Monday, September 29th

This Week!

Fall is here!  And, we will use the wonderful sights, smells, sounds, and tastes of fall to frame our learning.  We will spend as much time outdoors as we can observing changes in our surroundings. Wednesday, we will walk to the pond that is located right down the street.  We will make this walk regularly as we learn to document our observations as new scientists.  Please sign and return the one-time permission slip at the bottom of the newsletter allowing your child to make this walk with us whenever we go.  If you would like to be a part of these or any other experiences, please complete a Volunteer Application form.

Daily Five

We are becoming independent readers and writers as we practice the elements of Daily Five.  We are REALLY good at Reading to Self and are learning how to select Good Fit Books. We had our first Writer’s Circle today as part of Work on Writing, and these first graders confidently shared their writing with their classmates and answered to questions and comments as authors do.  We are still working on Read To Someone.  This component is a little harder to master because of the tendency to socialize instead of read to the Reading Buddy.  But, we are building stamina and Read to Someone for 10 minutes today!  Next week, I will introduce the Word Work component of Daily Five.  This will include practice on sight words, building words, letter patterns and more.

Math

As we complete our first math unit exploring number partners and shapes, we will move into what numbers mean in equations and operations.  While it is very important for your child to learn math facts, it is equally important for your child to build and solve problems using manipulatives and drawings.  It is perfectly OK for your child to use counters and/or fingers during these early experiences with equations and operations. Look for these number explorations in the weeks to come. We will also be using math language to explain our thinking and how we solve problems and why we get the answers we do.

And, is it a Pebble, Sand, or Silt? We are exploring the materials of the earth. You may notice an interest in collecting rocks or looking/playing in the dirt. Not to worry:)

And, please don't forget to sign up for Parent Conferences.  You may sign up on line at:

http://www.ptcfast.com/schools/Elm_Creek_Elementary

Sunday, September 28th

A BOX ARRIVES FOR MRS. BLUE'S 1ST GRADE CLASS!

On Friday morning, 1st graders in Mrs. Blue's class eagerly awaited the "opening of the box"! It was from Granny Betty, Mrs. Blue's mother!  What could it be???? 

Well.....

It looks like Granny Betty sent additions to the Dress-Up Corner! We will be writing Thank-Yous during Work on Writing this week!  Stay tuned.....

AND THE DECORATING OF THE HATS!

 

 

And.... the Wearing of the Hats!
(We are still working on a few so look for more pictures next week!)

 

The Trying-On of Hats!

IT WAS A GREAT HAT DAY!

Thursday, September 25th

SO, WHAT’S WITH THE HATS?

My grandmother (Sug-short for Sugar) loved shoes and hats. She was a very short lady and loved to put on her best clothes to go shopping, go to church, play bridge, go to movies and lots of other things.  When I was a little girl, she let me play dress-up in her closet.  She had a hat and a pair of shoes to go with every outfit!  After she passed away, we were cleaning out her closet, and my father packed up all of her hats in a box and put them into storage.  For many years, I asked my father if I could have the hats, but he was worried that they would fall apart if it exposed to air since they were so old. (I didn’t really understand what good they were in a box where no one could see them.) One Christmas a HUGE box arrived at my house. It was from my father. I could not imagine what he was sending me that needed a box that big!  I opened the box excitedly, and THERE WERE MY GRANDMOTHER’S HATS!  They are now displayed in my house and remind me of wonderful times I had with my grandmother as a little girl. We have had so much fun reading stories about people and their hats!  We have learned about so many different kinds of hats – why and when people wear them.  And, we have had a blast making our own. 

Stage 1 – The Making of the Hats

Thanks to Brad Blue and Jan Charwood for their help molding and folding and taping all of the hats-from pirate hats to football helmets.

Stage 2 – The Painting of the Hats  

Stage 3- The  Drying of the Hats

                                  

Stage 4 will be the Decorating of the Hats and Stage 5 will be the Wearing and Parading of the Hats!  AND, TOMORROW, FRIDAY IS HAT DAY!

BRING A HAT FROM HOME TO WEAR IN CLASS!

Tuesday, September 23rd THE MAKING OF THE HATS!

WHAT A DAY!

We worked really hard this morning practicing CVC word patterns, sight words, and just enjoying the books in our book bins!  We talked about " 1 more" in math.  And, then,  the making of the hats began!

We talked about the "process" of making our hats and how it would happen in five (not four as Teagan reminded me) stages.  This is such a good concept to talk about with your first grader.

First-We made the hats. (using newspaper, masking tape, and a head:)

Second- We will paint the hats.

Third (as reminded by Teagan)-the paint will have to dry.

Fourth-We decorate with ribbon, badges, jewels, feathers, etc. (depending on the type of hat).

And, finally!!!! WE WEAR THE HATS!

SO, HERE WE ARE AT THE END OF THE FIRST STAGE!

And many thanks to Jan Charwood (Wade's Mom) and Mr. Blue for "manning" the "Hat Factory" today.  (If you would like to get in on this fun, just complete the Volunteer Application Form!:)

Monday, September 22, 2014

Hey!

It was another GREAT day in Mrs. Blue's 1st Grade Class!  Check out our time in the Media Center!

If you are looking for the Home Learning Experiences for the week, check out the side bar.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2014

SO, HERE WE ARE!!!!

And, we have had an AMAZING week!  We have been working on the components of Daily Five!

Look at your wonderful first graders at work while READING TO SOMEONE and WORKING ON WRITING!

So, next week we will continue enjoying our conversations about HATS!  And...

We will be creating/making hats that tell about who we are, what we like, and what we think about. We will be writing descriptions about our hats as well. (Look for pictures on Blue Notes!:)

Friday, September 26th will be HAT DAY! Your student may bring a favorite hat to school (in a backpack) to wear in the classroom during the day.  We will be celebrating meanings and memories of HATS! 

We will also be exploring Pebbles, Sand, and Silt!  What is our earth made of?  What does it feel like, look, like, smell like?  Your students have Science Notebooks in which they will be recording Data and Observations.  When those Science Notebooks come home for Home Learning Experiences, PLEASE make sure they come back the next day.

What has your first grader been working on????  I understand that you might be looking for samples of your child's work and practice.  Tomorrow, your first grader will begin to create his/her First Grade Portfolio-a collection of work that he/she is proud of, was interested in, enjoyed, etc.  I will "collect" work samples and projects for two-week periods.  At the end of that time, your student will choose one thing to keep in his/her First Grade Portfolio. We will learn how to reflect on how/why this piece of work is important. And, your student will share with you during conferences and three-times-a-year Portfolio Parties (dates and times to be announced later). Your child will bring home work/projects that he/she does not select for the Portfolio. You can keep this work at home. Enjoy!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend with your family and friends!