Star Walk

Students were able to view constellations using the app Star Walk on our iPod touch. Star Walk allows users to locate and identify constellations, planets, stars, and satellites based on where they are located. It uses the GPS in the iPod to show constellations that you should be able to see on a clear night from your exact location. SOOOOO cool!

We even found the location of Ursa Minor (the Little Dipper!)

Listen to Reading Launch

Last week, we launched the final part of our Daily 5 -- Listen to Reading! During this time, students will listen and read along to stories on our classroom iPods of the classroom computer using TumbleBooks.

Where Is Knuffle Bunny?

We are studying the author Mo Willems this week. We read 2 of his wonderful books -- Knuffle Bunny and Knuffle Bunny Too. Mo used a combination of black and white photographs and hand drawn art to create the illustrations in these books. We thought we'd give it a try and come up with our own Knuffle Bunny book.

So here is Where Is Knuffle Bunny? written and illustrated by Mrs. Mathes' First Grade Class.

9.18.12 News

Word Work Launch

Today we launched the 3rd part of the Daily 5 -- Word Work! This is a time when students will work on spelling sight words and eventually spelling list words! I introduced the iPad to the students, just the one I have to use until our labs are ready to use....and wow! They were so excited! In our class, we also have 3 iPod touch devices to use as well. We are a techy class!

Here are some pictures of the students during our Word Work launch today.

The first students to use the iPad!

Spelling our words with letter tiles....

and Popsicle sticks!

Using an iPod touch to spell the words...

and magnetic letters!

Remind 101

Remind101 is a website that provides a safe way for teachers to text message parents reminders about their child's class. Please consider signing up for this service (I promise not to bombard you with text messages!) I feel this will be beneficial when I have reminders about book orders due, homework, field trips, deadlines, etc. Just follow the EASY instructions below to get started!

Once you do that, you'll get a text asking for your full name. Respond to that and you are in! Easy!

Just another way to stay connected!
Gena

Unit 1 Math StudyCast

Happy Monday, everyone! We reviewed concepts in math today. Our very first math test will be TOMORROW, Tuesday, September 11th. I want all of my students to succeed and ace this test, so I recorded a StudyCast to help you review for the test!

What's a StudyCast? A StudyCast is essentially a video podcast that I'll post on my blog to help kids study for an upcoming test. I will post StudyCasts for each Math test, as well as some for science/social studies. I may even record StudyCasts to help students master specific skills right from home. Students can pause, work through the problems, and go back if needed. And review, review, review until they get it! I do require StudyCasts as homework, so please comment so I know your student has completed the review. To leave a comment, just click on the comments below the post.

I hope you'll utilize these StudyCasts! Grab some paper and pencil and work the problems along with me! I upload these videos on YouTube...so you should be able to view them from any computer or any device that allows for youtube (iPod touch, iPad, etc.) Pause the video when needed, and lastly, click the arrows on the right to view the video in fullscreen. Good luck!

**I'd like to see how many students are using this StudyCast, so please leave me a comment below! Thanks!

A Cool Cat with an even COOLER Attitude!

We read the story Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes. The students loved the story so much! It's about a cat named Pete who has brand new white shoes. On his walk, he steps in piles of blueberries, strawberries...even mud! Does Pete cry when his white shoes aren't white anymore? Goodness, no! It's all gooood! :)

We wrote our own version of Pete The Cat. Enjoy!