The Many Places of Sparkle!

Sparkle found many fun places to "hang out" in our classroom.

Busy, busy! We are making something special!

Maven video: CU Science Update 35 - MAVEN Mission to Mars

Doubles in Math and Strategies to Use with Doubles

In math we have been learning how to use the strategy of "doubles plus and minus one" and "doubles plus and minus two". These are just more strategies for students to use to solve addition problems. This strategy can be tricky at first, but once understood, can be very helpful and make solving a larger problem easier. Here are lessons on both strategies.

Sparkle is Visiting!

A little elf visitor has arrived to first grade. His name is Sparkle. According to the book we read that Sparkle brought with him, he will be watching the class over the next week or so to report back to the North Pole. We are excited to have a new little friend with us!

                  

Make a Ten Lesson

In math we are working on solving addition problems with teen answers using a strategy called "make a ten". Here is an example of a lesson we worked on today.

We Learn From Each Other: We are all Teachers!

Jack recently gave us a lesson about Japan from some books he has been reading at home. The class was eager to listen to our teacher, Jack, as he taught us a few things about Japan. It is always wonderful when students have information to share with the class from reading and study they have done outside of class.

WOW! Four new iPad minis

Our classroom received 4 new iPad minis to replace the small computers that were lost in the flood. We are really excited to have them to support our reading, writing and math and lots of other things too! We feel fortunate to be receiving the generosity of the Crest View community. 

Already Mrs. Vance has found some great Apps for us to practice handwriting, reading and math. In math we have been recording our explanations and work on the Educreations App. In future blog posts, we will include some of the work we are doing on the iPads. For now, here they are!

                     

Field Trip to watch the MAVEN launch

Today the entire first grade went to the University of Colorado to watch a telecast of the launch of the MAVEN spacecraft. The MAVEN will orbit Mars to study the the planet. After the launch, we participated in space science activities at the University. It was a super special, super cool day!

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/maven/main/

The MAVEN in orbit!

Having our lunch outside on the lawn of the University Memorial Center.
It was a beautiful day!

The launch of the MAVEN as we saw it!

Super Scientist

Blake was our first Super Scientist. He did a really fun experiemmet to show the class. He carefully went through the scientific process. 

"I Can" Statements in Math

"I Can" statements are things that we can do in math. Here are the 4 we are doing in math every day.

When we know what we are working on, it is easier to do our math.

Firefighters Visit

The Boulder Firefighters came to First Grade for a visit. They taught us about how important it is to have a safe meeting place away from our house in case of a fire. Once the fire department comes to the fire, they will look for the family in the safe meeting place. They also reminded the first graders that if there is a fire in the house, they do not need to try to get their pets out with them. The firefighters will come in and rescue the pets. We learned a lot about fire rescue safety.

Day of the Dead Sugar Skulls

We have been learning about the culture of Mexico. As part of our celebration of Day of the Dead, an important Mexican holiday, we decorated sugar skulls. They are beautiful!

Halloween Party

We had a really great Halloween party. The kids were darling in their costumes!

Math and the New Easel

We have a super cool new easel that makes it really fun for the kids to work out math problems. We have been learning that addition and subtraction are related.  I know that 7+3=10, so I know 10-3=7.
Also we can do equations going horizontal:  4+5=9 or
vertical:    5
           +  4
            -----
               9

Beautiful New Rug

Our beautiful new rug arrived. Mr. Levine ordered the same one that was ruined in the flood. We love the alphabet rectangles so everyone can have their own special spot to sit!

We Are Crest View Strong!!!

Today was school spirit day!

Sorting River Rocks

During science the students had a mixture of river rocks and had to figure out how to sort them out using different size screens. Eventually they were able to sort out the sand, gravel and small pebbles. It was a lot of fun to sort it all out, especially because we did it outside on a lovely Fall afternoon.

Daily 5 In Action

The kids are getting really good at their independent literacy program. When they are not in reading group they are practicing becoming better independent readers and writers. Here are a few examples of what they are doing: Read to Self, Read to Someone, Listen to Reading, Work on Writing and Word Work.

Let's Tie Our Own Shoes

I have noticed that several students still don't know how to tie their own  shoes. Here is one way that might work to help them.

How To Tie Your Shoes:

Magic Fingers Style

Step 1

Cross the laces like normal

Step 2

(Right Hand) Put your thumb and first finger in front of lace – fingers facing toward you

(Left Hand) Put your thumb and first finger behind lace – fingers facing away from you

 Step 3

Pull your fingers forwards so you feel some tension and twist a little so that your fingers are facing each other. 

Step 4

Pinch the laces in between the opposite fingers

Step 5

Pull through

Step 6

And you’re done!

- See more at: http://www.efficientlifeskills.com/how-i-taught-my-6-year-old-to-tie-shoes-in-5-minutes/#sthash.jZWxKTwQ.dpuf