Settling in to second week



Freddie helping with our experiment.

 One student said to me, " It seems like the days are going faster!"  His friend said , " When you're busy it goes by faster."  I took this as a sign that these students are settling in to first grade.  Ms. Lorfing and I are quickly becoming very fond of this class.  They are very inquisitive, playful and eager.

We love recess but we do many other things during our busy day.  In science we did a little experiment in using our senses.  In our grab bag were objects the students made guesses about using their senses.  Our discovery was that we used other senses when our sight was covered to identify something. Elise was so brave...when she couldn't tell what the tomato was she said I need to take a bite!  Yikes!  She identified it immediately after a big bite and said, "I've always hated tomatoes!"  She was an exceptionally good sport though.  Kudos to Elise!

Elise identifies a fork!

Maeve quickly identifies salt and tastes it.

We continued to explore our senses by making a sense book and cutting pictures from magazines.  Most of the "sense of smell" were food items, however I chuckled to myself when a couple boys cut out pictures of cars. I asked if it was the smell of a new car they liked and they said no, the smell of the exhaust.

 

Patterning is our primary emphasis in Math.  We reviewed repeating patterns.  Some students told me they have practiced patterning at home.  Next week we will learn about growing patterns and using number lines to figure math equations. We have spent everyday going through our many fun Math things in Number corner.  We tally, make equations with the date, write the date, use coins to show the amount in money, show the inches, what day is today, tomorrow and yesterday.

 They want to have their teachers spell everything...  Good thing we send them to their word book to look up their words.  You will see inventive spelling on papers coming home.  It's okay.  It will gradually change. 

I think you must hear about their day at school through their creative play at home.  Molly told me she played "Tally O'Malley" at home.   Tally O'Malley is a great book we read by Stuart J. Murphy.   Stuart J. Murphy is such a fun author who explores Math concepts. 



Number corner with tallying.



Problem Solving strategies!




More Patterning

You would be so proud of your child here taking care of their classroom jobs.  We are proud of the responsibility they are taking with bringing information to you with their homework folders.  Please continue to check them every day after school. 

We welcome any "How I got my Name" write ups anytime.  They began to give their information this week.  Send them in this next week, if you can.  The family collage can be sent anytime too. 
If you haven't registered that you are following this blog, please register. 

During our creative TNT time we allowed the students to make puppets out of craft sticks and put on some plays with each other.  They loved it!  They get behind these little chairs and really get creative.  Edward build a fort around his puppets.  The puppets were our Community Helpers.

As a class we read "Incredible You!" by Dr. Wayne Dyer and explored the 10 ways to let your greatness shine through.  Each child wrote one of those 10 things and told how they could make it happen.  We will make a class book out of them.  This is part of our theme Myself, Others and a Caring Community. 

We are certain we have 21 of the most INCREDIBLE kids in our class.



12 month calendar

Curriculum Night is Thursday, September 8th.  Please plan to attend.  If you cannot attend please send an email so I can get the information to you.  This year we will have the Curriculum packet on line under the SPEDS website, first grade. Before Thursday please look it up and read through.  It should be on line on Tuesday.  We want to be able to answer any questions.  We will give you an opportunity that night to walk through the classroom and experience their world in here and answer any questions you might have. 

Have a great weekend!