January 27, 2017
Students began studying maps and working with our classroom map puzzles this week. First grade students are learning about the countries in the continent of North America, and second grade students are learning the states in the Midwest Region. We have also been reviewing the concepts of city, state, country, continent and world to help students understand this abstract concept.
January 13, 2017
This week we began a unit on geography! We learned about aerial view (overhead view) and related this to maps, which also have an aerial view. Students brainstormed what they already knew about maps, and then we practiced making a map of our classroom. Students were encouraged to include a map key with symbols representing each object shown on their map. Some students were incredibly detailed and even added our "Hunk and Chunks" to their map. We will continue to learn more about maps and globes next week!
December 16, 2016
We began our "Market Day Project" this week! Students are creating a product to sell to their classmates. They are responsible for producing all the products they plan to sell, come up with a store name, a description of their product, a price that they feel is fair and will be "marketable" or "sellable", as well as a slogan for their product. Students have been very enthusastic about their products and I can't wait to see all of their creative ideas come to life!
December 2, 2016
Students learned about goods and services, producers and consumers, as well as scarcity in social studies this week. Scarcity is the idea that there is not enough of something for everyone who wants or needs it. Students listened to a story read aloud and were able to identify the item that was scarce. This led us to discuss what happens when there is a scarcity of something. We must make a choice to get something else or find another way to get the item we need or want. Students were also given a scenario this week where they were invited to a birthday party, a movie with their neighbor, or to go to their best friend's house. The problem was, each of these events were at the same time. Some students identified there was a scarcity of time! Each of us had to make a difficult choice, and give up the other two options. Next week we will dive into the topics of trade and money!
November 11, 2016
We began an Economics unit this week! We learned about the difference between needs and wants. We discussed our basic needs- food, shelter, water, clothing, but also discussed how we might need things for different activities or events we are involved in. If someone is on the soccer team, he or she will probably need soccer cleats, shin guards, socks, and a jersey in order to be allowed to play. One student said she needed school supplies, a lunch box, and a backpack for the beginning of the school year. Another concept students learned were goods and services!
November 4, 2016
Students learned a bit about how the election process works this week! We briefly discussed the electoral college, and that each state has a certain number of electoral votes. We discussed that the country has 538 electoral votes total, so a candidate must receive 270 votes or more in order to become President of the United States. We read a book called, Grace for President, that explained these concepts, as well as gave an idea how the campaign process works for candidates running for office.
We also read a Time for Kids article about both candidates running for president this year. Students were introduced to vocabulary such as political party, Democrats, and Republicans. Students will be participating in a whole school "election" next Monday, November 7th! Each student will get to cast a vote for the candidate they would like to be president this year. Many are already anticipating this exciting event!
We also read a Time for Kids article about both candidates running for president this year. Students were introduced to vocabulary such as political party, Democrats, and Republicans. Students will be participating in a whole school "election" next Monday, November 7th! Each student will get to cast a vote for the candidate they would like to be president this year. Many are already anticipating this exciting event!
October 14, 2016
We began a new unit in Social Studies this week about families! We started by learning about the terms past, present, and future. We read a book about a character who shared his likes and dislikes when he was younger and how some of those things have changed now that he is six. We brainstormed things that we did or liked in our past and then again with the present. Students discussed what they hope to become in the future. I loved seeing how excited they were about sharing "what they want to be when they grow up"! Next week we will learn more about what a family is!
September 30, 2016
We had a blast learning about John Chapman, better known as Johnny Appleseed, this week! We read about him and learned about his life, what he was known for, and where he traveled to. Some of our conversations led us to discuss that people didn't always have grocery stores to get their food from. Instead, they had to grow and make their own food, or trade with others for resources. We talked about the delicious things that our families make with apples and then made our own apple butter as a class! All but 3 students enjoyed eating it, but it appeared that all of them enjoyed making it! Since many students were asking me for the recipe here is the link for the recipe we used! It turned out delicious and was pretty easy to make!
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/apple-butter/14202be0-d2de-492a-b3c3-12845330f621
http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/apple-butter/14202be0-d2de-492a-b3c3-12845330f621
September 12, 2016
Due to Constitution Day being this week, it was the perfect time to learn about the US Constitution a bit as well as create our own class constitution! Students considered what it would be like if our country didn't have both laws and freedom. Then we discussed what our classroom would be like if we didn't have rules and choice. After some brainstorming with partners, we came up with a long list of ideas for our class constitution, some of those being:
"Always tell the truth, even when you might get in trouble"
"Use manners with each other"
"Use kind words and help each other"
"Treat others the way you want to be treated"
"Be nice, share, and take turns."
It will be a great place to learn and work together when students follow our new constitution!
"Always tell the truth, even when you might get in trouble"
"Use manners with each other"
"Use kind words and help each other"
"Treat others the way you want to be treated"
"Be nice, share, and take turns."
It will be a great place to learn and work together when students follow our new constitution!