Estimation Jars

Estimation Jars

Here's a good idea that a received from my grade one cohort team. The "Estimation Jar". I saved two plastic jars and have included the message below, inside the jar. Each student has a turn taking home one of the jars and we estimate what comes back. We have received cotton balls, rather large nails, and a variety of items to eat! My students write their guess down on a piece of paper and then side it under their spot at our Estimation Station. Once we have counted the items, by 2's, 5's, and 10's, we flip all the answers over to see how good our estimating skills have become.

Dear Parents,

Your son/daughter has brought home the estimation jar. This jar is to be filled with anything that will fit and then returned to school the next day. Please be as creative at you like. (If your child is bringing something edible and will be sharing with the class, please put the food in a baggie inside the jar as the jar has been used for rocks and such.) Only the person who put the items in the jar will know beforehand the correct number. This number should also be written on the inside of the lid. If the “secret” is let out before we do the estimation activity, we will simply not count any of the guesses and give the jar to the next student to take home. Please emphasize to your child to keep this a secret. I would expect that the jar will make it home twice before the end of the year. The jar does not need to be filled. (Max. 100 items)
Thanks!

Through the Seasons of Grade One on PhotoPeach



These photos go along with my presentation called "Through the Seasons of Grade One". This is to assist those who have seen the presentation who would like to go back and revisit some of the ideas I presented.

Writing Activity How to Build a Snowman

Reading of the book called "Shoveling Snow" by Pat Cummings

Class Apple

I used this Web 2.0 Tool called Tagxedo to create this apple and posted in on my own classroom blog. I have included all the students names, which will require the students to take a closer look to find their own name in the apple, along with other words related to grade one. Cool Tool!

Pipe Cleaner Snowflake and Pony Beads

This is a inexpensive way to make your room feel like winter. 

You will need 6 pipe cleaners and 6 silver pony beads.  I like to use a wire cutter to snip the pipe cleaner to size.  I have 6 larger lengths (6 cm long), and 6 smaller lengths (4 cm long).

 I start by twisting two of the long pipe cleaners together, and twist on the last one to create a 6 armed snowflake.  Take a 6 cm lengh piece and twist it on closer to the middle of the snowflake, then add a 4 cm piece closer to the top.  On the end of the arm slide on a pony bead, twist pipe cleaner over the bead and twist to secure in place.  Repeat until all arms are complete.

                                      I hang these from string attached to the ceiling of the room. 

Winter Scene Art Project Using Water Colours

To start this winter scene, I use painters masking tape to tape off the top, bottom and sides on water colour paper or a heavy card stock. You can use masking tape, but it is real sticky and can tear the paper when removing it.  Painters tape is not as sticky and is more forgiving when peeling off.   Put tape from the bottom to the top creating the appearance of trees.  I use smaller torn strips of tape to create the branches.

Next, set out pinks, blues and purples for students to use as their wintery background colours.  Ensure the entire pictures is covered with paint.  Give the picture some drying time, then apply white paint with a toothbrush to give a 'snow falling' effect.  If you apply the white paint too soon, it will blend into the picture. 

With enough drying time, gently peel away the tape from the paper.  Let students use a fine black marker to put in the marks on the tree trunk and branches.  You will have a nice winter scene with a boarder.  Don't forget to have the students sign their artwork. 

This same art technique can be done in the fall months.  I change the colours to browns, yellows, and oranges.  With small sponges I dab the bottom of the picture to create bushes, or piles of fallen leaves.  Good luck.