Friday, March 24, 2017

Project Lead The Way

PLTW.
Project Lead The Way.
A new, hands on way for students to engage in scientific activities and really dig deeper by developing in-demand knowledge and skills they need to thrive.

The entire first grade has been involved in a "science camp" the past few days where our focus has been exploring and explaining how animals have adapted to their environments. 

Our job: to learn about these different environments and adaptations through a series of hands on/higher level thinking activities and discussions. 


 

 

 

 


 

 

Students will predict, brainstorm, share, create and present ideas on the different environments that plants and animals live in. 


We will talk about protection, camouflage, food and locomotion. 

They were asked to use their IMAGINATIONS (something first graders know a lot about ;)) to pretend they are traveling to one of these environments. They will have to prepare their traveler and design a tool that their traveler can use to help gather food, a way to camouflage themselves, protect themselves and how they can move around in their given environment. A variety of supplies were provided and they were off! It was so fun to see how their brains worked, how well they worked with their group members and how much FUN they were having!
 

 

They LOVED being able to be the "expert" and present their environments and creations to the class.
 

 


For our last activity, students will be challenged to design a DREAM shoe for a trip to their different environments. They will design an ideal shoe for the arctic, ocean, sahara desert, tropical rainforest or african savanna. They will consider what they're traveler will be doing on their trip. Will they be climbing? Swimming? Walking? How can they help their traveler get the most of out of their visit and keep them safe?

 



We hope you've enjoyed reading and learning about our science camp! We had an absolute blast and it was so fun watching the students work and create. I could see the wheels just spinning! The students really shined throughout these activities and it made Miss Weeding so, VERY happy!

Ask your child about science camp, environments and animal adaptations. They'll have a LOT to share!!! :)

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

Amazing Animals

Last week we started reading our story for the week, Amazing Animals. Learning all about animals is such a fun topic for students that we decided to carry our story into this week, as well. We've been reading all about what makes different animals so amazing and what adaptations they have to help them in their environments.

This week, in addition to reading our story again, we have teamed up with Miss Scheidecker's class and have began creating an Amazing Animal Report! The students were teamed up with another first grade friend and provided books, ipads, etc. to help them gather information on an animal of their choice. We had a variety of animals chosen from penguins and polar bears to lions and zebras. The students thoroughly enjoyed being able to study one animal and find out new, interesting facts about that animal. We LOVE learning new things!!

Ask your student about their amazing animal....they'll have a LOT to share! :)

Friday, March 3, 2017

Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!

Read Across America Day is a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on March 2nd—Dr. Seuss’s birthday. Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate by bringing together kids and books!

                                             

Monday we read Dr. Seuss's ABC's and 123's and added to the fun by  wearing clothing that had letters and numbers on it!
      


Tuesday we read Fox In Socks and of course, had another dress-up day. Crazy / mismatched shoes and socks!


         


Wednesday got REALLY wacky and we had WACKY Wednesday. Yikes! Not only did we dress our wackiest, but we also had crazy hair day on top of it. Wowie wow wow! 



 

 



Thursday, we read Green Eggs and Ham (one of Miss Weeding's absolute FAVORITES). 
We wore red, black and white clothes in honor of Dr. Seuss and his Birthday! Happy birthday to you, Dr. Seuss!

 

 

 

 


HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DR. SEUSS!!!!!


Friday was CAT IN THE HAT day. Yep... You guessed it. We got to wear our favorite hat to school today. Fun!

 

 

 


Happy Dr. Seuss Week! 
We sure had fun celebrating and dressing up! Thank you Dr. Seuss for all of the awesome books and illustrations that you created! You sure do make reading FUN for everyone!

Read on, friends! :)