Sandy's Journal

2003-05-01T17:10:00.000+10:00

Day 4: Primay Teaching Grade 1/2: Produtivity

Very good day. Here are the jobs I did during the day:

Morning
* Before School, corrected all reading journals
- Class role and other admin
- Show and Tell
- Read a book
- Introduce Reading activities for four groups

--> Monitored two reading groups (about 15 children); corrected and went through each student's work

--> Planned 8 lessons for next week for all Language/Literacy sessions and one Maths lesson (for now). Focusing on Grade 1.

--> YARD DUTY (RECESS)

Morning/Mid-day
- Monitored and assisted children in Maths Activity.

--> Discussion Time with whole class about Pinocchio

- Watched as much as Pinocchio as possible. During that time, helped a Grade 2 girl find a Chapter book to read for home.

Afternoon

- YARD DUTY- During lunch break recorded some teaching lessons that were completed over the week.
- Helped teacher to decide who should be "Student of the Week" for School Assembly.
- Assembly, had taken students to the senior school
- Oraganised children into Workshops for Puppet Shoe
- Played "Dead Fish" to wind the children down (LOL)

After School
- Corrected Mathematics homework :)

That was my day :) It was pretty productive. Most of the productivity will be next week, so I probably won't have the time. The teacher said I am doing a wonderful job...which is good to hear :) hehe

Things to do

- Make flash cards for Reading group 1
- Make a television display for "That's Entertainment" thematic unit
- Write up lessons for next week

2003-05-01T17:08:00.000+10:00

Day 2-3 Primary School Teaching: Grade 1/2

Its been pretty good teaching grade 1/2. I'm finding it alot easier to teach Primary Education, than Preschool Teaching. I've been extremely tired and run down, but I am still learning the ropes of the whole school system.

Yesterday, I was involved in the Staff Meeting after school. I had to assist the teachers, to develop Maths problems for "Family/Student Math Night."

Also, the students will be attending a Puppet show on Friday. They were asked to brainstorm "What is Entertainment?" To gear towards the whole puppet show bonaza, the teacher and I prompted the students to think about "Pinocchio." Which gave me an idea :) (explain later)

Today, I was with a focused group for Reading/Language/Literacy. The teacher asked me to monitor and instruct the group through an activity. I made several suggestions to the teacher, about how we can extend the activity...she was impressed :) I read the book "The Little Red Hen" and I made the children read along with me to the book :) Pretty awesome.

Well, back to Pinocchio. I have a 3D animation picture of Dinsey's "Pinocchio", and for "Class News" (show and tell) I decided to show them this picture...but with a gag LOL. Before I showed the picture, I was saying how I had a picture of my race horse, and on the weekend it won a race...and then I showed the picture....they cracked up laughing saying..."That's not a horse...its Pinocchio"...I then said..."How do you know that its Pinocchio?" and they were able to brainstorm for me, that it is a puppet, not an animal LOL (I did this activity BEFORE the reading/literacy groups...to wake up the kids in the morning! LOL).

After Recess, we have Maths. Yesterday and today, I was working with a girl who has Cerebral Palsy. I've been setting up very basic activities for her, to faciliate not only her understanding about the number value system, but to work on her motor development. She is such a lovely girl, the poor darling.

Tomorrow, I will be planning with the teacher some small group activities for Literacy and Mathematics. I have a few ideas on the top of my head...so I'll run those by the teacher tomorrow.

2003-01-28T21:49:00.000+10:00

testing

2003-01-28T11:57:00.000+10:00

I will begin adding more lessons, in the upcoming weeks

2003-01-25T07:17:00.000+10:00

A letter I sent to my friend Kari, who needed some assistance, developing a 1st grade lit lesson :)

Hey Kari :)
How are you? I read in your journal you need help developing a first grade lit lesson :) Is there any specific book you have in mind, or will be presenting to the students? Usually, when I read the book, I would ask children questions---"do you know what will happen next....is this person going to do this or that, or go there?!?!" "Why is she sad?" Use questions that are open ended, and prompt answers. Find a book that has a predictable sequence, for e.g. "The very hungry caterpillar" or "The little red hen" When I was completing a teaching round, in a grade one class....the teacher was reading 'The little red hen' and she had a worksheet, with 6 pictures. The children were asked to put them in the correct sequence to make the book. This way, you can evaluate whether the children comprehended the book.

Another activity you can place in a lit lesson-are wordfinds; a work sheet that has key words from the story, and children have to match it up with a picture (usually use 3 letter words; or depending on their understanding at this current time).

If you are with the children for an extended time, you can develop a template of a book report (Title, Author, illustrator, characters, and a few sentences describing the book).

Because children are still in the early years, maybe you can get them to role play some of the characters from the book :)

I hope some of these ideas help you out to develop your first grade lit lesson :) Good Luck, and let me know if you need more help :)

Love Always,
Sandy xox

Here are some weblinks to help you facilitate the lesson :)

Guided Reading:
http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/curriculum/english/guided_rdg.html#Benefits

Literacy Ideas:
http://www.edupuppy.com/showlinks.cfm?subj=Literacy&skey=Literacy%20Activities

Worksheet creations:
http://www.shapebooks.com/

Teaching Ideas for Primary Teachers:
http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/

2002-11-05T08:33:00.000+10:00

I will update this more regularly when my exams have concluded :)

2002-10-21T18:24:00.000+10:00

Fairy tales: Mermaid Mobile

by: http://www2.itexas.net/~sparrow/mobile.htm

Here's what you need:

9-inch heavy paper plate
blue plastic wrap
four cardboard toilet-tissue tubes
orange, red, pink, and black construction paper scraps
markers
blue yarn
string
green curling ribbon
gray poster paint and paintbrush
masking tape
12-inch blue pipe cleaner
scissors
white glue
hole punch

Here's what you do:

Make the castle by cutting eight 1-inch slits around the top of two of the tubes. Fold every other tab into the tubes to make the sides of the turrets of the castle. Glue all four tubes together with the turreted ones on each side.

Paint the castle gray. Cut windows and a door from the black construction paper and glue them to the front of the castle.

Cut the blue pipe cleaner in half. Fold a piece of red construction paper in half and cut two triangular flags on the fold. Wrap a flag around one end of each pipe cleaner and glue the two sides of the flag together. Dip the other end of each pipe cleaner in glue and slide each one down between the tubes on opposite sides of the castle to become flag poles.

Cut two sides of a fish from the orange construction paper. Glue the sides together with the end of a 6-inch-long piece of string between them. Make at least three fish. Glue the free end of each string to the top (eating side) of the paper plate so that when the glue has dried and the plate is turned upside down, the fish will hang from the plate.

Cut four 18-inch long pieces of green ribbon. Curl each piece of ribbon. Glue one end of each ribbon to the top of the plate, among the fish, to look like seaweed hanging down. Let the glue dry before continuing.

Tear off two 18-inch long pieces of blue plastic wrap. Hang one over the bottom of the plate with the ends hanging over the two sides of the plate. Hang the second piece across the first piece with the ends hanging down. This is the ocean water.

Punch four holes, evenly spaced around the sides of the plate and through the plastic wrap. Cut four 12-inch-long pieces of blue yarn. Tie one end of each piece through a hole in the plate. This eill hold the plastic wrap in place and become a hanger for the mobile.

Glue the castle off to one side of the plate bottom. Cover the area with masking tape first to make a better sticking surface for the castle.

Draw or Trace a mermaid on pink construction paper. Color the mermaid with markers and cut the picture out. Color the other side of the picture to look like the back of the mermaid. Cut a small slit in the plate. Sip the mermaid through the slit so that her tail is under the plate with the fish, as if she is underwater with her head above the water looking at the castle.

Tie the four ends of yarn together over the castle and the water to form a triangle. This is the hanger for your mobile. Be sure to hang it at eye level so everyone can enjoy the top.

2002-10-13T17:40:00.000+10:00

COPYRIGHT: The following ideas have been contributed by Sandra.T. Please acknowledge I have developed all these lessons on this website, as my own, unless stated otherwise by another party. Link back to this website: http://www.sandy9682.blogspot.com

Cheers, and Thank you for Visiting :)

BUTTERFLIES

*Pre-cut shapes of butterflies on A4 coloured paper.

*Ask students to paint on one side of the wing of the butterfly.

*Students then fold the butterfly in half, and the symmetrical pattern the children have painted on one side of the wing shall appear on the otherside.

Follow up - Read the story "The Very Hungry Caterpillar."

INVESTIGATING TEXTURE

This is a simple activity, which will give children a basic understanding of different types of textures in the environment.

Firstly, allow the children to go on a nature walk, and talk about the texture of the materials, e.g. rough, smooth, prickly etc. Then demonstrate to the children how to take these materials and use them for texture rubbings:

1. Obtain some type of computer paper - that is not too thick, which the children can use for the rubbings.

2. Provide dark colour crayons - black, blue etc.

3. Place the object underneath the paper (e.g leaf) and begin rubbing the crayon (gently and softly) onto the paper. The shape of the object shall appear.

A follow up activity for this topic would be to provide children with natural materials from the environment, and allow them to construct a nature collage. You can talk about the environment, and incorporate many topics, in regards to the materials you have used.

Sandra.T.

2002-10-09T16:59:00.000+10:00

485-103: Learning Area 1: Health and Physical Education

DANCE PRESENTATION: Lesson

Members: Kate. S, Jade. T and Sandra .T

Theme: Animals: Insects

Age Suitablity: 5 year olds

Aim: For the children to explore the characteristics of animals using props and music, through movement activities.

Materials:

Book:
Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! by Bob Barner

Props:
-- Scarves (for butterflies)
-- Green paper leaves

Music:

-Warm up session Garden Creeping: Classic CD-cd 3: track 2 (not too long 2-3 mins)

- Main Body: Dance Lower Primary, Track 5: duration 5.03 mins

- Finale: Rhythm of Saints: track 1: duration 4.10 mins

Method:

INTRODUCTION:
- Everyone seated around for story (Sandy) : Read Story "BUGS! BUGS! BUGS!"

(During this time, place leaves, scattered on floor).

- Warm up activity:
Garden Creeping: (Kate and Sandy): Classic CD-cd 3: track 2 (not too long 2-3 mins)
Expected Teaching Strategies

"Walk carefully around the leaves, bend down and look at the leaves. Gently pick up the leaf, and make a shape."

"Follow a path around, between the leaves."

BODY: (Jade and Sandy)

MUSIC: Place TRACK 5: Dance in Lower Primary CD

- Demonstrate and explain next activity, move to music:

I.e. "Butterflies 'flutter', using scarves, fly carefully down onto the grass, and make a shape with your scarf"
"Fly HIGH and low!"

- Form groups of 5 or 6: Each group comes out to perform each animal, as a group:

First Group = Butterfly: flutter, calmly in the air. "Make a Shape" on the leaf. Return to line.

Second Group = Caterpillars: Crawl and creep onto leaves, slowly, "Make a shape on the leaf". creep back to your return to line

Third Group = Grasshoppers: "Jump and Leap in the air like grasshoppers, jump and once you land, make a shape"

Fourth Group= Bees: Fly like Busy Bees, buzzing...land on the leaf and make a shape.

-Bring all groups together, and everyone performs each animal together. Make a shape with a group.

Return back to line

FINALE: (Kate and Jade)
-- Demonstrate to class intended activity. Put music on (marching music), and begin marching like ants in one line. "Follow the leader". Then get students to move in small groups, and follow the group leader OR, change the leader as one of the students. Make actions (estimated time: 3-5 mins).
Everyone march back to the line. Conclusion

2002-10-07T08:22:00.000+10:00

Primary Teaching - Characteristics Of A Good Teacher
The personal qualities of successful primary teachers vary, but they do need to be of good character, ready to apply themselves in an enthusiastic and dedicated fashion and ready to work hard. To be a good teacher you must be able to relate well to young children and enjoy working with others. You need to be enthusiastic and creative. Patience, tact and a sense of humour will help you through the harder times. You should be willing to learn and ‘have a go’.

Principals will look for a range of skills as well as expertise when they are selecting staff. If you have outside interests, for example in sport or drama, you may be able to use these to advantage in the school.

All teachers also need to be confident users of computer technology. Good teachers are guides for students exploring and learning from the vast knowledge available not only in their local area, but also worldwide.

2002-10-04T16:56:00.000+10:00

Being a teacher means …
• using a diverse range of approaches to
learning and teaching to meet varied
student needs
• being a team player in an exciting, dynamic
and sought-after profession
• having skills and qualifications that are
recognised throughout the world
• encouraging all students to excel and
preparing them for life and work
• being a role model for young people
• having access to an established career
path with potential promotion opportunities
• working with families from a wide
range of cultural and linguistic
backgrounds
• being able to access flexible work
and leave options to maintain a
balanced lifestyle.

2002-10-01T18:52:00.000+10:00

ID NO: 2037 | Date Added:Monday, 10 April 2000 | Year Level(s): P, 1KLA: Mathematics Strand: Mathematics CSFLevel: 1

KLA: Mathematics Strand: Number CSFLevel: 2 Initiatives: eLearning, Early Years Numeracy

Contributed by: Lyn Eddey, Kingsley Park Primary School

Kid Pix Sums

Abstract: The students use the stamps' tool bar to stamp two different sets of objects and then write an addition sum using the typewriter.

Prerequisites:(Requirements prior to activity):The students need to be familiar with how to use Kid Pix and the tool bar to select stamps and typewriter.

Resources Needed:Kid Pix software

Activity:1. Each student selects a stamp set that they like and make a set of objects. They then choose another set of objects and stamp them beside the first. 2. The student writes the numerical representation of each set and total the two using the typewriter. They represent this is their own way. They could use the + and = signs to write a complete equation if they can e.g. 2+1=33. The student can increase their choice of stamp sets if they wish by going to the Goodies toolbar across the top, select their stamp set and press O.K.Their work can be printed to keep as a record of their aptitude in using the computer and also to assess their understanding of the concept of addition and their ablility to write the appropriate equation.

Learning Outcomes: Mathematics >>
Mathematics : 1MAMA0110 - Recognise and write numerals from 1 to 10 and use them to record simple addition and subtraction facts and doubles.

Mathematics : Number : 2MANUC201 - Model addition and subtraction operations and use informal written methods based on place-value to solve these problems, checking solutions by estimation and calculator use.

MANUC203 - Read, write and interpret symbolic number sentences involving one operation.

Comments:This task could be used to reinforce understandings in any levels where students have difficulty with the concept of addition.

Acknowledgements: Nil

Other benefits for students:The students enjoy using the computer as a change from manipulating materials or recording addition equations in written form.The activity increases their knowledge and skills with the computer keyboard and Kid Pix toolbar.

2002-09-30T17:59:00.000+10:00
Thank you to Kari for creating this lovely template, I absolutely love it! :)
Welcome to Kindred Spirit~ Version: Lilo and Stitch. I don't want to depart from this layout, its gorgeous :)
The reason I have developed this weblog, is to share my thoughts, feelings and knowledge of the teaching profession. As a student teacher, I have come across many things, that has affected the way I teach. The good and the bad. But, all the experiences are helping me shape my professional role, as a teacher :)

I have submitted two activities to "Teaching Ideas for Primary School Teachers" (in my teacher links). You will find my submissions in the Early Years section :)

I would like to become a Primary Teacher, teaching in the early years, and I hope to form my philosophy of education in the near future....

2002-09-29T13:36:00.000+10:00
Start blog, Sandy.. I hope you enjoy the layout I made for you. You might have to change the comments to yours. They are the ones for my blog. That is about it. I love you! If you need help changing anything with the layout let me know! I love you! *huggies*

Kari