Week of February 22, 2016

 

What would you do if an alien came to your classroom?  Follow the link below to see what the students think and take a closer look at their artwork!

What Would You Do If an Alien Came to Your Classroom

Watch the video below to take a look at some of the other lessons and activities we did this week!

Time Goes By So Fast in One Week!

Don't forget it is Read Across America Week!

 

  Monday, Feb 29:  Dress up as your favorite Dr. Seuss Character.

 Tuesday, March 1:  Wear your favorite crazy socks to school.

 Wednesday, March 2: Come to school dressed in your wackiest outfit!

   Thursday, March 3: Bring in your favorite stuffed animal and share   

some reading time with them.

 Friday, March 4: Relax in your pajamas as a way to celebrate the end of the week!

Hansel, Gretel and Fred

 Why I LOVE Shared Reading!

Today we presented Hansel, Gretel and Fred to family and friends.  I find Reader's Theater (Shared Reading) to be such an important part of a classroom curriculum.  The students build confidence and their love for reading.  As we develop and look at new scripts the students practice all their reading strategies, build meaning and comprehension, work as a team and read aloud while performing.

June and Kali as Gretel

 Ben, Abram and Tripp as Hansel

Vivian and Emma as Weezie 

 Jonathan, Kara and Alexander as Gingerbread Man

Madelyn, Mariella and Hailey as Freddie Jean

 Carter and Presley as Fred

Emmaline, Mikenzie and Trenton as the Jelly Bears

Our Gingerbread Baby, Girl and Boy Are Lost!

Our gingerbread child has gone missing!  Today we worked together with a partner to peer edit our "Lost" papers and add details to our writing.  We are hoping that someone will help us find our gingerbread child soon!  Check back tomorrow to read our "Lost" papers to identify the missing gingerbread child.

Are You Ready to Make Some "No Bake Cookies"

On Tuesday, November 24th, the students chose to have a cooking classroom incentive for earning 1000 #Hodag Paws!  They worked together to make "No Bake Cookies".  Check out their talent!

Are You Ready to Make "No Bake Cookies"

What Do We Know and Wonder About Bats?

Today we began our discussion about Bats.  We shared with each other what we knew about bats and also what we still wondered about bats.  You can check out the information which we posted on our online bulletin board using +Padlet  Just click on the image below or the QR code:

 

Then we had a special Mystery Reader via Google Hangout. We were so excited to learn more about bats from the books she shared!  Thanks Lindsey!

Kevin Henkes Author Study

Looking Through the Eyes of An Author

Throughout the last month students have been learning about the role of illustrations in a story, techniques for "reading" illustrations, and techniques for identifying details in a story. Students have shared how illustrations and details in a story depict characters, setting, or events.

We have taken a closer look at the author and illustrator, Kevin Henkes.  Kevin grew up in Racine, Wisconsin and grew up loving books and he also enjoyed drawing and painting.

The students chose their favorite Kevin Henkes books.  As the story was reread students asked and answered questions to help them build their understanding of the story. Next they drew illustrations to represent the details in the story.  They retold their favorite story to a peer and listened to suggestions that may strengthen their illustration.

When they finished their illustration and retelling, the students used the Ipad to take photos of their illustrations.  Next they created a Google Slide and uploaded their illustrations.  They checked to make sure their text match their illustration.  So proud of them!

Below is some samples of their work :)

Shelia Rae the Brave retold by Vivian

Sheila Rae the Brave retold by Kali

Sheila Rae the Brave retold by Emma

Sheila Rae the Brave retold by Carter

Owen retold by Jonathan

Owen retold by Benjamin

Owen retold by June

Kid Bloggers Small Moments

 My mom and dad got me a kitten.  First they got the kitten from the dump and it was in a doghouse. Next my mom and dad brought the white kitten home and gave it to me at my grandma and grandpa’s house.  Then I thought it was a very cute and nice kitten. Finally I named it Lindsey. Yay!

 This weekend I went to the Porcupine Mountains and I saw my favorite cousin, Avery. She got a new haircut.  First I needed to drive to the Porcupine Mountains.  Next we went up the ski hill that the people flew down. It was awesome.  Mom was too scared to come up so mom went down. We went to the top and then we all went down.  I went to lots of waterfalls that were pretty. Last we went to the campsite and I got to sleep in the camper. I had a fun time.

 First I went to my grandma's house.  Next we looked up scary faces on my Aunt's phone. Then I carved a pumpkin.  Last mom and dad picked me up and went to my house.

 This weekend my dad cut a hole in our pumpkins. Then I got the weird stuff out of the pumpkins! Next me and my dad drew what I wanted on it.  Then my dad cut it out Last my mom put a candle inside the pumpkin.

 This weekend I went to the Harvest Hoedown.  Next I almost left.  I was sad.  Then my dad remembered that Joel and Rosy were coming.  We turned around.  I went to the balloons. Last I went to the maze.

 This weekend I worked on my first grade book.  First I had to find a pencil and then I got to work.  Next I ate an apple. Last I got back to work.  

 This weekend I went to my dad's and we carved a pumpkin. First I carved a vampire. Then dad carved a vampire too.  Last we made pumpkin seeds.

 This weekend I went to a wedding. My favorite part about the wedding was when I threw the flower petals. Then we had food.  It was good. We had cupcakes. They were good cupcakes. Next we danced.  I did not go on the dance floor because I was shy to go the dance floor. Finally I went to a hotel with grandma.

Strut for FUNd "Fun Run"

Today we had our first Strut for FUNd "Fun Run". We were excited to begin and enjoyed having our friends and family cheering us on.  Thanks for supporting us and our school.

Pelican Elementary School Strut For FUNd

Using Illustrations To Describe Characters, Settings and Major Events

Today we continued our author study of Kevin Henkes by reading his book Kitten's Full Moon.

After reading the story the students were divided into three groups.  The focus of the groups was to work together to identify the character and settings and then either the beginning, middle or end. They engaged in conversation, shared ideas and strengthen their understanding of relationship between visual and written information to help them understand what they read.

 

 

Fall Narrative Writing!

This week the students continued practicing narrative writing.  Narrative writing tells a story, can be real or imaginary, has characters, has a setting, it is in order and has transitions, and has a beginning, middle, and end.  The students begin by writing their "Ish" copy in their Writing Notebooks and through confering they add details and edit their documents to make a final copy.  They were so excited to be able to type their final copy using Google Docs!

The students logged into their own Google Accounts and began to create their first Google Document.

Here are some of the completed Fall Narrative Writings :)

 

The Days Are Getting Shorter by Abe

 Today the days will get shorter. First I need my pajamas. Then by that time it will get dark. I look out the window and see the darkness.

Birds Are Flying South by Vivian

Today the birds are going to fly  south. First I am going to go in my backyard and look up in the sky and watch the birds in the sky. Next I will get my brothers and my sister. Then we are going to watch  the birds fly in a big pack in the sky.

Looking for Leaves by Jonathan

Today I am going to look for leaves. I need to make sure I am very warm. Next I am going in the woods. There are lots of leaves.

Picking Pumpkins by Kali

Today I am going to pick pumpkins in my garden. First I will grab the scissors and  grab the wagon and go outside. Next I brought the pumpkins inside the house. And then we carved the pumpkins. Then we put the pumpkins outside. Then we baked the seeds.

Fall 2015 CAVOC Field Trip

Today we had our first field trip of the new school year. It is always nice to visit our School Forest! We learned about How Animals Protect Their Young, How They Protect Themselves from Predators, and Why Camouflage is Important to Animals.

Check out our video Fall 2015 CAVOC Adventure

Mother Goose to the Rescue ~ This Friday at 8:30!

Something to Hoot About Today!

 My name is Kara. I like the playground because it is colorful  .

 My name is Kali.  I like to go  fishing with  my dad because I like to spend time with my dad. I love fishing because it is awesome.

 

My name is June. I like to go to grandpa and grandma’s because they let me hop on the trampoline and in the mud. I love gator riding!

Hi I am Abe. A pal is someone who says please and thank you. I can be a pal to Emma.