It was a busy first full week back to school!
We are continuing to add strategies to our Word Detective tool belts. This week we have been focusing on using snap words that we know to help us decode mystery words. Example: If I know the word "out" in a snap, it can help me read the word "about" or "shout."
We started our How-To writing and it is off to a great start! The students are writing step-by-step directions and doing an awesome job using transition words to help with the structure of their writing.
The first graders had a chance to share their How-To Build a Snowman books with their fourth grade buddies and then the first and fourth graders got to create their own snowmen in the game "Roll a Snowman!"
The week ended with an amazing assembly. Chata Addy performed on Friday afternoon and it was a wonderful way to end the week! All of Stephenson was up, dancing and singing in the cafeteria!
Reminders:
1/31 -- Dough For Dollars @ Pizzacato
2/3 -- No School - Teacher Planning
Here are some photos from the week...
Back in school mode...
In science this week we did an experiment with sand. The first grade geologists used the sand that we sifted out from the river rocks and put it in a vial with water. They made observations about the dry sand and then made observations after they added the water. Finally, they made predictions about what would happen to the sand and water when it was left over night. We will have to wait to see on Monday!
To honor Martin Luther King Jr, we read different stories about him, watched a video and created our own peace sign art. We had a great discussion that was stemmed by one student's question, "If MLK gave up, would our world still be like that?" After having the first graders discuss this thoughtful question, one student answered, "I think if he gave up, someone else would have stood up." This prompted lots of the first grades to say "I would have!" I'd say the future is in good hands :)
Reminders:
1/27 -- Chata Addy Assembly @ 1:00pm
Here are some photos from the week...
Another short (one-day) week...
In math we started our penguin unit and we have begun to transform Room 112 into our Antarctica penguin study lab! The students started getting their passports ready to make the journey. We will be studying different species of penguins while also learning about measurement. It is going to be a great adventure!
In reading we are continuing to practice strategies for decoding tricky words. The first graders are working hard to build their stamina - reading longer and stronger!
Here are some photos from last Tuesday...
It was a great (short) first week back in Room 112!
This week the students started sharing their traditions with the class. It has been great hearing all of the different (and similar) family traditions! We still have a lot to get through, so presentations will continue next week. There are some pictures of the presenters below :)
In science this week we had a special visitor - the curator of the Rice Rock Museum! She shared different fossils and minerals with the first graders. The students had a chance to look at, touch and even bring home rocks and minerals of their own! The curator was very impressed with the first grade geologists :)
We ended the week with our Cozy Cocoa Reading Party! A HUGE thank you to all the volunteers who were able to make it to the rescheduled party. Forts were built, cocoa was drank, popcorn was eaten and fun was had!
Here are some pictures from the week...
