December News

Hi Parents,
It's hard to believe that December 1st is this week and that we will be on winter break in three short weeks.

Today we read an amazing book called, Albert, and were inspired to draw and paint cardinals in winter.

Art Show:   Monday, December 12th from 11-11:55
We have been collecting all of our art since the start of the year and we would love to show you what we've done.    You are welcome to stay and eat lunch with your child aftterwards (our lunch is from 11:55-12:25).  At this time you will get to see your child's art, learn about some famous artists, and best of all... take home all the artwork your child has created so far this year.   I hope everyone will be able to make it here.

In math, we are working on learning all the ways to make the number 10 (1+9, 5+5, 6+4, etc.).   This is a great thing to practice at home, in the car, while waiting for someone, etc.  The faster they know these facts, the easier and more fun math becomes.  We had a great time today noticing patterns when we made a table to show how to make the number 10.

We also made a December calendar in class today that students are bringing home.   These are great things to hang in their rooms so they can see all the things coming up this month. 

Today's writers:  Jacqulean, Theo, and Zoe

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Monday!   Here are some cubist still life projects

inspired by Le Jour painted by Georges Braque

Our class is thankful for so many things!

Book Orders and a math review sheet came home today.  You have until December 2nd to order from the book order.  Thank you Mrs. Adam for helping with this.

Remember that Wednesday is a half day this week.

This class continues to be an exuberant group of writers.   They love writing time and are so proud to share what they have written.  Each Monday we make sure to give everyone a chance to read aloud their writing.  They also love having their writing photographed for you to see.

Madelyn writing about a birthday party she went to....

 Nelah writing about her trip to Disneyland...

And Roan writing about Christmas...

Monday Update

Thank you for sending in all those gorgeous leaves.  Here is a sneak peak at what we made today...

They will need to dry, then be fired, then be painted and fired once again.  We are hoping to have them totally done by mid December.  Thank you so much to Shuko Mantooth and Caroline Adam for assisting with this today!

We also studied the art of Pierre Auguste Renoir and how he creates impressionist trees.    Each first grader created his or her own impressionist fall tree landscape.

First grade writing this week by Grant:

And some photos of all those great leaf projects that were done at home:

Students will have art docent this Friday with the wonderful Ms. Dayab.

Monday Update

We've been collecting leaves and making some terrific projects.  Students have been sharing their projects with the class and we are so inspired.

Today, we made leaf prints....

Thank you Mrs. Fornia for helping with our set up and clean up today.  It was messy!

 Here is a picture of the owls we made last Thursday....

Thank you Mrs. Gupta for putting up our art in the hall today.

Here's some wonderful first grade writing for this week:

Shira brought in a map of the world to show us where Israel is located.  She will be moving with her family on December 15th.   As we looked at the map, we noticed that lots of us have traveled far and wide.  We put post-it notes on all the places our classmates have been. 

Class Photographers:    Please send recent party and field trip photos to our school's Yearbook committee so that they may use these for our class photo page.   Amy Neumann (amyneu28@hotmail.com) or Stephanie Hurley (stephhurley@mac.com)

Exchange Students From Japan:   We learned all about origami last week when we were visited by a group of Japanese exchange students.

Happy Halloween!

What a wonderful Halloween we had today!   Take a look at our chalk pastel pumpkins... can you see them glowing in the moonlight?

Thanks so much to our party planners:   Mrs. Adam and Mrs. Dimitrou

and to all our wonderful helpers:   Mrs. King, Mr. Nilsen, Ms. Santana, Ms. Kaminishi, Mrs. Gupta, Mrs. Reed, Mrs. Cung, Mrs. Cohen, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Dorwin, Mrs. Moriarty, Mrs. Hastings, Ms. Darab.  

Thank you also to our field trip chaperones:  Mr. Reed, Mr. Cohen, Mrs. Dorwin, Mrs. Jones, Ms. Santana,and  Mrs. Adam

Besides all our halloween fun.. we did some amazing writing, reading, and math today.  I will post pictures of some fabulous first grade writing later this week.