Week 15

Here are some highlights from Room 112...

Our geologists learned about sedimentary rocks this week and had the chance to explore river rocks. We had a river rock mixture that the students sifted and sorted into 4 different kids of rocks (large pebbles, small pebbles, gravel and sand). After sorting the rocks, the students made rock riddles by using sizes and comparisons of river rocks. We had some tricky riddles! This week we will be using our sifted out sand to learn about silt.

The students have been doing an incredible job with their How-To writings! They are all working hard on their writing and teaching. We have been making sure that our writing has a title, a materials list, step by step directions and transition words. The students graded one (or more) of their how-to pieces, making sure that it had each component and that they had neat handwriting and spaces. Wow are they tough graders! They were critical of their own work and they made changes to their writing to improve it. We will be publishing one of their How-To pieces this week -- looking forward to reading all of the expert topics!

In math we reinforced our place value learning and also have been continuing to build on our understanding of counting by 5's and 10's with coins.

We started our class auction project on Friday -- thank you Jessica (Eli's Mom) and we will be finishing it up this Friday (12/19). Can't wait to see the beautiful piece created by your first graders!


Preview for the week:
12/17 -- Late arrival @ 10:00 am
12/19 -- Class Cozy Cocoa Read-in @ 8:45 - 9:45

Week 14

Here are some highlights from the week...

In math we have been continuing to build our number sense by learning about place value. The students participated in a place value matching game that has them not only recognizing the numbers and digits, but also the visuals that represents them.

We started our How-To writing and it is off to a great start! The students are writing step-by-step directions and doing an awesome job using transition words to help with the structure of their writing. From "How to make a bed" to "how to have a playdate" the students are writing about expert topics and getting the chance to be writers and teachers!

In science we continued working with and exploring our igneous rocks. We have been focusing on the features, textures, colors and location of each rock and adding information to our rock journals. This week we will be learning about river rocks! Thanks to our friends at the Green Table who brought in some rocks for our Room 112 rock museum. Each week a different table group will get a chance to share their rocks if they would like - this week it is Pink Table's turn (check out the newsletter for rock sharing schedule).

Also, we have started our 12 days of kindness, which coincides with the 12 days before winter break! We will be adding to our song each day (to the tune of the 12 days of Christmas) and practicing both the song and acts of kindness throughout the next two weeks :)

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Some photos from the week...