First grade had fun discovering the many aspects of mythology this week.  They had a lot of their own information to share with our class as well as learning new information.  First grade read about dragons in various cultures and then  made dragon paper airplanes to fly.  They loved explaining everything they know about each mystical dragon.  First graders created their own mythical creatures in their journals then many shared their ideas with our class during snack time.  They had a lot of great questions and comments for each presenter.  First grade had fun making mermaids and serpents by cutting paper plates into their desired shape and then decorating them with markers.  We also made Olympic medals using cardboard, foil, yarn and markers for our LEDP Walkathon walkers to wear, creating fun designs and positive words of encouragement.  First graders enjoyed making laurel Olympic head wreaths using green paper and paper plates which a few wore for the walkathon.  We also played Mythology Kaboom using the alphabet to answer with mythology terms during snack, it was a very collaborative game!  First grade made a  finger labyrinth using a paper plate and yarn with a mythical creature in the center where it ends.  They had fun designing each individual one.  First grade welcomed 4/5 mentors Eloise, Charlotte and Nikki  to come in to talk about Greek Mythology by explaining about each god and goddess as well as telling folklore stories to our class.  The first graders LOVED this since they really look up to the older group. We are looking forward to pet week and hearing many pet stories from our first graders.  

First grade finished our week of insects full of new information on various varieties.  We made poster boards with facts for each insect and a detailed drawing which they collaborated together with all the information.  First graders went on a nature walk in search of insects and then drew their findings inside a magnifying glass to add to our garden bulletin board.  We also played bug charades which was hilarious watching them act out their insect.  First grade used paper and crayons to create caterpillars on leaves which are displayed on our class door.  We also made spiders using black card stock and black zip ties then using a straw to move their spider along by blowing.  We spent lots of time outside enjoying the great weather this week especially after being stuck inside last week.  First graders ended the week doing a Mother’s Day flower project with a 4/5 mentor Nikki who showed them how to fold tissue paper to make flowers for their moms then adding green pipe cleaners for the stem.  First grade is looking forward to learning about mythology next week together. 

First grade continued our garden theme by exploring insects and their role in helping our gardens grow.  We began by creating a butterfly life cycle book by drawing the steps then adding a butterfly for the cover to see when closed.  They were very precise with their details.  First graders next activity was designing a beaded butterfly then adding a clothespin for the body.  Some had colorful patterns while others were rainbow inspired.  First grade created a curling pill bug(roly-poly) with paper and fasteners.  They loved discovering facts about them such as it rolls into a ball to protect itself from certain predators.  First graders made a rocking snail using a paper plate, paper, and oil pastels.  They were very colorful and fun to rock back and forth.  First grade did a fun science experiment with paper flowers watching the folded petals open when placed in water.  It was quite amazing!  First grade enjoyed watching “A Bug’s Life” with popcorn and stuffies for filling our reward jar for good deeds and behavior on our early release day.  Since it was a very rainy week, we had fun in the gym playing various insect games such as Garden bug museum, Beetle bug dodgeball and insect relay races!  First grade also did a collaborative insect jumbo puzzle and played insect Guess in 10 during our meeting time.  Our group is looking forward to exploring more insects in our garden next week!

First grade had fun exploring gardens this week.  We began by planting flower seeds in pots then watering them everyday to watch them grow, no sprouts yet!  First graders used cotton round pads to make flower petals then used watercolor droplets for colorful blooms.  They loved using the watercolors to create a rainbow effect on their flowers.  First grade cut and folded paper plates to create bunny bowls using paper, markers and Pom poms.  They had fun naming their bunnies, some cute names others silly.  First grade designed their own class garden on butcher paper using markers then adding their cotton pad flowers to create a 3D effect.  We will add magnify glass insects next week such as pill bugs, caterpillars, snails and butterflies.  First grade ended the week finishing all our art projects and making bracelets using dried flowers to clear tape then adding Velcro.  They really enjoyed designing their bracelets which were beautiful!  First grade will continue our garden theme next week, adding various insect to our garden scene.  

First grade had a fun week enjoying the beautiful spring weather outside!  We read “That Rule Doesn’t Apply to Me” and had a discussion about why we have rules to keep us safe.  We read “Exploring Emotions” and made empathy engines using recycled materials as teams.  The helpful concepts they came up with were very well thought out.  First grade made empathy/kindness comic book panel, each with a short story which will be assembled for an end of the year project.  They really used their imagination to make their ideas come to life!  We also played a few games like “Washing Machine”, “Guess Who”, and “Hangman” using words of encouragement and kindness which were so much fun.  We finished the week doing Yoga and making an Empathy Chain using colorful paper to write their ideas on kindness and being helpful to others which we will display.  First graders flew kites on the beautiful last day before April vacation which they loved!  We are looking forward to our April break and excited for lots of fun Spring projects when we return!

First grade had a fun short week exploring science. We began the week discovering how gravity pulls a marble down a  Magnatile marble run through potential energy which turns into kinetic energy.  It was fun figuring out various strategies to make it faster!  First graders next explored the science of shadows by tracing each other on a beautiful sunny day outside.  We discussed how a shadow is the absence of light when it is prevented from passing through an object, leaving darkness on the other side(their shadow).  They traced funny positions of each other in colorful chalk.  Our next experiment was Gummy Bear Osmosis by placing gummy bears in various solutions to see their reactions.  We used water, salt water, vinegar, baking soda water, sugar water and baking powder water to place the bears. The first graders made predictions of which which one would expand in water and then the following day we checked to see the reactions.  Sugar and water had the most expansion, followed by baking soda and powder but the reaction of vinegar and salt was minimal except for the lack of color.  We discussed in the beginning how there is less water and more gelatin inside each gummy but as we observed them, the gelatin makes the gummy act as a sponge, absorbing the water instead of dissolving in it.  First graders were very curious scientists during this experiment!  We also explored the classroom to find objects to attract a magnet to see which would adhere or not and why and discussed how a magnetic field works.  First grade finished the week drawing with sharpies on  small plastic sheets then the teacher will bake them in the oven to see the reaction to heat, shrinking them down to a smaller size. We also played Science Kaboom during snack time which they love!   First grade is looking forward to another fun week with hopefully even more outside time in the beautiful weather!

First graders were very curious scientists this week.  We started the week using string and yarn to make water walk with cups, water and food coloring.  Our conclusion was Yarn did the best job.  First grade then wanted to see what would melt ice faster: sugar, water or salt?  Salt was the fastest followed by water then sugar. First grade also made designs on napkins with markers then placed them in water to observe the design transfer to the back of the napkin.   We then went into the gym to use stomp rockets to see how high they would go and then balloon rockets, they had a lot of fun doing these.  First graders collaborated with their 4/5 Mentors to use bubbles with food coloring to make hydrangea prints on paper, there were many laughs making the bubbles.  We also wrote in the journals about the “Woman We Look Up To” their answers were wide ranging from their mom, sisters and even Taylor Swift!  Our next experiment was finding the DNA of a Strawberry by using alcohol, dish soap, salt and water.  We mixed it together then strained it to find our answer.  We did a Sharpie Science Solubility experiment by drawing on coffee filters with sharpies then submerging those in either alcohol, vinegar or water.  Alcohol seemed to be a little quicker then the vinegar.  First grade drew on coffee filters again to make tie dye prints by spraying alcohol and observing the changes.  We finished the week doing balloon science showing static electricity by rubbing the balloon on their hair.  First grade then used their balloon to make their fingerprints on the it with ink to discover their pattern(loop, whorl, or arch).  We ended the week making animals out of their fingerprints on paper and creating a scene.  First graders are looking forward to another fun week of science!

First grade had fun exploring Space this week and enjoying the beautiful weather outside.  We spent a lot of time on the playground just playing and having fun in the nice weather.    We read many space books like “There’s No Place Like Space”, “Me and My Place in Space”, “Counting the Stars” about Katherine Johnson, “Stars and Planets” and “If You Decide to go to the Moon”.  We learned many interesting facts about space during theses stories.    First grade discovered their own planets which they drew with oil pastels, wrote facts about and named.  They really enjoyed sharing their new planets with their classmates.  First graders made aliens in saucers using paper, clear cups and paper bowls.  We did a nebulae experiment using water, paint, cotton balls, and glitter to see what it looks like in space.  First grade also filled a vase with water and gemstones then poked holes in foil finishing by shining a flashlight to see the stars twinkle at night.  We also made astronauts using paper and plates to create themselves in space.  All of our space art is hanging in the hallway by our classroom, getting many compliments from all that walk by.  First grade finished the week making space rockets using craft rolls and half of a plastic egg. We also made rocket bookmarks to use during reading time and wrote in our journals about “Where Would I Travel to in Space?”  First graders are looking forward to Mad Science Week next!

First graders were very excited exploring Space this week.  We read a book about astronaut Sally Ride who was the first American woman to fly in space in 1983.  First grade made the phases of the moon using black and white paper that they could slide to see the different sizes and shapes of the moon.  We then read and had a discussion about the “What causes day and night?” As the Earth rotates on  its axis.  We talked about how sometimes its morning in one part of the world but night in another.  First graders made moons with air dry clay then using either their fingers or plastic coins to make craters on the surface, painting either silver or gold after it dried.  We painted paper lanterns in groups of 2/3 to look like the Solar System which we will hang in our classroom.  First grade celebrated St Patrick’s Day reading all about Ireland, their culture, music and sports.  We made  shamrocks by folding green paper into the shape then gluing those papers onto a piece of orange paper.  First grade also played our version of Irish Hurling using paper bowls with craft sticks and green balloons to play the game in the gym in teams of 3/4.  We listened to traditional Irish music while they played which made it a very festive game!  We are looking forward to another week exploring Space with our first grade astronauts!

First grade had a fun week learning about women in history like Amelia Earhart and Marie Curie, they were very interested in their childhood and why they were both so curious.  We continued with another week of transportation starting by collaborating on ideas in teams for vehicle drawings finally choosing a fun bus, two race cars and a tank.  First graders did a great job listening to their teams ideas and deciding on the overall concept of their vehicles.  We then created boats using Legos, foam blocks, cubes and bristle blocks in groups to see which designs would float or sink.  First graders would experiment with various items and change their design to make their boat float instead of sink.  We did a fun straw rocket project using paper to draw the rocket then attaching it to the straw finally blowing into it which caused the rocket to take off.  They had a lot of fun seeing how high their rocket would reach.  First graders created their own vehicles in their journals  with many different abilities and sharing with our class during snack time.  They were very interested in their friends creations often asking questions or comments.  First grade finished the week by making paper monster trucks then using various classroom items for wheels to paint tire tracks for our bulletin board.  We also made sled dogs for our Iditarod bulletin board which were amazing.  First grade ended the day spray painting hot air balloon lanterns which will also be displayed in our classroom.  We are looking forward to another fun week in first grade!

First grade had a great week back after February vacation.  We started  our transportation unit by making mini origami paper airplanes and then flying them together.  One of our first graders had a great idea to make a 3D paper town with a transportation vehicle, they were very creative and really enjoyed this project since one of their friends created the concept.  We then talked about the Iditarod and made snow dog boots using felt and Velcro, they were very interested in learning all about the race, dogs and sleds which included lots of questions and comments!  First graders made ramps using wooden blocks, Magnatiles, foam blocks etc to see how fast they could race cars down the ramp without obstructions.  They really enjoyed experimenting with friction to see what would work and what would not.  We finished the week creating egg drop parachutes using coffee filters, pipe cleaners, bubble wrap, cardboard and yarn.  When they were finished building, we gave each team an egg and then a teacher dropped them from a second floor stairway as the first graders watched and cheered from below.  Only two of the eggs survived the drop but the first graders were troubleshooting how to make their creations better so the egg would survive without cracking.  They had a lot of fun doing this science project!  We also started reading a  few great books celebrating women for March which will continue all month.  We are learning how creative and amazing women can be in many aspects of life.  First grade is looking forward to another fun week of exploring transportation through science and art.

First grade had a fun week celebrating Valentine’s Day and Black History.  We did a few fun Valentine projects like making hearts then writing something you like about each other, writing a message with white crayon then painting over it with bleeding tissue and painting on one side of a heart then folding together to see a unique design created.  First grade read “Whoosh” about Lonnie Johnson’s journey to his super soaker invention and then played stomp rockets trying to see how high they could reach.  We read “Young, Gifted and Black” and they chose one of the people to write and illustrate in their journals about such as Pele, Usain Bolt, Serena Williams and Misty Copeland, they were very interested to learn more about each one.  First grade read “Mae Among the Stars” about Mae Jemison’s journey to become an astronaut since childhood.  They wrote about their favorite part of her life and illustrated for our group. First grade also decorated rocks with kind messages for World Kindness Day which they will distribute randomly in the neighborhood.   Finally we read “Radiant Child” about the life of the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and they created their style of art using a variety of mediums such as paint, oil pastels and paper.  They are very creative!  We are looking forward to recharging and having fun during our February break!

First grade sadly concluded our dinosaur theme this week.  We have had so much fun learning about dinosaurs from each other.  First grade made dinosaur egg stick puppets which were moveable, a baby dino cracking the egg.  We then used air dry clay to create our own dinosaur fossils either using dinosaurs or creating our own with wood tools.  First grade made 4 different dinosaur environment scenes on fabric foam board which they worked on as a group together, agreeing on a vision then creating it.  We made individual paper plate volcanos by folding into a cone then painting.  First grade played Dino, Dino, Roar(Duck, Duck, Goose) and had dinosaur races in the gym which were so much fun.  First grade also did a 100th day Mad Lib together in the cafeteria during snack time, their answers made a very funny story.  A couple of our first graders shared their 100th day project with our group which was great to hear the comments and questions.  We had a fuse bead party for earning hearts in our jar that we fill with good deeds.  They love creating with fuse beads!  Finally we ended with erupting the plaster volcano we made last week, using diet soda and mentos, it was a huge success with the first graders!  We are looking forward to more fun next week with our first grade group!

First grade continued to explore dinosaurs and their environment this week.  We began the week creating dinosaurs using Magnatiles then tracing on paper and designing our colorful dinosaurs.  First grade made dynamic Dinos on paper using cut straws to create the skeleton for their unique dinosaur.  On Wednesday, we started to create a volcano using chicken wire(which was done for the 1st graders by the teachers) then covered by the first graders using  plaster sheets that were dipped in water to create the actual volcano.  Our group then painted the volcano Thursday and Friday making it very realistic for our experiment.  We will continue to explore our volcano this coming week using diet soda and mentos to cause an eruption outside, first making predictions and then observing the outcome.  I’m sure they will be excited to share the results with their families!  Our first graders also wrote and illustrated about a pet dinosaur that they imagined, bringing it to life for our class by sharing their stories at snack time.  We had a question and answer discussion about dinosaur facts, we all learned new information which was fun.  First grade finished our week in the gym playing Dinosaur Museum which they had to pretend to be dinosaurs at night in a museum and doing a dinosaur workout where they acted out certain dinosaur moves by exercising then continued by creating their own dinosaur exercises.  We are excited about our last week exploring more about dinosaurs!

First grade is exploring Dinosaurs!!  We began the week inventing our own dinosaur, creating its face on paper then writing facts about our new dinosaurs in their mouths that you can read by opening.  First grade then made dinosaurs maracas using cardboard, bottle caps and colorful paper to make their artwork pop. They enjoyed making the dinosaurs speak musically to each other.  We also melted frozen dinosaur eggs(water filled balloons with Dino inside) by pouring warm water over the frozen eggs to reveal the baby dinosaurs.  They loved this activity, waiting patiently to reveal their specific dinosaur baby.  On Wednesday our 4/5 Mentors visited us with a fun project, 3D Dinosaurs made from painting half of a paper plate then adding clothespins as their legs so they could stand.  First grade is always excited to do any project with their mentors!  We next made dinosaur tracks by using colorful paper and designing our own dinosaur footprints, they were very creative.  First grade also went to the gym to do a dinosaur exercise workout, which they loved.  They even made up their own dinosaur exercise moves for their classmates to try out together!  First grade finished our week making a dinosaur headdress out of paper and adding colorful spikes to make each unique.  We are looking forward to another fun filled week of dinosaurs!  The 1st grade teachers are learning a lot from all the interesting facts the first graders are sharing with our group!

First grade had a short week learning about typography.  First graders began by tracing a cursive alphabet and then writing their own names in cursive, they loved it!   Next,  We had them weave colorful yarn on a cardboard letter(first letter of their name) which showed their patience since it took a couple of days to complete but they were very proud!  Our next project was writing their name in bubble letters then designing each letter with markers and glitter pens.  First grade finished the week, making letters and words with invisible ink for secret messages and salt painting their names by using a glue design on paper,  sprinkling with salt then gently adding watercolor, finally let dry.  First grade read “Ox, House, Stick, The History of our Alphabet” and “Messages in a Mailbox”about letters,  they enjoyed learning the history of letters from each book.  On a rainy Thursday, first grade played Silly Banana, Museum and Freeze Dance in the gym, there were lots of laughs!  During meeting time this week, we played a game rolling a dice which would decide which question they would answer from a list, they were very thoughtful with their answers.  We are excited about our next theme, Dinosaurs!  The teachers are looking forward to learning a lot about dinosaurs from the first graders!

First grade had a fun week camping.  We began the week making ourselves inside tents with paper, oil pastels, Pom poms and gem pieces.  Some even made theirs 3D while others were a very detailed environment.  First graders then made sun catcher lanterns using tissue paper and contact paper which we displayed on our window.  Our next project was designing their own recreational vehicles, some 3D or even an inside layout also.  They were very focused and detail orientated doing this project.  We also made fingerprint bugs in a jar using ink pads and colored pencils to create some creepy crawly creatures.  First grade painted their hands then printed on paper to create a fire pit using brown paper to make the logs, the result was very cute.  We finished the week creating our own version of s’mores using cotton balls, felt and paper to make the delicious treats to enjoy by their fire pits  while we told campfire stories.  First grade also did an ice fishing science experiment putting an ice cube in water then sprinkle salt where a piece of string will meet the ice then watching as the water melts slightly and refreezes. After 10 seconds lift the ice out of the water with the fishing pole(small stick) You have caught a fish(ice). We are looking forward to more fun projects in January!

First grade began 2023 by writing our resolutions to start the new year!  The first graders came up with some really creative ones such as “give more hugs”, “run faster” or “studying trucks”.    Our weekly theme was snowmen hoping it would have snowed by now but….so We built snowmen in the gym using sports equipment like hula hoops, bean bags, frisbees, and cones. They were amazing!  First grade also used droppers of watercolors to paint cotton circular pads then assembled into colorful snowmen which they decorated with buttons, pom poms etc.  We used white socks to create snowmen faces by cutting socks at the heel then turning inside out to make the heads with one and hat with the other.  They used fabric markers to decorate their faces, they turned out so cute.  As a group in the cafeteria, we designed two snow friends(boy and girl) each child adding their own details to the class snow girl or boy, the results were funny and cute.  We had a lot of laughs doing this project together!  First graders wrote their own snowman biographies in their journals, then some of our class shared with our whole group.  We made snowball shooters using craft rolls, balloons and rubber bands which they decorated then put a cotton ball inside to shoot as a snowball.  First grade had so much fun using these together safely.  We finished the week by making snowman paper links and connecting together to form a snowman chain and having a snowman challenge trying to create a snowman using legos or blocks, it was a difficult and creative challenge.  First graders are looking forward to more fun ahead in the new year.  

First grade finished December by creating winter activities.  We made leaves to design a classroom wreath for our door which we added mistletoe by the request of one of our first graders! First grade also made a holiday comic strip adding our own speech bubbles to create their individual stories. We built gingerbread house using cardboard and various classroom materials(Pom poms, gems etc).  First graders read “Wow! City!” Then used paper and white paint to design their 3D Winter cityscapes, they were very creative in their details.  We played Holidays Kaboom together, answering each letter of the alphabet with a holiday theme item.  First graders had fun helping each other’s answers work for our theme.  We read “The Sweet Story of Hot Chocolate!” Then did a science experiment by adding baking soda to a mug of cocoa powder then pouring vinegar to see the bubbling explosion coming out of the mug!  First graders really enjoyed the result!  We made 3D paper trees using just white paper and scissors to cut the branches, it was sometimes a little difficult but they stuck with it!  First graders finished the week by making shaving cream prints on paper with food coloring to cut into mittens and playing the gingerbread game in the gym, pretending to run from baking sheet(mat) to baking sheet.  They were exhausted from “Run run, you can’t catch me, I’m the gingerbread man!” Back and forth.  We have had so much fun in first grade so far and can’t wait for 2023!

First grade had fun doing various winter themed activities this week.  We began the week making reindeer using paper and pipe cleaners then adding their own details to make each one unique.  First grade played animal charades together, it was so much fun hearing their guesses about each one.  We made snow globes using paper plates, foil, and fake snow to create their own winter wonderland!  First graders had fun weighing various items on a scale and learning what is needed to balance each time.  We made gingerbread people after reading Jan Brett’s “Gingerbread Friends”, they created many different variations including long haired gingerbread girl and a ninja gingerbread boy.  First grader had a great time playing “Roll a Dice, Brain Break” choosing certain exercises after rolling a dice to determine which one in the gym.  We read “The Story of Snow” then made beautiful colorful snowflakes using white paper to cut and adding colorful plastic to give them a stain glass effect.  We suspended the books they made with their sea horses to create a hanging library so they can read each other’s books.  First graders are looking forward to more winter projects ahead!

First grade had another week of discovering various authors and their stories.  We started the week reading Eric Carle’s “Mr. Seahorse” and “The Mixed Up Chameleon” then designing these two creatures using bleeding tissue paper to make them as colorful as their characters.  First grade read William Steig’s “Dr. DeSoto” about an animal dentist then molded animal different animal teeth with air dry clay.  They enjoyed this activity, some creating a necklace with a clay shark tooth.  We read “Simple Photos” illustrated by Tomis dePaola and they created a camera with film using foam core and paper.  First graders enjoyed decorating their “film” paper with photos they were taking around the room.  First grade read books from the Andrea Beaty series and then did varied projects.  We read “Sofia Valdez, Future Prez” writing in their journals what they would do as president to better the world, “Izzy Peck, Architect” drawing a blueprint for a building creation of their choice, and “Aaron Slater, Illustrator” writing a book on their favorite topic then illustrating their words.  Finally we read “Ada Twist, Scientist” doing experiments as a class like poking pencils through a bag filled with water and not leaking,  predicting the outcome of the candy canes in hotwater,cold water and vinegar then observing the conclusion, filling a jar of bells with water and baking soda then adding vinegar to watch the bells dance around, and  trying to get a paper clip to float in water by bending the shape but we were not successful.  First graders had many ideas about our results of the science experiments and why some worked and others did not.   First grade ended the week by writing on a colorful paper  light bulb “I Can Light up the World by…” , they had many heart filled ideas and responses on how to accomplish this!

First grade had a great time reading various authors this week.  We read Kevin Henkes “Jessica” about an imaginary friend, they created their own friends whether human, animal or vehicle.  First graders read Ezra Jack Keats’ “Goggles” and each decorated their own glasses, adding colored plastic for lenses.  They had fun wearing them in the classroom.  We also played musical hula hoops in the gym and “What’s in Your Kitchen?” With alphabetical answers.  On Wednesday, we had a visit from our 4/5 mentors helping the first graders paint with watercolors using a straw to blow the paint around on a paper silhouette.  They really enjoy their time with their mentors.  Later, we read Leo Lionni’s “Alexander and the Wind Up Mouse” first writing in their journals about a special wish they had then sharing with the class and creating their own mouse in a tea cup using different types of paper.  On Thursday, our early release day, first graders made their self portrait with a favorite book, using paper, crayons and markers, cutting each piece to assemble it together.  They are amazing artists!!  Later, we read Laura Numeroff’s “Dogs Don’t Wear Sneakers” after they invented a sneaker/shoe  with “special powers”.  They were very creative with their inventions.  First grade finished our week reading David Shannon’s “Too Many Toys” then designing and writing about their favorite toy and presenting to our class.  We are looking forward to more fun reading next week!

First grade had a fun short week celebrating Thanksgiving!  We started by painting feathers on our paper turkeys using clothespins with cotton balls attached.  Our class really enjoyed creating their own unique turkeys with various colors of paint.  First grade also made many delicious looking pie slices like blueberry, pumpkin, apple with paper, buttons etc to display in our classroom.  We read a few festive books to the first graders too.   During free time,  our first graders played games like chess together taking turns, created their own 3D art like this boat and writing their own Mad Libs to do with our class at snack time.  We are looking forward to more fun together next week!

First grade had a busy week doing many fun activities!  We started the week creating paper bag scarecrows and stuffing them with hay, they were all very unique.  First grade made penny spinners by decorating the cardboard discs and adding a penny in the center to spin.  Next we did a group project making a corn husk wreath by painting with bubble wrap in a corn cob shape then adding leaves together to create our own class harvest  wreath.  First grade had fun with pine cones using them for a science experiment and art activity.  For our science experiment,  the class discussed their predictions on the outcome and reasoning before submerging the pine cone in water for an hour which resulted in the pine cone  closing up tightly.  Some first graders were excited to have made the correct prediction!  First graders decorated a pine cone by using paper to make feathers and a face designing their own turkey, they were very creative and imaginative doing this project.  They also enjoyed our turkey feather races using a feather and spoon to race the fastest to the end with their feather still on the spoon.  If they dropped the feather, they had to say “gobble gobble”.  We had a lot of laughs!  First grade also played Thanksgiving Kaboom by naming words associated with the holiday!  We finished the week by writing messages with white crayon on white paper then painting over it with watercolors to reveal the message.  First grade continued writing in their journals about various things they are thankful for and illustrating their entries. We are looking forward to all the fun holiday activities we will be doing next week!

First grade had a lot of fun in our short week!  We started the week by making rubber bracelets in many vibrant colors.  First grade also had a Lego challenge making their favorite food with Legos and displaying it on a plate!  They were very creative!  First grade enjoyed making their own individual catapults using craft sticks, rubber bands, and bottle caps.  They had fun creating various ways to gain points when shooting their pom pom.   We finished our week by having an acorn run challenge where they designed a course using different materials such as Legos, magnatiles, blocks etc. in teams collaborating together.  They used their inquisitive imaginations to create fun acorn run courses that actually worked well!  First graders also solved mazes that they each made and we copied for their classmates to enjoy.  We also had fun outside doing sun art where they put items thy found in nature on special paper for 5 minutes then dipped in water and let dry.  It was interesting to see how sunlight effects  the paper.  First grade continued our thankful journals, learning what they each  have in common with their classmates as they share, often commenting about each entry.  We are looking forward to more fun together in the next week!