Week 36
It was a short, but busy week!
In reading this week, we compared books to fortune cookies - because inside each one there is a lesson we learn. Our goal as we read is to ask, "what does the author want us to learn?" "what is the author trying to teach us?" "how can this lesson help me?" I encourage you to practice this at home when reading with your first grader by discussing these questions and writing down the book and the lesson to share with the class :)
We have had 2 amazing parent volunteers teach prevention to the first graders. The first lesson was last week and it focused on the difference between candy and medicine. This weeks focus was on fire safety and stranger danger. We talked about the importance of having these conversations because when we're prepared, we're less likely to be scared!
The entomologists began their study of insects with meal worm larva. Each kiddo will be studying their larva while we learn about the life cycle of and traits of insects.
On Thursday, we had Ms.Pawol's mom come visit Stephenson. She brought all of the entomologists their own study vials for a ladybug hunt! She also gave each student their own box of crayons and a ladybug pencil. It was an amazing afternoon filled with lots of 6-legged surprises and fun and yummy treats!
With our realistic fiction writing we are harnessing the amazing imagination and storytelling abilities of first graders! Here is an activity that can support this at home!
What You Need: Index cards, Magazines, Scissors, Glue stick, Pencils, Paper
SPARK A STORY! What You Do:
1. Pull out some old magazines and help your child look through them for interesting pictures. Look for pictures that provide strong visuals of characters and settings. Or, pull out pictures that catch the eye, or make you want to learn more about the story behind them.
2. Ask your child to clip the selected pictures out of the magazines and glue them onto index cards (one picture to a card).
3. On the back side of each card, write some question prompts, such as:
What's happening in the scene?
Where is this scene taking place? Use describing words.
Who are the characters? Feel free to make up names!
When is this happening? Time of day, year...
Why are the characters doing what they're doing?
How will the characters finish what they're doing?
4. Look through the cards with your child and brainstorm some ideas together.Be sure to include adjectives that describe the character(s) and setting. Write your brainstorms down on a piece of paper. 5. Children benefit from watching, so parents, take the lead! Select one card and begin writing a story,referring to the question prompts on the back of the card and using descriptive words.(By modeling the procedure first, your child will be more likely to try it themself.)
6. Read your story out loud. Have your child listen to see whether you answered any of the questions and used descriptive words.
7. Now it's your child's turn. Have them select a card and begin writing a story about the picture. When their finished, ask them to read her story to you.
**Variations: Use old family photographs instead of magazine pictures. Have your child start the story and you finish it, or vice versa.
In reading this week, we compared books to fortune cookies - because inside each one there is a lesson we learn. Our goal as we read is to ask, "what does the author want us to learn?" "what is the author trying to teach us?" "how can this lesson help me?" I encourage you to practice this at home when reading with your first grader by discussing these questions and writing down the book and the lesson to share with the class :)
We have had 2 amazing parent volunteers teach prevention to the first graders. The first lesson was last week and it focused on the difference between candy and medicine. This weeks focus was on fire safety and stranger danger. We talked about the importance of having these conversations because when we're prepared, we're less likely to be scared!
The entomologists began their study of insects with meal worm larva. Each kiddo will be studying their larva while we learn about the life cycle of and traits of insects.
On Thursday, we had Ms.Pawol's mom come visit Stephenson. She brought all of the entomologists their own study vials for a ladybug hunt! She also gave each student their own box of crayons and a ladybug pencil. It was an amazing afternoon filled with lots of 6-legged surprises and fun and yummy treats!
With our realistic fiction writing we are harnessing the amazing imagination and storytelling abilities of first graders! Here is an activity that can support this at home!
What You Need: Index cards, Magazines, Scissors, Glue stick, Pencils, Paper
SPARK A STORY! What You Do:
1. Pull out some old magazines and help your child look through them for interesting pictures. Look for pictures that provide strong visuals of characters and settings. Or, pull out pictures that catch the eye, or make you want to learn more about the story behind them.
2. Ask your child to clip the selected pictures out of the magazines and glue them onto index cards (one picture to a card).
3. On the back side of each card, write some question prompts, such as:
What's happening in the scene?
Where is this scene taking place? Use describing words.
Who are the characters? Feel free to make up names!
When is this happening? Time of day, year...
Why are the characters doing what they're doing?
How will the characters finish what they're doing?
4. Look through the cards with your child and brainstorm some ideas together.Be sure to include adjectives that describe the character(s) and setting. Write your brainstorms down on a piece of paper. 5. Children benefit from watching, so parents, take the lead! Select one card and begin writing a story,referring to the question prompts on the back of the card and using descriptive words.(By modeling the procedure first, your child will be more likely to try it themself.)
6. Read your story out loud. Have your child listen to see whether you answered any of the questions and used descriptive words.
7. Now it's your child's turn. Have them select a card and begin writing a story about the picture. When their finished, ask them to read her story to you.
**Variations: Use old family photographs instead of magazine pictures. Have your child start the story and you finish it, or vice versa.
Reminders:
Tuesday, June 4 - Art Lit @ 8:35 - Let me know if you want to volunteer!
Friday, June 7 - Field Day @ 12:30 - 2:00pm
Tuesday, June 4 - Art Lit @ 8:35 - Let me know if you want to volunteer!
Tuesday, June 4: Nanci Noyer’s Retirement Reception, 2:30pm-6:00pm
Photos from the week...
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