Galapagos

This week Fuller Meadow was lucky to have three seniors from MASCO visit.  Kylie, Alexa, and Audrey shared their adventure from a recent school trip to the Galapagos Islands.  The girls shared their experiences, pictures and videos of wildlife and gave us tips for helping to conserve different animal species.  They taught us about the many unique tortoises, like Galapagos George, and the blue-footed boobies.  First graders were taught about protecting the environment and how important that is for the nature around us.

After learning about the different types of tortoises found on the Galapagos Island, first graders got to make their own.  Students got to decorate their shells and even gave them a name.

Thank you to our special guests for a wonderful and informative presentation.  Maybe some of these first graders will follow in your animal conversation footsteps.

How To Writing

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 digital 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.

Alex: How to Make Pancakes

John R.: How to Draw a Chalk Deer

Maddux: How to Play Baseball

.

John S.: How to be a Friend

Maya: How to do a Flip on the Trampoline

Sarah: How to get a Cat to Fall in Love with You

Jimmy: How to get a Pick Six

Urmi: How to Make a Pie Chart

Hadley: How to Make a Stuffed Animal

Timmy: How to Play Hockey

Antonio: How to Play in a Pool

Daniel: How to Ride a Bike

Juliette: How to Ride a Bike with Two
Wheels

Kaleah: How to Ride a Horse

Isabella: How to Roller Skate

James: How to Play Lacrosse

Molly: How to Play Tennis

First Grade Common Core Standard for Writing W.1.2 Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure.

Pond Life

Last week, we were fortunate to enjoy a very special presentation about pond life with creatures right in our hometown.  This coincided perfectly with our tide pool unit to inform us about habits around us.  All these wonderful pond creatures came right from Creighton Pond in Middleton.

1st graders were able to see tadpoles and adult frogs up close, along with a musk turtle as well as a baby painted turtle.  We even learned all about the metamorphosis of a frog!

Thanks to Mr. Boutilier and Mrs. Thomson for bringing this wonderful presentation to 1st grade,

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 crawls

Looking for something growing towards the sun

On the hunt for something that can be

carried by the wind

Finding something that changes

with the seasons

 Here's a peek at life through a 1st grade eye:

Something that will evaporate into a cloud

Something that can be struck by lightning

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.

Go Green!

We have been stressing the importance of helping the Earth. We read Fancy Nancy, Every Day is Earth Day and learned fun sayings to help us reduce, reuse and recycle. She taught us to "take a note use a tote" and "get clean but stay green".

1st graders painted the Earth with their hand print in the middle (their tiny prints are too cute!). Students then wrote a variety of different poems using words and phrases about saving the Earth. There was everything from cinquains to haikus, acrostics and even diamantes.  We sure have become spectacular poets!

Fuller Meadow's Walk to School day this week helped students practice ways to Go Green by realizing we can walk/bike places instead of using a car.  It was a "beautiful day in the neighborhood" and we enjoyed a wonderful morning stroll around the block (with the exception of some 1st grade friends ready for lunch, snack, water and even a nap).

Remember, "Under a mile, ride in style!"