Open House

OPEN HOUSE
Monday, September 14th!
5:30 Meet the Principal (see photo to the right)
6:00 Visit Classrooms
6:30 Ice Cream Social (on the playground)

MARK YOUR CALENDAR
First Grade Curriculum Night will be Wednesday, Oct. 7
6:30-7:30

Pajamas and Ice Cream

Catchy title, huh?
Well, we are well on our way to a whole class reward. It was a tie between Pajama Day and Ice Cream (their ideas). So, what is a teacher to do? Combine them, right? I'll let you know when this happens.

The mailbox was full today. Paper overload.
1. A personal info page (please update and return)
2. District-wide internet permission slip (I appreciate you doing a quick consent prior)
3. Book Order (due Friday, September 18) Please make one check made payable to SCHOLASTIC.

One last thing.
I told the kids I'd let you know...I said it was okay to search the milkweed for monarch caterpillars...and bring them in if they find any. Thanks. I know how sometimes messages acan get lost in the translation.

AND...my camera battery is charged. Watch out!

Meet Mrs. Anderson

Today, we...
- met Mrs. Anderson, our new literacy teacher leader.
She read us a book about the best place to read. (my camera battery died)
- played "top-it" in math. We always called it "war."
- used our slates (dry erase boards) to show the number before/after.
- went to computer lab (1/2 class at a time with Mrs. Stack).
- continued to work on our ABC book.
- practicing handwriting letter c and number 2.
- are working so well with our partners. Staying focused, playing fair, etc.

Reminder, please send coins by Friday.

A Week In Review

This week we have been...
-making a little version of The Bus Ride book.
- interviewing 2 friends and writing about them.
- reviewing letter names and sounds.
- having sentences make sense, when you get to a word you don't know.
- playing tug-of-war with a swimming noodle in PE.
- trying out our new gross motor lab classroom.
- started an ABC book.
- learned to play Monster Squeeze and The Bunny Hop (math games). (in photos)

Please send the following coins to school with your child by Friday, Sept. 11. We will be using them with our new Everyday Math curriculum.
- 10 pennies
- 5 nickels
- 10 dimes
- 2 quarters

Mark your calendars!
Monday, September 14. (5:30-7) Meet Mr. C./Open House/Ice Cream Social

"Creatures Came to Life!"

Here's what the students said about today...
IG said, "We made a book about ME." (really, everyone made a page about her)
HA said, "We used pennies and dice for math."
WH said, "We used pattern block templates to draw our shapes." (a stencil tool)
JH said, "We read a story where the creatures came to life." (Mrs. Smith's Incredible Storybook)

I say...
-we practiced thinking about meaning while they read (in a whole group activity)
-we are earning glass globs for positive behavior. The reward will soon be determined.
-we are practicing stopping & listening for directions when they hear a signal (ding, clap, etc)
-we were superb partners while playing the penny-dice game!

The FIRST day of FIRST grade

What did your child say they did at school today?
Did they mention...
-reading The Dot or The Bus Ride?
-working at reading stations with a friend?
-leading some playground presentations about what to do, and what not to do on equipment? (see photo)
-having Library?
-learning Oliver Twist rhyme? Simon Says?
-chilling out to music after lunch recess?
-starting some math calendar routines?

Those are just a few of our adventures on our first day together.
We will continue to talk about how to best work together and make a happy space where all can feel safe to try and learn.

Welcome Class of 2009-2010!

Thanks for visiting our classroom blog.
Please feel free to poke around and see last year's action.
Also, feel free to share the site address with relatives.
I know grandparents like to know what's happening in school too.
Check it often for updates about what happens in the classroom.
We welcome comments and I'll read them to the class.

I look forward to meeting everyone and getting started!

Sincerely,
Dana Greenleaf