All things APPLES!

This week has been so busy!  It's one of my very favorite weeks of the year because our apple unit is so fun and the kids love it!

Apples and Reading

This week, during read aloud, we read all nonfiction books about apples.  One of the class' favorites is Apples by Gail Gibbons.

As we read, we started discussing parts from our life science unit.  We discussedthe life cycle of an apple tree, the parts of an apple, and ultimately how seeds and plants grow.   So during science time, we labeled the parts of an apple.  This was when we added in some "interactive writing" (where we share the marker for the chart).  We created our "parts of an apple diagram".

Then, to tie in our science/fall "theme" with our reader's workshop lessons, we talked about our schema of apples.

Schema is our thinking strategy that we've been learning about.  I love it when everything just FITS together!  Happy teacher!! :)

Apples and Science

Then, during science time, we looked closely at apples.  We did apple investigations.  We counted our seeds, described the outside, checked them out with our magnifying glasses, felt the inside, and then just tried to see and dig around in the apple to see what parts we could find.  I didn't give them exact directions for this.  I just wanted to see where they would take it.  Most students started using tools like pencils to poke their apples and dig further into the middle.  I didn't stop them.  They were experimenting!  They were using the tools!  Some of our pencils had to be thrown away, but at least they truly explored all parts of the apple and how to get into the middle :).  Sometimes giving them more freedom means a little more mess, but much more learning! :)  Here's a sheet I gave them to guide their apple science thinking.

 I downloaded this from TPT for free HERE -- APPLE INVESTIGATION.  Here's some pics of the kids experimenting during apple science time.

Aurora and London checking out the fleshy inside.

Rainey examining the skin.

Christopher finding the seeds.

 Apple Math

Then, today, we did our apple math stations!  I love apple math!  We did our math stations revolving all things apples today.  Our first station was an apple tasting station with me!  We tasted each kind of apple.  Then graphed our favorites.

Here's what our class graph ended up like. (notice how I added a "mixed" category! lol)

The kids also did their own graph.  The graph paper I gave them looks like this.

This is also from the same TPT store as the apple investigations sheet.  Also, a link is HERE!

Our other math station was weighing the mass of an apple with unifix cubes, and also measuring around the apples with a measuring tapes.

The third station was making 10 apples by seeing how many red and green apples we needed in combinations to make 10.  They colored each apple tree to make 10 apples.

Applesauce fun!

Today, we made our homemade apple sauce in the crockpot!  We started the day by making our famous "Johnny Appleseed" crowns!

I look excited!

We then put all the ingredients in the crockpot.

We measured the water, sugar, and cinnamon.

Then, we let the magic happen and it cooked all day!  It smelled just heavenly!!

The kids really loved tasting the applesauce.  We ate it during our writer's celebration!  It was a great day!

Now, for a class update!

• Lizzie and Rainey got to do a special field trip to Busch Stadium last night!  They had so much fun!
• Aubrey had a great birthday and even had a special birthday dinner with her grandparents.
• Alexi got to visit her sister at Maryville!
• Gianna saw some of her friends at her brother's basketball practice.  She had fun!
• Mrs. Trauterman saw Finn riding his electric scooter by her house!  

That's all for now!

PEACE

~ Shelly

Saying Goodbye to Stephen, Reading Celebration, and a class update

We have had a busy week!  It will only get busier, so I think this may be a "double blog" week!  Get excited people!!

Saying Goodbye to Stephen

Last week, the class learned that one of our kiddos would be moving.  This happens a lot at our school.  We have a pretty transient population.  If I can ever help it, I love letting the kids say goodbye to their friends so that they can have closure before they have to move away.  They are all so full of love.  It's why first graders are my fave :).  Anyway, so we ended our day Friday by saying our final good-byes to Stephen.  Stephen came up to the front of the room as kids raised their hands to say their farewells.  "I'm going to miss you so hard." said a sad a tearful Emmett.  "I hope you make lots of new friends there!" said Taylor.  Then, lots and lots more well wishes and big hugs and "I miss you's" followed.  Austin even offered to give Stephen our classroom set of magnetic letters because he knew they were his favorite.  Such sweethearts! Taking in these moments, teachers realize that what they do is really something much more magical and meaningful than just "teaching".  "Teaching" is just word.  My job is not just a word.  It's heartfelt and meaningful, overwhelming, fast-paced, and crazy. It's definitely a whirlwind of emotions.  I like to tell my kids that the most important thing in this world is how they treat people.  I tell them that, yes, I do care that they learn how to read, write, and do their math facts, but ultimately I've done my job if I've taught them how to treat other people in this world.  Our world is a very tough place.  I see the news.  I see lot of horrible things happening.  People die every day.  I wonder, sometimes, if those adults - when they were kids, had someone to teach them to love.  To help people.  To be kind.  To have compassion.  THAT, my friends, is what really matters in this world!!!  The rest will come.  The reading levels will come. The math facts will come. But learning how to be a person in this world that cares---That's the goal.  So I will take the time it takes on any school day to teach my students these important life lessons!  They matter <3.

Reading Celebration!

Our class had a reading celebration on Friday!  We celebrated all the important things that we have learned so far this year as readers!  One of their favorite things to do during reader's workshop is partner read.  So, to celebrate their growth as readers, we got to pick a reading partner and try out new ways to read our books.  We learned how to take turns reading each page, choral read, echo read, and read like a storyteller.  They love trying out the different ways and coaching their partners.  It was so cute, that I took a few videos of them.  Enjoy <3

Class update:

• Stephen moved :(
• Bella lost a tooth
• Rainey had fun in North Carolina!  She got a little sunburned :/
• Zachary made a lego police car over the weekend!
• Tomorrow is Aubrey's birthday! :)
• Haven and Aubrey moved up reading levels this week!
• Apple investigations and applesauce fun will be Thursday and Friday this week!

That's all for now!

PEACE

~Shelly

Positive Note Wednesdays/ Math Assessments/ Vocab Wall/ Class update!!!

Positive Note Wednesdays:

So I've started something new this year to try and build morale and a good relationship with all of my students.  I've started taking the time to write little notes to them periodically to let them know how much I appreciate them, and how much I care about them.  I decided that every Wednesday morning I would put notes on one table's desks so they have something when they come in that day.  So far, the kids love it.  Some of them keep the note on their desk all day long, and some choose to take them home.  I can tell they appreciate my kind words and their face lights up when they walk in and they have a "special note" from Mrs. Trauterman.  "Can you read it to me??"  They automatically ask and bombard me as we walk in the door.  And, of course, I do :)

Math Assessments/ Groups

It's that time of year where all teachers start to think about the groups the students will be in and how we can differentiate all subjects throughout our day!  We often think of how to best meet our students' needs - whether it's in reading, writing, math, or spelling!  This week, I've been grading some math assessments, and I thought of a way to add the grade (standards based grading scores) to the front.

I just created a little post it with the goal printed.  Then I made a box for the score, and I added the score to the test.  I did this because I always try to write which skill I assess on every test, but it takes soooo long.  Have I ever mentioned how much I love printing on a post it?  It's my favorite!  My friend Rachel taught me how to do it when we were partners.  She's the best! <3.  Here's a link to the document so that you can use it to print on a post it too!  PRINT ON A POST IT.

Vocab Wall:

I learned about the idea of a vocab wall a couple of years ago during some building professional development (with my friend Nicole - She's the best too <3).  It made total sense to me to start putting the words from science and social studies that kids are expected to know up in the room so we can reference it periodically or they can spell those words or use them whenever needed.  Here's a look at our vocab wall.  I put all the science words in yellow and social studies words in blue. (Have I mentioned how much I love and use post its?!!?)

Our newest class update!

Here's some big news happening in first grade this week!!!

• Sloan lost a tooth!  He got two golden coins from the tooth fairy! :)
• Monday was Chris' birthday!  He's 7!!
• Rainey is going out of town for the next two days and the weekend and she's so excited!
• Zachary LOVES watching Wheel of Fortune every night!
• Taylor, Emmett, and Chris moved up reading levels!
• Gianna is an Author!  She loves to write stories every night at home.  She has her own stapler!
• Austin went to the big St. Charles game and parade over the weekend for homecoming!
• Lizzie got new glasses from Target.  They're for fashion!
• Hunter lost a tooth today!
• Alexi's sister goes to Maryville and she has SO much fun everyday.

Here's something to put a smile on your face.  Look at the cutest story Stephan wrote during writer's workshop!  He's the best :)

I especially love the illustrations. :)

That's all for now!

Peace

~Shelly

New mindset, Novel Engineering, Reader's Workshop, and a class update!

Hello!  I am ready to blog again!  This time not so heartfelt!  I know!  I was thinking about my last post all week.  People kept checking in on me to make sure I was ok and telling me to hang in there.  Then I felt bad!  I mean, I totally spoke the truth, but I didn't want anyone to think that I'm not LOVING my job, because I am!  And to tell you the truth, these kids are really starting to grow on me.  We have had a really amazing week, and I am truly thankful for them.  Sometimes I forget how young first graders really are at the beginning of the year!  I STILL haven't gotten this figured out?!  I mean, seriously?!  Anyway, I feel like things are on the upswing in Mrs. Trauterman's room and I couldn't be more happy about it!!  Here are some awesome things going on in our room this week:

Novel Engineering

First of all, if you didn't read my blog post from this summer about novel engineering, you should read it HERE.  I set up an "engineering/ makerspace" station in the room to use for this exact purpose this year.  I did let them try out the materials on the second week of school just to explore (what was I thinking?!), and they got to know what the tools were for, but we didn't do an organized lesson with it until today.   And I did it!  I decided to try it!  Getting to know my group of kids, there was one thing I know that they need more than anything - LOTS OF STRUCTURE.  So we talked about engineering.  We learned what novel engineering is.  We watched a youtube video of a novel engineering project in another school.  We talked through the steps, and then we dove right in!  It was actually kind of... magical!  It was not chaotic.  It was not loud or obscenely outrageously out of control.  It was organized chaos!  There was noise, but there was a little buzz in the room.  So first, today during read aloud, we read the book OWEN  by Kevin Henkes.

We've been studying all Kevin Henkes books during our read aloud time.  They are awesome because they tell good stories while expanding character traits and also teaching a good lesson.  

So during Science, we got out the book, and went through it page by page.  "I bet there's no problems in THAT book!" Shouted Gavin from the rug.  I told him he would be surprised!!  We opened up to the first page, and we spotted a problem!  A nosy neighbor named Mrs. Tweezers!  "I think she's so nosy" I told the kids.  Then Austin pointed out that we needed to create a way to keep Mrs. Tweezers from spying over the fence.  Everyone agreed.  The problems started coming from there.  Here's our list of problems that the class came up with together.  

I like to just bring up a word doc and type it in while the kids tell me.  This saves on chart paper!

Then I had them "turn and talk" to their partner about which problem they wanted to solve.  After they came up with a problem, it was time to sketch our idea!  This is key because you don't just want to give kids a bunch of materials if they aren't prepared to use them and test out their ideas scientifically.  I told them they were only allowed to visit the engineering station AFTER they showed me their sketch and I had a clear idea of what they were going to do.  Here are some of the sketches...

Gavin is making a stool for Mrs. Tweezers so she doesn't have to stand on pots.

Calley is also creating a stool for Mrs. Tweezers.

Austin was creating a contraption to remove Mrs. Tweezers from the fence so she can't spy anymore.

Then, once I approved their design, I allowed them to get some materials from the engineering station.  I was the tape Nazi and went around giving kiddos strings of tape to get started with their designs.  We had some tears because some designs didn't work out as planned.  Tomorrow, we will revisit our plans, see if we need to "tweak" anything, then try to make changes.  Here's a look at some of the designs so far...

Gianna was working on a blanket holder so Owen doesn't have to carry his blanket everywhere!

Rainey is creating something new from the blanket with some fabric

Hunter made Goggles to that Mrs. Tweezer could see over the fence better!

Alexi turned the blanket into a shirt instead of a handkerchief.  She likes that idea better.

We will get these designs back out tomorrow to see how we can make them improve.

This went so great!!!!!

Reader's Workshop

Reader's workshop has really started off great.  This week, my class really got it together. I started meeting with groups, and I feel like we are on our way to a successful year in reading!  (I know I said last week that it wasn't going so hot, but it's amazing what a difference one week makes!)

First of all, we met our stamina goal!

We read for 30 minutes and did great!

Then we started partner reading!!!

They love reading together!  <3

We have been working on our reading strategies.  We have a new reader's workshop curriculum this year, and I love the tools we have for our anchor charts.  Here's how mine is looking so far.

I decided to add some pictures of our word attack strategies to the poster along with the habits so that the kids saw the correlation.  

And finally!  We've started reading groups!  We have totally gotten into the groups this week.  I love giving them strategies to work on and checking in with my readers frequently on their reading.  It really helps their stamina and their confidence!
Here's a look at how I'm organizing my group sheets this year:

One clipboard for each color-coded group.

This is easy for me to see and easy for the kids to see when they come to me next.  It also is easier for me to grab a clipboard, than to lug around a huge binder :)  I still have my binder for individual notes, but these clipboards seem to be going great for groups. 

Here's close up shot of my new forms that I made this year.

I like the space for each student and the space for goals worked on.

Reader's workshop is going great!  I feel like they've already made so much growth in less than a month of school!

Other great news of the week:

• It's Christopher's brother's birthday!
• London moved up a reading level!
• Our class got all greens in music class yesterday!
• Alexi was big 3 yesterday and she was super excited!
• Aubrey lost two teeth!
• Stephen has a wiggly tooth!

PEACE

~Shelly

The truth from the heart of a teacher at the beginning of the year

Hello blog world!  It's been a while.  I have every intention to keep up with blogging about my teaching life at least once a week.  I feel as if it is freeing and lets me get out my thoughts and stories about my days in the classroom.  I usually try to keep it positive on here and show all the cool things going on in first grade.  The last two weeks I have pondered and thought... pondered and thought... pondered and thought..... I wanted to blog, but my spirits have been low, things weren't working out in my classroom like I'd hoped, and I've been so exhausted after leaving.  So, today, I took a much needed trip to Starbucks, cleared my head, and thought to myself, "What am I supposed to blog about that is going great?"  Then I thought to myself - "SNAP OUT OF IT!!! JUST BE REAL."  So here is the real...

I have cried a number of times since school started.  Sundays are a day that brings me anxiety getting ready for the next day.  Flexible seating isn't working how I hoped.  Readers Workshop hasn't started like I hoped. Engineering and science haven't been as fun as I would have liked.    I have had some major bumps in the road.  I feel like a failure sometimes.  That is very real.  The beginning of the year is hard!  I think back over all the years  I've taught... No class is EVER the same as each other.  No group of kids will have the same habits or needs.  Some groups need the most love and a gentle hand.  Some groups make you get your "mom voice" out and that big-eyed look on your face ALL DAY (hint.. hint... #thisgroup).  But one thing I know for sure is this:  Every year, God gives me kids that he knows I am supposed to touch in one way or another.  Sometimes it's the kid that just lost his mom over the summer.  Sometimes it's the one who misses her mom because she got taken away from  her parents.  Sometimes it's the autistic boy who is obsessed with things.  Sometimes it's the girl who has little to no food in her home every night.  Sometimes it's the girl whose mom lives 14 hours away - which tears her apart every day.  Sometimes it's the kiddo who speaks little to no English.  Or sometimes it's the kiddo who has a stable home life, but needs extra special attention that she isn't getting at home.  No matter what the situation, I am there.  They are my kids.  I love them.  I will help them.  We will do great things together!

One thing that is going so great this year is our building morale.  We had some awesome professional development with our staff to start off the school year.  I feel supported.  I feel accepted.  I feel taken care of by all the awesome teachers, staff, and my principal at Lincoln.  Julie (our principal) seriously is the best.  She pushes us to be better every day.  She gives us clear expectations, and sticks to them.  She visits our classrooms regularly, and she gives meaningful feedback that is needed.  I am so blessed that I have that support team at Lincoln.  That is one of the things that makes Lincoln the best!  From the words of a bus driver giving new teachers a tour of the buildings this year:   "Lincoln has highest poverty and most diversity in the district, but also is the highest performing school in the district."  I have school pride!  Lincoln Rocks!

So to answer the question about flexible seating:  Yes we've started it.  Yes, we've tried out our new seating options....  AND YES I had to pull back the reigns a little lot because sometimes a little too much freedom is something kids cannot handle.  So, my plan is this:  We will get the bubble seats back out, try the new writing spots, get going on flexible seating as a class....... once we get the most important things in place in the classroom: STRUCTURE!! Kids all need structure in order to be successful, and this class is no exception! So stay tuned for the flexible seating stories coming up in first grade starting in about October or November.  I can assure you it won't be taking place anytime before then!

Now for some class updates!
We did some math explorations this week!  The kids love experimenting with math manipulatives.  Check out some of our designs!

Bella's Geobard Design!

Emmet's Pattern Block Design!

Stephen's pattern blocks design!

Hunter's Pattern block design!

Alexi's pattern block design!

Aubrey's pattern block design!

We also started our partner reading time.  I took some pictures of some awesome partner reading role models!

Alexi & Bella

Emmett & Stephen

Finn & Hunter

Austin & Aubrey

Class update!

Here's some of our biggest news of the week:

• Christopher's mom and dad got married last weekend!!!
• Lizzie lost a tooth!
• Alexi wrote a whole story with a beginning, middle, and end!
• Haven was the "mystery student" during counselor and he earned a prize!
• Gavin wants to be Luke Skywalker for Halloween :)
• It was Gianna's dad's birthday on Friday!
• Finn had a scooter accident and scraped up his face :(
• Zander moved :(
• London got to see his new baby brother on an ultrasound!!
• Mrs. Trauterman had a cold and barely a voice this week :(
• Ms. Lafeber is getting married and she will be Mrs. Sullivan when she gets back!!

That's all for now!  Keep reading as our year unfolds.  I know it will be a GREAT YEAR!!!

PEACE

~Shelly