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Grade 1: Helping Feathered Friends

To kick off their unit on birds, the Grade 1 students got a special visit from their friend, the Graland Eagle! The Eagle stopped by each classroom to drop off a letter asking for the first graders' help in exploring a nearby habitat (Bluff Lake) and discovering what feathered friends might be in that community.
The very next day, a nature guide and expert from Bluff Lake came to see the students to prepare them for their upcoming field trip and mission from the Graland Eagle. According to Grade 1 teacher Mrs. Lisa Ross, this visit was a new element of the trip and one that made all the difference. "This is the first time that we have had a pre-visit before the field trip, and it really paid off," Mrs. Ross said. "The guides were able to introduce what the purpose of our trip was and to connect with the students about their expectations. Once we arrived at Bluff Lake, we were matched with the same guide, so the students already felt comfortable. We were able to get started right away with games and exploration due to the prep work." 

Throughout the field trip, the first graders learned about birds in Colorado, their habitats, and their challenges. According to Mrs. Ross, this adventure was just the beginning of a comprehensive unit filled with valuable learning experiences for the Grade 1 students. "After the trip to Bluff Lake, first graders track and tally birds that they find at Graland and in their neighborhoods. They develop and practice empathy by identifying a problem for birds on our campus and work together to solve the issue at hand. During our non-fiction writing unit, students will have the opportunity to complete a research project on the bird of their choice," Mrs. Ross said. 

Throughout the lessons, Mrs. Ross has enjoyed seeing how engaged and willing to take chances her students are. She also shared that the best part of the unit is still yet to come. "These lessons on birds give Grade 1 students autonomy and ownership. They finish this unit with pride in all of the work they have accomplished and an understanding that first graders can make a difference," Mrs. Ross said. Keep making your feathered friends proud, Grade 1 Eagles!
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Graland Country Day School

Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.