Post Title.

5/7/2012

 
Room 204 Newsletter
Dear Families,

It was so fun to see so many of you at the Sounders Game!  I thought it was an amazing event and reminded me again of how special our school community is – what a great day!

I hope you have been enjoying our “kid newsletters”.   I decided it was time that I bring you some news from the classroom.   So here goes –

Field Trip –

On Thursday, May 17th both first grade classes will be going to Museum of History and Industry for a Storybook Theater performance. We are hoping to do this trip by car so I need at least 5 or 6 adults to chaperone and help get us there.  Please let me know if you can drive and how many kids you would be able to fit in your car.  The Field Trip Forms are attached.  (There is a charge for this trip but we will be using the money that was refunded from our Childrens Theatre trip that was cancelled due to snow.)

Science –

We are a week into our new science unit.  This time we are studying organisms.   Already we have planted seeds, have compared and contrasted plants that are found growing in local ponds and forests.  We have mini terrariums and aquariums growing  in our classroom.   It’s a fun unit and I am hoping that our class can visit Discovery park on Thursday, June 7th to add to this learning.  This trip will cost at least 6 dollars per student and more if we need to take a bus.    If you think you could drive for this field trip – please let me know as well.

That’s it from me – please look for a “Kid Report” later in the week. 

Molly  

Newsletter 1/30

1/30/2012

 
This is your new blog post. Click here and start typing, or drag in elements from the top bar.
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