Winside First Grade

Food, Fun, and Reading!

2012-01-22T10:35:00.000-08:00

Wayne County UNL extension educator Mrs. Amy Topp is spending four Fridays this month working with Kindergarten and First Grade students emphasizing the value of healthy eating through fun activities and children's literature. This program is titled Food, Fun, and Reading. Mrs. Topp's visit on Friday concentrated on the fruits and vegetables food groups. Each student has a copy of the new nutrition guide called My Plate which replaced the Food Pyramid. More information can be found at www.choosemyplate.gov about this new nutrition campaign.


Mrs. Topp shows fruit juice which is part of the fruit group. She told the boys and girls to check for added sugar in fruit juices. The healthiest fruit juices have no added sugar.


Studying the My Plate nutrition guide

Fruits and vegetables are full of vitamins.

Listening to Mrs. Topp

Coloring pictures of fruits and vegetables

Yummy! Delicious carrots, broccoli, and apples!

Munching on healthy fruits and vegetables

This baby carrot sure tastes good.

I like fruits and vegetables!


Mrs. Topp read the children's book Tops and Bottoms to the class.

The First Graders look forward to Mrs. Topp's visit next week!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2012-01-17T18:57:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year from the Winside First Graders! After reading and discussing the children's book Squirrel's New Year's Resolution the boys and girls defined the word resolution. While wearing party hats and listening to the song Auld Lang Syne, the First Graders wrote the resolutions below.

My New Year's Resolution is to clean my room.

My New Year's Resolution is to help animals. I will give cats milk.

My New Year's Resolution is not teasing my cat.

My New Year's Resolution is to help my mom every day.

My New Year's resolution is to tell jokes.

My New Year's Resolution is to be a good listener. I am going to help people who are sick and hurt.

My New Year's Resolution is to vacuum my room for my mom.

My New Year's Resolution is to be a better reader by reading more books.

My New Year's Resolution is to be stronger so I can work on my dirt bike and drive my dad's friend's gator.

My Year's Resolution is to help my friends move stuff. I will help my sister by cleaning.

My New Year's Resolution is to help people because I see people very old. I will help them open the door.

My New Year's Resolution is to help my mom and dad every day. I will help Dad load wood and Mom cook.

My New Year's Resolution is to not get any practice sessions, follow directions, and be a good listener.

My New Year's Resolution is to have my dog do what I do.

My New Year's Resolution is to get an eagle and help him fly.

My New Year's Resolution is to help my dad fix tractors.


My New Year's Resolution is helping people by saying, "Are you okay?"

Run, run, as fast as you can! You can't catch me!

2012-01-04T19:19:00.000-08:00

Run, run, as fast as you can! You can't catch me! I'm the Gingerbread man!

The First Graders listened to seven different versions of the Gingerbread man. As part of their reading and language the students compared and contrasted the variations in this popular folktale.

The class learned that folktales have so many different versions since long ago they were passed on from generation to generation orally. To gain a better understanding of what happens in this process, the First Graders formed a line. I whispered a sentence in the ear of the person at the head of the line. Then that person whispered to the next person and so on until the last person in line revealed the sentence to everyone. The sentence I whispered was: "Mrs. Halpin rode an elephant to school this morning." The sentence shared by the last person in line was: "Sh, sh, be quiet." Oral retelling can result in less consistent but sometimes more colorful and more interesting stories.

The boys and girls also placed their chef hats on, stirred up, and baked gingerbread cookies. The recipe had to be doubled so it was great practice in the math doubles. Of course, lots of reading was involved along with vocabulary terms including ingredients, dozen, preheat, etc.

Winside head cook Mrs. Backstrom helped the class bake the cookies in the school kitchen. As the cookies were removed from the oven a visitor appeared! (Some students believe Miss Topp is related to the Gingerbread man.) See the picture below.

The Gingerbread Man!

Remarkable Reindeer!

2011-12-29T20:02:00.000-08:00

The First Graders learned lots about the remarkable reindeer as they learned and sang reindeer songs. The boys and girls created unique reindeer using construction paper, markers, and crayons. They also placed their chef hats and aprons on as they served up healthy and delicious reindeer snacks made from wheat bread, large pretzels, and small candies. Sandwich filling choices included ham, cheese, peanut butter/jelly. Here are some of their reindeer along with each student's remarkable reindeer fact.

Ms. Loetscher's healthy reindeer snack

Reindeer break stuff with their hooves. (Dean)

Reindeer walk one hour after they are born. (Dax)

Reindeer live to be about ten years old. (Caden)

Reindeer have soft padding on their hooves so they can grip slick hills.

Some reindeer weigh 700 pounds. (Mason)

Reindeer return to the same calving spot each year. (Logan)

Reindeer are very strong and can move things from place to place. (Tristen)

Every year reindeer antlers fall off and they grow back. (Jake)

Reindeer eat moss to keep them warm. (Sierra)

Reindeer can swim because they have special fur. (Mark)

Reindeer can pull stuff heavier than they are. (Micah)

Reindeer have one baby each year. (Noah)

Reindeer can run 50 miles per hour. (Colbey)

Reindeer antlers grow up to three feet tall. (Mya)

Reindeer start growing antlers when they are one week old. (Hannah)

As we sit by the fire...

2011-12-18T21:05:00.000-08:00

The First Graders designed Christmas stockings at home using many different materials. So, as we sit by the fire enjoy the unique and imaginative creations!

Knd and First Grade Thanksgiving Feast

2011-12-18T20:31:00.000-08:00

The Kindergarten and First Grade prepared for the First Thanksgiving feast by reading and learning about the First Thanksgiving. The First Graders chose a Native American name and decorated a vest made out of a large grocery bag with pictorial representations of the name. In Art they made the headbands. The Knd and First grade parents sent delicious foods that would have been eaten during the first Thanksgiving to school for the students to enjoy. The foods included deer meatballs, roasted deer meat, deer jerky, deer sausage, beef sticks, cranberry and blueberry muffins, corn bread, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cupcakes, popcorn, trail mix, dried fruit and apple juice. Yummy!

Veterans' Day Program

2011-11-26T21:35:00.000-08:00

The Winside Elementary sang at the Veterans' Day Program. View the pictures of the First Grade singing away!

If I had a twin...

2011-11-26T20:13:00.000-08:00

The First Graders made paper plate twins and then wrote about what they would do if they had a twin. What would you do if you had a twin?

My twin and I would go on the Fremont Dinner Train.

My twin and I would go to Grandma's house.

My twin and I would play basketball.

My twin and I would play golf.

My twin and I would swim and have fun!

My twin and I would wrestle.

My twin and I would go swimming and go to Mall of America.

My twin and I would ride bikes.

My twin and I would play school.

My twin and I would go to Grandma and Grandpa's house.

My twin and I would go to Hawaii.

My twin and I would play Play Station 2.

My twin and I would play Dodge ball and tennis.

My twin and I would ride bikes.

My twin and I would sing!

My twin and I would swim and go to Thanksgiving at Grandma's house.

My twin and I would drive tractors.

Our classroom Scarecrow Alvin ran away! Where did he go?

2011-11-26T20:12:00.000-08:00


Our classroom Scarecrow Alvin ran away last night! He went to my house. He helped my dad combine. He ran the grain cart.

Our classroom Scarecrow Alvin ran away last night! We had fun!

Our classroom Scarecrow Alvin ran away last night! He went to a spooky house to play lots of games.

Our classroom Scarecrow Alvin ran away last night! He stopped at my house.

Our classroom Scarecrow Alvin ran away last night! He went on vacation with his family. He had fun with his friends and family.

Our classroom Scarecrow Alvin ran away last night! He went fishing with his Grandpa.

Our classroom Scarecrow Alvin ran away last night! He went to a haunted house and got haunted! I think that is where he got his head. There he saw ghosts, goblins, skeletons, and jack-o-lanterns. He was scared. He ran away! He ran so fast that some of his paper stuffing fell out!

Our classroom Scarecrow Alvin ran away last night! He went to check for the naughty boys and girls and he checked for the good boys and girls.

Our classroom Scarecrow Alvin ran away last night! He went to get a job. He got a job as a construction worker.

Our classroom Scarecrow Alvin ran away last night! He went to scare crows. Then he snuck corn!

Our classroom Scarecrow Alvin ran away last night! He went to the swimming pool.

Our classroom Scarecrow Alvin ran away last night! He went to the beach.

Our classroom Scarecrow Alvin ran away last night! He left school to go to Valentino's. Maybe he went to the house and he would go to the farm to get the tractor. And he has a class to go to. The class was a dance class. My Grandpa is good to see. He will go to the helicopter and he will go to Grandma.

Our classroom Scarecrow Alvin ran away last night! He went to the zoo to see friends.

Our classroom Scarecrow Alvin ran away last night! He went to the computer lab to play computers. He went to play Club Penguin because Mrs. Kollath let him on the computers.

Our classroom Scarecrow Alvin ran away last night! He went to his friend's house to pick his friend up. Then he went to Runza. He drank Pepsi.

Our classroom Scarecrow Alvin ran away last night! He went to Pizza Hut with his friends. He got there with a car. He ate pizza and he drank Pepsi. Then he went to McDonald's. He got with his friends. They had hamburgers with pickles and ketchup and French fries.

Our classroom Scarecrow Alvin ran away last night! He had to get some stuff. He got a hose and the car. He had to get some tools. He got his pickup and he hooked on his flatbed. Then he put a combine on it.

What secret is Alvin sharing with Mrs. Halpin?

Mr. Tonniges and Alvin discuss the latest Husker win!

Spiders, Spiders, Spiders!

2011-11-26T19:37:00.000-08:00

Watch out for the spiders! They are everywhere! The First Graders made spiders out of Oreo cookies, red hots, and string licorice. Then a walking, talking, crawling spider came to visit us! She read spider books to the class. (This delightful arachnid looked and sounded a bit like Mrs. Halpin!) Before she left, she had everyone in her web! See the pictures below!

What? A Halloween Easter Egg Hunt?

2011-11-13T11:23:00.000-08:00

The First Graders gathered up Easter eggs using Halloween treat buckets as they scoured the playground searching high and low for Easter eggs. A total of 60 eggs were planted throughout (NNCC education major Kristin Messersmith hid the eggs.) and the class found every single one of the 60! Then math activities followed using the eggs. What a fun way to learn about three addend addition, evens, odds, and basic addition facts! The boys and girls were a bit shocked to find addition facts in their eggs rather than candy. After completing the math activities which included calculating the answers for the addition facts, the class did receive a treat.

Using our Halloween buckets to round up Easter eggs.

Up the hill and down the hill.

Did she hide eggs behind the playground equipment?

Mrs. Halpin and Miss Messersmith (NNCC education student) aid the students in the hunt.

Quick--this way!

Ms. Loetscher giving directions to the class after the Halloween Easter Egg hunt.

The boys and girls looked inside the eggs. Guess what they found!

Addition math facts were found in the eggs.

Each trio of students constructed a three addend number sentence explaining how many eggs they had.


Each trio used one sheet of paper to write the number sentence. They also determined if the sum was even or odd. Each member of the trio then signed their work. All groups shared with the whole class.

Red Ribbon Week

2011-10-26T16:33:00.000-07:00

Red Ribbon Week --Shade Out Drugs! The Winside Youth Leadership Council under the direction of sponsor Mrs. Julie Volwiler handed out Red Ribbons in celebration of Red Ribbon Week. Let's Be: Drug-Free!

SHADE OUT DRUGS!

Mr. Messersmith Mummified?

2011-10-25T20:26:00.000-07:00

The Winside Elementary met their AR goals for the first quarter so Mr. Messersmith agreed to be turned into a mummy! All students helped in the process. The second quarter AR theme is horses.

First Graders preparing for their marshmallow game

The boys and girls stuck a marshmallow to their foreheads and then rushed it to the first grade pail without it falling off.

Wow! The marshmallows are sticking really well!

Let's get this show on the road!

It was also hat and freaky hair day!

Aunt Jane Visits!

2011-10-25T19:54:00.000-07:00

Ms. Loetscher's Aunt Jane visited the classroom recently. She was due to arrive at 12:30 p.m. but didn't make it until 2:30 p.m. since her plane was delayed. The boys and girls located Aunt Jane's home state of Florida on their maps and plotted Aunt Jane's route. They also learned about Aunt Jane's name and how it is a magic e syllable. Aunt Jane read a book titled Apple Countdown. She also left Yellow Delicious apples for the class to eat during milk time. She had made a quick stop at Deck's Apple Orchard to get the apples. Yummy! They were sweet, crisp, and mouth-watering delicious! There is a possibility that Aunt Jane will be making a return visit. The First Graders were amazed at how much Aunt Jane resembled Ms. Loetscher! Must be genetics at work!

Fire Prevention Week

2011-10-25T19:36:00.000-07:00

Winside Kindergarten and First Grade students toured the Winside Fire Station during Fire Prevention week held in October. Volunteer Firefighters Chris Olander, Kyle Skokan, and Don Skokan were on hand to give the boys and girls the full tour. The community is very fortunate to have such an outstanding group of firefighters and EMT's! The boys and girls left with life saving information, plastic fire hats, and water bottles. Many thanks to the Winside Fire Department and EMT's!

October PAW Assembly

2011-10-09T22:54:00.000-07:00

One of our very own First Graders Jake Bargstadt received the Citizenship Award for the month. Way to go Jake! Jake is shown below with fellow Citizenship winner Eddie Olander and Superintendent/Elementary Principal Mr. Messersmith.

At the PAW Assembly Mrs. LeNell Quinn's music students sang My Hat Has Three Corners since they have been studying about the Colonial Period in history.

Apple Orchard Field Trip

2011-10-09T22:32:00.000-07:00

The Winside Kindergarten and First Grade visited the Hebda Prairie Gardens also known as Garrity's Orchards near Yankton, South Dakota on Wednesday, September 28th. The experience began with the bus ride. See pictures below.


Johnny Appleseed greets the boys and girls.

The boys and girls fed the goats who were very excited to see the yummy corn.

Heading out to the pumpkin patch!

The corn maze--should we follow Mrs. Straight?

Perhaps, Mrs. Halpin knows the way out! We can't even find Ms. Loetscher!


Mr. Hebda telling about corn pollination.

Picking out our special pumpkin!

Mrs. Hebda tells about the refrigerator. Brr... it was cold in there!

Watching the apples being sorted.

We stopped and ate at the park in Yankton and enjoyed playing on the equipment.

All in all it was a great trip!

First Graders ROCK with Mr. SOK

2011-09-25T16:55:00.000-07:00

Twice a month the First Graders will travel to the high school to Mr. Sok's science room for thirty minutes of science instruction. Mr. Sok is the high school science teacher and is Winside Public School's own version of T.V. personality Bill Nye the Science Guy. :)

During the first visit to Mr. Sok's science lab the class learned all about rocks. Mr. Sok showed the three different types of rock: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. In addition to other rocks the class examined chalk, volcanic rock, and graphite. He also showed a video explaining the characteristics of these rocks and where they can be found.

The lesson concluded with each young scientist examining rocks using the high powered microscopes and hand lenses.

Mr. Sok explains that graphite is used in pencils.

First Grade Math and First Grade Chef

2011-09-10T18:29:00.000-07:00

The boys and girls have been busy working with lots of hands on materials in math including blocks, cubes, straws, sticks, beads, and small marshmallows. They have worked on the concept of place value in the tens and ones place using all the different manipulatives listed. Making sure a student has ample hands on experience is vital before moving to the written abstract symbols. On Friday the First Graders even make a live bundle of ten with the ones left over. See below.

See the bundle of 10 students (They used a jump rope.) and 7 individual students outside the bundle of ten. 1 ten and 7 ones equals 17.

First Grade Chef also incorporated the concept of place value. First of all, each student received a chef hat to decorate for the year. Twice a month the class will enjoy First Grade Chef. Recipes will include delicious, healthy, kid-friendly snacks. This Friday the pint-sized chefs created healthy smiles. The boys and girls learned the vocabulary word ingredients. This recipe required small marshmallows, red apple slices, and peanut butter. Utensils included plastic knives and paper plates. The class counted the marshmallows by placing them into cups of ten. See below.


How many groups of ten? First Grader answer: 8 groups of ten which equals 80

Each student took two red apple slices, slathered peanut butter on each slice, placed three marshmallows between, pressed slices together and walla--an apple smiley! The marshmallows are the teeth, peanut butter the gums, and red apple slices are the lips. The class discussed the food groups that each ingredient belonged to: apples to the fruit group, peanut butter to the protein group, and marshmallows that are sugar which should be eaten sparingly. See the chefs and their creations below:

Ms. Loetscher's apple smiley may need braces!

Our own younger version of TV chef Rachel Ray--Mrs. Halpin, our afternoon para.

On Friday the First Graders went home with smiles on their faces and apple smiles in their tummies!

First Grade Magic Continues!

2011-09-07T17:12:00.000-07:00

Another busy week in the land of the Winside First Graders came to a close on Friday. The magic continues as the class learned more about the apple orchards, graphing favorite apples, and using real apples to create patterns. They sampled three kinds of apples: Red Delicious, Granny Smith, and Golden Delicious. Then each student selected his/her favorite and made a picture graph.

The class interpreted the data and found the apple with the greatest amount of votes was Granny Smith (15 votes) while Golden Delicious and Red Delicious received two votes each. Questions were posed such as: If Ms. Loetscher could only buy one of the three kinds of apples for the class, which should she choose and why? This is an example of a higher level question which is H.O.T. (Higher Order Thinking). This is the level at which we want our students to be able to function.

Using an apple Ms. Loetscher cut it in half horizontally and something incredible happened--a star appeared in each half of the apple. The class discussed the seed pockets. Then each student made a paint print of the star pattern on a paper plate. More magic!

The boys and girls continue to work hard on phonics rules and their application. Please have your child do the Vowel Cheer for you. In case they need a little help getting started here are the words:

Jump high,

Jump low,

Come on vowels

To work we go,

A, E, I, O, U A, E, I, O, U A, E, I, O, U
Vowels, Vowels, Vowels!

Each student received Dex the Pointer Dog to point while reading. See pictures of students below using Dex while reading to their Study Buddies.

Next blog we will talk about math.
Your partner in education,
Ms. Loetscher

Fabulous First Full Week of First Grade

2011-08-28T15:05:00.000-07:00

My weekend began with a home stop at one of the first graders just to drop off some materials. I was recognized a block away as this kiddo barreled down the sidewalk, eyes lit up like Christmas tree lights while shouting in a jubilant voice at the top of his lungs, "IT'S MY TEACHER!" Now that's the way to start a weekend! I also was greeted by another first grader in Wal-mart who shared the same level of enthusiasm as the child described above. What a lucky teacher I am!

Last week we began settling into a routine. This week we will complete the reading review and assessments of letters, sounds, popcorn words, and basic skills from Kindergarten. The first few weeks of First Grade are comprised of a lot of review and establishing the behavior management part of our classroom. A contractor when building a house places a lot of time, effort, and materials into the foundation. In First Grade we also concentrate heavily on building that educational and behavioral foundation. After all, without a solid foundation, the building will most likely topple.

My goal will be to post to the blog once a week--usually on Sunday. I will email you to let you know to check the blog.

The First and Second Graders planted their soybeans this week!

Hmm... wonder if these soybeans will really grow!

First and Second Grade classes pose at the soybean field with farmer Bob Bowers.

Watching the soybean crop dusting plane from a safe distance.

We celebrated the first full week with slurpy, sweet, can't be beat watermelon!

Must get those seeds out!

I think this stuff is great--how about you?

Have a wonderful week!

Your partner in education,

Ms. Loetscher