Poetry in 1st Grade!

Over the course of your child's first grade year, we have loved diving into our poetry binders at least once a week as we have grown as readers.  We have discussed different types of poems and enjoyed many topical poems based on what we are learning in 1st grade.  Poems have not only provided great practice for our sight word vocabulary, but also an opportunity to practice our fluency (smooth reading without lots of hesitation) as a reader!  Here is a 'glimpse' into what you might see on a Day 4 afternoon in the 1st grade rooms!

Summer Reading Program Introduced!

The First Graders had an opportunity to visit the Wellman Public Library on Monday afternoon as a kick-off to the upcoming Summer Reading Program that will be offered!  Students enjoyed a tour of the library, listening to a couple of stories and taking part in a craft.  A cookie snack was also enjoyed as well!  This program is a great way to keep your little one motivated to read through the summer months, as well he/she is continuing to develop those reading skills for 2nd grade!   You will definitely want your little one to take part in this program!

Inventors Galore!

During our Social Studies time over the last couple of weeks, we have focused our discussion on inventions of long ago and their affect on our world today.  Students were very intrigued with the early inventions of the toothbrush, oven and radio and how these inventions have improved to make our lives easier.  We also loved learning more about some famous inventors such as Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell and George Washington Carver.  The first graders then used their imagination to 'plan' out an invention of his/her own!  Make sure to ask your child about his/her invention!  Here are some of the cute inventor projects we put together!

Fraction Action!!

First graders have been discussing equal parts over the last couple of weeks, focusing on halves, thirds and fourths.  The students have been challenged to cut objects into these parts and label the fractional pieces.  To put our knowledge of fractions into 'action', we used Hershey bars to help us practice this concept.  We will continue working with fractions through the remainder of the year and will soon be comparing fractional parts to one another! Challenge your firstie to show off his/her fractional skills for you!

Spring Music Concert

What a fun night we had at the Wellman Elementary Spring Concert.  Students did a great job of sharing their songs for all to enjoy!!  It was definitely a great way to 'Sing Your Way Home at the End of the Day!' Thank you again for your support of our Music department. 

Bucket Filling at WE!

At WE, we are working together to 'fill buckets'!  This terminology may be new to your ear or you might have heard your first grader sharing bucket filling words with you.  School-wide, students are working together to build one another up through kind words, acts of kindness or lending a helping hand.  Through the story, Have You Filled a Bucket Today?, students have learned that each of us walks around with an invisible 'bucket' that can either be 'filled' or 'dipped into' on a daily basis.  In first grade, we have focused our class meeting discussions on how we can 'fill' others buckets and avoid 'dipping' into buckets.  Our building is 'filled' with great 'bucket' decor as well!  Ask your first grader how he/she filled someone's bucket today!:)

Reading Fun with Dr. Seuss!

Wellman Elementary Firsties have enjoyed some serious literacy fun this week in honor of reading week! A big thanks to the many staff members, PTO members, and Wellman Elementary families who worked extra hard to make this week a huge success! We have so enjoyed the truffula trees lining the halls, as well as the many special activities sprinkled throughout the week. Following are a few photos of some of our highlights from our reading celebration!

Catching memories in the Seussian Photo Booth!

Thank you to our awesome rotary readers for sharing some special read aloud time with us on Wednesday in honor of World Read Aloud Day!

Getting our hands dirty with some of Bartholomew's famous Oobleck!

We enjoyed hearing the story of Horton Hears a Who and then creating our own Hortons!

Sharing some of our favorite stories with the WE 4th graders while enjoying a 'Seussy Snack'!

Popcorn for Hop on Pop, Cheerios for Oh, the Places You'll Go, M & M's for My Many Colored Days, Goldfish for One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish and Animal Crackers for If I Ran the Zoo.

Friday Fun in the Wellman Elementary library! Students enjoyed getting to make and eat and delicious Cat in the Hat treats. Each student had an opportunity to pick out a 'new to them' book at the school book swap!

Last of all.....the end of the week highlight for those students who read through the week....sticking Mr. Poock to the wall as he was 'Stuck on Reading'!!  Way to go Wellman Elementary!  He ended up with many, many layers!:)