1st Grade

CLOUD CITY

First Graders have had their "head in the clouds" lately. We have learned all about clouds and cloud types in Science and decided to take a more hands on approach to the subject this Flex Friday. Students learned about rain clouds and cloud formation with hands-on experiments. They also built cloud trackers, which had each type of cloud and how to identify it and what it tells us about the weather. Finally, they wrapped up the day by building a Cloud City which focused on 3-D shapes, problem solving and collaboration. First grade is going sky high with their knowledge!

Check out our CLOUD CITIES!!!!

First Graders went WILD with their Scientific study of habitats.

We learned all about the rainforest with stories and research. Then we extended our rainforest learning into all other subject areas. We reviewed Phonics skills with long e leaves and long a rain clouds, tested "buzzing" true and false equations in Math, explored map skills on a rainforest adventure in Social Studies, and after reading we "planted" ELA cause and effect skills into our memory. First graders finished their day with a STEM challenge to build a boat that would not only float but could carry research equipment down the Amazon River. It was a WILD learning adventure in first grade!

Practicing Nonstandard Measurement

What do you do when you have to measure something but find yourself without a tape measure? The first graders are here to solve your dilemma. We have been practicing Nonstandard Measurement and can show you how it's done. After a few paper and pencil lessons and practice the students were ready to put their knowledge to work. We tested our knowledge with different forms of measurement using items from our classroom. First graders measured shoes, desks, books, computers, their hands and even a fellow classmate! First graders are accurate and knowledgeable if you ever find yourself in a Nonstandard Measurement predicament!

Catholic Schools Week

It was another year of an amazing Catholic Schools Week. We celebrated our students, our school history, and our magnificent teachers and staff. This year we also combined our service and community in a whole school project celebrating healthcare workers. We learned and recognized the tireless efforts of these frontline workers while making special cards for them in first grade. It was during this project that I overheard a student say, "It feels really good to help others!" Then, several others chimed in agreeing. I stopped dead in my tracks and my heart swelled. Yes, this is what Catholic Schools are all about! Not only are we here to help every child reach their maximum potential, but also to foster the growth of the whole person, rooted in faith. This is how we shape the future. Catholic Schools Week 2021 may be over but the lessons learned will always remain.

January Flex Day

First grade packed our January FLEX day full of learning,exploration, creativity and fun. We began our day with the question "Why is snow white?" We read about "Snowflake Bentley" who was the first person to capture images of snowflakes and how he accomplished this amazing task. We studied settings of stories and possessive nouns with this delightful nonfiction story. We used the snowflake as an example that spurred a lesson in Symmetry. Then we did an experiment to explain how water begins clear and then appears white when it becomes snow. First graders investigated Transparent, Translucent, and Opaque objects to see if we could transform one state into another. After this amazing experience, we found our answer! So, Why is snow white? If you want to find out, just ask first grade.