Multiple intelligences!

After our study of our brain we began talking about how all brains are unique!  One persons brain may be great with numbers while someone else may be great at reading.  With Mrs. Ardrey as our visitor we each created a picture of what we feel our brain is best at!  This will be used in our class multiple intelligence mural.

 

Pig Brains!!!

After spending all week studying brains we got the special treat of getting to look at pig brains!  Johann, who's in 2nd grade, mother came and spoke with us all about the pig brains and even let us look at them (in a jar)!!!  They were quite amazing to see.

 

The many faces of our class!!!

To go along with our hopes and dreams we each made our own face!  Everyone picked their own colors for each part and then created their own individual face.  Mrs. Ardrey came and helped us with this which was great fun!

 

The crayon factory...

So I'm not sure how many of you were told about the crayon factory and the boxes we got but it was a big deal in our classroom! 

 

The story went I went to visit a crayon factory and they gave me 16 boxes of crayons.*  The only problem was that their machines weren't working and they thought some of the boxes didn't have the right amount of crayons in them (24).  Each child had a big job of counting their crayons, writing the number on their board, and then drawing that number of crayons.  During the grand crayon count the factory texted me and said they had made a mistake and really the machine was fine and everyone had 24.  I told them anyone who didn't get 24 as their number to go back and recount :). 

 

*No crayon factories were visited during this activity!  Only supplies that you guys amazingly provided were used :)

 

They loved this and it was a great way to help review one to one correspondence, paying attention when counting, as well as writing numbers.

 

 

When we were done we worked with dice, counters, and our 10 frames to play some math games :)

Morning investigation boxes...

If you haven't heard yet our morning investigation boxes are the coolest thing in the school (or at least we all think so)!  Each morning the children get to pick a box they've never had and do, create, explore what's in the box!  I've never seen 1st graders get in the room so quickly :). 

 

Our names...

We read the story Chrysanthemum the first week of school and used it to discuss how we should all be kind to one another.  This week we reread the book with a new focus.  After reading it we had a class discussion about names and why they are special and important.  The children shared why their parents gave them their name (or why they thought they did) and what nicknames they have.  We discussed why it is important to call someone by their name and how if you don't know someone's name all you have to do is kindly ask.  They all got very into the conversation and interested in the reason behind each friends name.  We then made acrostic poems with our special names.  Each child came up with words that made them think of themselves or were something they liked.  Feel free to come look at them in the classroom on our wall of wonderful work!

 

Following Instructions

We talked all about why it is important to follow instructions on Wednesday and Thursday.  For them to see the importance we did a simulation.  I gave verbal instructions and they were supposed to listen and follow them.  If they did they were able to draw a picture of a cat like I was explaining.  If they did not they would be missing a few pieces.  When we were done most friends had completed the cat but a few had missed a few of the instructions because they were talking or playing.  This helped show them why it is important to listen to ALL instructions not only some.  Neighbors were helpful and helped the few finish their illustrations so we could all be successful!