Every spring, first grade has two new experiences: Spring Musical and cereal box presentations. Spring Musical is a tradition at St. James that all 1st through 8th graders participate in. Some of the students audition for parts in the main cast, the remaining 1st-4th graders are included in the support of cast. Middle school students, whose talents are off the main stage, have the option of being a part of the set design or technical team. Each year a different production is chosen. This year, Spring Musical was Seussical Jr. The students did a phenomenal job preparing and presenting this production. Each year I’m blown away by the talent that fills the walls of St. James.

Another annual springtime event for the first grade is cereal box presentation. The students draw animal names from a box. Once the student has their animal, they complete a fact sheet while researching at home with their parents. This is the only part of the project that is completed at home. The week of presentations, the students take those fact sheets home to help them prepare, but all assembling and creating happens at school. Students are responsible for wrapping their cereal box, copying the research information onto presentation paper, and illustrating all sides of the box. After all of the students had finished their cereal boxes, The final stage was to present their projects. Each student had to carry their cereal box on stage, speak into a microphone, and present their project to the audience. This is one of the first times these students have presented, on their own, to a large audience. Having students present and the use of project-based learning are two major components of St. James Day School. We know the importance of having students learn and practice public speaking skills from an early age on. This year‘s cereal box presentations could not have gone any better! The students were confident, they knew the material, and they poured their all into creating their cereal boxes. Saying “I’m proud” is such an understatement. I am continually impressed with these students’ tenacity and creativity.

It’s almost spring and the weather has been beautiful the past couple of days. Every year around this time I get the students out of the classroom to read or do some lesson(s) outside. Our campus is so beautiful and laid out in such an accommodating way to learn outside. The children love when we can be outside more. This is a perfect season to incorporate beautiful weather with learning.

At St. James, this is also the season of reenrollment. The first graders created a video them telling their favorite thing from fresh grade. We’re going to share it with the kindergarten classes so they can be excited about moving up. I want them to look forward to all of the awesome things were able to do in first grade. The first graders also made a second video giving the kindergartners advice on how to be successful in my class. It’s hilarious! It also proves just what wonderful listeners they really are!!

You often hear people describe the St. James atmosphere as a tight nit community. We are very family oriented and have a emphasis on taking care of each other. One way we instill this in our students is to support one another. For instance, helping a classmate with a project, lending a hand with homework, and being supportive when your peer’s win awards or are successful in theater, academics, or social settings. A little way to the children can practice this is by being a good audience member. The students create this supportive atmosphere by cheering on a classmate who receives A Caught Being Kind award, by listening intentionally when a peer is giving a presentation, or by making posters for the tassel painting. There are several ways that the students and St. James learn how to take care of one another. How to be supportive of people your age, younger, and older. Growing up in this environment imbeds that moral character. When the children move on to another school, a new community, they are the leaders. They are the children who want to be helpful and support others in a positive way. I always remind my students that it is important to practice speaking and presenting in front of an audience and it is equally important to learn how to be a respectful audience member. Below are two instances over the past couple weeks where the first graders have gotten to go show support and learn from some of the older students.

I have a tradition in my class that takes place every February. The children make compliment bags. We don’t do a big Valentine’s Day celebration, but the kids do exchange valentines. Instead of asking parents to bring something to hold all of the treats, we decorate bags. The kids don’t use the usual hearts to decorate, they write a compliment on each bag. Leading up to the compliment bags, we have several class discussions about giving and receiving, what a genuine compliment is, and how it makes us feel. The day before the bags a made, the class and I participate in a compliment circle. We make a big circle with our legs stretched straight in front of us, feet touching. I start by selecting a student and giving them a compliment, then they cross-cross their legs and choose a classmate, it then becomes their turn to give the compliment. By the end, every child has received a meaningful compliment from a classmate. This is good practice for the bags and it brightens all of our day. They are always happier after these activities.

First grade is a pivotal point for a child’s social development. This is when children become more aware of their self and their peers’ points of view. They want to fit in with one another. It is a great time of year to have them all talk positive to each other and remember the importance of genuine kindness.

There is no better way to learn about animals and their habitats than constructing a zoo!
First graders partnered with third grade students and researched their animals, they set up their habitat (complete with handmade food) and then presented their research to Mrs. Ayers and the seventh grade class.
This was such a fun project and the students loved every step.
Project based learning promotes such important skills as group work, autonomous learning, self-assessment skills, time planning, project work or oral and written expression skills.