Candy Corn Project

We had a lot of fun completing our candy corn project. The students were very antsy today so it was a great day to do a fall project and enjoy some popcorn. 

I "Mustache" You a Question

We made mustaches to kick-off our week of asking and answering questions. We worked on this skill this week while reading fiction and non-fiction texts.. The students did a fantastic job asking questions to clarify the meaning or understanding of the text. We read many fiction and non-fiction texts to practice this skill.

United States Symbols

This week we started to learn about United States Symbols. So far we have learned about the bald eagle, the White House, the Liberty Bell, and the United States flag. We will be learning about the Statue of Liberty next week. After learning about the Liberty Bell, the students watched a youtube video of how to draw the Liberty Bell.

Here is the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFu6kb3-eZo

Adjectives

This week we have been learning about adjectives. Adjectives are words that describe nouns. I read the book The Bumpy Little Pumpkin written by Margery Cuyler and illustrated by Will Hillenbrand. Throughout the book there are a lot of adjectives to describe the pumpkins.  After reading the book and discussing adjectives, the students cut out their own pumpkin and wrote five adjectives to describe there pumpkin. Below are some pictures from our craftivity!

Heritage Hill

Today we went on a field trip to Heritage Hill. We got to experience what life was like on a Belgian farm in 1905. We learned about immigration, homes, making butter, farm life, summer kitchens, gardens, farm animals, and much more! We had a fantastic time and enjoyed the beautiful weather. This field trip ties closely to our social studies unit on past and present. Check out the some of the photos throughout the day!

  

   

   

   

   

   

Water Cycle Activity

Today we learned more about the water cycle during a hands on activity.  We have been learning about the steps of the water cycle and this activity helped bring all of the steps together. The three steps of the water cycle are evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. Ask your child about these steps. Also, you can do this activity at home. 

Water Cycle Activity

MATERIALS:

• Clear cup
• Cold water
• Barbasol shaving cream
• Blue food coloring 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Fill the cup about three-quarters of the way full with cold water. 
2. Spray Barbasol shaving cream on top of the water. 
3. Squeeze several drops of blue food coloring on top of the shaving cream. 
4. Observe

Phantastic Phantoms

We worked in groups today to make posters about Hallway Behavior.
The students know that they need to do the following in the hallway:

• Zero voice
• Hands by your side
• Walk in a straight line
• Walk with quiet feet
• Look straight ahead
• Keep up with your line

The students worked super hard this week to follow these rules.
We won the traveling trophy for following these rules in the hallway.
Great job being Phantastic Phantoms!

Fire Safety and Prevention

Today we had some visitors. The Lawrence Fire Department visited Hemlock Creek today. The first graders learned about fire safety and prevention. The students were attentive listeners and had some very good questions for these Firefighters. 

The Firefighters assigned some homework to everyone.

1.  Change the batteries in your fire alarms at home on Daylight Savings Day this fall.
2. Decide on a meeting place outside of your home in case of a fire.
3. Make sure your child has their address memorized.

 The kiddos were such good listeners that they received a spirit stick, pencil, and an eraser. After the visit, we completed a Fire Safety sheet together. Here are some pictures from today's visit and activity. Please discuss your fire safety plan at home this weekend.

  

  

Phonics Instruction - Fundations

Today, I recorded our teacher helper for the day leading our Fundations warm up. Each day we do a drill sound/warm up before we start our lesson. The teacher helper gets to choose 5-7 letters to do the letter-keyword-sound. In this video you will notice that the teacher helper will state the letter-keyword-sound and all of the other students will then repeat the letter-keyword-sound. The teacher helper then leads our vowel extensions. The vowel extensions helps the students stretch out their vowel sounds. You have probably noticed the Fundations packets coming home in your child's take home folder. These packets will let you know what we are learning and are for you to use at home.  They are not required but do offer activities for your child to have a little extra phonics practice.

Enjoy! If at any time you have any questions, please let me know! :)

The Little House - Setting of a Story

This week we have been learning about the setting of a story. We learned that the setting of a story is where and when the story takes place. We have been practicing identifying the setting with various texts. Today they had the opportunity to draw the setting of the story The Little House written by Virginia Lee Burton. The setting changes throughout this particular story.  I stopped at various points throughout the story and the students drew the setting that they pictured in their minds while I was reading. Here are some of the students working hard on their piece of work. Please discuss the setting of stories you read together at home!