First Grade Highlights
December 1, 2017
Dear First Grade Families;
This month we will be studying the Celebrations of Light. This includes Christmas, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, Las Posadas, Hanukkah, and more! If you would like to come in and share your family traditions, please contact Ms. Kanoe or Mr. K.
For the past couple of weeks, the first graders have been working on their “Magic Pebble” wishes during Writer’s Workshop. The students will be sharing their writing with their 4th grade buddies next week for our Publishing Party.
During Math Lab, we have been learning about fractions. The students have learned how to make and recognize ½, 1/3, and ¼. We played a game called “Roll and Color a Fraction" and we practiced folding paper into halves and fourths.
We even made it to aquatic park for a playdate!
We even made it to aquatic park for a playdate!
Sharing for December is to bring in an artifact that represents the celebration of light that your family celebrates. This can be an ornament, a nutcracker, a Kinara, a candle, a photo, or menorah for example.
Announcements and Reminders:
- Ms. Kanoe will attending the People of Color in Independent Schools Conference in Southern California Thursday and Friday (November 30 and December 1st.). Mr. K will be the lead teacher in first grade.
- The Black Pine Winter Concert is on Thursday, December 7th from 1:30-3:00 at the FAD Theater.
- The first grade will be walking to Aquatic Park on Friday, December 8th. Parent volunteers are welcome.
- Friday, December 15th is a minimum day. School will be closed for winter break Monday December 18th through December 29th. Classes resume on Wednesday, January 3rd, 2018.
Garden Class
November, 2017
Over the last month, 1st graders have been deepening their observation skills. We explored the neighborhood around our school on a “Noticing Walk.” During our walk, we made as many observations as we could using our five senses. We loved noticing the shapes of leaves, smell of flowers, taste of nectar, texture of bark, and sound of birdsong. We even walked in silence for a few blocks and counted how many different types of sounds we could hear. We learned that in order to hear the sounds of our non-human neighbors, we really have to listen! Try taking a Noticing Walk around your home sometime soon. In addition to sharpening your observation skills, you’ll develop your mindfulness practice as well.
In the BPC garden, 1st graders have taken a hands-on approach to learning about decomposition by sifting our garden compost. We delighted in finding and counting our worm friends and marveled at how, in a few short weeks, our Nourish You food scraps transformed into such a rich resource for our garden. Composting is a foundational skill that 1st graders will continue to practice.
Ms. Fryke had a lovely time joining the 1st graders on their field trip to the farmer’s market. She will continue to collaborate with Ms. Kanoe and Mr. Kris to reinforce the 1st graders’ curriculum and learning experience.
Thank you 1st graders for all of your hard work!
Is your family interested in learning more about the BPC garden program, local environment-related opportunities, and more? Email Ms. Fryke (rfryke@blackpinecircle.org) to join the BPC Garden newsletter!
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November 2017
First Grade Science
In November, the First Grade Scientists started using the Q Lab!! On their first day, students took a tour of the room and learned where the bathrooms and water fountains are. They also discovered that the 3D printers are usually running, and there is always something interesting to view.
First Graders had a shorter month in science in November due to Generations Day and their Performance of Understanding. Currently, they are busy making their nocturnal animal shadow puppets and learning about them from a short reading on their animals. Next month they will finish the puppets and showcase their animal on the shadow puppet stage.
PE
The first graders were having a blast during their hockey game where they were practicing ball handling, passing to their teammates, and shooting!
Even on PE days when we are inside, the first graders and I make the most of our time. I played them some music as they worked in cooperative groups to get the other end of the room.
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