Grandparents' Day, Compliment Bags, and Bingo!

First grade is a busy place! Last week, the middle school Math Club visited first grade to play math bingo. The children, young and old, had so much fun practicing addition and subtraction in the form of a game. It is so beneficial for everyone involved. My students love anything that requires the “big” kids and it gives those older students the chance to show leadership, patience, and their own math skills. This experience gave my children some extra motivation to practice math. In my experience, first graders, and all children, love to play games and get very excited when they are able to excel and win. This activity was a win for everyone!

When I began teaching first grade I wanted to start a new tradition with Valentine’s Day. Instead of having the students make boxes or bags with hearts and stickers, I choose to have every student write a compliment on one another’s bags. Even though it can be difficult to read their sweet handwriting, the look on their faces when they see all of the kind statements from their classmates is so heartwarming. This is great because it encourages the children to think about others and focus on kindness. 

 Typically, tomorrow would be Grandparents’ Day at St. James Day School. As with everything this year, covid has altered plans. Even though the beloved tradition couldn’t take place in the traditional way, the children still learned and recorded their song, made keepsakes to send to their grandparents, and participated in some of the fun Grandparents' Day activities. We are all looking to the future with the hope to have these fun traditions back on campus. Right now, the priority is safety to all. 

Have a wonderful winter break!

Mrs. Gordon