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.