Franklin Teaching Journal

September 3, 2009
Today was curriculum night for the parents with the parents being given an overview of expectations, what to look for in the take home folder, being on time, sign up for email, and room parents of parties and field trips. Some Q&A but the meeting only lasted a short hour and then the parents were gathered to here the principal and meet all the staff.
Daily Agenda
9:05 Announcements, ca,lender, pledge
9:10 Math
10:00 1st and 2nd grade meet with principle to here about behavior expectations.
10:20 Brain Rest
10:30 Snack
10:41 Recess
10:56 Things About Me project started. Students asked to write at least 1 or more things about themselves which is posted in hallway outside classroom along with their picture.
11:20 Wash hands.
11:30 Lunch/Recess
12:20 Instruction on finishing books, just right books review, finish things about me, silent read, star reading evaluations
1:30 PE
2:03 Music
2:33 Recess
2:43 Daily agenda, pass-back, pack-up, read aloud (James and Peach).
3:30 Dismissal
Entire class earned a star foe everyone bringing back there go home folder
Math - Making 20 using 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 7 numbers 1st Grade
Math 2nd grade Close to 100 game. Single digit cards to each person with wild card. Winner has fewest points. I like the addition of fun to a game that encourages multi dimensional thinking.
Principal talk Ways to be nice, hands and feet to yourself, be polite, be a STAR.
Brain rest was a no talking read or draw exercise so students can absorb what they learned. Cramming more content leads to less retention studies show. The brain needs to process the information it has. Time to reflect. Music plays in the background. Five students drew, the rest read, or daydreamed.
Things About Me - Mind Math used bubbles connecting thoughts as a visual
Continued STAR evaluation reading program, while other student silent read.
Did a 5 minute exercise in class activity to the tune of car wash.
Review of Just Right books criteria. Students called up to read criteria from active board. Sand a Just Right book song. Must finish book unless you hate it. Can only shop for books on given day. Get three if a book is a short read.
Lesson in using past present and future tense using the stand besides, front and back of desk.
Read Lucy Calkins Writing Workshop which we will employ this year. Encourages kids to put their lives on paper through , conversations, story telling, penmanship. Keep expectations low. Think of story, draw it first and then perhaps write about it. Label pictures, label things in the classroom.
Franklin slogan, Be Nice, Have Fun, and Work Hard.
Weekly issue of Eagle goes to student if they are oldest sibling in school to save paper.
During read aloud student are periodically told to turn to neighbor and talk about some aspect of story.