This is Finn's map of Death Island!
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Monday, February 24, 2014
Subtraction Game
Students continue to hone their subtraction skills by playing a game with spinners. They race to subtract a one digit number from a two digit number. Students use multiple strategies, from jumping back on a number line or hundreds chart to using sticks of cubes or writing number bonds on whiteboards where they regroup the two digit number into tens and ones.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
New Reading Logs this Week
You may have noticed the reading logs look different this week...and they are! Students are now asked to do mini-reflections nightly. They are specifically prompted to make a personal connection to what they have read (what does the book make you think of? Remind you of?) We have gone over several examples in class and so far students are off to a good start with the new log. There is just a small box in which to do this, but one carefully thought of sentence is all it takes to make a "text to self" connection.
Additionally, at the top of each reading log sheet (front and back), students are asked to choose a goal for the week. At the end of the week, they circle a response to indicate how they feel they are doing toward that goal. We will work with students in class to identify appropriate goals. Some examples are (for shorter books) to read each book twice in order to practice fluency (a smooth, storytelling voice) or (for longer books) to "stop and jot" thoughts on post-its while reading (I wonder...I notice...I predict...)
So, enjoy engaging in fun conversation with your child to help him/her make connections to the stories or information read about. Please let me know if you have any questions. Also, before making the switch, we looked back at our old reading logs and counted up all the books we have read so far this year...ask your child how many books he or she has read!
Additionally, at the top of each reading log sheet (front and back), students are asked to choose a goal for the week. At the end of the week, they circle a response to indicate how they feel they are doing toward that goal. We will work with students in class to identify appropriate goals. Some examples are (for shorter books) to read each book twice in order to practice fluency (a smooth, storytelling voice) or (for longer books) to "stop and jot" thoughts on post-its while reading (I wonder...I notice...I predict...)
So, enjoy engaging in fun conversation with your child to help him/her make connections to the stories or information read about. Please let me know if you have any questions. Also, before making the switch, we looked back at our old reading logs and counted up all the books we have read so far this year...ask your child how many books he or she has read!
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Bausher Fort
Well, today was our final trip of four successful Grade One Discover Oman adventures. Students and adults enjoyed exploring Bausher Fort and all its interesting surroundings. It was exciting to be in an old place that has not been restored to look new. Students especially loved crawling through "secret passageways" into towers and hidden rooms. We then came back to school thoroughly inspired and made our own Bausher Forts with paper collage. Also...thank you once again to all our fantastic chaperones throughout Discover Oman...we could not have done this without you!
Monday, February 10, 2014
Natural History Museum
Students sketched and observed their way through the Natural History Museum learning about dolphins, whales, mammals and more. Ask your child what kind of bones whales have inside their flippers or what the difference between teeth and baleen is...they all chose fun facts to record and sketches to label in order to hold onto their learning from the day!
Sunday, February 9, 2014
Birdwatching
Well, I knew Thursday's trip to Qurum Park would be fun...it's outdoors, we had beautiful weather...but what I didn't expect was just how enthusiastic all our first graders were about birdwatching! Students eagerly checked birds off their lists as they spotted them and explored the park earnestly looking for details they had learned about, from size and shape of beaks to wingspan and feather coloring. We now have several budding birdwatchers, so even as you are out and about in Muscat, encourage your child to continue spotting and trying to identify the birds they see!
Monday, February 3, 2014
Ghala Hike Poem
Ghala Hike
By 1SM,
February 3rd, 2014
Rocks, rocks
everywhere,
Butterflies flying
near me.
Black beetle, black
as the night,
Twisted goat horn
on the ground.
Hole in a bone so
scary,
Goats, goats
everywhere.
Broken glass in
different colors,
Dragonfly speeding
through the air.
Ghala hike.
Ghala Hike
What an adventure we had today! Students hiked, explored and observed their surroundings. We had a look at a falaj, a hot spring, several gorgeous views and also many wandering goats. We came back to class and painted watercolors of some of the things we saw. Students also brainstormed descriptive details about the hike and we have started a collaborative poem about it. Thank you to our chaperones today who helped make the trip a safe and fun experience!
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Getting Information from Maps
In class we have been investigating the different kinds of information we can get from maps. First, we have learned about tools such as the compass rose and map key. Then, students have discovered that maps can be about almost anything...from landforms and natural resources to shopping malls and restaurants. Take any opportunities you can to notice and discuss maps you encounter with your child! You might also notice students in photos working on filling buckets...ask your child about our goal for the 100th Day of School.
Using Our Senses Like Poets
For a few weeks we have been "digging" into poetry...reading poems closely, envisioning them, noticing how they make us feel and noticing the powerful words that poets choose. Today we began preparing to write poetry ourselves. Students used their senses to closely observe an assortment of seashells and pieces of coral. They collaboratively brainstormed and recorded descriptive words and already have the makings of some intriguing poems. As a class we observed a large barnacle and began drafting a poem together.
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