Pencil Sharpeners Needed

My thanks to the Cabot, Jorgensen, Hambelton and Sargent families for volunteering to help sharpen pencils for our shared materials caddies. If you have an electric pencil sharpener, please let me know if you are willing to sharpen pencils for the classroom. Usually, I send home a bag of pencils on Friday and I ask that you sharpen them over the weekend and return them in your child's backpack on Monday.  Thanks for your help!

Outdoor Fun!

  Everyday we are enjoying our time together on the playground.  It is a great way to practice our negotiation skills, learn how to compromise and have fun running, skipping, rolling, jumping and swinging. We are usually outdoors for 20 minutes in the morning and for 15 minutes at lunch time.

Science-Observing Trees

 This year, the students and I will undertake a year long study of trees. Last Thursday, we sketched some of the deciduous trees on the back playground.  The students created a pencil sketch and labeled the major tree parts. Also, we used the magnifying glasses to explore tree bark, leaf veins and acorn tops.

Literacy Update

The students have been very committed to their book making projects and are sharing their decisions as authors and illustrators with each other. We begin Writers Workshop by listening to a picture book and noticing and discussing some of the choices the authors and illustrators made to convey meaning. After a 30 to 40 minute writing block, we gather together to share our own work and to notice how some of the ideas we discussed have been used in our work. During the writing block, I conference with individual students and determine how I can help them edit their work and help them make a plan for completion of a project. During Guided Reading, we have been practicing how to work in small groups or with a partner while I am meeting with small guided reading groups. We begin our morning by reading for a 10 minutes,  This allows me time to listen to individual students read and increases the students stamina for sustained independent reading. In the afternoon, we continue to enjoy the antics of Ramona as she navigates her days in Kindergarten. The class is looking forward to beginning Ramona The Brave.

Are you juggling? I know I am!

Dear First Grade Families,
 I hope you are all adjusting to your new family schedules as we all transition from days at the beach to days at school. The children have been working hard as they are learning and practicing all the routines that help our learning community run smoothly and calmly.Over the next few weeks, we will begin transitioning to longer academic sessions with less frequent breaks. I am enjoying each day with my new students. They are full of energy, giggles, questions and ideas! Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I hope to see you all at Curriculum Night this Wednesday. We will meet in the classroom at 6:30 pm.

Take care  Mary

HELP WANTED!!

Do you have an electric pencil sharpener? I am looking for some volunteers that are willing to sharpen pencils (colored and #2) on the weekend. I would send home a bag of pencils on Friday and ask that you reurn them in your child's backpack on Monday. Although this doesn't seem like much, it is so important to have the materials ready and useable for all of our learning experiences. Please let me know if you are able to help with this job!

Science- Observational Journals

Today, we discussed how scientists use their senses to observe.  Each of us examined a small pumpkin and created detailed illustrations in our journals.  Our journals will be used throughout the year as we study trees, plants and materials and construction.

Poetry Journals

  As part of our balanced literacy program, the children are creating a poetry journal.  The students have been reciting and singing some old favorites such as Humpty Dumpty, BINGO and Row, Row, Row Your Boat.  During our poetry sessions, we examine the language together and identify patterns, rhythm and rhyme in the pieces. The children create illustrations to show understanding of the meaning of the poems. Also, we practice oral reading with expression and pacing by reading our favorite poems to a friend.

THINK MATH-ATTRIBUTES

We have started our 1st unit in the Think Math program which focuses on attributes. We have been using the attribute links to create various patterns based on size, shape and color.  Also, we have been sorting buttons, pattern blocks and ourselves based on identified attributes. We have been working with partners and practicing how to work independently, share our ideas and use the materials while others work around us.

Up With People

We had a wonderful time with our visitors from Up With People.  The children created a class flag and played some fun games during class meeting.  In the afternoon, we learned how to salsa at our first all school event.  Our thanks to the Hamilton-Wenham Ed Fund for planning this event.

WRITERS' WORKSHOP- BOOK MAKING

Everyday, we will be making decisions as authors and illustrators.  The students began the year eager to   put their ideas on paper. We will spend time each day working on our current projects, sharing decisions and studying the work of other authors and illustrators. 

OUR BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS

We will celebrate birthdays by creating a book of wishes and inviting a special someone to visit our classroom and read a book(Mom, Dad, Aunt, Uncle-you and the birthday person choose the person and the book). Throughout the year, we will celebrate summer birthdays too! Please let me know if your student has a birthday in September or October so I can begin scheduling the guest readers.