2-23-20

Week at a Glance

Monday: D Day (Music)
Tuesday: E Day (Art)
Wednesday: F Day (Late Start, Art and Gym)
Thursday: A Day (Polar Bear Day! Gym and Library)
Friday: B Day (Half Day, Twin/Triplet/Quadruplet Day and Gym)

Volunteering the Week

Thursday: 11:45-12:25 to assist with writing about polar bears
Friday: 11:15-11:50 Tinker Time

Polar Bear Day

We will read a variety of informational texts about polar bears. Students will write about what they learn and practice working through the writing process. If they happen to have a stuffed polar bear, or book that applies, or some other related objects they are welcome to bring that in to show to the class. 

2-16-20

Week at a Glance

Monday: E Day (Art)
Tuesday: F Day (Gym and Art)
Wednesday: A Day (Late Start, Gym, Library)
Thursday: B Day (Gym, SEL)
Friday: C Day (Music and Mr. Popper's Penguins)

Thank you!

Huge shout out to the parents who made Valentine's Day spectacular for the Firsties. I received a number of thoughtful goodies, treats, and gifts as well.  Thank you! I definitely feel the love:)

Volunteering This Week

Tuesday: 9:15-10:00 Math
Thursday: 9:15-10:00 Math

Movie Day

You should have received notice that the class earned a reward day during which I will be showing Mr. Popper's Penguins.  I have received about 80% of the permission slips.  If you've not gotten yours in please do so.  If you prefer that your child not watch the movie I will make alternative arrangements.

Classroom Needs

We are starting to run low on pretzels again.  We're not at crisis level just yet, but over the next couple weeks if you find yourself at Aldi or see a sale, I'd be grateful if you could send in a bag.

We are learning about....

• light
• the oo sound (food, blue, chew, etc.)
• making inferences
• fluency in our oral reading
• maps and globes
• adding multiples of 10
• balancing equations
• kindness
• President's Day

2-9-20

Week at a Glance

Monday: F Day (Gym and Art)
Tuesday: A Day (Gym and Library)
Wednesday: B Day (Late Start, Gym, and SEL)
Thursday: C Day (Music)
Friday: D Day (Music)

Germs!

'Tis the season! I've been doing a little extra cleaning and the class will be learning about proper hand washing.  Hopefully this will help us all stay healthy.  That said, please abide by the 24 hour fever and vomit-free rule to avoid spreading whatever is going around.

Valentine's Day

Our party will be Friday at 1:30.  If you'd like to help out please contact Olivia's mom at rueskea@yahoo.com
We will start making our goodie bags on Wednesday.  I know a few kids have made boxes at home already.  Feel free to send those in on Friday.  Remember to include a Valentine for all the students in the class if you decide to participate in the exchange.  We have 26 total students.

Reader's Theater

Practices will continue this week and students will perform for each other Thursday and Friday.

Volunteering this Week

Monday 9:15-10:00 (Math Rotations)
Tuesday 3:00-3:30 (Choice time)

2-2-20

Week at a Glance

Monday: A Day (Gym, Library)
Tuesday: B Day (Gym, SEL)
Wednesday: C Day (Late Start, Music)
Thursday: D Day (Music)
Friday: E Day (101st Day, Art)

Happy Groundhog Day!

If time allows, please check the news with your Firstie to see if Phil saw his shadow. They were so excited to talk about it on Friday!

101st Day

Friday is the 101st day of school. We will celebrate throughout the day. Please have your child create a t-shirt with 101 spots for our Dalmatian-themed day. This does not need to be fancy. It can be any old shirt you have laying around. I recommend dot markers or hot-glueing pom-poms or felt. I have some extra shirts if you need one. I know everyone is busy, so the children can work during recess if finishing this at home is a problem.

Valentine's Day

Thank you to everyone who offered to help when my list went missing. Olivia's mom will be coordinating. If you'd like to help in any way please contact her at rueskea@yahoo.com. The party will be Friday, February 14 at 1:30. We will be making Valentine's bags in class to collect cards/treats the children receive. If you'd like to send in Valentines with your child please be sure to send one for each student. See below for a class list.

Ask your Firstie about:

• the Planetarium
• "If I built a"
• Somebody wanted but so then
• their reading stamina
• the First Grade program
• telling number stories with three addends
• picking their own seats

Take home books and reading homework

I am seeing some gains in reading! Please let me know how it's going in your house. I welcome the feedback. Most students have been very responsible with getting things in.

Upcoming Days 

February 17: Random Acts of Kindness Day

February 26: Fairy Tale Day

February 27: Toast Day and Polar Bear Day

Tinker Time

We will not be having Tinker Time this week or next due to the 101st day and Valentine's Day.

Volunteering this Week

Tuesday 9:15-10:15: Math Rotations
Wednesday 3:10-3:45: Choice Time

Classlist

Beckem

Lily

Natalie

Abigail

Audrey

Rhayna

Liam

Noah

Eli G

Brantley

Adrienne

Elliot

Payton

Eli K

Jayden

Jackson

Adah

Iris

Sharanya

Olivia

Ethan

Weston

Logan

Betty

Ainsley

Sawyer

1-26-20

Week at Glance

Monday: B Day (Gym, SEL)
Tuesday: C Day (Music)
Wednesday: D Day (Late Start, Music)
Thursday: E Day (Art)
Friday: F Day (Planetarium, Gym, Art)

Tinker Time
We will tinker on Thursday this week.

Planetarium
We will visit the Upton Planetarium with Ms. Harmening's class Friday morning.  Students do not need to bring anything with them. 

Reading
Please continue to return reading homework and take-home books.  I've noticed a few kiddos leaving their books in their lockers.  If you're not seeing books at home please ask your Firstie about it!

1-19-20

Week at a Glance

Monday: NO School
Tuesday: D Day (Music)
Wednesday: E Day (NWEA and Art)
Thursday: F Day (Gym and Art)
Friday: A Day (1/2 Day)

*Library this week may differ due to the 1/2 Day.  Please send library books back on Thursday just in case.

**No Tinker Time this week. 

Homework

I'm impressed with how many kiddos have been bringing back their take-home books!  How exciting.  They are becoming better readers every single time they read!  Keep it up, Firsties!  You may have noticed I sent home a reading packet last week.  I plan to continue with these packets to improve reading comprehension and offer an additional opportunity for students to read. I will send them home early in the week and would like to have them back by Friday of that same week.  As much as I prefer not to have homework at this age I'm noticing the class needs the practice.  When I spoke to the children about this extra practice almost every kid said they liked the idea! I encourage them to take ownership of their work and take the initiative to get it down and bring it back independently. They will need your signature, though. Thanks for your help!

1-12-20

Week at a Glance

Monday: E Day (Winter NWEA testing, Art)
Tuesday: F Day (Gym, Art)
Wednesday: A Day (Late Start, Gym, Library, *Hat day-inside our classroom only)
Thursday: B Day (Gym, SEL)
Friday: C Day (Music, Tinker Time)

Hat Day 

Wednesday is National Hat Day.  Students may bring a hat to wear in the classroom. 

Supply Request

Pretzels, pretzels, pretzels!  Firsties are a hungry lot and we go through them very quickly.

No School on Monday, January 21