Reading/Writing Workshop

First graders learn the writing process by...writing! We do several Reading/Writing Workshops during the last half of the year, and the kids just completed their first one in January. The goal was to write a personal narrative about a trip, and we started by filling in a planning sheet.

We first had to think of a destination, and then four events from the trip.

After planning, we had to put our ideas into complete sentences.

We tried really hard to print neatly, spell correctly, and remember periods! Then we got to decorate the "suitcase" papers.

Then, it was time to cut out the papers.

We also had to design a cover for our stories.

Finally, time to assemble!

Finished products!

All done!

Everyone got to share their stories with the whole class.

First graders have traveled to some very interesting places, even Italy!

Our stories are on display on the bulletin board outside of our classroom. Stop in and read our personal narratives!

December Students of the Month

Mrs. Giese came in today to hand out last month's Student of the Month awards.

Congratulations to Elaina, Jenna, and Lukas for being such hard workers, and for wearing purple on another Vikings Day! I think Elaina even has a little purple hairspray in her hair.

Yeah Kids, and Go Vikes!!

Go, Vikings!

Faculty, staff, and kids dressed in Vikings gear today to cheer on the Vikes for their first play-off game on Sunday!

I couldn't believe how many people have Vikings "stuff!"

Go, Vikings!

Pajama Day

We celebrated the last day of school before our winter vacation with...

Pajama Day!

The kids got to wear their cozy winter pajamas, slippers, and robes, and also bring a stuffed animal to school to help them with their work during the day.

Great slippers there, guys.

Don't they all look cute?

What a fun way to get ready for vacation!

Happy New Year, Everyone!

Gingerbread Houses

On Friday, December 18th, our class made gingerbread houses! The excitement had been building for several weeks as we collected ice cream buckets, frosting, and supplies for decorating. Finally, the big day arrived, everything was ready, and it was time to begin! Each child had to invite one guest as a helper. We had moms, dads, grandmas, grandpas, and siblings join us as we created our houses.

We started the event by singing a few songs to entertain our guests.

"We wish you a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!"

We got our instructions on the Smartboard by looking at pictures from last year's blog post showing the whole process. We got lots of good ideas!
Finally we could start!

The first step was to frost a foil-covered lid as a base for the house.


Fingers made good knives!

Then, we frosted an empty milk carton for the house.

Then, we stuck graham crackers to the cartons.

Frosting made great glue,

and it tasted good, too!

Then, the decorating began! We took turns going to the supply table to choose what we wanted to use to decorate the house.

This house was "pink-a-liscious!"

We even had a few pre-schoolers as helpers.

Fortunately, we had lots of napkins for sticky fingers.

The kids were very creative with all the gum drops, M&Ms, licorice, cereal, teddy grams, pretzels, etc.

Frosted ice cream cones made great snow-covered trees.

Candy canes turned into back-yard sleds.

Andes mints made perfect doors.

The frosting was finger-licking good!

This house turned into a log cabin, complete with a wood pile.

Here are some more of the finished products.

Looks good!

It was hard to resist a little munching!

Grandpas were really good helpers!

Colored sugar, sprinkles, and coconut added extra color and texture.

Hopefully, all of the houses made it home in one piece.

Thanks, parents, for all of your help with this project!

Happy Holidays, and remember to read lots during vacation!