Happy Thanksgiving to Your Family!

Greetings 1st grade families!  I hope this blog post greets you enjoying time with your family and friends.  Even though it was a short week, we still managed to cram in lots of fun and memories.  We began our week learning a little bit about the history of Thanksgiving.  We read The First Thanksgiving and watched a short video as part of our Studies Weekly curriculum.  We then practiced retelling the story while making bracelets.  Each color bead represented a different event in our story.  Here is Connor showing off his work!

Next it was time to review verbs.  We read the story Run Turkey Run and then came up with our own phrases using different verbs.  We had some really cute ideas including: "Dance turkey dance, cartwheel turkey cartwheel and finally launch turkey launch.  Below Hazel and Aubrey work on their Turkey Verbs project.  The adorable projects are on display in our classroom right now!

Then it was time to work with non-standard measurement in math.  Students used a turkey feather to measure objects around the classroom, including their partner.  Below Coby, Aiden, Connor, Colton and Chace work on measuring.

In math we also played counting on Turkey Thump.  Partners practiced rolling a numeral dice and a dot dice to add and count on with numbers up to 18.  They covered a turkey feather with a candy corn and could "Thump" their neighbor off if a feather was occupied.  Below Isaac, Nico, Tina, Coby and Brookelyn play.

We then read the story, Turkey Trouble, where a turkey decides to disguise himself so that he won't be eaten.  Following the  story, the students worked to disguise a turkey of their own.  Below you will see turkeys disguised as a Ninja and Superhero.

In the midst of all of this Thanksgiving fun we had our November Character Assembly.  The following students were recognized this month:

Exercise: Ella

Patriotism: Preston

Giving: Coby

Character Champion: Carter

Finally, our class learned about the real meaning behind Thanksgiving, being with the people you care about and spending time together.  We watched A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and then had a Charlie Brown Feast of pretzels, popcorn, jellybeans and toast.  The students each took turns sharing something or someone they were thankful for as we enjoyed our meal.  YUM!

Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday and break,

Field Trip Fun!

Happy Friday!  We had a great week in 1st grade, minus a few hurdles such as a sick teacher and snow!  It is definitely getting cold, so please send snow pants, boots and winter gear daily.  The students can store the items in their locker and bring them home on Fridays (or leave them at school if you have an extra set).  Remember, Fargo Public School students will go outside as long as the windshield is -15 degrees or above.

This week we prepared for Thanksgiving with a fun turkey project, which you will see on your child's locker.  We will make another turkey next week while learning about verbs which will be on display in our classroom.

We visited the Plains Art Museum on Thursday, November 19 where students learned about Picasso's art work as well as made their second clay project, the penguin!  The penguins will be brought home with students in about a month.  Your child should have brought home a bright, pink coupon for your entire family to visit the museum again, free of charge!  Enjoy this wonderful opportunity.  I am sure your little artist can share with you what they have learned.  While you wait to see the finished project, check out these great photos below!

In science we have been learning all about sound and vibrations.  We spent a day exploring like scientists with balloons, drums, string, harmonicas, and rubber bands.  The students were challenged to make the objects vibrate which would in turn make sound.  Check out some of our exploring below.

We celebrated another birthday, today!  Happy Birthday Sonja!

Upcoming Events

November 25-November 29: No School, Thanksgiving Break

December 7-13: Mrs. Sterling absent on a family vacation.  Mrs. Eide will be the substitute teacher all week.

I hope everyone has an enjoyable weekend and prepares for a short week where students will explore why they are Thankful, at the start of this holiday season!

No School Wednesday

Good morning!  As we begin our week, remember that there is No School on Wednesday, November 11 for Veteran's Day.  Book orders will also be due tomorrow, Tuesday, November 10.

Last week I was able to look at student growth and am excited to share results with you at conferences.  The students have been working so hard for the past 50 days of 1st grade and their work has paid off through evidence of growth and progress.  Conferences are just around the corner.  If something changes and you are unable to make your scheduled time, please let me know so that we can reschedule.

Last week students dove into our next unit in math with a cooperative exercise that involved counting large quantities of objects.  Working in groups, students were given a bucket of objects (candy, straws, bears, Popsicle sticks, etc.) and were asked to count these objects as a team.  The catch, there were several hundred of the object!  Students had do devise a plan, organize their process and in the end, determine how many they had.  Finally, students appointed a speaker to share their process and total with the class.  This cooperative lesson met so many standards not only in mathematics but with speaking, listening, and collaboration.  Check out some great pictures of the process below.

 

We made quick trip down to Mr. Seeba's room to work on a turkey project with our 4th grade buddies.  It is so fun seeing the relationships forming with these students.  I often hear my students say "I just saw my buddy in the hallway" with excitement.

Upcoming Reminders

November 10: Book Order's Due

November 11: No School

November 17, 19, & 23: Parent Teacher Conferences

November 19: Field Trip to Plains Art Museum