First Grade Fun!

My realistic goal is to blog on a bi-weekly basis.  I just can't always find enough time in the week, but when you are having fun in first grade, I find myself making time.  Today that time is made while I snuggle up with my four year old who doesn't want to take a nap, so we are settling with a movie and a little down time!  I hope you are having a nice weekend as well!

We were busy this week in first grade having a lot of fun.  Mr. Carlson finished his character education lessons with our class.  Perhaps he says this to all of the classes, but he praised the students for their excellent behavior and attention during his lessons.  They were great listeners and learners!

Meet Finn

Finn is the next student we are shining the spotlight on in first grade.  He is a great kiddo, full of energy, jokes, and a love of life!  Finn wants to be an archaeologist when he grows up and loves animals and dinosaurs!  When Finn isn't busy reading about animals and dinosaurs, he keeps busy helping his little brother and does really cool crafts!  Check out Finn completing one of his daily duties of snack helper below!

A Peek at Our Week

Reading: We spent time this week learning about multiple meaning words.  What's the difference between tag (price) and tag (the game) or bat (baseball) and bat (animal).  Using context clues to support the meaning, students worked to determine the appropriate word.  We also used shaving cream to spice up our handwriting.  It is always fun to get messy while learning!  Check out Bo, Pyper and Trevor below.

Math: In math students were introduced to Daily 5 Math.  You have heard about Daily 5 Reading, and now we transfer this model to math.  Students were introduced to Math with Self and we began building stamina.  Even though we have only made it to 2 minutes, I am still proud of these firsties! They are excited to practice more next week.  Below are just a couple of the choices they have to build math stamina!

 Science: We just wrapped up our learning about living and non-living things with a study of habitats.  The first graders learned about four key habitats: arctic, desert, forest, and ocean, and created a diorama of their habitat of choice.  They added specific animals found in this habitat to their diorama, and they turned out great!

Desert

Forest

Ocean

Arctic

Silly First Graders!

Upcoming Reminders

October 17: Field Trip to MSUM Poco Fuego

October 20-21: No School

Brrr! It is Getting Cool Outside!

Wow!  The weather is definitely changing to fall.  I think I am a little in denial, still wearing sandals, but the mornings are officially freezing!  Please make sure your firstie brings a jacket and hat to school.  Even if they don't need it, they will have it just in case!

We had another fun week in 1st grade.  We began guided reading groups, and the students are so excited to meet with me!  I am sure the novelty will wear off, but for now, I am all smiles as we learn together!  Guided reading books will come home after a 2 day lesson, so expect a couple of books a week.  I always encourage students to read the books to an adult or even older sibling within a night or two. Please initial the enclosed slip and record any notes or questions you may have.  Many of the books that I will send home are from our new reading series, so these first graders are getting their hands on brand new books!  Please help them take care the of the books.

Meet Jocelynn

This week we had the privilege of learning more about Jocelynn.  If you haven't met her yet, she is all smiles and can always put you in a good mood!  Jocelynn loves to spend time with her family, including her Papa, who is pretty special to her.  She loves to sing and dance, and even brought a Frozen microphone on her show and tell day!  We love having Joce in our class!

It was also Skyler's big day!  Happy Birthday Skyler!  Thanks for the yummy treats!

A Peek at Our Week

Reading: In reading we are working hard to compare two like texts of different genres.  This week we read Curious George Goes to School as well as Schools Long Ago.  While the topic may have been the same, the content was different.  We learned about text features including photographs and labels.  We also discussed author's word choice.  We learned that sometimes authors use phrases like "You bet it is!" instead of simply saying yes.

Math: In math we are working hard to make combinations of 10.  Ask your 1st graders about Mrs. Sterling's apple box issues!  I explained how I went to Hornbachers looking for a mixed apple box for my two boys (who like red and green apples) and the boxes always had only red or green apples!  I put them to work to solve this problem making apple box combinations.  There were several huge "A-ha!" moments which was awesome!

Anabelle and Saad make combinations with unifix cubes.

Gabrielle and Anthony begin to record combinations.

Emily shares her writing.

Writing: We wrapped up our first writing unit this week.  This unit simply launched the writing process and got the students writing.  I was able to quickly observe their current understanding of the writing process so I know where to go in future units.  Their learning, however, was amazing!  From learning to extend their writing, add details, revise, edit and publish, the work was great!  I'll save the published pieces for conferences, but some of their other work came home on Friday for you to see.  

Iris shares her story with Mrs. Hartje and students.

Sam shares his story.

Upcoming Reminders

October 14: Book Order's Due

October 17: Field Trip to MSUM's Poco Fuego

October 19: Learn Not To Burn Fire Fighter Visit

October 20-21: No School

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

Throughout the year, our fabulous first graders will be highlighted for being smart, kind, caring, and everything awesome with our Star Student Program.  Each student will have the opportunity to share, lead and feel just how wonderful they are!  Watch the monthly calendar to see when your child will be highlighted in our classroom.

Meet Andrew

Have you met Andrew?  If not, you are missing out!  Andrew is this week's Star Student and he really shines!  Did you know, Andrew loves gym and everything sports.  His favorite sport is Football, yet can even be found on his very own baseball card!  Andrew has a big sister, Danica, that shares the halls of Washington with him (I was lucky to have her in 1st grade too!).  Though quite athletic, Andrew is also an exceptional reader and writer!  This week, as Star Student, he lead calendar like a champ!  Check him out in action below!

Can I send a HUGE shoutout to all of you for purchasing books thruogh Scholastic.  I wanted to send a photo of what items I am able to get with a typical book order for our classroom!  The students are loving the new Who Would Win books along with the sports themed titles!  Thank you so much for helping build our classroom library!

A Peek at Our Week

Reading: This week we have been working hard to learn more about nouns, specifically possessive nouns.  Students learned how to use an apostrophe in their writing to show possession of an object.  We thought it was extra fun to say apostrophe out loud!  We also took our first reading test.  The focus for this week's assessment was phonics skills.  Students will take a short reading assessment weekly, which will be sent home for you to view and review.  Please remember to sign the test and return it to school.  Feel free to call or email with questions.

Students learned to sit EEKK (Elbow, Elbow, Knee, Knee) style to read with partner this week.

Math: In math we worked on solving number stories using math tools including ten frames, number lines and 120's charts.  Did you know that first graders will become fluent in addition and subtraction to 10 by the end of the year?  If you are working with your child at home, encourage them to talk about the strategies for solving. 

Writing: Wow!  Our first grade writers are amazing!  They have learned the four strategies for spelling and are using them successfully during writer's workshop.  In writing we ask students to stretch words, find "snap" words on a word wall, use an alphabet sound chart, and spell new words using words they already know.  As we near the end of our first unit, I will be sure to send some of their amazing writing home for you to keep.  

Writer's working with a partner to begin the revising process with a partner.

Science: In science we are examining living things, specifically plants still.  The students are making observations in their science journal.  This week we explore the movement of water through a plant using celery and food coloring.  We had so much fun seeing how the colored water traveled all the way to the tips of the leaves!    

Upcoming Reminders

September 29: School Picture Day

September 29: Author, Nancy Carlson visits

September 30: No School for Students

What's the Buzz with Daily 5?

Daily what?  Has your first grader told you about Daily 5?  Imagine yourself teaching a room full of six and seven year olds.  In order to reach students independently and in small groups, the other students must be able to hold enough 'stamina' to work independently and quietly.  Additionally, the goal is that students are participating in meaningful work to enhance their learning.  This is where Daily 5 comes in!

Students have been introduced to the first three of our dailies.  We began learning how to "Read to Self."  Students learned that during read to self they should read independently quietly while staying in one place and reading the whole time.  This is hard for first graders, yet we have managed to get over 10 minutes of stamina already (WOW!).  Next students were introduced to "Listen to Reading." During listen to reading, students have the opportunity to listen to a fluent reader using a portable CD player and book/CD sets.  Managing a CD player and set of headphones can be challenging for a first grader, especially if they can't find the right button or hole for their headphones.  They have been problem solving and are doing a great job with the devices.

Finally, students have recently learned about some of our "Word Work" stations.  Word Work stations allow students the opportunity to practice their weekly sight word and spelling words.  Students may build a word with play-dough, write words on a Boogie Board, or type words on a pretend keyboard. Whatever the practice is, students are excited and engaged the whole time!  Ask your first grader how they hold their stamina during Daily 5!

With rain in the forcast we took some time to learn how to play with indoor recess toys.  The first graders had a blast building, playing and exploring!  I have been working hard to add to our class collection of toys, especially those that encourage STEM play.

Gabrielle and Morgan build with a new STEM toy. 

Finn, Saad and Bentley build ramps with blocks for cars.

Emily, Alexis and Mason explore legos and tangrams.

Reading: In reading students are reading What is a Pal? Not only are students learning what a good friend is, they are also learning to identify the main idea of a story.  Students searched their texts for supporting details in the pictures and words that supported this main idea.  Students have also been working on blending CVC (consonant, vowel, consonant) words like man, mat, and Sam.  Students were introduced to their first, six sight words for the year as well as their first spelling sort.  I placed child's most current sight word list in his or her G.O. Book.  Please work with your child to read and write these words.  Practice making the words with magnetic letters, writing in sand building with clay.  I will reassess in a month or so and update their lists.

Writing: In Writer's Workshop students are learning to write from the heart.  They are practicing adding appropriate spacing, capitalization and punctuation as well.  This week we introduced the three parts of a lesson, which included the sharing session.  Students practiced sharing their writing for the first time with a partner.

Trevor and Bentley take turns sharing their narrative stories.

Pyper and Alexis take turns reading their narrative stories.

Math: In math students have been introduced to counting strategies including counting by 1's, 2's, 5's and 10's as well as grouping.  Students learned how to create and analyze a tally chart as well.  We learned several new math games this week as well!  Next week students will take their first math test. Please note that all tests will come home for you to view and review with your child but then should be signed and promptly returned too school.

Ethan and Sam play roll and color.

Anabelle and Iris play Top-It.

Science: This week the first grade scientists made a huge discovery!  We planted Lima bean seeds using a wet paper towel and bag.  We taped our bags to the window to get sunlight.  Many of the seeds have started growing.  Then to explore a plant's need for sun, we placed one bag in the closet, assuming it wouldn't grow.  During our observations, we discovered that the bean plant without sun was growing the best!  The first graders have determined that not all plants need the same amount of sunlight to grow.

Upcoming Reminders

Every Friday: Homework Due!

September 29: Author, Nancy Carlson visits Washington

As always, thanks for taking a peek at our day!

First Full Week of 1st Grade

We made it!  I always feel proud and amazed after we complete the first full week of school.  These firsties did a great job this week.  First grade is quite different from kindergarten and doesn't always feel as fun, but I try very hard to excite the students through numerous learning activities throughout the day!  Very few tears were shed and positive attitudes were had my all!  I feel so blessed and excited to be your children's teacher this year!  I will use our classroom blog in place of a traditional newsletter.  Please let me know if this format does not work for you.  I will print a paper copy of any posts and send them home with your child if you desire.

Counting to 100 with Jack Hartman's Exercises

Milk and Juice break will begin on September 6.  If you ordered a drink for your child, it will arrive to our classroom on Tuesday.  We will also be receiving the fruit and veggie snack in late September.  Book orders will be due on Friday.  If you only order from one book order this year, please consider this one!  The bonus points available for teachers are excellent and I am looking to beef up our Sports Themed book bin!

If you had a 1st grader in my class in the past, you are probably wondering where the daily homework is.  Information regarding homework will come home on September 12.  Please note, our homework policy has changed drastically.  Children will have minimal weekly homework in the form of a "menu" of choices.  I am looking forward to your feedback for future planning of homework options.

A Peek at Our Week

Reading: This week in reading we spent some time exploring back to school mentor texts to aquatint ourselves with the school rules.  We read some of my favorites such as Chrysanthemum, Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon, and The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes.  We began reviewing letters and sounds as well as the kindergarten sight words.  In the coming weeks, a student specific sight word list will be placed in one of the page protectors of your child's G.O. Book.  Please study and review the words on this list weekly.  I will update the list as your child masters more words.

Writing: We will begin Writer's Workshop next week with some introductory mini-lessons.  This past week I was able to observe the students writing and make note of their strengths and some target goals for their individual writing.  I was so excited to see the great writers that we have in our classroom!  

Math: The first graders were introduced to their Math Interactive Notebooks.  These notebooks provide an opportunity for students to practice math skills independently.  Our focus skill this week was "I can count and find the missing numbers."  Students were also introduced to our Math with Partner strategies.  We have played several games to review making 5 and counting by 1's.  Students enjoy playing games to practice target skills.

Anthony and Bentley play Fabulous Five Worm

Morgan, Leah, Jocelynn, and Pyper play Make 5

Handwriting: Posture, pencil grip and letter placement were are skills this week in handwriting.  We reviewed "Frog Jump Capitals" from kindergarten and were able to get our hands on our new Handwriting workbooks.  When working with your children at home, please remind them to start their letters at the top!

Happy Birthday Alexis!  We hope you had a fabulous time celebrating at home and school!

Upcoming Reminders:

September 5: No School - Labor Day

September 6: Milk/Juice Break Begins

September 9: Book Order's Due

September 12: Homework Begins (Due on Fridays)

First Day of School

Another year is upon us at Washington Elementary School.  This year I was greeted with 21 amazing 1st graders to join my school family.  As the eager, excited and talkative students entered the room this morning, they quickly followed directions to complete their morning routines.  The room was calm, peaceful and quiet, especially for the first day of school!  I encourage parents to drop off outside of the classroom as to not disturb our routine.  Extra noise and bodies in the classroom in the morning make it difficult for students to remain calm and quiet.  In time, I imagine the first graders will feel comfortable enough to be dropped off outside of the school to walk in independently.  I think it is harder on us parents!  I too have a first grader and would love to tag along with him (all day) if I could!

Thank you to everyone who purchased an extra supply or two for our classroom!  Those extra items help make our classroom run successful and I am beyond grateful for your support.

We started the day with a morning greeting.  Each day students will greet one another on the carpet using a catchy jingle, game or activity.  If your child doesn't know all of his or her classmates' names, rest assured, within a week or two of greetings, they will!  We then jumped right into reading one of my favorite first day of school books titled, First Grade Jitters.  We read about a boy named Aidan who is very nervous for school.  Lucky for us, I came prepared with my secret "Jitter Juice" recipe!  Jitter Juice is said to help those first day of school butterflies fade away!  As you can see below, most of our class liked the Jitter Juice!

In the afternoon we took some time to review counting by 1's.  We exercised and counted to 100 and then played a simple game called "Fill the Cup."  Students worked with a new friend to roll a dice and count manipulatives to fill their cups.  I'm going to count this as a huge success because there were no dice flying across the room!  This is amazing for the first day of school.

We worked to complete a couple of pages in a First Week of First Grade Booklet.  I was able to see some amazing coloring and neat handwriting from these first graders.  Students were reminded to use a capital letter to start their sentences, finger spaces between words and to finish with a period at the end.

Finally, we ended they day reading a poem about "Magic Playdough."  Each student was given a ball of white playdough.  In theory (if my recipe worked), the playdough would change color signifying a great year for our class.  Well, it must have been my lucky day because sure enough, all of the playdough magically changed color!  I call that a teacher success!

In the coming weeks, you may have questions about first grade.  Do not hesitate to stop in, call or email.  I check email daily and do my best to respond within 24 hours.  Tomorrow, book orders will come home with your child.  September offers amazing classroom bonus points.  I am able to use the bonus points to grow our classroom library.  Your orders help make this possible!  Check out the book orders with your child.  Instructions will be provided for ordering online, if that is the option you choose.

Upcoming Reminders

September 5: No School

September 6: Milk & Juice Program Begins

Bowling Fun

We started the morning with our summer readers theater performances.  Students were grouped with their classmates to perform short plays for the class.  After only practicing for a couple of days, the students performed with ease.  Just another opportunity to practice this speaking and listening skills in 1st grade!

Isaac, Aiden and Preston Perform

Nico and Connor Perform

We had an awesome time at Red River Lanes this afternoon!  I'll admit, I was a bit worried about the walk.  Thankfully, the temperature was perfect and the route was planned, so we were ready!  The students walked without complaining, singing their camp songs along the way.  I'm sure it was a sight to see with six teachers along for the trip, carefully sandwiched between the three classes.  We arrived at the bowling alley and the students quickly grabbed their shoes and found their lanes.  The great employees of the Red River Lanes had pre-programmed all students into the groups we had assigned.  It was slick!  With a dark alley, lights shining and music playing, we were off!  We had a great time.  There wasn't any complaining and lots of laughter.  What a great end of the year trip!

Look at those cute bowlers!

Bowling skills!

Chace and Sonja having fun!

Team 1st Grade had a great time bowling (even the teachers)!

Smiles all around!

Silly Faces!

Tomorrow will be busy as we wrap up a great year!  Students will finish cleaning their desks and lockers out, attend the final Character Champion Assembly, receive their 1st grade awards, and participate in field day (I am hopeful for good weather!).  It is sure to be a day full of smiles and fun!  Don't forget to send your child in comfortable clothing and shoes.  Sunscreen and a water bottle are encouraged.  

Congratulate your soon to be 2nd grader on a great year tomorrow morning when they wake up!  It has been an absolute pleasure to work with your students this year!