Happy Tuesday! The first graders continued to work on their penguin posters for morning work today. They then participated in the morning meeting. The Fun Fact of the Day was: The space shuttles got their initial lift with two solid rocket boosters each 149 feet in height. The Fun Giggle of the Day was: In what school do you learn how to greet people? Hi School! 🤣 After reading the morning message, the first graders shared the names of insects (and some non-insects) that they would like to know more about. Response included mosquitoes, butterflies, centipedes, bees, and worms.
During our first literacy session, we revisited The Mud Family in our Junior Great Books. Our focus today was on Sosi's reaction to the flash flood approaching her mud family. The students thought about, wrote, and shared what they would have done if they had been in Sosi's place. Ask your child to read his/her response to the writing prompt to you!
During our first literacy session, we revisited The Mud Family in our Junior Great Books. Our focus today was on Sosi's reaction to the flash flood approaching her mud family. The students thought about, wrote, and shared what they would have done if they had been in Sosi's place. Ask your child to read his/her response to the writing prompt to you!
After a break, it was time for this week's Second Step lesson. In the scenario depicted in the poster above, Lamar and Rita are painting an ocean scene together. Abraham likes painting, too. Lamar wants to ask Lamar to join them. Rita says they don't need more help. Ask your child to state the problem, think of different solutions, explore the consequences, and explain the solution Lamar picked. Remember, the time is always right to do the right thing--even if others are not!
Next, the first graders worked on various chapters of their autobiography projects. These included family trees, self portraits, and memories of kindergarten. As in previous sessions, some students were rewriting ideas while others were jotting down ideas in notebooks. Keep at it, authors!
Next, the first graders worked on various chapters of their autobiography projects. These included family trees, self portraits, and memories of kindergarten. As in previous sessions, some students were rewriting ideas while others were jotting down ideas in notebooks. Keep at it, authors!
Then, it was our turn to have our photos taken for School Picture Day. We lined up in an aisle of the auditorium and then stepped forward to the photographer. I saw some awesome smiles! Pod B friends will have their Picture Day turns on Thursday.
Music with Ms. Prescott was great fun as always. After Lunch and Quiet Time, we watched yesterday and today's announcements from Ms. Miller. It was great to see two more Room 104 friends leading the school in the Pledge of Allegiance. Today's math lesson focused on solving word problems involving money. Students acted out the problems using play money and recorded the amounts of money with pictures. A couple of the in-person learners did not have their play money so the Bank of Kaim let them borrow some. Pretty soon there was a run on the bank! I explained that banks charge interest when you borrow their money. The concept caused some outrage among my customers. 😲
During science, we began our new insect unit by looking at the ways scientists have categorized animals into groups. We'd already discussed the characteristics of the five main vertebrate groups. Today, we focused our attention on the invertebrate life forms. They are not all insects as we could see in the poster below. Before dismissing the class for DEAR Time and a recess break, I previewed some of the insects and insect topics we would be studying together.
During science, we began our new insect unit by looking at the ways scientists have categorized animals into groups. We'd already discussed the characteristics of the five main vertebrate groups. Today, we focused our attention on the invertebrate life forms. They are not all insects as we could see in the poster below. Before dismissing the class for DEAR Time and a recess break, I previewed some of the insects and insect topics we would be studying together.
Our continent of the month, Antarctica, does not have countries, but scientists visit this coldest place on the planet to study many things: the atmosphere, the ice, and the animals. We looked at photos of scientists working in Antarctica and I read sections of the book Crittercam to the class. Ask your child why the penguin in the photo is wearing a backpack! The first graders then completed activity sheets based on what scientists studied in Antarctica. The students were then challenged to design a warm place to stay if they were scientists there. The in-person learners were able to brainstorm ideas with each other.
Finally, during Closing Circle, I shared a slideshow prepared by a researcher who spent time in Antarctica. This researcher happens to be the mother of one of the current second graders. Ask your child about the sea pigs!
Finally, during Closing Circle, I shared a slideshow prepared by a researcher who spent time in Antarctica. This researcher happens to be the mother of one of the current second graders. Ask your child about the sea pigs!
Parents, please check the REVISED Learning Plan for May 12 to prepare your child for a special SEL Day tomorrow. Students will meet with me for the Morning Meeting and Closing Circle. They will also meet with Ms. Prescott for Music. During the remainder of the day, the students should attend four of the SEL sessions. How perfect for us that the sessions are all about insects! If you have signed your child up to read with me tomorrow, please be sure he/she joins me on our regular Google Meet at his/her designated time. Thank you very much!