Friday, March 5, 2010

Last night was the dance festival at Tappan Zee High School. We went into the back gym. Each class walked out into the big gym and then sat down in a line. We alternated the way we faced so that parents on both sides could see us. Victoria was really tired before it began. She ended up having lots of fun and making it through. Eesha was tired at the end from all of that dancing. She felt happy when her mom and little sister danced with her during the Cha Cha Slide. Drew had stage fright! At first, Emma had stage fright too. It went away after a few dances. Stephen was sweaty from all of that exercise. Lauria thought the best part was the Cha Cha Slide because she got to help her dad learn the dance.

Today we had gym. We played Wheel of Torture. Victoria was the winner! She won against Richard in Mr. Gunther’s class. People were shouting Anthony D.’s name. He won last time so everyone wanted him to win again. Once he got out, everyone starting cheering for Victoria.

We got exciting news today. Just like we got to study living things in kindergarten, we are going to learn about the life cycle of mealworms in first grade. Today we went over the rules. Then we had to think about all of the things that we know or think we know about them. It was sort of challenging because a lot of us didn’t know much and Ms. Stern wouldn’t give any information away! Here is some of our thinking:
Mealworms do not read. –Jacob
They live underground. –Anthony D.
Mealworms help flowers grow. –Sarah
They eat the soil and then they poop it out. –Victoria
They have a head. –Arlo
Mealworms are worms. –Adam

Next, we had to think of questions we have or things that we want to learn about mealworms.
How long do they live? –Lauria
What do they eat? –Stephen
Do they go to the bathroom a lot? –Emma
Why are they called mealworms? –Dylan A.
Are mealworms similar to earthworms? –Eesha
Do mealworms have legs or no legs? –Nancy

Next week we will get to begin observing (and handling!) the mealworms as they grow and change.

We read The Cat’s Quizzer. It is a Dr. Seuss book that asks lots of interesting and silly questions. Lauria brought it in to share with the class. Thanks, Lauria!

The Animal Encounters Blog Challenge is up on the website. Everyone is encouraged to research one (or more) of the animals that we saw during our assembly earlier this week. Give it a try! http://sternwos.blogspot.com/2010/03/animal-encounters-research-challenge.html

We have MANY children who have given the Over and Above All Stars a try! Congratulations to Dylan A., Eesha, Anthony D., Victoria, Sasha, Jacob, Arlo, Lauria, Hunter, Sarah, and Dylan. A special congratulations to Lauria for being the first person to inducted into the Hall of Fame. So far, she has completed 54 activities and is a silver medalist! Eesha is a bronze medalist, with 32 completed activities. Keep it up!

Have a great weekend!