Problem Solving

As a CREW, we are working hard on problem solving throughout our day.  In CREW, we are working to problem solve during collaborating in: groups, our relationships and with any conflict that arises.  We use CFR to express how we feel.

We use restorative practices to help us problem solve when conflict arises.  This may mean we meet as an entire crew or I may take individual students or small groups in the hall to talk and problem solve.


In math, we are problem solving using strategies in both addition and subtraction.  Students are excited to teach you their strategies at Student Led Conferences.  

In reading, we are working on problem solving tricky words by using multiple strategies.  The students have been reflecting on themselves as readers and what they are doing to help themselves.

In writing, we are working on problem solving writing words.  Students are using multiple strategies to help spell words.  Students are reflecting on their writer's notebooks to see what strategies they use most often.

You can support problem solving and independence at home by asking:
How can you problem solve this?
What strategies can you use to help yourself?

Healthy Kids = Smarter Brain

Healthy habits are a big part of being a student who is ready to learn.  Teachers wear workout clothes on Wednesday to encourage students to BOWOW (Bike or Walk on Wednesdays) and to teach students about our Colorado State Health Standards.

 In regards to healthy eating, we discuss green light, yellow light and red light foods.  Green light foods are foods we should eat a lot of!  We encourage students to eat 2 green light foods per meal.  Green light foods help us feel good and exercise.  Yellow light foods are foods that are good for us too.  Red light foods are foods we should STOP and think about.  These are foods for special occasions.  How can you help at home?  Serve green light foods at each meal and send them for snack.

Hydration is so important for our brain.  We take breaks throughout our day to drink water.  You can help at home by offering water and encouraging your child to drink 2 water bottles each day.

We are meeting Colorado State Standard for Physical and Personal Wellness by eating healthy, drinking water and exercising.  Students should be moving 60 minutes per day.  Here at school we do lots of recess and enjoy our time in P.E. 

You can help at home by helping your child play outside 30-60 minutes each day!

Lastly, we also discuss emotional and social wellness.  Colorado State Health Standard states that students should demonstrate how to express emotions in healthy ways.  Many problems are discussed and solved through brainstorming at morning CREW or end of day CREW.  We use "CFR".

C is for compliment or complaint...."I like it when..., "I don't like it when...."

F is for feeling.  "It makes me feel...."

R is for request.  "Next time, please..."

In first grade, we are working on expressing our feelings in a calm voice without yelling, crying or harming others.  

Ask your child how CFR works and practice it during meal time.

Thanks for helping our kids stay healthy, both physically and emotionally!

Writing in First Grade

We are now writing independently for 15 minutes each day.  We are working on using spaces, capitals at the beginning and periods at the end.  Students are encouraged to write independently using:

We even took our writing outside to the outdoor classroom.  Students were excited to observe and record.  

Students found special places to write about whatever they wanted.