HOORAY FOR THE USA!

We are off to a great start in 2013! At the beginning of the week we made the big famous American announcements! This group is so excited.....we can't wait to move forward with the HOORAY FOR THE U.S.A.! program.

Take a look at the pictures from our language arts block this week. We have introduced BOSSY "E" who joins the end of words and makes vowels say their name. Miss Fate has begun the students' famous American research and Mrs. Waller has continued with guided reading.  It is an exciting time here in first grade. Your children are taking off and we cannot wait to watch them continue to grow during second semester!

Quinn is doing his research on Jackie Robinson.....

WOW! Researchers in first grade!

Snowflake Spelling

Students read the words, then place the magic "e" wand at the end-what is the new word?

Working in  their U.S.A. journals....

Our Bossy "e" vowel sort....

After reading a short story about Abe, the students hunt for Bossy "e" words....

Another Bossy "e" word hunt in guided reading.....

Listening to Abe Lincoln's New Hat

The Bossy "e" Wheel!

In math we have introduced and begun to review the basics of money. We have discussed each coin: the penny, nickel, dime and quarter and their characteristics. We have even discussed the U.S. mints and in which cities coins are made. Take a look below:

Adam and Charlie try to fill their piggy banks with dimes! The first person to do so WINS!

THE COIN EXCHANGE GAME: the first person to reach a quarter WINS!

In social studies we have started our USA unit by talking about the first thirteen colonies, those that became the first thirteen states. We have also talked about the American flag and what it stands for.Thursday Miss Fate discussed the Pledge of Allegiance with the children...although we say it every day, it is important to know what the words mean!

In TNT on Wednesday we learned all about the bald eagle and how it is a symbol of strength and freedom for the United States. We even made our very own.

 

teamwork!

In computer lab we introduced the students to the Stack the States App on our iPads. The children love this app. They learn all about the different states as they read the questions and collect states to place on their very own map!

Marin hit the target!

In Hands-On Science we turned ourselves into inventors and created our very own ROTO-COPTERS! Take a look at the pictures below. We have sent home extra roto-copter sheets in case any of our inventors want to create them at home.

Getting ready to launch our ROTO-COPTERS!

Which copter is closest to the plate?

SPELLING:
like, twice, kite, nine, time, side, theme, eve, these, here
Challenge: country, stripes, colonies, scene
Surprise: ??? 

Phonics skill: Bossy "e" continued....with long "e" and " i "

REMINDERS: 

Paper Dolls are coming home today (they are ready earlier than we expected) & due back at school Wednesday, Jan. 23rd
Hooray for the U.S.A.! program Wednesday, Feb 6th @ 9:15  

We have had so much fun this week. It is great to see your children so excited to learn about our country! Have a great weekend!
Love, Sara and Melissa