Sterling's Snippets: What's the Buzz with Daily 5?

Daily what? Has your first grader told you about Daily 5? Imagine yourself teaching a room full of six and seven year olds. In order to reach students independently and in small groups, the other students must be able to hold enough 'stamina' to work independently and quietly. Additionally, the goal is that students are participating in meaningful work to enhance their learning. This is where Daily 5 comes in!

Students have been introduced to the first three of our dailies. We began learning how to "Read to Self." Students learned that during read to self they should read independently quietly while staying in one place and reading the whole time. This is hard for first graders, yet we have managed to get over 10 minutes of stamina already (WOW!). Next students were introduced to "Listen to Reading." During listen to reading, students have the opportunity to listen to a fluent reader using a portable CD player and book/CD sets. Managing a CD player and set of headphones can be challenging for a first grader, especially if they can't find the right button or hole for their headphones. They have been problem solving and are doing a great job with the devices.

Finally, students have recently learned about some of our "Word Work" stations. Word Work stations allow students the opportunity to practice their weekly sight word and spelling words. Students may build a word with play-dough, write words on a Boogie Board, or type words on a pretend keyboard. Whatever the practice is, students are excited and engaged the whole time! Ask your first grader how they hold their stamina during Daily 5!

With rain in the forcast we took some time to learn how to play with indoor recess toys. The first graders had a blast building, playing and exploring! I have been working hard to add to our class collection of toys, especially those that encourage STEM play.

Gabrielle and Morgan build with a new STEM toy.

Finn, Saad and Bentley build ramps with blocks for cars.

Emily, Alexis and Mason explore legos and tangrams.

Reading: In reading students are reading What is a Pal? Not only are students learning what a good friend is, they are also learning to identify the main idea of a story. Students searched their texts for supporting details in the pictures and words that supported this main idea. Students have also been working on blending CVC (consonant, vowel, consonant) words like man, mat, and Sam. Students were introduced to their first, six sight words for the year as well as their first spelling sort. I placed child's most current sight word list in his or her G.O. Book. Please work with your child to read and write these words. Practice making the words with magnetic letters, writing in sand building with clay. I will reassess in a month or so and update their lists.

Writing: In Writer's Workshop students are learning to write from the heart. They are practicing adding appropriate spacing, capitalization and punctuation as well. This week we introduced the three parts of a lesson, which included the sharing session. Students practiced sharing their writing for the first time with a partner.

Trevor and Bentley take turns sharing their narrative stories.

Pyper and Alexis take turns reading their narrative stories.

Math: In math students have been introduced to counting strategies including counting by 1's, 2's, 5's and 10's as well as grouping. Students learned how to create and analyze a tally chart as well. We learned several new math games this week as well! Next week students will take their first math test. Please note that all tests will come home for you to view and review with your child but then should be signed and promptly returned too school.

Ethan and Sam play roll and color.

Anabelle and Iris play Top-It.

Science: This week the first grade scientists made a huge discovery! We planted Lima bean seeds using a wet paper towel and bag. We taped our bags to the window to get sunlight. Many of the seeds have started growing. Then to explore a plant's need for sun, we placed one bag in the closet, assuming it wouldn't grow. During our observations, we discovered that the bean plant without sun was growing the best! The first graders have determined that not all plants need the same amount of sunlight to grow.