A Little Bit of Balance and Motion

10/1

Our learning target is: I can balance a spinner.

Now that you are experts on balance and stability it is time to move on to the subject of motion. Today we will build something that moves. We are going to build spinners and use them to observe motion.

Each of you will get a shaft, two small disks, and two large disks. Your job is to find out how to put the materials together to make a balanced spinner. I want you to notice that the disks have little circular marks on one side. The shafts will be easier to push through the disks if you use this side.

You will work at your desk as you build your spinner. (Demonstrate) Are there any questions? (Dismiss)

(Call students back to carpet) Raise your hand if you made a spinner. What did you use to make your spinner? How did you get your spinner to start moving? How does a spinner move when it is working? What kind of motion does a spinner make when it is going? When something turns in circles or goes around and around and around a lot of times, we say it is spinning or rotating. The spinners you made rotate on an axis, which in this case is the shaft.

We need to write in our Balance and Motion journal. (Write as a group. Send students back to their desk to copy it in their journal.) 

10/2

Yesterday, we had the chance to create our own spinners. Today each of you is going to get a Spinning Design sheet. That is a sheet with three designs on it. First, you will cut them out. Next, you will try the first two and then you will design your own blank one using a pencil or crayons. Are there any questions? Your materials are already at your desk. When I tap you you may go back to your desk and get started.

It is time to put your materials away. Listen carefully to how we are going to do this. We are going to create one line and two students will put their materials away at a time. Once your materials are put away you will come to the carpet and sit down in your carpet spot.

Let’s talk about what we have learned over of the past two days.

-       What kind of motion does a spinner make when it is going? When something turns in circles or goes around and around and around a lot of times, we say it is spinning or rotating. The spinners you made rotate on an axis, which in this case is the shaft.

-       Is a spinner more stable when it’s going fast or when it slows down? Faster is more stable; when it slows down, it falls over so that is not stable or balanced. 

 

10/3

We spent the past two days experimenting with spinners. Spinners spin or rotate when they are in motion but they are not the only things that spin. Zoomers also spin when they are in motion. Today each of you is going to get a Zoomer. Your Zoomer is made with a string that runs through two holes in the large disk.

You will work the Zoomer as follows (Demonstrate):

1.     Stick your thumbs through the loops formed by the ends of the string

2.     Whirl the large disk around between your hands 15 or 20 times to twist the string

3.     Pull the string the string tight to start the disk spinning. Release.

Come to carpet and hand me their zoomer.

Ask:

-       How are spinners and zoomers the same?

-       How do you start the motion of zoomers?

-       How can you change the spinning motion of a zoomer?

10/7

We spent last week experimenting with spinners and zoomers. Raise your hand if you can tell me the kind of motion the spinners and zoomers made. Yes, they spin or rotate. How can you tell when something is spinning or rotating? That’s right, it goes around and around on an axis.

Today you are going to work with a partner to create cardboard ramps. You will use clothespins to prop up one end of the cardboard to make a ramp. You will clip two clothespins on one end of a cardboard rectangle. You will clip a second clothespin on each of the first two clothespins to make legs. You will use the (show) plastic disks like wheels. (Demonstrate) Do not lean on the ramps, they will crumple.

(Bring students back to the carpet) How did your wheels move? Right, they slide and roll. When wheels go around on their edge, it is called rolling. Raise your hand if you have any ideas for getting the wheels to roll better. I have an idea. A shaft can be used as an axle. An axle is a rod or shaft to which wheels can be attached. (Show) Each group is going to get a shaft. I want you to see if your wheels roll better or more efficiently with a shaft.

(Provide small wheels) Do small wheels roll the same as large wheels?

Describe, show and demonstrate some of the interesting wheel systems students created.

Today we learned that things roll down ramps. We used two wheels the same size on an axle to roll straight. We used wheels of different sizes to make a roller that turns.

10/8

Yesterday, we experimented with rolling wheels. What kind of motion do wheels make? That’s right, wheels roll when they are in motion. Wheels are not the only things that roll. Cups also roll. You are going to get one large and one small cup to investigate to see how they roll.

Review how to set up ramps.

(Call back) Are your cups rolling? I’m hearing that your cups don’t roll straight. Why did the cup roll in a circle? Right, there is a big circle (wheel) at one end and a small one at the other. What determines which direction the cup will roll? Yes , the cups roll in the direction of the bottom (smaller circle). Does the smaller cup roll in a bigger circle or a smaller circle than the larger cup? (Smaller)

Pretend that your cup is a car. You want to park your car in the parking garage under your ramp. Try to make your cup roll off the ramp and end up parked under the ramp.

Now try rolling the small cup across the ramp in such a way that it ends up face down on the table. It can be done.

(Call back) What can be done to get the cups to roll straight? Fabulous ideas! When I say go you will go back with your partner and put your idea into action.

Distribute tape.

Add weight to the straight rollers.

(Call back) We need to write in our journal. What did you learn today? Weights can slow down, speed up, or stop the rolling motion of a cup. To make a cup roll straight, tape another cup to it and let it roll on the large ends. A cup will roll in the direction of the smaller end.  

Writing- A Perfect Day

Our learning target in writing today is, "I can identify fall activities." We are going to read, "Clifford's First Autumn" which is another word for fall. As I read this, be looking at the pictures and listening for fall activities. (Read story) Now we are going to complete this circle map about fall activities. Raise your hand if you can think of a fall activity from the book or from your own experiences.

Fall activities:

Apple orchard

Scarecrow

Pumpkin Patch

Carving Pumpkins

Hayride

Raking leaves

Corn pit

Jumping in leaf piles

Football

Leaf collecting

Haunted House

Corn Maze

Today our learning target is, "I can write about fall using first, next, then and last." This is a sequencing activity. We will put events in order from first to last. Yesterday as a class, we identified fall activities. (Read chart) Today in our journal, we will write about our perfect fall day. My journal says, "On the perfect fall day I would do lots of things."

First _____________.

Next _____________.

Then _____________.

Last ______________.

When I say go you will turn and talk with your partner. The two of you will discuss what fall activities you would like to do first, next, then and last. (Demonstrate) Turn and talk. We are going to take four students to share. What fall activity would you like to do first, Jedida? So I would write first I would… What activity would you do next, Iris? Then what would you like to do, Varflay? What activity would you like to do last, Majesty?

In just a minute, you are going to your desk to write in your journal. You will open up to a blank page. You will write, “On the perfect fall day I would do lots of things. First, next, then and last. You will complete the sentences. I’ll read you my example. (Read it) You should have a different order of activities in your journal. If you want you write, “First I went to the pumpkin patch” you can but you should not have the exact same activities as me in the exact same order that I have them. We talked about lots of fall activities yesterday so be creative and journal the fall activities that you would want to do. Are there any questions?

Journal at desk

Come back together to read journals.

Put journal away and line up

Today our learning target is, "I can write about winter using first, next, then and last." This is a sequencing activity. We will put events in order from first to last. Today in your journal, you will write about your perfect winter day, but before we do that we are going to read a book called, “A Perfect Day.” As I read be listening for winter activities that you could write in your journal. (Read book)

When I say go you will turn and talk with your partner. The two of you will discuss winter activities from our book. Each group of partners should be able to come up with at least two activities from our book that they would like to do. Turn and talk. Come back together. We’ll take two students to share out.

If this was my journal I would write, "On the perfect winter day I would do many things."

First _________________________________________________.

Next ________________________________________________.

Then ________________________________________________.

Last _________________________________________________.

I’m going to share with you what I would write. (Fill in blanks) These are the activities I would choose to do but there are many other activities in the book that you could choose from.

In just a minute, you are going to your desk to write in your journal. You will open up to a blank page. You will write, “On the perfect winter day I would many things. First, next, then and last. You will complete the sentences with activities that you would like to do. Are there any questions?

Journal at desk

Come back together to read journals.

Put journal away and line up

Today our learning target is, "I can write about spring using first, next, then and last." This is a sequencing activity. We will put events in order from first to last. Today in your journal, you will write about your perfect spring day, but before we do that we are going to read a book called, “Spring Things.” As I read be listening for spring activities that you could write in your journal. (Read book)

When I say go you will turn and talk with your partner. The two of you will discuss spring activities from our book. Each group of partners should be able to come up with at least two activities from that they would like to do. Turn and talk. Come back together. We’ll take two students to share out.

If this was my journal I would write, "On the perfect spring day I would do many things."

First _________________________________________________.

Next ________________________________________________.

Then ________________________________________________.

Last _________________________________________________.

I’m going to share with you what I would write. (Fill in blanks) These are the activities I would choose to do but there are many other activities in the book that you could choose from.

In just a minute, you are going to your desk to write in your journal. You will open up to a blank page. You will write, “On the perfect spring day I would many things. First, next, then and last. You will complete the sentences with activities that you would like to do. Are there any questions?

Journal at desk

Come back together to share

Put away journal and line up

Today our learning target is, "I can write about summer using first, next, then and last." This is a sequencing activity. We will put events in order from first to last. Today in your journal, you will write about your perfect spring day, but before we do that we are going to read a book called, “I See Summer.” As I read be listening for summer activities that you could write in your journal. (Read book)

When I say go you will turn and talk with your partner. The two of you will discuss summer activities from our book. Each group of partners should be able to come up with at least two activities from that they would like to do. Turn and talk. Come back together. We’ll take two students to share out.

If this was my journal I would write, "On the perfect summer day I would do many things."

First _________________________________________________.

Next ________________________________________________.

Then ________________________________________________.

Last _________________________________________________.

I’m going to share with you what I would write. (Fill in blanks) These are the activities I would choose to do but there are many other activities in the book that you could choose from.

In just a minute, you are going to your desk to write in your journal. You will open up to a blank page. You will write, “On the perfect summer day I would many things. First, next, then and last. You will complete the sentences with activities that you would like to do. Are there any questions?

Journal at desk

Come back together to share

Put away journal and line up

Morning Meeting

9/15

This morning we will go around the circle and greet our neighbor with a wave. Everyone show me a clam and gentle wave. Great! When we greet our neighbor we need to remember to make eye contact and smile. Everyone show me your smile. Very nice! I think we're ready. I'll start. (Greet each other) Nice job!

Our sharing topic today is about the weekend. What did you do over the weekend? Take 30 seconds to think about your answer in your head. Are you going to give me a one-word answer like played? No. If I played with Lego’s this weekend what could my sentence be? That's right! This weekend I played with Legos. We will pass the microphone around and remember we want to hold it a few inches from our mouth. (Demonstrate)

Our activity today is a silent game called, "Coseeki." I will draw a name and that student will be “it.”  They will leave the circle and go stand in the hallway until I call them back. I'll draw another stick and that student will be a leader. The leader will lead the class in a series of motions- it could be a hand clap, a foot stomp, a head nod, tapping on the floor or another quiet motion we can do while sitting down at the circle. You must watch the leader in the circle closely, out of the corner of your eye and repeat the leaders motions. Once we have a motion going I’ll call the student in the hallway back into the classroom. They will stand in the middle of the circle and they will have three tries to guess who is leading the group. Any questions?

Now it's time to read the morning message. I'll read a sentence and you'll repeat after me:

Dear 2nd grade scholars,

Happy Monday! We have Phy. Ed. today! This afternoon we will talk more about bus safety. Make today marvelous!

Miss. H and Ms. S

9/16

Good morning! I was disappointed with how morning meeting went yesterday so we are going to try it again today but first, we are going to review my expectations for morning meeting. At MM your eyes need to be on the speaker and your ears need to be listening. I’m talking so all eyes and ears are on me. At MM your mouths wait to talk that means no blurting out. At MM you need to raise your hand to talk. If I ask the class a question or you have something to say show me what you need to do. At MM you need to be sitting criss- cross applesauce hands in your lap- show me. Alright, let’s try yesterday’s morning meeting again.

This morning we will go around the circle and greet our neighbor with a wave. Show me a clam and gentle wave. Great! When we greet our neighbor we need to remember to make eye contact, smile and wave. (Demonstrate)

Our sharing topic today is about animals. If you could have any animal as a pet, which animal would you choose? Take 30 seconds to think about your answer in your head. Are you going to give me a one-word answer like monkey? No. If I want a monkey as a pet I could say, the animal I would choose as a pet is a monkey. The animal I would choose is your sentence prompt today. We will pass the microphone around and remember we want to hold it a few inches from our mouth. (Demonstrate)

Our activity today is a silent game called, "Coseeki." I will draw a name and that student will be “it.”  They will leave the circle and go stand in the hallway until I call them back. I'll draw another stick and that student will be a leader. The leader will lead the class in a series of motions- it could be a hand clap, a foot stomp, a head nod, tapping on the floor or another quiet motion we can do while sitting down at the circle. You must watch the leader in the circle closely, out of the corner of your eye and repeat the leaders motions. Once we have a motion going I’ll call the student in the hallway back into the classroom. They will stand in the middle of the circle and they will have three tries to guess who is leading the group. Any questions? 

Now it's time to read the morning message. Repeat after me:

Dear 2nd grade scholars,

Good morning! We will have a fire drill today. We also have music. Make today terrific! 

Miss H. and Ms. S

9/17

This morning we will go around the circle and greet our neighbor with a thumbs up. Everyone show me a thumbs up. Great! When we greet our neighbor we need to remember to make eye contact and smile. Everyone show me your smile. Very nice! I think we're ready. (Greet each other) Nice job!

Our sharing topic today is about ice cream. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream? Take 30 seconds to think about your answer in your head. Are you going to give me a one-word answer like Chocolate? No. If your favorite flavor of ice cream is chocolate what should your sentence be? That's right, my favorite flavor of ice cream is chocolate. We will pass the microphone around and remember to hold it away from your mouth but not too far. (Demonstrate how far to not hold it)

Our activity today is called, Grandmother’s Trunk. I will begin by saying, “I am going on a trip, and I need to pack my grandmother’s trunk.” (Child’s name) will go next and she’ll say what she will pack in the trunk. Everyone in the circle will add one item to the trunk, after repeating what is already packed in the trunk.

Now it's time to read the morning message. I'll read a sentence and you'll repeat after me:

Dear 2nd grade scholars,

Happy Tuesday! We have music and media today. Make today terrific!

Miss. H and Ms. S

9/18

This morning we will go around the circle and greet our neighbor with a pinkie shake. When we greet our neighbor we need to remember to make eye contact and smile. Everyone show me your smile. Very nice! Here we go!

For sharing today we are going to do a would you rather question. Think about this question in your head. Would you rather be able to fly or be able to turn invisible? You have 30 seconds to think about your answer. As you share your answer your sentence prompt should be I would rather. If you would rather be invisible what would your sentence be? Right! I would rather be able to turn invisible.

Our activity today is called, "Everybody Up.” We are going to work in pairs or groups of two. The two of you will be sitting on the ground, hands clasped, feet touching. Your job is to work together to raise yourselves from sitting to standing.

Now it's time to read the morning message. I'll read a sentence and you'll repeat after me:

Dear 2nd grade scholars,

Happy Wednesday! We have Phy. Ed. today! We will learn about the Constitution. Make today wonderful!

Miss. H and Ms. S

9/19

Good morning 2^nd graders! I was so impressed with how well MM went yesterday that I went home and told everyone I knew how respectful and wonderful all of you are. Before we get started I want to remind you of my MM expectations so we can have another great MM! At MM your eyes need to be on the speaker and your ears need to be listening. I’m talking so all eyes and ears are on me. At MM your mouths wait to talk that means no blurting out. At MM you need to raise your hand to talk. If I ask the class a question or you have something to say show me what you need to do. At MM you need to be sitting criss- cross applesauce hands in your lap- show me.

This morning we will go around the circle and greet our neighbor with a gentle, yet firm handshake. When we greet our neighbor we need to remember to make eye contact and smile. It’s Friday, which makes everybody happy so I want you to show me your smiles! Very nice!

For sharing today we are going to do a would you rather question. Think about this question in your head. Would you rather go to the beach or play in the snow? Beach and snow are your only two options so pick your favorite one of the two. You have 30 seconds to think about your answer. As you share your answer your sentence prompt will be I would rather. If you would rather go the beach what would your sentence be? Right! I would rather go to the beach.

Our activity today is a silent game. We played it on Monday and it is called, "Coseeki." We have name sticks now so I will draw a name and that student will be “it.”  They will leave the circle and go stand in the hallway until I call them back. I'll draw another stick and that student will be a leader. The leader will lead the class in a series of motions- it could be a hand clap, a foot stomp, a head nod, tapping on the floor or another quiet motion we can do while sitting down at the circle. You must watch the leader in the circle closely, out of the corner of your eye and repeat the leaders motions. Once we have a motion going I’ll call the student in the hallway back into the classroom. They will stand in the middle of the circle and they will have three tries to guess who is leading the group. Any questions?

Now it's time to read the morning message. I'll read a sentence and you'll repeat after me:

 

Dear 2nd grade scholars,

Happy Friday! We have Phy. Ed. today. Miss Anderson’s class will join us for art. Make today fantastic!

Miss. H and Ms. S

9/22

Good morning 2^nd graders! Who remembers one of my MM expectations? There are five of them:

-       Criss- cross applesauce hands in your lap

-       Eyes on the speaker

-       Ears listening

-       Mouths wait to talk

-       Raise your hand if I ask the class a question or you want to talk and it’s not your turn.

This morning I am going to teach you a new greeting. It is called an, “Adjective Greeting.” What is an adjective? That’s right, an adjective is a describing word. Cute, funny, grumpy, brave, silly, quiet, loud, young, and fast are all adjectives. Take 30 seconds to think of an adjective that might describe you. In just a minute, we will go around the circle. You will introduce yourself by saying, “Hello, my name is (Adjective) (name).” For example, I could say, “Hello, my name is Friendly Ms. Schweitzer.” Friendly is my adjective and Ms. Schweitzer is my name. Once I introduce myself the rest of the class will say, “Hello, Ms. Schweitzer!” (Demonstrate with 2 or 3 other students) Are there any questions?

For sharing today our question is, what did you do this weekend? Take thirty seconds to think about your answer in your head.

Today we are going to create a rainstorm in our classroom. This is kind of like the game, “Follow the Leader” because you are going to follow my lead. I will begin by very lightly rubbing my hands together, then lightly snap, slap my thighs, slap my thighs and stomp my feet. This is the rainstorm is at its peak! All you are doing is following my lead to create the rainstorm. Are there any questions?

Alternate version:

First you silently rub your fingers together, and the students do the same. 2. Then you rub your two hands together, making a very soft sound, and the students follow. 3. Next you very softly clap your hands together while the students follow, it should still be quiet. 4. Then snap your fingers. 5. Now go back to clapping and clap a little louder than you were snapping. 6. Then a little louder. 7. Then clap loudly. 8. Then stomp your feet and clap, making a lot of noise. 9. Now do it in reverse until it is silent again.

9/23

Good morning 2^nd graders! Who remembers one of my MM expectations? There are five of them:

-       Criss- cross applesauce hands in your lap

-       Eyes on the speaker

-       Ears listening

-       Mouths wait to talk

-       Raise your hand if I ask the class a question or you want to talk and it’s not your turn.

This morning we are going to greet each other with a handshake. We need to remember to make eye contact and greet each other with a smile.

For sharing today our question is, what is your favorite book or character from a book?  

Today we are going to play the game, “A Cold Wind Blows."

9/24

Good morning 2^nd graders! Who remembers one of my MM expectations? There are five of them:

-       Criss- cross applesauce hands in your lap

-       Eyes on the speaker

-       Ears listening

-       Mouths wait to talk

-       Raise your hand if I ask the class a question or you want to talk and it’s not your turn.

This morning we are going to greet each other with a pinkie shake. We need to remember to make eye contact and greet each other with a smile.

For sharing today our question is, which do you like better, reading or math?   

Today we are going to play the game, “Heads Up Seven Up."

9/25

Good morning 2^nd graders! Who remembers one of my MM expectations? There are five of them:

-       Criss- cross applesauce hands in your lap

-       Eyes on the speaker

-       Ears listening

-       Mouths wait to talk

-       Raise your hand if I ask the class a question or you want to talk and it’s not your turn.

This morning we are going to greet each other with a wave. As we greet our neighbor we need to remember to make eye contact and smile.

For sharing today, our question is, “How many brothers and sisters do you have?” This answer will be different for everyone. Some of you might not brothers or sisters so you can say, “I do not have any siblings.” Some of you might have one brother so they would say, “I have a brother.” Some of you might have a brother and two sisters so you would say, “I have a brother and two sisters.” Does that make sense? Are there any questions about how to answer our sharing topic?

Today we are going to play the game, “1,2,3.”

 

 

 

Feelings

This is week 3 well 4 (if you count workshop week) of student teaching. I have spent the past two days reminiscing about my days as a nanny and a one on one at a childcare center. I cannot wait to get back to working with my littles. I was telling my mom that today and she asked, "Why did you even bother getting your B.A.?" Here's why:

1. In most childcare centers you need your B.A. to be a head teacher even if you only want to work with infants and toddlers. 
2. You need your B.A. to be a director or assistant director.
3. A B.A. opens tons of doors for me outside the field of education. 

My mom became all furious like this was new information. I NEVER wanted to teach in a K through 3 setting until the spring of 2014. I knew student teaching would make or break my decision to be a classroom teacher. It's not like I am hating my experience (I would TRY a year in 1st grade) but I miss everything about infants, toddlers, and even preschoolers. I miss the spit- up, blowouts, and witching hour. I miss the messy house, sticky fingers, and diaper changes. I miss singing all day everyday. I miss nursery rhymes, picture books and making up my own songs to go along with anything and everything we did. I miss the snuggles, kisses, and the innocent and incredibly adorable things toddlers and preschoolers say and do. 67 more days with 2nd graders and then hopefully I can get back to the age group that means the world to me! 

QOTD

QOTD means question of the day. Melissa Joan Hart has been posting these everyday on her Instagram and I look forward to answering them with thousands of other individuals around the world. Today's questions was:

In 5 years, I'll be 30 and I am hoping I will be married by that point. What would I like to be doing at 3:00pm on a Friday five years from now? Easy, I'd like to be sitting in a rocking chair nursing my baby.

Meet the Teacher

** Cut out personal information for safety

Student Teaching

I started student teaching in a 2nd grade classroom on Tuesday and my first day was a huge success!