In January, the students participated in a program called "Bricks 4 Kids." They used bricks (like legos) to make machines. With a partner, they followed an instruction manual, identified the different bricks they needed, and constructed a carousel swing. Check out their amazing creations!
Last week the first grade classes all participated in a cooking class taught by Allergic To Salad . The students measured ingredients, mixed, smashed, peeled, and blended some super yummy granola bites and pumpkin smoothies. YUM!
Thank you to everyone that donated to our latest project at donorschoose.org. Our classroom received over $500 in cuisenaire rods and puzzles for the students to explore during center time and quiet time. They have only been using the materials for a couple of days, but they are already a big hit. It's interesting to see the different ways students choose to sort, arrange, and create with their cuisenaire rods.
What a busy month we have had. Here are some highlights:
On Friday morning we had our first parent class visit. The students share their first published writing piece for the year: All About Me books. Throughout the unit, the students have learned the basics of what writers to in order to write books that others can read and enjoy. They learned:
Thank you to all the parents that were able to make it. I will be hosting a visit once a month, so if you couldn't come this time, we'll see you next month! In class 1-309 we have started the routine of partner reading. The students have reading spots scattered throughout the room where they can have privacy and quiet to read. They set up back to back with a partner and read independently for 10 minutes. Then, they turn shoulder to shoulder (as seen above) to share books with their partners. Here are some things students are doing to increase their enjoyment and stamina in reading.
Independent time: Take a picture walk, read it again, look for activities or word banks in the back, think about what you are reading, figure out tricky words, read it smoothly, among others. Sharing time: Show your partner a funny or interesting part, take turns reading each page, read aloud to someone, etc. My main goal for for reading in first grade is for the students to develop a deep love for books. We read many different types of books at many different levels, across many genres, and in many different formats throughout the day. We make books about our experiences in class to read for pleasure. Please help your child to continue the love of book by taking them to the public library to find books that interest them. Read aloud to your child each night. Read in your native language. Most of all HAVE FUN! Last week Class 1-309 made some delicious applesauce. The students helped make it every step of the way and took turns washing apples, putting apple slices in the slow cooker, stirring the apples, mashing the applesauce, etc. While it was cooking, the whole room was filled with the yummy scent of Fall apples. At the end of the day we all got to taste our creation.
The students created a shared writing piece about the experience. I used their oral language from their retelling of the story of when we made applesauce to write a simple story with the class. We used the sentences from the story to make sentence puzzles for word study. We made a whole-class book to keep in our classroom library. Every student got a copy of the book to share at home as well. Please ask your child about their experience making applesauce and let them read the book to you and other family members. Big thanks to Miss Irene for taping around all the bulletin boards and for our custodian, Frankie who did an amazing job. We are loving this calming color!
Class 1-309 completed their first week of school (although it was a short week). I'm so proud of them. Here are some of the things we did this week:
While exploring math manipulatives, students used different materials to sort, count, make patterns, and design 2D and 3D images.
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AuthorMrs. Dershowitz, First Grade Teacher Archives
March 2016
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