I love using a compliment circle to encourage kindness, change the mood in my class, and teach the children how to give genuine compliments to others. In a pre-pandemic class, the children would sit in a circle with their legs straight in front. We would be close enough that all of our feet would be touching as we sat in a circle. Then, taking turns, a child would name another student and give them a compliment. Once your name has been called and you have received your compliment, you criss-cross your legs and choose a classmate whose legs are still straight. I typically start the compliment circle. This year, everything about the compliment circle remained the same except for feet touching. To keep everyone distanced, the children sat in front of their desk and stretched their legs in front. Our circle may have looked a little different, but the goal remained the same. To give heartfelt compliments to one another to enhance our day, lift the classroom mood, and learn how to give meaningful encouragement to others.

I used the compliment circle first thing in the morning. I knew we were going to have a challenging math lesson and I wanted the children pumped up for it. I truly believe that it made the math assessment go smoother because each child had a positive affirmation from a classmate and from me. Every morning since the children have been asking to do it again. I assure them that we will definitely have more compliment circles in the future.

Mrs. Claire

In social studies, first grade has been studying early American civilizations, such as the Mayans, Aztec, and this week we will begin discussing the Inca. To wrap up the early American civilizations located in Central America the children, along with their parent(s), built their interpretation of a Mayan or Aztec temple. The guidelines were broad and the purpose was to enjoy a shared educational project with your child/parent. These projects are great for a multitude of reasons, but one thing I love is that this is their first big project as a lower school student. Their temples will be on display in the commons for everyone to see. It builds their confidence to see the temples being shown off and all of the older students, and staff, remarking on how awesome the temples look. It warms my heart when I hear my previous students see the temples and reminisce about the time they built temples in first grade. So much fun and a great way to reinforce what we have been learning about in social studies.

Have a blessed week!

Mrs. Gordon

One tool that I love to use while teaching math lessons is a personal whiteboard. Each student has their own personal whiteboard, dry erase marker, and felt square to use as an eraser. It’s nothing fancy and all made from office supplies. Having all of these tools in their desk gives them a sense of maturity and responsibility. I’ve relayed to them the importance of taking care of their tools and the consequences of losing or tearing the tools up. So far, they have all valued their supplies and have taken excellent care of them. When I instruct them to get their whiteboards out and get ready to have math, they get excited! These help the children to stay engaged and have hands-on experience with the concepts they are learning. Working with me to solve problems lets me know almost immediately who is on track and who needs more scaffolding. It builds the children’s confidence in math and builds them up to their daily work.

This year we have a long term community service project and, at least one, short term project. Our long term project is to collect pop tabs and donate them to the Ronald McDonald House Charities in Little Rock. The RMH is a nonprofit charity and it makes it possible for families to be close when a child is being treated at Children's Hospital and other local hospitals. The class made a little house that the Ronald McDonald House charity sent to me to hold the pop tabs. The little house will serve as a great little reminder to collect tabs. I’ve never seen them so eager to cut and glue! They took their time and worked hard on coloring and constructing these houses. They’ve spent a week, working here and there, on the houses and you can definitely see the accomplishment that they feel shine through their smiles. They’ve been wanting to take them home all week, I know they will put them in a great place to help us bring in a lot of tabs to help this fabulous charity!

Tuesday was our day to go to chapel. This year, to keep in adherence to safety guidelines and the health of our students' top priority, chapel is being live-streamed and we take part in our classroom. Every week one class attends chapel- with just one class it is easy to keep everyone distanced and ensure everyone keeps their masks on. It was so nice to have the covered face to covered face experience. Chapel is one of the most special aspects of St. James. It was refreshing to get to be there and set a great tone for the week!

Have a blessed day!

Claire

In science, the class has been studying the different types of bodies of water. When discussing rivers, streams, and lakes, we’ve learned that they are fresh water. Noting that fresh water is also the water we use for our drinking water. Of course, we all agreed that you can’t go grab a cup of water from any river, stream, or lake. We must know where our water is coming from before we drink it.

The discussions about oceans have really interested the class. Many already knew that the ocean is made of salt water and that we cannot drink salt water. The class has learned that there are five oceans, and the Pacific is the largest - covering 30% of the Earth’s surface. Since the class had a fascination with oceans, I thought making an ocean in a bottle would be fun and help solidify some of our ocean facts. The class was so excited when I pulled out all of the supplies for their own ocean! Everyone had their own bottle. First, they had to drink half of the water, we didn’t want to be wasteful. Then I added the food blue coloring and glitter of their choice. Everyone got to pick the items that were to be in their ocean. Some items I handed out and some they got to choose and add a personal touch to their ocean. It was a neat activity and I loved the extensions I used with the ocean in a bottle. The following morning the children used their ocean to create a story and add an illustration. It was the most excited I have seen them get about writing!! I love it when learning and fun take place simultaneously!!

Have a blessed day!

Claire

We’re back! You can feel and even see the energy — the kids are so excited to be back at school. There are new rules and procedures, but that’s not keeping us from learning and having fun! One of my favorite things to do is to take pictures on the first and last day of school, the comparisons are unbelievable. First grade is such a magical time where so much learning and growing takes place not just academically, but physically too. 

One new change to our routine is that choir will be held outside, weather permitting. This is wonderful because we get to utilize our beautiful amphitheater, the children get to be outside, and their beautiful voices can be easily heard. Whenever possible, the children will have class outside. This isn’t limited to the homeroom teacher. Already this school year the children have had art, PE, and music classes outside. 

In science, the class has been studying how to classify matter according to its properties. One lesson was mystery bags. I put items in a bag that had distinctive physical properties. The children were put into pairs/small groups and took turns describing what was in their bag and discussing how the items could be grouped together. It was a great way to have hands-on experience determining the properties of the items.

In math, to better understand the concept of adding to equal ten the children used their rekenrek bracelets to have a visual representation. Each student had their own bracelet to aid in the completion of math. It is important to have visual cues and aids because it enables the children to make a stronger connection with the concepts.

We are off to a great start in first grade and I can’t wait to see what this year has in store for us!!

Claire