Check out our class project on DonorsChoose.org!

These first graders love science.  What better to foster their curiosity and love of learning than some classroom materials to support their explorations?

Check out our classroom project by clicking on the link below.  The best part is, if you donate to the project by September 27, and use the code INSPIRE, Donors Choose will match your donation (up to $100 per person)!

Click here to support our first grade scientists!

Don't forget to use the code: INSPIRE

Please share our project link with any family, friends, coworkers, or businesses you think may be interested in helping support our first grade scientists.  

A Tomato Worm...And Wasps Too!

Last week, a child from Mrs. Roach's class brought in a tomato hornworm which looked like it was covered with grains of rice.

The little white objects are actually the cocoons of a parasitic wasp, which lays its eggs inside of the tomato hornworm.  When the eggs hatch, the wasp larvae eat the caterpillar from the inside out.  Soon after emerging from the caterpillar's body, they make small cocoons.  Mrs. Roach took the hornworm home with her this weekend so she could let us know if anything happened.  I can't wait to share the update I heard from her with the kids!  As gross as this process may sound, they really enjoyed hearing about it and watching a video of what happens on YouTube.  I had never seen them so excited!

This video by National Geographic explains the process:

This video shows the type of cocoons found on our caterpillar:

Guidance with Mrs. Shaw

We had our first guidance session with Mrs. Shaw on Tuesday.  We talked about the different jobs people have at our school, as well as the jobs we would like to have when we grow up.

From Caterpillar to Chrysalis

Two weeks ago, I found a caterpillar as I was walking back from taking the bus riders to buses.  Mrs. Larrabee took it home with her and did some research.  She discovered it was a Black Swallowtail Caterpillar.

This is what it looked like:

Soon, it started to make a chrysalis!

We discussed the changes the caterpillar was going through as part of its metamorphosis.

We all took some time to get a close-up view of this exciting development!

The chrysalis has now turned a light brownish color.  Check back soon for more updates on him!

Here is a diagram of the Black Swallowtail's life cycle:

BugFest at the NC Museum of Natural Science

The NC Museum of Natural Sciences is having a BugFest tomorrow.  It is free.  I have never been before but have heard great things about it!!!  It sounds like it would be a great extension to what we are learning in class.

Here is the link to the BugFest information on the museum's website:

BugFest 2013

Be sure to check out the post about our classroom's Donor's Choose project below!

Check out our project on Donors Choose.org!!!

These first grade students LOVE science.  We have had a blast catching bugs, observing them, and researching them.  But our classroom needs some tools to help us further our exploration of organisms as well as other science topics in the first grade curriculum.    To do this,  I've created a classroom project request at DonorsChoose.org, an award-winning charity.

I'm asking for donations of any size to help my kids. For the next week, if you use the code INSPIRE,  any donation you make to my project will be doubled (up to $100). If you know anyone who is passionate about education, please pass this along. Your donation will brighten my students' school year, and you'll get photos and thank yous from our class.

Click on the link below to read about the project and make a donation.  (It doesn't matter how small-every dollar helps!)

Super Scientists Project


To have your donation matched dollar for dollar, enter the match code INSPIRE on the payment screen. This awesome match offer lasts through September 27, 2013.

My students and I greatly appreciate your support!

Short I

The students are practicing the short i sound this week.

The beginning of this song is all about the short i sound.  The kids love it!

The following link has different activities your child may do to practice this week's spelling words.

Short i Spelling Words Practice

After going to the link, your child can click the "Teach Me" or "Play a Game" option.  There is also a link above the list of spelling words that you can print a handwriting sheet of the words.  Be sure to check it out!

Fantastic First Graders

We took our first whole-group photo last week.  These kids rock!

Pajama Party

The kids had a great time enjoying their first Manatee Ticket Reward- a Pajama Day!

In addition to wearing their pajamas to school, the kids got to "lounge" during reading time.

They also danced the Pajama Dance together.

They even had a special snack-Pop Tarts!

Short A

We watched the beginning of this video to practice the short a sound.  The kids really loved singing along to it in class!  (The second part of the video is about the long a sound.)

Final -ck Sound

This morning, we played a game on the Brightlink to help us review the "ck" sound.  Your child may play the game at home using the link below.

Roy the Zebra- "CK" Game

Manatee Manners

We enjoyed a visit from Mrs. James and Mr. Bradley last Thursday.  They stopped by to help us review our Manatee Manners!

These are our Manatee Manners:

1.  I am respectful.
2.  I am responsible.
3.  I am safe.
4.  I am a problem solver.
5.  I am a learner.

We were excited to let Mrs. James and Mr. Bradley know we already knew our new Manatee Manner this year - I am a learner.

Brain Gym

Mrs. Monnin, our school's occupational therapist, came in to teach our class some new movements we can do to help us get ready to learn.  We have enjoyed starting to use the things Mrs. Monnin taught us!

Check out this video clip of one the movements we learned and practiced:

First Week Fun

Our classroom jungle got off to a great start!  I have really enjoyed getting to know each student's unique personality, and watching our group get to know one another.  All of the students are getting along really well and starting to develop positive friendships!  The photos below capture some exciting moments from the first week of school.

Reading The Night Before First Grade

Arianna sharing her response to The Night Before First Grade by telling the class how she felt 

Murtaza shared with the class how he felt before starting first grade as well.

The students' first time lining up for a tour of the school

Practicing reciting their lunch numbers

Reviewing the playground rules

Working on their "Book of Numbers"

Ms. Park helping out students in the Writing Center during Literacy Centers

Pocket Chart sorting during Literacy Centers

Listening to back-to-school themed books during Literacy Centers

Working together to complete the ABC Snake Puzzle during Literacy Centers

The Money Center during Math Centers was a popular choice.

The students also enjoyed using math stamps during Math Centers.

Ms. Park helped the students create shapes with the polydrons.

The boys enjoyed creating larger shapes with the pattern blocks.

Mrs. Husketh read our class a story during our first visit to the Media Center.

On the prowl for a good book!

These little princesses enjoyed the Dress-Up center during Exploration Stations.