SMART Board for Dummies

This was the book that was left for me after the installation of our SMART board.  It is a little how I felt yesterday when trying to import a PDF document for us to use. 

The possibilities of this technology are endless!  Yesterday we did not do any "cool"  lessons, but did learn about how to write on the SMART Board and taking care of this tool.  The kids were AMAZED that we could watch a video...no more ancient televsion that is older than my students by several years.  Yesterday we did our word work and watched Magic School Bus in the Arctic.  I cannot wait to use it for everything!

Teachers...I would love to hear how you use the SMART board in your classroom or of any great resources.

It's Here! It's Here! It's Here!

Look what was in our room when we came to school today!  Yippie!  We will post pictures of us in action using the SMARTboard.

I have a Dream

Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream.  Students learned about this American Hero and his dream around Martin Luther King Day.  Today I finally put up the bulletin board!  We really did not do it that long ago, but with all the snow days, it feels like ages.
After learning about Martin Luther King Jr. students created a portrait of him using the program Pixie.  I printed out their work.  We used the fact sentences provided by Brooke from Primary Perspective to learn even more.  Students had to cut apart the words and put the sentence in order.  Finally, we completed a text-to-self connection paper after reading Martin's Big Words.  Students had to write about MLK's dream, then about their own.  Many students wrote that they dream everyone would be friends, others wrote about personal dreams.  I had a student write about a dream she had about her cat.  I learned that I need to go over the meanings of "Dream."

I can't wait to do it again next year!

What I Love about First Grade

I had one of those moments this morning that reminded me of why I LOVE teaching first grade.  During Reading Workshop students gathered around a student, interested in her book.  She chose to quietly read aloud so they could hear the story.  The students were so engaged I could not break it up.  I have a very special group of kids!

 

Picture Perfect Science

If you teach Science, this is the book for you!  Picture Perfect Science was developed by two Mason, Ohio teachers.  Emily and Karen are amazing!  I have been lucky enough to participate in two of their workshops and their lessons are some of my favorites.  They are the ones that got me excited about teaching Science.  Miami University just posted their summer courses for the Green Institute.  You cannot beat it.  $300 for two weeks.  In return, you earn 6 credit hours (4 in summer and 2 for 2 follow-up classes), many, many resources, inspiration, and two weeks of fun!  Trust me, you'll love it and your kids will LOVE the lessons!  If you are too far away to participate you can order their book on Amazon or check our their website.  They are also on facebook.

More Picture-Perfect Science is for K-3...and they are working on a new book for K-3.  My favorite lessons are Magnetic Dog and Roller Coaster.  You can check out my post from April 2010 of my students engaged in the Roller Coaster Lesson.

Kiss Your Brain!

Ask my first graders what I tell them to do when they share their brilliant thinking..."Kiss Your Brain!"  My kids giggled the first time I told them to do this at the beginning of the year, but now it I tell all of them or an individual to "Kiss Your Brain!" on a daily basis.  It is so cute to see the little ones kiss their hands and then touch their heads.  Well now they are REALLY going to love it!  A few weeks ago I saw a post on First Grade Teaching about PorterPolkaDots.  Mrs. Walsky featured this "Kiss Your Brain" jar.  Of course, I had to have it.  Ashley at PorterPolkaDots was so nice.  I emailed her what I wanted and look what appeared at my door this weekend. Our classroom theme is frogs and blue and green are everywhere!  She also has a very cute blog for teachers:  The Polka Dot Patch.

I filled it up with Hershey Kisses and I am ready to go.  I know it will be a hit!  Now I am just going to have to have enough self-control not to eat them all myself...I say that as I am throwing another into my mouth.
Looking forward to seeing the kids again tomorrow after an unexpected four day weekend!

Snow Day Activities

One snow day last week, two this week.   I should have known that it was going to be a long winter when we had two snow days and bitter cold in Dec.  Currently, it is 9 degrees with a windchill of -4!  I have to admit, it is a beautiful sight!  I am sending some activities for my parents to do with their little ones today.  Ice Decorations from Ucreate with Kids is one of my favorites and perfect for today!

 

If you do not know Ucreate with Kids, it will become a favorite.  This year our craft at the Holiday party came from this blog.  Creative, fun, hand-on activities for you to do with the kids.

 

I would love to hear your favorites. What are some of your favorite Snow Day activities?