Stripes and Fairies and Pirates...Oh, My!

This week we read a variety of books by our featured author, David Shannon.  We began the week with my favorite David Shannon story, A Bad Case of Stripes.  The book tells the story of Camilla Cream, who loved lima beans, but would never eat them because she was afraid of what other kids would say.  After coming down with a mysterious ailment that causes her skin to break out in stripes, stars, and polka dots (among other things), Camilla finally realizes that she needs to be true to herself.  We discussed the author's message in this story as well as the distinctive characteristics that make it a David Shannon text.

Later in the week we read, Alice the Fairy, about a little girl who longs to be a "permanent fairy," but who only manages to make a mess and upset "The Duchess."  We talked and wrote about what we would do if we had magic powers.  We also discussed who "The Duchess" might be and who the character of "Alice" might based on.

This week we will read two books illustrated by David Shannon:  How I Became a Pirate and Pirates Don't Change Diapers.  Both are very funny reads, and I'm sure the children will love them.  We will spend time talking about how the main character changes in the story.

Our scientific discoveries took led us to explore solids in liquids this week.  We explored various solids:  a cardboard square, a popscicle stick, a cookie, fruit chews, raisins, a hard candy, rock salt, rice, and lima beans.  Then we predicted what would happen if we placed the solids in water.  After putting them in water filled baggies, we made observations of changes after 10 minutes, and found some fascinating discoveries!  Two days later, we made final observations and drew pictures and wrote about the changes.

In math we are continuing our study of geometry, polygons, and symmetry.  We played a lot of fun games designed to help the students understand the attributes of various shapes.  We also are working hard on addition facts, particularly doubles facts.  Please review these nightly with your child at home.  Students should be at the point where they do not need to use their fingers or any other aids to calculate doubles facts (i.e. 1+1, 2+2, 3+3, etc.). 

No school on Friday in observance of Good Friday.  Enjoy your long weekend!

Yes, David!

After having read all David Shannon's "David" books and conduct-
ing our trial of the main character where we highlighted the evidence proving David's naughty behavior, we decided to focus on the positive.  What, we wondered, might David do to make the adults in his life say, "yes," to him instead of no.  Each child came up with an idea that David could do to show respectful, responsible behavior such as giving flowers to his teacher, helping an elderly person cross the street, getting an alarm clock so he could get to school on time, etc.  Then, I typed up the text using the simple style of David Shannon and the students illustrated our classroom book titled, "Yes, David."  We then laminated and bound the book so we could share it with our families.  I will be sending the book home each night with a different student.  Please take some time to read the story with your child and ask him/her about our experiences learning about the works of David Shannon.  Ask your child why we chose to use such a simplistic writing style in our story.  Ask him/her to tell you about the unique writing and illustrating style of David Shannon.  After reading the story, please return it to school the following day so that I can send it home with another family.  We hope you all enjoy reading "Yes, David" by Room 125.

Reading Logs and Odds and Ends

Congratulations to all the students who returned their reading logs today!  Room 125 read well over 2,000 minutes last week.  I accidentally forgot to send home the log for this week today, so please keep a record of tonight's reading.  I will send the logs home tomorrow.

A couple of reminders:

Please make sure your child has at least 2 pencils at school.  Many students are running low and need supplies!

Students should be reading their latest guided reading book every night when their book bags come home.  In addition, they should be reading some of the older books in their bags to gain stamina and build fluency.

Weekend Wrap Up

We wrapped up the week by reading another great David Shannon book called Good Boy, Fergus!  We learned that Fergus is a West Highland Terrier and is really David Shannon's dog.  As I read the story to the students, I asked them to be thinking about how this book compared to the David books both in writing/illustrating style and in content.  After reading the story, the children listed Fergus' character traits and evidence from the text to support their opinions.  Turns out that Fergus is quite a bit like David; he gets into all kinds of trouble!  I then asked the children if all the evidence shows us that Fergus is NOT a good boy, what might be a better title for the story?  They came up with an array of clever titles, which we listed on a graphic organizer.  Finally, I challenged the students to think more in-depth about the author's message in the story.  If all the evidence suggests that Fergus is not a good boy, why on earth does David Shannon call the story, Good Boy, Fergus?  I was so pleased that the kids seemed to understand the author's message.  In fact, they even came up with some ideas I hadn't thought of before.  One student said, "Well, I think that David Shannon is trying to tell us that even though Fergus does bad things, his owner still loves him anyway."  Another student chimed in, "That reminds me of David.  His mother still loved him even though he was naughty."  A third child said, "I think David Shannon was trying to train Fergus by showing him how to be good and using positive words."  Hooray Room 125.  What great thinking!  The students are also working on written extensions to the stories during center time.  They have three options from which to choose (making a personal connection, comparing the David stories to the Fergus story, or describing character traits with evidence).

Friday we read what is probably my favorite David Shannon book:  A Bad Case of Stripes.  We'll be talking more about this story on Monday.

We took three unit tests in reading last week on which everyone did very well!

Last week we wrapped up our latest math unit on fact families by doing some review and then taking the post test.  Most students did quite well on the assessment.  Our new math unit will focus on geometry.  I expect this theme, which is very hands-on, will be lots of fun for everyone!

Our Writer's Workshop focus has been on realistic fiction.  This has tied in so nicely with our shared read alouds in our author's study.  The books we have been reading by David Shannon are such wonderful examples of realistic fiction to which children can relate.  We also used the mentor texts You Can Do It, Sam, Big Al, and When Sophie Gets Angry--Really, Really Angry to talk about the components of realistic fiction and begin to write our own stories in that genre.

The children had a wonderful time on our field trip to see Junie B. Jones.  They were all wonderfully behaved and made me very proud.  After we returned, we did a written extension about the play for morning seatwork.

Coming up this week: 

Literature/shared reading:  A Bad Case of Stripes and Alice the Fairy

Writer's Workshop:  More fun with realistic fiction

Math:  Introducing geometric concepts

Science:  Solids and Liquids

Don't forget reading logs are due Wednesday!

Reading Logs and Leprechauns

Congratulations to all those students who remembered to hand in their reading logs today.  One student, who read 288 minutes last week, won the prize for reading the most minutes in our class.  As a class, students read over 1,400 minutes last week!  A good beginning...however, only about 1/2 of the children returned their logs on time.  Please be reminded that this log is part of the students' homework and must be returned on Wednesdays in order for them to receive credit.  I cannot give credit to students who hand in logs late or whose logs have not been filled out correctly.  Logs should list the titles of the books read, the number of minutes per day that the student read, and should be signed by an adult.  We are also competing against the other first grade classrooms to see who can read the most minutes; there is even a bulletin board charting our progress across from the nurse's office, so keep reading Room 125!!!  New logs went home today.  Please check your child's folder for his/her copy.

We celebrated St. Patrick's Day by finishing up our leprechaun traps and placing them around the room in hopes of catching one of the mysterious red-bearded fellows.  When the students came back from recess they discovered candy and real coins in their traps!  I'm sure you'll enjoy your child's creativity when he/she brings his/her trap home!

A big "thank you" to Mrs. L for providing special cookies for St. Patty's Day and to Mrs. C for giving us a set of 28 new glue sticks!!!  We also got one box of tissues in today (thank you, Mrs. B)...but with everyone sniffling and coughing at this time of year, we sure could use more!

PS:  Glad to see we're gaining some "followers"...you can follow our blog by signing up for a google account...it's easy and free!

Lil of This; Lil of That

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  We are in desperate need of supplies!  If anyone in interested in donating, we need the following items:  tissues and dry erase markers.
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  All students should replenish their pencil boxes with a new box of crayons, at least 4-5 pencils, an eraser, and two glue sticks.  Many students have only tiny nubs of crayons in a couple of colors left.
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  Thanks to the moms and dads who chaperoned our field trip to SCSU to see Junie B. Jones.
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  As the weather finally gets nicer we will be going out side for recess.  Please make sure your child has an appropriate jacket, sweatshirt for outside play.

Junie B. Jones Field Trip

Don't forget our Junie B. Jones field trip is Tuesday, March 16th!  All students should bring their lunch on Tuesday; there will be no cafeteria service since we will be arriving back to school after the cafeteria closes.  Chaperones will be assigned a group of 5 students to supervise and should come to our classroom no later than 9:00 to get their assignments.  Children should wear comfortable clothes and shoes (preferably sneakers).  We are going to have SO much fun!

The Verdict is In

After closing arguments on the part of the prosecution and the defense, the trial of David was placed in the capable hands of the jury. Students on the jury learned about the important role juror’s play in a trial and how they had to make their decision based solely on the evidence presented in the case (i.e. not on whether they liked the defendant, were friends with him, etc.). With David sequestered away, the jury began their deliberations. Students spent a great deal of time discussing the evidence and David’s defense statements. Some argued that David’s defense was reasonable while others said he was making excuses for his own bad behavior. In the end, the jury voted 16-5 to convict David on all counts. After handing down the verdict, students entered the penalty phase of the trial. There, they came up with a point by point list of ways that David could turn his negative behavior towards more positive endeavors. For example, jurors suggested David buy a good alarm clock so he wouldn’t be tardy to school. They advised that he make a list of the clothes he wanted to wear at night, so he wouldn’t forget to put them on in the morning. And, they told him that he would have to wait until the sun came out to skateboard. No more skateboarding in the house. Upon receiving his penalty, David was released on the promise to make better future behavioral choices.

Based on our trial experience, tomorrow we will write a whole class story called, “YES, DAVID!” exploring the many things David could do to hear the word, “Yes,” from his parents and teachers instead of “No.” Each child will have the opportunity to come up with an idea and make an illustration for our book. After that, I’ll send it home with one student per night, so that the children can share their work with their families.

Next week we will read Good Boy, Fergus and find out that David Shannon has a real life dog not unlike the David character. Students will explore the similarities and differences in the four stories and will continue to make note of what they notice about David Shannon’s writing style.

The Defendant Takes the Stand

(The defendant swears to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth)

In day two of Room 125 vs. David, the defendant had the chance to take the stand and answer the charges against him. Dressed in his trademark striped shirt, David put up a startling defense to explain his misadventures. His responses ranged from blaming other people, “The other kid started the food fight,” to forgetfulness, “I ran outside naked because I forgot I wasn’t wearing clothes.” As the attorney’s confronted David with the evidence against him, he clearly had come to court prepared. Telling the jury that he had skateboarded and played baseball in the house “because it was raining out,” David tried to persuade the jury with logical reasons for his behavior. But, in the end, David’s future will be in the hands of the jury…and only they will be able to decide his fate.

Tomorrow: The jury deliberates and reaches its verdict!

A Word About Reading Logs

The first grade team is continuing its goal of getting 100% of first graders to read independently each day. A letter and reading log for this week went home in your child’s folder today. Please make sure to take it out and see that your child is reading independently on a daily basis. Logs are due on Wednesdays (please do not send them in early or late).

Reminder...

Each student needs to have four (4) quarters in a baggie to keep in their tool kit.  Quarters were due today.  We need them for our math lesson on Thursday.  Please make sure your child brings his/her quarters in tomorrow 3/11/2010.  Thanks

The Trial Begins: The Prosecution's Case

We began the trial of David today in Room 125 of Superior Court. David was charged with 6 counts of being naughty, a bad listener, disgraceful, disrespectful, unsafe, and rude. After David entered his “not guilty” plea, the prosecution presented its case against him. All the attorneys involved in the case participated and providing damaging evidence against the defendant before resting their case. Will David be able to provide a solid defense against such evidence as “running down the street naked,” “skateboarding in the house,” “chewing with his mouth open,” and “starting a food fight in school”? We will have to find out when David takes the stand tomorrow in his own defense.

Meanwhile, as we proceed with the trial, the students are learning a little bit about the judicial process in the United States as well as reinforcing what we have been learning in language arts about character traits and supporting our opinions and ideas with evidence.

As if our trial weren't fun enough, we also began our leprechaun traps in class today. The children are using what they learned about constructing with solids in science to build creative, clever, inventive traps in the hopes we might snag some gold come St. Patrick’s Day. We will be working on the traps for the next few days, so if your child would like to bring in more embellishments, please feel free to do so.

Tomorrow: The Defendant Speaks!

Quaters, Quarters...Bring in Your Quarters!

All students need to bring in Four (4) quarters to keep in their math tool kits by Wednesday, March 10th.  All money will be returned at the end of the year! 

Thanks!

Oye, Oye: The Honorable Judge Mrs. Cushing in Search of a Robe

Room 125 will be prosecuting David in the Case of Room 125 vs. David beginning on Tuesday, March 9th.  I am looking for a black robe (graduation gown will work) and a gavel (a small mallet will work) so that I can preside over the trial as judge.  If anyone has either of these items, please email me.  You can send the items in with your kids on Monday or Tuesday morning.  Thanks so much for your help!

The Wonderful World of David Shannon

(Author David Shannon illustrates his character "David" at Linda's Storytime in Monroe)

Welcome to Room 125's new online format.  I encourage you to visit weekly to catch up on what's happening in our classroom and to make comments on any units of study on which we are working. 

This week we embarked an author's study of the works of David Shannon that the kids are really loving.  We began with Mr. Shannon's most famous books, the "David" series.  Based on his own childhood experiences, the David books recount the experiences of the very mischievious and often naughty David.  As we read these stories, our students are thinking of words to describe David's character trait(s) and then finding evidence in the text to support their opinions.  Next week, we will culminate our experience by putting David on trial for his naughty behavior.  I will act as the judge, one student will serve as the defendent, and the rest of the students will be our lawyers out to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that David is guilty as charged.  After listening to David's defense, students will deliberate, come up with a verdict, and even take part in a penalty phase of the trial where they will come up with ways David can make better life choices (assuming he is found guilty)!

Students have spent time in centers creating David characters out of construction paper and writing about David's character traits.  Of course, they are supporting their opinions with plenty of evidence from the words and pictures in the texts.

We are also working on an author's chart where we write down our observations about David Shannon's writing and illustrating style along with any questions we still have about this author.  In doing this, students are able to recognize distinctive patterns in Mr. Shannon's writing.  Later we'll compare his writing style with other authors we will be studying.

Based on what students recognize about our author's craft, many of them have chosen to write their own books in the style of David Shannon when they go to the writing center.  They've really come up with some clever writing, and it's clear they have picked up on the nuances of how this author creates his work.

Later we'll read other books written and illustrated by David Shannon (see sidebar).

We're just finishing up our How To books as part of our Writer's Workshop unit of study.  I'm learning how to do everything from swimming, to "crazy crawling," to playing a variety of Wii games!

Our math studies have focused on fact families.  Last week we made "Funky, Fancy Fact Family Houses," played a great addition fact game called The Calculator and The Brain, and reinforced addition doubles facts.  The Calculator and the Brain is a great game you can play at home with your child.  You need three players and a calculator, and preferably a chart or list of addition facts 0-9.  The first is the Caller; the second is the Brain; while the third acts as the Calculator.  The Caller says an addition fact.  The object of the game is for The Brain to do the mental math and guess the sum before the Calculator can find it using the calculator.  If the Brain guesses the fact first, he/she writes down that fact (in class, we colored in the facts on a addition fact chart).  The kids had a blast with this game.

During our investigative science studies we continued to explore solids and liquids.  We first checked out the differences between solids, granular solids and liquids.  Students worked in cooperative groups with mung beans, red beans, lima beans, rice, and cornmeal and a variety of containers to see how the materials could be poured.  Later this week students will work to sort "soup mix" into its various parts.

Remember, our field trip to SCSU to see Junie B. Jones is March 16th.  All students need a bag lunch as we will not be returning to school in time for hot lunch in the cafeteria.