Valentine's Day, Still the Sweetest Day of the Year

Well, we couldn't bring in treats for one another, but we still had the chance to celebrate our love for friends and family by creating some special valentine creations.  In addition to building our own mailboxes for collecting the valentines, we made some "stained glass" and cute heart animals with special messages of love.

Olympic MATHletes Earn Gold Medals with IXL

We've started our trial run with the IXL web site.  Please take advantage of this resource, while we have it.  A great opportunity to see and practice some of the tough first grade Common Core State Standards.  Please use the login information sent home to help get connected!

Partner Challenge - 100 Day

During our quick indoor recess on 100 Day, students paired up to find or create collections of 100.  One pair remembered there were exactly 100 first grade sight words, others chose manipulatives that have helped us work up to the big number.  A pair of boys who are not afraid to lift heavy items made a collection of 100 books.

100 Day with Our 5th Grade Buddies

We had a 20 minute workout, working through multiple 100 Day Challenges, which included both physical activities, organizing collections of 100, and measuring with the theme of 100.

100 Day Parade - 2/4/14

Our 100 Day festivities kicked off with a parade.  We joined the GMS kindergartners for a parade through school, winding up in the lunchroom for some counting.  First grade demonstrated great leadership by counting by 5s and 10s, as well as backward from 100.

Top of the Chart!

Our own KP came up with the idea of making a bulletin board that GMS students could sign when the reach the top of the clip chart in the classroom.  JK was the first of many (soon!) 1C students who will sign his name on the bulletin board in the lunch room.  Congrats JK!

Guided Math Workshop is WORKING! 2/2/14

The Guided Math Workshop that we have been running all year has shown many benefits, including greater student independence, flexibility in grouping to teach specific skills for specific students, and in incorporating technology as well as great use of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).  Here's another round of pictures from what's been happening in the classroom.