Happy 138th Day of School! The first graders practiced their subtraction skills for morning work. During our morning meeting, we learned that in 1966 it took Kenechie Horie 138 days to travel 10,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean in a boat made from recycled aluminum and powered by solar panels. Our Question of the Day was: Do you believe in magic? Ask your child how he/she responded!
This week's spelling words end in either -ed or -ing. They are formed by doubling the final consonant in the base word before adding the ending. To learn the words, the students first wrote each base word and then changed it to the word on the spelling list. For example, drop became dropped. My magnifying lens and binoculars allowed me to see what my friends learning at home and in school had written. 😋
Following our morning break, we read the book Possum Magic by Australian author Mem Fox. I showed the first graders photos of the different Australian foods featured in the book. We looked at a map of Australia to see where the characters ate them. After this, the students worked independently on activities related to the book. Ask your child to tell you about the story!
This week's spelling words end in either -ed or -ing. They are formed by doubling the final consonant in the base word before adding the ending. To learn the words, the students first wrote each base word and then changed it to the word on the spelling list. For example, drop became dropped. My magnifying lens and binoculars allowed me to see what my friends learning at home and in school had written. 😋
Following our morning break, we read the book Possum Magic by Australian author Mem Fox. I showed the first graders photos of the different Australian foods featured in the book. We looked at a map of Australia to see where the characters ate them. After this, the students worked independently on activities related to the book. Ask your child to tell you about the story!
Ms. Prescott joined the class for Music after which the first graders ate lunch and enjoyed a recess break. Then, we listened to music during Quiet Time and watched Ms. Miller's announcements. Our new chapter in math focuses on money and time. Today, the first graders learned about the history of money. Ask your child about bartering, items used as money in the past, and why people use money. Fun Etymology Fact: Salt was used as money by the Romans. This is where the word salary has its origins.
We are almost at the end of our study of fossils and dinosaurs. Today, we watched a Mystery Science lesson that focused on the question: Where is the best place to find dinosaur fossils? The students recognized Sue from the Field Museum, learned that children have discovered fossils, and were surprised that fossils could be found near Chicago.
Next, the students chose books to read during Drop Everything and Read Time. The in-person learners played Sharks and Minnows together on the playground. Here they are striking a pose in front of the beautiful Bell School trees.
We are almost at the end of our study of fossils and dinosaurs. Today, we watched a Mystery Science lesson that focused on the question: Where is the best place to find dinosaur fossils? The students recognized Sue from the Field Museum, learned that children have discovered fossils, and were surprised that fossils could be found near Chicago.
Next, the students chose books to read during Drop Everything and Read Time. The in-person learners played Sharks and Minnows together on the playground. Here they are striking a pose in front of the beautiful Bell School trees.
After returning to class, the boys and girls learned about the monotremes of Australia. The platypus and echidna are the only mammals that lay eggs and they are only found in Australia! We then read another book by an Australian author. Graeme Base wrote and illustrated My Grandma Lived in Gooligulch. The story takes us on an incredible adventure with an imaginative take on Australian wildlife. Graeme Base also wrote Animalia and The Sign of the Seahorse. We will not read these books in class, but I have created read aloud videos of the latter for first graders to view. Click here for the first installment. Other installments will follow this week!
During the final independent work time of the day, the first graders completed activity sheets about some of the unusual animals of Australia. We ended the day by learning more about dinosaurs. We had to cover Stella Dino's ears when the topic of how smart dinosaurs were arose. It turns out the stegosaurus only had a brain the size of a golf ball!
Parents, please check the April 27 learning plan to prepare your child for his/her day of school on Tuesday. This is also the day to pick up instructional materials. Thank you!
Parents, please check the April 27 learning plan to prepare your child for his/her day of school on Tuesday. This is also the day to pick up instructional materials. Thank you!