Gratitude

The month of November was a month of reflection on gratitude.  Each first grader got his/her own gratitude journal.  We worked 2 times a week to reflect on what we were thankful for at school, home, in our family, etc.  

We loved heading outside on Wednesday afternoons to find a quiet spot on campus.  Students enjoyed our paths and the opportunity to look around before we settled in.

Being outside is always a favorite time for our crew.  Students enjoy exploring new areas.

We worked each week to increase our stamina of sitting quietly while we independently reflected on what each of us is thankful for.  

Once we were able to sit for 15 minutes in silence, we ventured with our fourth grade buddies on a gratitude walk.  Students enjoyed walking with their older buddy down to a local park.

Once we arrived, students sat, observed and reflected quietly for 15 minutes.   

 I encourage families to start journals at home where families can sit, observe and reflect.  This quiet time each day is a great habit to start!

Winter Is HERE

 First grade loved getting our first taste of winter.  The students loved playing in the snow and exploring the outdoors.  Students played and collaborated together.  I was delighted to see each students big smile and hear the stories of how much fun they had.

Please remember that we go outside when it is cold.  It is crucial that students always have a pair of mittens/gloves and a hat in his/her backpack.  Also, students need to have a heavy coat as even when it is too cold to go to recess, we will take a quick walk outside to get our bodies moving and our brains thinking.  Plus, what child doesn't love to look at the snow.

Students can only play in the snow if they have snow pants and boots.  Please watch the weather and pack up these items so that your child can enjoy this magical time of year.
Thank your for helping our first grade crew get to go outside and play!  Please read this article to check out why it is so important for your child to play outside each day, even in the winter.  Thank you for your support!

Case Study #4 - Grand Friends

First, each child shared their own small moment story.  This helped build the relationship by getting to know each other. Next students listened to a story from their grand friend's life. Each student actively listened and took notes.

We have started our 4th case study, Telling Someone Else's Story of our Learning Expedition, Everybody Has a Story.  Students traveled to a local assisted living facility to meet their new grand friend.

We returned to school to start our first draft of the grand friend small moment.  Students also began their drafts of a high quality portrait of their grand friend.  We returned a second time to again continue the process of building a relationship and asking clarifying questions to revise the story.

Case Study #3 - Telling Our Story

First graders have been persevering to write our detailed small moment (personal narrative) story.  Students wrote 5-7 detailed stories and then selected one to revise, edit and eventually publish.

Students worked on a strong lead so that the reader would want to keep reading his/her story.

We worked hard to read a lot of mentor text to brainstorm details that help our mental image.  Students worked to add describing words and feelings to their stories.  Finally, we edited our stories with our 4th grade buddies.  They helped with conventions and spelling.

Lastly, we persevered to write our hight quality final draft.  Then we shared these stories with our friends in Mrs. VP's crew and our new grand friends.

Students are learning that hard work and perseverance pay off.  We can't wait to share these stories with your at our Celebration of Learning on Tuesday, December 6 at 6 pm.