Career Presentation: Mr. Lewis, Project Manager

Mr. Lewis visited our first grade class on Friday.  He volunteered to talk to our first graders about his career as a project manager for Nestle Purina.  Mr. Lewis talked to the students about designing new food products for pets.   He discussed ways that pet products like pet food are designed and tested.  Students came up with ideas for pet food flavors-- ideas ranged from ice cream to whale-flavored. New food products are designed and then tested at places like Purina Farms. Students were excited to receive gifts from Purina like an activity book which included problem solving, math, and reading--along with crayons, a bracelet, and a hat.  They were very excited to receive these!

Students learned about the education that is needed to become a Project Manager for a company.  Students learned that things you learn in school like reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving are needed and used on a daily basis. 

Students learned that Mr. Lewis oversees a group of people as a project manager and has to use a variety of skills on a daily basis.  The students were able to both answer and ask many questions.  

We appreciate the time Mr. Lewis took out of his day to visit our classroom.  The students really enjoyed it.

A Germ Experiment: Preventative Health Care

Flu season is in full swing across the United States.  "In fact everywhere on Earth, where people have a winter season, they also have a flu season." (Popular Science, January 2013).  There are many theories for this. One popular and studied theory is that the virus survives better and transmits more easily in cooler, drier air.  We discussed pathogens like bacteria and virus and talked about how they are transmitted.  We learned that one way the flu virus is passed is by touching a surface with the flu virus on it and then touching your nose or mouth.  Then we decided to complete an experiment to see if hand-washing and the use of hand sanitizers made a difference in spreading these microorganisms.

Students passed around a potato for two minutes.  Group 1 handled the potato without washing their hands or using hand sanitizer. They carefully passed the potato from person to person without dropping it.

Group 2 did not wash their hands.  They used hand sanitizer and rubbed their hands together. Then, they handled the potato and passed the potato carefully for 2 minutes.

Group 3 washed their hands with warm water and soap.  Then, they handled the potato and passed the potato carefully for 2 minutes.

Group 4 washed their hands with cold water and soap.  Then, they handled the potato and passed the potato carefully for 2 minutes.

We set aside a control potato.  This potato was not handled at all.  

We will continue to monitor our potatoes and keep track of changes that occur over the next 30 days.

1S Winter Party

We had a wonderful Winter Party!  Thank you to Chloe's mom and all of her helpers!  It was so great!  Click here to see some highlights!

Native American Unit

We had a wonderful time learning about 5 different Native American regions in First Grade!

Along with learning about the homes, the students learned about the food, clothing, artwork, and customs of each region.  The students culminated with a presentation of their home project. 

It was a truly a highlight of our year so far!