Camping Unit

Hello Everyone!
Thanks for stopping by for a peek into the wonderfilled world of first grade!  I want to share some highlights of our Camping Theme.  We had so much fun studying the animals you would find while camping, researching through Pebble Go, reading poetry, writing poetry, reading books, both fiction and nonfiction, writing our own nonfiction pieces, celebrating reading with camping day, and doing firefly science experiments. We got to show it all off at our annual Open House! Enjoy the view!!

Our favorite "camping" books!

Fishing Day! Fishing for Facts

Caught One!

Hiking Day!! Writing Acrostic Poems

I went hiking and saw...

Sight word stars on the ceiling! Can you see them?

Stargazing for sight words

I'm Sleeping in my sleeping bag...poetry

Reading to Flashlight

Reading to firefly light

Paper bag backpacks to hold some of our work!

Our very own little pup tent!!  Can't wait to read in here!!

Welcome to Camp VandenBerge!

hallway display of our animals

Happy Campers

Fireflies and Glowsticks Science!!

Put glowsticks in ice and hot water.  Look at the difference!!!

 Our Sci Fri experience was to ask questions about the effects of temperature on the brightness of glow sticks (fireflies). (Thanks to the sweet mom who supplied us with glowsticks for each kiddo!!!) We discovered that the warmer the environment, the brighter the glow!!!  The chemical reactions release more energy more quickly in a warm environment. Is that why we see more fireflies in the summer months???
firefly printables are here! :)

Fireflies and Glowsticks printable

Sleeping Bag Poem Printable

I can't wait to catch some fireflies this summer!!!

Thanks for taking a peek into our world!!
Hope your tomorrow is just as bright!!
Joyfully!
Nancy

Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!!
What a happy place to be on Valentines Day.  First Graders are so full of love every day, but especially on Valentines Day!  Our day started with the kids passing out their treasured and so important Valentines to their friends.  We made these cute Valentine holders the day before.  I have learned that we need something extra large to hold all of the treasures!!  the treasures and messages get bigger and bigger every year! :)

Our learning day was filled with hearts and fun.  We practiced our graphing skills with a conversation heart activity, practiced our ch words on giant chocolate chips, and practiced our sight words with a heart stepping stone game.  I had to get those kiddos up and moving!! :)  OH! We couldn't forget to practice our questioning skills with our "Read to Someone" Valentine book time.

Practicing our questioning skills with Valentines Day themed books!

Then it was time for our Celebration of Friendship!  I couldn't wait to try our a quick fun game I had seen and adapted for first graders, our Valentine Minute to Win It!  Our wonderful room moms got all the supplies for this fun game.  And the kids had a "sweet" time playing. 

click for minute to win it valentine printable

Kiddos enjoyed making headbands and snacking on fruit and pretzel with chocolate fondue!!  How Fancy!! 

Oh! And I couldn't resist snapping a quick pic of the funny monkeys I gave the kids.  The tag says "Stop monkeying around and be my Valentine!"  I think they were a hit!

 A HUGE thank you to our spectacular room moms and the other moms and dads who came to help us celebrate our friendships!!!

Thanks for stopping by! This truly is a wonder and love-filled place to be!!

Take a peek again soon!!!

Joyfully!

Nancy