Earth Day

We had so much fun working in our outdoor classroom and filling up our new compost bin.  Our learning expedition "The World is our Garden" has caused us to be so curious about the earth and our outdoor classroom and garden.  The students realized how much work it is to get a garden ready for planting. This was perfect timing with Earth Day!

 Students enjoyed moving things around, climbing and exploring our future outdoor classroom.  It is so exciting to think how it will change!

 Our compost was filled with lots of decayed and decomposing fruits and vegetables from all Fox Creek students!  We hope you can come volunteer Sunday, April 26 from 1-3 pm for Love in Action Day when we will clean up Fox Creek and work in the outdoor garden.

Mr. Gary had no idea that he would be involved in our Earth Day clean up.  The kids helped by getting rid of all the garbage and excess concrete in the garden.  Thanks to Mr. Gary for always keeping a smile on his face when I come up with the fun ideas in first grade.

Fox Trot

The Fox Creek Fox Trot (fun run) is on Friday, May 1.  We will be trotting (walking, running and having fun) from 9-10 am.  Please come join us!  We want all kiddos to wear athletic gear (tennis shoes and comfy clothes) so they can spend the entire time moving.  We are running to raise money for more math and technology in our classrooms.  We are excited about this challenge of raising $50,000.  Please encourage your child to call/contact family and friends to sponsor them and get donations.  Thank you for your support and help!

Case Study #2 - Earth's Materials

 Our second case study is all about earth's materials.  We observed rocks and noticed their properties (color, texture, size, etc.).  We spent time putting rocks in water and took notes as to how the rocks changed. 

Students collaborated with other crew members to observe, make predictions, ask questions and record. We used magnifying glasses to take a closer look.  In addition, we are close reading our science text Pebbles, Sand and Silt.  From here, we are learning about important vocabulary and determining importance while we read.  Our book boxes are now filled with sticky notes and lots of notes as we are thinking while we are reading.

 Questions we are wondering:
~How does an earth's materials size impact its use in our community?
~What things are made from earth's materials?
~How do earth's materials impact our garden?

Students were introduced to different sized screens.  These screens allowed students to sort earth's materials by size.  From here, students were introduced to pebbles, gravel and sand.  We explored our outdoor areas around the school to find how earth's materials are used in our environment.

What's The Matter?

We finished up our first case study What's the Matter? A study of liquids and solids. 

Students were introduced to science vocabulary such as:
prediction
observe
analyze
experiment
data

As scientists, we first looked at solids and recognized the properties of all different solids.  Next, we experimented with liquids and identified the properties of liquids.  We compared and contrasted solids and liquids by their properties.  







Students got to roll and spin different liquids on ramps, on the carpet and tables. Students recorded all of their findings in their science notebooks.

Students loved learning about different sized solids and using containers to pour and fill.  The buzz of learning is great to hear while students collaborate in different groups.

 

Our Second Learning Expedition

Grab your gear, We're going on an Expedition!

The first grade is starting their second learning expedition of the year- The World Is Our Garden! The children got to explore and ask questions about the things around us. Our guiding questions were "What do you notice?" and What do you wonder?". 

 Students explored different materials at four different stations: liquids, solids, rocks and plants.

We are beginning to think like scientists! We are:
~making observations
~recording our data
~doing experiments
~using science tools such as magnifying glasses

Genius vs. Google

This week we finished up Genius Hour.  I first got this idea by collaborating with our tech teacher Mrs. Michelle Lynn.  She sent me this blog.  One of the most beneficial parts of my instruction is when I can collaborate with the master teacher's at Fox Creek Elementary or through other 1st grade teacher blogs.

We kicked off our Genius Hour by showing this video.
As a CREW, we reflected on what Genius Hour would look like in our classroom.

Step 1:  THINK - Each student go to think of an ANIMAL they wanted to study.
Step 2:  RESEARCH - Students checked out books about their animal by collaborating with our librarian, Mrs. Terrio.  In addition, their 4th grade buddies helped with the research using the i-pads and www.kidrex.org.  Students did at home research with their parents using videos, internet and books.  Students recorded this research in a note catcher.
Step 3: LEARN - Students synthesized what they had learned.  From there, they wrote a non-fiction expository text about their animal.










Step 4: QUESTION -Students read through their writing and thought of a "Genius Question" that they were still wondering about their animal.  We did a lot of discussion, comparison and reflection on a "Google Question" vs. a "Genius Question".  We used Albert Einstein as a mentor.  

Step 5: SHARE  Each student created a presentation using Shadow Puppet on the i-pad.  Students loved the independence and ownership.  I was amazed at the engagement!  Students loved presenting to the entire class and the class had time to ask question. 

Reflection:

I will definitely do Genius Hour again before the end of the year.  I will give the students more choice on what they want to study, but for first grade, I loved starting with an animal of choice.  Much of this was done independently...yes first graders did this independently.  I think their independence shows how engaged they were.  There were things that helped this go smoothly: 

1.  A mentor class of older students - A BIG shout out to our 4th grade buddies from Mrs. Moore's CREW!

2.  Parent volunteers---this helped with research, helping to finish up note catchers and answering questions

3.  In class student leaders - once I taught 4-5 students in my class, they could help their peers.  This was the most amazing part of the process for me.  My 6-7 year old crew members were teaching and mentoring.  

Brain

The students got to learn all about their brain through the specials teacher's fantastic learning expedition "Train Your Brain".  They collaborated to make a brain out of clay, they drew upside down and learned all kinds of new dances.  Of course, this great learning transferred into our classroom.  The students were excited to talk about how to make their brain smarter.  Check out this article about how to GROW YOUR BRAIN.  During CREW, we talked about the parts of your brain and what we can do to help our brain.  Mr. Lucero, Layla's dad and a brain scientist, came in as an expert to tell us more about our brain.

Mr. Lucero helped us learn 3 things we can do for our brain:
1.  Eat fruits and vegetables
2.  Learn how to play an instrument
3.  Learn a new language

So, what does this look like in the classroom?  We are working on HARD things.  We are celebrating process instead of product and grades.  We are learning from our mistakes and taking on challenges.  We are trying new strategies and asking lots of questions.   We are growing our brains by
~using scarves and catching them across our body
~writing on backs
~jumping over moving ropes

What does it sound like?  "Wow! That was hard." "That was too easy, I need a harder problem to grow my brain."  "You must be working hard."  "Keep trying!"
Check our this great article on Raising Smart Kids!