Our Week - Big and Small Moments

This week was full of big events and small moments - adding up to a gloriously exciting time in the 1st/2nd grade classroom.

We had a very science-laden week, as we began a 3-week research project on raptors, or birds of prey. So far, we've read a couple informational texts, and then Beck read Owl Moon to us at Library Time. It is about a small child and their father going owling - trying to spot owls in the deep woods in the dark night. This gentle story led to many owl calls (we are trying to learn at least three different ones). On Thursday we dissected owl pellets to discover what owls eat.

Beck is actually NOT reading Owl Moon here, but I promise she did right after!

On Thursday we dissected owl pellets to discover what owls eat. This is always met with huge excitement, and I love to see the persistence and determination many children have to find every single bone for identification.

In Science with Shan on Monday afternoon, we are doing a Tree of Genetic Traits. This week each child marked their traits for tongue rolling, PTC tasting (a harmless, bitter chemical), and earlobe attachment on tree leaf cut-outs. Next week they will place their leaves on a large tree whose branches each represent a different combination of traits. When completed, the tree will form a visual representation of the frequency of trait combinations within the group. 

Also on Monday, we started a long range science project in the classroom about germs. Taking three pieces of bread, we have one control piece, on piece handled with thoroughly washed hands, and one piece that was passed around the classroom so that everyone could handle it. Each week, we will carefully document our findings, and perhaps draw some conclusions.  I'm calling this science experiment Please Wash Your Hands!, and we've been talking about other ways to keep healthy too, like sneezing into elbows.

The highlight of the week was, of course, our big trip to the state capitol in Lansing. This was such a wonderful and rare opportunity for our students who were treated to a spectacular tour, some behind-the-scenes action, and learned SO much about our government. Thanks again to Evan's father for making this happen.

I mean, you just can't get this kind of wonderment face every day.

We enjoyed Augustus and Lawson being Special Readers on Monday and Wednesday- and it was super special as it was both their first time. They did a wonderful job, and their audience members did too.

Our chapter book, The Witches, has taken a dramatic turn as "the boy" has now transformed into a mouse. Now the REAL action will begin.

In my math group we have been playing Race to 1000 all week. It is an advanced game (developed for 4th grade), but these small people are doing just fine. This is a great example of a game easily played at home, and checks so many boxes for mathematical development. The only equipment it takes is paper, pencils, and one die. Here's how you play.

Each player takes a sheet of paper and labels 1 - 10 down the side. Take turns rolling the die for a total of 10 rolls. On each roll, players need to decide whether to multiple the number shown by 1, 10, or 100. So if player A rolls a 4, it can be 4, 40, or 400 - and players may make different choices. 

Keeping track mentally, each player tries to end up closest to 1000 (and yes, you can go over) after 10 rolls. Then, each player lines up and adds the 10 rolls together (this, honestly, was the trickiest part so far - lining up correctly). Comparing the two totals - which player got closest to 1000?

So many great skills we are practicing! Multiplying by 1, 10, 100, keeping mental tallies, adding long strings of numbers and the importance of lining numbers up and subtraction. Each morning we've been going over different strategies children have found success with. And, of course, game playing encourages good sportsmanship.

And, of course, life with first and second graders is full of so many small moments - most very happy and exciting, some sad and even angry. These are emotional little people and we go through a lot together in our school day. I'm so honored to be given this responsibility and gift. Here is one special tiny moment this week:

Alex lost his first tooth! Tate told me that she heard the glorious noise from the next room! During free time as we were enjoying fruit bars, Alex suddenly shouted, "Hey! My tooth is out!" Immediately, 10 other children rose as one to shout and cheer. These children truly celebrate each others' victories.

Then, the trip to the office. Sweet Rachel is trying to finish up a phone call as we excitedly wait for the special tooth box. Hurry, Rachel, hurry! In the meantime, we all take turns admiring the tooth and hearing again how it happened.

Finally, we held our final EB this morning (for the Fall season). In the pasta EB, each child made one last batch of egg pasta using 00 flour and 2 eggs. We didn't cook it this time, but wrapped it up for the children to take home to make for dinner. Just in case families didn't have a pasta rolling machine, we also tucked the wooden rolling pin they used in the EB as a special take-home gift. 

If you are wondering if it turned out okay, check out Renzo's (in the kindergarten class) final dish. Mom says he rolled and cut the noodles himself!

Children certainly love these special classes, and I'm sure they are sad to see this session end. Never fear, the next set of classes will begin in January.

So, that's a wrap on a wonderful week!