27-News and Announcements for 1st Grade, April 1-5, 2019
Post date: Apr 15, 2019 10:37:14 PM
27-News and Announcements for 1st Grade, April 1-5, 2019
This week we have done a lot with our Sugarbush. Last Thurs. we mapped our way to our Sugarbush . Doing this unit has allowed us to learn about so many aspects beyond the science, engineering, and cultural components of it. For example, we estimated how many gallons of sap we’d collect this week. The majority agreed with 6-7 gallons. We were amazed to end up with 12 ½ gallons. That brings the total sap collected by all the first grade classes to over 50 gallons. Ask your child how many gallons of sap for 1 gallon of syrup. We have all created a picture graph, a bar graph and a table of each of the first grade classrooms and their sap collections. Students are also in the process of accurately mapping how to get there. We may even try to use a compass. These and many more fun connections have been made as students experience the entire process of having a sugarbush.
While we continue to work with maps and comparing places we are transitioning to our next major unit of study Animals (groups, life cycles, habitats, etc.). We’ll be raising chicks from the egg as well as different kinds of insects to help us study animal behavior, life cycle, variation, etc. We have an exciting opportunity to also do a pet partnership with miniature horses very soon too. There will be a letter coming home with more information and then an all class visit before the read with me program begins. At that point all students will have the opportunity to read individually with a miniature horse. Look for the permission slip coming home this week or next week to ensure your child participates.
A peek at our other class studies:
Unit 5 Week 4: Reading comprehension: Problem and SolutionWriting: Drawing evidence from non-fiction text, writing opinion and narrative textSpelling: “ou” and “ow”Grammar: describing words (adjectives) that compare (-er, -est), using: an, a, this, thatScience, Engineering & Technology: Connecting the engineering process and challenges to the real world as we continue with Sugarbush. Connecting math and other subjects. We’ll be assessing this then begin animals. We start with our walking Field trip to Tischer as we learn about spring birds with Hartley Nature Center and then we'll be going to the Lake Superior Zoo. Chaperones will be needed for both.
Note: We’ll be raising Chicks and insects to study and learn about animal life cycles. The chick eggs should arrive 4/17. Social Studies: We’ll assess about Sugarbush, cultural traditions for Ojibwe and other people groups from past to present. We’ll learn to draw, & read maps with keys & a compass.
Mathematics: Using graphs and tables for Sugarbush and shapes. Learning about 2D and 3D shapes, their characteristics and how to create certain shapes using others.
Upcoming Events/Important Dates/Volunteering Opportunities:
April 22: Hartley Spring Birds at Tischer 8:30-10:30-(we'll discuss characteristics, built nests, explored habitats, listened for birds calls and played a survival game) (Chaperones needed for Monday 8:30-10:30)April 24: Lake Superior Zoo Field Trip 9:30-2:00 (Chaperones needed)April Pilot Program: Miniature Horses come to Congdon Park for 1st gradeApril 22: Earth Day Activities May 14: Music in our Schools Open House 1:30-2:00 (see more info coming soon)