1st

PEP Grade 1 is now a "push-in" program until about April.  I will be observing, working with small groups and teaching whole class lessons.  

Putting on our "Brainfocals" to see things in a new way!

Straws & Connectors...

Which team can build not only the tallest tower but incorporate a curve in their design as well?  One of the towers actually touched the ceiling!

 

Constellations!

LED Constellations...with some coin batteries, LED lights, magnets, and a cookie sheet, first graders were able to make magnetic constellations!

First graders are learning about stars creating patterns and shapes in the sky.  They are designing and making their own constellation out of mini marshmallows and toothpicks.  Along with this, they are writing myths about how their constellation came to be.

Mechanimals!

After reading the book, Mechanimals, first graders had to design and create a farm animal that could help out the farmer.  They did a great job using the materials they were given!

Superheroes!!

We have been brainstorming some real-world problems that superheroes could help with.  In the end, students will create their own superhero and logo.  A comic strip will accompany their creations.

The Three Little Pigs...

I'll huff and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in!  First graders are attempting to build a sturdy house out of selected materials that can withstand the "Big Bad Wolf" (my hair dryer).  They are working in teams to design, build, test, evaluate and redesign their houses if necessary.

ROBOTS, ROBOTS, EVERYWHERE!

First graders are learning that robots can come in all shapes and sizes and help in many ways.  After brainstorming and sketching, students are designing robots with a purpose that they will build using a variety of materials.

SHAPEY the Alien has Landed!

First graders are trying to help Shapey by creating a self-portrait for his mother's birthday.  There are certain requirements such as the height and width of the portrait as well as using specific shapes.

                                     

















































































































































































































































































































If a magic hat landed on your head and could turn you into anything, what would you want to be?  This is the question, first graders had to think about.  There were a variety of responses from the globe to a werewolf to a baby!  Students are actually turning their ideas into a 3D creation and writing about them as well.






February 22, 2018

I'll huff and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in!  First graders are attempting to build a sturdy house out of selected materials that can withstand the "Big Bad Wolf" (my hair dryer).  They are working in teams to design, build, test, evaluate and redesign their houses if necessary.









February 5, 2018

Here are the students in action creating their race cars!





January 24, 2018

Race cars!  First graders got some ideas for their own water bottle race car from the book, Peg & Cat:  The Race Car Problem.  They will not only name their design but use recyclable materials to build their cars.  The main challenge will be to produce working wheels.


December 15, 2017

First graders have their completed robots on display in the library.  Now, it's time to move on to SUPERHEROES!  We have been brainstorming some real world problems that superheroes could help with.  In the end, students will create their own superhero and logo.  A story will accompany their creations.

November 7, 2017

Robots, Robots, Everywhere!  First graders are learning that robots can come in all shapes and sizes and help in many ways.  Students are designing robots with a purpose that they will build using a variety of materials.

October 17, 2017

A few students were trying out a new construction product I got...Qubits!

September 26, 2017

We had a visitor from space today....Shapey the Alien!  He requested some help from some reliable earthlings due to their problem solving skills!  He needs a self portrait to give to his mom for her birthday.  Can they make it using some very specific math requirements?  For example, he must be 10 inches tall and 8 inches wide, include specific shapes, have stop sign eyes, a pentagon nose, be symmetrical and decorated with a frame using only three shapes that form a pattern.



 

Last Year's First Graders!
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May 12, 2017
Constellations!  First graders are learning about stars creating patterns and shapes in the sky through books and videos.  They are designing and making their own constellation out of mini marshmallows and toothpicks.  Students will name it and complete a writing prompt to go along with it as well.

April 6, 2017
Hot Wheels Action!  First graders are testing out ramps to see how far they can get their Hot Wheel car to travel. They are practicing their measuring skills using centimeters.


 
 
 

February 9, 2017
Robots, Robots, Everywhere!  We learned about balance and attempted to make balancing robots using two pennies as weights. Students went around the room testing the balance capabilities of their robots...


 
 

January 17, 2017
Vroom, Vroom!  Start your engines....3-2-1 Go! Students are getting inspiration from Peg & Cat:  The Race Car Problem to design their own water bottle race car.  They will use specified materials to design, label and then create their car.

 


December 5, 2016
TurfMutt and the Outdoor Powers!  Students in grades 1-2 are taking part in a backyard superhero contest.  This contest teaches the importance of living landscapes and taking care of our green areas.   They will write a 25-50 word story about how he/she is a Backyard Superhero who, along with TurfMutt and the Outdoor Powers, combats environmental villains (Carbon Creep, Dust Demon, Dr. Runoff and Heat Freak), saving living landscapes everywhere.  They will also create an original picture using character cutouts.  Check out the website for more information...
                                                     TurfMutt & the Outdoor Powers

November 18, 2016
Alien Invasion!  A letter from outer space arrived in class from a strange, but friendly alien named Shapey!  He wanted to give his mom a portrait of himself for her birthday but needed the students to help him.  First graders used their mathematical skills and artistic talents to manipulate shapes to make a portrait of Shapey according to the description he provided.  They became familiar with the characteristics of shapes and symmetry.


October 24, 2016
After reading the story of "The Three Little Pigs", students are trying to design a house that is sturdy enough to withstand the air from a blow dryer (The Big bad Wolf).  After sketching their idea, they can choose from a variety of materials to use.  We will measure the house and decide what materials worked best after three trials.  Here are some action shots...

First graders have hit the ground running! They have been learning about STEM (science, technology, engineering & math) and created their own STEM journals. After reading Goldilocks and the Three Bears, students are trying to design and create a sturdy new bed for Goldilocks using random materials.  After a few attempts and some improvements to their design, everyone was successful!