Learning is fun!
Posted in picture book lesson, reading skills, and technology
Third graders were given just the text portion of the story Two Bad Ants by Chris van Allsburg and had to analyze the text to figure out the location of the ants. Then I showed them the picture so they could see if their predictions were accurate. After the story, they played a Classtools game I customized with questions from the story and had the option to explore the Archibald’s Adventure simulation game.
Last week in the Jackson Library, Pre-K read farm animal stories. After singing Hap Palmer’s Big Red Hen song, we read Barnyard Banter and the kids identified the animals by their sounds. They explored the Canticos Chickies/Pollitos app to create their own song, listened to the Chick song (featured also in different languages), and decorated an egg. During check out, we enjoyed Alina Celeste‘s Pollitos song video.
Posted in games, holiday, and picture book lesson
Last week in the Jackson Library, second grade learned about compound words. After reading Walton’s Once I Was a Bull…Frog book, the kids came up to the poster to match the second half of the word to the first. It helped to put the picture of the compound word on the second half. (ESL modification) At the tables, they created compound words with plastic egg halves. This part of the lesson is from The Lesson Plan Diva. I gave each group the same words written on plastic Easter egg halves and when the timer started, they had to put them together to create compound words. The first two winning groups to put all of their eggs together correctly received graphic novel/magazine passes. Check out the video of the kids at work!
Posted in nonfiction lesson
Last week in the Jackson Library, second graders learned about the differences between fiction books and nonfiction books. We used Shannon Miller‘s Cantada series Fiction or Nonfiction ? book and listened to the song. Then the kids practiced categorizing different magnetic mini book covers using the dry erase easel. At the tables, the kids cut and categorized different book titles. Learning about different types of books is fun!
Kahoot Assessment
Posted in character education, picture book lesson, and technology
I had second grade predict what the rabbit and mouse would do when the threatening birds approached in the gorgeous book, If You Plant a Seed. They are happily munching away on the fruits and vegetables from their garden when the birds approach with menacing looks. Among the ‘hide your fruits and vegetables’ and ‘hurry and eat them’, a couple of kids thought of the idea to share them. We discussed the power of a kind deed and brainstormed ways they could show an act of kindness before they left school that day. I gave them the maple seed model pattern and they were to write an act of kindness on that seed and then they let the seeds float up and away. Hopefully, it gave them something to think about as they ended their day in the library.
looping forward/backward video by Boomerang
1 Make a Whirly Seed
2 Write a kind deed you can do on the seed
3 send it flying into the world
Technology Station
Posted in nonfiction lesson, and picture book lesson
Last week in the Jackson Library, first grade had fun reading a nonfiction book about the cutest pig ever, Chris P. Bacon! The true story of Chris P. Bacon explains how this pig born without back legs was rescued by a kind veterinarian. We read the book Dr. Len wrote himself and learned how he designed a wheelchair for the pig using K’Nex toys. Chris P. Bacon inspired us by showing us that it is good to be ‘unique’!
video
Technology Station
Posted in fun events
Thank you to the outstanding Instructional Specialists at Jackson Elementary for making National Library Week awesome! It’s a gift just to work at Jackson!
Posted in news
Posted in picture book lesson, and technology
The week before STAAR testing, first graders created their own digital book based on Rosenthal and Lichtenheld’s book, The OK Book. The book shows the stick figure shaped like the letters ‘OK’ attempting different hobbies and activities. The figure isn’t very good at these activities yet, but that is ‘ok’ and one day they will find their favorite hobby and talent. The kids used DoodleBuddy to create their pictures and AnyFlip to publish. Check out first grade’s book!
Posted in nonfiction lesson, and picture book lesson
Last week in the Jackson Library, kindergarteners listened to Jennifer Ward’s What Will Hatch? They were surprised to see a crocodile and a platypus in this nonfiction book! They drew lines to match the animal to its egg at the tables and decorated an egg at the computer station.
What will Hatch – connect type of egg to type of animal
What will hatch match
