First+Grade


 * Me Books** - This projects allowed them to be use their artistic skills, writing skills, and technology skills to create their "Me Book". They first wrote about themselves, and created book covers that look like them. After editing their written work they used Microsoft office to type their work. They were introduced to opening, saving, editing, and printing a document.

**Dolch Words** - This project involved learning the Dolch vocabulary words for grades first through third, mastering using Microsoft office to create a document, open a document, and save a document, and writing and illustrating a story using the Dolch words. They were very eager to learn how to save, quit, and close windows by using key commands instead of the file menu. After typing each of the five Dolch word lists they were tested to see which words they needed to practice. Once they knew the words they needed to review, they create flash cards to use as a study tool. Once they finished the five Dolch word lists they began writing a story using these word. It was a pleasure watching each of them develop as writers this school year.

**Newspaper -** The first graders have enjoyed creating their own newspaper with their classroom teacher. While working on this project they were introduced to inserting text boxes into a document, and using cut and paste keyboard commands.

**Reading** - They enjoy stories being read by members of the Screen Actors Guild Foundation on storylineonline.net/. After listening to stories they wrote complete sentences about the main character, problem, setting, and solution. While listening to stories online they learned to use the back command on the browser, and how to adjust the volume.



**Social Studies - Mapping -** If you are a parent of a first grade student, you probably already know all about Google Earth, a virtual globe, map and geographic information program that can be downloaded for free. Words cannot express how excited the students were to visit the lab and participate in a Google Earth tour of landmarks around the World. The students were first introduced to the program and given time to explore. Then they took a customized tour, and planned their own vacation. Each location was viewed in 3D. In addition, pictures and facts about each place were shared. Students answered questions about each stop on the tour. They then were able to create their own vacation.