And... We're Off and Running!

Welcome to the First Grade 2015-16 year!  Our classroom blog will be updated 1-2 times per week for your enjoyment!  Every child will have the opportunity to be the Student of the Week this year, and will be featured in our blog on their week.  Sometimes we have special events, field trips, or we want to showcase us doing something for parents to see.  Fabulous First Graders is a great way to have parents see us in action!  So, sit back and enjoy seeing your children enjoy first grade!

We will be doing the Daily 5 this year.  We will spend 60+ minutes, 3-4 times per week working on important literacy activities.  Children have the opportunity to choose three different activities to spend 20-25 minutes with each day that we do the Daily 5.  It takes almost a month to learn how to do the activities correctly and to build our stamina to stay focused on them.  This week we began by learning how to do Read to Self.  The children have learned how to choose 'Just Right Books' and each child has his/her own book box with 8-10 books in it.  They also learned Three Ways to Read a Book.  One way is to read the words. A second way is to 'read' the pictures (make up the story in your mind by using the pictures). The third way is to retell a familiar story in their own words.  When we do our Daily 5 activities, the children may choose where they would like to work.  This week, we practiced choosing productive places (away from friends we may like to talk to) and are trying to build our stamina to stay focused. So far we have stayed focused for 4 minutes, but are working toward 20-25!  We will add in pillows, blankets and stuffed animals as options soon. Eventually we will learn how to do Read with Someone, Work on Writing, Word Work, and Listen to Reading as well.  Here are some pictures of us practicing Read to Self this week! 

Talon

Ethan, Maddy, Sean and Miley

Collin

Leah and Emily

Sierra, Keira and Jayden

Ki and Page

Aidan, Kylee, Jayla and Molly

Logan

Bailey

Deegan and Tyler

Tanner and Reece

Did you notice how warm it was this week???  So did we!  The kids did a great job considering the heat and sweat pouring down our faces!  They worked so hard, we decided to end our week with a bit of Math Tub time.  It was nice to have time to explore with the many materials we have in class.  Here are a few pictures for your enjoyment!

Logan and Collin

Deegan, Page and Bailey

Aidan

Emily, Jayden and Miley

Kylee

Maddy, Ethan and Jayla

Uriel, Reece and Ki

Sean and Tanner

Leah, Tyler and Talon

Molly and Keira

And finally...  Ki was honored with the opportunity to wear some "Smart Beads" in class on Friday!  He earned this honor because during Math time, I asked the class the answer to a math problem, and everyone said the wrong answer EXCEPT Ki!  Way to go, Ki!