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Thursday, January 17, 2013

Skyline

Today I got a great idea for an art project. Sadly, only one girl need to put the finishing touches on her project, so I did not get to see the whole process, but a few students in the class talked me through what they did.

1) Cut out a skyline. Many students did city sky lines but some did country.
2) Tear up colorful tissue paper.
3) Glue tissue paper down to create a sunset or twilight sky. Teacher should mix water and glue ahead of time. Students brush glue onto tissue paper with a paint brush so the paper doesn't get bogged down with glue.
4) Allow background to dry.
5) Glue the sky line in place with a glue stick.

Here one last student needed to glue down her skyline.

Her finished work of art. Ooh, aah, lovely!

Reading Buddies

Today I am back in my favorite 5th grade classroom. They have 1st grade reading buddies. Each Friday (when there are no scheduling conflicts) they take turns going to each others rooms to read. This Thursday (they don't have school tomorrow for conferences) the first graders came to the fifth grade room. Before they arrived students picked two picture books to read to the students.  

When the first graders got to the classroom they quickly found their buddy and sat down. They have been doing this all year so they know who their buddies are, there was only a small shuffle for students who were absent.


The fifth graders where reminded to stop and ask their first grade buddy questions about the book. They were also reminded they were modeling what it was like to be a good reader for the younger students. 


Next Friday, the fifth grade will visit the first grade classroom and the younger students will read to the older kids. 

Friday, January 11, 2013

Bulletin Boards

To day I'm in a 5th grade classroom with some simple but effective bulletin boards.

Each new learning target it posted (all in the same style and sized font - very classy). 


A bulletin board behind the teacher's desk show's his former classes (even from different schools) and his college degrees are also posted. A nice quick way to show students and families how you got to where you are.  


This was on the door down the hall. I think its a great way for students to own the classroom and showoff something - school related or not - that they are proud of. The words behind each kid say "I'M REALLY GOOD AT..." and each student created a poster with one big word filling in the blank.