Thursday, May 28, 2015

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.

Thursday, May 21, 2015

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.

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

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,