February? Already?

Greetings everyone,
February is here and here's what we're up to...

1.  Dr. Sullivan and Dr. Obery, local area teeth specialists, came to visit our first grade! 
     We talked about healthy foods and healthy hygiene habits.

2.  Quick response--Paper Towel Tube Request has been filled.

3.  Red Claws Game--March 11--Get your tickets ASAP

4.  Learning to read NON-FICTION. 
     -  Get ready to read NF, just like getting ready to read Fiction (title, blurb, picture walk)
     -  Warming up our brains before reading NF. 
                        Ask--What do I already know? (Keep it in mind...)
                        Then Ask--What more do I know now?  

5.  Learning to write ALL ABOUT Books
     -  Choose a topic that 1) you know a lot about   2) you have experience with
     -  Think about your audience and why you are writing
     -  Organize their topics into sections/categories/chapters (Table of Contents)
     -  Develop your facts in each section 

In Need...

Hello All,

1.  We are in need of paper towel tubes.  So, please check your recycling and send them in.  We'll use them to house our math scrolls.

2.  We are going to keep our collection for the animal shelter going.  We thought it might be nice to extend the donation invitation to other classrooms throughout the school.  We're working on a way to let them all know... (and, yes, I accidentally put the wrong date on the list of items...oops.)  We'll keep going, until further notice (mid February?).

That's all for now.
Thanks.

A New Month

Here's what we've been up to...

READING---our new unit is, what I'm calling, "Reading on Stage." 
(Getting to know the characters in your books, like an actor would know his character.)
We've talked about--and practiced--
--reading our books like they are lines in a play.  (read & reread using our storytelling voices).
--readers change their voices when they are characters and narrators.
--readers think about what's happening to the character and how they feel and match their voices to the story.
--readers zoom-in on tag words like yelled, shouted, said, whispered.

WRITING---our new unit is writing persuasive letters, so watch out!
(Warning:  Letters could be coming your way.  I heard lots of complaints about beds this morning  :))
We've talked about--and are beginning to practice--
--collecting IDEAS for letters we want to write. 
   Things in our world (big and small) that we want to change or make better.
--WHO our audience is...who would else would care, who could help?
--REHEARSE the letter before we write...think how to word it.

That's the quick version.
This next week/or two I will be completing universal screening.  That means administering the DRA and DIBELS, and looking at your child's progress. 

BIGtime Slacker!

Yup, that's me.  We've done so many cool things and I have not shared any photos.  But I am currently procrastinating planning for the week and choosing to catch up with you instead.

1.  Vermicomposting!  The Williams-Cone Wigglers (as we fondly named them) have been moved to Mrs. Kish's Second Grade Class, but not without a fond farewell.  We took them out, played with them, noticed their babies, dropped water near them and wrote about them.  Too cool, really.

Are they IN there?

Let me take a closer look.

I noticed their bodies have segments.

2.  Old Fort Western
Oh, my, you are going to be reading forEVER.  But this sure beats a black and white photo copied newsletter cluttering up your kitchen counter, right?  We visited the textile room, the kitchen and the wood station.

The bus ride TO Old Fort Western!  "This is the best field trip ever!"

Holding the log while 2 others have their turn with the saw! 

Ready to take the wood we split to the Kitchen!

The GANG!

They have ARRIVED!

The new leveled texts that I ordered have arrived.

First...I'm not sure how to flip the photo, but you get the idea.  It's a new stack of 40 leveled books!  We'll add this to our other smaller order that arrived last week, for our classroom library.  The class will have these, more current texts to shop and read from in their book boxes.  Woo Hoo!

Second...If you have a first, you're supposed to have a second, right?  So...thank you for visiting and discussing your children at conference time.  I always love the time to check-in, share their work and our classroom. 

What would YOUR answer be?

Ask your child...How do you get to know the characters in your book better?  
     In reading workshop we've been talking-just that!  See if your child says any of this...
          1.  Look for their facial expressions and gestures and ask,
               what is the character thinking or feeling?
          2.  Make connections (between your life and character's life) to the character as you read.
          3.  Notice the character's actions and ask, What kind of person DOES these things?
          4.  Notice how your character changes throughout the story.

Ask your child...What are the parts of a realistic fiction story?  (we are learning this one together)

     In writing workshop we've been talking-just that!  See if your child says any of this...
          1.  Create a character (can even be just like me).
          2.  Choose a setting and think what problem could happen there?
          3.  How is the problem solved?
        
We've also been talking about cool beginning to stories.  When you read at home, see if you notice     how the author hooks you to read.
Ask your child...Have you tried any cool beginnings in your stories at school?
          1.  Weather reference
          2.  Talk
          3.  Action
          4.  Sound

Have I told you, this class is awesome at returning their reading books every night?  EVERYONE!
Thanks for making reading important and part of your routine.

WCS Craft Fair THIS Saturday

Come volunteer or shop or stop by for lunch and baked goods.
Have you started your holiday shopping???
The WCS Craft Fair is this Saturday from 9-3.

We were even in the newspaper.  Notice, I'm a little biased in sharing this little Times Record link.

The Times Record!

Okay, really, if you can volunteer please email leslie@beattiechicks.com