This fall we began with a short focus on names using lots of Kevin Henkes books. This was followed by a science study of raccoons using the Kissing Hand books.  1^st graders wrote their first reports about raccoons. The study of honeybees followed as we learned how bees help us. Students learned to identify the parts of a honeybee and draw and label the life cycle of this insect. We participated in the Great 1^st Grade Leaf Exchange with 20 other 1^st grade classes across the country. We selected the Silver Maple tree in front of the school as “our” tree. Children made leaf rubbings, learned about the parts of a tree and wrote stories about trees. We received leaves from all the other schools and used this as a way to study the map of the United States. Our students can identity the states and their abbreviations that sent us leaves. They can also move around on the map using the directions; north, south, east and west.

In November, we completed a study of the sun, earth, and moon. Students made posters showing their understanding of the relationship between the three. We also enjoyed a week of apple projects in September, the life cycle of pumpkins with lots of activities in October, and turkeys in November.

We are currently learning about reindeer and will write a report about their special adaptations that help them live in the North Pole.

Feel free to stop in and see these wonderful students at work!