Field Day, Mo Willems Author Study, & Bell Museum Field Trip

It has been a busy week for us this week!  On Wednesday the weather held out and we were able to have our field day in the afternoon.  Students participated in several relays, played a few games, and did the tug-o-war.  

All week long we have been doing an author's study of my favorite author Mo Willems.  On Tuesday we read several books featuring the Elephant & Piggie characters, including, There Is a Bird on Your Head!  

Afterwards students had a chance to create their own comic strips using the Elephant & Piggie characters.

Later in the week we read several books featuring Mo Willem's Pigeon.

Here's the whole class wearing the special pigeon hats they made.

After reading Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus and Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late students created their own writing projects that included what they each thought the pigeon shouldn't be allowed to do.

We took some time at the end of the week to independently read Mo Willems' books.

Finally, on Friday we went on our field trip to the Bell Museum on the University of Minnesota campus.

Students were guided through many different dioramas and also had a chance to explore the Touch & See Room.

Our week so far...

Last week during E week we read the story of Elmer by David McKee.  Elmer taught us the importance of being proud of who were are!  Students each made their own unique Elmer which our now on display on the big bulletin board in our classroom.

This week in math we have been learning all about symmetry.  Students used pattern blocks to create symmetrical designs.

 

Next students walked around the classroom and used rulers as "symmetry sticks" to find lines of symmetry on their classmates' creations.

 

We've also been learning about silent E this week.  Students have learned that a silent E at the end of a word helps the other vowels to say their names.  We have been working on reading and writing silent E words.  Here are the Super Es we made yesterday!

On Monday we began a new science unit on oviparous animals.  We started by reading the book Chickens Aren't the Only Ones by Ruth Heller.

Then students drew and wrote about one animal that was oviparous (lays eggs) and what that is viparous (does not lay eggs).

Yesterday students created riddles about oviparous animals.  They did a great job writing clues and drawing pictures of the animals they chose.

 

I forgot to share these photos of students with their plants in the last blogpost so I thought I'd include them in this one!

What We've Been Up To

During Q week students created these awesome quilt squares that are now in display in the hallway.

 

 

We also recently learned about the difference between fact and opinion.  Students then had a chance to create their own pizzas and write an opinion piece about why it was their favorite.

 

 

This past week we learned all about fish.  On Wednesday students worked with partners to brainstorm lists of what fish have, need, and can do.

 

After coming up with their lists students then found a new partner and shared what they had come up with.

 

 

This past Thursday students explored 3-D shapes to see what shapes can roll, stack, or slide.

 

 

 

On Friday we finished our 3-D shape unit with a 3-D shape museum.  Each student brought different 3-D shapes that they found at home.  Students then worked to identify the shapes everyone brought.

 

 

Students were very excited to bring their plants home on Friday!

 

Wildlife Refuge Field Trip

On Monday we went on a field trip to the Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Bloomington.

When we arrived we were greeted by staff at the refuge who helped us review everything we have learned about Minnesota animals and habitats.

After lunch we were able to head out and explore the refuge.  Students enjoyed using binoculars and telescopes at the lookout point to search for birds.

We also had a chance to go on a hike through the woods.

A highlight of our hike was seeing these two turtles in the wetland area.

Students also had a chance to explore the refuge's awesome indoor facility.  Some of the activities included: drawing, working on a puzzle, reading, looking at dioramas, and exploring murals.

When we arrived back at school we had a special visit from Smokey the Bear who brought special treat bags for each student!  It was a great day!