Saturday, February 20, 2016

Africa!

This post is long overdue! We have been so busy studying Africa, place value, and of course, learning some new signal words. :) Check it out!

We are preparing for second grade and working on independence! 
Such a sweet Valentine's Day with these little ones!
Nothing makes this first grade teacher happier than an email inbox full of shared google docs to print out! So proud! And take a look at the padlet we've been working on for homework!







And finally, a little giraffe inquiry... Do you know how many spots a giraffe has? Or how much water a giraffe drinks each day? Or why it has ossicones? Help us with our research and leave us a comment below!
Thanks for reading!


Sunday, February 7, 2016

Student Blogger: Fabiana

My favorite European animal is the hedgehog. It's cool because it has over 5000 spines. I love the hedgehog because it rolls into a ball and when it sees its predator, its spines pop up. I do not like it because it eats snails. I would eat meat instead. European people eat snails.

Did you like Fabiana's post? Leave her a comment!

Saturday, February 6, 2016

Student Blogger: Jules

January 31st is my birthday! But the bad news is that I haven't picked where my party is going to be. I've been thinking if I am going to have my party at my house. I'm inviting my
friends to my party. My mom gave me options... Bowling, wait! Bowling, that's it! I'm going bowling for my party. That's it.

Thanks for reading! Did you like Jules's post? Leave him a comment below!

The Boat Challenge, Flexible Seating, and Farewell Europe!

What a fun week! On Monday, the kids participated in "The Boat Challenge!" With a partner, they were asked to build a boat that could sail from Europe to New York and carry cargo. The kids had a ton of fun and worked so well together! Thank you to Anahi's mom for all of the great photos!


This week we also tried out some new seating options! Our classroom now has exercise balls, a few stools, a wobble chair, and three floor cushions for sitting at a low table. I've given the kids some freedom in choosing where they work during reading and writing time, and I've been amazed at the results. Some kids work best sitting on the floor on cushions or on the carpet, some like to lay on their tummies, some stick to working in a chair or stool at their regular tables, and some like the exercise balls because it allows them to wiggle a little and helps them to focus! We are looking into trying out some more seating options, so please let me know if you are interested donating to our classroom! :)
Who says you can only work in a chair at a desk? Indigo made a list of places to work!

We also talked a little bit about Groundhog Day on Monday, and we wrote opinion pieces about whether we wanted the groundhog to see his shadow! Their writing was too cute! Looks like Spring is coming early! :)

This week was our last week studying Europe! We played Woodland Jeopardy on Friday (I also threw a review category in there, the bald eagle from North America). The kids learned so much about the animals of Europe and I was super impressed at all they remembered about the bald eagle from our FIRST unit this year. Wow!

Get ready for the African savanna, zoologists!

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Student Blogger: Isandro

Check out Isandro's blog post! Read his story below and leave him a comment!

I am lost in New Jersey. I see snow everywhere. I have supplies. They are good for snow. I have a shovel for the snow, for digging a hole to Alaska. But it is snowing in Alaska. I am going in a hotel. I will eat pancakes. And then I will go to my room.

The End