First Grade Connections

Friday, December 4, 2015

Measurement in Math

This week first graders have spent several days working on their measuring skills. In one of our lessons, students measured objects around the classroom using nonstandard units, including digits (finger widths), hands, fathoms (arm spans), and hand spans. One of our discoveries was that we got different measurements for the same object if different people do the measuring using these units. We then introduced standard units, including feet and inches. Students were challenged to use the standard ruler to measure seasonal ribbon! Check out the photos of this hard work below...

Friday, November 20, 2015

Native American Games

Pam Holz, our Washington County Conservationist visited our classroom yesterday to show students that you can have lots of fun without much equipment during the Thanksgiving season. Students enjoyed playing 3 different Native American games: Wood Gatherers, Pebble Drop and One Pebble Game. Students were challenged in their patience and cleverness to win these games. These fun games tied in well with our Social Studies work as first graders have been learning about the First Thanksgiving and how young pilgrim and Native American boys and girls were creative in making up games.

Pebble Drop proved to be much harder than what was anticipated!:)

Students trying to 'trick' the eye using one pebble.

Oh.....watch out.....someone is trying to gather wood!!

Friday, November 13, 2015

What a Week!

Well, there were many fun activities taking place at Wellman Elementary this week! As a fun way to encourage kids to keep reading, Mr. Poock visited every classroom for a half-hour on Tuesday. Mr. Poock shared some of his 'current reads', along with a special story about a service dog to all of the students. Bowie also joined Mr. Poock during the reading of this special story as students learned about all the supportive roles of service dogs. On Wednesday Wellman Elementary hosted a very special Veteran's Day Assembly that provided information about our five branches of military and how each branch serves our country. After this informational gathering, students joined their Friendship Group to write a letter of thanks to local Veterans. Lastly this week, the first graders were challenged to 'build' the community of Wellman. Over the last 3 weeks the first graders have been learning a lot about different kinds of communities and the characteristics that make them special. Ask your little one what he/she loves about our community!

Thank you Bowie and Mr. Poock for the great story time!

An opportunity to see the correct way for a flag to be folded!

Enjoying some time with other WE students during Friendship groups on Wednesday!

Our 3 dimensional map of Wellman!

Friday, November 6, 2015

Hooray for the 50th Day!

Wow....what a great celebration our 50th Day was in 1st grade! Students were dressed to 'twist and shout' their way through the day and it was great fun to see everyone is their special attire! Our morning started with the task of writing the steps to make a root beet float, a favorite treat in the 50s! Students also enjoyed hearing from a special guest speaker, Charlotte Morgan (Mrs. Black's mother), who shared what life was like growing up in the 50's. She had many fun pictures and jewelry items to share with our learners as well! First Graders then challenged themselves to different 50's activities such as; how many bubbles they could blow, how many 'twists' twisted, how many bunny hops hopped, how many times they could hula hoop and how high they could count! During math, students worked hard estimating how many tootsie rolls and atomic fireballs would fit their 'records'. Last, this fun day came to a close with music from the 50's, complete with a record player and of course, a chance to sample some delicious root beer floats!