Scavenger Hunt

1st graders and their Kindergarten buddies went on a Weather Scavenger hunt in the courtyard. Using all their knowledge of weather, spring and Mother Nature, 1st graders used the iPads to take photos of items on their scavenger hunt list.

Finding something that started
from a seed

Finding something that changes
with the seasons

Finding something that crawls

On the hunt for something that can be
carried by the wind

When we headed inside, students used the apple TV to share their photos. Here's a peek at life through a 1st grade eye:

Something that can be struck by lightning

Something that is shaded from the sun

Something that is growing towards the sun

Something that will evaporate into a cloud

Something that reminds you of summer

Not only are these photos National Geographic ready but it was also wonderful to hear the scientific discussions going on. 1st graders and Kindergarten friends came up with different creative photos for all the items on their hunt.

May Flowers

When we peek outside our classroom window we see beautiful May flowers budding all around us. Well, flowers have also been budding in our classroom too. Students made "math flowers" to show their knowledge of representing different numbers. 1st graders showed their target number with equations (addition and subtraction), in a ten frame, with tens and ones and some even wrote the number word. 

These flowers came out so adorable we decided to send a set to our penpals. While creating our penpal flowers we focused on the difference between interrogative sentences (questions) and explanatory sentences. 1st graders asked their penpal a series of questions on the front side, making sure to include the question mark and then answered these questions with explanatory sentences on the back. We even included our mustache pictures to give our penpals a smile.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to the wonderful Moms of the students in room 116. We hope you enjoy your day; may it be filled with hugs, loves and snuggles. Cherish your gifts that came home this weekend. Someday many years from now you will look back at your card and jade plant and think fondly of your child at this age. Thank you for all that you do to send smiling happy students to 1st grade everyday.

A virtual Happy Mother's Day is sent to Mrs. Klipfel (an avid Klipfel & Kids follower). Ever wonder where I get my creative ideas, or who helps cut out laminating projects or who's the editor for this blog or even buys endless supplies for our classroom? Well she gets the credit for all that and more! She is a stupendous Mom and does so much for all of us in room 116. Happy Mother's Day! xoxo

How to...

In Writer's Workshop, 1st graders have been focusing on informational writing. Each student chose a topic they were an expert on to create a "How To..." book. Once students decided on a topic they began with a rough draft, making sure to use rich transition words. Next, students used green pens to revise and edit their work. After that, 1st graders used scribble press on the iPads to create a how to book.

I was very impressed to look around the classroom during Writer's Workshop to see every single student, I repeat EVERYONE on task for the whole writing block. 1st graders were so into creating their books and repeatedly asked and begged to finish them.

Students using their rough drafts and turning them into published books

Check out our published Scribble Press creations by clicking on the book titles below. Make sure to look at the back cover and learn about our fabulous published authors.

Matty: How to Be a Goalie

Natalia: How to Make the
Prettiest Flower in the World

Jake: How to Brush Teeth

John: How to Hit a Baseball

Ella: How to Do The
 Gymnastics Rings

Marco: How to Ride a Dirt Bike

Luke: How to Sing

Teagan: How to Hug Miss
Klipfel and Never Let Go

Quinn: How to Cook

Katherine: How to Paint
your Nails

Ashwin: How to 

Throw a Football

Sophia: How to Tie your Shoe \

Hailey: How to Swim in the Pool

              

           Brannon: How to Build a
 Lego Airplane

Carter: How to Set
Up a Chess Board 

Langdon: How to Brush
your Teeth

Make Way for Fuller Meadow

As you may know, Fuller Meadow participated in Walk to School day this morning. When we were all settled in at school, students and teachers took to the Brigadoon neighborhood behind Fuller Meadow for a morning walk. It was a "beautiful day in the neighborhood" and we enjoyed a wonderful stroll around the block (with the exception of some 1st grade friends ready for lunch, snack, water and even a nap).

Getting our morning exercise along side our Masco intern Toni!