BUILD

Hi there!

Well, these past few days we have implemented BUILD Math centers and what a blast the kids are having!  I first learned about BUILD Math reading one of the many blogs I have become a bit addicted to - Adventures in Teaching.  I have always LOVED using math centers and really struggled with our new enVisions math curriculum last year.  It is simply way too much paper pencil and not enough discovery for my little 1st graders!  

So, here is my understanding and implementation of BUILD...

B - Buddy Games
U - Using Manipulatives
I - Independent Work (usually math books)
L - Learn about numbers
D - Do math

I have chosen to implement these work stations like I used to implement Kindergarten Workplaces from Bridges in Mathematics.  I have a bucket for each letter which has a designated area within the classroom.  In each tub, I have placed only what the students will need - no extras!  At this point, I am assigning and moving students through their BUILD work stations, but I imagine within another week or two, they will be ready to do this independently!  Here is how I organize it...

Students wrote their names on the notecards.  Gave them ownership!

In this past week, I have witnessed a new energy in my students during math time.  We are still working through our core curriculum, but spending about half our time daily working through BUILD work stations.  Since it is my job to teach to the Common Core Math Standards, I have chosen for this to be my guide when developing and implementing BUILD.  I am using the standards we are addressing in enVisions and finding engaging hands on activities for the students to participate in. 

At this point, here is what I have in my buckets...

B = Bugs in the Garden Addition from Bridges in Mathematics
U = Polydron exploration
I = Counting and number books
L = Spin and write from Bridges in Mathematics
D = Haunted Fact Families (self created)

The students are loving it!  Here is some proof!

I can't begin to tell you how happy I am I found this inspiration!!  Math is back to the fun it used to be!!

Thanks for reading!!

The Daily 5

Where did the week go?  We have been up to all sorts of wonderful learning!  

I have been implementing The Daily 5 with my advanced literacy group!  It has been so fun!  If you haven't heard about The Daily Five, you should check it out!  I first read about it on A Teeny Tiny Teacher's blog, but have seen several ideas on Pinterest.  So, I decided to give it a try.  Although there is a lot on-line, it doesn't do it justice.  So be sure to read the book!!  

At this point, we have introduced Read to Self, Work on Writing, and Read to Someone.  My biggest challenge it that I have this advanced group of students for a short 30 minutes until we break into small Read Well groups for an additional 30 minutes.  The best solution I have come up with is to implement the Weekly 5 instead.  I want to make sure my students truly get the most out of the activity they are participating in so they are not rushing through all 5 activities daily.  What would they really gain from that?  If anyone else out there has a better idea, please share it!  

Anyhow, my students and I have been extremely happy with the outcome!  They enjoyed filling their book bags with good fit books (in place of book boxes) and cracking into their writing notebooks.  One of the most enjoyed lesson my students refer back to often is determining what a good fit book is.  They love to remind me of how Nate's shoes were WAY to big and not a good fit for me.  Thanks to the 2 sisters, I now have a wonderful analogy that very clearly illustrates how to pick appropriate books! 

During our work on writing time, students have really flourished! On the first few days, I heard things like, "but I'm not done" and "I finished my whole story."  At another point throughout the day, one of my home room students asked, "Can I please work on writing?  I want to finish my story."  Unfortunately, it was math time and I had to say no.  One of the other first grade teachers came by and shared how she is seeing some of the skills like underline the words you don't know how to spell fall into other learning areas.  That my efforts and instruction in The Daily 5 have been impactful!  I am just so happy my students are this motivated to write!

Pictures will come soon!

My Diploma!

After a VERY long day yesterday, I came home to a very wonderful surprise!  My diploma from graduate school!  I completed my program in the middle of August and chose not to walk in the December ceremony.  While I had already received my official transcripts and submitted them to the district, there was something wonderful about receiving my diploma!  

Thinking back, it was a long year for Nate, my husband, and I!  We had just got married and a month later I decided to start an advanced one year graduate program while working full time.  Nate was the most amazing support system, even on my crankiest of all days!  Now that it is over, we are both adjusting back to having more time and freedom to get out and explore without feeling the need to set aside time for school work.  I can happily say that I am thrilled to be finished and owe so very much to you Nate!

Apples Galore!

In honor of John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, we just completed our apple unit.  During this unit, we learned about the growth cycle of an apple.  Very few of my students actually knew an apple grew from flowers.  They did however, know they grew on trees!

After discussing this process, we explored the taste of red delicious, golden delicious and granny smith apples.  As we tasted each apple, we took time to describe their taste.  My students came up with great ideas such as juicy, crisp, sweet and sour.

We carried our apple tasting into math and graphed our favorite apples.  First, we created a class graph together.  We discussed the difference between the various colors talking about how many more and how many less we had.  In our classroom, the red delicious apple was the most favored with the green granny smith close behind.  Below are pictures of our fun work!

Not only did we taste apples, but the students participated in making applesauce!  The students were amazed to see the process of making applesauce.  Only one or two had ever helped with this before.  It cooked down just in time for a warm afternoon snack.  Those who were adventurous chose to add a little cinnamon to their snack.  It was a blast to see how much they enjoyed this activity.

One of our final projects throughout this unit was a journal writing.  Each student wrote and illustrated about their favorite apple.  They shared why they favored whichever apple they chose.  It was great fun seeing their ideas!