Category Archives: NSTA 2009
Seeds
We are reading a big book this week titled “Seeds”.
Because there are a few students who will be leaving early this week to head out on Spring Break, we did not do a Predictable Chart, however we did do several neat Inquiry Based things in Science. I like to begin almost all my themes/units with a KWL/OWL chart to asses where my children are at and what they are interested in. We completed the “K” portion of this chart first, then after Observing the seeds (see below) we completed the “O” portion and the “W” (wonder) section. I like to change the “W” from “What we WANT to Learn” to “What we WONDER” because it gets the children asking questions of the “I Wonder…” variety, something that is holding them back from exploring the world! At this young age, they know what they want to learn about somethings, but they have no basis to draw from for many Science concepts (some do!!). Asking “I Wonder…” questions sets the ground work for them to wonder, so ALL of my KWL charts are either KOWL or OWL charts.
This is the “Wonder” section continued…
I gave each table of children a random container of seeds that I had leftover from previous vegetable plantings:
Today, Tuesday, we planted all kinds of vegetables in Containers. My kids took such an interest in the Seeds book that I went and got many of the seeds mentioned in the story.
The next few months (until the end of May) will be spent on growing things/plants/bugs/insects/Monarchs/Jack and the Beanstalk/and anything else that fits in to one of these categories! 🙂
Kristen 🙂
NSTA
I had the BEST time in New Orleans (and yes, Burbon Street was fun too!)!! Just to give you an idea of how big the Convention Center is there, we walked 20,000 steps on Friday alone! My feet were killing me!
Here are a few pictures from my travels…I hope to keep posting ideas as I use them!
This is the exhibit hall floor–it looked liked it went on for miles! 🙂
Burbon Street–the galleries and balconies were beautiful!
Of course, we had to eat at Cafe Du Monde!
I went to LOTS of great sessions on Inquiry Based Science and got LOTS of really great ideas! I can’t wait to share them!
Kristen 🙂
What a week…and it’s only Wednesday
Have you ever had one of those crazy weeks where the gods seem to be working against you? Yeah–that’s been my week so far and it’s only WEDNESDAY!!!
My poor assistant Pam is out with strep–GET WELL SOON PAM!! and has been out all week so far. You don’t realize how much you depend upon them until they’re not there! 😦 Actually, we’ve been managing just fine–the kids and I, we’ve done everything I had planned and even more, so I guess it’s not all that bad! 🙂
I’ve been trying to take some pictures for you this week-but as luck would have it, my batteries are dead and can I find my charger–NO!
It’s only the 3rd day this week and we’ve already had two meeting afterschool at my building and then one I volunteered for (to look over this year’s Golden Apple entries for our district). So that means for the rest of the month, I have 1/2 hour left that I am required to attend in meetings and we’re only on the 4th day of the month!
I am however on top of report cards–only 4 left to do and I still have a whole week and a half left! This time I’m going to do student led conferences–anyone else done these? I hear they’re great and I want to give them a try–any suggestions? I’m going to have a “tour guide” sheet for each student to help them show their families around the classroom and explain what we do in a day, and then I will be there to help and answer any questions. I thought this would be much more powerful for the students and their parents.
Is anyone else attending NSTA in New Orleans this year? I will be there and I see some great Inquiry sessions I can’t wait to attend! 🙂
Got to go now…thanks for letting me vent a little! It’s 8pm and I can get a decent amount of lesson planning done before bed–or maybe just a bath! 🙂
Kristen 🙂
P.S. I’ll try to post tomorrow about our Big Book this week and what we’ve been up to since Monday!
Kristen's Kindergarten 