Newsletter 1/30

1/30/2012

 
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January 30, 2012

Dear Families,

I hope you all are doing well.   Last week was super busy as we settled in after our snow break.  The week began with our neighborhood project and we talked about the impact of litter in our community.  We even grabbed some garbage bags and did a small clean up around our school.  I posted a picture of us on our website so please remember to check in there every now and again.    I hope you saw the snow video’s as well.  Again thanks to Amy for all the work she’s doing to get us on- line.  

Daily 5
I hope you’ve heard by now that we have been reading about 25 minutes each morning!   The kids are really excited that we have reached this milestone.  I love it because I have a good block of time now to work with them individually and in small groups. We are continuing to work on comprehension strategies and we are now talking about what it means to “infer” while we are reading.  We will hit this hard during the week and then move into our first Non-Fiction Unit next week.  

Everyday Math – 
In Unit 4, children are working with linear measures and reviewing the use of thermometers and clocks.  We are measuring in nonstandard units, such as digits and hand spans, as well in our system of inches and feet.  We are also working to achieve “automaticity” of basic addition facts.  

Science –
I am excited that we are starting our new science unit this week, Balls and Ramps.  It really is fun and kids will be learning what makes balls good rollers, bouncers and how their properties make them move differently.  Later in the unit we will be building ramp systems so please keep saving those cardboard toilet paper and paper towel rolls.   

Field Trip-
We were all disappointed that our Children’s Theatre field trip was cancelled because of the snow.  And I  just learned last week that the production will not be rescheduled.  So we will be getting our money back from the Children’s Theatre.  That said,   Ms. Leland and I were already planning to do at least two other field trips.  One on May 17th to see the Storybook Theater’s production of Little Mermaidand the other is a trip to explore Wallingford’s Tilth garden.
It’s our thought to just keep the money you paid for the children’s theatre and apply it to these two trips.  It looks like the cost will be about the same. 
  
Valentines Day –
Can you believe that Valentines Day is next week?  Here is our first grade plan.   First, we would like each of you to send an empty cereal box in this week.  We will be turning these into our valentine mail box.   If you have more than one – please bring it as well.    I am attaching a class list so that you can make sure your child brings in a valentine for everyone in the classroom.  It will be pajama day for first graders and we will have some sort of “special treat” during the day.    Please don’t send your valentines to the classroom until Monday the 13th. I’m sure there will be more to come from Krissi.   Thanks Krissi!

One last thing….  

Hudson’s mom, Amy has been working so hard on our website and has now created websites for each child.   We are working to figure out how we are going to use these sites so if you have any suggestions please let us know.  We will be looking for people to help scan some student work as well as recording video’s of some of the things we are doing in the classroom.  As many of you know, I have a news background and would love to start a “Kids Report” that we can air at least bi –weekly to begin.    I’m sure I’ve forgotten something – but I will use email for that.   Hope you all are enjoying the end of winter!

Have a great week,

Molly

 
Happy New Year!      I hope you all had a wonderful winter break!   I had a great time with my family in Maui and am recharged and ready to get back to work.  But first I wanted to thank you all for my holiday gift.   Your generosity amazes me –with the “mad-money”   I was able to enjoy some spa time on the island and indulge myself in a Hawaiian bracelet that will forever remind me of this incredible class of first graders.   Thank you for being so supportive and for making my holiday one that I will not forget.  

I’m really looking forward to these next few months.  January is a time to start fresh and I’m hoping to do just that in Room 204.   Book clubs and our first Non-Fiction unit are coming up in our reader’s workshop.    We will celebrate our first published pieces as authors and we will continue to work on our neighborhood project which will take us to the Seattle Children’s Theater on Tuesday, January 17th.  Permission slips will be coming home later in the week.  

My New Year’s Resolutions include using our website a bit more.  I would like to blog occasionally and I’m also thinking about using twitter to connect with you as well.  What do you think?   Do any of you tweet?  

I can’t wait to see all of you in the morning!   I sure have missed my 26 first graders!   2 weeks is a long time to be away.  Again, thank you and I send all of you my best wishes for an incredible new year!


Molly