Earth Day Family Recycling Projects

This morning our classroom filled with recycled projects that students had worked hard on all weekend! I am so impressed with our creativity!! I enjoyed hearing each student present their project and explain how they made it and tell who helped them at home. 

Students had to consider several Habits to help them complete a project on time.  (They synergized with their families to help them create something great out of recycled materials.  They had to Begin with the End in Mind in order to complete their project on time.  Finally, we were proactive by recycling trash in order to be good citizens of our planet Earth.

 Our projects will be on display in the school's Research Center for the remainder of the week!  We are so thrilled to share our projects with the school. 

Angel made a rocket using plastic bottles and chip containers found at home. He decorated it using black paper and a chip logo. Angel's mom helped him complete his project.

Chad created a dog using soup cans, bottle caps, socks, springs, chain, and plastic wheels. He also made a telephone using soup can, string and buttons. He even made a greenhouse for a plant using a plastic water bottle. Chad really enjoyed his opportunity to recycle to build new things with his family!

Monty made a palm tree using materials she had at home: aluminum cans, paper towel rod, and a broken Frisbee. Her mother helped her create her recycled project.

Betsy created a bunny rabbit using a milk jug, spaghetti and recycled paper from her house.  Betsy's mom helped her make her bunny. 

Maddi created a waterfall using straws and a water bottle. She painted the water bottle blue.  Her mom helped her create this project.

Makenzie created a flower vase using a recycled box, old crayons, ribbon and artifical flowers from her house.  She said that her mom helped her with her project.

Adam created his own replica of a "Warnado" a Skylanders character that's a turtle.  He used cardboard, tabs from soda cans, plastic and a hamburger box to build his creature.  He had help from his mom.

Sandy created a play house out of recycled cardboard, plants from the yard, and bottle caps.  Her mom helped her make the house and paint it.  The rain gutters on her house were made from used straws.  Sandy enjoyed making her project with her family.

Jasmine, with help from her mom and sister, created a couple planters out of recycled accessories from the house.  She plans to give her mom the larger planter for Mother's Day. 

Kota created a ladybug using some cloth she found at home and a small piece of cardboard.  She enjoys crafting at home and was excited to share this project she made with her mom. 

Jesus created two recycled projects using items he had at his house.  His dad helped him replicate a kitchen table complete with chairs and food on the table!  He created the kitchen set using cardboard and a ravolli lid. Jesus' sister helped him make a polar bear scene using carboard and styrofoam balls.  Jesus was proud to show his work.

Valery created a bird house for her family recycling project.  She used cardboard to build the house and then she decorated it with pictures, stickers, leaves and twigs.  She was proud to have created something for the animals in the forest.  Her parents helped her create the house.

Lupita made a worm using an egg carton, recycled paper, buttons, and left over streamers from a pinata.  She got some help from her mom on this project.

Devon created a hot air ballon parachute using a recycled Dr. Pepper bottle, thread and a Target shopping bag.  He got help from his grandmother.

I am so proud of our students for thinking about our Earth and creating something fun with their familys in celebration of Earth Day.  What a great turnout on our recycling projects!!

Researching Rain Forest Animals

In preparation for the end of the year students are refining their research skills. We have been researching the animals that live in the rainforest to better understand the importance of protecting it. Students are working in pairs to research a rainforest animal of their choice. They recorded their new learning in their research notebooks so they could later create a PowerPoint presentation. Students were then instructed to present their new learning through a PowerPoint for the class. They really enjoyed this project, and it's preparing us for our last writing sample of the year that we will type for our portfolio.

Braille

During guided reading this week we focused on figuring out what was important in non-fiction texts using a article describing Helen Keller.  We dove deep later in the week and created our names in Braille using miniature chocolate chips.  We had a great time learning how people  can be different, but still make a difference.  Louise Braille became blind and at the age of 13 created Braille so blind people, including Helen Keller, could read like everyone else.  We had discussions about compassion for others that are different than us, and really grew an appreciation for others.

We had to study the Braille alphabet to correctly represent our names in Braille.  We even had to include an extra character in our names to show that they are capitalized. 

Election Day

In preparation for Election Day we have been reading stories about some character's that wanted to be considered for President.  We read together the following stories:

 

 photo credits

Students were asked to vote today on their favorite character for President.  Each child got to use an official ballot, vote and submit their ballot to be counted.  Together, we counted the votes using tallies on the board.  The excitement was overwhelming, as there was a close race between My Teacher and Duck, but in the end My Teacher received the most votes.

So, I am proud to announce that this year's first grade Presidential election has chosen My Teacher for President.