Friday challenge: work with your partner to build a coconut tree that can hold all the letters of the alphabet. Inspired Chicka Chicka boom boom, we gave it a go and learned how to be a partner. Swans Creek Elem #weareswans

Today was pumpkin day! It was all about pumpkins and how we could use them to read, write,investigate as well as do math. It was a pum-tastic day! Swans Creek Elem

Turkey challenge: can you build a maze for your turkey ( a marble) to travel? It must have 3 turns and an obstacle. Engineers in the making. Swans Creek Elem #greatthinkersin1st

“Help! Help!”,cried the gingerbread man. “I can’t get across the river.” Using only craft sticks and clothespins, 1st graders used their engineering skills to build a way to help the gingerbread man. We had boats, bridges and stilts. Creative minds at work. Swans Creek Elem

Learning about producers and consumers, first students produced goods to sell. Then they earned money so they could buy the goods they made. Teaching economics in 1st grade is always hands on. Swans Creek Elem

Oh no our turtles are sick and need to go to vet! Today’s challenge : design and build a cage to carry your turtle in. You can only use the materials given to you and it must have a door. Can you do it ? Future designers and engineers at work. Swans Creek Elem

And the winner of the STEM challenge is…. His turtle was able to travel to the vet safely. (There was a door too. ) 1st graders at work. Swans Creek Elem

When you need inspiration to write a poem about popcorn, use the real thing to find descriptive words. Writing in 1st is always an adventure. Swans Creek Elem

Attention: special project from Rasheed. Build a vowel town. Use blueprints and vowel teams to build the best vowel town ever. Rasheed will be watching. Phonics adventures in 1st grade. Swans Creek Elem

Our learning adventure today was to Prince William Forest Park. We learned about animal habitats, went on a hike, used an awesome playground and went on a scavenger hunt. Thanks for having us. First grade adventures always happening. Swans Creek Elem

STEM challenge- design a house that is wind proof, rain proof and earthquake proof. 1st graders were applying their knowledge of physical properties of matter. Swans Creek Elem

We spent the morning Friday traveling back in time to Rippon Lodge. Our 1st graders spent time learning about life long ago. Hands on experiences are the best. Thank you Prince William Historic Preservation Society for this opportunity. Hist Prince William Swans Creek Elem

Engineers at work again. Using cups and tape, design something that can move down a ramp. How far could it go? 1st graders at work. Stay tuned for the results. Swans Creek Elem

The results are in. How far did your invention move? 1st graders are great thinkers and fearless. Swans Creek Elem

Our scientists today were experimenting with vibrations. Can they see them, hear them? What happens when we touch parts of the cup with our tuning forks? 1st graders are always questioning. Life in 1st grade. Swans Creek Elem

Great first week. We ended with a challenge. Chicka Chicka boom boom! How many letters can fit on your tree? Teamwork at its best. Swans Creek Elem

As we learn about the sun and it’s pattern in the sky, we decided to ask a question. What happens to our shadow during the day? Will it be in the same place? Using our power of observation, these 1st graders applied their understanding of the sun. Swans Creek Elem

Investigation Friday! As weather scientists, let’s explore types of precipitation. The 5 E’s of science in action Swans Creek Elem #handsonscience

Today we began a long project in 1st grade. We are learning about seasons and the affects so we planted bulbs. We can’t wait till spring to see what happens. 🤞they grow. Swans Creek Elem #grantmoneythx

Countdown to winter break with mystery readers and stories. Thank you @Sallykimrocks for helping start this tradition. I wonder who will be our next reader and what story will it be? Swans Creek Elem #havingfunbeforewinterbreak.