Trick Words Come Alive!

The video you just watched is an example of the videos we've been creating to help remember trick words! The kids are pretty excited to be in a "movie"! We experimented with the trick words and they found they were able to remember the words practiced this way much more easily! Enjoy!
Valentine's Day was a filled with friendship and kindness. As they opened their Valentine cards from each other, there was a chorus of voices saying, "Thank you!"Check out Silas and Brodie's enthusiasm for the day. I think they sum it up!




In addition to having a Valentine Celebration, we continued our penguin studies. This week we had a guest who has actually visited Antarctice! Betsy Youngman is a teacher and scientist who was studying the ozone in Antartica. While she was there she saw...YES, penguins! The children were riveted while she shared her tale! Thanks, Betsy!
There's more to say, but I've run out of time...check back later this weekend for more!
Have a great vacation week!

Penguin Plunge!

This week we jumped in with both feet...into the Antarctic Ocean, that is! Each child made a game called "Penguins On Board." You'll be able to play this game and four others when your child brings home a folder at the end of the unit with all five games! The unit focuses on measurement. As they learn about penguins, they measure a piece of string as tall as that particular penguin and compare their weights. This week they had to use a thermometer to make a cup of water exactly 60 degrees (the average winter temperature of the ocean off the coast of Florida.) They're so excited about penguins and the games and activities that when I announce the end of math they groan! We've been reading books about penguins and learning about Antarctica. Very exciting!

I sent home a Valentine list this week, but if you didn't receive one, email me and I can send you a list this weekend! I'm providing treats for this party!

I'm sending home a Reading Celebration form...every year during "I Love to Read Month" (February), we ask children to read and record minutes read for the week before February vacation. On the last day before break, we have an assembly planned and each form returned will be entered into a drawing for prizes! It's a fun and exciting time especially for first graders who've just discovered the joy of reading! I encourage you to help your child find time each day to read and fill out the form!

This week I'm sending some math homework to review time and on the back there are a series of questions about a money graph. At the bottom is a "challenge" question...this part is optional.

Snow, snow and MORE snow!

AGAIN we missed our field trip to Shelburne Farms...something tells me it wasn't meant to be! I think we should skip this trip and move on!

I attended a great technology conference! I didn't even know how much I needed to learn! I look forward to trying out some new tricks with the kids and sharing our work on the class blog!

This week the class began learning about penguins. They made penguin folders along with penguin measuring tapes. For their imaginary trip to the Antarctic region, they filled out penguin passports. The unit's focus is measurement and they'll be using their penguin measuring tapes nearly every day as they learn about a number of penguins! They will make and use their own workplace games which will come home at the end of the unit for you to play and enjoy as a family.

In the homework folder you should find your child's report card for the second quarter. It's in an envelope marked, of all things, "Report Card." Inside you'll find the classroom report card, the Universal Arts (PE, art, and music) grades and a math report card. Please sign and return the envelope!

Have a snowy weekend!