In math, we are working hard on counting and number strategies. Most of our current work is in the first grade CC - NBT and OA standard domains. One activity was to reconstruct 100 charts. we will move into 120 charts later, but right now, students had to decide how these cut up number charts fit together. It was a great way for me to assess their counting skills, number knowledge, a little bit of place value, and number patterning.

Welcome Tiger Cubs

Tonight was our Ice Cream Social. I got to meet most of my students, and they were able to see how our classroom is physically structured for the school year. They found their desks and were able to use some technology by taking pictures of themselves on my Mac laptop and our classroom iPad. It was great meeting all the parents and grandparents, too! Gale is special in that we have whole families involved and working together for the common supported good of each child. If you came to Ice Cream Social tonight, thank you for stopping in to say "Hi" and to meet me. It's going to be a great year! Here are some pictures the kiddos took of themselves using the iPad (by themselves). I like to see who can figure out how to work the tech devices in the class without me or a parent. Yes, they are digital natives!

Do you do gifts for your students at the end of the year? This year I decided to give them something that was both fun and semi-educational. I created a letter, scrolled up like a diploma (even though we don't do "graduations" at the end of the year), and included some specific items like bubbles, a racecar, sidewalk chalk, and PopRocks. The letter gave them multiple activities to do with the items, all educational and fun. I also gave them a summer workbook of sorts, filled with an academic activity to do each day. I also included a little collage of pictures from the school year, making sure each student's picture was included! I had fun making these, and the kiddos could not stay away from them on the last day of school! BTW, does anyone else have to fully pack up their classroom and move everything out, just so the carpet can be "cleaned"? Here is a picture of what my classroom looked liked halfway through having to be done...

Here's to Hoping!

I am hoping that my school district will give me access to my blog, so that I can blog and post from my school network. Right now, I have to do everything from home, which works except for all the stuff I have stored at school :(

Welcome

Welcome to my First Grade Blog! I am so excited to begin school in August and to meet you. First grade is awesome! You will love it!