Polygons and 3D Shapes

First graders were immersed with geometry this past week as they were introduced to polygons and 3D shapes!  First, students learned three very important rules about polygons; (1) they must have straight lines, they must meet at a closed corner and (3) they can never cross.  After some creative work with polygons, students were then introduced to the following 3D shapes; cylinder, cube, rectangular prism, pyramid, cone and a sphere.  It was definitely all 'hands on deck' as students worked hard to build all of these geometrical shapes!

Polygon Creations

3D Shape Creations

And...symmetrical facial hair to wrap up our explorations in geometry;)

Reading Week Fun!

This week Wellman Elementary celebrated the birthday of the great Dr. Seuss with MANY fun activities!! First graders were thrilled to be able to take part in the excitement. Thanks to our first grade families who supported extra reading at home this week and helped your child to turn in their daily reading slips. We had several happy winners at today's assembly as proof of our hard work. Check out our smiling faces below!

We also had a blast listening to Mr. Poock read aloud from one of his Dr. Seuss favorites, Fox with Socks! He challenged us to some fun tongue twisters!

Pajama day to celebrate our last week of Reading Week!

Our photo booth provided a fun time for all as we enjoyed being 'in character' with some our Dr. Seuss props!  

Our Beautiful Earth

Over the course of the last 2-3 weeks, first graders have been learning about the physical characteristics of our earth.  Students have been learning about our earth's landforms and bodies of water.  Students have been mesmerized by our countries' unique features as they were able to 'soar' over different areas of our country.  As we have built our knowledge in this area, students were challenged to sculpt our landforms/bodies of water according to clues.  Being the 'potter', students used play-doh to demonstrate their understanding of the physical features on earth.  Ask your little one share about any of the following landforms and bodies of water:  plateau, mountain, hill, valley, plain, island, river, ocean, lake and pond.

Kindness Counts!!!

During the month of February, first graders have been reminded of kind actions and words that help keep our community of learning a happy place to be.  Last week during Friendship Groups, the 5th graders encouraged us to practice giving compliments and then asked each Wellman Elementary student to do the same to one other person.  As we continue to grow in our social interactions, the first graders are able to see a 'visual' reminder of paying it forward with kind words and actions.  If a first grader catches another 1st grader giving a compliment, lending a helping hand or sharing kind words, he/she ties a ribbon to our 'Kindness Heart' that hangs just outside the 1st grade doors.  Ask your little one to share what he/she has noticed with kindness in and out of the classroom!

Valentine's Day Fun!

It was a fun filled day as we celebrated Valentine's Day together as a class.  Students were challenged to stack conversation hearts as high as they could go in a Valentine's Day Minute to Win It challenge.  Students also feasted on many different yummy foods and then finished our day reading their heartfelt Valentine's to one another.