The first graders harvested the beautiful snap peas that they had planted so many months ago in the early spring.  Each of the students hunted though the vines of the snap peas in search of the yummy veggie.  They were able to collect a big bowl full of snap peas for Chef Peter and Chef Dan to use in the kitchen.  Our thanks to Mrs. Curran for taking such good care of our beautiful gardens and helping us to grow such delicious vegetables, fruits, and herbs!

On Wednesday May 19, 2010 the first grade scientists, along with their 7th grade partners, participated in a field experience at Southport Beach in Fairfield to support our month long study of Long Island Sound. Each group rotated though a series of observation stations where they took notes on what they saw within a transected section of the beach. They found many shells, rocks, seaweed, and hundreds of snails. Thanks so much to the seventh grade, Mrs, Sullivan, and all of our chaperones. It was a terrific morning of authentic science!

The first graders continued their series on the Elements of Art at the Aldrich Museum this past Wednesday.  This time the class discussed Shape.  They made felt shape collages with small groups, went on a shape hunt, and designed foam shape puzzles.  They also had a chance to create shapes based on feelings using body socks to create happy, sad, excited, and wild shapes! Many thanks to Nina Carlson of the Aldrich Museum and our chaperones!

The first graders had the privilege of working with Nina Carlson of the Aldrich Museum and Author/Illustrator Jamison Odone yesterday as part of a 4 week serious on The Elements of Art.  Nina and Jamison introduced Line to the class to go along with a program happening at the Aldrich called “Draw On”.  The first graders viewed photos of Line the world, had a Line Hunt, explored curvy, jagged, long, dotted, thick, and thin lines, and discussed how Lines can communicate emotion. Jamison and Nina ended the workshop with an activity that had each student create a story line book called , “A Day In The Life Of…”.  The students shared their stories in front of the class.  Who knew line was so important to almost everything we see and do!  Many thanks to Nina Carlson and Jamison Odone for an amazing afternoon of art and laughter!

Students are excited about practicing skill sets for the spring curriculum in PE class. They are continuing fitness warm-ups as they approach the implement units. Upper body stretches, push-ups and running will start each class. The fundamentals of lacrosse, baseball, and the President’s Fitness Challenge will happen over the next 8 weeks. Let the sun shine!

On Tuesday, March 9, the first graders traveled to the Fairfield Audubon Center to learn about changes in the seasons.  They were able to meet many animals and even feed crickets to a turtle!  After learning about what animals do get food and stay alive during the winter, students went on a hike to search for signs of spring.  They noticed that the ducks had returned back to the pond, the buds were coming out on some of the trees, and the skunk cabbage was starting to bloom.  It was a beautiful afternoon of learning and sunshine!  Many thanks to Mrs. Curran and our chaperones!

On Thursday the 1st grade scientists visited the Discovery Museum for an out of this world field experience.  The class participated in a workshop called Space Race where each student built a model of the solar system.  After the workshop, we headed to the planetarium to watch “The Little Star That Could” -  a show about how the sun came to be.  Following lunch, we ventured off to the touch galleries for a last bit of fun.  What a wonderful day of science.  Many thanks to our chaperones!

This morning the first graders joined Chef Peter in the dining for a lesson on making breadsticks.  They learned about rolling dough and using herbs such as rosemary for flavor.  The first graders made all of the breadsticks for lunch today!  Wow!  Many thanks to Mrs. Curran, Chef Peter, and of course, our first grade Chefs!

The first grade scientist have been learning about rocks and minerals this month.  They have studied each of the 3 rock families: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic.  One common type of sedimentary rock is limestone.  It is made from shells and other sediments that have fallen to the ocean floor.  Because of this, it contains a large amount of calcium.  When calcium reacts with vinegar it makes bubbles of carbon dioxide. The first grade scientists dropped various rocks into containers of vinegar to check if the rocks  being observed contained limestone based on “bubbles or “no bubbles”. They recorded their answers on an observation sheet. Way to go, scientists!  Science rocks!!

The first grade PE class is learning basketball and volleyball for winter sports. They continue to complete fitness warm ups and are now having fun racing one another during “liners” for basketball stamina. They run forwards and backwards as they develop body control and the ability to change directions. Eye-hand coordination is key as they attempt to master dribbling, catching, and passing real basketballs, while beach balls are used to continue this mastery of touching and tapping during the volleyball unit. Students are learning the vocabulary and body language for both sports. The triple threat position, cross dribble, shoot with bended or soft knees, pivot left are a few examples for basketball while tap, set and spike are words for volleyball.