You Are Special

First Graders have been learning about what makes each of us special as part of our first six weeks of school.  We combined this self exploration with our rock unit and read the books Only One You and You be You by Linda Kranz.  These amazing stories inspired us to create our own peace rocks.  Each learner picked a creature to create.  The peace rocks are a multi-step process and have required a lot of patience on the part of our first graders.  Today we added the color to our rocks with Sharpie ink.  Tomorrow we hope to add the sealer!  We can't wait to show you our peace rocks at Open House next week.  

Science Exploration! Rocks

Today our first grade scientists took a closer look at different types of rocks.  First we read the story Everybody Needs a Rock by Byrd Baylor.  In the story we learn the 10 rules for selecting the perfect rock.  Then our scientists got a chance to select 3 rocks and take a closer look.  We looked for unique attributes in our rocks.  We classified them by size, color and texture.  It was amazing to was our learners take a second and third examination of their rocks.  They noticed many new things as they continued to explore.

Compare!

Our first graders love our Math Workshop!  Today we played a game called Compare and Double Compare.  Students flip over a card and the compare the number.  The larger number wins the round!  As students mastered Compare, some had time to play Double Compare.  During this version students flip over 2 cards and add them together.  The higher pair wins the round.  I am so proud of our mathematicians.  Not only are they learning amazing computation skills, but they are also  learning how to work with a partner and play games fairly.  

Collecting 20 and More!

First Grade Mathematicians really dug into forward sequence counting today!  We started off playing a game called Collect 20.  During the game each partner takes a turn rolling the dice and adding that many to the cube collection.  After a little review, we were soon collecting 20 and beyond.  At the end of our math time, teams wanted to count all the cubes in their bins.  It was a counting celebration with some amazing teamwork!  

We Are All Unique!

During our first week of school, our first graders have spent time getting to know each other.  We learned that each of us that have things that make us unique.  We practiced turning and talking to a partner and sharing something special about ourselves.  Then our learners did a small writing project that focused on something they felt made them unique. We were so excited to share our work, that we decided to post it in the halls for all to see!  This week our focus is on our Hopes and Dreams.  We will work to set goals for the year.  Each student will select a broad goal for the year, something they want to improve on or learn more about.  This is one of my favorite times of the year because I learn what is important to each one of our first graders!

First Day Fun!

What a great first day of school! Today we spent some time getting to know each other and our classroom space!  This afternoon we had a chance to try Magic Playdough!  Below is the poem we read together and just like magic, everyone's playdough changed color! Thank you so much for all of the supply donations!  Our class is so lucky!

Flexible Seating Coming Soon...

This year our amazing First Graders are stepping into a redesigned classroom! I am so excited to share Flexible Seating with our learners.  It is important to me that learners have some choice in their seating. Some might like to use our floor tables while others might find the standing desk a better place to be!  

Flexible seating allows for small group collaboration and a more comfortable atmosphere.  I can't wait for our first graders to try all the different seating options and see what works for them! 

Our classroom will have:

Rocker chairs

Stools

Floor tables

Standing desks

Wiggle seats

Yoga balls (coming soon)

Lap Desks

Floor mats 

And that's just a start! 

Enjoy the sunshine! See you soon!