Rainforest Project 2016

WOW!
It's been way too long since I've updated my blog!  *I feel like this is something I've said numerous times in my blog.  I think I just felt so tired after working all day, that I didn't have the energy to blog.

Back in January, I begged for help to fund my Donors Choose project which was all about the rainforest project my students were going to work on.  That was fully funded, and now, our rainforest is complete!

As I mentioned in that post, I had huge expectations for how the rainforest was going to look this year. I think my students and my principal thought I was crazy when I told them what I wanted.  Even though I kept my parents updated via class dojo, I don't think they realized just what their kids were getting into!

My students busted their butts on this project.  Let me explain just what we did.

It all started with a flipchart and research packet.  I created a flipchart with 62 rainforest animals that my students were going to study.  I went through the flipchart with them several times.  I created a research packet with information on all of the animals and made copies of the packet for my kiddos.

We started doing research in small groups. We would read the information together and the students got to pick the information they thought we needed to highlight.  This was taking very long and we were starting to get short on time, so for about two-three weeks straight, we researched whole group.  No joke: we finished researching the last animal up until 2 minutes before dismissal time.  They were so excited when they finished, they started cheering!

After finishing our research, we started making animals, trees, flowers, etc...They had the option to use any and all of the materials I had in my room. 

The kids decided where they were going to put everything.  It turned out better than I ever could have imagined!

I'll let the pictures speak for themselves!  (If you'd like a video your, click here.)

The students gave tours to over 20 classes in our school!  It was awesome!  They did an amazing job and I'm so proud of them!  Their parents were ecstatic too! 

Thanks for stopping by and again, I apologize for the delay in getting this up!

~Stacey~

Throwback Thursday Part 2 - Animal Research Project

Good evening!
I've been so busy today that I almost forgot to post today's entry!

My students worked on a huge project this past year - an animal research project based off the animals at the National Zoo in DC.

In keeping with Project Based Learning principles, they got to pick their zoo house and animals.  We researched everything together.  They picked the facts they thought were most important.  They wrote them out.  They then created their animal however they wanted to - pastels, paint, markers, etc...

Once everything was done, we made a "museum."  The students then gave tours to their family members!  Told them about the animals and how they made their animal!  Everything looked awesome!

Check out the pictures!

 

As always, thanks for stopping by!

I hope you enjoyed the pictures! :-)

Stacey

1st Grade Hodgepodge Update

What fun we are having in 1st grade!!!!!

A few weeks ago we practiced the -op chunk! One of my favorite things to do is a sensory writing with POPCORN.  We didn't get to the popcorn that week, but we had fun writing -op chunk words on popcorn pieces and making this art project!

Yup, I'm hungry now! :-)

Next up, Columbus Day!

2021 Edit:  As I look back on my posts, I realize that some of the things I blogged about over the years, are no longer celebrated the way they use to be or reflect correct information.  For example:  Christopher Columbus.  Although I could delete this, I am going to leave it up.  Why?  My hope is that my post will spark ideas for other explorers or activities teachers could use INSTEAD of this one. 

My students and I discussed how Columbus was an explorer.  We then talked about what an explorer is and what they do.  Then they wrote about what they might see for the first time if they were the ones who discovered America.

They came up with this:

I know I got the unit off TPT but I can't find it anywhere.  If this is your unit, please let me know so I can give you credit!  Thanks!

On Monday, we went to the zoo!  I took a whole bunch of pictures but I'm only going to post a few of them!

If you can't see - there are 2 of them there!

We had such an amazing time!  This has really helped boost our enthusiasm for our zoo project we're going to embark on this year!!!!

Next up: The kids saw a bat at the zoo and they started talking non-stop about it!  I found this awesome idea from First Grader...At Last! and knew I had to do it!  Therefore, I leave you with our bat mobile!

Thanks if you have hung in this long! One more subject for the evening - fire department visit!!!!

We had guys from our local fire department come and talk with the kids on Thursday!  The kids saw one of the guys put their uniform on and after each piece he put on, they were reassured that he wasn't scary.  We're trying to emphasize the importance of firefighters and that kids have no reason to be scared. They talked about what to do if their clothes catch on fire and what to do if there is a fire in your house.

Then we went outside and got to look at an ambulance and a firetruck.

Here are some pics!

The kids had a blast and they were so well behaved!  Afterwards we wrote about firefighters and did a craft to go with it.  I'll make sure to post those pictures next time!

All right folks! Thanks for reading!  Enjoy your weekend!!!!!
Stacey