Art: Wire Self-Portraits

First graders are finishing wire self-portraits inspired by Alexander Calder. Students began by looking at the lines in their faces and then completing several one-line drawings of themselves on the iPad and on "art cards". Girls found that they could connect their features in many different ways. This observation came in handy when they were challenged to construct their face using wire. First graders looked at wire portraits by Calder, and brainstormed ways of forming strong attachments in their sculptures. Ask your first grader about the special tools she used. 

Next we read the book "What Do You Do With An Idea?" and discussed how our ideas are an important part of us. Girls shared things that they notice, wonder, and think, then created small abstract additions to their sculptures based on their ideas. Some chose to connect these ideas to their portrait and some chose to leave them as separate sculptures. 

A selection of ideas from first graders:

"I notice people make the world a better place." 

"I notice the sky is gray sometimes."

"I notice you can not get everything you want."

"I wonder what life before us was like."

"I wonder if there are colors we can't see."

"I wonder what it's like to be someone else."

"I think my stuffed animals are alive." 

"I think people should be nicer."

"I think when you grow up some things are harder for you."

Girls Rock!-Celebrating Groundbreaking Women

The First Grade girls are very excited about the current Read-A-Thon!  We are looking forward to the assembly tomorrow, and the girls will have dedicated reading time which may be applied to their goal. Also, they have had time in a few classes to read and may apply these minutes.  We are eager to see pledge forms on February 6, 2015.  Let's go First Grade!

Place Value is the name of the game!

In Math this week our First Graders have begun to study the important concept of place value.  They are learning how to compose and decompose a number based on 10s and 1s.  Using maniuplatives such as beans, bears, and Base 10 Blocks, the girls are exploring this concept with a hands-on approach. The girls are even using their bodies to count numbers from 1-100 in our own "Place Value Boot Camp"!

We are currently getting ready for two big holidays in First Grade!  Please check the note your daughter brought home yesterday for details about the Valentines Day and 100th Day projects that you all can work on together at home.  The girls are very excited about both holidays, and they have been chatting with each other about various suggestions for their 100th Day t-shirt designs.  Check out some great examples below:

Happy Birthday Dr. King!

The First Grade girls have been learning about the life and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We celebrated his birthday today by attending an assembly in his honor.  The girls have done various projects based on his life.  Check out some of their writing samples below. Happy Birthday Dr. King!

Brush Bot Video

All grades in the Lower School participated in the Brush Bots Winter Olympics.  Here is a compilation video of everyone's hard work.  Enjoy!

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year to all First Grade families!  This week's weather has enriched the first week of our new science unit.  We are beginning to study how air, sun, and water affect our weather.  The girls are very happy to be back in school with their friends and teachers.  Enjoy a few pictures of them getting back into their routines!