Skylines and Sky Color

First graders have been investigating the sky and printmaking in art. Using the book "Journey" as inspiration, girls created printing plates of an imaginary place using cardboard and other materials. They then used these to make rubbings. Girls stamped and draw details on their rubbings, then cut along the "skyline" where the sky touched the top of their buildings or other things on the earth. Using another book, "Sky Color," as a starting point, first graders looked at impressionist paintings and noticed that the sky does not always appear blue. They created their own sky colors using a wet-on-wet technique with the added challenge of not using blue! Lastly they attached their skyline to their sky. 

Tech updates

This month the first grade classes have been learning how to sign in and use BrainPop Jr.  We have also learned how to use Kid Weather.  Using the information from BrainPop and Kid Weather, we created PicCollages about the seasons and the changing weather.

Money, Money, Money!!!!

The first grade girls have been enthusiastically sorting, identifying, and counting a variety of coins in math class. They have used magnifying glasses to examine the presidents and details on each coin. Enjoy the pictures below of these fun activities!!  Have a fun and relaxing Spring Break!!

                           

Happy Chinese New Year and the Amelia Bedelia Fashion Show

Despite all of the snow, the First Graders have been hard at work at school.  We have been learning about the customs and traditions of Chinese New Year, and the girls led a parade around school today in honor of the holiday. Kung Hei Fat Choy!

Girls from Mrs. Gandhi's class showed off their new understanding of idioms to the rest of the First Grade in a special Amelia Bedelia Fashion Show.  The girls in the audience laughed at all of the great costumes and everyone had a wonderful time!

Celebrating in First Grade!!

What a wonderful day in the world of First Grade!  Our one hundredth day parade was a huge hit, and the girls proudly modeled their creative shirts through the Elementary Center and the Administrative Building.  After the parade, the girls enjoyed having lunch in the classroom with a festive Valentine treat and opening their many cards. Excitement was in the air as the girls thanked one another.  Have a great weekend!!!

From the Library

We have been reading some old favorites together in Library: Robert McCloskey's Blueberries for Sal; Judith Viorst's Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day and Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday; Sharon Creech's A Fine, Fine School; and Peggy Rathman's Officer Buckle and Gloria. Now we are moving on to newer books including Mac Barnett's Telephone (based on the game where a message is passed along and changes as it travels), Candace Fleming's Clever Jack Takes the Cake (recommended by the Parents' Choice Foundation), and Michael Catchpool's beautiful book The Cloud Spinner. Ask your daughter how Sal was in danger, why Alexander was obsessed with Australia, if she'd like to attend the fine fine school, how did Gloria liven up the safety tips and what Jack's present for the princess ended up being.

Celebrate Good Times....

This week the First Graders enjoyed celebrating Winter Birthdays with a delicious cookie cake at recess.  Happy Birthday to all of our new 7 year olds!

The girls are also busy preparing for next week's two celebrations.  In class we are making bags for the girls to collect all of their valentines, and at home we know they are busy working on the valentines themselves as well as their 100th day t-shirts.  February is a fun month, and the girls are very excited!