Hello! I can't believe it is December already and we are already thinking about Christmas. On Friday, we received a message from Globe Trot Scott (my fictitious friend from Orlando). Scott informed us that he would again be traveling the world to help us learn about different cultures and celebrations. We're not sure when our first package will arrive from Scott, but sure are excited to see what is inside! I'll be sure to post via Seesaw so you can share in the joy with our class!
Have you heard about the
Raider Reward? Last week we implemented a School Wide Positive Behavior program with our classrooms. Essentially, all staff will be on the look out for students demonstrating our three rules: Be Safe. Be Respectful. Be Responsible. When we catch students doing any one of these things, they will receive a Raider Reward slip. Students write their names on the slips and put them into our class bucket. Once our bucket is full, we will earn a celebration. I explained to students that they should work hard to be "Bucket Fillers" not "Bucket Dippers." The school wide component is huge as the students know that positive behavior can be awarded anywhere! Ask your child if they have received any Raider Rewards yet and how they demonstrated our school rules.
Our class participated in a Global Read Aloud with Mrs. Cain in the library. We have spent several weeks corresponding with a 1st grade class in Chicago. We were so excited to visit live with the class using Google Hangouts!
We were invited to our 4th Grade Buddies Hunger Fair where students learned more about hunger around the world and our community. The 4th grade students to an amazing job sharing their learning and their 1st grade buddies were excited to see their new friends.
Star Student
We were excited to have a Star Student again this week. Ella is a natural when it comes to leading calendar and acting as my assistant. The class absolutely loved hearing Ella's favorite book, The Book with No Pictures by B.J. Novak. I think you could hear laughter down the hall! She also spoiled the class with Sushi on Friday as her special treat. I was amazed to see fourteen students try the Sushi and ten of them liked it!
A Peek at Our Week
Reading: This week in reading we will read A Cupcake Party. This darling story will provide a great opportunity to revisit story structure: characters, setting and plot. Students will utilize a graphic organizer to record their thinking. We will learn about articles/determiners in grammar and how to utilize the words a, an and the in our writing.
Writing: The 1st grade authors have been busy writing their first teaching books. Last week we worked on introductions. This week we will add conclusions as well as begin revising and editing a piece for publishing. The students are learning to move through the writing process independently as their writing stamina grows.
Math: On Monday students will take their Unit 4 math test. Be sure to watch for this to come home for your signature. We will begin learning about data and measurement in math next.
Spelling: Last week in spelling we began rotating 1st grade classrooms. It will take some time for students to adjust to different classroom routines and procedures, but we feel it is a great opportunity to not only differentiate the learning but to also allow for new learning partnerships. The picture sorts proved to be a bit confusing for everyone, so we will move all students to a word sort next week. This will make homework and testing a bit easier.
Social Studies: We just finished our study of the USA in Social Studies. This came just in time as our packages are about to arrive this week! Shhhh, don't tell! We are excited to learn about holidays and cultures around the world.
Upcoming Reminders
December 3: Field Trip to Plains Art Museum (Penguins Project)
December 3-7: Mrs. Sterling's Class Rings the Salvation Army Bell
December 7: Scholastic Book Orders Due (Books make great Christmas presents!)
