And the Academy Awards for "Best Pirates" Goes To...

Our class has been completely consumed with PIRATES.  We've read many read alouds, completed Character Maps, a Pros and Cons List, planned, and wrote a class book.

This week I heard so many comments about how much fun this was and how they LOVED writing.  I was able to take a moment to reflect and realized these are the experiences kiddos need.  To work together, plan, listen to other ideas, and create.  Of course I still taught my mini-lessons before we wrote but they also learned SO much from each other.

Here's the class story the students planned and illustrated.  Click on the picture to enlarge

For the last two days students have also been finding pirate items in our classroom.  Oh my!!  This was to get them excited for our treasure hunt.  We complete map work in first grade so this is such a FUN way to incorporate the compass rose and following directions.  Here are some items they found in our room.

Pirate map, coins, gems, and a parrot that really made noises

We had 4 maps to follow today.  One lead us to the office where we were SHOCKED...no, COMPLETELY STUNNED to learn that our principals are REAL pirates.  I feel they definitely win the Academy Award because every year they give 100%.  They had the pirate clothes (Mr. Cyr had two lovely gold earrings), pirate talk, and even the personality.  Some students didn't know how to react.

My class was able to overtake them (even though those pirates put up a good fight) and they got the treasure!  A huge thank you to Ms. Tuell and Mr. Cyr.  Your faces in these pics had me cracking up!

Today was also Winter Wellness Day.  What a fun packed day!!

We began the day with an assembly and healthy snack.  Students went on the bike path and put some food out for the animals.

In the afternoon we walked over to the YMCA where some physical activities had been planned.  Students did Boot Camp and used the parachute.

I tried to tire them out.  I hope your firstie came home exhausted from today!

Writing about Pirates, Map Reading, and Watching Out for PIRATES

The kids had a BLAST working with pirates.  They were eager to hear read alouds and write.

After reading pirate books we made a Pros and Cons Chart. The kids also wrote an opinion piece. They had to state if they wanted to be a pirate or not and give reasons.

I'm quite impressed with how well they have done with opinion writing this year.  The common core states students only have to give one reason to support their opinion but of course I ask for more!!

After learning about maps the kids went on a treasure hunt!! They were SO EXCITED for the end of the week to come.

When they came to class Friday, this was the first sign they saw...

Now would you have entered?  Of course ALL of them came charging in.  They found pencils, hats, eye patches, jewels, pencils, and treasure maps to read.

Throughout the day we went on 4 treasure hunts.  The kids had to read the maps and follow the directions.  They were quite GOOD, finding each treasure chest and not getting lost.

They also had to dress up like a pirate.  We wanted to fool any pirate we saw in school so they wouldn't think we were STEALING their treasure!

Here we are following the directions to one of our maps...it lead us right to our principal's office.

As, we walked in this is what we saw.  ShhHhhhh, can you believe it?  Our principal, Mr. Cyr, is actually a pirate.  I'm not sure how he manages both jobs but he definitely plays the role well each year.  He had the pirate talk down, was holding tightly onto the treasure, and even told jokes.  

His favorite..."What's a pirates favorite letter? RRrRRrrrr!" Some of the kiddos got it but I think some just laughed because he was acting SO FUNNY!

Here they are all dressed up!  I told them to look like pirates and these are the looks I got.  Pretty convincing, right?

Have a relaxing weekend!

ArrrRrrrr...Where's The Booty!

Ahoy, Matey!  As I've said the kids have been right into pirates.  It actually worked out quite well because we're also working on map skills.

Friday was the day of the BIG treasure hunt.  Clues had been left in my room all week and the kiddos had been looking for pirates.  Coins, gold, necklaces, and maps were found in my room.

The kids learned about the compass rose and how it's useful.  The kids had to follow the directions on the map to find their treasure.

Seems I have a similar picture of our assistant principal sleeping at school!! :o) 

ArrRrrr...PIRATES!!

After reading pirate stories this week we wrapped it up with completing some work on the Pros and Cons of being a pirate.

We worked FEVERISHLY on our pirate story today.  The kids completed the illustrations.  Throughout this process I continually heard kids saying how much they loved writing.  Or, "This is fun!"  This made my day especially since I find writing to be the most difficult subject for kids to enjoy.  All the writing and tiring hands!  This is so hard for me to believe because I have ALWAYS LOVED writing.

Here they are at work.  We'll be sharing our book, The Deadly Pirates, with other first grade classes.

Of course I wanted to do an illustration!!

We also completed pirate glyphs this afternoon.  I made a pirate ship and they added their pirates.  Enjoy the pics.

Some weren't done and still have to add finishing touches!