Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Giving Thanks…

First graders at California Elementary celebrated Thanksgiving with a Thanksgiving feast.  Our wonderful art teacher, Mrs. Lee, had the students make Indian headbands, necklaces, coifs, and hats for the occasion.  Some classes dressed as Indians and the others were Pilgrims.  We utilized as many parent helpers as possible and had our own Thanksgiving feast.  Here are some of the cutest little pilgrims I’ve ever seen.
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I am thankful for many things this season.  My family being one of them.  I am also thankful for this wonderful first grade class and all of my parents.  I appreciate everyone of you.  Your donations and willingness to volunteer is what enables us to have our annual Thanksgiving feast.  Without you, this would be impossible.

May you count your blessings this Thanksgiving as well.  Happy Thanksgiving to all!

TpT Cyber Sale

My TpT shop is participating in the Cyber Monday and Tuesday Sale on TpT.  Simply use the promo code:  CYBER to get up to 28% off.  Happy shopping.  :)

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

The Literary Work of Fabulous Firsties

We have spent the last two weeks learning about revision and editing.  Students chose their most favorite piece to publish.  Students worked with a partner to revise their piece through storytelling.  The writer would read a page of their story and the reader would then ask questions about the piece {who? what? when? where? why? how? questions}.  Next, the writer would answer the questions and add the information to their piece.

Afterwards, we looked at a piece together as a class and discussed editing.  Students were given an editing checklist and together, page by page, we went through a piece as a class and practiced our editing skills.  Next, the students worked on editing their writing on their own with a red pen.  Finally, the students got to work with their partners again.  Together they went through the editing checklist.  After completing the editing portion, students rewrote their pieces for publication.

I am so excited about sharing some of these great pieces once they are finished.  Students' books will be binded and shared with the class.  They will then be placed in the library for viewing {after we vote for Firstie Newberry Award and Hogan's Caldecott Award}.  In the meantime, please enjoy the pictures of our revising and editing and publishing process.





Students also visited the book fair at the library last Friday.  Here are a few of the students picking out their favorite books.  :) I absolutely LOVE Book Fair Week.  Thanks Mrs. Williams for making it so much fun.  Our class won the BINGO game and got $40 in books.  I was so thrilled!!!




Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Going to New Heights

Our wonderful principal Mr. Williams was reading on the rooftop today.  Please check out the article on KRCG about the Principal's Challenge to promote reading during National Young Readers Week.  Thank you for all who participated in this event by wearing camo to support Mr. Williams.  I would also like to extend my sincerest "thank you" to Mr. Williams for doing all he can to support the students at California Elementary School.  Check out the article HERE!