Chef Kyle
To kick off our food study in social studies, the first graders had a “behind the scenes” tour of the kitchen.  The children saw a giant warming oven, a strange looking dishwasher, a giant freezer and many other interesting kitchen tools.  Following the tour, Chef Kyle came up and explained the “rainbow theory of nutrition.” He spoke of the benefits of having many colors on one’s plate.  The following day he came up to the classrooms to inspect the children’s lunch choices.  Chef Kyle also challenged the first graders to be daring and try one new food a week.

This week, the first graders began working with a collection of spelling words from our Words Their Way spelling program. The students sorted the words into categories as they read each word aloud, paying close attention to the phonetic spelling pattern.  This is an excellent program that will be used throughout the year to further develop their understanding of letter sounds, how to read and spell words.  Each student will have a weekly sort.  We will read, sort, write and play many games.  In first grade we make reading and spelling fun!

This week all the first-grade children gathered together to discuss what someone might need to see on a map of the inside of the Primary School.  They used iPads to photograph important parts of the building, came back together to draw and plan, and then got busy practicing their cartographer skills.  Each child contributed by drawing a part of the school on a mural size map which hangs in the first-grade hall.   If you ever get lost in the building you now have a resource to help you find your way!

What a pleasure to meet all the new first graders! Our first few days were spent getting to know each other and learning new routines.  All have settled in nicely and I am sure you will greet tired, happy children Friday afternoon!
We have begun a year-long study of poetry. We began with one that seemed especially apropos for this time.

                                    First grade rocks,
                                    There’s lots to do!
                                    First grade rocks
                                    For me and you!
                                    First grade rocks
                                    It’s so much fun!
                                    First grade rocks
                                    For everyone!