ROCK CITY

We're going to ROCK CITY....Watch this live video filmed at Rock City! Rock City is a five acre park which contains about 200 huge Dakota Sandstone Concretions. The spheres are up to 27 feet in diameter. Rock City is located 3.5 miles south of Minneapolis, Kansas off Highway 106.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1DefTlUE0w

CLASS TRIP

I'm looking forward to our class trip on Wednesday, May 8. We leave at 9:00 a.m. and will arrive back to school by 3:00 p.m. Our first stop is the Ottawa County Historical Museum in Minneapolis, Kansas. We have been studying dinosaurs and there is the most interesting dinosaur exhibit relating to the Silvisaurus condrayi, the most famous Kansas dinosaur found in Ottawa County. Also displayed is a dinosaur egg from China. Among the collections are many rocks and fossils. We will have a picnic lunch at Markley Park. Our adventure continues as we travel to Rock City to explore the enormous Dakota Sandstone Concretions. These rocks were formed millions of years ago when Kansas was covered by a inland sea. You can learn more about the places we will visit by clicking on the links below.
http://kansastravel.org/ottawacountymuseum.htm
http://www.kansastravel.org/rockcity.htm
Ottawa County Historical Museum

Dinosaur Egg from China

Markley Park - Picnic Lunch

Large sphere shaped rocks at Rock City

TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

This has been a busy week of testing. In reading the children are completing Level 1.5. I'm so pleased with how well they have progressed. I can't seem to keep enough levels of books in the classroom for check out! Very proud of my little bumbles! In Math the children are having a blast learning about Geometry and Fractions. I've found some great apps for the ipads that make learning fun. Here are a few websites we'll explore in the lab today.

READING
http://www.netrover.com/~kingskid/phonics/phonics_main.htm
http://www.roythezebra.com/reading-games/new-window/question-mark-1.html
http://www.roythezebra.com/reading-games/new-window/capital-letter-2.html

MATH
http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-1/equal-parts
http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-1/halves-thirds-fourths
http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-1/what-fraction-does-the-shape-show
http://www.primarygames.com/fractions/question3.htm
http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-1/flip-turn-slide

SKYANNE-STUDENT OF THE WEEK

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EARLY RELEASE

School will be dismissed at 1:00 today. Teachers have inservice meetings. Have a wonderful weekend!

TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

Earth Day inspires awareness and appreciation for our planet's natural resources and environment. The children have been learning how to save our resources, reuse materials, and recycle. We have made a promise to make our Earth a beautiful place. Here are a few websites that provide wonderful learning opportunities on how to make everyday an Earth Day!

READING
http://www.mightybook.com/MightyBook_free/new_month/april_fun/recycle/recycle.html
http://www.mightybook.com/MightyBook_free/new_month/april_fun/recycle/recycle_cards.html
http://www.starfall.com/n/holiday/earthday/play.htm?f
http://childrenoftheearth.org/earthday/earth-day-every-day.html

JUST FOR FUN
http://www.mightybook.com/MightyBook_free/new_month/april_fun/plastic_island/plastic_island.html
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/games/actiongames/recycle-roundup/

LET THE SHOW BEGIN

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LEARNING WITH IPADS

The Hive was buzzing with excitement!

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IPADS IN THE CLASSROOM

The first graders performed telling time practice exercises using ipads!

AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROOM-PART 2

Chris Visser returned this past week to share Part 2 of "Ag in the Classroom". The children enjoyed a story about growing and harvesting wheat. After the story Chris and Vicki treated the children to snack crackers made with wheat. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Visser for bringing the farm into our classroom!

SUMMER-STUDENT OF THE WEEK

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TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

LEARNING ABOUT DINOSAURS
http://paleobiology.si.edu/dinosaurs/interactives/tour/main.html
http://www.childrensmuseum.org/themuseum/dinosphere/kids/kids_games_level1.html
http://www.childrensmuseum.org/themuseum/dinosphere/kids/kids_games_level2.html
http://www.childrensmuseum.org/themuseum/dinosphere/kids/kids_games_level3.html

MATH
http://www.freedinosaurgames.org/game/46/DinoKids---Math.html

FUN WITH DINOSAURS
http://www.freedinosaurgames.org/game/105/Baby-Dino.html
http://www.thecolor.com/Category/Coloring/Dinosaur.aspx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0FOZ0-VpcU

BRAYLON - STUDENT OF THE WEEK

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BRAIN SMART PROGRAM

Thank you to the Pilot Ladies from Clay Center for helping the first graders learn about protecting their brain. A group of 4 Pilot members presented an entertaining puppet show for the children. The presentation stressed the importance of keeping our brains safe by wearing a helmet. A drawing was held for 2 children to win a bike helmet! I hope the children will always remember to wear a helmet and be BRAIN SMART!

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BIKE HELMET WINNERS

Samara and Nathan's names were drawn during the program for a bike helment! Congratulations....and remember to always protect your brain! Thank you Pilot Club for sponsoring this project!

TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

In the computer lab this week the children will review spelling words be tested. In math the children are learning to tell time. They struggle most with 1/2 hours. Extra practice at home would be very beneficial. Here is a fun game site they may play as a practice lesson.

SPELLING:
http://www.spellingcity.com/

MATH:
http://www.primarygames.com/time/question4.htm

PICTURE DAY

EASTER EGG HUNT

It was a beautiful day for our class Easter Egg Hunt!

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AGRICULTURE IN THE CLASSROM

Chris Visser, a local farmer and grandfather to Jaiden visited our classroom today. He shared about raising cattle and how we get milk from the cattle on our farms. Chris treated the chidren to cheese sticks when finished reading. Thank you Chris for helping the children learn about the farm!