It was a big week in first grade. It was cereal box presentation week! For the project, each student was assigned an animal from our reading unit. The students had a fact information sheet that they researched at home. The research and a little extra practicing is all the children did at home, the rest is in class. My favorite aspect of these projects is that the students do the bulk of the work in class. They have to cover the box in construction paper, design the front of their cereal box, write their facts and illustrate the animal in its natural habitat on special paper and glue it to the back, and create the sides with more facts from their research. After all of that hard work, they independently present their cereal box in front of the class and an audience of parents. This class was overall a bit more nervous about presenting and the pride they felt after the knocked it out of the park was electric. I was not only impressed but overwhelmingly proud of each of them.

In math the class has been working two digit addition problems. The class is using the quick tens and ones strategy to solve the problems. To have some fun and solve problems in a different way I broke out the shaving cream. They all had a blast!!

First grade had the opportunity to learn about influential people from history, some are within our lifetime and others are not. Every year, the third graders have a biography project. Mrs. Burkes invites the whole school to visit the lower school commons and learn from her third graders. The students also do so well representing their person. The students have trifold boards full of facts and pictures. They also get to dress up as the person who they researched. This is another example of how our St. James students have hands on learning and work on their public speaking skills. The third graders present to not only their classmates, but all of their families and the primary - 8th grade students and teachers. They have to be able to talk to adults all the way down to three year olds. It never fails that they do it with excellence. I love these projects and the chance for the students to practice their public speaking skills as well as my first graders practice how to support their friends and be active listeners. Each project truly becomes a campus wide experience. The older students mentor the younger ones and learn valuable lessons like patience and compassion. The younger students have phenomenal children to admire and look to as examples.

Since returning from Christmas break the weather has either been frigid or rainy. Finally this week we’ve had sunshine and nice temperatures. With the pleasant weather, I had the class do a little bit of their work outside. I felt like it benefited us all to get some fresh air and soak up some sunshine. During the winter is easy to feel cooped up in the classroom.

Every year, the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra puts on a program that provides students with an interactive experience at the Perot theater. Students across the city go to the Perot and get to perform with the orchestra. They also get to learn about different composers, and other music elements. This year the theme was orchestra rocks, and it was so much fun! The children were able to sing and use their hands/legs as percussion instruments along with the orchestra. When I asked the students what their favorite part was, it was unanimous, they thoroughly enjoyed the Arkansas High’s Drumline.

We’ve been blessed with a precious addition to our class. Now I’ve got a nice updated class picture.

Several times throughout the year I have the students bring a stuffed animal to class with them. On those special days the children have multiple opportunities to read or teach their animal what they’re learning in class. It’s always so sweet to see how excited they are to have their lovey with them throughout the day. Once children reach first grade, they start to seem so big and develop so quickly, but when we have these special experiences, you can still see so much innocence in their eyes. It’s truly a blessing to be able to teach, especially these darling children.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is someone’s whose life and teachings need to be discussed and taught all year long. January is an excellent time focus on his acts and life as his birthday, and the federal day dedicated to him approaches. Teaching a group of 6-7 years olds the importance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. life can be challenging. It’s so hard for them to understand why someone would just because their skin color is different. In class the emphasis has been put on Dr. King’s peaceful teachings and his Christian center way of enacting change in American. I asked the children what they could do to make the world a more peaceful place. Their answers are heartwarming and show the innocence of young children.

I also had the class write about how they would make the world a better place in their writing journals. The answers and their illustrations were just as precious. Children truly do see the world differently than grownups. What a blessing to be a part of all these children’s lives.

Every year first grade embarks on an adventure to learn about how different countries celebrate Christmas. These Christmas around the world projects are always so fun. It also helps teach the students about different cultures and opens their eyes to the largeness of our planet. Each student chooses a country from the sign up. Then they research it at home and create their board for the presentation. The most fun aspect of the projects are the hands on elements. Students have to bring a craft, food, or game that is part of the traditions from their chosen country. Some of the countries have other traditions than what Christmas looks like to us in America. It’s always very educational and exciting to learn about other peoples traditions. I’ve been doing this for six years, and I learn new things every single year.