1st Graders Go on a “Ginko”

1st graders began learning about the Japanese form of poetry called the “haiku” today.  To prepare for writing their own haikus, the students went on a Haiku Walk, which is called a “ginko” in Japan.  They brought the iPads, and took pictures of things they noticed in nature.  (They found a lot of ladybugs!)  Then we returned to class, and they brainstormed words to go with one of their pictures.  Next week, we will begin writing the haikus.  You can learn more about haikus by clicking here.

1st Grade Scrapbooks Japan

The 1st graders are continuing their Japanese vacation by learning more about some of the artifacts I was fortunate enough to bring back from my own trip to Japan several years ago.  They are going to centers to research the artifacts.  In a “scrapbook”, they are recording what they have learned about each one.  Using the iPads, they are taking pictures of each other with the artifacts, and these pictures will be pasted into their scrapbooks.

1st Grade Flies to Japan

Konichiwa!  The first graders began traveling around the world today.  First, they had to go to the “Passport Office”, complete their applications, and take their pictures.  Then, they got their plane tickets, and “flew” to Japan.  Once we landed, we entered our Japanese school, and put on slippers before entering our classroom.

I showed the students some pictures from my own trip to Japan several years ago.  They also learned a bit more about Japan by playing a game on the iPads called “ISpotJapan.”

We will be continuing our exploration of Japan next Tuesday, and the students are welcome to bring their slippers again.

Sayonara!

1st Grade Convergent Thinking

On Tuesdays, 1st grade works on convergent thinking skills – finding the one right answer by using clues.  Today, we did logic grids, and then did some centers.  Each center gave visual clues for filling a grid with shapes.  They gradually increased in difficulty.  I think the students particularly like “Chocolate Fix”, in which they had to put the pieces of chocolate (plastic) into the correct spots in the grid.

1st Grade Brainstorming

The first graders continued their divergent thinking this Friday by brainstorming some of the things they would like to have with them if they lived in a snow globe.  They used an app called Popplet on the iPads to do their brainstorming, and had some great ideas.  Some of their thoughts were:  restaurants, video games, and a waterpark.  I was really proud of their synergy in their groups as they used the iPads!