First Grade Neighborhoods

First graders collaborated on a neighborhood project. After brainstorming a list of several items we might find in a neighborhood, each table section worked together to create a neighborhood within a city using pencils, crayons, colored pencils and permanent markers on 12" x 18" paper. Each paper within a table section (four papers together) is connected to the next with streets, so access can be gained to every home within the neighborhood.

Homes were made from origami paper squares. The step by step directions can be found in a previous post. Students added details to their homes such as windows, doors, and shingles and then glued to their 12" x18" paper.

After their neighborhoods were complete, table sections collaborated on a sign that would display the name of their neighborhood for all to see.

First Grade City Complete

We combined our neighborhoods and connected our streets to make one giant city on display in the first grade reading nook. When you are at the school, make sure you stop by for a visit at the Holloway Schulte Brockmueller Bahrenfuss City! See our process and creating at my previous blog post HERE.

First Grade Origami Neighborhoods

After working on their collaborative three dimensional neighborhoods made from milk cartons and scrap papers, first graders are now creating their own individual neighborhoods to take home using origami houses.

To make origami houses, fold an origami square paper in half to make a small card or book. Make sure to crease the fold really well using fingernails and applying pressure to the fold line.

Fold paper in half again to make a smaller card or book. Open fold to previous step. You will now have a rectangle with a vertical fold line in the middle.

Next, fold left and right ends of paper to middle fold line made in previous step. Make sure that the ends DO NOT overlap, but instead lay side by side in the middle.

Place index finger inside side flap to open flap.

Place pincher fingers inside the crease (at top of paper on left flap) and pull the corner down until flap opens and corner touches the middle line of flap on left side. Flatten to make the triangle shape for peak of roof.

Repeat with right side.

Add extras to the house both on the inside and outside, such as windows, doors, shingles, bricks, rocks, plants, etc. using pencil and colored pencils.

Students will glue their origami houses to a large 12 inch x 18 inch sheet of drawing paper and add additional details such as streets, sidewalks, mailboxes, etc.

1st Grade Neighborhoods

First graders are collaborating on a neighborhood project. After brainstorming a list of several items we might find in a neighborhood, each table section worked together to create a neighborhood within a city using milk cartons, cardboard, paint, and scrap paper. Each neighborhood is connected to the next with streets, so access can be gained to every neighborhood.