Haiku Poems - January 31, 2008

Haiku Poems
Our wonderful writers started learning about Haiku poems.  We discussed how a Haiku is a type of poetry from the Japanese culture.  Haiku poets often write about things that occur in everyday life, such as objects, nature, feelings, or experiences.  Our class is using the common form for Haiku, which is three short lines, with the first line containing five syllables, the second line containing seven syllables, and the third line containing five syllables.  Of course, the children love clapping out the syllables in words.  As they were writing their own Haiku at their seats, the room was abuzz with quiet claps and taps as the children figured out words to fit the syllable pattern.  The writing prompt yesterday was "What am I?"  Each student wrote a Haiku about a certain animal, but didn't mention the animal's name.  Using the descriptive words in the Haiku as clues, we guessed what each student wrote about.  Here are three of the Haiku poems:

Yellow black and white                                             
I have lots of legs on me                                        
yummy leaves feed me                                             

The answer? A caterpillar! By TC

flying through the sky
right beside the waterfall
soaring everywhere  

Who am I? A bird.  By SY

rough and scaly skin   
breathes fire through its mouth        
dangerous scary

What am I?  A dragon.  By AW

First Grade Math: Measurement
The first graders are busy measuring anything and everything in our classroom.  The investigations in Unit 5 focus on understanding length, using linear units, measuring with standard units, and solving problems about comparing lengths.  This week, the students have been developing accurate measurement techniques, measuring lengths using different-sized units, and comparing lengths to determine which is longer.  We've been having a blast measuring the length of different paths inside our classroom in "kid steps" units.  For example, how many kid steps is it from the blue carpet to the door?  Ask your child to demonstrate measuring using a "kid step."  Yesterday, the students measured lengths in the classroom using the footprints of a baby, the footprints of a basketball player, and marker pens as units.  We had a great discussion about why we needed so many of one kind of unit (baby steps) and so few of the other kind of unit (basketball player steps) to measure the same length.  After we finish our measurement unit, we will move on to Unit 6, which emphasizes combinations of ten, combinations of numbers, and addition and subtraction.

Thank You
Thank you to the Handa family for bringing in delicious Jamba Juice and doughnut holes to celebrate MH's birthday.  Our class loves the birthday books donated by MH: Millions to Measure, Junie B. Jones is a Graduation Girl, Junie B. First Grader Toothless Wonder, and Smitten.  Thank you to JH for the yummy animal crackers.  The children enjoy a tasty treat during our "star dance parties" on Fridays.  Thank you to KL, ER, and TC for constantly keeping Jackson happy and full.  Their generous donations of crickets are greatly appreciated by him!

Posted on January 31, 2008 7:43 AM | Permalink