Shell Science

Continuing with a focus on what scientist do, we did some shell science this week.  We discussed that scientists use different tools to study the world around them.  One important tool is a magnifying glass and another....paper and pencil!  We used magnifying glasses and our science notebooks to record our observations about seashells.  The scientist were really noticing the details.  In reading, we have been talking about features of nonfiction. One feature we have discussed is labels.  Writing the labels was also a great opportunity to practice segmenting sounds like we have been in phonics. Look at all their hard work!

This free digital collage made with Smilebox

When I think of science, I usually think of hands on experiences, but there are a few great science apps available.  We have explored an app with Sid the Science Kid in class.  The app allows students to engage in and practice important science skills like sorting and classifying, identifying patterns, charting, noticing details, and sequencing.  Click here to be linked to more information about the app.  Our first grade scientists LOVE this app!

Super Scientists!

 
This week we did our first science experiments!  Science is so amazing!  The objective of our first science lesson was to introduce what a scientist is, use our senses, record our findings, and get EXCITED about science.  To begin the lesson, watched a power point created by a teacher in Texas on different kinds of scientists in our world.  We found out that a scientist is someone who studies the world around them...and we can all be scientists.  (Click here to be linked to the power point.)  Then, the first grade scientists studied a cup of water...like a scientist.  Ha!  They may have thought I was a little crazy but they made very detailed observations about that simple cup of water!

Upon further discussion about what the water looked like, we thought maybe using our other senses would give us more information.  Scientist use their senses to learn.   So we listened to the water and we smelled the water.  We also discussed not to taste science experiments unless a teacher tells them it is safe.  Even using these other senses, we still didn't have much information.

It wasn't until the students used their sense of touch that they made the discovery!  We weren't working with just a cup of water.  Inside the water, there were clear jelly marbles, a water absorbing polymer.

One of the most powerful tools a scientist has is his/her senses.  Our first science lesson was a success!  If you are interested in the Jelly Marbles, you can order them and learn more about them on the Steve Spangler Science website.  Click here to be linked to the site.

Remind

Remind is a great tool to help us keep in contact in one more way! I was just telling parents this week at open house that the sticky labels that go home on your child's shirt don't always work for me because I forget to stick them on! Plus, the labels don't always make it home! Remind is a way that I can send you text message reminders about special days, library books, popcorn sales, early outs, etc. It is quick, easy, and safe. To sign up for my text reminders text the message @connectedo to 406-219-0310. If you have any questions or concerns about Remind, feel free to ask!  Every parent at open house is signed up, it would be great to have everyone on the contact list.

Addition Combinations

We are working on hard on the addition portion of this important math standard.  We are building a strong foundation for addition. This week we focused on decomposing numbers into pairs and the commutative property.  We played the game "Spill the Counters" to discover the many combinations for the numbers 5 through 10.  We also built a number wall to record our discoveries.

Each first grader brought home some beans and recording sheets so he/she can show you at home!  Here are the directions on how to play.  This week's homework is to play "Spill the Counters" for several different numbers.  Please return one recording sheet to show me you are playing.  If you would like more recording sheets to continuing playing, please let me know.  Happy to provide more practice!

Spill the Counters

Objective: To explore and identify addition combinations for certain numbers.

Materials: small cup, two colored counters (beans), recording sheet

How to Play

1. Put specified number of beans in the cup.  For example if you are making five, put in five counters.
2. Shake the cup and spill the counters onto the table.
3. Sort the counters by color.
4. Say the combination that was spilled.  For example, five is three and two. 
5. Mark on recording sheet.
6. Continue procedure to find all the combinations.  Try with other numbers.

Discussion Questions

-What were the combinations for 5 (or number chosen)?
-What is 2+3? 4+1? 5+0?
-What is the commutative of 2+3?
-What combination was easiest to get?
-What combination was the most difficult to spill? Why?

There are a couple great apps for practicing addition combinations. In Find Sums, students have the opportunity to practice combinations for 4-20 and 100. The practice can be with picture support or just symbolically. Click Find Sums to see the app in the itunes store.  It is a free app!

In class, we have been playing the game both individually and as a relay team.  To do a relay team race, we project two ipads up on the whiteboard.  Then the two teams race to find all the combinations.  Each player does a combination and then passes the ipad to the next player.  The students love it!

Here is another free app to practice addition combinations.  In the game Hungry Fish, students have to feed the fish a certain number. They have to combine bubbles to make the designated number so the fish with eat it. Click Hungry Fish to be linked to the game in the app store.

Watermelon Day!

To celebrate our first full week of school, we made Friday "Watermelon Day!"  We still did lot of learning....but Friday the learning and fun was all about the watermelon.  In math, we estimated the circumference of the melon with a piece of string.  Then, we tested our estimates and charted our estimates by comparing if they were longer or shorter than the actual circumference.

We also made an estimate about the weight of our watermelon.  We organized our estimates in a number line from lightest to heaviest.  When everyone had made an estimate, we weighed our watermelon.  It weighed 13.7 pounds!

That is a big watermelon!  After all the measuring, we needed a brain break.  We went outside with the other two first grade classes.  We had some watermelon relay races.  One race was rolling the watermelon under our legs.  In another race, we had to use our muscles to pass our big watermelon.  In all the races, we had to cooperate and show good sportsmanship.

Of course, we read stories with watermelon.  We read The Enormous Watermelon and Down by the Bay.  The children loved Down by the Bay so much that we even made our own books.  In our own books, we did some word work with high frequency words and rhyming.

Of course, at the end of the day, we had a delicious snack....WATERMELON!  Enjoy the slideshow below for even more pictures of our special day. 

A free photo slideshow by Smilebox