Weekly Update ~ 4/15/12

We had a Rootin’ Tootin’ Fun Time in First Grade this week!

SAT-10 Test Prep

-As we returned from Spring Break, we quickly got back into the swing of things in our classroom. We worked in small groups and played some review games covering many math and Language Skills. We began our Stanford Achievement Test –Tenth Edition (SAT-10) Practice Test, which covered various skills in Reading, Language, Spelling, Math, Problem Solving, and Environment. The Practice Test was not graded, and was a great opportunity to review and discuss testing procedures. The students practiced filling in test bubbles properly, using the process of elimination, and taking an educated guess.  We will begin our SAT-10 tests on Monday, April 16^th. Please be sure that your child gets a good night sleep throughout the week, and arrives to school on time. Also, please be sure your child eats breakfast, and brings 2 healthy snacks each day this week. Thank you for your cooperation!

Science Fair & Electricity Projects

-The McCormick Elementary Science Fair was held on Thursday, April 12^th. Our first graders sure had a blast checking out all of the interesting science fair projects. We even had 2 students from our class participating in the event! Check out Sophia’s fantastic fruitricty project, which shows how an electrical current can be generated using fruit. The citrus acid in these fruits are strong enough to power a small light bulb!

Fruitricity

Kaveri worked with potatoes to create electricity! Using potatoes, nails, and cooper wire, she was able to create a potato battery, which conducts enough electricity to run a small digital clock! Check out Kaveri's cool creation!

Potato Clock

Checking out the Super Science Fair Projects!

-Mrs. Cronin’s class also had science on the mind, as they created electricity projects in 4^thgrade. As part of their science unit, groups of students worked together to create a project with 3 working circuits. They graciously invited our first graders in to check them out! From a rock concert at a stadium, to a campfire at the beach, the projects were quite impressive! The pictures are kind of blurry because my camera doesn’t have a flash and the lights were off…but you’ll get a good idea of how much the first graders enjoyed these creative projects! J

Hand washing Demonstration

-Sewickley Valley nursing students visited our classroom to teach our students about the importance of staying healthy by washing our hands.  First, they demonstrated how our lungs work.  The students plugged their noses and blew into straws to demonstrate how our lungs work.  Then, they blew bubbles to show germs spreading through the air when they are not covered properly.  Yuck!  Finally, the students put pretend germs (glow germ lotion) on their hands, and placed them under a black light to show germs.  After a hand washing demonstration, the students practiced washing their hands properly.  The students then returned to the black light to see the germs disappear!  Special thanks to Miss Tawnya and Miss Christina for a fun, interactive, and healthy lesson! 

Western Day!

-YEE-HAW! On Friday, McCormick Elementary Students Participated in another fun special dress day!  Of course we couldn't celebrate the day without Mrs. Swisher tying in a good book!  We read a wonderfully cute book about friendship, called "Every Cowgirl Needs Dancin Boots," by Rebecca Janni. 

We had a rootin’ tootin’ great day!

Yee-haw!  My Rootin' Tootin' Adorable First Grade Cowgirls and Cowboys!

I didn't make into our class photo, but here's a picture of me and my own little cowgirl!