A look at math centers...

In First Grade, I use math centers as a way to review math concepts already covered, but we may not be currently working on.  This keeps lessons previously taught fresh in the student's minds, and helps them continue to build their math skills.  I generally group the children heterogeneously and have them work in those same groups through all of the centers.  I set up four to five different centers each with a different activity, and then have the students work for about ten minutes at each center then rotate to the next activity.  Here's a look at what centers we just completed:

"Chicks Addition"

In this center, the students had to solve all the addition sentences on the sheet.  Then, they had to roll the two dice and create new addition sentence based on the two numbers they rolled:

 "Carrot Odd/Even Sort"

In this center, the students had to sort the number cards based on the fact if they are odd or even.  After all the cards have been sorted, they had to record all of the numbers on the sheet in the correct column...

"Roll and Record"

In this center, the students had a sheet of paper with addition sentences, but the addends missing but had the sum already listed.  They had to roll two dice and record those the two numbers in the correct spot where they would equal the sum listed...

"Bunny Fact Families"

In this center, the students had to choose a card with three numbers on the bunny.  They then had to create a  "fact family" with the numbers: two addition sentences, and two subtraction sentences and record it on their sheet...

"Computers"

Students working on the math site:   http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/math.htm#earlymath

A visit from the dentist+A trip to the moon+Almost EASTER BREAK=ONE VERY EXHAUSTING WEEK

The countdown is ON!!! This week at OLP, was the last FULL week of school before EASTER BREAK (but who's counting :) !!!)...and BOY was it packed full of fun and exciting events...
We had a visit from the dentists: Dr. and Dr. Farcon, whose daughter is a student here at OLP, but is currently traveling with the Broadway Musical BILLY ELLIOT!!!!  Anyway, the students learned many facts and tips on taking care of their teeth...here's a look:

Discussion on good foods to eat to keep our teeth healthy.

Showing us how to properly brush our teeth.

After the discussion, ALL of the students at OLP were given a complimentary dental exam by the dentists...

Also this week, we had a presentation of different images of the moon that were taken by Mr. Hakler, a parent of one of our second grade students...

And to round out our very busy week...I had a little fun with the students during our High-Frequency words review...

Dunkin' Donuts + Quick Chek + New 7 Eleven (within walking distance)= One Happy Teacher!!! :)  Happy Weekend!!!!

Read the Room and a look at a Reading Lesson...

To continue our learning of SYNONYMS, the students completed an activity called "READ THE ROOM". Students were given a list of twelve words on a sheet.  Then, they had to "READ THE ROOM" and find the SYNONYM that matches each word.  We continued with our "CINNAMON ROLL" theme.  The words are listed on cinnamon rolls...lol:)
 Here's a look...

Typically, each week for our Reading Lesson we: read a story, have a sound we work on, study a list of spelling words, learn new vocabulary words and learn high-frequency words.  We typically read the story as a whole group first:

Then we "eyes to eyes, knees to knees" discuss questions from the story with our partners...

We also partner re-read the story to practice fluency...

We create a "list of words" that we can think of that has the sound we are working on.  This week we are working on the /ch/ sound.  We continue to add words to our chart throughout the week also if we find a word that we didn't originally place on the list...

We practice our "High-Frequency" words each day using white boards.  I usually write something on my white board and then the students write the correct word as their answer...

Pedestrian Safety...and "Baking Synonym Rolls"

Today, here at OLP, we were able to participate in a very informative presentation on "Pedestrian Safety".  Sgt. Dudash of the Edison Police Department gave a great talk about staying safe.  Here's a look:

Juliette demonstrating how to properly cross in a crosswalk

Sgt. Dudash answering the students' questions at the end of the presentation.

Also today, we learned all about SYNONYMS.  We learned that SYNONYMS are two different words that mean the same thing.  Using our new knowledge we baked "SYNONYM ROLLS"...here's a look:

Our "BAKERS" with their finished products...

HAHAHA...:)

Also today, Mrs. K was kind enough to bring in REAL Irish Step Dancing 

costumes for us to see...Juliette and Kaytlin even "modeled" it for us!!!