Matter of Fact
10/21/2017
Here at PNA we value working together and learning, learning, learning! This week we started our Lucy Calkins Non-Fiction Unit. The lesson opened with a discussion about what non-fiction texts entail and how to go about choosing a topic that would inspire our interests. The students were paired up to begin accruing texts in the school libraries. Throughout this process, the students were literally cheering and jumping with excitement when they found a book about their favorite animal or place they would like to visit. They found that there were many topics to be explored and they were extremely eager to share what they’ve learned with their classmates. The students then worked together, tracking their thinking as they explored one text from their collection. Everyone completed the following prompts: What will this book teach me? I am noticing… I am learning… I am wondering… After, they then started creating their own non-fiction books. During this process there was much chatter and laughter! We cannot wait to continue to gain more knowledge through books and each other! Thank you so very much for such a fantastic Parent Lunch! Thank you to everyone who attended and made it happen. Having our families there made it very memorable & an unique experience for the students! We even had to extend the lesson throughout the week. The students were still hiding moths on Friday!
It has been another fun-filled week, working and learning with each other here in First Grade. We have been busy continuing to build on many skills-academically and socially. Learning in and out of the classroom-we could be found collaborating with students in the OTHER grades here at Pacific Northern Academy! We were first invited to attend the 2nd Grade Egg Drop early last week. There, we watched a few 2nd grade friends that had another go at testing their designs. Both the 1st and 2nd grade students were very supportive of each other. The second grade class modeled this support and we followed suit, cheering and celebrating, no matter the outcome. The 2nd Grade Egg Drop is a staple at PNA and we are now even more excited create our own designs next year! Later in the week, we then attended Third Grade’s Arcade. There we played various arcade games created and assembled by the 3rd grade students. This is a PBL project where they created an arcade for Kid’s Kitchen, while also running a food drive. Students, from all grades at PNA, donated vegetables (as their tokens) to test out the games. It was great experience and lesson to learn. The 3rd grade’s service for others inspired us to begin to think about what we, in 1st grade, can do for others in our local community. We will get brainstorming and started next week! Stay tuned! We educate students to be exceptional
learners and independent thinkers of vision, courage, and integrity. |
Hali TuomiMs. Tuomi has over five years experience in ASD, where she taught first and fifth grade classrooms. An avid skier, Ms. Tuomi is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Alaska Pacific University’s Bachelor of Arts in K-8 Education. Archives
April 2021
Categories |