April 9th - May 11th
Over the next 5 weeks, we will be participating in our Plants and Animals PBL. We will become botanists and zoologists. We will begin our journey with a nature walk at NPES. We will dissect and investigate the parts of flowers. Next, we will experiment to learn about the needs of plants and animals. At the zoo, we will observe the animals' habitats. We will also observe animals via live webcams at zoos across the nation. For our culminating project, each student will become a zookeeper, designing and building a habitat for a selected animal. The Around the World Zoo will be on display April 10th for Spring Showcase. Hope you can come!
March 15th - 30th
On Thursday, we will begin our two week study of magnets. We will learn about the words attract and repel. In groups, we will explore the amazing abilities of magnets. Next, we will explore the real-world application of magnets. What role do they play in everyday life? Finally, we will investigate how magnets could make something we use work more efficiently.
February 18th - March 9th
Over the next three weeks in Science, we will explore sound, light and shadows. First, we will experiment with light and sound with common household items, such as straws, glasses, and rubber bands. We will learn the words transparent, translucent, and opaque through observation. We will investigate pitch, vibration, and how sound travels through solids, gas (air), and liquids. Furthermore, we will measure our shadows at different times of the day to determine when our shadows are the longest and the shortest. We will also reiterate the "Rules for Measurement" from the last math unit when measuring. Our PBL will conclude with the students creating an emergency warning plan that incorporates light and sound.
January 8th - February 9th
Over the next four weeks, our focus in Social Studies will be famous Americans. We will learn about Ruby Bridges, Theodore Roosevelt, George Washington Carver, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, along with Sacagawea, and their contributions to our country. At the end of the unit, each student will choose one person and create a poster.
Ruby Bridges – was the first African American child to attend an all-white public elementary school in the American south. Her bravery paved the way for increased civil rights actions.
Theodore Roosevelt - also known as "Teddy" Roosevelt He was the youngest U.S. President. He was a conversationalist and set aside lands for national parks.
George Washington Carver - a scientist who invented over 300 uses for peanuts He was instrumental in implementing crop rotation and over-use of land.
Benjamin Franklin - one of our nation's founding fathers. He was a printer, inventor, and one of the authors of the Declaration of Independence.
Thomas Jefferson - also a founding father of our country. He was the third president and the primary author of the Declaration of Independence.
Lewis and Clark, along with Sacagawea - the first expedition to explore the western portion of what would become part of the U.S. Along the way, they mapped the area, developed relations with Native Americans, and reported on indigenous wildlife.
Ruby Bridges – was the first African American child to attend an all-white public elementary school in the American south. Her bravery paved the way for increased civil rights actions.
Theodore Roosevelt - also known as "Teddy" Roosevelt He was the youngest U.S. President. He was a conversationalist and set aside lands for national parks.
George Washington Carver - a scientist who invented over 300 uses for peanuts He was instrumental in implementing crop rotation and over-use of land.
Benjamin Franklin - one of our nation's founding fathers. He was a printer, inventor, and one of the authors of the Declaration of Independence.
Thomas Jefferson - also a founding father of our country. He was the third president and the primary author of the Declaration of Independence.
Lewis and Clark, along with Sacagawea - the first expedition to explore the western portion of what would become part of the U.S. Along the way, they mapped the area, developed relations with Native Americans, and reported on indigenous wildlife.
November 27 - December 20th
Over the next couple of weeks in Social Studies, we will begin our second PBL Unit on goods and services. In groups, pairs, or individually, the students will be in charge of creating a store, offering a good or a service, and marketing the product or service to another first grade class. This will include creating a store sign and a commercial, and deciding a price. Furthermore, the students will collect marketing data and develop a plan to create goods and services with the interests of the polled students in mind. At the end of the unit, the students will open their stores so that other first graders can "shop". (We will provide fake money.) Additionally, the students will learn about supply and demand and budgeting money.
OCTOBER 16TH-NOVEMBER 17TH
This week, we will kick off our first PBL (Project Based Learning) of the year! It will end the week before our Thanksgiving break. Over the next five weeks, we will become meteorologists. We will learn how to read a thermometer, determine wind direction and speed, and record rainfall using the anemometer, rain gauge, and thermometer from our own weather stations. We will represent our data on graphs and keep a journal. Furthermore, we will use our newly acquired map skills to give a forecast for our area. Finally, we will learn about extreme weather. We will research these types of extreme weather: tornadoes, floods, hurricanes, and blizzards. After researching, we will make weather preparedness kits.
week of October 1st
Where in the world are we? This week in Social Studies we will answer this question. Through maps and Google Earth, we will learn our continent, country, state, county, and city. We will also learn the seven continents (North America South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica) and four major oceans (Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic, and Indian). If your child does not already know his or her address and phone number, this would be a good time to learn them.
week of September 25th
This week we will focus on dental health. While using eggs in experiments, the students will discover the importance of taking care of their teeth. They will also learn about the role of teeth, the parts of a tooth, cavities, and healthy and unhealthy habits.
Week of September 10th - 22nd
This week in science, we will learn about the water cycle. We will learn about condensation, evaporation, and precipitation through experimentation. In groups, we will make posters illustrating the water cycle.
Week of august 28th
This week we are becoming fire safety experts. We will learn the importance of having a Fire Safety Plan and know ways to get out of our house if it is on fire. Talk with your child about a special meeting place in case your family is separated during a fire, for example, a mailbox or a friend's apartment. We will also incorporate the phrases: Get Out, Stay Out (even for a pet)! and Stop, Drop, and Roll.
week of September 3rd
We are microbiologists! This week in health we will learn about germs and how to prevent spreading them to others. First, we will discover how germs travel. Next, our focus will be on washing our hands and the “sleeve sneeze”. Finally, we will discuss objects that are good to share (basketballs) and those that are not good to share (toothbrush).