Explorations with Balls

Our first grade scientists have recently begun exploring how different balls move when they are blown on, rolled, and bounced. Students were challenged to move or knock over different items using a straw paired with their own wind power and a variety of balls. Each student is also responsible for recording their test results in their own science journals before sharing their data with classmates.

We will continue our learning with balls over the next several weeks, and expand our explorations to include ramp building! Students love this fun, hands on science unit and it provides great early encounters with physical science!

Pick A Better Snack

Wellman Elementary first and second graders are very excited to take part in a healthy living curriculum, Pick a Better Snack. This initiative is organized by the Washington County Extension Office and funded by the local Wellman ALC club. The purpose of this program is to motivate students to eat more fruits and vegetables and to be more physically active.  A huge thank you to Laura Huber for her time and energy as a Wellman Elementary parent and volunteer to bring this awesome program to us for 9 weeks! Following are the "rules" of the Pick a Better snack program. They may come in handy at the dinner table as well;)

1. Be Brave

2. It's ok if you don't like it, but try it

3. Never say yuck

Laura sharing the 'rule' of the snack program :)

Our recording books for each visit!

 

1st healthy snack we learned about was an apple-this was a hit!!

Here We Come A-Caroling!

Yesterday, the first graders joined both 5th grade classes at Parkview Nursing Home to offer a time of singing Christmas carols to celebrate the holiday season!  Residents, staff and students were connected from generation to generation as all ages shared common favorites from their songbooks!  Ask your little one which carol he/she enjoys most and if he/she can sing it for you!:)  Here are some pics and links to videos of this wonderful experience!  Merry Christmas!

Parkview Caroling

Parkview Caroling 2

Holiday Data!!

First graders enjoyed a Christmas themed data day this week! Our mathematicians worked as partners to survey their classmates about their family Christmas trees and then recorded their information on a tally chart. They were then challenged to transfer that information to a bar graph before analyzing their data with a set of questions. It was great practice in...

• asking and answering questions 
• active listening
• tally marks
• representing data
• analyzing data

Plus it was fun to hear kiddos talk about how you are preparing for the holidays at home;)

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...

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!!

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!