Weather PBL

This was a very fun, interactice PBL for students to learn and present about different weather patterns. We began the PBL by going on a gallery walk in the hallway to look at different weather patterns. While studetns were observing the pictures they also took notes on a graphic organizer. Here are some pictures of students on their gallery walk:

 

Here is a picture of what the graphic organizer looked like to take notes on and a student example:

 

We also used a few different resources to get a general understanding of different weather patterns. Students then chose 1 weather pattern that interested them and did a mock weather report. Here are a few examples:



 



The next week we dove right into our partner work for our PBL. For this PBL, students were grouped into groups of three. Each member of the group had a job. The jobs were news anchor, meteorologist, and safety expert. Each group was assigned one weather pattern and a location that it occurs. Students had a list of QR codes and books to do research on their topic. They also had a graphic organizer to help them take notes on their weather pattern. Here is a list of the QR codes:

Here is a copy of the graphic organizer that students used to help take their notes on their weather pattern:

Here are some pictures of students working in groups, using QR codes to watch videos for their research:

 

After each group finished their research they then worked together to write a script for their weather report. Here is the script template that we used:



Last, students filled their weather report using the app Touch Cast and they turned out great! Check out our videos:

Start of the School Year and Daily 5

Whew.... the start to every school year is so exciting, while also very exhausting! I have loved building community and getting to know all of my students in my class these past few weeks. We have had a lot of fun and also worked really hard at practicing our routines and procedures. Of course I couldn't get thru it without the best team possible! :)

Check out some pictures of our classroom with our flexible seating:

We started our first week at school by getting to know each other by playing some fun games. We also got to know each other by having each child make an All About Me Pennant and All About Me Math Person

The first couple of weeks we spent 22 days diving deep into our Daily 5 literacy centers. Each day during our literacy block students participate in Daily 5 center choices (read to self, read to buddy, work on writing, word work, and listening center). While students are working in these centers they are also reading in small groups with me as well as playing on iRead (a personalized  program we use on the computer which specifically targets students at their current reading level).

The first center we introduced and practiced was Read-to-Self. Each day we built our stamina by practicing. Check out our anchor chart on our expectations:

My students came up with whole body movements to help them remember the expectations for read to self. Check out their video:

Here are some students reading to their self: 

The next center that we introduced was Read-to-Someone. Check out our anchor chart with our expectations:

The third Daily Five center that students participate in is Listen-to-Reading. Here is our anchor chart as well as some students participating at listening:

The forth Daily Five center that students participate in is Word Work. In Word Work they can choose from a variety of different activities that help to practice their spelling patterns as well as sight words. Here is our anchor chart, center choices, and students working together.

The fifth Daily Five center that students participate in is Writing. In the writing center students have a variety of different activities to choose from to practice their writing. Here is our anchor chart, center choices, as well as some students working together:

As I stated above, while some students are participating in Daily 5 choices some students are working in small groups with me. During this time we are working on their reading goals and writing. This is one of my favorite parts of the day because I am able to specifically read with each child and meet their needs.

The last component is technology. This year our school was fortunate to get many more technology devices. Our classroom now has 6 iPad's, 3 laptops, and 3 desktops. Here are few students interacting with our iRead program on devices:

That's it for now! Thanks for checking in to see how learning is going in our classroom and come back soon! :)