October 19

Book Fair
The book fair is open to the kids, at some point, each day. This Thursday it is open until 7pm. If you send money, it is helpful if you specify what you expect to be purchased. Please note that there are computer games, erasers, bookmarks and posters available. If you'd rather your child just purchase books, please just note "books only" on their money envelope. Thank you.

Basket
Please remember to look for planes, trains and automobiles as you are out and about. Our basket is in need to a few items. Okay, more than a few, but it does have ONE airplane. :)

We have been...
-working our way through each letter formation for lowercase letters (c, o, a, d, g...so far).
-beginning our Small Moments book in writing.
-working with a writing partner. Who is your child's partner-how do they help each other?
-starting to bring home reading books. Please send back to school each day.
-playing the "I have, Who has" game to practice sight words.
-making little words out of the big word p-l-a-n-t
-becoming very fast at our letters and sounds
-identifying and reading blends. Ask your child what a blend is...(cl, bl, cr,, dr, sw, sl, sk, sm...)
-reading books by Vera Williams (author of A Chair for My Mother)
-using the number line and number grid as tools to solve problems (can be tricky to count hops)
-combining pennies and nickels.
-playing a game called before and after. Deal 6 cards, then 2 face up in middle. You can place a card on the face up cards if they come before or after. (Use a set a playing cards, ace through 10)
-visiting the motor lab on Fridays to have fun and work our muscles.
-working at being active, engaged listeners.
-beginning to see, though rarely, the focus benefits of a quiet classroom.
-hearing the teacher say, "down on your beautiful bottoms, cross your lovely legs and focus your magnificent mind."

Book Bags & Baskets

BOOK BAG
Tonight you will find an addition to your nightly homework.
Your child has a plastic zip-lock bag with a book log, a reading group book and a book of interest. Please listen to your child read the reading group book. This is a familiar story, as we have read it together. The book of interest is up to you. Read it if you want...or not. We can only do so much. I understand. Please record the books you are reading with your child in the book log.

Return the book bag each and every day, please!

Thank you and happy reading (and listening)

BASKET
Our class is compiling a basket (as a fund raiser) to be raffled off at the WCS Pasta Dinner.
The basket theme is Planes, Trains and Automobiles. I'm thinking this screams "boy basket." Any donations are greatly appreciated.

Writing Celebration!

This week we had an Author's Tea (really lemonade).
Students took turns sharing the story they took time to "fancy up."
I am so proud of their growing ability to choose a topic and tell their story.
They are writing longer and across the pages of a booklet. Some are even adopting a technique we noticed in Kevin Henkes' books, the repeat..."they came back and back and back." :) Exciting.
Then they took that story home. You probably saw it.
Well, JH's family took his story one step further. Please view.
This is amazing. (click on "This is amazing")

Also, thanks for taking time to preview our first grade curriculum this evening.
Any feedback is welcome.

Daffodils

On Friday we planted daffodils in the playground garden with Amy. Everyone dug a hole, put a handful of mini-bulbs, covered them and wished them goodnight for the winter. Now all we can do is WAIT...

Reminder:
Wednesday Evening is Curriculum Night for 1st grade parents. 6:30-7:30 in room 7.
Friday and Monday are NO SCHOOL days, due to a Staff Development Day & Columbus Day.

Exciting:
-I think the class is settling into the routine of completing some "paper" stations each week.
-We have chosen a story to "fancy up" and share with the class. Ask your child what his story is about and what it means to "fancy up." :) Author's Tea...Monday.

AND...if you have yet to see your child's photo on the blog, please let me know. :)

I've Died and Gone to Ice Cream Heaven

OK, so, really, I heard someone say that yesterday!

Thanks to EJB's family and JH's family for making the ice cream happen!