Pumpkins,Projects and Problem Solving

'Tis the season for PUMPKINS!

While reading From Seed to Pumpkin, we recorded facts about the plant's life cycle using the 2 Column Notes Strategy. This strategy helps us to identify main ideas and details. During research time, some students extended their learning about pumkins using the DK Find Out! Website.

There was plants of hands on learning during our Pumpkin Explorations! Word of the day...circumference! A student added to our discovery by suggesting we reweigh our pumpkins once they'd been hollowed out. We compared those numbers as well as other measurements and number of seeds.

We explored the question, Do bigger pumpkins have more seeds?

What do you think?

Pumpkins found their way into our BUDDY TIME too. We taught our kindergarten pals how to subtract within 5 by playing hide the seeds.

Fall offers great inspiration for writing. These leaves display our discoveries from the Autumn Sensory Walk we took. Ask your child what they observed and how they marblized their leaf.

During STEM week at Shaker Lane, we accepted the challenge to make something that does something.

Using recyclable materials students created pet toys, organizers, puppet theaters, sleds with brakes and more!

In addition to our Second Step lessons, Mrs. Mathurin and Mrs. Braun have been teaching us important lessons from our Social Thinking Curriculum. So far we've learned about WHOLE BODY LISTENING, VOICE LEVELS, PERSONAL SPACE and BEING PART OF A GROUP.

Personal Space-

Being part of a group-

Here are a few students showing off their "teacher style" on World Teacher Day.

Stayed tuned for the next post about our adventures with GOOGLE DRIVE!

 

Posted with Blogsy

Filling hearts and minds

Independent Research was in full swing this week. Students choose topics of interest, working alone or with partner(s) and their research materials. Working with a combination of texts and websites, students ask questions and record data.

This week we organized data using a new graphic organizer. Using three columns, we sorted information by what our topic HAS, IS, and CAN do.

Ms. Deacon stopped by to hear about our projects and check out the DK Find Out! Website.

Active Listening was the topic of our first session with school counselor Mrs. Mathurin and school psychologist, Mrs. Braun. As part of our social emotional curriculum, these teachers will supplement our Second Step lessons with targeted topics.

In related news, our awesome class filled our HEART jar this week. 100 hearts showing off our Honesty, Effort, Acceptance, Respect and Taking responsibility.

Our kindergarten buddies joined us in our classroom this week. Second grade mentors read stories pointing out letters, pictures and asked questions about the text.

A huge THANK YOU to the generous families who donated books to our class from the recent book fair!

We will all enjoy these new titles.

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Books, Buddies and Buckets

Students enjoyed picking out books and creating wishlists at the Scholastic Book Fair.

We visited Mrs. Hurley's Class and met our buddies. Each week we'll meet to read and learn together. This mentoring program is a great opportunity for all involved.

It was WONFERFUL to see so many families at Open House. Parents worked very hard on the "how well do you know your child" surveys!!

At our first Community Meeting, we learned about being bucket fillers and made a whole school commitment to the philosophy. Our class is almost at our 100 hearts Mark!

 

Posted with Blogsy