Class of the Week... FINALLY!!!

We were selected as the Class of the Week for December 8-12. The honor is chosen in a raffle format, with entries coming each time we earn a Class CLAW from other teachers. We'd done a nice job of earning 11 Class CLAWs this year, however we'd not yet been selected for the weekly honor. This was greeting me as I came back on Tuesday after being home, sick. Great job, 1C!

Breaking News: Our Radio Broadcast

The children wrote their own news articles about events in the classroom, and then recorded them on a website called Spreaker. Our radio station took six reporters sharing their work at the U table, and then listening to the recording. You can enjoy it too, by clicking on the links to the left. Those who are connected with Seesaw are also able to see their children's recordings in their files. Enjoy!

Star of the Week Begins

We have begun our celebrations with a Star of the Week. Students are randomly chosen on Friday, and the Star brings home a poster to add details about themselves. The poster is shared the following week, with an extra opportunity for the family to come join us. Parents can share a 20 minute craft, a story, something about their occupation or hobby, and even use this as a chance to introduce a class pet (outside by the flagpole). This week, WM had the chance to represent as the Star of the Week, and mom shared a fun story.

Base 10... Building Bigger Numbers 11/22

We are enhancing the understanding of how place value works by using Base 10 blocks. Cubes represent "ones," long sticks of 10 connected cubes depict "tens," and there are flat square collections of 100 connected cubes to show 100. These tools are used as concrete models for making numbers in the tens and hundreds, and are the real foundation for your child's understanding of numbers that will eventually progress into the billions when they advance through higher grade levels. In addition to the concrete work we are doing in Guided Math, the children have a chance to practice manipulating these blocks on the iPad.

Stuffed Animal Day Earned 11/14

With our good behavior, the students chose to have a Stuffed Animal Day once they earned all their Potato Head pieces. Some spent time reading with their fluffy friends. Others brought the animals to the U table for Guided Reading and Math Workshop fun. Good times rewarded for good behavior in class. Next goal is a "Costume Day."

Veteran's Day Celebration

It was a great day to learn more about our Veterans, and to honor them with a special assembly. My own veteran came in to share a little bit about his job aboard the plane which served as a "gas station in the sky." My dad is a veteran of the United States Air Force, and he had a few pictures and items to share after the assembly. Later, Mrs. Spence's afternoon kindergarten class came in to sing God Bless America with us, as they missed the assembly in the morning.

Insect Hats! Hooray!! 11/6

Thank you to our volunteers who came to help us put together our Insect Hats. They look great, and will be excellent additions to our reports. Just look at the creativity!

More Halloween Pics

Happy Halloween! 1C Fun on 10/31

Describing Our Halloween Costumes with Buddies

We met up with our buddies to practice using adjectives which would describe our Halloween costumes without giving away what we are going to be. Wish there were more time to spend with these guys!

Insect Report Research

Using the PebbleGo website is an excellent tool for getting students excited about researching and writing their Insect Reports. We will be choosing our insects this week, and begin finding details about the life cycles, diet, habitats and fun facts.

Non Standard Unit Measuring in Math Workshop

As we wind down on our first unit of instruction for math, students have been working on choosing the correct tool for measuring, doing so with non standard units. We continue to graph, write and identify big numbers, and solve problems.

Praying Mantis Observations

We lucked out and received the chance to observe a praying mantis up close and personal. Watching this predator stalk its prey in the aquarium was awesome. Don't believe me? Just look at their faces!

Pumpkin Day - 10/16/14

We spent the day using pumpkins in all our literacy and math blocks at school. Children read to their pumpkins, created adjective pumpkins, compared, contrasted, measured, estimated and counted with the pumpkins. LOTS of fun!