Hearts, computers, and more!

These two groups finished up  a fun month of snow experiments and arctic animals.  Kindergarten is busy preparing to log into the computer.  75% of the students know their LAST NAME.  This is wonderful since they have to spell it as part of the computer log in!  So we started by just seeing who knows their last name.  We also started making log in cards in 3 out of 5 classes.   This week, we will be logging into the computers!  They will go crazy…it is the most stressful lesson that I teach.  20 Kindergarteners spelling one letter of their first name and their whole LAST NAME then 2 numbers (just for the user name).  The password is more doable.  They have to learn mouse skills, how to read a keyboard, and patience! 

For some science, these two groups finished up  a fun month of snow experiments and arctic animals.  Kindergarten is busy preparing to log into the computer.  75% of the students know their LAST NAME.  This is wonderful since they have to spell it as part of the computer log in!  So we started by just seeing who knows their last name.  We also started making log in cards in 3 out of 5 classes.   This week, we will be logging into the computers!  They will go crazy…it is the most stressful lesson that I teach.  20 Kindergarteners spelling one letter of their first name and their whole LAST NAME then 2 numbers (just for the user name).  The password is more doable.  They have to learn mouse skills, how to read a keyboard, and patience! 

For some science and art, we also talked a little about our heart.  We watch two videos…one from Sci Show Kids and another from Brain Pop Junior.  They also colored a HEART from Crayola.

First grade has been reviewing how to type in a website address.  We usually go through a series of clicks on my district website.  This is a daunting process of reading letters off the board or waiting for oral review and then typing them in.  We also review what does “WWW” stand for.  One of the cool websites is STARFALL.  This “free-mium” site was recently updated.  The games are new and different.  Overall, the new content is a hit! 

Finally, we also did the same heart videos as kindergarten, but the first grade coloring sheet was more detailed! 

Here are the links to the videos and worksheets!  

Here is a link to Brain Pop Junior.  You might need a log in code!
Brain Pop JUNIOR Heart video

Heart worksheet

Heart worksheet - EASY

SADAKO and Paper cranes

The art teacher and I are collaborating to make the ASIAN CULTURE themed art show amazing.  Initially, she proposed a three dimensional dragon.  YIKES was my first thought.

I went back to my room after our conversation, looked through pinterest, and just waited for inspiration.  I felt more confident with origami.

Then I found the idea of Sadako and the 1000 paper cranes.  AMBITIOUS, but doable.

So, second through fourth grade have been learning about the Japanese art form of origami.  We briefly discussed the story of Sadako and the 1000 paper cranes.  If you want a summary of the story, feel free to look at this book summary - Sadako
Plus, we found a great You Tube tutorial.

The lesson has been a learning process and a test of patient and tenacity. 

Week 1 - NO class finished a crane,  I let every student take their partially completed crane.   Encouraged them to try to finish at home using a library book, you tube tutorial, or their method.  They did not need them to return them!  Many students left feeling frustrated and "bummed" with a partial crane.  I was left in shock on the first day on how this was really going to take.  How do handle this moment is not in any teaching course or manual!

Week 2 - I precut the squares of scrap paper and work hard to keep things moving.  It takes 2nd grade 50-60 minutes, but EVERYONE leaves with a crane.  Third grade takes about 45 minutes which means that they have a few minutes to watch a heart video, take a picture with the cranes, and clean up.  Fourth grade is working the best since we are down to 35-45 minutes.  They can usually complete a couple of levels of Edutyping on the computer at the end of STEAM.  Not all groups have seen me for week 2 yet!

The final week will be for the art show using recycled book pages, recycled pictures from magazines, and more!  Making 300 squares is a bit daunting, but it is going to look awesome.

Mrs. Long and I have figured out how and where we want to hang our 300+ cranes.  Plus any student who wants to make more will have the option through out March during free choice time in art and STEAM.

Want to make your own crane?
Check out this video!