Dear Families,

 

I hope you all had a great weekend.   You should have received your child’s report card on Friday.   Please keep the insert and just send the envelope back with your signature on the front.   Can you believe we are just two weeks from Spring Break?  Now if the weather would only cooperate…..

Daily 5 –
We are going to begin a new literacy study this week.   We are going to spend some time studying fairy tales.  This is a unit Ms. Leland did last year and we’ve decided to work together with the hope that the kids will eventually write their own fairy tales and present them at a performance in early May.  We hope to create costumes and sets so there may be some more opportunities for parent volunteers. 

Writers Workshop
Our nonfiction work continues in Writers Workshop.  Kids are working on “All About Books”.   They picked their own topics and are organizing facts on different kinds of paper utilizing a table of contents and pages that let them create diagrams and close ups.   
Everyday Math –
We are starting a new unit that continues to help kids learn basic math facts. Your child should being to master these facts by the end of the year.  Some of the kids are ready for multiplication and they are working on these facts as well.  I will continue to send home math homework.

Class Meetings –
Our class meetings are really helping us to work together to solve problems.  Our behavior in line has been something that has been “bugging” a lot of us.  So last week we problem solved ways to make our line straighter so that we could get where we were going more quietly and safely.   The kids decided that it might be helpful to have an order and so now they are lining up in ABC order.  It has seemed to help and the kids love that they figured out the solution.

Thanks for sending in snack – the cupboard is full!  Have a great week everyone! 

 

Molly 

March 19, 2012

Dear Families,

I hope by now you have heard about the work we are doing as

nonfiction readers.   Everyone is working in a group to learn

more about the topic they are studying.   It’s been so fun to

watch them work together and share their new learning.   The

groups are also creating either a poster or a book so that they

can teach others.  It really has been fun to watch them work

together and   we are going to continue this work all week and

end with a presentation on Friday at 11:15.   You are invited to

attend but again – this will be a low key event – a chance for

each group to present their new learning and give them all a

chance to practice speaking in front of a group.   And really

their projects – as amazing as I think they will be – are not what

is most important.  This unit has been about using nonfiction to

find new information and I’ve loved watching them read books

together and share exciting facts.  They have also used the

computers and every day I have a sticky on my desk asking me

if I could help them find a picture or another piece of

information.   Wow.

Science

We did finish our balls and ramps unit last week.  Organisms is

our final unit – I should get the kit after Spring Break.      

Classroom Website and e-folio’s

I hope that you have had the chance to check out your child’s

e-folio.  They are a work in progress and Amy is still in the

process of updating each page.  My hope is to get samples of

their reading uploaded very soon.  I could definitely use some

volunteers to help with this job.  Again – thank you Amy for all

you have done to get this up and on line.  I could never have

done it without you.

Auction

I am hoping to see many of you at the auction this Friday Night. 

Our classroom project is beautiful, stunning, a masterpiece.  I

believe it will be on display at the school this week you are

going to want to see it.   Charlie’s mom, Krissi, is the artist

behind the work and saying thank you just doesn’t seem to be

enough.    I did write a blog so you could learn more about the

process so I hope you will look there for more information. 

Thanks Krissi!

Report Cards

I will be working on report cards all this week.   The second

trimester ended on Friday.   Report cards are always hard – I

hate assigning a number to anyone.   They will go home on

Friday the 30th.  If you have any questions about the process

please let me know.  And if you still have the envelope at home

would you sign it and send it back in.

We could use some more snack,

Molly :) 

  

Dear Families,
I had a great week but it is exciting to be going back to school today.   I hope you all are feeling the same. 

Daily 5
The kids are really enjoying our nonfiction unit of study.  We will continue talking about features of nonfiction as well as the reasons we read it.  Our stamina continues to build as readers and I’m hoping that most of thekids are able to read silently at school and at home about 20 minutes each day.   I hope you’ve heard that many of your children have changed levels recently.  However, I still believe that all of them need to focus on their comprehension and fluency skills.  So remember, reading the words is the easy part – please have them slow down, speed up, and retell their stories when they are reading at home with you.  

Writer’s Workshop
Most of us have now finished at least one How-To Book.   I think we will work on these another week and then start our All About Books.  These  books will give the kids a chance to become an expert about one subject.  It really fits well with our nonfiction reading unit.   After we have finished this work we will have our next Writer’s Celebration.  
Everyday Math
This Thursday is the 100th day of school.   If any of you want your child to bring in a collection of 100 – that would be fantastic!  (100 pennies, 100 gumdrops, 100 rocks…..) 
My goal is to send math homework home each night this week. If you want more homework please don’t forget how important Dreambox is for building upon what we do at school.   
That’s all for now,

Molly 

 

 

February 13, 2012

 

Dear Families,

 Happy Valentines Day!   I know many of you are planning to send in Valentines on Tuesday.   We have our boxes decorated and ready to go.  Thank you so much for getting all of those to our classroom.   If you have a class list please have the kids address their valentines to each other.  If not – it is fine to just send in 26 without names and we will make sure everyone gets one.  We are wearing pajamas that day and I have two parents who plan to bring in special treats.   Also – thanks for remembering the “stuffed – animals” last Friday.  We really had a fun day sharing our learning with these special friends. 

Daily 5
Our Non-fiction unit is underway- last week we spent lots of time exploring these books and documenting our new learning.  This week we will explore the features of nonfiction text and continue sharing what we are learning during reading time. 

Writer’s Workshop
To go along with our non- fiction reading the kids are exploring non-fiction writing. 

We are now working on “How-To Books”.  Kids are teaching each other all kinds of things – everything from “How-to take care of a pet” to “How to do a coin toss” and even” How to read-to-self.”  Oh, and we have one child in our class who is teaching us “How to drive a speed boat” – go figure! 

Everyday Math –
I am planning to finish Unit 4 this week.   We will be working on our fact power.  The ability to quickly come up with answers to simple addition problems.   

Science –
Our science unit is rolling along….:)   The kids are learning that balls have different properties that make them move differently.  We have talked about what makes a ball a good roller and/or a good bouncer and last week we moved some balls using only straws.  We will keep at it this week. 

Class Meetings –
\As many of you know the PTSA paid for our staff to take a training in Positive Discipline for the classroom.   Out of this has come the desire to start having classroom meetings where we all start solving problems together.  We have already met several times and so far we have accomplished many great things.  First, we can now come to the carpet quickly, quietly and safely so that these meetings can happen in less than 15 minutes.  We are also learning how to give and receive complements.   We start each meeting by just going around the circle and having each child give and then receive these special comments.  Our first “action item” was to decide what kind of unity point party we would have- the kids came up with about 10 ideas.  And through discussion and a class vote we whittled those down to three – finally coming up with our “stuffie party.”  As we progress we will soon use these meetings for problem solving.   And as part of that process we are using Kelso’s Choice to learn the difference between big problems and small problems as well as teach kids ways they can solve problems themselves.  It’s really important work.

And finally – next week is mid-winter break.  I hope you all have a nice holiday.

See you soon,

Molly  

 

 

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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  

December 12, 2011 

Twas the Night before Winter Break and all through the Classroom . . .
I’m sure we will be working fast and furiously this week as we get ready for a 2-week break! Thank you all for sending in “goodies” so that we can decorate gingerbread houses with our reading buddies on Friday afternoon.   Please let me know if you can help with this project as well.  I, unfortunately, will not be there as I am leaving for Hawaii on Friday.   I will so miss decorating but the kids will be in good hands with a familiar substitute, Mrs. Peabody and Mrs. Leland that day. 

Cornelius has a home for the break --  A big thank you to Evan and his family, they will be taking care of Cornelius over the holiday. 

Report cards will go home on Friday.   I hope they are self-explanatory – we did them online for the first time this year.  I hope they go along with what we talked about at conferences.  Please let me know if you have any questions about them or your child’s progress in the classroom.

Again, thanks for everything.   I wish all of you a great holiday and the most joyous of new years!

ALOHA,

Molly 

December 5, 2011

Dear Families,

I spent the weekend doing a lot of holiday “stuff” - I got the tree up, the kids and I did some shopping downtown and I have to say – I love this time of year! I think that although it can be hectic – it generally brings out the best in us. I hope you are finding some quality time with family and friends as well. Here’s a few odds and ends this week:

Neighborhood Project-

The kids really went to “town” last week (I couldn’t resist) creating a mural that represents our neighborhood. We also created some fictitious families to live there. Thanks to all of you who sent in boxes – they were put to good use. I will put a picture of our neighborhood on the website today.

Roots of Empathy –

Our visit with Baby Mary was a bit different last week. We were honored to have not only Mary and her Mom but the founder of ROE , Mary Gordon, with us as well. Because of her visit we had a News team from the Seattle Channel here as well. As soon as I know when the piece is airing I will let you know. I also got to hear Ms. Gordon speak at the town hall meeting last

week and I saw some of you there. Again, we are so fortunate to be able to do this in our classroom this year.

Needs:

A couple of things – I am looking for white business cards that you may not need anymore and are in good shape. I can’t tell you why because it’s a holiday secret. I know I have an old box somewhere – if you do could you please donate them to our classroom. Also, Snack – we are running low.

Cornelius:

Our baby corn snake will need a home for the 2 week winter break. He is really very low maintenance – all he needs is a warm room and someone to feed him once a week. And trust me; all of you have a snake expert living in your house.  Please let me know if you are interested – we would all so appreciate your help with this.

Finally, we have a new student in our classroom -Aiden Patterson and his family moved here from Virginia. Welcome Aiden and his mom and dad, Heather and Rodney. Have a great week everybody!

Molly

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