Shape Hunt and 3D Project

Before fall break we wrapped up our shape study and completed our TOP SECRET 3D shape project. I am thrilled to finally share some highlights of both with you! 

We had a lot of fun our shape hunt through the school. We went looking for 3D shapes and found them everywhere! Every time we found a 3D shape, the students tallied it on their 3D shape graph. Here are some of the awesome 3D shapes that we found in some of the most unexpected places.

{tennis ball = sphere}

{play-doh = cylinder}

{storage box = cube}

{globe = sphere}

{dice = cube}

{squishy ball = sphere}

{can = cylinder}

{pencil = cylinder}

{trashcan = rectangular prism}

{gutter pile = cylinder}

{post = rectangular prism}

{cinder block = rectangular prism}

{awning = rectangular prism}

{stumps = cylinders}

{pole = cylinder}

{rain barrels = cylinders}

{garden decoration = sphere}

{pole = cylinder}

. . . . . . .

After the grand shape hunt, we sorted all the recyclable items that you wonderful folks brought by shape. 

Then up-cycled them into a grand project! Our very own African animal. =)

A little back-story: A few weeks prior, we read a story about a safari that incidentally launched a study on the animals native to Africa. We looked at pictures and videos of them, learned about their habitats, and even measures how big they would be standing in our classroom. Of all the animals, 1D was most fascinated by the giraffe - so it’s no accident that it was our source of inspiration for our grand project.

{I should add that this project was entirely student-directed. They chose which shapes to use and were to place them. I was merely in charge of the gluing =)

{PS. We named him Gerald (inspired by the book, Giraffe’s Can’t Dance - a class favorite) then graphed the number of each 3D shape we used to create him.}

. . . . . . .

Parents, I cannot thank you enough for all you help in making this project possible. We could not have made it happen without your incredible response to our crazy request for 3D odds and ends. It was such a success and we have you to thank!

Geometry

All week we’ve been celebrating shapes. We’ve learned that shapes are all around us... everything is a shape of some sort! 

{We made shapes with rubber bands and geo-boards.}

{We made shapes with our bodies. I think this one was a triangle...}

{... and a circle}

{We found shapes in patterns - and colored them... circles = green, squares = orange, 

rectangles = purple, and triangles = blue}

{And today we found shapes in photographs from Smithsonian magazines.}

If you have a chance this weekend, point out some real life objects to your first grader and ask them what shape they see!

The Newest Members of 1D

Since the start of our unit on Metamorphosis we’ve been caring for some baby caterpillars. They’ve been growing and growing and this week they have begun to change - forming a chrysalis while undergoing an amazing transformation inside. We would love to share our discovery =)

Colossians 3:23

The rumor has gotten out that we’re learning a new bible verse, and it’s no surprise because the folks in 1D are pumped about it! We have a special way of saying it with a beat and adding whatever we’re doing next to the beginning of the verse. Our class knows that as soon as they have it down, we’ll be making a video and uploading it here for you to see - so keep an eye out!  =)

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord not for people. 

Colossians 3:23

Magnificent Metamorphosis

This week we jumped head first into a study of metamorphosis - concentrating on the life cycle of the Monarch. We have a few life specimens munching away parsley in a jar in our classroom. 1-D was particularly excited about these new “class pets” and has been observing them intently since they arrived.

We’ve also been getting familiar with the steps in the Monarch’s life cycle, and its name in each stage. Check out our ordering and labeling from this morning:  

Also, make sure you stop by and investigate out the bulletin board outside our classroom... it is proudly displaying more student work from our Monarch study.

If you’d like to learn more about the life cycle of butterflies or want to support your child’s learning at home, watch this incredible video. Our first graders LOVED it! And if you watch with your kiddo I can guarantee that he/she will be more than happy to narrate =)

Fiction Post-It Project

You may have noticed our display in the hallway this last week. We did this project to show all that we’ve learned about the differences between fiction and nonfiction. After a week of practice differentiating between fiction and nonfiction works, students read through books in our class library on the hunt for fiction. Every time they found something that could not happen in real life, they wrote it down on a Post-It. We finally compiled all out Post-Its to create the word “fiction."

{planting a bread tree}

{eight little monsters sip tea at eleven}

{hens cooking}

{riding a pig to school}

{a fish is driving a car}

{a cat being a dog’s mom}

{bears are wearing clothes}

As you read stories with your first grader at home this week, be sure and ask them if their story is fiction or nonfiction.. they’ll be more than happy to let you know! =)

1 Timothy 4:12

These first weeks of school, the first graders from 1-D have been spending a lot of time learning about the word of God through the bible, songs, prayer, and discussions. I believe very much that when we plant God’s truths deep into the hearts children when they are young, the Lord will bring those truths to mind over and over again as they grow.

This is the verse we’ve been memorizing, singing, and talking about over the past 3 weeks... Enjoy!

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers, in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12

I memorized this verse when I was about ten years old and it’s taken on new meaning with each phase of my life - just more proof that the word of God is living and active! We are never too young or too old to be transformed by His truth. 

Reading Stations

This week we’ve been getting into the swing of stations and I thought you may like to see just what that looks like in 1-D.  =)

{With all our practice investigating newspapers, we decided to go ahead and make it a station. Last week we hunted for vowels. This week we’ve been on the hunt for capital letters and punctuation.}

{In spelling station, first graders have an opportunity to practice their weekly spelling words. This week we used a technique called “rainbow writing” to learn our words.}

{In listening station students listen to a story then summarize what happened in the beginning, middle and end with pictures and sentences.}

{In computer station we had a few technical difficulties earlier on in the week, so students had to share a computer and practice some real team work. This team worked so well together!}

{In this station students had an opportunity for some independent reading time. They could choose any book from our class library that looked interesting to them, then rated the book after they were finished reading it.}

{PS. Have you seen our classroom library lately? Our class has been doing a wonderful job of keeping our books organized.}

{In writing station this week students wrote a nonfiction story about themselves. We have some rather talented authors in this bunch!}

{And while I was occupied helping people work out stations last week, Harry Garry - our class mascot - sat in for me and students got acquainted with this furry fella. This week Harry moved to the reading station and students read him their favorite books.}