Fraction Fun, Living and Nonliving, and MLK

Hello Everyone!
I hope you are staying warm during this chilly weekend! Some of you are having downright COLD weather.  Brrr!  And my thoughts and prayers are going out to families affected by tornadoes in one of my old stomping grounds...Florida!  This has already been a crazy year weather-wise. Stay safe and check in on each other!!

In school this week, we had some fun with fractions.  I always like to start off a unit on fractions with some lessons on symmetry and equal parts.  The magical look of paint and folded paper always amazes the kids and creates wonderful symmetry.

Then teaching the kids how to fold a coffee filter into equal parts and creating beautiful snowflakes!

Then showing them how to build symmetry in another way!

Then finally getting into the vocabulary and authentic use of  edible fractions using graham crackers!

We will continue with fractions next week.  I will add a little bit about determining fractions of a set.  Our first graders do not need to know this, but It really is a natural succession to what we did this past week. I added a bit more to the faction unit I shared last week, so If you would like, please download again to pick up the new stuff.

If you want the fraction unit with the additions, CLICK HERE!! :)

In science we finished up our unit on living and non living.

After exploring through technology the characteristics of living things vs nonliving things, we got to create a fun little non living pet.  

Pet Rocks are going to be so easy to take care of!!

In culmination we explored the differences between three things that looked alike! Gummy Worms, Rubber Worms, and Live Night Crawlers!

The kids made some great observations and discoveries!!!

If you need a unit on living and non living, you can get one here!!! CLICK! CLICK!! :)

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was also a focus this past week.  I love helping kids understand the character traits of some of our most beloved leaders.  I think it's also important for them to understand how the life of one can influence the lives of many.  

Not by the color of our skin...

But by the content of our character!

My Dr. Martin Luther King Unit is a CLICK away!! 

CLICK HERE!

Phew!! I know that was a lot of sharing, but we covered some wonder-filled topics this past week, and I am hoping my kids took advantage of the "hand to head to heart" lessons and truly have stored them in their hearts and use them often.

My little won't be at school tomorrow (They have off for MLK Day), but teachers have to report. I hope to enjoy some team time and good planning for the next few weeks!! We don't get enough of that quality time together! 

Have a great rest of the weekend!  

Don't forget to leave a comment!! 

Can you use any of these ideas?

 Is there something you would like to see? 

Anything you are wondering about?

Just ask!

Till next time!!

Joyfully!

Nancy

MLK, Living and Nonliving, and Writing Expository Text

Hello Everyone!
Friday was one of our favorite days!  We finished up learning about Martin Luther King, Jr., and living and nonliving things. I love the passion the kids have for learning about important people from our nation's history.  Making it relevant to them can sometimes be a challenge. Our class is so diverse as far as ethnicity goes, the kids can't even begin to imagine what life was like in the 60's. For the past 9 or 10 years, I've been able to use this object lesson to bring home the lesson learned through MLK. Get as many different kinds of apples as you can find, or even have kids bring in their favs.  Talk about how different each apple looks in color, shape, size, texture. Then begin slicing the apples in half horizontally. The kids will be amazed at the formation of a star on the inside of each and every one.  Just like people- We all look different on the outside and are beautiful stars on the inside!! I am so thankful these sweet kids really understand and that they are the future!!

Friendship comes in all colors!

For my MLK unit CLICK HERE!

Next up was a culminating Sci. Fri lesson on living and nonliving.  Kids had the opportunity to compare a gummy worm, a live earth worm, and a rubber worm. Did you hear them all screaming at the sight of a real earth worm???  They were so engaged!!! You can't teach this with pencil and paper.

Found these at Dollar Tree

Sweet team mate picked these up at WalMart

Proud of all these brave learners!!!

For a printable living vs. nonliving unit,

CLICK HERE!!

This coming week we will begin focusing on other important men and women from history, and we will begin writing expository text.  That may sound like a daunting task to ask of first graders, but if you take it step by step and show lots of examples, they can do it!!!

I have posted my "Write to Teach" unit before, but I've gone through and refurbished to break down the steps even further including starting with having the kids write an expository on the person they know best...themselves!! 

We will start the process with a bubble thinking map, move to a rough draft, revise, edit, and publish with lots of guidance along the way.

When the kids are finished they will have a book about themselves!!

For you own 20 page expository writing unit CLICK HERE!!

I know that I promised you a unit about hot chocolate, and that is still on deck.  I'll post it as soon as it is ready!! Thanks for your patience!!

Till then, thanks for stopping by to take a peek through our little window!! 

We are learning and laughing!!

Joyfully!

Nancy