Punctuation Safari

We had a huge hunt for punctuation today. It all started when one child ask about the three dots that were in the story we were reading. The children went hunting through other books to find more places where ellipsis were used and how they were used. After five minutes the class came back to share. They found four dots (ellipsis and a period), ten dots (Dr. Seuss' use of ellipsis), three dots and a comma, long dashes, short dashes, quotation marks, question marks, and periods. Several of the students then tried out the ellipsis in their own writing. On our safari we came home with the BIG GAME of punctuation use. This is amazing work! How old were you when you started using ellipsis?

We also played a short vowel game on the Internet. This activity helps to develop quick recognition of short words and is the phonic foundation for longer multi syllable words. The following is the link: http://pbskids.org/lions/games/stacker2_e.html

The Meaning of a Question Mark

We were studying Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin as writers today. I asked the children what they noticed in the writing. The first thing they mentioned was that the story ended in a question mark after the words "the end." They explained that this meant that another animal on the farm might do the same thing the cows, chickens, and ducks had done. The story might not be done. This is a very unique way to use a question mark and they understood that use. I found that very exciting.

They also noticed the repeated lines, the circle story, that it was fiction, and they understood the meaning of several large words from context clues. The kids were really stretching their thinking beyond the way readers are used to interacting with text.

The goal of studies like this is that the children will discover ways to use the skills professional writers use in their own writing. I am excited to see how the students use what they are learning about writing.

Two Terriffic Days of Learning!

A classroom without desks is working. Only one children said he wanted to sit at a desk. He tried out my teacher desk and decided to sit somewhere else. We all worked at the tables doing math activities this afternoon. I was interesting to watch. Every child decided to sit on a chair, not stand like they said they would.

During writing and reading time the couch and the floor have been the favorite spots.

The children are impressing me with their wise choices, and wonderful discoveries. Today in math one child came to ask help with a problem she was working on. (49+52=) I ask her what 4+5 was. She told me the answer, then she told me that 40+50=90 and quickly added the other two number. That is fantastic thinking! Another child discovered that there are 10 tens in 100. Wow! Another child did not know she could read and surprised herself by reading a whole book. I am impressed.

Classroom

Summer is over. My classroom is ready for students to begin their second grade adventure. I painted the walls peach because the research I read said that was the best color for an aggressive learning environment. I bought two tables and asked several children how they felt about the height of the tables. All of the children I asked wanted the tables to stay full height. I did not cut off the legs to make them the usual 25 inches. My orange couch invites both children and adults to come in and stay. Most of the adults that come in comment that it feels like home. That is what I wanted because that is a more natural learning environment. I am excited about the classroom but more excited about the learning that will take place this school year because of the classroom preparation.