Rock Pets

We celebrated our Living and Non-living and Needs vs. Wants Units by adopting pets...rock pets that is!  Each of the students selected a rock to adopt, filled out an adoption certificate, and decorated their new pet.  We compared the needs of our rock pet and a living pet.   Next week we will be writing about the adventures the rock pet had over the weekend from the rock's perspective.  I can't wait to read these! I just know they are going to "rock!" 

Look how cute that little rocky is?!

Letting his rock out of his cage for some exercise.

Proud mama!

Filling out the adoption papers.

Say hello to my new pet!

I hope this thing doesn't bite me!

Reading to their rocks. 

That's some mustache you have Mr. Rock!

These kids rock!

Star Student Writing

One activity that is included in a student's Star Student Week is a special story inspired by one of the pictures they bring to share.  We group write this story as a class and offer the Star Student ideas to spice up their story and making it exciting to readers.  I am impressed with the stories that have been created so far.  This week the Star Student and the class came up with a story that was inspired by a picture of the Star's cat who appears to be enjoying a Dr. Pepper (see picture to the left of the chart paper).  The cat could not quit drinking pop and this caused lots of problems! :)  It was lots of fun to write and read this story!

                             

Ticket Party #2 and Some Science

The students earned their second ticket party last Friday!  They voted on a Root Beer Float party....yum, yum! We don't watch a lot of movies in first grade but I found one that tied to our science units so well, Bears, that I made an exception and we enjoyed our floats while we watched.  The students were extremely engaged in this film and the behavior of the bears.  Mrs. Sharp and I couldn't help but smile at the awesome things the students were observing in the film and learning.  I included a short clip from the film below.    

Ruphus

Have you heard about our new student, Ruphus, yet?  He is a red-haired six-year-old with a curious mind.  He is very shy but has enjoyed getting to know our class and learning all about first grade.  His hobbies include picking flowers, eating peanuts, racing gnomes, jumping on trampolines, and of course, reading.  He adores having the kids read to him.           Each day during our quiet reading time, one student is picked to hold and read to Ruphus. It is Ruphus's favorite time of day.

Tree of Living Things

We have been continuing with our Living and Non-Living Science Unit.  I am always looking for ways to allow students the time and materials to be creative.  Displayed in our hallway is our Tree of Living Things.  The students filled it's branches with living things of their own creation.  The only requirement was that they write about why it qualified as a living thing.  Other than that, they weren't given much direction...I just turned them loose with construction paper, scissors, glue, and goggly eyes  I was pretty impressed with these artsy scientists!

FAST and Title 1 Meeting this Tuesday, September 23

Please plan to attend this informational meeting this Tuesday, September 23rd at 5:30.  Valuable information will be given out about Early Literacy Implementation and assessments we use to track student progress.  I hope to see you all there!

It's Alive!

Look what one of our students found at recess today!  They were eager to apply their new science learning and say definitively that "it is a living thing!" One proud teacher! ;)

Star Student Guest Reader

We had another awesome Star Student guest reader today!  The students really enjoyed hearing the book Zoomer read to them.  Thanks for visiting us and your star!

Verb Tense Fun

Although a lesson on verb tenses doesn't sound very exciting, it's amazing how it becomes that way when it is spiced up with the -ed and -ing helpers featured above.  Today the students learned that when -ed is added to the end of words it means that action happened in the past.  As you can see, the -ed group looks very much "in the past."  Likewise, when -ing is added it means things are still happening or happening right now.  The -ing gang is very modern and hip. ;)  Once these endings are pointed out to the students they start noticing these tenses all over the place and have a lot of fun pointing them out.  Below are pictures of the students coloring their own -ed and -ing posters to help remind them of their new learning. 

Yummy Number Combinations

We have been working diligently on number combinations (you may know them as fact families) this past week and half.  This is very difficult for students to come up with all the combinations for a number.  We avoid drilling math facts in favor of allowing kids to build number sense and an intuitive understanding of how numbers go together and come apart.  One way we have been doing this is by using lots of hands on manipulatives.  We have used people, cubes, chips, food, and jewels.  The pictures below show the students using Skittles and M & M's to make combinations of 8.  As you can tell from their engagement with the task, they really enjoyed it.

Star Student Reader

I am so glad we have Star Student up and rolling.  Each Star has the option of reading the book to the class, having me read their book, or sharing the responsibility.  Enjoy this star student reader!

Star Student Guest Reader

We started with our first star student this week.  It is a lot of fun for the students to be able to get to know their classmates better.  Each day we do something special with that student.  Below is a list of the daily special activities.  If you would like to be a guest reader during your student's star student week, or anytime, please let me know.  It is always enjoyable and valuable for the students to be read to.

Star Student Week Information

Monday: Bring photos to hang on Star Board.

Tuesday: Student will read a book to the class or have me read one of their favorite books.

Thursday: We will group write a story with the Star as the lead author.

Friday: Bring an item for Show and Tell.

WORMS!

We continued to explore the differences between Living and Non-Living Things today.  We observed, measured, and compared a gummy worm and a live Earth Worm.  Although a few students were initially a little reluctant, I think some great learning took place and a slithering good time was had by all.

Small Scientists on the search for life

We began our first science unit this week, Living and Non-Living Things.  The chilly weather could not keep these scientists down as today we went on a walk outside and looked for things that were living and non-living.  The students recorded their data and classified their findings.  Science is so much fun!

Our awesome group!

Batman is a scientist too!

Working hard

Looking high and low for life