Room 206
We are a class of fifth graders. Some of our work will be polished, and some will be in draft form. Please celebrate our attempts. We are learning!
Article posted October 28, 2008 at 05:44 PM GMT0 • Reads 536
Welcome to our classroom blog! We will be sharing with you our experiences in first grade. Please read our articles and comment. We love to hear from you.
Article posted October 28, 2008 at 05:44 PM GMT0 • Reads 536
20 Uses for Our Classroom Blog
Article posted October 28, 2008 at 06:13 PM GMT0 • Reads 979
Why did we create a classroom blog and how will we use it?
1. document our growth across the year
2. inform families of what we are doing
3. expand our audience
4. collaborate with other first grade bloggers
5. use another form of writing
6. learn about writing for an audience
7. learn about digital literacy
8. document favorite events of this year
9. integrate writing with other subjects
10. write book reviews
11. write journal entries
12. respond to class assignments
13. free choice writing
14. develop keyboard skills
15. communicate with each other
16. collaborate with reading buddies from other classrooms
17. collaborate with teachers from the university as blogging buddies
18.post pictures of our work
19. learn about visual literacy through the design of our pages
20. to have fun!
Article posted October 28, 2008 at 06:13 PM GMT0 • Reads 979
Veteran's Day
Article posted November 10, 2008 at 07:55 PM GMT0 • Reads 182
On Tuesday, we will not have school in honor of veteran's everywhere. Welcome Back, Matt!
Article posted December 17, 2008 at 03:23 AM GMT0 • Reads 152
SNOW!!!
Article posted December 21, 2008 at 07:26 AM GMT0 • Reads 159
We have snow! I hope everyone is enjoying playing in the snow during break. Have you tried to measure the snow outside? What did you use to measure? Do you get different measurements in different places? Why or why not?
Article posted December 21, 2008 at 07:26 AM GMT0 • Reads 159
tangrams
Article posted January 11, 2009 at 03:45 AM GMT0 • Reads 177
We have been learning about geometry. We have been sorting and describing figures by their properties or attributes. We are also learning about how shapes came be put together to form other shapes. We watched a video on tangrams. Then we made shapes with our own tangrams. Have you used tangrams or puzzles made of shapes?
Article posted January 11, 2009 at 03:45 AM GMT0 • Reads 177
Literacy Luncheon
Article posted January 24, 2009 at 06:29 AM GMT0 • Reads 200
On January 27, we will be hosting our families for a literacy luncheon. We will be eating lunch, reading books, and using the computer laptops to learn how to blog and read online. We are looking forward to sharing how literacy in our classroom!
Mrs. Forsman
Article posted January 24, 2009 at 06:29 AM GMT0 • Reads 200
tangrams slide show
Article posted January 28, 2009 at 07:11 PM GMT0 • Reads 203
We are learning how to use a photoslide show. Please comment on our tangrams.
Article posted January 28, 2009 at 07:11 PM GMT0 • Reads 203
Building with solids
Article posted February 6, 2009 at 11:52 PM GMT0 • Reads 216
We have been building with solids. We have learned that some solids are flexible and some are rigid. Some solids are soft and some solids are hard.
Please view our slide show:
building with solids on PhotoPeach
Article posted February 6, 2009 at 11:52 PM GMT0 • Reads 216
Author's Celebration
Article posted February 16, 2009 at 08:32 PM GMT0 • Reads 244
Thank you to all who attended our author's celebration. The students were very excited to share their published books and works in progress. They also had the opportunity to practice their speaking skills by describing their book to the whole group using the microphone and document camera. The cookies and treats were delicious and a perfect way to end our celebration!
Article posted February 16, 2009 at 08:32 PM GMT0 • Reads 244
sink or float
Article posted February 25, 2009 at 05:49 AM GMT0 • Reads 186
We conducted sink or float experiments today. Try your own experiments at home. Can you make a floater sink?
sink or float on PhotoPeach
Article posted February 25, 2009 at 05:49 AM GMT0 • Reads 186
Missing Bobcat13
Article posted March 2, 2009 at 07:35 AM GMT0 • Reads 183
Bobcat13 has left our classroom community. We are going to miss him but we hope he will continue to post on his blog and let us know how he is doing. We are looking forward to hearing about other adventures outside of our room. Write soon!
Article posted March 2, 2009 at 07:35 AM GMT0 • Reads 183
Great Google Creating
Article posted March 11, 2009 at 09:18 PM GMT0 • Reads 206
Mrs Holton showed us what our city looks like from space using google earth. We decided to recreate the image on our classroom carpet. We made roads, trees, and buildings with blocks! It was a lot of fun! What do you think your house looks like from a "birds eye view."
community building on PhotoPeach
Article posted March 11, 2009 at 09:18 PM GMT0 • Reads 206
Flat Stanley
Article posted March 14, 2009 at 05:52 AM GMT0 • Reads 186
Mrs. Holten helped us make flat Stanleys this week! We are sending our flat Stanleys to our buddy school. They sent flat Stanleys to us. We are looking forward to learning about their community! Welcome to our room flat buddies!
flat stanley on PhotoPeach
Article posted March 14, 2009 at 05:52 AM GMT0 • Reads 186
zoo trip
Article posted May 12, 2009 at 05:14 AM GMT0 • Reads 207
We are looking forward to going to the zoo this week. We have been studying sea animals, practicing our nonfiction reading skills and learning to take notes. We have also written our own nonfiction animal books. AND, we've been creating lifesize paper mache sea animals. We will post pictures later.
We enjoy watching videos about the zoo as we get ready for our trip.
Article posted May 12, 2009 at 05:14 AM GMT0 • Reads 207
Creating our animals
Article posted May 20, 2009 at 05:55 AM GMT0 • Reads 193
We have been learning about animals and have returned from our trip to the zoo. We are creating an aquarium zoo in our classroom. First we used boxes and paper to shape our lifesize sea animals. Then we papermached them. It took several days and a lot of paste. We have made a dolphin, a baby great white shark, and a sea turtle. Watch for our next article on painting and creating the habitats/backgrounds.
constructing the aquarium on PhotoPeach
Article posted May 20, 2009 at 05:55 AM GMT0 • Reads 193
Aquarium Walls
Article posted May 22, 2009 at 06:38 AM GMT0 • Reads 209
This week, we worked on creating the walls for our sea animal exhibits. GLUE, CREPE PAPER, and PAINT, OH MY! We enjoyed exploring art in creating our animal habitats. We have also begun to paint the dolphin. He's getting color now!
making aquarium walls on PhotoPeach
Article posted May 22, 2009 at 06:38 AM GMT0 • Reads 209
Aquarium Opening
Article posted June 5, 2009 at 05:56 AM GMT0 • Reads 188
Today we opened our aquarium to a few visitors. They visited our feeding stations and talked with us about our animals. We need to work on giving our visitors more factual information about animals, so we plan on writing fact cards for our keeper talks using our nonfiction books.
We are enjoying learning through this project. While we are practicing our reading, writing, and science skills, we are also working on collaborating, communicating, and creating. We will post pictures soon!
Article posted June 5, 2009 at 05:56 AM GMT0 • Reads 188
Dolphin names
Article posted June 15, 2009 at 06:38 AM GMT0 • Reads 156
Our dolphin needs a name! Please, tell us which one you like best:
Article posted June 15, 2009 at 06:39 AM GMT0 • Reads 176
Land Turtle
Article posted June 15, 2009 at 06:40 AM GMT0 • Reads 159
On Monday we discovered a new turtle in our exhibit. At first we thought it was our turtle's baby which surprised us because we had not seen an egg (and a couple of us thought our turtle was a boy!) Someone else also pointed out that the new turtle had feet while our big turtle had flippers. Our new turtle must be a land turtle! Then someone said that it could have been donated or left by someone who could not take care of it- since most of our animals are rescue animals, we decided that he was probably right. Now we need to name him. Please leave a comment for your favorite:
Article posted June 15, 2009 at 06:40 AM GMT0 • Reads 159
Summer Break!
Article posted June 25, 2009 at 05:10 PM GMT0 • Reads 203
Wow! It has been a fantastic year. We ended the year with a family open house to our aquarium and had 6 other classrooms visit during the day. We donated dog and cat food to the shelter to help the animals around our area.
School is now out for summer break. We will return in September. However, I will continue to update the websites with reading and writing ideas.
Look for new student contributors next year as I change rooms and teach a multiage class (first, second and third graders). It will be an exciting adventure!
Article posted June 25, 2009 at 05:10 PM GMT0 • Reads 203
Summer Reading
Article posted July 9, 2009 at 10:48 PM GMT0 • Reads 207
I love summer reading! I especially love spending time wandering the library and bookstores. I even found some great finds at the local goodwill.
What are you reading this summer? I'm looking to add to our shelfari.
Mrs. Forsman
Article posted July 9, 2009 at 10:48 PM GMT0 • Reads 207
Babymouse and classroom setup
Article posted August 19, 2009 at 01:39 AM GMT0 • Reads 160
We had a great morning setting up the classroom with some of our 2nd and 3rd graders today. They helped remove staples, hang bulletin boards, organize supplies and books. It was wonderful to meet a few of the new families in our room. Thank you for helping out before school has even started!
I am really interested in what things our new class is interested in. One student likes cats, another really likes history, and another has spent the summer reading graphic novels. His sister mentioned Babymouse, who I had never heard of, so off I went to the bookstore and searching the internet. These books sound like great fun and I am looking forward to getting to know babymouse. I can't wait to learn about other great books! Leave a comment if you have one you want to share.
Article posted August 19, 2009 at 01:39 AM GMT0 • Reads 160
Netbooks
Article posted September 14, 2009 at 06:38 AM GMT0 • Reads 187
We are having a lot of fun using our netbooks. Thanks to a Qwest grant, we were able to purchase 14 netbooks- one per pair of students. We are looking forward to learning how to blog on the netbooks but for now we are learning about how to log in, internet safety, and read on the internet.
netbooks on PhotoPeach
Article posted September 14, 2009 at 06:38 AM GMT0 • Reads 187
Math Bug Glyph
Article posted September 16, 2009 at 04:22 PM GMT0 • Reads 207
Our Math Friends group is learning about sorting by attributes and looking for patterns. We created bug glyphs to gather data as a class. The bugs show us data about our class and can be used as a sorting manipulative. What can you learn about our class? How would you sort the bugs?
KEY:
shape: oval (girl)circle (boy)
color: favorite season: Summer (yellow), Fall (orange), Winter (blue), Spring (green)
Article posted September 16, 2009 at 04:22 PM GMT0 • Reads 207
Mealworms Have Arrived
Article posted September 18, 2009 at 04:50 AM GMT0 • Reads 204
We have been in anticipation waiting for our first insects to arrive. We have a visiting Preying Mantis that a student brought in. And we have spent some recesses trying to catch insects (we always release them at the end of the day). Today our mealworms arrived and we took them right out of the box. The mealworms were really active and they were moving all over the plates. One had already shed its skin and another one was huge compared to the others. Several of the mealworms raced around the plates. We looked at them with loupes and held them in our hands. Looking forward to learning more about mealworms.
Mealworms!!! on PhotoPeach
Article posted September 18, 2009 at 04:50 AM GMT0 • Reads 204
Happy Birthday Virginia
Article posted September 30, 2009 at 05:39 AM GMT0 • Reads 116
We are very fortunate to have a wonderful foster grandmother in our classrooms. Virginia reads with students in our classroom and helps each student improve their skills. She recently turned 80 years old and we had a celebration in honor of all she does for us.
THANK YOU VIRGINIA!
Virginia on PhotoPeach
Article posted September 30, 2009 at 05:39 AM GMT0 • Reads 116
New Bloggers!
Article posted October 10, 2009 at 04:10 AM GMT0 • Reads 211
On Thursday, we used the computer lab to login to our blogs for the first time. Our first goals for blogging are to:
1) be able to log in
2) change the template background
3) post an article
Many students were able to complete goal 1 and goal 2. A few successfully posted an article also. We are looking forward to learning about blogging and writing for an audience!
Article posted October 10, 2009 at 04:10 AM GMT0 • Reads 211
Blogging goals
Article posted October 10, 2009 at 04:21 AM GMT0 • Reads 175
Article posted October 10, 2009 at 04:21 AM GMT0 • Reads 175
Pumpkin Run
Article posted October 26, 2009 at 05:38 PM GMT0 • Reads 198
We are looking forward to the Annual Pumpkin Run on Friday. Every year, Mr. Simms, our PE teacher, organizes the pumpkin run to support fitness. Everyone runs around the track and then there is a raffle for prizes. We can't wait!
Article posted October 26, 2009 at 05:38 PM GMT0 • Reads 198
Pumpkin Run
Article posted November 3, 2009 at 06:00 AM GMT0 • Reads 216
On Friday, we participated in the pumpkin run. First we ran around the track then we gathered in the gym for a raffle. There were pumpkins and other prizes. We had a lot of fun!
pumpkin run on PhotoPeach
Article posted November 3, 2009 at 06:00 AM GMT0 • Reads 216
Family Math Night
Article posted November 5, 2009 at 04:04 AM GMT0 • Reads 144
On October 29, families from our quad gathered in the evening to play math games and explore math sites on the netbooks. Families took home the math games that they created. We had a great time!
Family Math Night on PhotoPeach
Article posted November 5, 2009 at 04:04 AM GMT0 • Reads 144
New Cluster Map
Article posted November 13, 2009 at 04:01 AM GMT0 • Reads 208
I cannot believe that a year has past since I began blogging with my classes. Last year we had over 1735 visitors from 23 countries. I am looking forward to our growth and learning with blogs this year.
My new goal, taken from a webinar by Bud Hunt, is to make our learning viewable and discussable. I am planning on making more articles which bring you into the conversation of our learning. Looking forward to our discussions! (Students,families, and blog vistors)
Article posted November 13, 2009 at 04:01 AM GMT0 • Reads 208
Acting out Stories
Article posted November 13, 2009 at 04:16 AM GMT0 • Reads 131
During partner reading today, I took notice to the number of students acting out the stories they were reading. Jan Thomas's Can You Make a Scary Face? is popular with everyone. Another group was acting out a story that they were reading. Last year, Prince Caspian was a popular story acted out at recess. Do you like to act out the stories you read? Why do you think author's write stories that encourage you to act them out? What reasons would you act out story? Tell me what you think about acting out stories.
Article posted November 13, 2009 at 04:16 AM GMT0 • Reads 131
Addition and Subtraction Facts
Article posted November 13, 2009 at 04:32 AM GMT0 • Reads 147
We recently took an Addition Assessment in 2nd grade math. We know some of our math facts by heart and we use strategies like counting on, friendly numbers, and making ten to solve others. Our goal is to learn all of our facts to sums of 20 by heart. We have been playing addition and subtraction games with dice, spinners, and cards. We constructed addition and subtraction fact charts. One of our favorite practice strategies is to use the netbooks. We enjoy the following site because we can compete against ourselves or other kids from around the world. There is no communication with anyone on the internet except for competing in knowing our math facts. We encourage you to play at home.
Do you know of any fun math games or math sites for learning addition or subtraction sites? Please leave a comment.
Article posted November 13, 2009 at 04:32 AM GMT0 • Reads 147
Typing
Article posted November 19, 2009 at 06:48 AM GMT0 • Reads 188
Would you like to practice your typing skills? Remember, to get fast, you need to practice. Leave a comment if you use the site and let me know what you think.
Article posted November 19, 2009 at 06:48 AM GMT0 • Reads 188
Conferences
Article posted November 26, 2009 at 09:21 PM GMT0 • Reads 390
On November 30 through Dec 6, school will be released at 1:00 for conferences. I am looking forward to meeting with our families and discussing our learning successes so far this year and goals for the future.
"Success is not what you get after the work; Success is what you get from the work.
Article posted November 26, 2009 at 09:21 PM GMT0 • Reads 390
Bazaar
Article posted December 13, 2009 at 07:20 AM GMT0 • Reads 225
Every year our Parent Club hosts a bazaar. Students enjoy shopping for families and looking at all the great homemade items. We participated in the bazaar by making playdough and hot chocolate and cider cups to sell. Our third graders ran the booth and practiced their community speaking and change making skills.
Bazaar on PhotoPeach
Article posted December 13, 2009 at 07:20 AM GMT0 • Reads 225
Dr. Martin Luther King
Article posted January 17, 2010 at 08:15 AM GMT0 • Reads 206
We have Monday off in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King. Brainpopjr.'s movie of the week features Dr.King:
Article posted February 5, 2010 at 05:31 AM GMT0 • Reads 224
Olympics
Article posted February 19, 2010 at 04:41 AM GMT0 • Reads 312
We are really enjoying the Winter Olympics. I am learning about new sports. Shaun White seems to be the favorite in our class room. We are learning about the Olympics through books, videos, and websites on itouches and netbooks. Please read the student blogs- they have been writing about the olympics and would love comments.
http://www.vancouver2010.com/
http://www.nbcolympics.com/
Article posted February 19, 2010 at 04:41 AM GMT0 • Reads 312
Read a thon
Article posted March 11, 2010 at 04:53 AM GMT0 • Reads 217
In honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday, we are participating in a school wide read-a-thon. We began keeping track of our reading minutes, at home and at school, on March 2. On March 16, we will add up all of our reading minutes and celebrate with an all day read in. We've been really busy reading, reading, and reading! Hope you are to! Share with us some ideas about books to read- we may want to try some new ones during the read-a-thon!
Article posted March 11, 2010 at 04:53 AM GMT0 • Reads 217
Keep Reading!
Article posted March 12, 2010 at 06:08 PM GMT0 • Reads 188
We are excited about reading this week! And it looks like others are reading too! We loved this video from a middle school- hope you enjoy it too!
Article posted March 12, 2010 at 06:08 PM GMT0 • Reads 188
Spring Break
Article posted April 6, 2010 at 06:11 PM GMT0 • Reads 230
We just got back from a whole week off from school. We want to share with you some of the things we did. Lulu went to his grandma's surprise party. Cisco went to Splits. He won a lot of tickets with his cousin, mom, and dad. Pika went to a sleepover and he had lots of fun playing with his friend.
Article posted April 6, 2010 at 06:11 PM GMT0 • Reads 230
Air
Article posted April 9, 2010 at 06:09 PM GMT0 • Reads 389
We are learning about air in science. We have learned that air weighs something. Air comes from trees and grass. Air is not a solid or a liquid. We learned that air is all around. Are you learning about air too?
Article posted April 9, 2010 at 06:09 PM GMT0 • Reads 389
Back to School :)
Article posted August 20, 2010 at 04:09 AM GMT0 • Reads 204
Dear Room 8 Families,
I cannot believe that summer is quickly winding down. I hope that you are able to attend the Back To School night on Thursday, Aug. 26, from 6:30 to 7:30. I will be discussing details for this year and answering questions.
I have been working hard in our new room setting up for our new community. (I guarantee you will be shocked by how different rooms 7, 8, and 12 look now!) I would like to invite any students who would like to help with setting up supplies and organizing our classroom to come to room 8 on Tuesday, Aug 24, from 10:00 to 11:00 am. Parents are welcome to stay and help too!
I cannot wait to get started again on Sept. 1! I am so excited for our new year!
Hope to see you soon! Mrs. Forsman
Article posted August 20, 2010 at 04:09 AM GMT0 • Reads 204
Back to School Night Prezi
Article posted August 29, 2010 at 08:00 AM GMT0 • Reads 318
At Back to School Night, I had this presentation running. It includes information for our classroom, curriculum areas, and my philosophy statements.
Article posted August 29, 2010 at 08:00 AM GMT0 • Reads 318
Reading Workshop
Article posted October 4, 2010 at 08:45 PM GMT0 • Reads 312
We love reading workshop! We have time every day to do what readers do.... READ! First, we read by ourselves (Mrs. Forsman meets with groups) and then we do social reading. During Social Reading, we book shop, read with a partner, listen to a story on the itouch, or read on the netbooks! We have found some great articles online!Â
reading workshop on PhotoPeach
Article posted October 4, 2010 at 08:45 PM GMT0 • Reads 312
Self Portraits
Article posted October 16, 2010 at 05:12 AM GMT0 • Reads 493
We made self portraits using oil pastels. We focused on using shapes and colors.
Self Portraits on PhotoPeach
Article posted October 16, 2010 at 05:12 AM GMT0 • Reads 493
FireFly
Article posted October 19, 2010 at 11:35 PM GMT0 • Reads 308
Fireflies are insects. They live in meadows, woods, and gardens. They have an organ that glows. They go through a larva, pupa, and adult stage. Fireflies are interesting.
(We are working on writing a paragraph about an insect that we have researched. Be sure to read student blog posts about insects.)
Article posted October 19, 2010 at 11:35 PM GMT0 • Reads 308
Conferences
Article posted December 3, 2010 at 07:01 PM GMT0 • Reads 507
Conference week is coming to a close. I have enjoyed spending time with all of our families. Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to meet with me. We discussed student learning goals and progress. We talked about things we have learned. While I am looking forward to getting back to our normal schedule, I have enjoyed conference this week.
Article posted December 3, 2010 at 07:01 PM GMT0 • Reads 507
New School Year!
Article posted September 28, 2011 at 06:43 AM GMT0 • Reads 317
It's time to start a new school year with a new group of bloggers! We are a third grade class using blogs to support our learning. We hope you will join us in our learning journey.
Article posted September 28, 2011 at 06:43 AM GMT0 • Reads 317
Blogging Anyone?
Article posted October 16, 2011 at 01:51 AM GMT0 • Reads 305
In class, we have been focusing on writing about our experiences and people or things that we never want to forget. We have studied several authors whose books tend to be about their experiences and people they care about. We think authors write about experiences and people because they want to share those experiences and special people with their readers. We think author's want to connect with their readers by sharing things that are special to them. We are blogging so that we can share our own special experiences and people with others beyond our classroom.
We are having a great time blogging but we would really like some blogging buddies. Buddies who will come to our blogs often to read what we have wrote and comment to us. Buddies who will write their own blogs that we can read and comment on too. If you are interested, please comment leaving a link to your blog so that we can read your blog too!
Article posted October 16, 2011 at 01:51 AM GMT0 • Reads 305
Open House
Article posted August 13, 2012 at 02:12 AM GMT0 • Reads 488
Welcome back to school! Classes start on Wednesday, August 15th. It will be an early release Wednesday so we will go home at 1:45.
I hope that you come to our Open House on Monday, August 13th, from 1-3. I will be working on our room and looking forward to meeting with you.
See you soon! Mrs. Forsman
See you
Article posted August 13, 2012 at 02:12 AM GMT0 • Reads 488
NaNoWriMo
Article posted November 1, 2012 at 05:41 PM GMT0 • Reads 430
It's finally here! November 1! Today we begin our participation in NaNoWriMo!
Our first task is to come with your individual word goal for the month~ then, we start writing!
Once you have set your word count goal, please leave a comment with your goal. You may include details about your novel, if you wish.
Once you
Article posted November 1, 2012 at 05:41 PM GMT0 • Reads 430
Baby elephant
Article posted December 5, 2012 at 05:42 AM GMT0 • Reads 564
THere is a lot of discussion in my class about the new baby elephant at the Oregon zoo. Here are two different articles. What do you think?
Article posted December 5, 2012 at 05:42 AM GMT0 • Reads 564
One and Only Ivan
Article posted March 6, 2013 at 07:26 PM GMT0 • Reads 13633
We are reading One and Only Ivan!
One and Only Ivan was written by Katherine Applegate and won the Newbery Award this year. The book is about a gorilla who lives a lonely life in a mall. He has a few friends, Bob, a stray dog, Stella, an old elephant, Julia, the mall janitor's daughter, and a baby elephant named Ruby. It's a sad life but Ivan is used to it, until he makes a promise to Stella that changes everything.
You can read all about it at:
Article posted March 6, 2013 at 07:26 PM GMT0 • Reads 13633
