Learning is fun!
Posted in bilingual, first grade, and picture book lesson
Last week in the Jackson Library, first graders had fun reading a silly story. During the video of the read aloud It’s Not Easy Being a Bunny (No es facil ser un conejito), the kids actively listen for why the bunny did not like being a bear, pig, etc. and drew a picture about what was bad about being that animal. There is no snake in the story, so they had to imagine what would be bad about being a snake and draw the bunny doing that in the last box.
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Spanish
Posted in apps, augmented reality, fun events, games, second grade, and spelling
First and second graders had fun on Digital Learning Day today in the Jackson Library! They used a new app to play a spelling game called Catchy Words. They have to find the letters in augmented reality, ‘catch’ them with an iPad, and place the letters in boxes to spell a mystery word. We watched Kirsten Hood‘s video to see how to do it. Fun!
Posted in first grade, math, and picture book lesson
First graders in the Jackson Library learned how to take surveys after reading Groovy Joe: Ice Cream and Dinosaurs by Eric Litwin. After reading the story, the kids asked each other about favorite ice cream flavors and marked it on their paper using tally marks. Then we used Jersey Teacher’s Ice Cream pictograph sheet (TPT) to draw representations of the data. Finally, they listened to Groovy Joe songs during check out. Who knew graphing data could be so much fun in the library?
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Posted in first grade, and holiday
Last week in the Jackson Library, first graders learned about Mae Jemison from the book, Mae Among the Stars by Roda Ahmed. I like how it is a biography written like a narrative for the younger reader. It talks about not letting anyone deter you from reaching your goals and dreaming big dreams. After the story, the kids put together a little booklet about Mae’d accomplishments (from The Mailbox). Follow Roda here! #BlackHistoryMonth
Roda’s Website
Posted in bilingual, first grade, picture book lesson, technology, and TTESS 1819
Last week, I created my first Seesaw activity! (link below) After reading The Wonky Donkey and singing the song, the first graders had to think of a NEW flaw for the donkey. They used Seesaw in pairs to draw their wonkier donkey and they used the microphone to tell about its new flaw. They had a blast!
Posted in first grade, 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’!
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Technology Station
Posted in first grade, picture book lesson, technology, and writing
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 first grade, holiday, and STEM
Last week in the Jackson Library, first graders competed in groups in a Minute to Win It style game. After discussing bridges and building a sample model with mirror cubes, the kids had to devise a plan to create a bridge-like structure made from only pennies. They had to use all of the 30 pennies in the bag and they had to be able to slide a pencil underneath the bridge. After the challenge, they discussed how they would improve their bridge next time re-vamped their designs.
Potatoes and Cabbage song
Posted in apps, first grade, nonfiction lesson, and picture book lesson
Last week in the Jackson Library, first graders enjoyed Jennifer Ward’s (@jenwardbooks) new book, What Will Grow? The kids love the song-like, rhyming text and are amazed when the pages fold out to reveal the beautiful illustrations of Susie Ghahremani (@boygirlparty) depicting a towering sunflower or a deep-reaching carrot root. Click below for the independent assignment I gave them to work on at the tables. If students forget which seed produces which fruit/plant/tree, I added the rhyming words so they can match rhyming pairs like in the book. Kids explored the Gro Garden app, which teaches about sustainable farming in a holistic way.
Posted in apps, first grade, holiday, Uncategorized, and writing
Last week in the Jackson Library, first graders read My Teacher for President by Winters and looked at similarities between their teacher’s job with the president’s job. At the tables, they wrote about what their teacher would do as president. We used festisite to put the teachers’ faces on twenty dollar bills. Scroll through to read their papers!
