STEM studies in First Grade

This week in First Grade the girls have started a math unit on measuring.  They are learning to measure items with both standard and non-standard units.  Ask your daughter to explain the difference! The girls have had a lot of fun measuring objects in the classroom as well as measuring each other.

In other news.... our Mallard Duck eggs have arrived!  The girls are waiting patiently for the 28 day incubation period to finish, and we are hopeful that we will have a few ducklings hatch in 3 more weeks.  Check back for updates!!

Here's What's New in First Grade!

This week we began to learn about our place on the map.  The girls have been exploring maps and a new app called Barefoot Atlas. Also, we have been singing songs about places in the world. Good Morning Baltimore is a First Grade favorite. April is National Poetry Month and we have started looking at objects through poets' eyes and writing some of our own poetry!

Spring Festival 2015

The girls have been learning about various spring holidays in the last few weeks.  Today a wonderful group of parents hosted a Spring Festival in which the girls learned more about Passover, Easter, and Persian New Year. The girls listened to several stories and enjoyed related craft activities and snacks. Thanks to all who helped with this wonderful event!

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!!