1st Grade

What are we doing in the library?

In September, we will explore the library space and will be reminded of the rules and expectations. Here are some books that we will be reading together:

• Manners with a Library Book by Amanda Doering Tourville

• Do Not Bring your Dragon to the Library by Julie Gassman

Hispanic Heritage Month

From September 15th to October 15th, we are honoring Hispanic Heritage Month with a special author study focused on Yuyi Morales. Students will be reading two of her beautifully written and illustrated books: Dreamers and the Caldecott Honor book Frida. In addition to our reading, students will explore Spanish-speaking countries using PebbleGo to deepen their understanding of Hispanic cultures around the world.

Biographies - We will be diving into biographies.  As we read, students will practice using text features like timelines, headings, and pictures to help them better understand what we're reading.

We’ll also focus on putting events in order and seeing how one event leads to another, helping students connect real people to the events that shaped their lives. These lessons support our reading goals by building strong skills in reading nonfiction, using text features, and understanding the sequence of events. We are using the Little People, Big Dreams book series. 

October

This month, our students will be using Code & Go Mice to explore the basics of programming! Through fun, hands-on activities, students will learn important skills like sequencing, problem-solving, and giving step-by-step directions. These early coding experiences help build critical thinking in a playful and engaging way!

This month we will read Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds, and students will take part in a design challenge. This activity aligns with the ISTE Standards for Students, as students will practice being Innovative Designers by using their imagination and creativity to plan, build, and improve their own solutions to a problem inspired by the story.

We'll also be reading the story How to Catch a Witch! We’ll practice retelling the story using the words first, next, and last. We’ll also talk about the characters and setting to help us better understand the story.

To make things even more exciting, students will take on a design challenge—they’ll use their creativity to come up with a clever way to catch the witch!

November

Used Book Fair – November 4–7
Students will have the opportunity to shop at the Used Book Fair from November 4th through November 7th. This event is a major fundraiser for our school library—last year we raised over $1,000 to purchase new books!

All books are donated by members of our Nederland community and will be priced at $1 for paperbacks and $2 for hardcovers. Please take a moment to look through and discuss the books your child brings home from the fair. We do our best to review donations, but we’re not able to check every book individually

Students will read Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal and participate in a virtual author talk and draw-along. This engaging experience allows students to explore the story, connect with the author, and express their creativity through art.

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, students will read We Are Grateful by Traci Sorell, focusing on identifying the theme. After reading, students will create a grateful chain to reflect on and share the things they are thankful for, connecting the story’s message to their own lives.

December

Students will read Coyote Places the Stars by Harriet Peck Taylor, focusing on understanding story elements and the author’s purpose. After reading, they will take on the Marshmallow Challenge, applying ISTE Standard 4: Innovative Designer by using the design process and considering constraints as they build their own constellations with marshmallows and toothpicks. This hands-on activity combines reading comprehension, teamwork, and creative engineering, giving students the opportunity to problem-solve and refine their designs!

Students will also take part in a Book Tasting, sampling a selection of fiction, nonfiction, and early chapter books. This engaging activity encourages students to explore new genres, discover fresh interests, and build excitement around reading as they “taste-test” books they might not have tried before.

January

This month, students will learn about online safety using the Common Sense Education Digital Citizenship curriculum. 

Starting in January and continuing through the March, we will be reading the Colorado Children’s Book Award picture book nominees. Students will explore all 10 titles, vote for their favorite book, and help cast our school’s official vote.              

2026 Colorado Children’s Book Award – Picture Book Nominees

The Book That Almost Rhymed — Omar Abed
Just Like Millie — Lauren Castillo
The Book That Can Read Your Mind — Marianna Coppo
Knight Owl and Early Bird — Christopher Denise
We Are Definitely Human — X. Fang
I Lived Inside a Whale — Xin Li
The Yellow Bus — Loren Long
Time to Make Art — Jeff Mack
Millie Fleur’s Poison Garden — Christy Mandin
A Mischief of Mice — Christie Matheson