Memory Boards

The Superheroes were delighted when they found out that after testing their fifth grade buddies were going to come visit.  This was a special time with our buddies.  The first graders began creating their memory boards - an end of year project that will be homework for the month of May.  The neat thing was that some of the fifth graders were my old students so they knew exactly what to do!  It generate a lot of excitement and laughter as we reminisced about our time together.  

Time for the BIG test!

We will begin May with the IOWA test for first graders.  The room may look a little different because we have to take things down or cover them up!  The Superheroes came up with a super motto:  Let's Test Best!!  We worked together to decide what that meant.  Here is a sample of some of the ideas we developed.   The most important one - Listen, Listen, Listen!

Teacher Appreciated!!

WOW! That's all I can say.  Thank you everyone for all the special notes, gifts, cards and flowers!  The basket of supplies was a great surprise.  The kids and I had a good time looking at everything and deciding how we would use it! 

 I really do have the best parents and I have never felt so appreciated.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

Science with Peeps!

The Superheroes had a great time in science today!  We experimented with marshmallow peeps!  First we used our scientific observations to decide how one felt, smelled, and TASTE!  Next, we decided to see what would happen if you put it in a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.  It didn't blow up like the balloon did, but it did lose all its color.  Finally, we took them outside to see what would happen when we put them in water.  Well, they did float, but the interesting thing is they became slimy to the touch instead of sticky!

First Graders Going to Rice University?

It's true!  Today we received the official letter from Rice University announcing whose poems and stories were chosen to be read at the annual Spring Reading at Rice University.  The Superheroes were so excited!!  I love how everyone cheered for each other! 

 Congratulations to Lane, Michael, Juliette, Audrey, Graydon, Mikel, Gabriel, Sofia and Mason.  

Writer's Workshop

The students have been writing everyday that we do not have LDC. 

  Our focus is on writing memories of our lives. 

 They start with a first draft and then try a few revision techniques

 that we have been working on in class.  

After that, they meet with me to edit and publish. 

 It has been very exciting time!  

We just learned from Ms. Diaz that our poetry could earn a medal at the end of the year. 

 So, the Superheroes are furiously writing as many poems as possible!

 (You need four in order to be considered!)

Story Dictation

The Superheroes have begun to take their own stories!  It is so exciting to watch the students work together to write a story for dramatization.  The students actually created a way of earning income

 in the classroom so that they could get their needs and wants met.  

One of the items on the wants list was story dramatization for only $0.92!  

Now, students are pooling their income together in order to buy time to dramatize a story.