Rainforest Shuffle

On Monday, Mr. Bill Haley from the Tennessee Aquarium visited our school. He presented the Rain Forest Shuffle. With help from students, Mr. Haley taught us about the layers and animals of the rain forest. It was a great show! Check out our photos!

Got Energy?

On Friday, 8th grade students from Mrs. Parrish's class at LaFayette Middle School visited our classroom. We were delighted to welcome Tori Hunter and Emily Purcell. These two students taught us about kinetic and potential energy. We were active participants! We bounced small rubber balls to experience kinetic energy. Students visited three stations for more hands-on learning. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. So any object in motion is showing kinetic energy! Potential energy is energy that is stored, such as stopping a bouncing ball or a car at a stoplight. Students definitely enjoyed the presentation! Thank you ladies for a job well done!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all our Moms!

We love you all!

To My Mother

For all the times you gently picked me up,
When I fell down,
For all the times you tied my shoes
And tucked me into bed,
Or needed something
But put me first instead.
For everything we shared,
The dreams, the laughter,
And the tears,
I love you with a "Special Love"
That deepens every year.

Author Unknown

My Mommy & My son, Alex

Graphics BY

Mime Man!

Hey everyone, just one more picture to share. I'll let you in on a little secret; I am sort of freaked out by clowns and mimes. I'm not sure why. I've just never liked them. Anyway, in an effort to face something that scares me, the other first grade teachers and I had our picture made with Jerry Bowman. So, I guess I'm not afraid anymore! What a relief! Now if I could just not be afraid of spiders and snakes!

AR Congrats!

Congratulations!

Congratulations to these new point club members!

Isaiah Harris
100 Point Club

Hope Moore
50 Point Club

Trystan Smith
75 Point Club

More to come...

Mime show was a big hit!

Today, we got to see the mime, Jerry Bowman. This event was a special treat from Mr. Hayes and Mr. Harris for doing our best on the CRCT exam in April. Mr. Bowman was awesome. He taught us a new vocabulary word, PANTOMIME, which means to act out using motions and facial expressions but without using your voice. It was way cool! He taught us how to pantomime climbing a wall, looking out around a corner, and to pull something really heavy using rope. The students thoroughly enjoyed getting to be active participants. Be sure to check out our photos! I took a couple of video clips also. I'll post those soon!

Until next time,

Mrs. Richardson

Snakes of Georgia

Yesterday, Gilbert welcomed the snake man, Terry Manis, and his reptile friends! Mr. Manis introduced us to different species of snakes that are native to Georgia. Most of them, we learned are very helpful to humans by eating rodents, toads, frogs, and other pests. He told us what to watch for to stay safe. So if you see a snake, leave him be. That is the safest thing to do. Check out our photos.

Wow! What fun!

We had so much fun on our field trip to the TN Aquarium. Even the rain and storms didn't dampen our spirits or enthusiasm! We enjoyed our time together with our friends and family as we learned more about and observed first hand the aquarium's many animals.

In the ocean journey building, my class got to see the lady in charge of the penguins from Penguin Rock. She told us a lot about penguins. We learned the TN Aquarium has two types of cold water penguins, Gentoo and Macaroni. We all agreed the Macaroni penguins were the coolest looking because of their yellow and black plumes on top of their heads. Very cool! We watched as the penguins were being fed. They ate small fish and krill. We learned the bands on their flippers are for identification. The penguins really put on a show for us. They dove off the rocks, swam really fast, and even came up to the windows as if to say hello!

Please stayed tuned for more about our aquarium adventure in the students own words! For now, I hope you enjoy the photos!

Field Trip Reminders

We're hitting the road!

Our first grade field trip is scheduled for Friday, May 1st. We're headed to the Tennessee Aquarium! Students and teachers alike are looking forward to this exciting trip!



Friday will be a busy day for us. The Pastries for Parents (Dads) is also scheduled for this day. It will be from 8-9 a.m. If you plan on attending this event. My advice is to be here early - a little before 8:00 a.m. So that you will be able to get through the cafeteria and return to the room by 8:30.

Our buses are not scheduled to leave Gilbert until around 9:15. You may drive up and meet us at the Aquarium or you may meet us at school and follow the bus. Most parking around the Aquarium is paid parking. Be sure to bring a few dollars to cover the parking fees.

Students will NOT be allowed to visit the gift shop at the Aquarium. Our schedule simply does not allow time for it. However if you are going with your child, you may check them out to allow him/her to ride home with you. You may return to the gift shop if you wish.

What do I need to bring?
You will NOT need your book bag on Friday. You may leave it at home.

Please remember to bring your lunch if you signed up to do so. It must be in a paper bag to make traveling easier for us. No canned drinks. Juice boxes only. The following students signed up to bring their lunches: Chris, Alexis, Kai, Camden, Eli, Jarrod, and Trystan.

What should I wear?
Please wear denim (blue jean) shorts or pants. Your shirt won't matter as you will change into your first grade shirt when you arrive at school. Our shirts are light blue and adorable!

TENNIS shoes are a MUST. We'll be doing lots of walking!

More AR Newbies!

Congratulations to Kai and Tyler!
Both are now in the 100 Point Club!