Spooky Friday Math

Today in math the students investigated a pumpkin.  We estimated the weight of our class pumpkin, the height, and how many lines on it.  Then, we found out the actual results.  Below are some photos of kids investigating.

Estimating how much will this pumpkin weigh?

It weighs 12 pounds!

Ghost Estimation

At one of the math stations today students did a Ghost Estimation paper using popcorn.  First, they had to estimate how many pieces will fit inside the ghost.  Then, they put pieces of popcorn on and found out the actual number.  Of course they got to eat the popcorn when the math was completed!

Counting how many pieces of popcorn will cover the ghost.

So happy!

Busy counting and busy eating!



Four Winds

On Thursday, our parent volunteer Laura Labrie came in to do our second Four Winds lesson.  She discussed trees and how they are important to us.  Here the students are being different parts of a tree.  Ask your child what his/her part was.

October is Fire Safety Month

Yesterday the first grade team walked to the Colchester Fire Station for a field trip.  The kids had a terrific time and asked many important questions.  If your child is asking about a "family meeting" place" in case of a fire it was a topic discussed yesterday.  Below children are singing a song in class called:  "Never Play With Matches".

Mr. Antonicci

Today Mr. Antonicci stopped in and curled up in a corner with many friends to read.  The kids LOVED having him here!

Word Study

Today students made a Pumpkin Bag Puppet to reinforce our word family "-ag".  Then, they listed 5-6 "ag" words on the bag.  Students read the words to me and enjoyed reading with their "Bag Puppet".

The kids loved this art/word study activity!

Fire Station Field Trip

We will be walking to the Colchester Fire Station Tuesday, October 26th.  We will leave the from the playground at 12:45.  If you are joining us and would like to walk with us please meet us on the playground.  We will be walking rain or shine, so please dress your child accordingly.  Thanks!

Comments....

I believe I have fixed the comments section of the blog.  So, if you would like to make a comment it is now up and working.  So sorry!

Our First Writing Celebration -students shared their "published" piece of writing with peers on Friday! We then enjoyed popcorn and juice.

Harvest Party

We will be having a Harvest Party Friday, October 29, 2010 from 2:15-3:00.  Our wonderful room parents will be contacting parents to bring in goodies to eat and drink.  All are welcome to join us!

Friday Math Stations

Today in math students rotated through 3 stations. 
1.  Pumpkin Jumble Game - rolling a die to fill in a pumpkin face and recording tally marks.
2.  A Leaf Book - students had to measure and do other experiments with their leaf.
3.  Math Exploration - students were able to explore with math manipulatives.

                               

Pumpkin Jumble Game

Students measured their leaf using base 10 cubes and pennies.  They also had to see how many pennies it took to sink a leaf in water.

Free explore with unifex cubes

How creative!!



SWR/Four Winds

Just a few photos of our SWR (word study/phonics) program.  We used the interactive whiteboard to explore a new word family...the "ad" family.  Students are able to push and drag a beginning sound to add to the "ad" family.

We had our first Four Winds (Parent Volunteer Science Program) a few weeks ago.  Our parent volunteer came in and did a great puppet show and led the students in an active game.  The students were each given an animal sound and had to find another student making that same sound.  It was a lot of FUN!

Trying to find an animal sound match.

Students making their animal sounds.

Some friends found their matches!

All About Us Photo Story

This is the photo story that was shown at Open House last night.  It was so great to see all of you and for you to see what your child is doing each day at UMS.  The photo story captures our Hopes and Dreams for 1st grade, and their self-portraits which is an important project in our first unit All About Me. 
Enjoy the video!  We think it is absolutely beautiful!  (It does work and will not be fuzzy once playing)

Writing Workshop

Today students discussed what they were going to write about during Writing Workshop with their writing partners.  Doing this prior to sitting down to write should lead to a more productive writing time.

Students sharing ideas!

It's fun to tell a friend about our writing ideas!

Students then went back to begin their independent writing time...

Writng Workshop in action!

Amazing.....