Gingerbread Fun

Look at our gingerbread people....
Aren't they sweet?

We read three different versions of the Gingerbread Boy (Girl, Baby, and Friends) and even wrote our own Gingerbread poem.

Today, your child brought home a special gift for you to open during the holidays.   I think you will really enjoy them.

Here is this week's class blogger:

 

Nutcrackers, Traditions, and more December Fun

Nutcrackers we created after reading the book, The Nutcracker

 We have been learning all about different holiday traditions.   It has been fun to see the 2st grade posters about each family's special holiday activities.  We have been placing the posters around the room after they have been shared in front of the class.

We also have enjoyed seeing everyone's Heart Map.  Our class has so many special things they can write about.

On Friday, Dec. 17th we will be having a hot cocoa story time to celebrate the holiday season and the last day of school before vacation.

Our first blog entry.  The blog book is going home with someone new today.

Heart Maps, Starry Nights, and December Calendars

We had a great first day back from our extra long vacation.   Most students spent their writing time writing all about the adventures they had in the snow.

As we get to be better writers, we are starting to collect writing ideas.   We learned that it is best to write about something you really care about... something from your heart.

Today, your child is bringing home a heart map to complete.  This will be a place for them to record things they may be able to write about during writing time.  They may add pictures and divide their heart in whatever way they want.   Finally the heart is color coded.  Bring these maps back to school by Monday, Dec. 6th.  We will keep these in our writing folders.

It is perfectly fine for grown-ups to help out with this.   I've attached the two examples I showed the class today.

I think they will have fun collecting writing ideas.

We also learned about Vincent Van Gogh and his Starry Night painting.  We made our own artwork inspired by the starry night...with extra confetti in the sky.  They look gorgeous.

And here are the awesome turkeys they made last week.

One of our Monday activities is to make monthly calendars.  Today your child is bringing home their December calendar.  We write birthdays, holidays, and school events on the calendar.   One thing we did not add yet is our holiday party.  We also will be sending home more information related to family traditions duirng this time.  Look for more information about all of that coming up soon.

Homework, Math, and Ear Phones

(This is a copy of an email sent by us.  I thought it would be handy to also have it here on the blog for easy retrieval of information)

 

We are NOT sending our regular homework packet for next week- as there are only 2 ½ days of school and we want the kids to enjoy their Thanksgiving break. =)

 

But…

We will be sending a packet of science activities that supplement what we’ve been working on in class. It relates to our Air and Weather unit. These are NOT required but would be fun and informative if you’re looking for something to do over the Thanksgiving break.  Or you might want to hang on to them for our upcoming Winter break, these would be great activities for the family to work on together.  

 

In addition. . .

We have completed our EnVision Topic 4 unit.  A math review test for Topic 4 has also been sent home, along with several math homework pages. We will be taking our Topic 4 test on Tuesday, so PLEASE review these materials with your 1^st grader. Topic 4 has been a little tricky for most kids, as we are learning about subtraction, the terms ‘difference, more than, fewer than,’ comparing numbers, switching number sentences around, using addition to check subtraction etc. . . I highly suggest working through these pages with your child to prepare for the test on Tuesday.

 

Last but not least. . .

If you have not yet sent in small head phones or ear-buds for your child this would be a great time to do so.  Any spare pair from home or an inexpensive pair will do.  We use them several times a week, at computer lab, during reading rotations, and at the listening station for listening books.  We ask for this individual donation as one more attempt to avoid lice in our classroom.  Thank you for your support with this!

 

Let me know if you have any questions,

 

Thanks!

Friday Update

Students have been sharing their wonderful leaf projects.  We have them hanging all over the room and in the hallway.  Here are some pictures of their fabulous work.

We also had a great visit from Walter the Weather Man and learned so much about weather.

On Monday, students will be having a guest teacher while I am not at school.   Some of you may already know Jana Johnseine.  She is fabulous and the students love her.  Plus... she and I went to high school together.   I've left her lots of fun things to do (including some fun Turkey art).  I know they will have a terrific day. 

I have added our daily schedule up in the tab that used to only show the specialist schedule.   Thank you to the parent who made this wonderful suggestion for our blog.   If there is anything special you'd like to see us include on this blog, please let us know.  We'd like for this to be a useful and informative piece of parent communication.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Nov. 15th-19th

We had a great time at our science extravaganza on Friday. Thank you so much to all the parents who helped out.  

Today we learned all about the artist Paul Klee.   One of his pieces of art is called the Rose Garden.

Students used warm colors to create a piece of work just like his.

Art inspired by Paul Klee's The Rose Garden

We continue to learn about weather. Today we learned about a rain gauge and we put in our courtyard.   We can't wait to measure how much rain falls down.

Reminders:

Picture retakes this Wednesday
Book Fair - Monday -Thursday  3:30-5:30

Nov. 8th Update

Take a look at our colorful owls we created today.  You can see them hanging in the hall... enjoying the early darkness we are experiencing these days.

We have moved on to our newest social studies chapter:  Maps.

We talked all about how a map has picture symbols and is a 'bird's eye view of things'.  

Together, we made a map of our classroom.   If your child would like to bring in maps to share on Mondays, please feel free.

a rough map of our classroom we made together

We have been collecting our Star Student posters and hanging them on the wall for all to see.   We are enjoying them too much to send home after just one week.  Your child will be taking home his/her poster later in the year. 

We have been writing like crazy.    Here are some examples of the list we made of writing we can do.  Our list will keep growing I'm sure.

  

Here are two writers conducting an interview with each other.

and here is a writer sharing his weekend news.

Today marks the first day of the class blogger.   Each week, a different student will take home the blog book and write about what we are learning in school.  I will scan the entry and post it the Monday the book comes back to school.  The BLOG book went home with Paris today!  We can't wait to see what she writes about.

Ask your first grader all about KELSO.   Our school counselor, Mrs. Chin, has been visiting our room to tell us more about it.    Kelso teaches students how to solve problems ... big and small.  Your first grader can tell you more about this program.

This Friday we will have our big Science Workshop.  Please remember to turn in the photo consent form.   This also allows me to know which children I can show on our class blog.

Save the date... our class is working on having a PAJAMA PARTY DAY.   This day will either be WED., the 10th or FRI., the 12th.   We will be wearing PJs all day, along with the other 1st grade classes.  We will let you know ASAP which day we choose.

 A big thank you to Devyn's grandfather who came to school today to read to the class during lunch.   What a treat!

AND...

Thank you again for those wonderful kiddos of yours and have a terrific week!

November News

City Skylines made from cut paper in honor of our upcoming end of Daylight Savings Time

Happy November!
Please check the newest upcoming events and birthdays on the side bar.   
We continue to be busy learners in 1st grade.
Today, you child completed a writing assessment.  They wrote all about an event that was exciting or fun.  Most wrote about Trick or Treating.

We also continue to learn more math games that help us practice our math skills and help us get faster and more confident.
To learn more math information, including games - be sure to attend the family math night here at Sandburg on Wednesday night at 6:30.

There will be no school on Veteran's Day.   In honor of Veteran's day, our librarian, Mrs. Caddock, is collecting pictures of family members who have served (or are serving) in the armed forces.  Your child may bring labeled pictures to school and we will make sure they get to Mrs. Caddock.

Happy Last Week of October

Congratulations to all our hard-working first graders.  They did an amazing job sharing their goals with their parents.   This was the first year Sandburg has had student goal setting conferences and I hope you found them as enjoyable as we did.   You should see how well they are working on these goals during class time.

Cloud creations based on the book, It Looks Like Spilled Milk

More wonderful clouds

One of the many fun math activities your first grader works on during the day.

We look forward to our fun Halloween Party this Friday.  Thank you to all you parents who are helping to plan this.    Mrs. Morissey always has some fun costume to wear and Ms. Subcleff will be teaching 2nd grade that Friday, but will try very hard to swing by the party....although she might be in disguise.

Also.... we would like to start including pictures of your wonderful children on the class blog.   I'm thinking it might be fun to have photos of their great Halloween costumes and of our fun party.  Please let us know if you would rather not have their photos put on  site.   

For the Week of oct. 18th-22nd

Wild Things from the book Where the Wild Things Are

Hi Parents,

The Pumpkin Patch Field trip was so much fun.  Thank you to our parent chaperones.   You made the day go so smoothly.  

Conferences begin this Thursday.  Students have been working on creating goals for themselves.   I think you will be delighted by what your child shares with you at the conference.

Lately, they have been very busy learning how the numbers 6,7,8, and 9 can be broken into parts of the whole in different ways.   At home, you and your child can make a game of seeing how quickly they can add two numbers that add up to either 6,7,8, or 9.

The Halloween Party is coming up!  It will be on Friday, Oct. 29th.  Students change into costumes at 1pm.   Party will follow.   The all school parade starts at 2:15.  Please contact Julie Main [julie-main@comcast.net], if you are interested in helping out in any way.

Monday Update

We are reading and learning all about pumpkins, scarecrows, and all the other fun things associated with autumn.  Check out these amazing 'up close' scarecrows your first graders made today



Conferences:  Thank you for turning in your goal-setting conference forms.   You will be notified of your conference time once we've had a chance to look over everyone's form

Book Orders UPDATE:
Books orders due online by Oct. 18th

Web address: scholastic.com/bookclubs

Class Activation Code: HFJBB

On the parent page, register by clicking click the “Don’t have a user name or password?” link. When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code shown above. This unique code ensures that your order is sent to me. 

Reflections:  This is the last week for your child to create something for the Reflections contest.   Items are due to the office by Friday the 15th.

Field Trip:   Our first field trip is coming up soon!   All chaperones and students pay $8.00 (cost includes a pumppkin).

Chaperones will follow the bus and may carpool with others.  

Have your child dress for the weather and for the possibility of wet, muddy fields.

October News

Happy October!

Please see the 'Upcoming Events' Section on the side of this blog for important dates this month.

Your child is bringing home a letter today describing the new Family Access program.  This is a chance for you to check online to see your child's grades.   Currently we are working on a manageable routine for entering grades.  This will be an additional form of communication this year.

Reflections:  This is a nation-wide PTA arts program (contest).  Students may enter artwork, writing (poems, stories), photography, musical compositions, dance, and video performances.   All entries are due to the office by Oct. 15th.   This is a great activity to do at home and a wonderful chance to be creative.  I hope many of our students enter.  The theme this year is "Together We Can".  More information about rules, etc., can be found on our school's PTA website  here

Speaking of art... here is today's project:  watercolor and tempera  fall trees.  This class just loves art time - and they always do such amazing work.

Our volunteer program has gone into play - thank you to all you parents who can help out.   I will be attaching the volunteer list to this blog shortly.

Scholastic Book Orders:  Thank you to Patty Bredice for volunteering to do our ordering.   You can order scholastic books online as well as on the paper form.

Now it’s easier than ever to find the perfect books for your child—shop our NEW online Book Clubs Web site. Choose from a much-wider selection of books than in the printed flyer. Plus, you can send your orders directly to me online and use your credit card to pay.
Best of all, we earn a FREE book for the classroom library every time a parent places an order online.
It’s so simple! Here’s how it works:

• SIGN UP at www.scholastic.com/parentordering. On the parent page, register by clicking click the “Don’t have a user name or password?” link. When prompted, enter the one-time Class Activation Code shown above. This unique code ensures that your order is sent to me.
• Class user name:   morissey
• password is:  books123
• SELECT the books you’d like to order—choose from thousands of titles—many more than in our monthly flyers.
• SEND your order to me online by the due date and your child’s books will be delivered directly to my classroom.

Ordering online is fast, easy, and secure.
Of course, you can still order using the form from the printed flyer. But why not see for yourself how convenient it is to order online?

Remember, goal setting conferences are coming up Oct. 21-25.  This is our chance to sit and discuss year-long goals for your child.    Mrs. Morissey will be working all these 1/2 days since she will be leading most of the conferences.   If you would like me to be available at your conference, please let me know and I'll arrange to be there.

Thank you again for being such a wonderful group of parents to work with.  Your children certainly take after you.

1st Grade Readers and a Monday Update

 "Children should learn that reading is pleasure, not just something that teachers make you do in school."

Beverly Cleary


A fabulous first grade reader at work



We continue to have a fun-filled day of learning here in 1st grade.  As you will see, this is the year your child really blossoms as a reader.  



Our rainbow reading book program has started with a bang.   Your child was able to choose a book from the the basket of books that are "just right" for him or her.  These books came home today in their book bags and should come back to school in the bags each day.

 

Remember that reading should be fun and enjoyable.  (It is okay if the reading is done by the parent reading aloud to the child too!)

Also, remember that weekday books are at their reading level and weekend books are free choice!

Be sure to log books on the record sheet and ask book talk questions.

 

And because I can't resist... here is a picture of today's art project.  We studied some famous fruit still life paintings and made our own out of cut paper.  It also ties into our PACK "eating a rainbow" nutrition theme for the week. 

 

Eat A Rainbow

Eat a Rainbow!

Encourage your child to eat a rainbow of fruit and veggies next week. 

Monday 9/27 is Purple Day
Tuesday 9/28 is White Day
Wednesday 9/29 is Red Day
Thursday 9/30 is Yellow/Orange Day
Friday 10/1 is Green Day

The rainbow of fruit and veggie samples will be offered Oct 11-15.

Curriclum Night Follow Up

We had a wonderful time on Curriclum Night.  We hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.  It was fun to see so many faces and to share our plans for this terrific year.    Please feel free to send us any questions you might still have about how first grade operates.



First grade "Weekend News" writing



We are in the process of configuring our volunteer schedule, and we will be sending home an email to the volunteers when we finally have it set.    If you did not get a chance to sign up for a spot and would still like to volunteer, just let us know and we can find a place for you.

Likewise, if you signed up for a spot that isn't going to work out, we can also switch you to a different time.

Thank you to all the parents who have returned the Rainbow Reading contract sheet.   Your child will soon be bringing home books to read as homework.

Speaking of rainbows.... your child created an abstract tree silhouette today that absolutely radiates a rainbow of colors.  These were made with chalk pastels on black paper and are currently hanging in the hallway outside our room.   Your children are incredible artists.

Curriculum Night

We are looking forward to seeing everyone at Curriculum Night, Thursday Sept. 16th from 6:00-6:45pm followed by the Principal's Talk in the gym from 6:50-7:10pm.

At this time, you will get a chance to see what your child will be learning in first grade and how our classroom operates.  It's also a fun chance to sit in a teeny tiny first grade desk.

Tuesday Message

Hi Parents,
We had our first "Subcleff" day together and time flew by.
We read, "Ish" by Peter Reynolds and students drew an 'ish' drawing of themselves. This was tricky, because I had them draw their pictures without lifting their pens! Their amazing artwork is out in the hallway.

Each Monday (or whichever day I am here), we will be creating art that I will display in the hallway for one week.  Then I will save them to collect and bind into a book. I usually end up sending home about 3 books of your child's artwork during the year.

Today I sent home three important pieces of paper with your child:

1. An emergency card with a cover letter for each student Please look at what is already in the system and make changes if necessary. This needs to come back to school as soon as possible.
2. The Student Handbook. Please review the information in this book.
3. A separate piece of paper for you to sign that says you and your child have read the handbook. Please return this to school as soon as possible.

Thanks so much,
Erin Subcleff

Our First Week

We had a wonderful first week of first grade!   Lots of eager learners and a very sweet group of children. 


Thanks to everyone for the fantastic job getting the first day packet materials returned so quickly and supporting your child by sending healthy snack, take home folders, and money for lunch accounts!! What an awesome start to a super school year!

Here is a powerpoint presentation Ms. Subcleff used to introduce herself to the class on the first day of school. You might enjoy it as well.

Nice to Meet You!

Thank you for a terrific walk through!
It was a pleasure to meet each of you.  It looks like we are going to have a terrific class this year.

We are looking forward to seeing all of you on the first day of school.

Mrs. Morissey and Ms. Subcleff

Welcome to the 2010/2011 School Year

Welcome new first graders and parents! Mrs. Morissey and I are getting the classroom ready for all of our new first graders. I know you will enjoy being in our class. You can read a little about each of us by clicking on the tab about us at the top of this page.

This blog will be a place for parents to come and see what is happening in our room. Students will get a chance to write blog posts about topics they are studying and they will get to share some of their 1st grade work right here.

We will update the blog with new posts (you can read them right in this spot), at least once a month - generally around the 1st of the month.   If we have something we need to let you know about mid-month, we will send you a reminder that the blog has been updated.

We'd love for you to leave comments on our posts and/or you can contact us about any questions you have. You'll find our contact information right here in the tab labeled "Mrs. Morissey/Ms. Subcleff"
We look forward to seeing each of you during the Meet and Greet on Thursday, Aug. 26th from 3-4pm

Shining Star Student

Everyone in class will get a chance to be a Star Student for a week. The week prior to their assigned week, they will bring home a poster to complete. They will then share it during their week. A few minutes each day will be centered on him/her and the things which are shared. The star week takes place near the time of your child's birhtday (when possible)



.