Friday Fun!

Today was a day filled with fun activities, creepy stories, and delicious treats! In the morning first graders enjoyed a variety of Halloween-themed stations. We made slime, did ghost estimation with popcorn, practiced pattern making with ghoulish counters, and relaxed with some coloring. 

Visit from the October Theater Company!

This morning we were fortunate enough to watch and participate in a Halloween performance!

Science!

This week during science we focused on five key vocabulary words for our new unit: matter, solid, liquid, gas, and properties. Students had a few minutes to explore a bag of solid objects before we began to describe them. My goal is to have them using words like rigid, flexible, and colorful by the end of our study. 

Word Study Stations

Having choices available during our word study time yesterday made everyone happy!  We were all practicing writing short vowel words, but how students demonstrated their understanding was up to them.  The choices were: sand trays, letter stamps, whiteboards, and an app on the iPads called 'show me'.  Spelling can be fun. :)

Picture Retakes

It is my understanding that if you would like to have your child get his/her picture retaken they will need to have $5 with them to present to the photographer tomorrow.  This is the case unless there is a glaring mistake in the photograph.  Things like: a different outfit, misplaced hair, or they've recently lost teeth (who wouldn't want that toothless grin?!) will require $5.  Thank you for your understanding.

Community Helpers

We are now finished our first social studies unit - community helpers.  Students learned that different people help our community in a variety of ways.  No one can do all of the jobs.  We all need eachother to stay healthy, safe, and clean.

School Meeting

Yesterday, we had our first school-wide meeting.  Mrs. Helfrich's class taught us a poem!

Reminder!

Tomorrow (Thursday, October 22nd), we will be walking to the Burnham Memorial Library.  Please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately and has comfortable foot wear.  If it rains, we will not be going.  Thank you!

'Cosmic Yoga'

Today was a very busy day with lots of changes to our daily schedule. I noticed that these changes were making all of us a little antsy. When this happens we often take a small break in our classroom. Today's break was some guided stretching and movement using a site called, 'cosmic yoga'.

Watch this link to see what we did!

A Visit from Fire Fighters

As a great connection to our unit on community helpers we had a visit from some Colchester fire fighters this afternoon. A couple of key phrases to practice with your child are 'stop, drop, COVER, and roll' and 'get low and go'.

Book Fair Information

The Union Memorial School Book Fair will be next week!  For more information click here.  Thank you!

Burnham Library Visit

On Thursday, October 22nd we will be walking to the Burnham Library.  We will leave UMS at 8:45 and return by 10:45.  If you would like to join us for this trip please plan to meet our class on the playground at 8:45 a.m.  (There will be no reading program on this day).  Thank you!

Scholastic News

Magnet Letter Work

Magnet letters are a quick, easily found, and relatively affordable tool to use in a variety of ways. Today we practiced using familiar words to make new words.

Book Lending Library

I know that it can be difficult to find books that are at independent level for children to read.  Did you know that UMS has a lending library?!  I would be more than happy to show you where it is and how to use it!  The more books that we can put into your child's hands that are at their instructional level the more success they will feel.  Please email me if this is something you would like to access.

Math Stations

Each day our math time follows a similar format: calendar, mental math/warm up, a focus lesson, and then practice stations.  The following video shows what station time often looks like.  You will notice a group at my 'teacher table' (this group works on a journal page or activity connected to the focus lesson), two different groups accessing Dream Box math through technology devices, and a fourth group working with another adult (this station is typically reinforcing/practicing skills from previous lessons).  Our total math block lasts anywhere from an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes.

Spookley The Square Pumpkin

This is the story (re-illustrated) that we've been using for the last few days to discuss story elements: character, setting, problem, and solution.

Story Elements

We have been focusing on some basic (but important) story elements: character, setting, problem, and solution. Next week we will begin to learn about and discuss themes in different books we read. First grade is hard work!

Publishing our Writing

Today students began to 'fix up' and 'fancy up' one of their writing pieces. This is in preparation for our writing celebration next week! Our editing process starts small and builds as the year goes on.

'Red' Word Practice

If a picture is worth a thousand words...how much is a video worth?!  I think a lot!  Almost every day we practice our 'red' words (high frequency words) using our bodies to help with long-term memory.  This video shows just a few of our fun motions.  Ask your child about his/her favorite motion.

Halloween Party Sign-Up

On Friday, October 30th from 2:15-3:00 p.m. we will have a small celebration in our classroom.  If you are able to bring/send an item to school to help with the party please use this link.  Thank you! Families are welcome to attend.

Fiddle Sticks!

Today at morning meeting we learned a new game called Fiddle Sticks. Ask your child about the 'red dot'.

Numbers in the Teens

A catchy tune to help students remember how to write teen numbers. :)

We Are Artists!

Our leaf art is now proudly displayed in the hallway. These are just a few of our works of art!

'Red' Words

This week's new 'red' word is 'like'. Each week we practice these high frequency words in a variety of ways (writing them, games, movement, songs, and even shaving cream later in the year). So far our words have been: a, am, can, have, I, like, look, my, see, and the. By the end of first grade students should be able to read AND write all of our 'red' words.

Reminder Note

Autumnal Art

Yesterday first graders celebrated the first day of October (and chilly weather) by working on the first step of a beautiful leaf project. You'll see our finished works of art at Open House next week!

Reading Comprehension

Throughout the year in first grade we will be learning about a variety of topics that help with reading comprehension (in addition to learning how to read!).  Today, we revisited the idea of characters and settings.  We listened (using a QR Code and an iPad) to a classroom favorite, 'Pete the Cat' and then discussed who the main character was and the setting for this story.  Students then colored a picture of each.  Look in your son or daughter's green folder for this activity today!  If you have a QR code reader on one of your home devices you could even listen to the book!