Upcoming Spring Break

Spring is upon us and the weather has been so nice lately.  We are loving that we get to go out and play for recess once again.  It's awfully hard to be stuck inside during winter for recess.  So we are very thankful for the time we have been able to spend outdoors.  We have even taken some of our science lessons outside.  Last week, we were learning about weather.  The students used thermometers to measure how hot or cold it was outside.  We went out daily last week to graph the weather and use our thermometers.  The students really enjoyed this activity and learned how to read a thermometer as well.  We also discussed the clouds and the type of clouds that bring good weather and stormy weather.

This week, we will continue learning how to determine importance when reading nonfiction material.  Nonfiction material is loaded with many facts.  As a reader, we have to decipher which facts are the most important and which facts are interesting details.  We will also review our other reading strategies as we read Jan Brett's The Easter Egg.  Students will be asked to make predictions, ask questions, and clarify the meaning of words.  In addition, students will be asked to sequence the events of the story and make a connection.  We love Jan Brett and I'm sure this book will be added to the students list of favorite books written by this beloved author.  In addition, we will also read another Little Old Lady book.  This one is called There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Chick.  We will read the book together as a class.  The students will be asked to sequence the evens in this story as well.  In science this week we are starting our unit on matter.  I just know the students are going to think this is the best unit yet.  I have a lot of fun experiments planned for this unit and I can't wait to share what's in store...with some pictures hopefully.  I'm sorry I haven't been the best at taking pictures the last several weeks.  :(

A huge thank you to all the parents that took time out of their busy schedules to come to student-led conferences.  I know the kiddies enjoyed showing "off" their classroom and the activities they are involved in during the day.   I hope you got a little insight as to what goes on in our classroom.  Our day is full of learning from the time we come in the door til the time we leave.  I am so proud of all the hard work your child has put in this year.  They (and you too), should be very proud of all their hard work.

I'm very sorry for the sporadic posts this month.  It seems I have been equally busy as the rest of you I'm sure.  Between birthday parties and traveling to see family, it's been difficult for me to sit down and write a post.   Please remember that their will be no school next week:  March 31-April 6 for spring break.  School will resume on April 7th.  Also, tomorrow night, March 24 from 6:30 to ? is a PTO meeting in the elementary cafeteria.  We need your ideas, so please come and add your input.  I can't believe how quickly this year has passed us by.  We still have tons of learning left and I'm excited at where we are head this next month.

Student Led Conferences

Tomorrow night is our student-led conferences from 4:00-8:00 pm.  I scheduled each family a time block of thirty minutes.  In addition, I have tried to schedule only three families at a time.  This will allow your child to take you around the classroom and show you the things that he/she is working on without there being too many people in the room.  We will set up a variety of stations that we have worked on in class.  Your child's job will be to take to each station and explain the work that we do while showing you what they are doing.  Your child will show you:

• How to use the Promethean Board,
• Word Work Station
• Language Journals
• Writing Folders
• Their "Good-Fit" books
• How to use a retell rope
• Computer Station

In addition, your child can show you any other item in the classroom that he/she has worked on.  We have some great work samples out in the hallway as well that I hope you take the opportunity to look at and discuss with your child.

If you are unable to attend conferences, please contact me so we can work out another time for you to come see what we are working on.  If you have any concerns or would like to meet with me privately, please contact me for another conference time.

We RoCkeD it to the 120th Day

Last Friday was the 120th day of school.  I can't even believe how fast this school year is going.  We celebrated the 120th day by dressing like RoCK sTArs.  The kids really rocked their outfits.  They were super cute!!!  We celebrated the day by writing 120 words, reading 120 books, skip counting by 5's to 120, sorting snacks into groups of 10 and then skip counting them to 120, and last but not least writing our numbers to 120.  The kids had a blast.  I so enjoyed celebrating their successes with them today.  Here are some pictures of our day.

Monday is Read Across America Day.  We will celebrate Dr. Suess' birthday by dressing in our pajamas.  In addition, I asked that everyone bring in their favorite children's book from home.  I will bringing my favorite book as well.  I can't wait to share our favorite books during our literacy rotations and write about our favorite books.  The kids will have the opportunity to read Dr. Suess books.  In addition, we will learn about the famous author during our shared reading.  Monday will be another fantabulous celebration.  I can hardly wait!!!!!

In other academic news, we will be finished up our unit on comparing and contrasting.  Our finals comparison will be one of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.  We will then spend a week reviewing all of our CAFE reading strategies.  In science we will continue our unit on weather.  We have been recording the weather since groundhog's day to see if that 'ole groundhog was telling the truth!!!!  We will begin learning about the different types of weather this week.  Our science will extend into our shared reading as well as we learn about the different types of wet weather and weather tools.  Be on the lookout this week for a new math news that will come home on Friday.

Other reminders:
Monday, March 2nd:  Dress in pajamas for Read Across America Day./February Book It Calendars are DUE today!
Monday, March 2nd:  McTeacher Night at McDonald's  Your first grade teachers will be working at 7:00 p.m.  Come see me and bring in your colored McDonald's sheet for a chance to win a happy meal lunch at school!  McTeacher Night runs from 4-8p.m.
Sunday, March 8th: Daylight savings begins...Spring Forward
Tuesday, March 17th:  Student-Led Parent Teacher Conferences/Grade Cards go home.
Friday, March 20th:  NO SCHOOL - 1/2 day professional development 1/2 day compensation day
Friday, March 27th:  PTO Movie Night
Monday, March 30:  NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, March 31:  NO SCHOOL