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Back to School Already?

Home » Back to School Already?
1st Grade Measuring Stick

Back to School Already?

Today I am going to share with you some of my first-grade first-day activities that we do with The First Grade Measuring Stick. I hope you love it as much as my kiddos’ parents and I do!

I cannot believe the first day of school is only a day away. The summers just keep getting shorter.

Our first day of school is all about Open House… which is held in May.

Wait………………WHAT?!

Yeah, truly – it is all about Open House. We spend the day doing things we will be doing again in May… and I LOVE it.

It all leads to our “Sea How I’ve Grown” keepsake.

I start putting together this keepsake on the very first day of school. The first thing I do is take my kiddos’ pictures. I will take a picture in the same place, the same way at the end of the year, too. Here’s an example:

student photos from beginning and end of school year

These photos are great indicators as to how much they have actually PHYSICALLY grown. 1st grade is an amazing time of change! I also add in their entry and exiting reading level on this sheet. It serves as the cover for their work that is stapled behind each photo.

They do the exact same assignments on the few days of school, and then again in May. Stapled beside each other, they offer a side-by-side comparison exhibition of a year’s growth.

SELF PORTRAITS

self portrait student drawn

This is the VERY first first-grade first-day activity that we do.

This kiddo did pretty good in August. most tend to draw stick figures or bodies without clothing. Not only do they grow physically and academically, but creatively as well!

NEATEST PRINTING & WRITING PROMPT

Behind those pages, I add their “Neatest Printing” and writing prompt.

student writing samples from august and may

The pages in The First Grade Measuring Stick have been updated since these photos were taken, but the concept remains the same. Copy some pre-written text (that includes all of the letters of the alphabet) in your neatest possible handwriting. This is always a huge hit. The growth is amazing.

Usually, the thing that I am most over the moon about, though, is their writing prompt. About 95% of the class writes a sentence maybe two in August. It’s a tough first-grade first-day activity for sure! Many just a word or two. But in May?! Oh my goodness it’s incredible. That same 95% usually write a two-page story with adjectives, direction, and creativity in May! We do a lot of writing in our classroom. I am always impressed with their growth.

WORDS & NUMBERS I KNOW

Also included are the Words and Numbers I Know pages!

The kiddos write as many words as they can think of on the Words I Know page. It’s 2-sided. Usually, a line or two is completed in August and both sides are completed in May.

Often, the kids can complete most of the numbers on the 120 Chart when they enter, but with a few mistakes. By the end, they whiz through it AND complete the skip-counting portion on the back!

student work from august and may

Additionally, there is a math assessment that I include. It covers all of the 1st grade standards. For the most part, the kiddos leave it blank in August. A few of the kiddos attempt to answer some of the questions, but skip most. I tell them that it is completely ok to skip any of the questions because they haven’t been taught it yet.

In May, however, I tell them that these pages encompass everything they have learned so it is time to really show off how much schema is in those fabulous brains of theirs! They never disappoint and always do a fantastic job on all of the pages. I usually encourage it by showing an example or two of how little they did when they first arrived (no names, of course) so they know how well they can demonstrate their knowledge.

“SEA HOW I’VE GROWN” FOLDER

The kids color the cover sheet for their “SEA How I’ve Grown” folder. Our open house theme is oceans so this folder works perfectly displayed on their desks. I fold a piece of blue construction paper. Glue their cover sheet to the front. Staple the pages in the same order on the inside (August on the left, and May on the right.)

student sea how I've grown cover

I only have to save this one set of work in their folder for this end of the year powerful growth exhibit. It’s easy and makes evident all of the tremendous growth. It is also an amazing testimony that all children do indeed grow. Even the folder for my most challenged, struggling students shows incredible growth. It’s amazing to see how far we’ve come since those first-grade first-day activities.

When the parents flip through those pages and compare where their child was to where their child wound up they get the full appreciation for what we know as teachers to be the phenomenal grade level that is first grade.

The photos above are from before The First Grade Measuring Stick’s update. Here is what the resource now includes:

Samples of papers from Sea How I've Grown

The First Grade Measuring stick includes detailed instructions and a description of how I implement it in my room.  These first-grade first-day activities also make easing back into school a little easier, too! The assessments are quick and provide a whole lot of starting data.

I just love having such clear and demonstrative data about my students’ growth throughout the year. When you pull out the beginning of the year samples and lay them beside the end of year samples, it is such an uplifting moment.

You can grab 1st Grade Measuring Stick in my store.

I’m excited to meet my 30 new little peeps tomorrow – but I sure would have loved just one more week of no schedule and no alarm. Morning is going to come WAY too soon.

Have a great Monday, peeps!

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8 Comments

Leave your reply.
  • Kristin
    · Reply

    August 25, 2013 at 10:42 PM

    So cute!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love it!! I love the visual!
    Have a wonderful first day tomorrow!!!

  • MrsS
    · Reply

    August 26, 2013 at 12:23 AM

    30?!?! Gulp…that's so many!
    Have a great first day!
    -Andrea
    [email protected]

  • Rebecca
    · Reply

    August 26, 2013 at 12:33 AM

    Thanks so much for the "measuring stick"! I have been looking for something along those lines!

  • Lori Faas
    · Reply

    August 26, 2013 at 12:34 AM

    Traci! You are SO generous! I do have to tell you that whenever I think about complaining about my class size, I think of you. I have 23 and I can't wrap my head around that so your 30 makes you Wonder Woman in my eyes. Good luck this year and I am excited about the Measuring stick activities!
    Lori @
    Bee the Change
    Mrs. Faas’ First Grade

  • Stephanie Livers
    · Reply

    August 26, 2013 at 12:55 AM

    Thank you, Thank you for the FB freebie!! Love your blog!

  • Josie Flores
    · Reply

    August 26, 2013 at 1:47 AM

    Thank you SO much for the measuring stick freebie!! Have a great school year!

  • Huskergirl
    · Reply

    August 27, 2013 at 1:28 AM

    I love your keepsake idea. Am I too late for the FB freebie? I didn't see it listed on the Fan Exclusive page.

    • [email protected]
      · Reply

      August 27, 2013 at 1:42 AM

      Thanks. Yes, the flash freebie is over. The pack is available for $2 in my stores, though.

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I’m passionate about helping teachers find their joy, develop efficiency and ignite their own teaching strengths. I’m so happy you’re here!

 

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Hi! I’m Traci and I’m super glad you’re here. I’m passionate about sharing all the *wisdom* gained over my many years of teaching. I love helping teachers find their joy, develop efficiency and ignite their own teaching strengths. I believe simplicity and fun coupled with effective strategies and engaging and focused lessons are the key to it all. Also… laughter can carry you through just about all things.

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