We continued to work on our Community Workers Unit and Number Identification Unit. The students are continuing to learn their numbers, they are doing a great job!
Monday through Wednesday, instead of a numbers unit, I introduced the students "Words Around Our Town" Book. As a class the students looked through newspapers and cut out words that they could read that were in certain catergories (restaurants, stores, food, candy, signs, and more). The students worked as a class to search, cut out, and paste their pictures. After they finished the book, I cut it out and laminated it. It will become a take home book for the studnets to use. They are very eager to take it home.
On Thursday and Friday, we continued our numbers unit. The students played a number game in which I layed out numbers 0 to 10. They had to flip a penny or a bean bag and whatever number it landed beside they needed to identify it. They also had to count to that number as they walked beside the paper numbers. They could also dance, hop, be silly, etc. They were not allowed to jump though because I did not want anyone to get hurt.
Overall it was a very good week. I am seeing the students improve each day with their number identification skills. :)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Week 12 reflection
This week I continued to teach the students about community workers and number identification.
On Monday, for my math lesson, I had the students listen to the story : Ten Little Ladybugs. After we read the story, we reread it and counted how many ladybugs we saw. I kept pointing out the numbers on each of the pages to remind the students what they stood for. After reading the story the students were given game pieces of flowers and ladybugs. They had to match the number of dots on the ladybug to each flower piece.
Overall the students did a great job on the activity. JL did not follow directions while playing the game so I had to take his game pices. I offered him another chance to participate in which he refused to so I had to make him pull a card. SD did not follow directions very well either. I had to constantly remind him to listen and to pay attention. I am constantly having trouble keeping him engaged. I keep thinking, "How can I keep him interested in the lessons?" Everyone else did a wonderful job!
On Tuesday, we read Chicka Chicka 123. I passed out apple trees and numbers. The students had to use the numbers and move them up the apple tree as I read the story. They had to be very good listeners. Everyone participated and listened during this activity. They did a great job!
On Thursday, we read Ten Black Dots. The students talked about the different numbers on each page and the pictures that it formed. The students had to count the number of dots on each page. After the story, I assigned each student a specific number of dots in which they had to design a picture. Most students were able to do this with ease. SM had a hard time coming up with something, DE did also. Everyone else was able to and their pictures turned out great. DE was talking and yelling at other students so I had to warn him.
On Friday, I had the students complete a social studies/literacy activity so we did not work on math.
Overall it was a great week. The studnets are starting to learn their numbers. I see improvements each and every day.
On Monday, for my math lesson, I had the students listen to the story : Ten Little Ladybugs. After we read the story, we reread it and counted how many ladybugs we saw. I kept pointing out the numbers on each of the pages to remind the students what they stood for. After reading the story the students were given game pieces of flowers and ladybugs. They had to match the number of dots on the ladybug to each flower piece.
Overall the students did a great job on the activity. JL did not follow directions while playing the game so I had to take his game pices. I offered him another chance to participate in which he refused to so I had to make him pull a card. SD did not follow directions very well either. I had to constantly remind him to listen and to pay attention. I am constantly having trouble keeping him engaged. I keep thinking, "How can I keep him interested in the lessons?" Everyone else did a wonderful job!
On Tuesday, we read Chicka Chicka 123. I passed out apple trees and numbers. The students had to use the numbers and move them up the apple tree as I read the story. They had to be very good listeners. Everyone participated and listened during this activity. They did a great job!
On Thursday, we read Ten Black Dots. The students talked about the different numbers on each page and the pictures that it formed. The students had to count the number of dots on each page. After the story, I assigned each student a specific number of dots in which they had to design a picture. Most students were able to do this with ease. SM had a hard time coming up with something, DE did also. Everyone else was able to and their pictures turned out great. DE was talking and yelling at other students so I had to warn him.
On Friday, I had the students complete a social studies/literacy activity so we did not work on math.
Overall it was a great week. The studnets are starting to learn their numbers. I see improvements each and every day.
Week 11 reflection
We continued to work on patterns Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. On Monday we used the M&M Pattern Book to work on patterns. The students used paper M&M's that I had made to follow along with the book. They made many different patterns. A couple of the student had trouble staying on task. One of my students would not answer my question on what a pattern is. He said that he did not know however I know he does. I pulled him aside during the lesson and talked to him about what a pattern was.
On Tuesday we read the book: Fish Patterns. The students were read a pattern and they had to say the rest of what the pattern was outloud. It was a great way to check to see if they truly understood what a patern was. "DM" talked during my entire station. He was warned that if he talked again, he would be pulling a card. "SD" was also mumbling under his breath constantly and was told if he had something to say he needed to raise his hand. The students were given fish worksheet type activities where they used crayons/markers to color a pattern on the fish's body. It was a great way to check for understanding.
The studnets loved making their cd fish on Wednesday. It was an extension from the fish pattern lesson on Tuesday. They also listened very well. Participation was awesome from each student.
On Thursday the studnets were tested to see if they could identify numbers. After testing them we started to look for numbers around our classroom. The students found the clock, calendar, posters, number line, etc. I used number cards and havd the studnets say what the number was on each card as I showed it to them. They had a great time and did not even realize that they were learning.
Friday we looked through the counting book box. We talked about all of the books in the box briefly. Then I passed out newspaper and the students looked for numbers throughtout it. "SM" started off by coloring in letters but after having a discussion with me on what numbers are, she was able to find and identify most of them. :)
Overall it was a succesfful week. I keep thinking: "How should/could I best help my students with number identification?"
On Tuesday we read the book: Fish Patterns. The students were read a pattern and they had to say the rest of what the pattern was outloud. It was a great way to check to see if they truly understood what a patern was. "DM" talked during my entire station. He was warned that if he talked again, he would be pulling a card. "SD" was also mumbling under his breath constantly and was told if he had something to say he needed to raise his hand. The students were given fish worksheet type activities where they used crayons/markers to color a pattern on the fish's body. It was a great way to check for understanding.
The studnets loved making their cd fish on Wednesday. It was an extension from the fish pattern lesson on Tuesday. They also listened very well. Participation was awesome from each student.
On Thursday the studnets were tested to see if they could identify numbers. After testing them we started to look for numbers around our classroom. The students found the clock, calendar, posters, number line, etc. I used number cards and havd the studnets say what the number was on each card as I showed it to them. They had a great time and did not even realize that they were learning.
Friday we looked through the counting book box. We talked about all of the books in the box briefly. Then I passed out newspaper and the students looked for numbers throughtout it. "SM" started off by coloring in letters but after having a discussion with me on what numbers are, she was able to find and identify most of them. :)
Overall it was a succesfful week. I keep thinking: "How should/could I best help my students with number identification?"
Week 10 reflection
I missed four days this week because of the swine flu. So the only day I was at woodburn was on friday.
On Friday, I continued to teach the students about patterns. We also learned about critical thinking, history of candy, and problem solving. I had the students complete an activity on candy corn. We used the candy corn to talk about its history (it has been made over 100 years, you can buy it all year long, etc.) The students really liked the facts. Next, I had them try a piece of candy corn so that they know what it tastes like. From this, we made a venn diagram comparing candy corn and corn. They were able to identify the similarities/differences instantly. Finally, I had them color 6 different pieces of candy corn 6 different ways. As other class members finished, we put them in "pattern lines" so that we could look at all of the different patterns that candy corn can make.
The activity went very well. A couple of the students told me that they disliked candy corn before even trying it, so I had to persuade them to try it. After they did, they liked it. I was left wondering, "How often do we say that we don't like things but usually have never tried or experienced them?"
On Friday, I continued to teach the students about patterns. We also learned about critical thinking, history of candy, and problem solving. I had the students complete an activity on candy corn. We used the candy corn to talk about its history (it has been made over 100 years, you can buy it all year long, etc.) The students really liked the facts. Next, I had them try a piece of candy corn so that they know what it tastes like. From this, we made a venn diagram comparing candy corn and corn. They were able to identify the similarities/differences instantly. Finally, I had them color 6 different pieces of candy corn 6 different ways. As other class members finished, we put them in "pattern lines" so that we could look at all of the different patterns that candy corn can make.
The activity went very well. A couple of the students told me that they disliked candy corn before even trying it, so I had to persuade them to try it. After they did, they liked it. I was left wondering, "How often do we say that we don't like things but usually have never tried or experienced them?"
Week 14 reflection
This week we finished up number identification (for my AR).
On Monday (Nov 30), the students played a "I have who has" game. The students were given cards which said "I have ____, who has ____". They had to read the sentence and the numbers. Everyone else had to listen carefully for their own numbers. The students really enjoyed the game. It especially helped group 3 because they had to listen for their numbers and practice identifying the ones that they were still struggling with. The participation was overall good. DE was talking, SM was not following directions or listening, and SD was also not following directions/listening.
On Tuesday (Dec 1), we worked on the numbers 0, 1, and 2. We used cheerios and talked about how many were in the students cups. First they had zero. What does zero mean? It means none. Then I placed 1 in their cups and had them look and see how many they had. Then I placed 2 in their cups. Each time they had to look and count how many that they had. I also had them draw a berry tree to show the number of berries that we talked about for the day. Participation was alright. AM was talking and DS was talking.
On Wednesday we did the same activity but with numbers 3,4, 5 and 6. DS, JR, SM, SD were all talking and not following directions. I had to take DS's cup away from her for repeatedly talking over me.
On Thursday, we completed the activity with numbers 7,8,9 and 10. Groups 1 and 3 did very well and followed directions. Group 2 did not do well at all with listening and following directions. I had to take all of their cheerio cups and throw them away. Although it sounds mean and shocking, it worked. The students started to listen. I had 8 students who were trying to take over the group by eating all of their cheerios when i said one, hitting the cups off the table, etc. This had never happened before but I felt that I did the correct thing.
On Friday the students placed I spy. Most of the students did a great job. JL was kicked out of the group for talking over me four times. He was not happy but when I allowed him to come back I did not have any more problems. The students enjoyed looking around the room at all of the different numbers.
I also completed my post assessment on numbers on Friday.
On Monday (Nov 30), the students played a "I have who has" game. The students were given cards which said "I have ____, who has ____". They had to read the sentence and the numbers. Everyone else had to listen carefully for their own numbers. The students really enjoyed the game. It especially helped group 3 because they had to listen for their numbers and practice identifying the ones that they were still struggling with. The participation was overall good. DE was talking, SM was not following directions or listening, and SD was also not following directions/listening.
On Tuesday (Dec 1), we worked on the numbers 0, 1, and 2. We used cheerios and talked about how many were in the students cups. First they had zero. What does zero mean? It means none. Then I placed 1 in their cups and had them look and see how many they had. Then I placed 2 in their cups. Each time they had to look and count how many that they had. I also had them draw a berry tree to show the number of berries that we talked about for the day. Participation was alright. AM was talking and DS was talking.
On Wednesday we did the same activity but with numbers 3,4, 5 and 6. DS, JR, SM, SD were all talking and not following directions. I had to take DS's cup away from her for repeatedly talking over me.
On Thursday, we completed the activity with numbers 7,8,9 and 10. Groups 1 and 3 did very well and followed directions. Group 2 did not do well at all with listening and following directions. I had to take all of their cheerio cups and throw them away. Although it sounds mean and shocking, it worked. The students started to listen. I had 8 students who were trying to take over the group by eating all of their cheerios when i said one, hitting the cups off the table, etc. This had never happened before but I felt that I did the correct thing.
On Friday the students placed I spy. Most of the students did a great job. JL was kicked out of the group for talking over me four times. He was not happy but when I allowed him to come back I did not have any more problems. The students enjoyed looking around the room at all of the different numbers.
I also completed my post assessment on numbers on Friday.
Week 15 reflection
This was my last full week of teaching. I finished all of my action research last week so this week I focused on literacy cso's.
On Monday- I worked on writing with the students. I read them: Peanut Butter Jelly. The students loved the book because it relates to one of their favorite sandwiches. We talked about the book and then I had them write their favorite type of sandwich. They had to write a sentence. First they told me what it was, I wrote down the different types and then they copied to word. For kindergarten this is a pretty hard task for some of them. Most of them did a great job!
On Tuesday we talked about the beginning, middle and end of stories. This was a hard concept for some of them. They also had to write the sentence, "I would make a _____ cake". They copied from a list of words that I had. We also read "The Bunny Cakes".
Wednesday we talked about pizzas. I had them write their favorite topping of pizza and also had them draw me a picture of the perfect pizza.
On Thursday we read, "Stone Soup". I had the students think of how they could change the ending of the story. Some students said that they would make the rock change into meat. Some said they would have the man stay and never leave. It was great to see the creativity. I kept wondering: What else can I do to motivate them to come out of their comfort zone and be more creative?
On Friday, we talked about different rhymes. I read two sentences and had the students find the two words that rhymed. They also had to act out the rhyme, "Old Mister Rabbit". I had them draw the vegetable garden. Then one student at a time was the rabbit when everyone else was the garden.
This week I was able to try new lessons that I never had the chance to do before. I learned alot about different teaching styles and really enjoyed it. The students really enjoyed them also.
On Monday- I worked on writing with the students. I read them: Peanut Butter Jelly. The students loved the book because it relates to one of their favorite sandwiches. We talked about the book and then I had them write their favorite type of sandwich. They had to write a sentence. First they told me what it was, I wrote down the different types and then they copied to word. For kindergarten this is a pretty hard task for some of them. Most of them did a great job!
On Tuesday we talked about the beginning, middle and end of stories. This was a hard concept for some of them. They also had to write the sentence, "I would make a _____ cake". They copied from a list of words that I had. We also read "The Bunny Cakes".
Wednesday we talked about pizzas. I had them write their favorite topping of pizza and also had them draw me a picture of the perfect pizza.
On Thursday we read, "Stone Soup". I had the students think of how they could change the ending of the story. Some students said that they would make the rock change into meat. Some said they would have the man stay and never leave. It was great to see the creativity. I kept wondering: What else can I do to motivate them to come out of their comfort zone and be more creative?
On Friday, we talked about different rhymes. I read two sentences and had the students find the two words that rhymed. They also had to act out the rhyme, "Old Mister Rabbit". I had them draw the vegetable garden. Then one student at a time was the rabbit when everyone else was the garden.
This week I was able to try new lessons that I never had the chance to do before. I learned alot about different teaching styles and really enjoyed it. The students really enjoyed them also.
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