The Last School Day of 2015!!

What a way to end the year - with a PJ and movie day!!!  Of course this fun day was all due to the very respectful behavior on the part of all RES students over the past few weeks.  Great work first graders!!

I hope you all have a wonderful and relaxing break!!  I have truly enjoyed teaching and getting to know your children during the first part of this school year, and am looking forward to more amazing learning in 2016!!  Happy holidays!!!

Back in the USA

On Monday first graders boarded their last flight and headed back to the good old USA.  Upon a safe  arrival, and making it through customs for the final time, first graders learned a little about a holiday that is celebrated by African Americans called Kwanza. They made woven mats which are used to old many symbolic items during the seven day celebration.  

Off to Italy

First graders have just arrived in the third country on their world tour.  They had a successful flight from Germany to Italy and enjoyed some informational inflight videos.  From watching one of the videos they learned about the tradition of an old friendly witch known as La Befana or Old Befana. Legend has it that she flies around, or runs around, in the sky (depending on the version) sweeping up children's rooms and leaving them treats to find the next morning.  More to come from our trip to Italy. 

Visiting Germany

To continue our Holidays around the world, first graders hopped on another flight which took them to Germany.  While in Germany, students learned some very interesting facts about things and traditions that come from there.  Many of the Christmas traditions practiced around the world were started in this interesting country, like bringing an evergreen tree into ones house and decorating it, gingerbread houses, as well as hanging stockings by the fireplace. Students also learned about St. Nicklaus Day which is celebrated on Dec 6.  Children leave empty shoes out on their doorsteps in hopes of finding treats in them the next morning.  (We tried this out in our classroom!)

Acrostic Poems

For the past couple of weeks first graders have been studying poetry, including various poetic devices as well as different types of poetry. This week while learning about acrostic poems, the class wrote a shared poem together.  The unanimous topic choice was Mr. Berry!  This morning our class went to visit Mr. berry n his office to present our poem to him. He was pretty flattered to say the least!!

Holidays Around The World

Last week first graders embarked on an adventure which is taking them to different countries to learn how and what people in different countries are celebrating at this time of year.  They first needed to apply for a passport (thankfully they were all approved) and make a suitcase to use during their travels.  Then they were off on their first flight, to Israel where they learned about Hanukkah and got to play the dreidel game.  Students enjoyed a first class flight during which they watched an inflight video on holiday celebrations in Israel. 

From Israel, students boarded another flight which took them to Germany, where they are still visiting.  They have learned that many people in Germany celebrate Christmas and many traditions around this holiday originated in Germany.  On Friday students learned about St Niclaus who visits children in Germany on the night of December 5th.  Children leave their shoes outside on their steps in hopes of finding treats in them the next morning.  We decided to try this out, and made paper shoes to leave on our window sill.  Or fingers are crossed!!