Science, Report Cards, and Conferences

Hi Parents,

We are starting our brand new unit on liquids and solids.   Your child will be learning all about the different types of solids and liquids and what makes a solid a solid, and a liquid a liquid.

Here's an example of a page in our science journal:

Conferences and Report Cards:

 This will be an opportunity for us to review your child’s report card and the progress they are making in 1^st grade. Report cards and related work will be coming home with them before conference days begin. We can also discuss areas of focus and revisit the goals your child set in October.

 

Children are invited to the conference, but it is optional. If you feel that it would be beneficial for your child to participate in the conference, please bring them along and we will spend part of the time talking together. Then, just as we did in October, we will allow some time at the end for just adults to talk. If you would rather leave your child at home and have the full 20 minute of conversation with me, that is fine too.

 

If you do plan on bringing your 1^st grader, please let me know so that I can prepare for a student-parent-teacher conference vs. just a parent-teacher conference.

 

Calling all Sandburg Writers and Poets! Ms. Chaing and I are leading Sandburg in this great district-wide program....

You have the chance to receive a special invitation to

attend a district-wide Young Author celebration: Jack Prelutsky’s Performance of

Umbrellaphant”

other students from the district.

“Behold the Boldwith the Seattle Chamber Music Society and the chance to share your writing with

How:

you’ve recently completed) to Ms. Chaing or Ms. Subcleff by

Turn in your favorite poem or short story you’ve written (a new piece of writing or oneMonday, February 14th. Any genre

of writing is accepted. Please make sure it’s not too long (since they will be taking the time to

read through all entries). Also, let students know it should be a published piece of work- can have

illustrations, etc., that they can share at the celebration. Ms. Chaing and Ms. Subcleff will select

1 winner from K-2, 3-4, and 5-6, (unless entry numbers are skewed) 3 pieces of writing from

Sandburg will go on to the district event.

mchaing@lwsd.org  or esubcleff@lwsd.orgThe Young Author’s Event with Jack Prelutsky will be: Saturday, April 23rd 2011, 9:00-11:30 A.M. at
Rose Hill Junior High School.

I will give some class time for this as well, but it would be a fun activity for home too! 

Our class blogger this week is Ben!

Have a great week!

Happy Monday

 Brrr..... it was a cold one today, so we thought we'd create a huddle of penguins.   Don't you just love how different each and every one of them is?   I can see each 1st grader's personality shine in these cute penguins.

In fact.... here's another look from a new angle.  Just so wonderful!

Our class blogger this week was Adam.

We had a terrific assembly today about Carl Sandburg and the biographies he wrote (including one about his hero Abraham Lincoln). 

Today, we read all about baby penguins and about Martin Luther King Jr.

I am not teaching next week, do to the MLK holiday, but I'll be back the following Monday.

Have a terrific day.

Happy New Year!

Since there is still a trace of snow on the ground, we had some fun today with snowmen!

We read a few books about snow and snowmen and then created snowmen up close.  The first graders did a terrific job of showing the snowman in the foreground, peeking out from the side.  As always, they did an amazing job.

Here are some pictures of them hard at work. 

 I apologize for any paint that got on new hats or new clothes today.  We tried our best to stay clean, but somehow paint ends up on clothes.   This paint is tempera and should wash out if treated right away.

 We also started Topic 6  (making 12) in math today and learned a new game.

 Our class blogger was Suzanna!

Mrs. Morissey and I are humbled by all the sweet and thoughtful gifts we were given this holiday season.   I had fun thinking of all the sweet children in our class as I was writing out thank you cards.  The cards are tiny, so I hope they made it home safely today.

We are also deeply touched by the amazing holiday box of notes from the class. 

  Sheri and I really appreciate that you took time out to write to each of us.  It means a lot .... so thank you, thank you.

We feel so lucky to have such a great group of students (and parents!) this year.

Be sure to check the side bar for important dates in January.

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.