Snowed in week

Last Friday we did a snow dance at our recess that ended at 3:15. Ms. Barnes came in and asked what dance we were doing outside. We asked her if she liked snow....what do you think she answered to that? Well, we believe!!! We did it!!!! First grade rules!

We did go outside today for recess and the students who had boots on were able to get in the snow. These kiddos are prepared for cold weather. They can wear boots or bring them and change in to their boots for recess. Thank you!

We have been working in centers on our famous American birth facts, education information and interesting facts.

Studying symbols that represent the United States is part of our theme. We made eagles after we talked about how the turkey could have been the nation's bird if Ben Franklin had his way.

We alphabetized presidents and learned what order they served our country. We have talked about our first president George Washington alot.

In Math we are writing our numbers to 100, reviewing addition and subtraction with three addends and double digits. We reviewed our fact families by making our own fact families. For example, 23,12,11 --11+12=23; 21+11=23; 23-11=12 and 23-12=11. Next week we begin coins and adding coin values.

Sam had a birthday and brought treats to our class. Happy Birthday Sam! He brought pictures of his new bearded dragon he received from his extended family and parents together!

Gregory was coaxed by his mother to come to the class and recite the memorable speech by Dr. Martin Luther King he learned when he was in first grade. Dr. King was Gregory's famous American.

"I Have a Dream"

I have a dream that one day my four little children will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream."

One child was so moved by the information she heard about what contributions Dr. King made to our country that she went to her seat and made this for Victoria. She put it by Victoria's cubbie.

If we every wonder if the lessons we teach our children at school and at home ever sink in....remember this!

During Hands- On Science in pairs, we examined the physical characteristics of a brown egg and a white egg. We brainstormed many differences like the brown egg is speckled , the white egg isn't; the brown egg is dark the white egg is white. We cracked the eggs open and found that the inside of the ggs were the same. This tied in to our lessons about differences. Although some of us look different on the outside, we are the same on the inside.

Senator Roy Blunt came and talked to the first graders about being a good citizen, how he became a senator, and the original 13 colonies. Senator Blunt is Davis's grandfather. Davis was so proud on this day! As he should be. Thank you Matt Mosby and Amy Blunt for helping secure our special speaker. We loved the book the Senator read.

The first graders prepared the song, "You're a grand old flag, you're a high flying flag..." for the visit. As they waved their flags while they are singing, Mrs. W got all choked up!!!

During indoor recess we had plenty of USA puzzles for the kids to put together.

Alvin Ailey Dancers came to SPEDS on Wednesday. We are so fortunate to bring special performance in to the students. This especially! They talked about the origin of the Alvin Ailey. They will be back at the new Kansas City Performing Arts building in November to perform.

Spelling words for the week:

goes, jump, new, off, play, your, up, me, she, if

Challenge words: liberty, symbols, president, country

Important Dates:

Paper Doll of Famous American due Friday, January 21

Be brainstorming a costume with your child on their American

Hooray for the USA program at 9:15 on Febraury 17th in the MPR

Spelling packets due Friday, January 21

Books in a bag due Friday, January 21

Please let us know if there are any problems getting these things done. We will work with you.

Mrs. Wiedeman has brown felt, black felt and leopard felt in the classroom for anybody who is decorating a paper doll. Stop by and pick up what you need.