March News

Welcome spring!  We are so excited for the nicer weather to get outside and play!  Please note, our playground still has about 2-3 feet of packed snow.  As this melts, it is going to be very wet!  We will do our best to hang winter gear after recess so that it can start drying at school.  Rain boots are not a bad idea as the weather begins to warm. 

This spring we also welcome a Practicum Student from VCSU/NDSU.  Miss Erica Johnson is joining us for 40 hours in an introductory education course.  She is from Fargo and looks forward to teaching in a primary classroom upon graduation.  Miss Johnson is spending her 40 hours observing, helping with prep work, and reading with students.

We have been having so much fun exploring the new materials in our STEAM Bins.  The conversations and discussions are so fun to see.  We are thankful to Midco and Fargo Force for the funds to purchase new supplies this year!

Star Students

Jersie was our Star Student as we had a great time getting to know her more!  Jersie is really good at swimming, baking and coloring.  She especially loves to color with her gel pens which she showed the class during her show and tell.  What I love most about Jersie is her kindness towards others.  She always wants to make sure her friends are happy.

Mari was also a Star Student in our class!  Mari has ten cousins and enjoys spending time with them all.  Ms. Wills was extra excited when she heard that Mari wants to be a gym teacher when she grows up!  Mari would make a great teacher because she is kind, supportive and generous.  We also celebrated Mari's birthday during her special week!

A Peek at Our Week

Reading: We are learning about so many complex skills in reading and the students are wowing me with their understanding!  Last week we learned about synonyms.  Students had fun making synonym, cinnamon rolls!  This week we will explore compound words.  We will also learn about prepositions with some fun read alouds and projects. We will be reading Little Rabbit's Tale this week to learn more about cause and effect relationships.

Writing: It is publishing time in writer's workshop again!  Students will work to publish their latest personal narratives this week in writing.  Next we will move to writing research in writer's workshop, beginning with shared research and finishing with student led research on animals of their choice.

Math: The mathematicians are having so much fun practicing new math strategies to add numbers to 20.  Has your first grader sang our "Doubles Rap" for you yet?  I'll be sure to record the kiddos this week!  

Science: In science we just wrapped up learning about matter.  We made Oobleck and learned that it isn't technically a solid, liquid or a gas!  Oobleck is actually a Non Newtonian fluid which means that it can change from a solid to a liquid based on the pressure from outside sources.  It sure was messy but lots of fun!

Upcoming Reminders:

March 29: Washington School Carnival

April 12: VIP Breakfast

April 15: Summer School Registration Due

April 17: Camp T-Shirt Order Form Due (More information to come!)

April 18: Reading Medalist Forms DUE!!!

Looking Ahead: The Reading Medalist Program will be on Friday, May 17 at 1:15.  

February Fun!

It has been a busy few weeks in 1st grade with the 100th Day and Valentine's Day!  We even squeezed in a Raider Reward Celebration!  Ask your 1st grader if they have earned Raider Reward slips.  Students are working hard to be safe, respectful and responsible in our classroom and surrounding areas of the school.

Valentine's Day Breakfast

The 100th Day of School was a blast!  While students felt as though they weren't working on their learning, tons of practice was taking place!  The 100th Day allowed us great opportunity to practice the 4 C's: creativity, collaboration, critical thinking and communication.  In spite of a weather related delay, it was a wonderful celebration of learning!

Have you been busy reading for the Reading Medalist Program?  We are nearing the half-way point of the program and would like to see all students at a minimum of 25 books.  I have noticed that some students have not turned in any medalist forms.  If you have lost your packet or need help selecting books for your child to read, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.  We want to make sure that each student earns a medal at the ceremony in May.

Star Student

Gunnar was our Star Student a few weeks ago in 1st grade.  Gunnar also celebrated a birthday during his time as assistant teacher.  Gunnar's favorite color is camouflage and he is excellent at art.  When he grows up he wants to be an art teacher.  

A Peek at Our Week

Reading: Students are becoming more and more confident readers in 1st grade.  Now, more than ever, reading at home is essential.  This week in phonics, students will begin to learn about more complex vowel teams such as /ee/ and /ea/.  Through practice in our reading and in games, students will become more confident in these complex patterns.  Additionally, many of their spelling sorts will practice these skills.  

Writing: Students wrapped up opinion writing this week with a culminating project.  A copy of this project will be available during conferences.  We will dig back into narrative writing this week.  Students will practice zooming in on their topics and ordering their story parts using transition words.  

Science: In science students are learning about rocks and minerals.  We used cookies as a model to dissect minerals from a rock.  We will complete a rock investigation this week.  If you happen to have a rock visible outside, please send it to school with your child (I realize we have lots of snow on the ground!  :)).

Math: In math students will begin to explore numbers through place value.  This week we will work hard to understand the teen numbers using manipulatives.  In small group math students are working hard on differentiated activities to support their structuring of numbers.  Students will play games such as Make 5/10/20 and Tenzi during Math Workshop.

Upcoming Reminders:

February 22: Buckle Up Presentation

February 26, 27, 28, & March 4: Parent Teacher Conferences

February 28: Field Trip to Essentia Health

March 11-15: Spring Break

Celebrate Success!

We have been busy in 1st grade in the New Year!  The New Year provides a great opportunity to stop and reflect on our learning throughout the year.  Students participated in several winter assessments over the past couple of weeks.  The growth that I see is amazing for all students!  It is so fun to see the students shine! 

Our room is full of safe, respectful and responsible Raiders!  We have been working hard in 1st grade and have already recognized three Raiders of the Week.  Additionally, we had a blast at our Raider Reward Celebration.  Who doesn't love Ice Cream Sundaes on a freezing day!  Perhaps that was poor planning on my part!  Oh well, they still had fun!

On Friday a letter about the 100th Day of School came home with your child.  The 100th Day of School is extra exciting in 1st grade with lots of fun events and activities all focused around the number 100.  Each student should bring 100 of one item to school for our class trail mix.  Ideas include crackers, mini-cookies, candy, cereal, etc.  Be creative!  The students will all add 10 different items to their personal trail mix!  There are a few items I am looking for as well to make the event successful.  If you are able to donate an item, please return the bottom portion of the letter and I will notify you of the item requested.  

Reading Medalist began this month in 1st grade!  If you have an older child at Washington, you have experienced this fun and motivating event.  Please help your child read and record as many books as possible on the reading logs.  Once a log is full, have your child return it to school to get a prize.  Winter is a great time to read with the temperatures being frigid!  Remember, our goal is that all 1st graders read a minimum of 50 books.  The program runs for just over three months, so reading one book per day will meet this goal!

Star Student

We had our first Star Student of the New Year this past week.  Jackson not only served as my assistant but he also celebrated a 1/2 Birthday!  Jackson is always up for a sports conversation in class!  He has has shown himself to be a leader in the classroom.  

A Peek at Our Week

Reading: Students have been digging deeper into their knowledge of verbs.  This week we learned about verb tenses.  Students were also introduced to Magic e.  We used our Magic e wand to change words with short vowels to new words with long vowels.  

Math: We just wrapped up our unit on graphing in 1st grade.  This week we will begin learning about time and money.  This is one of the most challenging units in 1st grade.  Students will learn to tell time to the hour and 1/2 hour.  Additionally, we will learn to identify coins and add with pennies and dimes.  Dump out your change containers and practice counting coins with your 1st grader!

Science: We have been busy learning about the Earth in science.  Last week we learned about the water cycle and practiced making our own precipitation.  This week we will learn about the cycle of seasons.

Writing: In writing students are learning how to craft an opinion.  Last week students learned how to plan their writing by generating an opinion and supporting details.  This week we will work on introductory and closing statements.

Upcoming Reminders:

January 21: No School

January 31: 100th Day of School

February 11-14: Students may bring Valentines to School.

February 14: Valentine's Day Breakfast