Happy Earth Day! We welcomed a new batch of first grade friends back to in-person learning today. What an exciting event! The friends who had already been learning at school were very helpful to the new arrivals. Thank you for being kind and helpful, my friends.
Today's morning work was a coloring page about Earth Day. During our morning meeting, we colored in gumball number 136 and wrote 136 in Roman numerals. We also learned that Kermit the Frog is left-handed! After reading the morning message, the first graders shared things they do to make a difference in the world. Next, we read some do's and don'ts for helping our planet. Then, the boys and girls participated in a Find a Friend Who... activity by indicating whether they recycled, turned off lights, had a compost, and other Earth-friendly behaviors.
Following a break, the first graders wrote poems about our wonderful world and how we can help it. I encouraged the students to think like writers, to use descriptive language instead of just making lists. For example, instead of writing "These are the oceans filled with fish and water," one might write "These are the oceans filled with luminescent fish swimming swiftly through the swaying seaweed." The writing session ended with the students sharing portions of their poems with each other.
During the morning independent work time, the students studied their spelling words and books about Australian animals. The in-person learners were quizzed on the spelling words and read fiction and/or nonfiction books from the Room 104 library. This was followed by another great music class with Ms. Prescott, Lunch, and Quiet Time. Then it was time for some deep mathematical thinking as the students showed their knowledge of two-digit subtraction and multi-step problem-solving on the Chapter 5 math test.
We continued our Earth Day activities by writing acrostic poems about ways we can take care of our planet. The students did an admirable job incorporating material from earlier in the day in their poems. They also were open to suggestions about how to improve their writing. It was lovely to see how eager my first grade friends were to share their writing with each other. Keep it up, writers!
Today's morning work was a coloring page about Earth Day. During our morning meeting, we colored in gumball number 136 and wrote 136 in Roman numerals. We also learned that Kermit the Frog is left-handed! After reading the morning message, the first graders shared things they do to make a difference in the world. Next, we read some do's and don'ts for helping our planet. Then, the boys and girls participated in a Find a Friend Who... activity by indicating whether they recycled, turned off lights, had a compost, and other Earth-friendly behaviors.
Following a break, the first graders wrote poems about our wonderful world and how we can help it. I encouraged the students to think like writers, to use descriptive language instead of just making lists. For example, instead of writing "These are the oceans filled with fish and water," one might write "These are the oceans filled with luminescent fish swimming swiftly through the swaying seaweed." The writing session ended with the students sharing portions of their poems with each other.
During the morning independent work time, the students studied their spelling words and books about Australian animals. The in-person learners were quizzed on the spelling words and read fiction and/or nonfiction books from the Room 104 library. This was followed by another great music class with Ms. Prescott, Lunch, and Quiet Time. Then it was time for some deep mathematical thinking as the students showed their knowledge of two-digit subtraction and multi-step problem-solving on the Chapter 5 math test.
We continued our Earth Day activities by writing acrostic poems about ways we can take care of our planet. The students did an admirable job incorporating material from earlier in the day in their poems. They also were open to suggestions about how to improve their writing. It was lovely to see how eager my first grade friends were to share their writing with each other. Keep it up, writers!
DEAR Time and a recess break led into the social studies lesson for the day. We watched a video clip about marsupials. Ask your child to name some of these Australian animals who have pouch babies! Before reading the Science Spin article "Saving Wombats," the first graders received a preview of vocabulary words that would be in it. Ask your child what he/she learned about wombats. This article was a perfect way to combine our Earth Day message about making a difference in the world with our studies about Australia.
Finally, we read the silly When Dinosaurs Came with Everyone. Ask your child about the story and chat about whether or not you would like a dinosaur to come home with you!
Parents, please read the April 23 learning plan to prepare your child for school on Friday. As a special treat, here's another story for your child to read!
Finally, we read the silly When Dinosaurs Came with Everyone. Ask your child about the story and chat about whether or not you would like a dinosaur to come home with you!
Parents, please read the April 23 learning plan to prepare your child for school on Friday. As a special treat, here's another story for your child to read!