Open House

It was wonderful seeing so many parents at Open House last week!  I hope you have a better understanding of the first grade curriculum.  I have included my PowerPoint for those of you who may want to refer back to it: 

Please reach out should you have any further questions.  I'm looking forward to a wonderful year working with you and your children!

Fun with Third Grade Buddies

We invited our buddies to our classroom for an early celebration of the 100th day of school.  The children performed 10 sets of 10 different exercises and thought of 100 words.  They also predicted whether a coin would land on heads or tails more when flipped 100 times.  Lastly, they rolled a die 100 times and discovered which number came up the most.

Here are some pictures of our time together.  We can't wait to go to Mrs. Surprise's class for some Valentine's Day fun! 😍

View on Flipagram

Mystery Readers!

One of the highlights of our week:

Many thanks to the following parents for reading to our class!

Looking forward to hosting future readers!

Mrs. Hancock

Yoga with Mrs. Edelstein

Many thanks to Mrs. Edelstein, our school psychologist, for coming into our classroom and leading a yoga class. She taught us how beneficial yoga can be for children.

Yoga teaches us about our bodies.

Yoga teaches us how to breathe better.

Yoga teaches us how to use our energy more effectively.

Yoga teaches us how to quiet the mind.

Yoga teaches us about balance.

Yoga teaches us to be the “boss” of our bodies.

Yoga teaches us about taking care of ourselves.

Yoga is a great way to move our bodies and feel healthy. 

Mrs. Edelstein taught us how to quiet our minds by quietly gazing at the colorful candles.

Some impromptu meditating in the classroom a 

couple of days later:

Mrs. Hancock

American Symbols

Essential Question:

How do symbols help us understand the world around us?

The first grade Social Studies curriculum includes learning about important American symbols.  The following symbols have been introduced through books and short videos.  

American Flag

Pledge of Allegiance

White House

Lincoln Memorial

Liberty Bell

Statue of Liberty

Washington Monument

Bald Eagle


  Click the image below to view a video with your child.  Can he/she successfully identify the American symbols?  Encourage your child to find a mistake...

Is your child able to share any facts they learned?  Please help them leave a comment below.  The comment could begin with "I learned".  He/She can write about a fact learned at school or one they learned from you.  We will be reading the comments together. Thanks so much for your cooperation.

Looking for a fun extension activity to do at home?  The images below are links to videos which will give step by step instructions how to draw some of the symbols your child has studied. 

Mrs. Hancock

Authenticity Superpower

As part of Steward School’s “Life is Good” movement, we have continued to explore and incorporate “Superpowers” into our daily lives at school.  Last month, our main focus was the superpower of Gratitude.  The children continue to reinforce and express their knowledge of this superpower and enjoy discussing and making connections to things in their life that make them feel a sense of gratitude. 

In January, a new “Life is Good Superpower” has been introduced!

MEET THE SUPERPOWER OF…

Discovering and embracing your authentic, genuine and real self is what we are striving for this month! The first graders have done an incredible job discussing and brainstorming why it is important to be an authentic person. Some responses were…

* Why would anyone want to be like anyone else?

* You should always be yourself!

* Being different makes us special!

* Being YOU makes you happy.

* Being you makes you honest.

We came to the conclusion that being an authentic person makes you unique, special and happy. The more that friends find the authenticity within themselves, the better friends we can be.

FOLLOW YOUR INNER COMPASS

Throughout our discussions, the connection we made to a compass was very helpful for us and made us think even more deeply about the parts of us that make us happy to be our true selves. Just like a compass helps to provide direction to travelers, our INNER compass provides us with direction and guidance to follow our OWN paths in life.

As a whole first grade community, each student created his or her very own Inner Compass.  

DIGITAL READ ALOUDS THAT TEACH AUTHENTICITY 

Click Here to Listen!

Click Here to Listen!

Click Here to Listen!

Click Here to Listen!

Throughout this month, ask your first grader what makes him or her an authentic person and how to continue to be an authentic person inside and outside of school! 

 LIFE IS GOOD!

Mrs. Hancock