St. James had the opportunity of watching the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra. The performance was centered on movements, not just musical, but physical too. It was an excellent experience for the students. This interactive show was fantastic and showed the children that classical music can be fun!

First grade has been classifying different animals based on their characteristics. The children had the chance to see a real reptile up close. One of our eighth grade students, Cooper, brought his bearded dragon to class. Beardie got to stay in first grade all day, and the children had a question and answer session with Cooper. We all loved hearing the interesting facts about the reptile. We’re so thankful that Cooper allowed us to have Beardie in our class and shared his knowledge with us.

This past fall I wrote a grant to get items that would enrich my reading and math groups. I was fortunate enough to be awarded my grant. I was able to purchase so many spectacular tools for reading and math groups. I cannot thank the Junior League of Texarkana enough for presenting me with the Teacher Take Wing Grant.

It has become a tradition in first grade for the children to make compliment bags to hold all of their valentine goodies. I provide the large white bags and the students provide the compliments! Each child writes a genuine compliment on every child’s bag. This takes a bit of time for each kid to think of an original compliment for every student in the class. However, once this activity is complete, the students have a bag covered in sweet words and phrases from every single one of their classmates. It’s one of my favorite things for the students to do.

Early in the week the students played a game to help practice counting syllables in various words. I partnered the students up. Then students had to do a series of hand movements boom (tap your legs) and claps before I would say a word. After saying the word the children would count the syllables in the word then try to grab the number in front of them before their partner. It was so much fun and the students practiced counting syllables! Learning plus fun is the best!!

The class had Show and Tell. The children love to share and show a fun item from Christmas. It is a great informal way for the class to practice speaking and presenting to an audience.

In math we started a new module that covers measuring. The class has been measuring with centimeter cubes. For a fun lesson the kids were paired together to complete a measuring activity. It is so important that children learn how to work cooperatively with another person. It is great to see the students taking on the role of teacher to help if their partner doesn’t understand a question or needs clarity on a topic. These students are so kind and patient with one another. It may get a little loud, but it is an important layer to add to teaching.

The students are so intrigued by the presentations and soak up the new knowledge. I believe it is important for children to see that the world is larger than the area where they live. Taking a deeper look into a country, especially specifically into a beloved holiday, helps the children see the similarities and differences they have with others a world away. Plus, it is fun. They love to try the treats, toys, and games from other places. I’m always surprised by how adventurous the students are with trying the new foods, I am certain the sugar helps entice them.

In addition to bringing light to foreign cultures and traditions, Christmas Around the World requires the students to practice speaking in front of an audience. This is the first project where the student is solely responsible for presenting their information. Speaking in front of a group of your peers is hard at any age. At St. James public speaking and presenting is valued and practiced frequently. The children start performing, speaking, and presenting to peers and adults at a very young age. This better equips them for higher education and their careers. Speaking with confidence is a skill that carries you far.

In first grade students practice reading and writing all of the time, in one way or another. To bring a little change in routine and motivation I asked the students to bring a stuffed animal from home to read to. I underestimated how much the students would enjoyed this. They were so excited to bring a stuffed animal from home to class and teach it news skills all week by reading to it. This will be happening again after the holidays!

During one of our reviews days in math the class practiced the doubles math facts. I didn’t give all of the instructions at first. Instead I told them we would be reviewing our doubles math facts and we went through a couple of drills. Then I handed each of them a dry erase marker and they had so many questions. I explained that they were going to write them on their desk - they thought I had lost it! The students asked me several times if I was sure they could write on their desk. I reassured them that Mrs. Thane had told me 2nd grade does it often and it cleans us easily. After that they were ready and listened so well! The class solved math facts independently and then with a partner. This is another activity that will have to be repeated!

Lower School holds a Thanksgiving program every year. To help decorate the door, the class made thankful turkeys. I love having conversations about gratitude with young children. They are so sweet and innocent. To an adult it looks simple, but for students this is a multiple step activity that takes concentration and a lot of hand muscle control. I sure am thankful for all of these precious children!