Project Based Learning in a first grade classroom

Hello all! You know that I am a HUGE fan of PBL! HUGE!
I have tried it in my classroom two times. I guess three times is a charm. I have finally gotten it! We are going to be studying the lake in our town. At the end of this, the culminating project will be a field guide of the lake that will be published.
We have watched videos of lakes and ponds, read books about lakes and ponds, looked at websites about lakes and ponds. We will be having a few guest speakers in to talk to us about our town and the lake.
The most exciting thing that has happened so far is our peer critique.
We started out with discussing the different fish in our lake. Then we looked at photos of four of the fish. I gave them a choice of one of the four to illustrate.

This is one of our first drawings.

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A Full Week…I don't know if I can do it! Interactive Modeling and Guided Discovery

Hello!
I am ready for my second week of school…well, I think I am. I was exhausted after the first two days! I can't imagine what I will be like this week.
The good thing about this year is that I am reenergized, refocused, and rejuvenated.
I'll talk about that in another post. Right now I want to talk to you about Guided Discovery and Interactive Modeling.
Holy Moly! This has been so much better than last year.
AHA moment.
I was getting so upset with my kiddos last year when they couldn't log in on the computers. Even at the end of the year I had some. I started to think about it this summer during Responsive Classroom.
I had not taught them how to log in, put their headphones on, or log out. I was getting frustrated for something that I had not taught them.
Wow!
This year I am teaching them EVERYTHING!!! My sister's mantra is "set them up for success". That is what I plan on doing this year.
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First Day of School

I am ready! I spent all week in my classroom! I will post photos later today.
I am excited about this year. I am reenergized about PBL and Responsive Classroom. I had just enough summer trips to get me relaxed. I am set.
I don't even feel nervous….YET! Wait until I see those cutie patooties!
My new flock of firsties. I can't wait!

What is something special you do on the first day of school?
Family or students?

We have ice-cream for breakfast at home.
I take everyone's photo at school. I use them for a slide show on Curriculum night and do a project at the end of the year.

I can't wait! Have I told you, I can't wait!

Have a wonderful day!

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Currently September

Holy Moly!!! It's September and I haven't blogged in almost a month. Wow!
I have had a whirlwind of a summer. We started back yesterday sans kiddos. They are coming back on Thursday. I am getting my mind and my classroom ready. I have a very interesting class this year. I have 22 in the class. 11 boys and 11 girls. That NEVER happens. :) I have some very high-needs firsties this year. There are three sets of twins in the first grade. I have one set and 1/2 of the other two sets. So cool!!! There are going to be five adults in my room for at least an hour and a half each day. With 22 firsts and five adults…that doesn't leave a lot of room for moving around. UGH! I am going to have to get creative.

Currently with Farley. LOVE LOVE LOVE
Head on over to link up. :)



Here goes…
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