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