Fun Website for First Graders

For their last visit to the computer lab, first graders had fun using the website Build Your Wild Self (http://www.buildyourwildself.com/) sponsored by the New York Zoo. This creative website allows the kids to create a human character with their favorite animals parts. This is a fun way to learn about the characteristics of animals. It is also a great story starter. After creating their Wild Self, the students were challenged to write a creative story about how they turned into their animal character. Here is a wonderful example:

One time we went to the grocery store. My mom bought this bottle that said, "This drink will change your personality!" My mom didn't think that was true. But I did, so I had a drink. When we got back we saw a butterfly. It went on my finger. I grew butterfly wings. I flew home instead of driving. When we got home there was a cockroach on my floor. Then I grew antennas. I stayed like that forever.

The Monsters Have Arrived in Second Grade

The second grade students were so excited to finally receive their monsters from their partner schools across the United States. As always, I was delighted to watch each child's face as his or her monster was unveiled. After viewing their original monster along with their redrawn monster, students were challenged to reflect about their work and answer the following questions:

1. Do you think you partner did a good job redrawing your monster? Explain.
2. What did you learn about writing and the writing process by completing this project?
   
3. List at least two ways you could make your writing better.
4. What did you like best about the Monster Project? What did you not like about the project?

While writing a reflection about their work is challenging, the opportunity for reflection is a key component in helping students extend the writing lessons introduced in this project (pre-planning, writing with details, painting pictures with words, using adjectives, word choice) to future writing.

I hope you can take a moment to check them out!

Mrs. Graham's Class
Mrs. Cameron's Class
Mrs. O'Mullane's Class
Mrs. McKenzie's Class

Kindergarten Slideshow

The end of the year is always so chaotic. Between finalizing student portfolios, wrapping up explorer movie projects, assessing keyboarding in 4th grade, and creating end of the year slide show, there is little time for blogging. I promise to write a lengthier post soon. In the mean time, I thought you would enjoy seeing "Everything We Learned We Learned in Kindergarten" slide show presented to the kindergarten families today at their program.

Kindergarten Program Slideshow May 6, 2011 from Anna Baralt on Vimeo.