This year our class participated in an online project in which classes from around the country all take part in an egg rolling activity. Each child rolled an egg and we measured the distance. We then calculated the average distance our class rolled eggs... 237 inches! The students also participated in a class fashion show in which each child created a decorated egg at home with the help of their families. Check out our Egg-cellent fashions!

It's the 100th day of school today! We started out the day by making fabulous 100 day hats. The children did a great job decorating them. Next, the two first grade classes had a fashion parade through the hallways of Hillcrest, showing off hats, necklaces, shirts, and other creative fashions. Finally, we added a 100 day poem to our poetry notebooks and made a 100 Day class book! What a great day!

DEAR time is the part of our day when we focus on reading a book of choice at our "just right" reading level. The children can choose a comfortable, quiet, place around the room to read. The children know that there is no talking during this sustained silent reading time. It is one of our favorite things to do. We all love to read!

Students used geoboards, base ten blocks, pattern blocks, and ipad math applications to explore math skills. Fun!

Each week we have a different Star Student. The Star gets to be the teacher helper for the week, they decorate and share an All About Me Tee poster, and bring in something (or someone!) to share with their classmates. Finally, their peers comment and ask questions about the Star's poster and Show-and-Tell. We LOVE Star Student!!

The class started our unit on measurement this week. After reviewing thermometers as a tool for measuring how hot and cold it is, we discussed the body parts we could use to measure the length of objects in our classroom. We measured using non standard units such as digits, arm span, hand span, pace, and yard (the distance from our nose to finger of outstretched arm). Fun stuff!

We love our fourth grade buddies! Each first grader is paired up with a fourth grade student to get to know throughout the school year. We meet several times to read together, complete art projects, and sometimes we just play! The older children are so kind and helpful. What great role models!

The first graders celebrated Veteran's Day by making a graph of family members who have served in the Armed Forces. Thank you to ALL of our Veterans. We appreciate you!

The children helped create fabulous disguises for our Turkey Toms. We have a Santa, Spiderman, Rock Star, Rapunzel, Farmer and more hiding out in our classroom. Hopefully the farmer won't be able to recognize them now!

We saw the Chicago Percussion Quintet perform at our school today! It was so fun. They played music from around the world. We heard many different instruments like gogo bells, drums, xylophone, cymbals, tambourine, bass guitar, and even a clown horn! Our favorite part was when they played music from the Little Mermaid and Lion King. It was so funny when they all sang "EIEIO". They were really good!