What Does a First Grade Writer Look Like?

We are currently working on writing fiction stories as part of the Marilyn Roselli Young Author's Program. Marilyn Roselli is a beloved retired Hough Street teacher who instilled a passion for writing in each child she touched. Our students are independently working on fiction stories that have an emphasis on meaning, imagination, originality, a sense of language, development, and voice. The purpose of this program is to emphasize that we are all writers! Here are a few images of what first grade writers look like:

 

Want to know more? Join us for our First Grade Parent University "Calkins and Coffee" on Saturday, March 8th from 9-10 a.m. We will have coffee, coffeecake, and a more in-depth explanation of our writing curriculum written by guru Lucy Calkins. We will cover writing genres and first grade expectations for both content and conventions such as spelling, punctuation, etc. Join the fun!

A Trip to Paris!

Madame Rowley visited today for a lesson on the major landmarks in Paris! The students went on a "visual vacation" around the city. We visited La Tour Eiffel, L'Arc de Triomphe, and La Cathedrale de Notre Dame. An information sheet with facts and figures about these important landmarks is coming home today in your child's G.O. Folders. The students are excited to share their knowledge of Paris with you!

Enjoy these YouTube clips together and explore Paris!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke-PrMo4PQo (Paris)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_kOgmfEz_8 (Notre Dame Cathedrale, Ile de France)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=014piy6bNpg (Paris, skyline view, arc de Triomphe)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve07V81oM3I (Arc de Triomphe)

Happy Valentine's Day

Word Hunt

Word hunts are one way to focus spelling study on patterns within words. Typically used within word study, word hunt activities engage students with texts they have previously read. Students hunt for other words that follow the same spelling features studied during their word sort. Word hunt activities help students make the connection between spelling words and reading words.

Little House in the Big Woods - Chpater 6 Two Big Bears

In this chapter, Pa walks all the way to town to trade furs.  While he is gone, Ma and Laura have a scary encounter with a bear.  On Pa's way home from town, in the deep, dark woods he has an adventure with a "bear" of his own!

 

100th Day of School

The 100th day of school is literally the 100th day of the school year.  From the very first day of school, our class has kept track of the number of days we've been in school in anticipation of the 100th day.  We have kept track of the days by counting straws, ten of which become a "ten bundle," providing ongoing opportunities for counting by tens and ones and developing place value concepts.

We certainly are 100 Days Smarter! 

Cardboard Challenge