We begin school talking about making new friends and how to be a good friend.  We learn how being alike and different adds excitement to our class. September activities allow time to practice letters, sounds, numbers and patterning. The month concludes with early autumn apple fun.

Fall brings change all around us. We watch trees and animals as they prepare for colder weather. We will collect autumn "treasures" and display them in our classroom. We write and illustrate our ideas about fall. As we plan for Halloween, we'll enjoy spooky stories and activities. We will take a closer look at spiders and discover that maybe these critters are not so creepy after all. 

Living in New England gives a special meaning to Thanksgiving. Native Americans and Colonists who once lived here shaped our history and even our towns. As we retell the story of Thanksgiving, we appreciate the importance of friendship, sharing and community. The original Pilgrims faced many hardships as they settled in a new land. They were only allowed to bring a few possessions with them on the Mayflower. We discuss the important "things" we would take to a new country. We read about the feast celebrated by the Pilgrims and Native Americans as they rejoiced in their first bountiful harvest and the promise of new friendships. As we connect that first thanksgiving to the holidays celebrated today, we offer some advice on how to cook a turkey.

Holidays around the world and in our own homes inspire literature and math activities throughout December. Everyone enjoys a tasty unit on The Gingerbread Man as we read and compare various versions of this favorite tale. We'll experience the magic of the season and try to remember that it is the joy of giving that makes this time of year special. We usher in the New Year by expressing original resolutions for ourselves, our families and our world.

Winter in New England adds a chilly excitement to our themes and activities. We eagerly await the first  snowfall. We have already picked out our favorite places to go sliding and have some winter fun. Our literature pieces will highlight seasonal changes and fun in the snow. We'll study how people and animals adapt to colder weather. During the month of February we traditionally celebrate Valentine's Day and the 100th Day of School.

Spring is always fun in first grade. By now we feel more confident with early reading and writing skills. Students work well independently and have formed good friendships within the class community. We continue to produce both descriptive and narrative stories. Math activities include place value, time and geometry. We learn about animal "biomes" in a visit from the High Tech High Touch organization. Later in the season we will investigate plants and seeds as we read stories about gardening and plant our own flower seeds. Spring holidays keep us busy. St. Patrick's Day gives us time to learn about the customs of another country. 

As the end of school draws closer, we take time to explore coral reefs. These living communities are often called rain forests of the sea. They are beautiful and mysterious. The animals that live there are very colorful and intriguing. We examine some "treasures" brought in from the beach and read several stories to learn more about the underwater world.

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