Spaghetti Tower Challenge

Here are some photos from the fun we had with our first design challenge!  The task was to build a tall tower using only spaghetti noodles and mini marshmallows. All groups started out with square bases and then many realized they needed to switch to a different shape if they wanted their tower to stand up on its own. Ask your student what shape is the strongest when it comes to constructing designs!

Here is the start of our family photo collection!  Please send your family photo in so we can have you all be a part of our classroom too!

Week 2

This week we have slowly been working to build reading stamina. After spending a great deal of time finding good fit books for everyone, we determined that reading is thinking and we need it to be quiet so we can do our best thinking.  Then we got to work reading!  The students were sure they could read for thirty minutes or even an hour without talking to a friend, walking around the room or becoming off task.  I set the timer and they were amazed that after 11 seconds we had to stop due to talking!  After a few more practices we made it an entire 2 minutes and 39 seconds!  I was pretty impressed.  On Thursday, they doubled that time!  I am excited to see how quickly we can build our stamina and reach our goal of 20 minutes!  Be sure to ask your child each day in the coming weeks how our stamina chart is growing.

In math this week we have been doing a variety of activities that involve working with a buddy.  Students are learning how to work together, make new friends and take turns during the games.  Here are some pictures from our Mystery Bags!  We will find out on Friday which bag held the most counting bears.  

More Pics From Week One

It was such a great week!  Take a look at all the learning and fun we had. 

Equations Everywhere

The past two days we have created a graph of our favorite sports and used that graph to answer many different math equations. The students were excited to find out which sports their new friends enjoy and were eager to show their math skills creating, writing and solving equations related to the graph.  Can you guess which sport your child chose?  

A Great First Day

We had a successful first day in 1st grade!  The students made new friends, explored in the classroom and listened to stories. 

We were all excited to find out if our year was going to be a success. The Magic Play Dough was the key to a great school year. If the play dough changed colors that meant it would be a good year for sure!  Check out our pictures below from day 1!  

Welcome To First Grade!

I am so excited to be teaching first grade this year!  It is my goal to keep you informed on what is happening in our classroom.  I'll use this blog to post all of the fun that is happening in our classroom.  I'll be sure to include photos, updates and reminders.  Please make it a habit to check the blog every couple of days so you know what your child is doing in first grade.

I look forward to meeting you on August 14th at Open House!