October 5th, 2009
Hello everyone,
We've been busy! We are into the art planner and loving every minute. We had a great art ala carte lesson on Matisse and explored positive and negative shapes. We read about Paul Klee and were inspired to make some of our own "twittering machines". We have investigated primary colors, complementary colors and the way artists use colors to convey mood.
Sparked by a general interest in volcanoes, we have delved into a study of rocks. It turns out, we rock! We have had a great time sharing our rocks, discussing their properties, and comparing them with other rocks.
There is a Museum of Fine Arts field trip coming up, but we have not been given a date yet. I'll let you know asap the date, becausewe will need parent chaperones.
There will be no spelling test this week.
Please note these dates on your calendar:
parent training for Renzulli learning: this Thursday in the library at 8:15.
Dad'sClub annual campout at Mark Twain: this Friday!
earlydismissal for all students: Weds.Oct 14th at 12:30.
Spooky Spaghetti Supper: Sat.Oct 24th...we need parent volunteers to man our booth!
Friday, Oct.30th Free Dress day!
A huge thanks to Grace's mom for art ala carte, Alec's mom for reading to us. and to Owen's dad for sharing a great story with us this past week!
Have a great week,
Ms. J
an inquiry into various artists and their styles
we are looking into this question
some of our thoughts so far...
our classroom family
Our essential agreements
we decided our behavior expectations for the year and all signed the contract
Monday, October 5, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Sept.29
A HUGE thank you for the wonderful flowers, cards and birthday gifts! I am truly blessed to have such a sweet class. I'm sure to be packing at least 5 new lbs., but it was worth it! The kids were absolutely precious and we had a great day.
TONITE is our class get together! Meet at the basketball pavilion at 5. I hope there aren't mosquitoes, but I wouldn't count on it.
If you have not already done so, please sign and return the progress report and I'll give you your own copy.
All for now....will update later soon.
See you tonite!
ms. J
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
This FRIDAY is FREE DRESS DAY
MONDAY, SEPT. 28th HOLIDAY, (YOM KIPPUR) NO SCHOOL
TUESDAY, SEPT. 29th OUR CLASS PARTY ( POT LUCK, BRING SOMETHING)
EVERY FRIDAY LIBRARY DAY PLEASE HELP YOUR CHILD REMEMBER TO BRING THEIR BOOK BACK!
WE ARE SO EXCITED THAT MRS. ZIRCZY'S 4TH GRADERS ARE OUR FRIDAY BOOK BUDDIES! EACH FRIDAY AFTERNOON THEY VISIT AT 2:00 AND THE KIDS READ TO EACH OTHER AND SHARE GOOD TIMES!
NOTE: IF YOU SIGN ON TO THIS BLOG AS A SUBSCRIBER, YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED WHEN A NEW POST APPEARS:)
HAVE A TERRIFIC 3 DAY WEEKEND!!!
YOURS IN FIRST,
MS. J
MONDAY, SEPT. 28th HOLIDAY, (YOM KIPPUR) NO SCHOOL
TUESDAY, SEPT. 29th OUR CLASS PARTY ( POT LUCK, BRING SOMETHING)
EVERY FRIDAY LIBRARY DAY PLEASE HELP YOUR CHILD REMEMBER TO BRING THEIR BOOK BACK!
WE ARE SO EXCITED THAT MRS. ZIRCZY'S 4TH GRADERS ARE OUR FRIDAY BOOK BUDDIES! EACH FRIDAY AFTERNOON THEY VISIT AT 2:00 AND THE KIDS READ TO EACH OTHER AND SHARE GOOD TIMES!
NOTE: IF YOU SIGN ON TO THIS BLOG AS A SUBSCRIBER, YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED WHEN A NEW POST APPEARS:)
HAVE A TERRIFIC 3 DAY WEEKEND!!!
YOURS IN FIRST,
MS. J
Monday, September 21, 2009
Monday revisited...
Important dates to remember:
Progress reports go home this Weds. Please sign and return and I will send you your own copy to keep.
Our class party! The kids are really looking forward to our POT LUCK SUPPER next Tuesday, Sept.29 at 5. We will meet on the basketball court. Siblings welcome! I hope we can all be there, even for just some of the time. Don't forget to bring something to share. See you there:)
A sign up has been posted by the door for Spooky Spaghetti volunteers. The kids LOVE this event. The PTO does so much for our school. We teachers are very appreciative. I hope everyone has joined for this year.
SCHOLASTIC NEWS MAGAZINE! This is a very worthwhile publication that I've ordered for the classroom. It would be greatly appreciated if you could reimburse me by sending $5.00 for the year. Thanks to those who have already contributed!
The "teacher work basket" is under the table by the door...if you have a minute there are a few things we could use help with. There are directions. THANKS!!
Pennies for Peace is going well. Also, our class is doing wonderfully with pet food and toy donations. The last day for that is this Friday.
This week there is no reading log per se, but please don't skip reading! Also, there is only one spelling list this week, and likely from now on. In class we are exploring time. We are still learning about word families, words that rhyme, and have almost finished the first "Mrs. Piggle Wiggle" book of stories.
A huge thanks goes out to all of you who have sent in snacks and recess items! We really appreciate your generosity. We seem to be ok for now.
Have a wonderful week...a nice Texas autumn week (lol).
All for now,
Ms J
Important dates to remember:
Progress reports go home this Weds. Please sign and return and I will send you your own copy to keep.
Our class party! The kids are really looking forward to our POT LUCK SUPPER next Tuesday, Sept.29 at 5. We will meet on the basketball court. Siblings welcome! I hope we can all be there, even for just some of the time. Don't forget to bring something to share. See you there:)
A sign up has been posted by the door for Spooky Spaghetti volunteers. The kids LOVE this event. The PTO does so much for our school. We teachers are very appreciative. I hope everyone has joined for this year.
SCHOLASTIC NEWS MAGAZINE! This is a very worthwhile publication that I've ordered for the classroom. It would be greatly appreciated if you could reimburse me by sending $5.00 for the year. Thanks to those who have already contributed!
The "teacher work basket" is under the table by the door...if you have a minute there are a few things we could use help with. There are directions. THANKS!!
Pennies for Peace is going well. Also, our class is doing wonderfully with pet food and toy donations. The last day for that is this Friday.
This week there is no reading log per se, but please don't skip reading! Also, there is only one spelling list this week, and likely from now on. In class we are exploring time. We are still learning about word families, words that rhyme, and have almost finished the first "Mrs. Piggle Wiggle" book of stories.
A huge thanks goes out to all of you who have sent in snacks and recess items! We really appreciate your generosity. We seem to be ok for now.
Have a wonderful week...a nice Texas autumn week (lol).
All for now,
Ms J
Monday, September 7, 2009
Tuesday, Sept. 8th
Third week of school! Amazing. Everyone is now realizing first grade requires more effort than they thought! However, they are holding up well! In fact, I would say they are enthusiastic learners, and I'm impressed.
Morning meeting: what's this all about? For our class, it's a chance to reconnect, take a look at what the day will be like, discuss any issues that might come up, and to get to know each other better. Building the classroom community is huge for me as a teacher. Ownership is essential. I want the kids to have a safe environment for learning...a place where it's ok to take a risk when trying to learn something new. I want them to see me as a learner, as well. My hope is that during this important school year they learn a lot more than what's required academically, and that is why the Primary Years Program (PYP) is so wonderful.
Planner? What does that mean? A planner is a unit of inquiry. We are currently in "What the World Needs Now"....the central idea is "attitudes and actions affect the world around us." This falls under the "Who We Are" PYP over riding theme.
Make sure to come to Open House, Sept. 15th. I'll explain it all then!
Everyone seems to be settling in to the new routines. The kids checked out library books on Friday and they will be due Friday. Please help them to remember to put the book in their backpack and bring it to class, so they can check out again. Some chose to leave it in their desk at school.
We have finished reading "Fantastic Mr Fox" by Roald Dahl. The kids loved it! I'll be reading some Mrs. Piggle Wiggle stories this week, and we will start our new teacher read aloud soon.
All for now!
Ms J
Third week of school! Amazing. Everyone is now realizing first grade requires more effort than they thought! However, they are holding up well! In fact, I would say they are enthusiastic learners, and I'm impressed.
Morning meeting: what's this all about? For our class, it's a chance to reconnect, take a look at what the day will be like, discuss any issues that might come up, and to get to know each other better. Building the classroom community is huge for me as a teacher. Ownership is essential. I want the kids to have a safe environment for learning...a place where it's ok to take a risk when trying to learn something new. I want them to see me as a learner, as well. My hope is that during this important school year they learn a lot more than what's required academically, and that is why the Primary Years Program (PYP) is so wonderful.
Planner? What does that mean? A planner is a unit of inquiry. We are currently in "What the World Needs Now"....the central idea is "attitudes and actions affect the world around us." This falls under the "Who We Are" PYP over riding theme.
Make sure to come to Open House, Sept. 15th. I'll explain it all then!
Everyone seems to be settling in to the new routines. The kids checked out library books on Friday and they will be due Friday. Please help them to remember to put the book in their backpack and bring it to class, so they can check out again. Some chose to leave it in their desk at school.
We have finished reading "Fantastic Mr Fox" by Roald Dahl. The kids loved it! I'll be reading some Mrs. Piggle Wiggle stories this week, and we will start our new teacher read aloud soon.
All for now!
Ms J
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