Pattern Block Monster

Shapes are such a fun topic to teach.  There are so many ways to incorporate shapes and patterns into math.  By 1st grade, they have the concept of the names and attributes of basic shapes but they are challenged to take it to the next level by using multiple shapes to make a new shape.  I like to give the students many opportunities to kinesthetically use shapes and to find out how they fit (or don't fit) together on their own.

We created Pattern Block Monsters!

Each table was given many shapes to use to create their monster.  I instructed them to lay out different options before tracing each shape.

Once the "monster" was drawn, the students had to count how many of each shape they used.  This step helped them remember the names and attributes of each shape.

The final products turned out SUPER scary (cute) and the kids had a GREAT time.  My favorite part of the lesson was to see the students matching shapes and discovering that 2 shapes created a brand new shape!

Pattern Block Monster Freebie (with standards)

Project Based Learning - Homemade Salsa

This school year, everything feel perfectly into place in terms of timing!  We were in the middle of our Core Knowledge Skills (CKLA) Unit 7 book "Kay and Martez" (which is about a family who goes on vacation to Mexico) at the same time as May 5th (Cinco de Mayo!!!!).  To add to my new interest in PBL's, I googled around and found a great way for students to make homemade salsa.

I sent home a note to the parents looking for donations of the ingredients.  Surprisingly, most of the parent's donations came straight from their own gardens (super delicious!).

  

I made this VERY student driven (other than cutting the vegetables, my knife was wayyyy too sharp for their tiny hands!)  I basically sat back and was the photographer while the little chefs prepared their salsa.

We wrote down the ingredients and our step-by-step directions.

First, wash the vegetables.

Next, cut the vegetables.

Then, mix all of the ingredients together.

*Each table created their own salsa mix together.  They decided how much or how little of each ingredient to add.*

Last, eat and enjoy!

They LOVED the salsa - so much so, that they were still talking about it weeks later!  

We took a class vote that day.  There were a few students who were not a fan of the big tomatoes or the jalapenos.

At the very end, we graphed our results.  

This activity was one of my absolute favorites this year.  They kids did SUCH an amazing job and truly enjoyed their homemade HEALTHY salsa.  It was an excellent learning experience for all of them to see the process of cooking and preparing food.  Some students have never helped their parents prepare a meal and have very little experience with fresh vegetables.  I know it will be a lesson that sticks with them for a long time! :)

Free Downloads:
Recipe and Graph
Tortilla chips for graphing

Measurement

5 more days until summer vacation!!! I know myself and the students are ready for some fun in the sun.  However, while we are at school, I am trying to control the madness and offer many hands-on and creative activities for the students.  Today, we worked on My Measurement Book.  Measurement with a ruler is not a 1st grade standard but it is something that is useful and fun for the students.  

First, we talked about how to read a ruler, where to line it up, and how inches and centimeters are different.  Then, we started the measurement madness!

Check out the face paint! (It was School Spirit Day!)

Now comes the fun part - measure a friend!

 I marked off inches on the white board for the kids to use, I figured it would be easier than laying 4 rulers along each students body :)

Download My Measurement Book here :)