Not the color of our skin...

Hello Everyone!
What a wonder-filled day we had today in first grade.  We were able to set some time aside and talk about the importance of  understanding what Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stood for, his dream for his children, his dream for everyone.  After reading a few books about his background, and what life was like during the 50's and 60's, and learning a little song, I wanted to be sure the kids really "got" the intention, and how blessed we are to be living in an age when we can all live together in peace and equality. 
We listened to a piece of Dr. Kings's speech, especially the part "not by the color of their skin, but the content of their character."  We then looked at each other and realized each and everyone of us is different on the outside, but not so different on the inside.
 Then I used many different kinds of apples to show how they come in many different shapes, colors, sizes, etc.  I proceeded to cut them open cross-ways to reveal the beautiful star on the inside of each and every one of them.  All the apples looked so special, but at the same time, they looked equal on the inside!  Hmmmm...

Look at those beautiful colors!!

Then the kids went back to seats and wrote, drew and colored their interpretation of the lesson Dr. King was teaching.  Beautiful!  We want to be like Dr. King!

This turned out to one of the kids favorite lessons so far!  I think they will remember it, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
I am so thankful for each of these precious little hearts. I hope they continue to have a love of peace and equality.
Joyfully!
Nancy

Mike and Ike!!

Hello Everyone!
Great day today planning with my team!    Such a dedicated group of amazing teachers! Love you all, girls!!  We have some fabulous things planned for our little firsties! 
Besides all the MLK material we are going to cover this week, I made this fun little word work activity.  We are studying long i  with silent e this week. Along with Sparkly E kids are going to have the opportunity to sweeten up their practice and invite Mike and Ike along! Yes! Another "Eat Your Words" activity!  I have a feeling they are going to love this one!!

 Want one? Click here!! :)

Okay!  That's sure was quick, I know!  Lot's to do to get ready for the rest of the week!!
Have a terrific Tuesday!!

Joyfully!
Nancy

Help! Missing Numbers! Have you seen them?

Hello Everyone!
Next week we are going to work very hard on the tricky math objective "missing addend."  Kids have a hard time with this one! I put together a couple of games we will play both whole group and in small groups. The first one is called "Missing!" Students will work to come up with the number that is missing from their side of the gameboard before their partner.  The other is an adaptation of the game "Salute."  I'm calling it "Get Your Head In The Game!"  Two students put an unknown number card on their forehead. Another player tells the sum of the two numbers. Each player looks at the other player's card and has to figure out the number that is on their own card...The missing addend!  You may have played this before with a deck of playing cards. I've included some number cards in the download, in case you need them.

 

 

 Oh!  Here's a little Math Scrabble game also.  Practice adding 3 addends!

for the "Missing!" game click here!

for your own "Get Your Head in the Game" game, click here

and for your math scrabble game click here!

Math Scrabble game download includes small printable scrabble tiles and large black and white ones to use for whole group activities.

If you are a parent, these would be great games to print off and practice playing at home, as well!!  Have fun!!

Have a great rest of the weekend!!

Joyfully!

Nancy

Gummy Worms VS Earth Worms

Hello Everyone!
We finished our study of living and nonliving things with a fun (and a little slimy) activity.  "Gummy Worms vs Earth Worms"  The activity was adapted from a similar activity in the AIMS Science curriculum.  We had already discussed the characteristics of both living and nonliving things. Last week I posted about our little pet rocks.  (search "Pets Rock").  This week my sweet team decided to just dive into this cute little lesson about comparing Gummy worms and earth worms. Most of us were excited about bringing earthworms into the classroom! :)  Most of our sweet firsties were excited as well!

Here's a quick freebie if you would like to try it!! Click here!

Oh, what we don't do to help our kids experience all they can!! My kids actually ended up naming our five worms and we will be keeping them for a few more days! So cute!!

Anyway, thanks for stopping to take a peek into this wonder-filled world!  I appreciate you all so much!!  

I've been working on a couple of math activities for next week.  I'll try to save time tomorrow to share those!  Stay tuned!!
Till then, have a great night!!
Joyfully!
Nancy

The Adventures of Sneaky E

Hello Everyone!
What a fun day in first grade today!  Yesterday I introduced Sneaky E to the kids.  We had a ball brainstorming Sneaky E words and making the paper bag puppet.   We also learned the Sneaky E song.  Today we put what we learned into ACTION!  Literally!  We made little mini movies about The Adventures of Sneaky E.  We divided into 5 groups and each group chose a Sneaky E word.  A Sneaky E was chosen for each group, and then they were off to practice what they saw in their mind movies as to how Sneaky E would actually go about making the first vowel say it's name.  They were so cute as they practiced!  Then it was time to try to film! 

 
 

 

 

 

Okay. UGH!  I've been trying to upload our videos for the past hour and something is just not clicking!!  I am soooo sorry!  I will try again tomorrow, because they are just too cute!! If someone out there knows how to help,  I would appreciate it!! I'm thinking the files might be too big.

 

Till then, have a great night! Don't let Sneaky E sneak up on you!!

Joyfully!

Nancy

 

 

 

 

 

If the Mitten Fits...

Hello Everyone!!
Just a quick post tonight! Making a yummy dinner tonight and I'm just waiting for the oven to heat up!  Today we worked hard on "Bridging to 10" in math.  Our whole group activity was called "If the Mitten fits..."  It fits right along with our literacy unit for this week on "The Mitten."  I  put together some large mittens with two 10 frames on each, to show an addition fact. Along with those, I made some hand shapes with two ten frames as well.  The hand ten frames shows the same number of dots as the mitten, but the top ten frame shows that some of the dots had moved up to the top 10 frame.  This visually shows kids the ease of creating a bridge to 10... and bridging or making a ten makes for easier addition! Now that that is as clear as mud, here are some pics from the mini unit.

And here are some pics of it in action!

Sorry I couldn't get this pic to rotate or flip!!
 :(

for a copy of this 16 page Bridging to 10 activity, put your mittens on and click here!!


That's it for tonight!!!  Let me know if this was helpful at all.  The kids were engaged and some who hadn't gotten the concept before, got it this time!!!  YAY!!

Have a great evening!!
Joyfully!
Nancy

Won't You Be Mine?

Hello Everyone!
We are quickly approaching the sweetest day of the year...Valentines Day!  First graders looove Valentines Day!  I created a little unit to use during that entire week. It includes two poems, some word work activities, an eat your words activity, "The Biggest Valentine Ever" questioning activities and craft connection, about 6 different math activities dealing with comparing and ordering numbers up to and beyond 120, some fun math strategy games and a science activity.  I can't wait to try all this with my firsties!!  I hope you can use some of it as well!
Here are a few pics of what is included in the 48 page unit!

Mystery Picture clues include addition

For your free 48 page Valentine unit, be mine and click here!

 

Have a sweet day!!

Joyfully!

Nancy