Today

Hello everyone! Sorry there were no postings today!  I decided to take a personal day to attend a Halloween celebration for my son in the morning and my daughter in the afternoon.  

Just one note:
There will be no spelling test this week.  :)  Hope you enjoyed your time home with your kiddos!

Writing Stories

Today, we wrote a story together as a class about our class pet, Mr. Banana Belly.  Ask your child to tell you the character, setting, problem and solution of our story!

Partner editing!

Halloween Costumes

We were just chatting about trick-or-treat...

I would LOVE to see pics of my students in their Halloween costumes!!!!!!  Please feel free to email a Halloween pic to me!!!

Pumpkin Party=SUCCESS!!!

Thank you to everyone who donated things and volunteered their time at our class pumpkin party!  I'd say my first pumpkin party was a success!  Super fun!  Although, I must say that I was shocked at the amount of kiddos who didn't want to touch the "gook" inside of the pumpkins!! 

Any parents were volunteered today and have suggestions for next year, please don't hesitate to let me know!!   I'm always open to suggestions and new ideas!!

Enjoy the pics!!!!!!

Pumpkin Party

Don't forget-our pumpkin party is today at 2:00!!  We're VERY excited!!

The Three Little Pigs

Learning about fantasy stories....We acted out "The Three Little Pigs" and read "The True Story of the Three Little Pigs."

Exploring Patterns!

Three Billy Goat Gruff

This week, we're talking about what makes a fantasty story.  Today, we acted out "The Three Billy Goats Gruff."  Rebecca was the small billy goat, David was the medium billy goat and Alexys was the big billy goat.  Andrew was the troll.  Kudos to them for being brave enough to act this book out in front of the class!! Woohoo!! What fun!!!

Silly Words!!

Practice, practice, practice!!!!

Here are some silly nonsense words that you can practice with your kiddos to help improve their reading!!  Feel free to make flashcards or a game with them to make learning more fun!  Did you ever use a baking pan with shaving cream?  Have your child write the words in the shaving cream!!  Need another fun way to practice the words?  Write with chalk on the driveway!  Practice in the car on the go, too!!  These silly words help the kids recognize and pay attention to sounds.  Often, they memorize words (which is great for sight words!) but in order to be aware of sounds, this is a great way to practice!! 

Here's a word list to get you started!  You can make up your own three letter words too!  Be sure to include all of the vowels when making words!  (a, e, i, o, u)
tum
rep
bim
fub
rut
cit
wuv
nim
lom
pok
def
dip
tux
mog
liz
pog
nus
sim
dab
zag

Friendship Circle

We took a dance "brain break" and the kiddos made a friendship circle!  :)

CHANGE TO SPIRIT DAYS

Within the last 5 minutes, there has been a change to the spirit days...sorry!

Wednesday-wear red
Friday-school colors
Monday-pink

Spirit Days

Just a heads up-Wednesday is "red" day and Friday is "pink" day!

Enjoying an afternoon read.....

Odd and Even

Today, we worked on recognizing odd and even numbers and counting by 2's!

Wednesday's Pumpkin Party

If you are sending in a large pumpkin, it would be helpful to have it ahead of time so that I can cut the top off!  Thanks!!

Also, please dress your kiddos in clothes that you don't mind getting yucky that day!  We'll be painting and carving pumpkins!

Thanks!! Can't wait for the fun!!!!

Spelling List-Unit 1 Week 2

Here are the spelling words for the week:
1. six
2. lip
3. in
4. wig
5. it
6. did
7. mix
8. sit
9. pin
10. fix

11. she
12.take

Notice that our pattern this week is short i.  The last two words are sight words for this week!

Assembly About Empathy

This morning, we attended an assembly to learn about empathy!  Some of the kiddos got to take a walk in Mrs. Castleman's shoes! :)

Info Regarding Pumpkin Party

Just a reminder that our pumpkin party is scheduled for Wednesday, October 24th from 2-3.  All families are invited to join us for a little bit of pumpkin fun! 

If you signed up to send something in for pumpkin day, please send it in on Monday or Tuesday prior so that I can make sure we have everything we need and so that I can get everything organized.

I'm looking forward to a fun time!!

Thanks,
Mindy :)

SPELLING CHANGE-Yes, already!!!

Sooo....  We tried to take our spelling test in our composition books today and this is what I discovered.  First graders have trouble writing in small lines (I figured that might be a problem) and I couldn't tell which words were capital and which words were lower case.  Sooo..with that said, you will see a regular yellow spelling test coming home today.  We talked about it and they (and I) preferred to take the test on that paper.  I think it's much more organized for them to show their best work! 

With that said, you can keep the spelling test at home and do not need to sign it or send it back.  I have also decided not to pre-test anymore.  I can get a feel from working in small groups with the kids as to which words/patterns they are struggling with.

Let me know if you have any questions!
Thanks for bearing with me!
Mindy

BOOK FAIR

Students will be visiting the book fair on Thursday, November 8th at 9:30.  If you would like your child to buy books, please send money in an envelope with their name on and write the amount on the front.  If you would NOT like your child to get pencils, erasers, poster, etc, please indicate that on the front of the envelope as well.  If you would like to join your child at the bookfair, you are more than welcome to.  It will be held in the elementary building, in the multi-purpose room.  Please meet us over there at 9:30 if you would like to come.

Thanks!
Mindy

ALLIGATOR MATH!

Today, we used alligators to help us determine which number was bigger!  The alligator likes to eat the biggest, juiciest number!!  Ask your child to compare two numbers up to 100!  I bet they can do it!

Cupcake Reward

The kiddos enjoyed cupcakes that they earned for filling up their Mr. Potato Head.  Yum!

Enjoying our reading fingers!!

A special thanks to Ryan for bringing in fun "reading fingers" for our class to enjoy while we read!! We had a blast reading our story, "Sam, Come Back!" with our reading fingers today!  The kiddos are going to bring home this book to read to you tonight!  We're going to practice a lot throughout the day!  Prepare to be impressed!!

Yesterday

Sorry about the lack of blogging yesterday!!  My daughter got sick at school so I had to leave and pick her up and I didn't get a chance to share that info with you!  I apologize! Look for pictures to come today! :)

Math Update

Just a little update on math:

Math homework sheets for Unit 3 are coming home today.  We will begin Unit 3 on Monday.  This week, we are wrapping up Unit 2, which includes telling time to the hour, counting nickels and pennies, writing and reading tally marks and solving basic addition and subtraction problems. 

Introducing....the shoe tying club!

We need to learn how to tie our shoes!!!  Today, kiddos practiced tying Alana's shoes.  When they learn how to tie shoes, they get to be part of the "shoe tying club!" Once everyone learns how to tie shoes, the club will have lunch in the classroom to celebrate! 

This is not meant to leave anyone out or make anyone feel bad, don't worry!  We are encouraging everyone to learn-you should hear the wonderful words of support coming from the students! :)

ck

We're making "ck" trees!  Ask your kiddo to read the words on his/her "ck" tree when it comes home this week!

Official Spelling Tests Begin This Week!

 Information regarding spelling tests:

The first "official" spelling test will be this Friday!  Here is the list that students should study this week:

can
cat
back
dad
am
bat
mad
ran
sack
at

I will also be adding some words that we have already learned previously, to see if the kiddos have maintained those words/skills.  Students will also have to write three sentences, focusing on spelling, starting with a capital letter and ending with punctuation. 

On Monday's, students will complete a pre-test so that I can see which words they already know and which words they still need to work on.  On Friday's, students will take the official test that I will grade.  They will take these tests in one booklet and I will send that home on Monday night for you to check and sign.

Let me know if you have any questions! Happy spelling!! :)

Book Fair

Just wanted to let you know that book fair info is coming home today!  I do not have the time when our class is going but I will post it as soon as I find out.

Thanks!
Mindy

WE'RE HAVING A FUN FRIDAY!!

 

Sorry that the pictures are blurry! They were dancing!

Short u

This week, we learned how to read words with short u!  Give your kiddos some three letter words with short u and be amazed at how well they can read them! Woohoo!!

Little Readers-Homework

Hope you are having fun listening to your children read to you at night!  I am amazed at how much they've grown already, just in a month and a half!  It's incredible! They are just sucking up the information that I'm giving them!  I'm so proud of them!!! 

Each morning, your child has the opportunity to choose a book for that night.  Don't worry if a book comes home twice.  It is good for the kids to read the same passages/stories over and over.  It helps increase their fluency (how quickly they can read). 

Happy Reading!
Mindy

Money, Money, Money!!!

Over the past two weeks, we've been learning about pennies and nickels!  The students in room 21 have been practicing how to recognize and count pennies and nickels.  They've also been learning how to trade pennies for nickels.  If you have any opportunties for practice at home, that'd be great!!

MATH BINGO!!!

Today, we played bingo to practice recognizing numbers to 75.  The kiddos had a fun time! 

What do we like to do in our neighborhood?

Jessica-I like to play with my friends in my house.
Rebecca-I like to go to the lemonade stands and the parks.
Ryan-I like to feed my dog.
Braden-I like to play with my friend Landon at his house, in the front yard.
David-I like to play with Logan.
Alana-I like to walk my friends' dog.
Cara-I like to ride my bike.
Alexys-I like to play with my friends.
Katie-I like to play with my dog.
Sammy-I like to play soccer.
Josiah-I like to play with my friends and play on the computer in my home.
Oyinkansola-I like to play with my buddy and my friends.
Joselyn-I like to play with my friends.
Taylor-I like to play on my scooter.
Logan-I like when my buddy rides his skateboard.
Anya-I like listening to music.

GUMMY BEAR SONG

So...apparently the gummy bear song is very popular with this group of kiddos!  I found the gummy bear song on Pinterest last week and thought it was really cute.  When I played it today, I was surprised that the kids had heard it before-they were dancing and singing like crazy!!  It was really cute and so much fun!!!!!!!!!

Having an early snack!

Pumpkin Party

Just a reminder that our pumpkin party is scheduled for Wednesday, October 24th from 2-3pm.  Parents are welcome to join us!  We still need the following things donated:

A sweet Halloween treat
Fruit (such as grapes and strawberries)
A craft
A game

Please let me know if you are able to donate any of the above items!
Thanks so much!!
Mindy

Also, younger siblings are welcome to come along.  However, they will have to work with their sibling and share their goodies (unless we have extras of course!)

Woweeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You'll never believe it!!! It's 1:28 and no kiddos have lost ANY GO signs today!!! WOW!! They came back from break well-rested and ready to learn!! Woohoo!! I'm so proud of the hard work that they are doing today!! We're getting a lot done and having so much fun doing it!!!!

It's FALL!

We started off the morning by reading a story about fall and painting fall trees.  They look amazing!!

Check out the finished product!!

Nouns, Verbs and Adjectives

Over the last few weeks, we've been learning about nouns, verbs and adjectives.  Today, the kiddos wrote about a toy that they brought to school with them.  In their sentences, they included nouns, verbs and adjectives!  Here are some samples!

Sammy-He is a water type.  He has green eyes. 

Angelica-I like my toy.  It has a bow on it.

Josiah-My pet has a timer and my pet has a timer switch.  You have to shake it to turn it on.

Ryan-It has blue.  It has white.  It has brown.  It has yellow.  It has black.  I like my Ninja Ninjago.

Oyinkansola-My computer is pink.  My computer is cool.  I like my computer because my computer is my favorite toy.  I like it. 

Alana-I have a monkey.  It is purple.  It has feet.  It has eyes.

Hunter-My toy is green.  My toy can walk.  My toy can turn on.

Cara-It is brown.  It is small.  It is soft.  It is cute.  It is tan.

Katie-My toy moves.  My toy is cute.  My toy is pretty.  My toy is funny.  She is my friend.

Logan-Someone is inside.  Clayface is eating Robin.

Anya- It is black.  It is cute.  It is brown.  It is pink inside its' ears.

Rebecca-My baby is cute.  I like my baby.  I love her.  She is my favorite toy.  She is small. 

Jessica-My high heel is high.  My doll is cute.  My high heel is pink.  My doll's eyes are brown.

Taylor-It has stripes.  It is soft.  Its name is Ginger.  It is white.  It is orange and black.

 

The kiddos got to sit in the "special chair" when they shared their writing! :)

Enjoying snacktime!!

Check out our snack basket!  Just wanted to let you know how well snacktime has been working out!  It's great to have individual bags of goodies that I can put in a basket and each day the kiddos can pick what they like! :)  Lots of happy campers! :)

New carpet squares

Thank you to Mr. and Mrs. Essis for our NEW CARPET SQUARES!!!!! The kiddos are having a blast reading and relaxing on them!!!!

BTSN=SUCCESS!!!

Thank you all for coming to Back to School Night!!! It was super fun to see all of you and to see how excited your kiddos were to show you around their "home away from home!"  Also, I LOVED to see all of the kids and families interacting at the Steven Courtney concert! What a great idea!! Kudos to whoever thought of it!

 I'm sending conference times home for those of you who weren't able to attend and sign up for a conference.  Let me know if you have any conflicts! 

Thanks again for bringing your kiddos out last night!! :)

Back to School Night

Just a reminder that Back to School Night is TONIGHT!!! Classroom visits are from 5:30-6:30 and the Steven Courtney concert is from 6:30-7:30.  Can't wait to see you all!!!! The kiddos are super excited to show you around the classroom now that it has become their second home!!! FUN! See you soon!!

Getting great use out of technology!!

Today, we practiced counting by 2's, 5's and 10's by singing a song on the smartboard!  FUN!!!!!

COCOA STARS

Woohoo to David for filling his Cocoa Star today!!!!  Kudos to all of the kiddos in room 21 that are being SUPER CITIZENS!!!!!

Real words or silly words??

Recently, we've been practicing reading "real words" and "silly words".  For example, a real word would be: can.  A silly word would be vim.  To help your child practice their vowel sounds, you can give them real three letter words or you can make up three letter words that are silly!  Here are some to get you started!

lim
yip
riv
wik
kad
pel

Happy Silly Reading!! :)

Here, kiddos are reading real and silly words, coloring them and writing them!

Check out our indoor recess creations!

Brain Break!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

With all of this rain and very little physical movement, we decided to give our brains a break and dance to "I like to move it, move it!"  You should have seen your kiddos "movin' and shakin' it"  We have quite a crew of dancers!! 

Thank you for snacks!!

You guys are amazing!!!! Thank you for remembering that it's October 1st and for sending snacks in today!  I have the best parents!!!!!!!!

Number Monsters

At this point, students should be able to recognize numbers 1-20 and count up by 1's to 20 and then 20 back to 1.  A few kiddos still need some extra practice with this!  When you're driving somewhere, take the opportunity to count with your child in the car!  Awesome use of time!! :)

Freeze Dance!!

Today, we did the freeze dance while practicing our spelling words!  I have to tell you-every single one of your kiddos was a crazy dancer!! They had a blast!!