Catching up!

Greetings!

1.  If you have items for our Maine Basket, please send them in by Friday, October 26.

2.  The Pasta Dinner is Friday, November 16.  5:30-7:00  Mark your calendar!

3.  We have set a new reward!  The class has voted to have a TALENT show...of our own.  I'll let you know when...!

4.  Our last reward was VERY "fun."  We did a few experiments.  Did you hear about the dancing raisins?  The faux lava lamp?  or the color mixing? 

5.  In reading we have been...
     *  working on fluency
     (reading smooth like you talk, paying attention to fluency, reading with expression)
     *  choosing just-right books
     *  understanding what we read by...retelling (first, next, then, after that, finally)
     *  giving ourselves pop-quizes (who is in this part?  where are they?  what is happening?)
     *  reading long and strong...keeping our eyes in the book!

6.  In writing we have been...
     *  planning across the pages, sketching the story then writing the words.  (in that order)
     *  putting action, talk and feelings into our stories
     *  zooming into a specific part of our story.  Ask your child about the watermelon and seeds.
         The watermelon would be the story idea. (Beach) 
         The seeds would be the many story ideas from the beach.  (Boardwalk, water, sand-castles)
     *  being purposeful about how we start/end our stories.
          Stories can start with a sound, talk, or the weather.
          Stories can end with our feelings, or the last thing we said or did.

Accumulating a List

Here's a few things on my list of things to talk to you about...

1.  If you have not sent in a 4 x 6 photo of your child for their class frame, please do so.  And, feel free to update this photo as you get new ones.

2.  Our class is working towards a reward.  They have chosen a science experiment with a bonus recess. 

3.  Please have your child use pencil on their math homework.

4.  If your child is unable to tie their shoes, please consider this their "homework" until they have mastered it.

5.  Are you saving your BOX TOPS from various grocery items?  Clip them and send them in with your child.  The Williams-Cone School Library receives about $1,000 annually from Box Tops.

6.  Please look over the class address list.  If you see any corrections that need to be made, please let me know.  If you have not yet returned the form, just send me an email with the information you'd like included.  Thanks.

A Good Lookin' Bunch

The First Week (and then some)

In first grade, we have been...

• getting underway with reading workshop.  Lessons have included building our reading muscles, warming up before we read, getting organized to read, finding just right books, and what to do when readers stop thinking about their books.
• getting underway with writing workshop.  Lessons have included routines, what to do when  you don't know how to draw a _______, being a writer of TRUE stories about our lives (think what you did, play the movie in your mind, tell it as you touch the pages, sketch, then write the words to match)
• learning the routines and expectations of first grade...when to talk and when not to talk...:)
• interviewing our friends and writing about them
• dancing around the room for motor breaks
• reading a ton of good books, like...Dex, Chrysanthemum, Chester's Way, Charlie the Caterpillar, Have You Filled a Bucket Today?, and Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon.
• learning new math games (or old familiar ones) like number squeeze, top it, bunny hop and penny dice game.
• learning how tallies come in groups of 5. Practice writing and reading them.
• thinking about how to write (formation) letters (t, b, f, m, n, c, a) and numbers.

I realize homework expectation may have changed since kindergarten.  Here's the scoop!  Books that go home, come back the next day, so we can use them during our reading workshop (even if you have not read all of them).  These books are the ones we are reading, rereading, retelling and feeling so proud to read.

We are off to a great start!  Will post again soon.  Thanks.

Before we begin

Just a few things before we get together on Tuesday...

1.  Breakfast will be served the first day (and every day) if you need it.  Breakfast is $1 and includes cereal, milk, crackers and a juice.

2.  Lunch for the first day is
     -hamburger, cheeseburger or chicken and bean nachos
A menu is in your child's mailbox (or online) for after the first day.

3.  Book orders are also in your child's mailbox.  You have an option to either order traditionally, or order online (something new for me).  The link
For ordering online is...https://orders.scholastic.com/H6277

Thank you
If you have any questions, please email me.
I look forward to meeting our new class on Tuesday.

Greetings First Grade Families!

August 2012
Dear Families,

SUMMER-I hope you are enjoying your summer.  My family and I have been busy camping, playing at the beach, reading, trying to grow a garden, working around the house and visiting with friends and family.

SUPPLIES- I am getting excited about the start of school and wanted to let you know I will purchase the supplies your child will need to begin the year.  Please send a check for $10 made out to Williams-Cone School on the first day of school.
If your child is excited about going shopping for school supplies, please consider setting up a workspace at home with special pencils, crayons, a tub to keep home letters and library books.

TIME & LOCATION-The first day of school is Tuesday, September 4.  School runs from 8:55-3:15.  Every Wednesday, school runs from 9:55-3:15.  Our classroom is #4.  We are located directly across the hall from Ms. Dutton’s Kindergarten class.

LUNCH-Hot lunch (includes a milk) is $2.35.  Milk is $.50.  Please place lunch money in an envelope marked with your child’s name and teacher.  It also helps me if the envelope says…”lunch money.”

SNACK-Each morning we will take time to refuel with a snack.  Please be sure to send a healthy snack to school each day.

    Items to have on the first day:
    ____    a healthy snack
    ____    a check for $10.00 made out to Williams-Cone School
    ____    the first grade bus information sheet
    ____    a 4 x 6 photo of you (to leave in the classroom)

    Extra items we can always use (send any day):
    ____    Ziploc bags (any size)
    ____    tissues
    ____    pencils  (Ticonderoga pencils sharpen/last the best)
    ____    snack to share  (for times when kids/families forget)
        for example:  granola bars, crackers, fruit cups, pretzels, animal crackers, etc.

Enjoy the rest of your summer.  Please send me an email before school starts to share anything that would be helpful for me to know to start the year.

Sincerely,



Mrs. Dana Greenleaf           
greenleafd@link75.org

class website
http://sites.google.com/site/mrsgreenleafsclass/Home

class blog
http://greenleafclass.blogspot.com

April Vacation???

Greetings,

Here's what's been going on in First Grade!
1.  In writing we have launched a POETRY unit.  Some of our lessons have included...
     --looking at things in our world in a "fresh new way"
     --using our senses, imagination and mind when writing poems
     --experimenting with the music in poems...and where line breaks can go
   
2.  In reading we are talking more deeply about characters in our books and across series.
     --noticing what characters like and don't like
     --notice character's feelings and give evidence...evidence can be words and/or pictures
     --character problems and wants (and how they deal with problems...or get what they want)
     --what kind of person is the character?  (character traits...and explaining how you know)
     --noticing when your character changes across a book, or does something out of character.

3.  Next week at the Topsham Public Library...
     --Wednesday--April 18 @ 2:00 -- Chewonki presentation of Bugmobile (live bugs)
     --Friday--April 20 from 10-12 -- Big Truck Day.  (go see and climb into BIG trucks)

4.  Other Vacation Week Stuff...
     --Thursday--April 19--Rollerworld WCS night from 6-8pm
     --Friday, April 13--FREE MOVIE (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) in our gym  @ 6:00pm

Math Homework HELP!

I went searching for the parent letter to help my daughter with her fourth grade homework.
I couldn't find it at home, so I looked online.
Check out THIS website.
It has ALL the parent letters at just one (or two) clicks...for EVERY grade level.
Bookmark this one?

Children's Film Festival

Portland Children's Film Festival...coming soon!

"The first  Portland Children’s Film Festival will take place in Portland from March 29 – April 1. The festival will show independent and international films, as well as help local students  develop their film-making skills and meet artists in the industry.
Film screenings will be in 5 different venues: St. Lawrence Theater, the Nickelodeon, Zero Station, the Portland Museum of Art, and East End Community School.
Several workshops will be held on March 31 at the East End Community School."

Posted by Jeff Mateja on iloveportlandmaine.com on March 9, 2012

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Maine Outdoor Weekend!

Did you know this even existed?
Thought I'd share it!

http://greatmaineoutdoorweekend.org/

Spirit Week

1.  Monday is Mismatch Day!  (socks, shoes, patterns, earrings, etc)
     Tuesday is Red and White Day
     Wednesday is Crazy Hair or Hat Day
     Thursday is Favorite Idol Day (book character, athlete, celebrity--no masks please)
     Friday - Beach Day
     ***the class with the greatest percentage of participation will celebrate with a pizza party.***

2.  I haven't forgotten to send home the reading home log.  I just haven't done it, mostly because I was only getting a handful back.  I will just assume you are reading at least 15-30 minutes per night.  If you feel like having the form helps with the structure and accountability of reading, I would be happy to reinstate this practice or even send it home with just a few.  Send me an email or weigh in under comments...  Thanks.

3.  We have started our own box of non-fiction books in our classroom library.  WE are the authors!  

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.