Save the Rainforests!

Our class was excited to raise $50.00 to preserve and protect an acre of rainforest in the El Pangan Nature Reserve in Colombia, South America. We participated along with many other students around the world through the organization Earth's Birthday Project. Each year a different location is chosen. As you may know, tropical rainforests are in danger throughout the world. Rainforests once covered 14% of Earth's land surface; now they cover a mere 6% and experts estimate that the last remaining rainforests could be consumed in less than 40 years. People are trying to save what's left before it's too late. Our class was proud to do what we could to help. Here is the certificate we received:

Happy Summer!

This has been one of the best and most enjoyable classes I've had the pleasure of teaching!  Have a wonderful summer, stay safe, and read, read, read!  Come back to visit next year!

Survival Attendance Rally

Earlier this year, our school had a "Survivor" themed attendance rally.  Our class was one of the top 3 first grade classes with attendance, so those teachers had to compete against each other for 1st place.  They had to see who could eat a "bug" the fastest.  Mrs. Nelson won!  Then Mrs. Nelson had to go up against the K and 2nd grade winners (Mrs. Howe and Mr. Evans) for the top trophy.  They had to see who could eat a "fish" the fastest.  Of course, Mr Evans won, but we were happy to be the 1st grade winner!  We got to display the tikki torch outside our classroom! Below are photos of Mrs. Nelson eating the "bug" and the "fish" and displaying our tikki torch trophy!

Sharing Writing

The students have learned to go through the writing process this year.  Here are some of them sharing their writing with classmates to see if they need to make any changes.

Flower/Gift Card Basket

Thank you to my class and their families for the lovely flower basket with gift cards!  The children certainly did a great job of keeping it secret!  Your thoughtfulness meant so much!  I enjoyed reading the decorated flowers with notes that the children made, and I will certainly look forward to using the gift cards to Outback, Home Depot, McDonald's, Cracker Barrel, and Wal-Mart!  Thank you to Pierce's mom, Heather, for coming up with the idea and putting everything together!  Here's a photo of Pierce, Mrs. Martin, and the gift basket.

Christmas Party Photos

How could Mrs. Nelson have forgotten to post the Christmas party photos?  Oh well, better late than never...!  The class had a great time with brunch and then activity stations.  The stations were: Christmas Jingo, cookie decorating, reindeer headbands, and Christmas necklaces.  Thanks to all of the family helpers that we had.  We couldn't have done it without you!

Snake Program

Earlier in the year, we had a great program called "Snakes Alive!" which came to our school from the Smithgall Woods Regional Education Center in Helen, GA.  We learned A LOT about snakes!

High School Helpers

We had two terrific high school helpers this year named Alex and Karli.  The children loved having them come help in the room, on the playground, and at lunch.  Here they are:

End-of-Year Celebration

We had lots of fun at our final celebration!  We ate ice cream sundaes with brownies and did the Limbo.  Thank you to the following parents for helping: Catie's mom, Ashlyn's mom, Gracie's mom, Blake's dad, Kaveri's dad, and Raina's family!  Here are some Limbo photos:

"Fun in the Sun" Program

The first graders had a program for their parents entitled "Fun in the Sun."  The program included hula, beach ball, lumni stick, surfing, and ribbon dances, as well as the song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."  Each class danced the Conga out of the gym with their teacher at the head of the line.  I only have a few photos, so if any other parents have some they could email me at knelson@banks.k12.ga.us, I'd love to add those. One of the photos shows our class practicing in the room ahead of time.

Artwork Displayed at Banks County Public Library

Congratulations to Kaveri and Becca for having their artwork chosen to be displayed at our public library for the month of April.  Here they are with their certificates.

More Field Day Photos from Gracie's Mom

Here are some more terrific photos taken by Gracie's mom!

1st Grade Field Day

We sure did have fun on Field Day and looked cool in our Nelson's Knockouts t-shirts!  Thank you to the great support we had from family members!

Static Electricity Experiment

After the CRCT was over, we were ready to have some fun!  Pierce's mom came back to do 2 more science experiments with the class.  The first one was on static electricity.  The students rubbed balloons on their hair, and then tried to get soda cans to move.  Here are some pictures.

Mentos Diet Coke Geyser

What do you get when you mix Mentos candy with Diet Coke?  A Diet Coke geyser!  Here are pictures from the experiment that Pierce's mom did with the class.  The 2nd time, Mrs. Nelson tried it and barely escaped from getting soaked.  Too bad there's not a photo of Mrs. Nelson running...!