The Germy Potato Experiment

Yikes!  Today we used our scientific tool of observation to find out what happened to our Germy potato.  The potato with the skin on did not change much.  The potato that was peeled with clean hands looks like it is growing.  BUT the germy potato looks disgusting!  Conclusion:  It is important to wash hands and sneeze and cough into your elbow to prevent germs from spreading.  

The experiment made us wonder: How did the potato start to grow if it wasn't outside?  

Who We Are

As we continue to explore our lines of inquiry for the planner:  Who We Are, the students are discovering what it takes to make a community work.  This week we discussed the concept of bucket dippers.   We all have an imaginary bucket that can be added to with kindness or someone can dip into the bucket.  The question becomes what do you want to do? 

Square Art

The students were very excited to create Square Art today.  Each student created an individual work of art.   These masterpieces will be available to purchase in a multitude of ways - pillowcases, jewelry, phone cases, sketch books and key chains to name a few.  

Keep looking in the Tuesday Folders for your order form.

Math and Literacy Stations

The Superheroes are exploring math and literacy stations everyday.  The students are learning transdisciplinary skills (also known as Approaches to Learning) as they learn to make choices and work with a partner.  

The National Anthem

Singing the National Anthem before the Fun Run begins!  

FunRun! on PhotoPeach

Jobs

The Superheroes are very good at their jobs.  They are taking the responsibility very serious and people are noticing.  I have had several ancillary teachers tell me that they are enjoying my class and it's a joy to have my class at the end of the day!  What a compliment to the Superheroes! 

 Keep up the good work and treat each other with kindness!

Who We Are

We are exploring our new theme entitled: Who We Are.  Through the lines of inquiry we are exploring the ideas of kindness, respect and responsibility.  Along the way we are getting to know each other and we are becoming a first grade community.  

Testing is FUN?!

Testing can be fun in first grade!  You never know what will happen on FUN Friday.  This week we played Hot Potato with a real potato during Morning Meeting!!  

King Lemon

The students explored science tools and the way a scientist thinks today with the King Lemon Experiment.  I think this picture sums it up!  Totally engaged and on task discussing and sharing what they know asking questions and using their five senses to make observations

 (except taste -everyone knows you cannot eat your science experiments)

Birthday Graphing

Today we used research skills to gather and organize information.  The question:  When is your birthday? (very important information!)  The students worked in small groups and independently chose a way to gather and organize the information.  The results were very interesting.  I cannot wait to give the students another problem that they have to work together to solve. 

Math Workstations

I introduced our first manipulative to use in math workstations -unifix cubes.  We used them to practice counting by 2's, 5's and 10's.  We created patterns and trains and more.   Everyone did a great job exploring and sharing what they learned. 

Writer's Workshop

We have already begun the process of writing our stories.  The first step was reading Wilford Gordon MacDonald Partridge and finding out about the different kinds of memories a person can have.   You can never run out of ideas for writing when you write about your life!  The next step is to be a risk-taker and just give it a go.  Some of us like to draw a picture first and some of us like to write first.  As long as you are getting your ideas on paper it doesn't matter.  

Working in the classroom

I am so proud of my first graders!  They know how to be a HERO in the classroom.  They are engaged and on task!  We are working on putting a book together of our summer vacations.  

Roll-a-topic

Another fun cooperative group activity was Roll a Topic.  Students learned about taking turns and listening to each other which ties back into our essential agreements.  Listening is another way to show respect to our classmates.  We also practiced Approaches to Learning by using 

communication skills such as speaking clearly and expressing ideas clearly and 

social skills by sharing and taking turns. 

Summer in a Bag

Our first homework assignment was a hugh success.  What a great way to introduce yourself to your new classroom community.  The students loved sharing stories and artifacts and talking about what is important to them.  We all learned a lot about each other and have officially all become friends. 

Essential Agreements

Our first important task in first grade - write our essential agreements.  The students worked in cooperative groups discussing what they felt were the important elements of a successful classroom. Then we met as a whole group to take all the ideas and condense them into four ideas. 

 The end result is the acronym HERO!

  As we move into week two, we will continue to discuss what each word means 

and what does it look like in our classroom. 

First Day

Summer time has flown by.   I can't believe tomorrow is the first day of school.  After all those meetings and hours in the classroom now it's time for the kids to be here.  I wonder if they will like the reading area or the chair pockets or morning meeting. I wonder if they will like the way I read Chrysanthemum, or the way I sing (off key) or the silly faces I make. 

 Will they like the song, Puff the Magic Dragon?  I am just as nervous as the students!  

I am excited for this new year and new adventure and wonder where it will lead this year! 

Meet The Teacher

It was wonderful to see you all on Thursday for the Rumble.  The joy and excitement on the children's faces let me know this is going to be a great year. 

Ready for Rumble!

In the beginning... on PhotoPeach