8/22/11-8/26/11

This week we began our reading series with the story Sam, Come Back! At centers we made cute cats and practiced a lot of reading! We also learned about the 3 features of a sentence. We took our first tests also! That was a memorable experience!!! Most of the students were so excited about taking tests!

In math we learned about addition sentences and reviewed shapes. We even practiced making shapes on geoboards! We <3 geoboards!!!

For our unit of study we sang many nursery rhymes and practiced different skills with each nursery rhyme. For instance, after singing Humpty Dumpty, we discussed the -all sound and brainstormed words in the -all family, such as ball and fall. We also practiced writing addition sentences for peas after singing Peas Porridge Hot. There is still more nursery rhyme fun in store for our class!

Thank you all so much for attending Open House this past Thursday night. I know your children LOVED showing you all around our classroom! What a fantastic year we are going to have!!!

8/15/11-8/19/11

This week we read lots of Kevin Henkes books: Chrysanthemum; Wemberly Worried; Sheila Rae, the Brave; Owen; Julius, Baby of the World, and Lillly's Purple Plastic Purse. After reading Chrysanthemum, we graphed the number of letter in our own names. After reading Sheila Rae, the Brave, we drew a picture of ourselves being brave. We also made our own purple paper purse (pouch for boys) after reading Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse. Then on Friday we made a graph to show our favorite Kevin Henkes character. I just love Kevin Henkes books, and I guarantee you that your children will be checking them out throughout the school year!

We made patterns in math. I forgot to take pictures, but we used Skittles to make patterns. I taught the class about AB (red, blue), ABC (red, blue, green), ABBC (red, blue, blue, green), etc. patters. We also completed a fun ActivBoard pattern flipchart using farm animals to make patterns.

We read many family stories, and we are in the process of completing an All About Me booklet. When you see it, please know that I accidentally Xeroxed it upside down and sideways, so you have to flip it around to read it. I told the class that I messed up, and they were so very sweet to forgive me. =)

Our other exciting event of the week was the grand opening of the playground!!!!! Enjoy the pictures below, and I apologize for the multitude of blisters on hands. I told the class that their skin will toughen, and they will not longer get blisters from playing on the playground.

This week we will begin our Reading Street series, so be on the lookout for it.

Also, Open House is Thursday night. Pre-ordered dinner begins in the cafeteria at 5. The PTA Meeting is in the cafeteria beginning at 6, and Open House will be in our classroom beginning at 6:30!!! I can't wait for you to see your child's work!!!

8/8/11-8/12/11

What a fabulous first week of school!!!! My family was up very early Monday, August 8, ready for school! It was also Case's 3rd birthday! Kennedy started 3rd grade!

And I greeted 20 new 1st graders!!! I can tell we are going to have a remarkable year!

At the end of the first day of school, each student was given 'magic' play-doh. It helps predict whether or not we will have a good school year. When they first receive the play-doh, it has no color, but as they play with it, it turns color if the school year will be great! I am happy to report that everyone's play-doh turned a color, and it was an even darker color the next morning. We will keep this play-doh in our desks until around holiday break. We can flatten it and write words in it, shape it into letters, exercise our hands with it, and so much more.

I'm already looking forward to all of next week's fun. We will read many Kevin Henkes books which will be followed by lots of fun activities! Also, Thursday is Picture Day, so plan out your child's wardrobe accordingly. These are yearbook pictures and field trip name tag pictures!!!