Just thought I'd quickly touch base with those of you checking in!
Today was...shall we say...a challenge for most of the kids! Not only was it the first full day of first grade, it was a very warm and humid one! They did great...but I could tell after that final recess that they were all starting to wear down. I think there were a lot of hot and tired kids!
The first full day of first grade is always tough. First grade is so much different than kindergarten: More seat work, less "play" time, no restroom in the room, and many brand new things to learn and remember! I am proud of the students! They hung in there as we went through a fairly normal Thursday schedule. We even managed to get in our first art project at the end of the day! (Hopefully pictures coming soon! I need to get them hung up first!)
In reading today, we talked a bit about building up our reading stamina. I explained stamina by using the example of an Olympic swimmer. We discussed how those Olympic swimmers didn't just hop in the pool one day and swim really far really fast; they had to slowly build up stamina. We will be doing the same thing in these coming weeks with reading independently. First we will read only a minute at a time, and slowly work up to...twenty minutes!!! WOW! So please do ask your first grader about stamina tonight!!
Mrs. Kaisand came in during our reading times today, which she will do every day. Students will be divided into two groups, and will rotate between the two of us throughout the week. We are looking forward to teaching reading together another year!
Alrighty...time to get busy! Have a great evening!
Blessings,
Mrs. Stam
Today was...shall we say...a challenge for most of the kids! Not only was it the first full day of first grade, it was a very warm and humid one! They did great...but I could tell after that final recess that they were all starting to wear down. I think there were a lot of hot and tired kids!
The first full day of first grade is always tough. First grade is so much different than kindergarten: More seat work, less "play" time, no restroom in the room, and many brand new things to learn and remember! I am proud of the students! They hung in there as we went through a fairly normal Thursday schedule. We even managed to get in our first art project at the end of the day! (Hopefully pictures coming soon! I need to get them hung up first!)
In reading today, we talked a bit about building up our reading stamina. I explained stamina by using the example of an Olympic swimmer. We discussed how those Olympic swimmers didn't just hop in the pool one day and swim really far really fast; they had to slowly build up stamina. We will be doing the same thing in these coming weeks with reading independently. First we will read only a minute at a time, and slowly work up to...twenty minutes!!! WOW! So please do ask your first grader about stamina tonight!!
Mrs. Kaisand came in during our reading times today, which she will do every day. Students will be divided into two groups, and will rotate between the two of us throughout the week. We are looking forward to teaching reading together another year!
Alrighty...time to get busy! Have a great evening!
Blessings,
Mrs. Stam