10 Apples Up on Top

Yesterday we started talking about making 10.  I love to start new math units with literature, this one was no different.  We read 10 Apples Up on Top by Dr. Suess.  You can also watch it on YouTube.

Then as a class we used a ten frame to figure out how many more apples each character need to make 10.

To check for understanding students worked by themselves to complete a similar worksheet. Click on the picture to grab a FREE copy.

Gearing Up for the Aquarium

Next week we go to the Aquarium so this week and next we are going to be learning about aquatic animals.  We started our unit off today by reading Swimmy by Leo Lionni.

Here is how our study of this book will go.

Day 1:

• read the story to the whole class with little discussion
• reread pages 1-19 with the purpose of identifying the characters and setting
• students will then draw/write who the main character is and what the setting is (collect papers)

Day 2:

• reread pages 1-19 and identify the characters and setting
• continue reading the rest of the story with the purpose of identifying the problem and solution.
• give students their papers back from yesterday, on the back they will draw/write the problem and solution (collect papers again)

Day 3:

• Students will get into groups based on the shape on their paper
• while in groups they will discuss the main character/setting
• then discuss the problem/solution

I can't wait to see their learning shown through writing. This is something we have not done much of. You can grab a FREE copy of our 4 corners activity here.

Fancy Words

We have spent the last couple of days talking about "Fancy" words.  These are words that make our writing interesting and add details. I introduced this topic by read Fancy Nancy and pointing the "fancy" words she used to describe differnt things she was doing. my kids were eating it up.

Then we looked at the word great and came up with some other words we could use in our writing instead of great. They did pretty good.

The next day we did the same thing with the word pretty. 

I hung both of these on our "Fancy Word" wall and the next day I saw some of these words in their writing.

Now then we read a book my kiddos raise their hand anytime they hear a "fancy" word. Want a copy grab them here as a FREEBIE!!!

Accelerated Reader

Recently our PTA bought Accelerated Reader for the entire school. At first we were told we wouldn't have to do much, but we quickly found out that kinders could not do it on their own. So after some brainstorming here is what we came up with.

Instead of sending our kiddos to the media with the rest of the school on Tuesday and Thursday morning we created a sign up genesis for parents to volunteer for time slots on Tuesday to give our kiddos the AR quiz one on one.

We were also having trouble communicating with parents to know what books students were ready to take a quiz on. The students could tell us what the story was about but not always the title or the author. So we created these slips that we then attach to the back of the homework. When a student is ready to take the quiz their parents fill out the form and send it into school.

Our PTA also purchased charms for our kids to wear on a necklace for every 5 quizzes they pass. My co-worker and I worked so hard the first week and even had volunteers and couldn't get the kids to 5 passed quizzes. So we switched it up and now students will receive one pony bead for each passed quiz they take. When they hit 5 they will get the 5 charm. 

To help keep students necklaces in a safe place and so kiddos remember to wear them on Fridays I created an Acceralated Reader Hall of Fame. To identify whose necklace is whose I created these brag tags, that you can get here as a FREEBIE!!

We are off to a great start and my kiddos are so excited to take an AR quiz!!!