Leverett School Grade 1 Joyful Learning For Young Children 

This was the last week of our Insect study.  We watched 13 butterflies emerge from their chrysalis.  Yesterday we gathered around them to set them free.  It was so exciting to watch this complete metamorphosis happen right before our eyes!  

As a final project, the kids worked so hard this week to create Insect Habitats.  Come in next week for Open House on Wednesday, October 4th from 5:30-6:30 and you can see them!  You can see our work and take a tour of our classroom.  I’m so excited to meet all the families of our awesome first graders!

Look for homework tonight in the backpack!

Also, beautiful Peace Assembly at school today.  Ask your child about it!  🙂

Thank you to all families who have sent coins in for our Hurricane Relief jar. The 6th Grade is organizing this school fundraiser to send cash donations to hurricane affected areas.  The first graders have been very generous and proud as they put coins in the jar from home.  A great way to teach them how important it is to help others in need.

  In preparation for our Peace Assembly on Monday, the kids and I created a poster about how we can be peacemakers in our classroom and in our families.  John Porcino, local storyteller and all around rock star to the kids, came into our classroom today to sing songs and lead us through some activities related to being a peacemaker.  He’ll also be at our assembly on Monday at 9:00.  Join us if you can.

Our first butterfly emerged today!  We’ve been studying the life cycle and the metamorphosis these insects go through.  This week we went outside on a bug scavenger hunt and made stick puppets to help us understand this big, fancy science word:  metamorphosis.

As always, here are pictures of our proud builders and creators.  This week we had more fidget spinners and even some pontoon boats and an elevator.  I can’t wait to see what they come up with next!

Have a great weekend.

Wow!  It’s been a busy week.  I can’t believe how comfortable the kids are in the room, and we’ve only been in school for 12 days!  Here’s a peek into what we are learning….

In writing, we began the year learning that writers write about PEOPLE, PLACES and THINGS they love.  Last Friday it was a beautiful afternoon, so at writing time we took a walk out to the woods to a explore a shared PLACE that would make a great story.  When we came back to the classroom, there were many stories about the woods, the bridge and stream we saw and the stone wall we discovered.  Our school is in a beautiful place.

 Back in the classroom we are learning about how to write a story and the steps writers go through to get their ideas on paper.  

In math we are learning strategies to help us count accurately.  We are building patterns, sorting, counting on the 100 Board  and learning how to play new math games with friends.  

In reading we are learning about alphabetical order and we are exploring all  the book series in our classroom.  “Who Would Win” is a favorite.  Scholastic Book Orders went home today.  All your book purchases help us earn points to buy new books to add to our classroom library.  Thank you in advance for your order!  

 

In science we are learning about BUGS!!  We learned about the parts of an insect and how those parts help it survive and move in its environment.  We were scientists and observed the caterpillars and mealworms that we are caring for.  Today our caterpillars made a chrysalis!  That was exciting to watch.  

Finally, a huge shout our to our builders!  Each day we make sure to have building and design time.  Look at these creations!  We even have a group of fidget spinners.  

 

Have a great weekend!

We’ve been busy here at school getting comfortable with the first grade routines and connecting with old and new friends.  We are happy to have two new students join our class this year.

We spent some time setting goals for ourselves this year.  What are your hopes and dreams for first grade?

We talked about how each student is special, brave, and able to try their best in first grade.

We made a bulletin board to show everyone who the new first graders are and that we are studying insects in our classroom.

We worked in groups to decorate posters and talk about what our classroom rules are.

And what it looks like to be a great classmate.

We make sure to have fun everyday working with our friends to build or create.

We’re slowly starting to learn some new math games and we’re exploring the reading tubs we will use to learn this year.

Overall, it’s been a wonderful start to a new year and I hope your first grader feels the same way!