1st Grade
We read The Three Little Pigs, written and retold by Clare Lloyd. Students collaborated to design and build a house for the three little pigs strong enough to withstand the BIG, BAD BLOW-DRYER! They were given limited resources to create more of a challenge. We designed; we planned; then we tested. Most groups were able to redesign after our test to see if their second trial would be more successful. Using the engineering design process, many groups were able to stay standing against the blow-dryer on the first, if not second, try.
IMG_2928.MOVIMG_2927.MOV
Entering October, our first graders listened to Frankie Stein. We then designed and built a monster to add to the Stein family tree. Utilizing our iPads and technology skills, we then made our monsters TALK! Students planned out what they wanted their monster to say, recorded it using the app "Chatterpix Kids" and let technology do the rest. Check out some of our monster videos below.
Mrs. Sheeley's Class
IMG_0031.mp4IMG_0077.mp4IMG_0077.mp4IMG_0079.mp4IMG_0080.mp4IMG_0082.mp4IMG_0084.mp4IMG_0094.mp4IMG_0097.mp4IMG_0099.mp4IMG_0160.mp4IMG_0162.mp4Sheeley_JamesIMG_0164.mp4Sheeley_LanaSheeley_LeahSheeley_OwenMrs. Kunkler's Class
Kunkler_CalvinKunkler_AvaKunkler_CarolineKunkler_CharlotteKunkler_DrewKunkler_JaseKunkler_MeraleyKunkler_MylesKunkler_OwenKunkler_RaylynKunkler_RolandKunkler_TreyKunkler_WilliamKunkler_MadisonKunkler_KaylieKunkler_MaverickKunkler_WallyMiss Pleiman's Class
Pleiman_AdalynnPleiman_AveryPleiman_AndrewPleiman_BlakePleiman_CarsonPleiman_FrankiePleiman_LandryPleiman_LaurenPleiman_MiaPleiman_MyaPleiman_NoraPleiman_OliverPleiman_RandyPleiman_ReeceIMG_0450.mp4Mrs. Schwartz's Class
IMG_0047.mp4IMG_0448.mp4IMG_0070.mp4IMG_0107.mp4IMG_0109.mp4IMG_0114.mp4IMG_0099.mp4IMG_0097.mp4IMG_0102.mp4IMG_0121.mp4IMG_0089.mp4IMG_0092.mp4IMG_0096.mp4IMG_0101.mp4IMG_0104.mp4IMG_0106.mp4IMG_0445.mp4Together we read Thanksgiving at the Tappletons, where the Tappleton family loses their turkey out the front door, down the sidewalk, over the fence, and into the pond! We worked to design and then build a fishing pole to help us retrieve our turkeys from the pond. We practiced the process of designing, building, then improving something. After a few redesigns, we saved Thanksgiving dinner!
Run, run as fast as you can!
Students worked together to design and build a bridge strong enough to carry the Gingerbread Man from one bank to the other. We discussed how to share our ideas confidently with our partners and how to be a good listener when others are sharing their ideas! Some of the bridges had Mrs. McKibben super impressed!
I loved the way Alex and Quinn supported their bridge and kept it from falling down.
After winter break, we come back strong with our unit on computer programming. I introduce students to the concept using some "unplugged" activities - where we do not use any technology. (Those are the photos below where students are moving a character through an playing card obstacle course while giving step-by-step directions.) Then we move forward using Osmo coding blocks and their iPad app. Then we do a bit of coding on our computers using a site called code.org. Students are immersed in the process of programming something and testing it out, then finding their mistakes and correcting them. It promotes logical thinking, our ability to collaborate, and perseverance among many other important character traits.
lAro Needs Gasses is a story where a dog tries on many types of glasses until he finds the perfect ones for him!