Synthesizing-Thinking Strips

This week we used thinking strips to record our thinking as we were hearing/reading a story.  I started out by handing my friends a thinking strip (a sheet of 8 1/2x11 paper cut in half and taped together in the center and folded to make six boxes).  I told my friends that as I was reading they were to record the images or thoughts of the important ideas they thought would help them retell the story when the book was over.  We also talked about leaving the last box to record the big idea from the story in.  My hope was to link the practice we have been doing with retelling to inferring the big idea from the book.

I read the book The Magic Fish by Freya Littledale  

Take a peek at their thinking strips below.

After I finished reading the book, I had the kids get into pairs and retell the story using their thinking strips to guide their thinking.

Lastly we talked about the big idea/the take away/the lesson from this book.  
They recorded their thinking on their IPad.  (This was on the Scribble Press App.)

Lesson idea from Debbie Miller Workshop 4/2012

Exploring Math on our new iPads

We've been able to take a peek into the math world on iPads.  We can practice our math facts, number sequence, telling time, counting coins and solving our daily CGI stories (story problems). 

Below BK is playing his recorded voice explaining his strategy to solve his CGI story to the class.  He is showing the class what work he did on the digital white board as they listen to his voice.

Textures in Art

Our first grade friends created animal shapes and used a variety of art tools (pencils, crayons, permanent markers, and watercolor paints) to add color and patterns.  They used curved, straight, thick and thin lines to create textures.  Way to go first grade artists!

"I Can Create Patterns" in math

IPads Arrive-21st Century Learning Begins

What a big day for my first grade friends.  Our day began with a visit from LV's new baby brother and then usual routine of check in, shop for books and begin our first round of Daily Five.  When this round ended we began our day with a question: How can I be respectful to an IPad?  After some thinking, they wrote their responses. Take a peek..

 

More Thinking: do not hold it by the cover, sit with it, do not bang it, hold it with two hands, be gentle, treat it like a friend, tap on it gently, and set it down quietly

At 10:05 we got a knock on the door.  Our very important visitors had arrived with our IPads.  Some of our visitors included: Dr. Lisa Snyder- Superintendent of Lakeville Area Schools, Board Members: Judy Keliher and Roz Peterson, our principal Karen Roos, and a few other district staff members.  After showing the kids the IPads, loud cheering, and taking a few photos with our visitors, we had a chance to personally thank these visitors for their support in our 21st Century Learning.  Here are a few pictures from our time together.

                                                                                      One Last Group Shot

After our visitors left we continued our IPad discussion on how to operate one.  We talked about the home button, sliding, on, off, volume, and how to open a file.  Take a peek at us unpacking them and practicing our learning for the first time.

We ended our morning with two more rounds of Daily Five.  Take a look below at Read to Self and Word Work "21st Century Learning Style".  For the read to self round I introduced the books I had loaded onto their IPads.  They had a chance to read and interact with them.  For word work, they practiced their sight words and phonic skills through games.  This was a day of exploration and becoming familiar with the IPads.  Stayed tuned to watch more personalized learning unfold.

                  Read to Self

                  Word Work 

Today was a day that my first grade friends, Jen and I will be talking about for a long time.  We feel very blessed to be part of this journey.  

Thank You!!!!!