Happy New Year! Here's hoping everyone enjoyed the two week winter break. The boys and girls had many vacation stories to share with each other during our morning meeting!
After finding their new desk spots, everyone settled back into school routines again with an alphabetical order worksheet. We then began working with the Unit 15 spelling words. These words have consonant digraphs and/or consonant blends (clusters).
The first graders enjoyed the book Squirrel's New Year's Resolution. After listening to the story, they completed a sequencing activity which focused on the characters and their resolutions for the new year. Following an indoor recess break, the students spent time thinking about what kinds of promises they would make to themselves in order to be better friends and better students. Many responses reflected admirable self awareness and thought. A few students had difficulty with this task. I have sent home copies of the responses. Please look over what your child wrote today. This should make a great conversation starter.
The students also colored, cut, and folded to create little three-dimensional squirrels. We then moved on to math during which we had a great review of different ways to write three digit numbers.
The specials class of the day was P.E. When the first graders returned to the classroom, they found out what happens to Snowmen at Night. They then created their January calendar pages. Finally, the fifth grade buddies arrived. The buddies worked together to make snowmen that revealed information about each other. Photos are available on the class Shutterfly site and the projects are on display in the hallway. What a fun way to start the new year!
Parents, please check your child's manila homework folder tonight. Besides the usual graded homework packet, it also contains other graded work. In addition, there is a certificate for a free book from the Scholastic Reading Clubs. I forgot to include these in the holiday goody bags I passed out before break so consider them Happy New Year gifts!
We will begin learning about our continent of the month tomorrow!
After finding their new desk spots, everyone settled back into school routines again with an alphabetical order worksheet. We then began working with the Unit 15 spelling words. These words have consonant digraphs and/or consonant blends (clusters).
The first graders enjoyed the book Squirrel's New Year's Resolution. After listening to the story, they completed a sequencing activity which focused on the characters and their resolutions for the new year. Following an indoor recess break, the students spent time thinking about what kinds of promises they would make to themselves in order to be better friends and better students. Many responses reflected admirable self awareness and thought. A few students had difficulty with this task. I have sent home copies of the responses. Please look over what your child wrote today. This should make a great conversation starter.
The students also colored, cut, and folded to create little three-dimensional squirrels. We then moved on to math during which we had a great review of different ways to write three digit numbers.
The specials class of the day was P.E. When the first graders returned to the classroom, they found out what happens to Snowmen at Night. They then created their January calendar pages. Finally, the fifth grade buddies arrived. The buddies worked together to make snowmen that revealed information about each other. Photos are available on the class Shutterfly site and the projects are on display in the hallway. What a fun way to start the new year!
Parents, please check your child's manila homework folder tonight. Besides the usual graded homework packet, it also contains other graded work. In addition, there is a certificate for a free book from the Scholastic Reading Clubs. I forgot to include these in the holiday goody bags I passed out before break so consider them Happy New Year gifts!
We will begin learning about our continent of the month tomorrow!