Monthly Archives: September 2011

Active Literacy With iPads: Part 1

Posted on September 30, 2011 by Katie

iBooks and ePUBs When I’m teaching reading, I’m teaching students how to be active readers.  That means that they need to engage with what they are reading.  They need to think, talk, and write.  They need to leave tracks of … Continue reading →

Posted in Active Literacy, iPad, Reader's Workshop, Technology | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

The Most Amazing Thing

Posted on September 28, 2011 by Kristin

“This is the most amazing thing I have ever done in my whole, whole life.” —1st grade student reflection after listening to his audio recording of Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar  Today I introduced Blue FiRe during reading workshop.  Blue FiRE … Continue reading →

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15 Days

Posted on September 27, 2011 by Katie

It’s Slice of Life Tuesday!  To read more Slices of Life or participate in the weekly slice of life writing community please visit Two Writing Teachers. We’ve been in school for 15 days.  I’ve had vacations longer than that.  15 … Continue reading →

Posted in Slice of Life | Tagged | 8 Comments

Online Discussions and Access

Posted on September 26, 2011 by Katie

Today I had my students conduct their first online math discussion.  I put them into groups by table and gave them some word problems from the book to discuss and solve together.  I asked them to solve one problem at … Continue reading →

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Graphing: Hand vs. Digital

Posted on September 25, 2011 by Katie

The other day I was telling someone about how I’m having my students create graphs for their math labs on their iPads this year.  They seemed a little put off. “But they won’t know how to make a graph by … Continue reading →

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An Authentic Inquiry Moment

Posted on September 22, 2011 by Katie

It started with a post-it.  As I wandered about the room filling out my literature discussion rubrics one of my students rushed up to me and said,  “Can I get my iPad because there’s this thing and we need to … Continue reading →

Posted in Inquiry | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

iPad Launch Lesson in 1st Grade

Posted on September 19, 2011 by Kristin

Today we launched the iPads in first grade.  After several technical delays due to syncing issues, we launched a one-to-one, hands-on introduction this afternoon.  My tech coordinator pushed-in to help with this lesson and it was wonderful to have two … Continue reading →

Posted in iPad, Technology | 2 Comments

Encouraging Curiosity

Posted on September 18, 2011 by Katie

A while ago I posted a video called “I Wonder in Five Words.”  You can view the post here.  I thought this would be a great beginning of the year project and a way to give the students a meaningful … Continue reading →

Posted in Inquiry, iPad | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

It’s All Greek To Me

Posted on September 16, 2011 by Katie

I’ve finally started my Greek classes!  It’s an exciting feeling to be learning something new.  I’ve spent so much time focused on teaching that it’s a breath of fresh air to learn something not related to teaching. And yet.  It’s … Continue reading →

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What We Teach vs. What They Learn

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Katie

or when epubs go wrong… I just sat down to review the exit tickets that my students filled out after reading two contrasting articles about the American Revolution.  I find exit tickets to be a quick way to get immediate … Continue reading →

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Hello Morning

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Katie

Hello Morning. I missed you. With your blazing red sky and faint toast smell. Your sleepy eyed shuffle to the espresso machine. Eager dog greeting me, wagging for his breakfast. The refrigerator hums as if to say, good morning, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Slice of Life | Tagged | 8 Comments

“Today Went Fast”

Posted on September 12, 2011 by Katie

I am tired today.  With a capital TIRED.  It seemed like everyone around me was tired.  My students were tired.  Even our pencils were tired.  Tired.  I said the word so many times that it lost meaning. It’s one thing … Continue reading →

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Responsive Teaching in Week 1

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Kristin

Wow.  Did that really just happen?  Photos, paintings and a pile of getting to know you projects litter the tables.  There’s so much glitter on the floor it looks like a Kesha concert took place in my classroom.   Week one … Continue reading →

Posted in Back To School, Classroom Management | 3 Comments

iPad Photo Sharing

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Katie

I’ve been trying to figure out a way to set up an organized and easy photo sharing system for my students to access on their iPads.  I used to have students copy anchor charts into their notebooks.  But I always … Continue reading →

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iPad Organization

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Kristin

This year my 1st grade classroom will go one-to-one with the iPad 2.  I’m so excited! I’ve spent a lot of time this summer thinking about curriculum, assessment and management of devices.  Last year, my classroom participated in a smaller … Continue reading →

Posted in Back To School, Classroom Management, iPad, Uncategorized | Tagged | 3 Comments

Day 15: The Last Days of Back to School

Posted on September 8, 2011 by Katie

It seems silly to write a back to school post.  I’m already “back to school.”  Chicago decided to join us by ushering in fall on the first day.  Suddenly Carmel apples seem like a good idea and I’m thinking about … Continue reading →

Posted in Back To School, Professional Development | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Day 14: A Slice of Life

Posted on September 6, 2011 by Katie

Today was the first day the students were actually “back to school.”  Ok, I didn’t quite make my 15 days before the first day….hey, I tried.  It was a good day.  An exhausting day, but a good day.  Let’s zoom … Continue reading →

Posted in Back To School, Slice of Life | Tagged | 11 Comments

Day 13: Books That Teach

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Katie

I love picture books that have a message.  I use a wide variety of books every year and at the beginning of the year I like books that send a message of acceptance and tolerance.  Here are three of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Back To School, Book Reviews | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Looking ahead to a fabulous school year…

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Kristin

Hi everyone!  I am so excited to be a part of this blog! Thanks Katie! As a first grade teacher, I have lots to say about developing readers, writers, collaborators and thinkers.  I want my students to be curious and … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Day 12: Setting Students up for 2.0

Posted on September 4, 2011 by Katie

There are two websites that I use a great deal in my class.  Edmodo and Kidblogs.  I have chosen these two sites because they enable me to create an online collaboration space for students while still maintaining privacy and control.  … Continue reading →

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