Animal Research!

First grade has been studying about different animal classifications for the last five weeks. After studying birds all week, we went into the STEM lab to do a series of different animal activities. The class was split into four different groups and we were stationed at three different tables. One group did an animal sort where they had to sort the right characteristics to each animal classification. The second group used the ipads to research four different birds and they wrote a fact and drew a picture of each one. The third station used bird books and did a compare and contrast on them. We ended up having so much fun in the STEM lab that we used up all our time and we had to continue our stations back in our classroom.

Fun fact: My class said that a peacock couldn't be a pet bird and I told them the story of my grandma and her pet peacock. I used to love going to its cage and watching it as a little girl.

Surprise Visit from our Pen Pals

First grade has mail!

In first grade it is always a struggle to teach students the difference between Mrs. and Miss. Often my students say good morning Mrs. Pedrini. I always reply back with, "I will be sure to tell my mom you said good morning." The kiddos always laugh and correct themselves.

My class has often talked about meeting my parents. Word always gets around that they surprise my class each year and always bring special treats. I thought it would be fun for my class to get to know them a little before they came to visit.

One of first grade's writing standards is to learn to write a friendly letter. In years past, I've had pen pals in Alaska but this year, I thought it would be fun to write Mr. and Mrs. Pedrini. My class all giggled with the thought but they were very excited to write them and they had many fun questions to ask them.

After we wrote the letters, I stuck a sticker picture of each student on the top of the letter and in sent them in the mail. We didn't tell Mr. and Mrs. Pedrini that we mailed them letters. We wanted it to be a surprise. My mom called me and she was so surprised. Not only surprised from recieving the letters but because the letters were written so well. She said they had wonderful penmanship and she was shocked by how well they wrote the letters. Her response at the end of the phone call was, "well, I better start writing these letter and find some cool paper and stickers for them." haha! I think she excelled on the sticker department! She also thought it was so neat to see a photo of them students while reading the letters.

My parents playing a math card game with first grade.

A few days after Mr. and Mrs, Pedrini recieved their letters, we were surprised by special visitors at the end of the week. They came with mail and special treats! First grade was so excited to read their letters and so thrilled about their treat bags. They were filled with Mrs. Pedrini's favorite candy (Sponge Bob Crabby Pattys), spike balls, insect crawlers, and a pencil. Each student had them guess their names. We shared a few things about our class with them and then invited them to play our new favorite game (I have, who has). My parents were so impressed by their behavior and how intelligent first graders are. They are excited to come back and visit and maybe even volunteer.

This was such a fun experience and I am so thankful my parents were just as thrilled to be part of it!

First grade and Mr. and Mrs. Pedrini

Each student read their letters out loud under the document camera.

Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Pedrini for writing us back and for the special treat bags!

Let's learn to spell!

Spelling is always a task I hear parents have a hard time helping their children with at home. In first grade we practice our spelling words many ways. I wanted to share with you the ways we practice in the classroom so, you can help your children practice at home too.

Each week, first grade gets a set of spelling words. Their spelling words connect to the current phonics lesson we are learning for that week. This is great because they learn why the words are spelled the way they are. I always add three challenge words that are not part of the original spelling list. I pull these three words from student work. They are usually the most frequently misspelled high frequency words.

Here is a list of great ways your child can practice their words at home. The photos in this post are of students spelling words with playdough. They loved this kinestetic activity!

Spelling Practice Activities

• rolling out play dough and making letters
• using letter cubes or letter squares to build words
• writing each word three times each
• rainbow spelling (write the word in pencil and trace it with color pencils, crayons, or markers)
• graffiti spelling (making block, squiggly, or funky letters)
• write spelling words in the context of a sentence
• write a short story using as many spelling words as you can
• twisting pipe clearners into words
• use stamps
• write letters using dots and then trace them
• type it on a computer or ipad
• write in dirt or sand with a stick
• write with sidewalk chalk
• write in shaving cream
• write with a white crayon on white paper and then scribble over it with darker colors or water color over it
• use cheese its or cherrios to make words
• dry erase boards
• online spelling activities (spelling city)
• make word searches

You can always search online. There are many great spelling resources out there but this is a great start! Now it's time to start practicing!

Estevan loved using the play dough for spelling.

Savonne rolling out her play dough to make a word.

We always say, "If you can spell could, you can spell would!"

Alyssa from kindergarten joins us for first grade reading.

Valentine's Day

I realized I forgot to update our Valentine's Day party pictures. Each student made a treat bag and delivered their valentine's to each other. We enjoyed a yummy treat, too. We made strawberry floats with licorice straws. I am amazed at all the neat valentine's everyone passed out. Joshua brought valentines that turned into a Ninja Turtle mask. Everyone loved them!

 First grade wearing their valentines from Joshua!

Thank you first grade for all the lovely valentines and treats!

Alina and Kaitlyn are passing out their valentine's day cards.

Licorice can be a straw? WOW!

Sawyer made cookies for everyone.

These are the valentines that I made for the kiddos. They loved them!

It's looking a little more like love around here!

We started off the month of February talking about what love means to us. The students came up with so many great ideas of what love means to them. Come check them out on the third floor. We have displayed them on our classroom bulletinboard for all to see. For art we made love-bots! These bots are full of love! We created a special robot design and each student added a little character to their own! Please come check out all their hard work!

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Spirit Week

During spirit week students had many dress up days as well as days to celebrate their culture. Cultural day was a new sprit day this year and it turned out great! Students all brought a food from their culture to share with the class. We enjoyed potato pancakes, vietnamese fried rice, cookies, german cookies, italian meatballs, and seaweed. Each student shared a little about their culture and the types of foods they eat at home. I am pretty sure Vy's fried rice was the classes favorite!

Monday - Pajama Day
Tuesday - Twin Day
Wednesday - Career Day
Thursday - Cultural Food Day
Friday - Crazy Feet Day (wild socks and shoes)

Colton on career day

Ahhh, I'm stuck in a snow globe....

First grade used the writing process to write stories about being stuck in a snow globe. They loved this idea and came up with many descriptive details to support their story. There favorite part was designing the inside of their snow globe. We took pictures out on the playground and glued them inside a dome lid to create the effect of being stuck inside the globe. Here is a photo of what the finished product looked like. Each student did a fabulous job creating their narratives! We have a group of authors on our hands!