First grade has been learning about time. Two fun ways the class was able to learn about time in an interactive way was building the time using twizzlers as the clock hands. In first grade, o’clock and half past are covered in telling time. We started with o’clock and then moved to half past. Twizzlers weren’t the favorite of many students, but they had fun using candy to show me their times. Another opportunity the students did to practice telling time by the hour and half hour was a roll and build game. I partnered the students and gave them a dice that would tell them the hour, a mini clock, and a dice that had :30 and :00 on the sides. Each player took a turn and rolled the dice, said the time, and then built the time on the mini clock. I think they like this game more than the twizzler time! It’s also an easy set up game they can continue to play the remainder of the school year.

The annual first grade trip to Historic Washington State Park took place on Monday. A great time was had by all and the weather was perfect. Seeing how Arkansans lived in the 1800 is fascinating. It is so beneficial for the students to see, and be able to experience firsthand, how others used to live and how far America has come in a little bit over 200 years! It always amazing the students to see the small beds and iron making. To see how people had to make their own clothes and provide everything for themselves from shelter to food to clothing is a remarkable thing to experience.

We are winding down the school year. So much more to have and things to learn!

Ms. Claire

With this week being Holy Week, I wanted to have the students learn about Jesus’ journey to the Resurrection. The class and I sat down, talked, and read through the Resurrection Eggs. The dozen eggs go through Jesus’ coming into Jerusalem, to Mary and Martha finding the tomb empty. I don’t have any pictures of us going through the story, but the children were silent as we went through each egg and discussed Jesus’ journey to the cross.

For a light-hearted activity, I had the class use paper strips to design their eggs. The next day, they wanted to write about their eggs, so, of course, I let them. Anytime they want to write, we find the time to write! This time did not disappoint – these are some of my favorite writings they have done this year. The creativity and sweetness of these stories are just what we needed before Easter break. The children were so proud of their writing that they wanted to stand in front of the class and share their egg and story with everyone. Their bravery and support for one another make me so proud to be their teacher!

First grade has been busy learning about shapes, both two-dimensional and three-dimensional. It can be tricky to keep all of the characteristics organized, so the class had some fun to help remember the features of the different shapes. When learning about the 2D shapes, I pulled out the geoboards. I would give the students several characteristics; for example, a closed shape with three straight sides and no square corners, then I would say “Go,” and they would make the shape. Not all shapes were as easy to build as the triangle; the students were challenged when they were told to make a closed shape with six straight sides. The hexagon and pentagon were difficult, but by having the students build the shapes with their hands, they were able to grasp and conceptualize the shapes.

When working with 3D shapes, the students built two different types of structures using two different materials. First, the students constructed 3D shapes using marshmallows and toothpicks. This allowed them to see that these shapes can be measured in three dimensions, not just length and width, but also in height. Then they had to work in teams to build a structure using 3D foam or wooden blocks. This activity enabled them to see how the depth of these shapes allows them to be stacked or not, and to problem-solve when there weren’t enough or the right sizes of shapes they wanted. After building their structures, they had to discuss which shape was used on the bottom and why they chose that shape, as well as defend why they chose not to use certain shapes. It was a great activity to help better understand and apply the shapes, and an even better activity to help the students practice communication skills and compromise.

Presenting projects and engaging in public speaking can be highly beneficial for young children in several ways: boosting their confidence, improving communication skills, enhancing social abilities, teaching responsibility and time management, fostering creativity, building resilience, and refining listening and feedback skills. They also learn to accept constructive criticism and use it to enhance their work. Overall, public speaking and project presentations help young children develop a wide range of skills that will serve them throughout their education and in life. At St. James, students begin practicing public speaking in the 3-year-old class. They start presenting projects they’ve created in first grade and continue to develop these skills throughout their years at St. James. I love Cereal Box presentations because, aside from the initial research, the students complete their projects independently in class. The students are always so proud, and a little nervous, to present their projects to the class and a full audience of parents.

One week, the weather was very windy, making it seem like perfect kite-flying weather. So, one Friday afternoon, we made kites and flew them around the soccer field. The students worked in pairs to create their kites using a template I found online. After constructing them, we tested them out. The third graders had the same idea but used a different design. It was exciting to watch both types of kites fly, and the first and third graders had fun working together to fly the kites.

For our spring community service project, we wanted to show our appreciation to the local Texas police department for all they do to protect us and keep us safe. The Lower School held a Popcorn and Pops for Cops event, allowing officers to either park and chat or drive through so they could return to work quickly. It was a great experience with thoughtful officers making the days of our first through fourth graders! We value our community and aim to instill in our students a sense of pride and a spirit of giving back to our community.

First grade had the opportunity to work with PreK students during Read Across America Week. Both groups wore crazy socks and listened to Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss. After the story, the first-graders led the PreK students in a game of memory using socks that the first graders designed. Older students who work with and lead younger students have the opportunity to develop essential leadership and communication skills. By mentoring and guiding their peers, they not only reinforce their own knowledge but also foster a sense of responsibility and empathy. These interactions allow younger students to learn from those who are just a few steps ahead, benefiting from shared experiences and advice. Additionally, older students often serve as role models, offering support and motivation while creating a more collaborative and inclusive learning environment for everyone involved.

Playing matching games is important because they help develop essential cognitive skills such as memory, attention, and problem-solving. These games encourage children to focus, recognize patterns, and make connections between related items, which strengthens their ability to process information efficiently. Matching games also enhance critical thinking and concentration, as players must recall previous matches and make decisions based on available clues. They also promote social interaction and cooperation when played in groups, fostering teamwork and communication. Matching games offer a fun and engaging way to boost cognitive development while improving memory and learning abilities. The PreK students loved having the chance to play and learn from first grade. First graders don’t get many chances to be the big kids, and they loved every minute of it!

Grandparents play a special and important role in the lives of their grandchildren and families. Every February, St. James Day School hosts a special program to celebrate the grandparents and special friends in our students’ lives. Grandparents often provide unconditional love and emotional security, offering a safe space for grandchildren to express themselves. To honor these special guests, the school holds chapel followed by a program to celebrate them while showcasing the students' talents and achievements. It’s a perfect opportunity for our students to give cards or sentimental keepsakes to show their gratitude to these important figures in their lives. In addition to creating a special craft for their grandparents, spending time with them is one of the most meaningful ways to celebrate their presence. The students take their grandparents on a tour of the campus and classrooms, where the classes are filled with the students’ work and daily activities. The morning aims to provide grandparents with an enjoyable experience alongside their grandchildren. The essential focus is to express gratitude and demonstrate how much they are loved and valued within the family.

First and second grade performed Kool and the Gang’s Celebration to prepare for the day. It was a fun performance to watch. The first grade used an app to make themselves look like a grandparent and then wrote about what kind of grandparent they would be. The pictures were hilarious and the writings were precious. Each first grader made a heart tree using their thumbprints for each set of their grandparents. It was a wonderful morning celebrating people who they love.