Our Week in First Grade

Our bean seeds have sprouted and we are watching them grow! The children recorded their observations in their science notebooks.

Can you balance on one foot? Can you do the flamingo stretch? First graders practiced core strength training during a movement break.

We starting sharing again this week. The children enjoyed bringing in pictures, trophies, photographs and collections to show their friends. 

We also started writing realistic fiction books. The children are making up pretend characters and writing about their adventures. 

Science

We looked at seeds and noticed how they were different shapes, sizes and colors. We examined lima bean seeds and soaked some in water overnight. We compared the dry seeds to the soaked seeds to see how they were different. We took off the seed coat and looked inside the seed to find the little plant and food storage. We also placed green bean seeds on a wet paper towel to watch them sprout. On Friday the children planted seeds for the garden project with Mrs. Adams. They planted tomato and cabbage seeds and put them in the grow lab. The first graders will water and tend to the plants until they are ready to be planted outside. 

Four Winds

Last Tuesday we had our March lesson which was all about white-tailed deer. The first graders learned their connection to other plants and animals in the forest. They examined different parts of deer to learn how these features help them find food and avoid predators. The children shared signs of deer they have seen in their neighborhoods and learned how far and high they can jump. Thank you Becca and Kim for leading the lesson!

Our Week

We had a busy week in first grade! We started the week by celebrating Red Clover Days. The children rotated through different activities that connected to some of the books nominated this year. First graders made snowflakes, recycled art, paper airplanes, and used their imagination to tell stories. The children will vote for their favorite Red Clover book in April. We also started our plant unit and project. Mrs. Adams came to talk with the K-2 classes. The children learned why they are helping plant seeds to grow for the Deborah Rawson Garden Project. Our class will plant cabbage and tomato seeds in April. We will learn what plants need in order to survive and how light affects plant growth during this unit.

Classroom Visitor

While we were checking out the books for sale in the library, someone came in our room and played some tricks. Hmm...who could have left these footprints behind on Saint Patrick's Day? There were silly things all over the classroom!

Math

First graders are finding different ways to make numbers. They are expected to find many combinations of numbers using 2 and 3 addends. They played the game Dot Addition and used dot cards to find totals and record equations. 

They are also practicing efficient ways to add numbers. They played Five in a Row with cards to practice adding numbers. They are counting on, using doubles and ways to make 10 to add numbers efficiently.