We continued our work with addition and subtraction this week. The children practiced breaking apart numbers and seeing all of the different combinations. We also told story problems and worked with number sentences. In this whole group mini lesson, the children took turns saying a story problem and then we discussed whether it was an addition or subtraction problem and the number sentence. |
This week the children worked on a variety of writing skills. They learned how to make lists, write in sequence, and include describing words. In the first activity, we made a class list of our favorite candy and then the children made their own candy lists. Later, I read Stone Soup and we discussed the sequence of story events. We talked about recipes and how it is important to follow the recipe. The children sequenced the picture cards and then wrote about the steps from the recipe. To end the week, I read Go Away Big Green Monster and the children made their own monsters. Following the text's language they incorporated describing words based on their monster. Science has been all about the sun. This week we did two experiments. In the first experiment, I placed two t-shirts under a heat lamp meant to mimic the sun. The children made predictions as to which shirt would be warmer. Then the children took turns touching the shirts to feel the difference. We discussed how the black shirt was warmer because it absorbs heat. The next experiment involved melting ice. Two cups were placed outside, one in the sun and the other in the shade. The children wrote predictions as to which cup of ice would melt faster. Then we went outside and observed the ice cups. The children recorded the results of the experiment. I love special reading moments! I caught these two sharing a book after snack time and we had a guest reader from fifth grade. Surprise!!! Our class won a pizza party because of your contributions for Teacher Delivery Night! Thank you so much for supporting the school and helping the class to earn a special treat. :)
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This week we continued our work with story elements. In this activity, I read The Vanishing Pumpkin and we discussed the characters, setting, character traits, and important events. The children recorded the answers on a graphic organizer. We started working on abc order using Fall words. The children also had a matching sheet to practice on their own. I will be incorporating abc order in their literacy stations and we will expand on it throughout the year. The field trip to Meadow Farm was a big success! The children were able to experience what life was like in the past. This trip was an introductory lesson to our future social studies unit on past and present. One student said "Mrs. Stearns, I have never time traveled before!" :) We started our unit on addition and subtraction this week. In the beginning we work with decomposing numbers. We started with number four and using counters came up with all the different ways to make four and the children illustrated the possibilities. Later in the week we worked with the number 5, but did not draw pictures. The children are beginning to use math language such as "3 and 2 is 5". Next week we will expand the numbers and begin using plus, minus, and equals. In Science we started our unit on earth and sun relationships. We sang a song and discussed the three things the sun heats (land, air, and water). The children made posters to illustrate what was learned. During shared reading we focused on stories for Fire Safety and Prevention week. The stories were fiction so we could focus on identifying the characters and setting, as well as, the beginning, middle, and end. I use a "retelling rope" to discuss the story elements. We read the story Dot the Fire Dog and I showed them a nonfiction book about a real "Dot" named Hooper. We discussed how even fiction stories can have truth in them. Then the children drew pictures to retell the story. This week we focused on graphing in math. The children should be able to interpret and create various graphs such as picture and bar graphs. We also discussed the graphs using the vocabulary more, less, same, greater, less, and data. In this activity, the children made a gumball machine and collected data. We did two food graphing activities with Goldfish crackers and Froot Loops. In the pictured activity, the children were given a handful of cereal and they collected data by sorting, counting, making tally marks, and graphing their results. After they were finished, the children worked with a partner to discuss their graphs using the math vocabulary. Since Columbus Day was on Monday, the children spent the week learning about him. We read books, sang a song, watched a Discovery Ed video, and made these cute ships. The children loved adding personal touches such as Columbus on the boat, and land close by. Thanks again for your Scholastic orders! These are the free books our class received.
Sorting, Virginia Repertory Theatre, Flashlight Friday, Thinking like a Scientist, Special Guests10/8/2016 Math this week has focused on sorting. In first grade the children should be able to sort objects in a variety of ways. For example, using pattern blocks the children learn to sort by color, shape, size, and thickness. In this activity, I read the Frog and Toad story A Lost Button. Parts of the story focus on the differences between buttons. The children were given a variety of buttons and they practiced sorting them. They came up with some creative ways to sort such as by thread holes and sparkle. The Virginia Repertory Theatre came this week and did a performance of The Princess and the Pea. They always do an amazing job! The children thoroughly enjoyed this experience. We had our first Flashlight Friday using the children's independent book boxes. It was incredible! The children were so engaged and everyone seemed to enjoy the moment. In Science, the children have been learning about who a scientist is, what he or she does, and what tools they use. At the end of the week, the children were able to put their knowledge to the test and became a scientist. We explored Monarch Meadows using magnifying glasses and recording our findings in notebooks. They absolutely loved doing this! One student said "Mrs. Stearns, that was TOO much fun!" Thank you to our first Mystery Reader! The children love having special guests. We also had a guest reader from an upper grade.
The children loved taste testing the apples during this shared reading/writing activity! Some of them were surprised to discover a new favorite apple, while other children had a hard time picking just one to write about. This week we also read various Eric Carle books. In this lesson I read the book The Grouchy Ladybug and the children generated a list of things that make them grouchy. Then we discussed ways we could make a grouchy person happy. I loved the ideas the children came up with! This week we continued working with patterns in math, but added on growing patterns. The children reviewed repeating patterns and then worked with growing patterns in this Promethean board activity. In this lesson, the children used Froot Loops to create growing pattern bracelets. We finished our unit on American Symbols this week by focusing on a different symbol each day. The children enjoyed pretending to be the Statue of Liberty after making a crowns. The first Crestfest was a success! Have your child tell you about the pictures in the slideshow. |
Mrs. StearnsWelcome! This is my fourth year at Crestwood and my 15th year of teaching. I love the families at Crestwood! I received my undergraduate degree from Longwood University and later received my Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in ESL. I am married and have a five-year-old daughter. I also have two dogs and one cat. When I am not teaching you will find me camping, reading, or going fun places with the family. Archives
June 2017
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