Changing States of Matter!

Today we did a Science Experiment.  Here is a recap from the students (typed by Mrs. Johnson)  are saying...  We were trying to make a ghost shoot in the air.  We were using corn starch and water with seltzer to make a solid change to a liquid. And then get the liquid to change into a gas.  We were hoping the gas would push the top off of the container to shoot the container (that looks like a ghost) into the air.  What really happened, it didn't work (according to Roman).  Reagan said that the container was too heavy, and we didn't have enough gas to shoot it in the air.

We still know that gas built up in the container because we saw bubbles, and we heard the the lid pop.

We learned that sometimes scientific experiments don't work the first time (Parker) and we will try again with a smaller container (Megan)!

Lunch Bunch Kind of Day!

When I first came to Hunters Creek, I was so excited to see the picnic tables outside.  This is a great spot for lunch bunch, and today was our first lunch bunch!    I will often set a goal with the class, and look for kids working on that goal.  On a given day, I invite about 6 kids to join me for lunch.  Today we were working on showing self control.  It was fun to visit, hear about their favorite foods, what they are going to be for Halloween, and share some down time.  We even took a selfie (I think Henry got blocked, I don't have long enough arms).

We will do this a couple times a month, and all students will have an opportunity to attend.   Thanks for keeping me company at lunch!

Thank you PTA

Thank you to the PTA for a wonderful cultural arts program!  We were treated to Lilly from Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse.  She retold the entire story.  This was a great example of retelling from beginning to end, and including lots of details.

Thanks for a fun morning!

Our Community!

In first grade we spend lots of time on community!  We build our own classroom community, learn to work together, learn about what makes a community outside of the classroom.  Today we merged our learning of maps, community, and writing to create our own community!  Take a look at Johnsonville!

Me on the Map

To go with our map skills, we are learning about the bigger picture!  This was a quick way to get moving and thing about where we fit into the world.  Enjoy!

Observing Apples...in all forms

We were cooking up some hands on learning on Friday!  We made and observed Apple Sauce.  It was a great way to integrate Science, Writing, and Math.  The room smelled great and there was not a drop of applesauce left!  What a yummy way to end the week!

We are all good at something!

Ms. Clifton taught a lesson today on finding the things we are good at.  Here are a few of the things that some of the kids thought...

We are good at...

Yuuki - I am good at sports!

Mahmood - I am good at building.

Smith - I am good at building

Hunter  - I am good at building legos

Reagan - I am good at taking care of my fish

Aden - I am best at building legos

Roman  I am good at cooking

Henry I am good at legos and computer

Dane is good at volleyball

Camila is good at cooking

Katianna is good at gymnastics

Draden is good at painting

Emily is good at art

Megan is good at taking care of my pets and dancing

Parker is good at gymnastics

Bianca is good at gymnastics and

Ben - I am at computer games

Friday...FUN!

We have been so busy today!  In writing we worked on telling first and writing second.  This is a great way to practice telling a small moment.  Here are two more examples of great small moments!

We had a spacial quest visit form a real Authority Figure...Office Miller!  He came in talked about community and things you can do to help your community.

We had our very 1st Mystery Reader!  Thank you Mrs. Valicek for reading to us, and talking about the different times she reads.  The kids were all excited to read the clues and decide who was the MYSTERY Guest!

Lastly, we started new Literacy Centers.  This is a great time in our class to let students work independently while I pull a small group.  We get up and move around the room.  This week we started a motion center.  Kids are working on the porch to play box scotch, a twist on hopscotch.  This is great for movement and sensory integration - all while learning new sight words!

Have a great weekend and do something outside!

Keeping a story in the palm of our hand

We have been working on telling small moments.  This is important to beginning writers.  I tell the kids we want to focus on small moments and include BIG details.  This week we are working on telling our small moments to our writing buddy.  Here is a great example of using your fingers to tell a story.  Ask you student what the palm of your hand tells!