1st Grade

April/May 2026

This month we:

• We explored the term "biomimicry" and the amazing inventions that were inspired by nature. 

• Designed and built new creations inspired by our new learning.

• Celebrated a whole school GLOW Week during the PSSAs. 

February 2026

This month we:

• Continued our coding unit and began a unit on digital citizenship.

• Went on a Computer Safari and found computers around our room.  

• Created our own laptops and learned about what is inside a computer.  

• Identified green, yellow, and red sites and apps, and what to do if we visit a yellow or red app. 

January 2026

This month we: 

• Wrapped up our Engineering Drum unit.  Here are a few of the highlights about the unit.  

Mrs. Barr’s first-grade STEM students got the exciting opportunity to test the Museum of Science YES! Engineering unit, Engineering Drums . During the unit, they were given the challenge of solving a real-world problem. Students asked questions, explored different materials, tested their drums, and made thoughtful changes to improve their designs. This hands-on learning supports the PA STEELS first-grade standard of using tools and materials to design and build a device that uses sound to solve the problem of communicating over a distance.

It was amazing to see their creativity, curiosity, and perseverance in action. Way to go, engineers! 

• Began our coding unit with Indi! (photos to come) 

First graders were introduced to Indi robots, thanks to the generous donation from the Warrior Run Education Foundation.  Indi is an unplugged robot that follows instructions (code) by reading colored tiles.  These tiles tell Indi what direction to go and how fast to go.  Our lesson began with students discussing whether or not a car can be self driving.  We looked at Lightning McQueen, a fictional character, and an SUV and had a class discussion as to whether or not self-driving cars are available to us to use.   Some students were aware of Tesla cars and we discussed the usage of cameras and sensors.  We took a virtual ride in a Tesla and reviewed road signs and important colors (red, yellow and green). Students then worked in groups to discover the meaning of each tile, by matching the color tiles to the correct picture or direction icon. Students did a great job taking ownership during this self-discovery activity.  

December 2025

This month we:

• Tested our drum designs

• Analysed our data to improve our drum designs

November 2025

This month we:

• Investigated how objects make sound and how sound affects objects.

• Explored how changing drum top materials and drum base sizes affect the sound the drum makes. 

• Established criteria for a successful design.

• Independently imagined drum designs before collaboratively planning a set of drums with their partner.

October 2025

This month we:

• We began our Engineering Drums unit, sponsored by the Museum of Science. 

Pictures to come! 

August/September

The beginning of the school year included learning routines, STEM behaviors, teamwork, and the role of an engineer. 

Some of our favorite activities included:

• Learning the habits of teamwork and collaboration to solve problems.  

• Exploring how engineers can use everyday objects to design solutions to a problem.  With, a partner students worked to design and build something to take kids home from school.  A focus on teamwork, communication, compromising, and creativity was highlighted throughout this lesson.  

• Reading Beautiful Oops and taking chances as we made our own beautiful "oops".  (This book is a class favorite!)