Math Explorations

Today we explored MANY math materials.
Calculators
Dominoes
Pattern Blocks
Attribute Blocks
Rulers
Base 10 Blocks
Geoboards

We talked about using these tools to help discover something, perhaps an answer to a question...
Actually it's good to explore, so when we use these materials again, some of the newness is gone.

Nice To Meet You!

Thank you for taking time to check out our class. It's always great to meet families, see you interact with your children and see the joy they get from sharing their classroom.

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!