Happy Faces

I took some photos while outside this week because I love the way they look so happy while running around!  If your child is missing from this album, it's because I have a hard time catching some who are constantly on the run!!!  I have to be super sneaky sometimes!

Click here to see how happy sunshine makes us all!

Making Salsa

One of our reading groups read a book last week called Making Salsa.  It seemed like an obvious connection for us to MAKE SALSA!  The class was pretty excited to use a knife (!) but several expressed some concern about eating...VEGETABLES!!!!  Haha!  I assured them that they could eat just chips BUT if they tried the salsa they just might like it!  It turns out...the salsa was a big hit!  I truly believe that it was only because they slaved over the salsa themselves!  It got a big thumb's up!
Click here to see them making and eating their salsa!

Ready For Radio?

Today I taught the class a fun song!  It's called "Be Kind To Your Web-footed Friends" and it's just silly and very short!  They giggled and laughed and we shot this music video so you could see how fantastic our Friday was today!

Click here to watch the video!

Measuring With Popsicle Sticks

As you can see, we do a lot with popsicle sticks!  And because we often have them all over the floor, I warn the class early on that these particular popsicle sticks do NOT belong in their mouths!  This math lesson helps children practice measuring using nonstandard units.  They used popsicle sticks to measure a rug, window, table chair, and a friend!  See more pictures by clicking here.

Yoga and Read Aloud

As you know, Ms. McMahon is our student teacher from the University of Vermont.  Here she is reading to your children yesterday.  She's reading Chicka Chicka Boom Boom at the beginning of our Fundations lesson. 

Our very busy days mean that children need a way to get the wiggles out.  There's an online yoga "celebrity" that teaches yoga to children through stories.  (I might be the only one who calls her a celebrity!)  The woman who stars in the videos has a lovely Australian accent and I think they're mesmerized by the sound of her voice!  This particular story is about monkeys and other jungle animals.  You can see them using their "binoculars" on the safari.   Click here to see more yoga pictures.

Tally Marks

Another math skill for first grade is counting by 5s and tally marks are a good way to practice.  Today we used popsicle sticks to practice making tally mark bundles.  (I promise those aren't the popsicle sticks from yesterday's popsicles!)

 

Puzzles and Popsicles

During reading time at this time of year, most children don't read well enough to read independently for sustained periods.  So some of their "other" activities need to be fun and engaging, but also independent.  Puzzles are a great way for children to practice teamwork and cooperation. 

Click here to see more pictures of the class puzzle teams! (Link below for popsicle pics)

Our first math unit uses twin pops to practice counting by 2s.  Since it's been so HOT, it seemed appropriate to eat popsicles at school!  As you can see by their faces, these children really enjoyed their twin single pops!  (They didn't have any TWIN pops at my three closest grocery stores so they got single pops two days in a row!)  Click here to see more popsicle pics!

Scholastic News

Every week your child will have the opportunity to read a children's magazine article from Scholastic News.  The articles are appealing to first graders because the subject matter targets topics of interest to young children (pumpkins, spiders) and their teachers (feelings, politeness, school rules).  I can project an interactive version of the article on our Smartboard so that the children can tap and draw to answer questions and play a game.  This week they read an article called "School Feelings."  Afterward I gave them an activity page where students drew a face to match the feeling he or she would have in that scenario.  Here are some fun pics made by some very artistic students!

 

 

Day 2 and the Fun Continues

It's hot but we're having fun!  We've been reading great books like The Rainbow Fish and Lunch Bunnies.

We have even begun writing!  It doesn't often happen this way, but when I say it's time for writing, there's an overwhelming chorus of "Yeah!" and "I love writing!"  That makes my teacher heart sing!

We spent some time outside today to get the wiggles out!  Check out the pictures here.

First Days of School

Today was the first day of first grade!  So much new learning will occur in these first few days and weeks as we all get to know each other.  After a summer of fun, it's hard to sit and listen for long stretches.  We try to give them extra movement breaks throughout the day.  When the weather is nice, outside recess is fun!!! I took a few pictures from the first day.  I love to study their sweet faces and see the looks of concentration and joy!

Click here to go to an album of photos from the first day!

Playing Is Learning

Each day, part of our day is spent exploring the math materials...sorting and organizing and talking or exploring alone.  Play is the work of young people.  They learn to negotiate and share.  They learn to take turns and delay gratification.  They learn to use their imagination.  All of these skills are needed in school and life.  Here are some pictures of your children doing the work of children...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Legend of the Poinsettia

Today we read The Legend of the Poinsettia by Tomie dePaola.  This story takes place in Mexico and tells the story of the Poinsettia at Christmas.  A young girl finds she doesn't have any gifts to give at Christmas.  An old woman appears and tells her that anything given is a gift.  The young girl gives some pretty green weeds which suddenly, and miraculously, bloom into beautiful red flowers.  And so this is how the Poinsettia has become a popular Christmas plant...or so it is said.  Here are some of the lovely poinsettia flowers made in our classroom today!

Latkes and Menorahs

Yesterday we learned a little bit about the Jewish holiday Hanukkah and each child made a beautiful menorah.  Actually, we started them yesterday and finished today.  I read them a poem that explains why Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah and that it isn't just a Jewish Christmas!  The class was interested in the story of Hanukkah and how they had to defeat the King of Syria because he wouldn't let them pray the way they wanted.  It didn't take long for them to notice that the King of Syria was a little bit like the King of England from the Pilgrim story.  Today we made potato latkes.  Your children peeled and grated potatoes and some even helped to chop onion into very small little pieces!  We mixed the egg, flour, potato and onion together and then I did the frying.  As much as I like to cook with children, hot oil makes me a little nervous!  I served them with a dill pickle and they loved the latkes!  Check out these awesome menorahs and my helpful little chefs!

 

 

 

Russian Stars

Today we read the book Uncle Vova's Tree by Patricia Polacco.  It's a touching story of a family whose roots are Russia.  Uncle Vova and Aunt Svetlana incorporate their Russian traditions into the mid-western celebration of Christmas.  Each year Uncle Vova and the children make traditional paper stars to decorate the tree outside along with popcorn and cranberries for the animals.  After reading the book and looking at Russia on the globe, each child began working on their very own paper star.  Aren't they beautiful?

 

 

Saying Goodbye to Miss Hartman

Today was a happy and sad day in our classroom!  We said goodbye to Miss Hartman.  Last week they made cards for Miss Hartman that were precious!  They wrote things like, "I'll never forget you" and "You mean so much to me."  I bought her a teacher bag with her name on it, but we all signed it so we'll go with her to any job she has as a teacher.  Then we had ice cream sandwiches while she read each and every card.  She loved all of the books inside that she can read to her own students one day! Thank you for sending in books to share!  At the end, she gave each child a goody bag filled with fun toys.  We will all miss her terribly!!!