Friday, December 20, 2013

Friday December 20

Can you believe Christmas is only 5 days away...there was excitement in the air for sure!
We had a little gym, a little treat, and a little movie, a read-a-thon, a little math and a little choice time.  It was a nice day!

For all who brought gifts, a big thank you!  They were both unexpected and exceptionally thoughtful!  They will certainly add to a relaxing break at my house...and maybe a few pounds if I am not careful!  :)
Here are some pictures from the day:

















On a personal note...
I was thinking today of a song from the movie White Christmas:
"When you're worried and you can't sleep, just count your blessings instead of sheep..."
Count your blessings,
hug your babies close.  
And during this holiday season, 
I wish for you all whatever brings you the most joy.
See you in 2014.
Blessings...

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Thursday December 19

Hello everyone! 
Today we wrapped up our comparative study of eight classic fairy tales. The students created their own project to show their understanding of a fairy tale, then presented their projects to a kindergarten class.   For today, the majority of the post will be pictures of their projects.  This has been a very busy three weeks exploring the characteristics of fairy tales, and hopefully hearing a few new ones along the way
Remember, we will have a read-a-thon tomorrow!  See you then!


Jack and the Beanstalk

Snow White Dwarves

Milly the Mermaid

King Midas and the Golden Touch

Fairy Tale book

Rapunzel

Fairy Tale Puppet Theater

Playing game

Explaining the story of King Midas

Explaining the story of King Midas

enjoying fairy tale books

Partners create King Midas and the Golden Touch Castle

Partners create Jack and the Beanstalk

Miniature Jack and the Beanstalk

Partners create King Midas' castle

fairy tale book







Rapunzel!

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

December 18- Peter Pan!

“All the world is made of faith, and trust, and pixie dust.”
J.M. Barrie, from  Peter Pan



That just about sums up the day!  Happy birthday to Lauren!  Tomorrow....we finish our fairy tale projects and present them to two kindergarten classes...
see you then!

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Tuesday December 17

Hi everyone!
Today was very busy.  We began reading and writing in our literacy centers.  After music, we worked on a math concept with problems like this:

4 + 6 = 5  +   __                  11= ____ +  8                   2   +    ______  +  8  =  16

Understanding that the equal sign means "the same as" and being able to understand the relationship between addition and subtraction in order to find the unknown quantity is a second grade standard in math.

In the afternoon, we began our independent fairy tale projects!  The students are cooking up some great creations...we will take many pictures on Thursday when they are completed.  We will be presenting projects to several kindergarten classes on Thursday afternoon!

Ideas from the students:
"I enjoyed quiet reading because I was able to read "Olive the Other Reindeer"...it's a funny book!" Cassidy
"I liked making my Fairy Tale book." Olivia
"I enjoyed designing my fairy tale project." Anders
"It was great to make a fairy tale puppet theater with Alex!" Matthew
"I learned something new from the Scholastic News we read during literacy centers" Beckett
"I liked designing King Midas' castle with Ezra." Jasper

I suggested that it may be fun to dress up a little tomorrow for our theater visit...it's up to you!
See you at 10:45!

Friday, December 13, 2013

Friday December 13

I believe it's much better to engage in dialog with children to explain the difference between fantasy and reality. Then they are better equipped to deal with people who might have taken it (fantasy) too far.”
J.K. Rowling


Here are ideas from the students today:
"I liked making the origami frog as part of our "Princess and the Frog" project.
"I enjoyed iPad Physics." Miles
"I liked quiet reading because I have a book about animals to read." Cassidy
"It was nice when Mrs. Robb told me that she liked the poem I wrote." Layton
"I liked going to the library today." Matthew
"I figured out how to write "fact families" during math and it was fun!" Dah
"I really enjoy writing a story with Beckett." Anders

Today we studied the fairy tale "The Princess and the Frog".  We decided this story fit the profile for a fairy tale exactly.  We wrote a quick version of the story from the frog's point of view.  Then we created our own "frog prince".  Here are some pictures:





Here are some more of our learning:
Comparing characteristics of fairy tales


The story of Rumplestiltskin
 
The witch's house in Hansel and Gretal

Next week:  more projects, field trip and more...have a great weekend and see you Monday!

Just for fun...took this picture outside my house this week on a frosty morning!  Enjoy!

Thursday, December 12, 2013

Thursday December 12

“For most of human history, 'literature,' both fiction and poetry, has been narrated, not written — heard, not read. So fairy tales, folk tales, stories from the oral tradition, are all of them the most vital connection we have with the imaginations of the ordinary men and women whose labor created our world.”
Angela Carter


We were all sad to miss seeing Peter Pan yesterday, but we have rescheduled for next week.  I will send out details in an email, but look for a new permission slip coming home to sign.


In addition to math, reading and writing opportunities today,
the fairy tale we studies was Rumplestiltskin...we created "pop-up" scenes and wrote about our design.  Come check out our designs in the hall!




Hopefully the exceedingly cold weather snap has ended!  Hello cold December rain!
See you tomorrow!
 

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Tuesday December 10

Happy Birthday Norah!

“Classic fairy tales do not deny the existence of heartache and sorrow, but they do deny universal defeat.” Greenhaven Press

Today many students began reading a version of Jack and the Beanstalk.  We will be discussing questions about Jack, such as why did he go up for the harp when he was already rich from the gold eggs?

We played a game during math using a number line, which is an important mathematical model expected to be used and understood by students by the Common Core State Standards.

In the afternoon, we read Hansel and Gretal, wrote the main events of the story, and created our own "candy houses" that belong to the witch!  Very creative!

Be on time tomorrow so that we can get on the road.  Remember booster seats.  I also told the kids that we might want to dress nice for the theater...your choice!

See you tomorrow!

Friday, December 6, 2013

Friday December 6

"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales.  If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales." Albert Einstein

Our fairy tale study today included Goldilocks and the Three Bears. As we were reading the story, we realized that Goldilocks was behaving badly.  She should not have gone into the house, eaten the food and broken things!  The students were challenged to create a "WANTED" poster for Goldilocks!
Here are the students' ideas...








Great Partnership!
 

 Have a great weekend and stay warm...next week...Peter Pan!!!