The children have been very busy learning about our nearest

neighbor to the south-Mexico! We have learned some Spanish,. We have visited the largest bull fighting ring in the whole world in Mexico City.We created a rainforest in our classroom. We learned the Mexican Hat Dance. Each child made his/her own sombrero and serape. We had a Fiesta to wrap up our trip!

The children in grade one are keeping a journal about the life

cycle of the caterpillar. They have written and drawn pictures of the caterpillars which are currently in their chrysalis stage.

They are reading about this process and listening to stories too.

Pretty soon we should be proud parents of 5 beautiful butterflies.

I saw a Play about Harriet Tubman. She had a tough job and a dangerous one. I liked it when she put all those clothes on herself to trick the bounty hunter. When the bounty hunter knocked on the door and asked, “Any run away slaves in here ?”Harriet Tubman said,”NO!” I also liked the end when everyone sang the song.

I saw a Play and I liked it! My favorite part was when Harriet Tubman took slaves to the North by following the “Drinking Gourd.”(The Big Dipper) Sometimes, they walked ten miles a day. They went on the Underground Railroad which wasn’t a real railroad. It was a group of people that helped run away slaves.

 

Writers get their ideas from: other writers, books they have read and stories that they have heard. As part of our Literacy Program-Home and School Connection- parents have been visiting Grade 1A as “Guest Readers.” We’ve enjoyed discussing why we think the author wrote the book, the style of writing and illustrations. We look at the language that is used and see if anything needs further explanation to help understand the story. Sometimes, a connection is made to a book or author that we know.

As a result of listening to our “Guest Readers,” the children are writing their own stories during independent writing time.

Some examples are:

Joana’s Review of the Play

I liked the part when Harriet Tubman helped the slaves get free! Harriet went back to the South 13 times to help more slaves! Parts were funny too. She tricked the bounty hunters so they wouldn’t catch her and bring her back. She hit one of the bounty hunters with a book and he fell down! I hope you get to go to the Play-“Harriet Tubman and the Freedom Train!”

Guinea Pig

By Noah

Matthew is feeding me a carrot. I was happy! I took it from his hand. I like it! I was thirsty. He got some Hi-C. It was good.

(Influenced by the book-“John Willy and Freddy McGee”)

I Can Run

By Matthew

I am a mouse. I can run fast. My friends can run fast too.

We eat anything. We live in the garbage. I only have a dad.

My dad is the toughest mouse.( Influenced by the book-

“Look Out Patrick !”)

My Dreams

By Sully

I’m dreaming about me wrestling the Undertaker. I won! That was the most awesome dream I ever had. I got money and a trophy. I wrestled another person. Do you know who it was ?

(Influenced by the book-“Willy’s Dream”)

Tails

By Anthony

I woke up with a wolf tail. I did not like it. I tried to get it off.

I tried everything to get it off. But, it would not come off. The next day, it was gone. (Influenced by the book- “Imogene’s Antlers”)

My Mom Is Reading Today

By Maddie

My mom came into my class and read a story to us. We asked some questions. She liked reading to us. We liked it. She got the book yesterday. She got three books. But, I wanted Corduroy.

When she was done, we took a picture with my mom. And when it was time to go….She didn’t! She stayed. She helped Miss Byrne. She liked helping Miss Byrne.(Influenced by the book-“Corduroy”)