More Geology and Other Learning

We studied what happens when rocks get wet. Some dissolved a little or bubbled. Others changed colors.

Lots of scientific discussion as we shared our findings

In other First Grade News...

Here are some pictures from interactive reading time. We practice reading comprehension strategies (as well as speaking and listening behaviors) by listening to a book read aloud, then turning and talking to a partner about the book.

If you think we look "Ready to Learn", that's because we've been practicing the Woodview Way! Today there was an all-school assembly focused on being ready to learn.

This was a relay race in which students had to get the materials these teachers needed in order to be "Ready to Learn". That blur in the dress was our classroom representative -- she ran fast!

We Are Geologists

The First Graders are officially geologists, as we have begun our study of rocks! 

When rocks rub together, the weathering makes sand.

The sand looked different on white and black paper.

Beautiful Fall Friday!

It seems like just a few weeks ago we were taking our "summer" hike in the woods. On Friday, we had the opportunity to take another hike, this time looking for signs of fall. 

First Grade Reading

The First Graders have been growing as readers! When students come to a word they don't know -- or if they realize that something they read doesn't seem quite right -- this is the basic plan of what I teach them to do :

1. Ask What would make sense? (Ask yourself what would make sense in the sentence, keeping the events of the whole story in mind.)
2. Does it sound right? (Do people talk that way? For example, we wouldn't say, "Him is reading a book." That doesn't sound right!)
3. Does it look right? (Are those the sounds for the letters I see in the word?)

In First Grade, we don't "sound out" the words because that doesn't work for so many words we read. Instead, we look at the beginning, middle, and end of the word, and then we re-read, to make sure that the word works in the sentence.

Our Cross-Check Poster -- The blue sticky notes show the actions we use to help us remember the steps.

We have also been working on retelling stories. A bookmark like this came home in your child's take-home folder. It can stay at home, so your child can use it to practice retelling the story after reading each night. 

A Retelling Bookmark

Kindness Matters!

We were fortunate to have a visit from author Amy Logan on Tuesday. She taught us that small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

When a person says or does one nice thing, other people want to pass the kindness on!

Visit www.GotYourCape.com for more information

An Exciting Week

As part of Fire Prevention Week, some Grafton firefighters visited Woodview on Thursday. They taught the First Graders about fire safety.

 
On Friday, we met with our Fourth Grade buddies from Mr. Mangin's class for the first time this year. This was so much fun and there were many hugs when our buddies left.  We can't wait to do it again soon!

A Getting-to-Know-You Activity

Reading with buddies

Social Studies: Life Long Ago

One student brought in a dress that her mom wore in the 1970s!

Now we're looking at a time REALLY long ago.
These are Christopher Columbus's ships: The Nina, The Pinta, and the Santa Maria.