By Cara Kubler:

The Cherokee First graders have had a very busy September. We talked about apples, Johnny Appleseed, Apple Tree seasons. We also have been busy with writing numbers, playing Top-It in math, and working on reading.

To kick-off our Apple month, all the first grade students participated in an apple taste test. They each tasted 4 different kinds of apples, then voted on their favorite kind. The Gala apple won, with several votes ahead of the others, which were Granny Smith, Red Delicious, and Golden Delicious. We also cut an apple horizontally and saw the “apple star.” Using the results from the taste test, the students graphed their results on a circle graph and a bar graph. We talked about the differences in the two graphs. We decided that, overall, the bar graph was easier to read. Finally, we talked about facts, and how to write a fact using the graph. We wrote one fact together, then the children came up with their own fact and wrote it. During this time, we really talked a lot about capital letters, complete sentences, and end marks.

For Johnny Appleseed, we read several books, watched a quick Johnny Appleseed video and did some color, cut and paste listening activities. We watched some videos and read a book on the seasons of an apple tree, then did an art activity involving tissue paper, glue, and a pencil. Each of the children made an apple tree for each season….what a really fun activity!!! We loved it!!!

To end the apple month of activities, we will read our Scholastic and discuss more about the life cycle of the apple…From Blossom to Apple, and discuss how apples are a healthy snack!

Other learning going on in our 1st grade classroom included lots and lots of reading, and working on writing numbers, counting, using the number grid and playing Top It from our Everyday Math Series.

This month has been fun and busy….and lots of learning!!

In October, we are looking forward to a Pumpkin Patch Trip, studying about spiders, and learning about what happens in the Fall.