Student Response Dials

Today we used Student Response Dials during our center time groups!   These neat dials allow the kids to spin to a certain color to answer their question rather than using boring old paper and pencil or answering me verbally!   

First, we reviewed four of our eight math fact strategies.  We discussed that any math problem with the number 0 in it (either +0 or -0) would be best solved using the 'zero strategy'.  Any math problem with two identical numbers in it when adding would be best solved using the 'doubles' strategy.  If a math problem asked the learner to +1 or -1, the 'plus 1 or minus 1' strategy would be best used to solve it.  Finally, if an addition math problem had a 10 along with a single digit number in it, the 'ten strategy' would be the best choice.  (take off the 0 and put the single digit in that spot).

Then, I would write a math problem on a white board and the kids would hide the dial in their laps to decide what strategy (color) would be the best choice to figure out the problem.   I did not even want the answer to the problem - just the strategy best used to figure it out!   When everyone was ready, they would all show their dial at once.  It gave me immediate feedback as to who knew the correct strategy to use and who needed more guidance.   Not only did they have to provide the color/answer, but I asked for an explanation as to WHY they chose that color/strategy to figure it out.  Explaining your thinking helps retention of what you are learning, plus it helps peers to understand when offered in kid-friendly language!  

We will use the dials again for the other four strategies as well this week.  Later this week, the children will take a district-wide assessment to prove their knowledge of the strategies.  Look for that to come home in their Friday Folders very soon!

Izzy, Mecciah, Dakota, Abby and Donal

Isaac, David, Kaitlyn, Jackson, Gabe, Lily and Kayden

Paul, Payton, Brady, Carly, Kiel, Kierra, and Abigail

Mr. Ferrell and Miss Kerri!

 On Friday, Mr. Ferrell came to eat lunch with his friend Donal.  Some other lucky students had turned in 10 Super Star tickets for the reward to eat in our room with a friend on the same day!   So, we had a table full of fun at lunch time!  

 

Mr. Ferrell, Donal, Lily, Paul, Payton (missing from picture) and Rowan enjoy lunch.

Later, we celebrated the final day with Miss Kerri!  The kids created a book for her.  On each page, it said, "After graduating, Miss Kerri might..." and they filled in their idea and drew a picture to match.  Some very creative ideas were offered, including going to Africa, getting a job at Hawk's Nest (which she already has by the way), and of course, become a teacher!

 

Miss Kerri reading her book to the class

 

 

We presented Miss Kerri with a gift card to Target to purchase things she will need when she starts her college career at Cornerstone next fall!  Thanks to some very generous parents, we collected $80.00 for Miss Kerri and she was very touched by the gift.  Many tears were shed, and we will miss her, but we wish her well!  Thank you Miss Kerri for your help this year!

Butterfly Arrival and Release

We arrived at school on Monday morning to a wonderful sight!   One chrysalis was very dark brown!  That means only one thing:  The butterfly would emerge very soon!  Little did we know that would happen before lunch!

Our first butterfly emerged beautifully!  We released it into the wild on Tuesday afternoon.  We completed our Monarch journal, which came home this afternoon!   The great news is that we have one more chrysalis to go!   So we can enjoy it just one more time!   Life Science is so much fun!

Teusink's Farm!

What a wonderful day we had for our field trip!  The weather was perfect and we had a wonderful group of children and parents to enjoy the many activities!   Beware - there are many photos to look at!  I wanted to be certain every child was represented in today's blog entry.  If you see a photo you would like, let me know and I will email it to you as well.   Enjoy!

Donal, Lily and Kaitlyn on the bus.

Abigail is excited to get there!

Abby, Carly and Mecciah are all smiles.

Getting ready to go on the hayride.

Gabe spies the barn we will visit soon.  Dakota points out something cool to David.

Kayden and Mari found a comfortable seat on the hay wagon.

Lily and her mom snuggle up on the hayride.

Kiel and his mom look cozy as well.

Kierra and her mom are enjoying the ride.

Mari and her dad are happy to be on the hayride.

Kayden and his mom are having a great time.

Cool dude Dakota and his mom are having a fun time too!

Jackson holding the fishing pole.  He caught one!

Isaac and Gabe share a pole.

Carly and Abby also share a pole.

Dakota and Kiel are hoping to catch a big one.

Kiel and his mom are hoping the fish are biting.

Who caught a fish today?

Paul and Easton want a fish so bad!

Isaac and Gabe get help from the farm guy to take their fish off the hook.

Kaitlyn and Abigail wait ever so patiently.

Success!  What a keeper!

Payton found a new pet.  "Can I keep it Mom?"

Rowan and her mom love spending time together.

Lily!  You caught a BIG ONE!

Rowan and Payton show off their catch.

Payton, Rowan and Izzy pet the baby duckling.

Dakota gets a good look at the duckling.  Gabe is waiting his turn.

Gabe pets the duckling.  Kayden wants a turn too!

Lily likes petting the baby animals.

Kaitlyn and Jackson like the baby chick!

Abby loves that baby chick and will hatch her own at home very soon!

Donal waits to pet the chick.

Mr. Teusink shows us that the hens lay white, brown and GREEN eggs!

Awww, the baby bunny is so cute Donal.

Kaitlyn takes her turn while Jackson, Carly and Abby await.

Is this the Easter bunny???

What a cute baby goat!

Do those animals ever get enough feed????

Look at that goat stand on the fence to get feed!

Paul feeds the white goat.

Donal gives a wave on his pony.

Kaitlyn and Lily enjoy the ride.

Izzy rides Dakota (the pony, not her classmate!)

Carly and Abigail take a spin.

Easton and Vera (Rowan's sister) take their turn.

Kiel, Paul and Dakota ride the ponies.

Gabe holds on tight.

Rowan is all smiles on her pony!

David and Abby have some ride time.

Abby loves her pony!

Ride 'em Kierra!

Mari handles her pony with ease.

Payton has a great ride!

Jackson was not sure he wanted to ride, but gave it a try and found out he loved it!

Kayden thinks he can steer that pony!

Isaac loves his pony choice.

Ye-haw!  Kayden needs a lasso!

Finally lunch time!

Food never tasted so good to these hungry kids.

Dakota, Kiel and his mom enjoy their lunch in the sunshine.

The crew eats at the picnic area.

Yum, yum, yum!

Carly and her mom love their Dew!

Lunchables make such a great treat on field trip days!

Well, that's our day!   Hope you enjoyed the many pictures!   Remember to email me if you would like any of the photos emailed to you!