Chrysanthemum, CAFE and Class-Yes!

I found this activity on Pinterest.  I thought it was "absolutely perfect"  It came from Nancy @ First Grade Wow.  She has quite a lot more to go along with the story Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes. 
 Find it on Amazon here
I chose to use her anchor chart as my "craftivity".  I then connected the words that are used in the book to my "Tune into Interesting Words" lesson to go along with the CAFE skill.

Before reading the story, I asked the class to listen for words  in the story that would describe Chrysanthemum and that sounded interesting or fancy.   As I read, I made sure to point out or stress these words {priceless, precious, winsome, perfect, to name a few} After I read, I showed the class my Large version of Chrysanthemum and told them they were going to make her too.  I had pre-cut the hearts, bows and nose.  (the bows were easy,  after cutting out the hearts, I used the bottom portion of the scraps to create the bows, as not to waste the paper) . Once we completed our gluing, We got started on the word writing.  As a class we began to brainstorm and recall the words that describe "Chrysanthemum" from the story.  Of course, we also had the anchor chart to look at as well.
Here's how they came out.  I think they are "precious and beautiful and priceless!"

I hung all of my Chrysanthemum's on a clothes line.  I made labels that said "Chrysanthemum's name is....." and the students wrote the words from the story surrounding her.  (very much like a Circle map)

Here is my Anchor chart along with some that couldn't fit on my clothes line outside my classroom.

This student added flowers next to each word, Love It!!!

I said in my Title that I would also talk about Class-yes.  If you have read anything from Whole Brain Teaching you are familiar with this classroom management technique.  I love it.  I did a little experiment.  I've been teaching Class-yes, extensively these last 2 weeks.  We practiced it explicitly the first several days of school. During this second week, I have been routinely using it. 

My class was having snack and I allowed them to talk with their classmates.  I let it get a little bit louder than normal, just to see what would happen.  I said a few children's names--no response.  I said boys and girls-- a few kids turned their heads.  But when I said Class---the whole class (mid-chew mind you) said Yes!  I have never had such a great response.  I realized it is the simplicity of the words that makes it work.  I've done a lot of research on classroom management. I've had a lot of practice with difficult students and classes.  I wish I would have read about this sooner. If you haven't read about it yet, go to: www.wholebrainteaching.com.  Some great people have made some great free signs and have them on TpT (there are a lot, so find the ones you like best ) http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Browse/Search:whole+brain+teaching

Enjoy,
 

Good Fit Books Lesson

I actually taught this Lesson on Monday, while Tropical Storm Isaac was flying up the West Coast of Florida.  I live on the East Coast and we were getting hit with the outer bands of the storm. Needless to say, I wish I had packed (or owned) some galoshes!




If you have read The Daily 5, you know about this lesson. If you haven't, it's a great model for kids on choosing books that are "just-right" or a "good-fit" for them.
So here is how the lesson went:
I filled my new "Expand-a-Tote Day Extender"  from 31 with a bunch of different shoes. (just a side-note, this bag is awesome!!!)

 I started out by talking about the shoes I was wearing.  It was storming out.  I said to my class "Do you think Mrs. Berggren wore the right shoes to school today?" Of course they all responded with a resounding "NO!" and giggles.

 As I pulled out each different pair of shoes, I talked about why I like them and their purpose.

 My sandals are great for work, because it's still hot outside and they have a strap.  Plus they "fit" me.

 I asked the class what they think I can do in my "kicks".  Responses ranged all in the sports area, soccer, running, basketball.  I asked if they thought I could swim in them?  Again, lots of giggles and a big "NO!"

 I told the class these were my fancy shoes!  I asked them where they think I can wear them. When I asked " Do you think I can play soccer in these?" again, the response was a big "NO!"

 I pulled out my most worn and comfy pair of flip-flops.  I wore these puppies all summer to the beach and pool. Of course, you can see how "loved' these are.

Lastly, I pulled out my husband's size 13 dress shoes.  (I kind of felt like Mary Poppins with the magic carpet bag)  More giggles, because his shoes look pretty large to a 6 year old. I asked the class if they thought these belonged to me.  Thankfully, they all figured out that these were not mine.

After I showed them the shoes I picked up each one and compared it to a book. My everyday sandals, were the books I can read everyday, on my level.  The sneakers, were like books that are interesting to me, with information I want to learn. (non-fiction books)  My high heels, were books with "fancy" words in them.  Books, I want to challenge myself with, but still "fit" me. My worn down beach flip-flops, was my favorite book, that I love to read over and over again.  Lastly, My husband's shoes was a book, that was NOT "just-right" for me.  My husband might like them, but I wouldn't be able to walk in them.  I asked a student if he thought he could wear them.  And of course it was an easy answer.  I'm pretty sure, now that they have seen all of these shoes, when I ask them, if their book Fits, they will know what I mean. I can always bring back the visual of each shoe, to help them out when choosing their books to read.

Happy reading,

Elmer--First Week of School Activity

One activity and book we used for the First Week back to school was....

                       Elmer by David McKee

After reading the story and talking about how it is ok to be different, the students made "Elmer Mosaics"  using cut paper squares.  If you have not read Elmer, it is a story about an Elephant who looks like a quilt of many colors.  He is the source of all the fun and laughter in the Elephant herd.  One day he decides he does not want to be different so he find a tree with elephant colored berries.  Elmer rolls around in the berries, until he looks like everyone else.  Upon returning to his herd, he finds all his friends very serious and not having any fun.  He plays a trick, to make them laugh.  All the elephants say "Elmer would love that, too bad he is not here".  Finally, it starts to rain and washes off all of Elmer's elephant colored berry stain.  In the end, he realizes that it's not bad to be different after all.
If you haven't started school yet, this might be a book you would like to add to your first week.



This is the "Sequal" to Elmer.  I have not read it yet, but my friend found it, and thought I might like it.  I plan on reading it during the 2nd week of school.

More Classroom Themes and Bulletin Boards

My Classroom Door.  I worked for about 2 days on these owls, but it was worth it.  They each have their own personality just like my kids. The Larger "teacher" Owl, was given to me from Jenny at Owl Things First.

Close up

My Friend Jen, Let me take pics of her "Little Chimps" theme.  So cute.  Thanks Jen.

She inspired the Monkey Clip-Chart.  It's great to see it in "action"

My next door neighbor Sarah, is also doing owls.  She showed off her artistic abilities and drew her tree and flowers.  She also found some really cute owl border.

This is Sarah's creative way of storing her students computer cards.  Library Pocket cards.

My other teammate, Renee has an Ocean/tropical theme.  Here is her wall for student work.

She made her word wall using "ocean-life" Fabric.

An Ocean of Helpers jobs board.

Maria's Shining Stars in Kindergarten

Hallway Bulletin Boards:  Serving up another A.  Yeah, our school was rated and A again!

A Sky Full of Wishes.  I had each of my teammates design their own hot-air balloon to show off their personality. I took everyone's picture to look like we are waving from the balloon. Behind each of our pictures, is our wish list for our classroom this year.

I made the middle balloon 3D, by stuffing it with some left-over butcher paper.

Western theme: Kindergarten says howdy!

Close-up on a teacher :)

Monster Theme Clip-chart inspired by my teammate Cyndy.

Monster Jobs

Monster Manners

Monster Daily 5

Finally, My son's teacher is doing "Crayons". Here he is in front of her box of beautiful colors.  Yeah First Grade! Thanks Dawn. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I hope you found some inspiration today!

Classroom Design and Linky Party

Finally, My classroom Design Pictures are ready to share! Link up your designs HERE Classroom-design-and-bulletin-board Linky Party

My Owl and Polka Dot Themed Clip Chart-You can find it Here.

Entrance to classroom: Going to Print the Pictures I took today of the kids and put them next to their owl. My Daily 5 Signs--I've also included computers as we are a very technological school. If you would like these, I can email them to you for free---I'm still trying to figure how to get them on google docs. You can get them here on TpT.

This hangs over my reading table.

My team colors are hanging with their corresponding Owl.  The bags on the desk are My First Day Survival Kit. Check out my sliding doors to the pod, we are able to open or close them as we need.

My CAFE Board--I found these signs and Letters for Free. She did not put her blog page on the document. Sorry :( Her name is Amy from The Resource Room

My Word Wall. My word wall has been "interactive" since I started teaching First grade 6 years ago.  I use ribbons and velcro dots. Students are able to go up to the word wall and take down a word as needed and replace it when finished.  This also makes it easy when playing word wall games such as "What is the missing Word?" In addition if I have to change classrooms, the ribbons can be removed and re-hung.  I won't need to re-do all the velcro dots.  This is a new set of ribbons, as I changed my "theme" this year.  My last set of ribbons lasted 5 years! Someone-Robin--Emailed me about how I do this. Robin I'm sorry I didn't reply--you are a no-reply blogger so I could not respond directly. Basically I measured and cut the ribbon to equal lengths. I stapled it to my wall. As I add words I adhere a velcro dot to the ribbon and the wordwall card. I wouldn't tell you to do it all at once, as my county word list is different, which is why I added dots as I went along. I was able to get a wheel of 75 dots at staples for about $8.00.

Close-up.  The letters and WORD WALL sign can be found here.

A view from my desk.  The bulletin board to the left, will be where I display student work.

I hope you can link up your rooms soon :)
Happy decorating,