Friday, April 19, 2013

Five for Friday

I am linking up with Doodle Bugs Teaching with all of the happenings in my classroom this week.



The closer it gets to the end of the school year the slower time seems to go by.  Trying to keep 25 kids busy at the same time is no piece of cake!  I barely have time to catch my breath.  Anyone else feeling this way?

Our focus for today was EARTH DAY!  I love teaching about the EARTH.  The students grabbed a partner and read the latest Scholastic News.

Then, we used the digital resources that go along with each issue.  I truly am in love with the digital resources.  If you aren't able to use this I am sooooo sorry.  I cannot live without my computer and projector when it comes to Scholastic News.  I usually let my students teach the Scholastic News, but with all the new terms (resources, renewable, nonrenewable, turbine, generator) my kids would have been completely confused.  So I decided it was best for me to teach it and then play the game that accompanies each issue to assess student understanding.  They did FANTASTIC!



I MUST integrate all subject areas.  I don't know if it is my OCD ( not that I actually have OCD, but I'm diagnosing myself) or what?!?  Anyway, my class created a picture graph about "Our Favorite Ways to Save the Earth".  Thanks to my lovely coworker and partner in crime Paiton who created the earth background.  Isn't she amazing?  I am just not so good with Scissors.  In fact, I remember my Kindergarten teacher giving me Unsatisfactory comments.  (I still have those report cards somewhere.)


We also completed our tally table, bar graph, and analyzing questions as we completed this graph.



I created this free resource for you to use with your students on Monday (Earth Day).  Click on the pic below.




A few other things we did this week included working on ph and gh sounds.  Again, i let the student teach this concept.  I enjoy seeing how they model their thinking processes.





Lastly, my heart is heavy for Boston and West, Texas.  I cannot even fathom what all of the families and friends are going through.  It saddens my heart to know that evil exists everywhere.  being a TEXAS girl, the plant explosion hits pretty close to home.  I'm originally from the Dallas area and West is only a few hours away.  I am praying for all involved in these terrible events.  :(


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16 comments:

  1. We love Scholastic News and all it's interactive goodies! Our kiddos are always engaged when we're reading them, watching the videos, and playing the games. It is a super resource! Have a great weekend!

    :) Tamra and Sarah
    First Grade Buddies

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    1. Thanks Tamra and Sarah! I hope you have a wonderful weekend as well!

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  2. Hi Kristi,

    I found your blog through the linky. I also cannot live without my computer and interactive board...don't know how we ever survived while we were in school!

    Jessica
    Literacy Spark

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    1. I know!!! I try to think back to my first year of teaching just 7 years ago when I didn't have anything. Now, I'm not sure what I would do if I were back in that same classroom??? -Kristi

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  3. So many great Earth Day activities. I love Scholastic News.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Em
    Curious Firsties

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  4. I love your graphing activity. We try to do one a week, so this will be perfect for next week. Thank you for sharing!

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  5. I found you on the Five for Friday linky. I'm excited to go and download the graphing activity. Thanks for sharing.

    Jeanette
    Third Grade Galore

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    1. Thanks for stopping by and following my blog! I truly appreciate it! -Kristi

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  6. Great Earth day activity!
    Visited my brother-in-law/sister-in-law in NC! Loved it! Beautiful parks!
    Are you a year round school?
    Fabulous Fifth Grade Fun

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    1. I love NC, but miss Texas terribly! I am not a year-round teacher, but I might as well be. We started at the end of August and finish the first week in June. :) -Kristi

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  7. Thank you for sharing your Earth Day activity! My kids will love it! We just read the same Scholastic News in class today too! Glad I found your blog through the linky!!!
    -Jaime
    Bright Concepts 4 Teachers

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! I'm on my way to link up with your blog now. -Kristi

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  8. I love, love, love the Earth Day freebie! Thank you so much! Such an adorable blog - I love it!
    Heidi

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    1. Thank you Heidi! I appreciate the sweet comments. -Kristi

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