom for a wonderful story about the Wide-Mouthed Frog (thank you, Mr. Lewis)and sharing cookies. These students have been wonderful mentors to my children, and we will really miss them at the end of their semester.
Article posted April 5, 2008 at 09:13 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 1595
Article posted April 1, 2008 at 12:19 AM GMT0 •
comment (7) • Reads 1869
Can you tell what kinds of animal coverings we saw today? Some of these coverings felt very strange to us. Thank you Ms. Connors, for letting us see them.
Article posted April 1, 2008 at 12:19 AM GMT0 •
comment (7) • Reads 1869
Article posted March 23, 2008 at 03:35 PM GMT0 •
comment (11) • Reads 1556
On Thursday, the Easter Bunny contacted our principal, Mr. Pandila, to say that he had scattered some eggs out in the field near our school. Sure enough, we were all able to find some. We're not sure why the Easter Bunny left some out before Easter, but we think maybe he had too many to carry in his basket on Easter.
Happy Easter!
Article posted March 23, 2008 at 03:35 PM GMT0 •
comment (11) • Reads 1556
Article posted March 22, 2008 at 04:32 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 1528
After looking at a globe and checking out where we lived on it, we went to Google Earth to see a different perspective. We also checked out where some of our blogging buddies lived. Later, each of the children drew and labeled their own earth using Kidpix, a program that we have on the computers in our lab. This is the earth that Jaymes drew, but you can check out each child's model on their blog.
Article posted March 22, 2008 at 04:32 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 1528
Article posted March 18, 2008 at 01:18 AM GMT0 •
comment (6) • Reads 2438
Who wouldn't like a chance to play around with and pour these beads? When the students did today, they were actually trying to find out which of their two containers held the most. This video was filmed by Nate.
Article posted March 18, 2008 at 01:18 AM GMT0 •
comment (6) • Reads 2438
Article posted March 16, 2008 at 04:37 PM GMT0 •
comment (11) • Reads 1573
Sandra came to our classroom again with her baskets full of wonderful craft supplies. Some paint, feathers, clay pots and glue later, we had a duck and a rabbit to take home for Easter.Thank you, Sandra (and our other helpers)!
Article posted March 16, 2008 at 04:37 PM GMT0 •
comment (11) • Reads 1573
Article posted March 12, 2008 at 05:12 AM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 1579
The Art Museum in Moose Jaw is displaying a wonderful collection of pieces made out of clay this month. Besides the art exhibit, we saw a brick, a pipe and some dentures, all of which were made out of clay. We also got a chance to make our own bowls out of clay. One of the students explains how in the video below. The filming was done by Reagan.
Article posted March 12, 2008 at 05:12 AM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 1579
Article posted February 15, 2008 at 09:05 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 1862
Update: Patrick Lewis has added a comment to this entry that explains the benefits of our partnership for the students in ELNG 325. If you make it through this long post, read his comment as well.
Article posted February 8, 2008 at 03:27 AM GMT0 •
comment (9) • Reads 1681
Just look at all the great collections of 100 things the children brought in to share with their classmates.
After we looked at the different ways to make 100, the children set to work at stations, showing what they knew about this wondrous number. After completing each activity, the students earned a star for their headband.
The video below was filmed by Brendan and narrated by Duncan and shows some of the activities we did today.
Article posted February 8, 2008 at 03:27 AM GMT0 •
comment (9) • Reads 1681
Article posted February 7, 2008 at 03:19 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 2005
I continue to be amazed at the power of our big blogging buddies at the University of Regina. Each morning, I show the students the comments that were made the night before, putting them up on the Smartboard at the front of the class. There is a common theme to these comments--some positive remarks along with some suggestions for improvement. This morning we noticed that one of the buddies had not started her sentence with a capital letter, even though remembering to use a capital letter was one of her comments to my student. My children all thought this was quite funny. This afternoon as the students blogged, another student wrote “You for got to make a. Kapidl I no your tring to do a wundrful gob .Tri to kep on going”. (For those of you who do not speak emerging writer, it says “You forgot to make a capital. I know you’re trying to do a wonderful job. Try to keep on going.” This is a perfect parody of the kind of comments that the “big” blogging buddies make. The power of modeling!
Article posted February 7, 2008 at 03:19 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 2005
Article posted January 29, 2008 at 10:56 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 2050
Only thirteen hardy students made it to school today in the minus forty-nine degree Celsius wind chill weather. Fortunately, they all arrived bundled up like these two.
With so many children absent, we went to plan B. I let the children choose and vote on what they wanted to learn about for the day. They chose snakes, although dogs were close behind. We had a busy day listening, watching, drawing and making. In the video below, the students showed some of what they learned today about these slithering animals. Preston was our camera man today.
Article posted January 29, 2008 at 10:56 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 2050
Article posted January 28, 2008 at 10:28 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 1564
We've been learning about the difference between a need and a want. The children in the video below know the difference. Do you? The camera work for the video was done by Nic.
Article posted January 28, 2008 at 10:28 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 1564
Article posted January 24, 2008 at 11:23 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 2542
We have had a couple of "getting to know you" sessions via the Yackpack with our blogging buddies at the University of Regina, and will have another one next week. After that, we will start having regular chats to discuss writing.
Having these "big" blogging buddies has already impacted the writing of the children. As we headed off to the computer lab the other day, instead of reminding the children about what good writers do, I asked them what kinds of things their blogging buddies would be looking for in their writing. Because I provided the U of R students with grade one end of year expectations and they have been using these to make comments on my students’ blogs (which I have been reading aloud so that all of the children benefit), the children easily told me. “A period at the end.” “Starting with a capital letter.” “Spaces between words.” “Sounding out the words.”
The remarkable thing was that as they wrote on their blogs that day, they obviously thought about their blogging buddy audience. Not only did some of them address their writing directly to their buddy, (for example, “I like your name and i oslu like you.”) but there were more periods, capital letters and spaces in evidence than I had ever seen in their writing before. An authentic audience is a powerful thing.
Article posted January 24, 2008 at 11:23 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 2542
Article posted January 21, 2008 at 11:33 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 1550
Mr. Lewis came from the university to tell us some stories today. He is a master storyteller. He enthralled the children with Alligator Joe, a story about the Dog People and Too Much Noise. I recorded Too Much Noise as a podcast below. The sound is quite faint. It was my first time recording on my new MP3 player, and the device obviously has to be much closer than the last one that I used. He has promised to come out and tell us stories again, so I'll work something out for a louder sound by then.
Article posted January 21, 2008 at 11:33 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 1550
Article posted January 20, 2008 at 11:45 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 1436
I recently asked the students to draw a picture that told a story. They used KidPix, a computer drawing program that we have on the computers in our lab. There are some interesting "stories" to be seen on the students' blogs. If you can catch one of my students, ask for the oral version of events. We'll get to hear it in class next week!
Article posted January 20, 2008 at 11:45 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 1436
Article posted January 14, 2008 at 11:20 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 1684
This picture shows Mr. Lewis, who is a professor at the University of Regina, telling a story in our classroom last year. He is presently teaching a class of pre-service teachers who are learning how to teach writing to young children.
For this university semester, our classes are "buddying up". Each of his students will be reading and commenting on the blog entries of one of my students. This is an ideal partnership. His students get to be involved in the learning of an actual primary student, and my students get to have the knowledge that someone in another city will be regularly reading and commenting on their writing. We did this last year as well, and it was hugely successful.
Tomorrow, January 15th, from 3:00 until about 3:20, the buddies will be having an initial “get to know you” chat via the YackPack at the top of our page. (We wanted to use Skpye so that we could see each other with the webcam, but during a trial run today, we decided that the sound was just not good enough.) Later on this month, we’ll use the Yackpack to chat about my students’ writing as well.
If you are interested, you are welcome to listen in. You just have to have this blog open on your computer and your sound turned on.
Article posted January 14, 2008 at 11:20 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 1684
Article posted January 10, 2008 at 11:33 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 1711
Today was Fantastic Day in our classroom. We learned how to spell really big words like publisher, supersonic and fantastic. Now, we can spell any word we want. One of the students (filmed by Riley) shows you how in the video below.
Article posted January 10, 2008 at 11:33 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 1711
Article posted January 7, 2008 at 10:50 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 1522
We have no trouble with doubles! Talen filmed this video as another student showed us what he knew about adding doubles. He knows how to count on, too.
Article posted January 7, 2008 at 10:50 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 1522
Article posted December 11, 2007 at 09:02 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 1675
We are good at a lot of things! We are so good that we made books to show all of the things we are good at. In the video below, we show you one of the pages from our book and tell you just one thing that each of us is good at. We are also good at making videos.
Article posted December 11, 2007 at 09:02 PM GMT0 •
comment (2) • Reads 1675
Article posted December 6, 2007 at 09:44 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 1563
While learning about addition today, we made up stories about animals and dinsosuars to share with each other. Below is one dinosaur story we heard told on our Smartboard.
Article posted December 6, 2007 at 09:44 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 1563
Article posted December 6, 2007 at 02:36 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 1643
It's the season for wishes! Each of the children made a wish (it had to be for someone else, not themselves) and wrote about it on his or her blog. They also recorded their wishes as a podcast. Have a listen by clicking on the top icon below each child's writing.
Article posted December 6, 2007 at 02:36 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 1643
Article posted November 28, 2007 at 10:21 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 1526
Guest blogged by Ms. Weseen
Today in Science we learned all about animal movements. We watched a video and observed how some animals can crawl, prance, balance, waddle, slither, hop and fly. We also watched as some animals moved quickly or slowly. Can you tell what animal we are representing in the picture?
Article posted November 28, 2007 at 10:21 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 1526
Article posted November 27, 2007 at 10:14 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 1602
Guest blogged by Ms. Weseen In math we are learning to build numbers between 10 and 20. We have been saying the "teen" numbers as "10 and _____ more". In this picture we have 10 students and 3 more. What does this equal?
Article posted November 27, 2007 at 10:14 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 1602
Article posted November 23, 2007 at 10:09 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 1551
Guest Blogged by Ms. Weseen
I have been interning in Mrs. Cassidy's classroom for the past three months. It has been a wonderful experience and I have learned so much! Right now we are doing a thematic unit all about "motion". The students chose to represent a vehicle of their choice. The students not only took in to consideration the type of vehicle they were to create, but also the time of day, and the season. Check out their wonderful work!
Article posted November 23, 2007 at 10:09 PM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 1551
Article posted November 20, 2007 at 02:39 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 1540
Look at this wonderful picture, grade one. I would like you to tell me about the picture on your blog. What do you see? What do the colours in the picture tell you? What does the location (where they are) of the people in the picture tell you? Does the picture make you think of any questions? Does it remind you of anything? What do you like about this picure and why?
This picture if from Araleya's Flickr Photostream .
Article posted November 20, 2007 at 02:39 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 1540
Article posted November 19, 2007 at 02:22 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 1500
The students proudly led our first parent/teacher/child conferences of the year. Each child explained to his parents a self-assessment that he had done, showed off what he had decided was his "best" work and discussed his goals and how each of us at the conference could help him to meet them. The students were justifiably pleased with themselves and excited to work towards the goals that we have set.
Article posted November 19, 2007 at 02:22 PM GMT0 •
comment (3) • Reads 1500
Article posted November 9, 2007 at 08:47 PM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 1535
This Sunday is Remembrance Day in Canada. It is a special day that we use to honour the men and women who fought to give us freedom and serve to keep us safe. This is our tribute.
Article posted November 9, 2007 at 08:47 PM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 1535
Article posted November 8, 2007 at 11:07 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 1522
The children are getting excited about our parent/teacher/child conferences that will be held next week. We have been talking about them for awhile, and today we practiced what we will say and do at the conferences. The children are planning to share a couple of pieces that they consider to be their best work, the results of a self-assessment that we did and their goals.
The self-assessment is particularly interesting. It is not easy for six year olds to rate how well they are able to do things (they just know that they are great at everything), but it is still an important process for them. I often have to smile as a child solemnly tells me that he can do all of the things on the self-assessment really well (these are end of the school year expectations) when I know that in reality he is not yet able to do any of them. It's that innocence and confidence that keeps me teaching primary.
Article posted November 8, 2007 at 11:07 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 1522
Article posted November 3, 2007 at 12:42 AM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 1459
Have you ever considered the lines, shape, texture and space of a pumpkin? After their representing lesson, all of the students in our class could tell you all about these things. In the picture, one of the students is sharing what she learned about pumpkins and showing the model that she made.
Article posted November 3, 2007 at 12:42 AM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 1459
Article posted October 27, 2007 at 04:02 AM GMT0 •
comment (8) • Reads 1463
Here are some of the gorgeous witches that the children made this week. If you would like to see more of them, or other photos from our classroom, you can click on the picture to the left. It will take you to our Flickr account. Just click on "Mrs. Cassidy's Class' Photo Stream.
Article posted October 27, 2007 at 04:02 AM GMT0 •
comment (8) • Reads 1463
Article posted October 25, 2007 at 03:28 PM GMT0 •
comment (7) • Reads 1416
This week we had some visitors from Yorkton come to see how we use blogging in our classroom. We showed off our skills on KidPix, the drawing program that we use, by drawing a picture of our family. I was proud of the effort that the childrn put into trying to show what each member looked like, which one was the tallest, etc. Check out the wonderful pictures on the children's blogs.
Article posted October 25, 2007 at 03:28 PM GMT0 •
comment (7) • Reads 1416
Article posted October 23, 2007 at 09:20 PM GMT0 •
comment (8) • Reads 1476
Our class has been learning about which snacks are the best to eat so that we can have energy and learn. Click below to hear our reflections and what we have learned.
Article posted October 23, 2007 at 09:20 PM GMT0 •
comment (8) • Reads 1476
Article posted October 16, 2007 at 07:13 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 1447
What do hen, Jen and Ben have in common? They rhyme! The ability to hear and make rhymes is an important skill for children who are learning how to read.
Here are some things that you can do to help your child learn how to rhyme:
1. Read rhyming books, such as nursery rhymes aloud to your child.
2. Pick a word and see how many rhymes (silly ones, too) you can make with that word.
3. Make up a short rhyme and see if your child can put in the missing word such as "I fell off the bed and I hurt my _____."
Article posted October 16, 2007 at 07:13 PM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 1447
Article posted October 10, 2007 at 12:29 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 1574
We had an exciting and messy time mixing colours at the Art Museum today. We also got to view some very special art work. Ask your child what the primary colours are and what colours you get by mixing them. He should be able to tell you!
Article posted October 10, 2007 at 12:29 AM GMT0 •
comment (1) • Reads 1574
Article posted October 1, 2007 at 02:19 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 1405
Terry Fox is a Canadian hero. After losing one of his legs to cancer, he determined to run from one coast to another to raise money for cancer research. Sadly, his cancer came back and he died before he was able to complete his journey. Every September, Canadians run to raise money for cancer research in honour of what Terry Fox began.
It was a hot fall afternoon, but the grade ones doggedly walked over to Guthridge Field and ran on the track with the rest of the students from the our school. Well done, grade one!
Article posted October 1, 2007 at 02:19 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 1405
Article posted September 27, 2007 at 11:23 PM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 1822
We tried out a new tool called Voice Thread today. I have tried it beore, but didn't use the "every child talks" function. We had a few whoops! but we'll get better next time. Once a comment has been saved, it seems to be impossible to get it off. Just click on the arrow in the middle to get it started.
Article posted September 27, 2007 at 11:23 PM GMT0 •
comment (5) • Reads 1822
Article posted September 27, 2007 at 12:15 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 1513
If you want to grab all of the student's attention, all you have to do is open a book and start reading. A Bad Case of the Stripes, by David Shannon, is a great place to look for patterns, as the children discovered when our intern teacher, Ms Weseen, read it to them.
You can find patterns everywhere. The ability to see patterns is an important reading skill as well. Try looking for patterns around your house with your child today. See how many you can find and tell your child to me know!
Article posted September 27, 2007 at 12:15 AM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 1513
Article posted September 21, 2007 at 03:50 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 1449
We have been talking about healthy snacks at school, with the goal of having the children realize that healthy snacks taste good and help them learn. It is my hope that they will continue to bring healthy snacks to school after this health unit is finished.
Thank you, thank you, thank you parents who have been sending such wonderful snacks to school. The children have loved them. The quietest times in my classroom so far this year have been while the children are eating their yummy snacks!
Article posted September 21, 2007 at 03:50 PM GMT0 •
comment • Reads 1449
Article posted September 15, 2007 at 03:44 AM GMT0 •
comment (4) • Reads 1434
Our classroom has a shiny new Smartboard! Today we tried it out together for the first time. There are lots of things that we SHOULD be able to do with a Smartboard, but I haven't figured out how just yet. We were able to play an online pattern game together, though. The children were eager to have their turn to come up to the front to chose the correct shape to complete the pattern.
If you'd like to play the Crazy Pattern Game, go to my webpage (see the links on
My students have been pestering me for about a week to post a link to 
![100_0751[1]](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/2351598053_af7a9c8f86_m.jpg)
