Watch for Missions Accomplished!

As we continue our work with student goal setting, the children will earn opportunities to celebrate their accomplishments. They can post for any or all of the following reasons:

1. Meet their final sight word goal.
2. Complete three consecutive rounds of successful use of writing goal skills.
3. Complete one of the folders of reading skills as prescribed on iTooch.

These are all good reasons to celebrate. When you see these posts, don't forget to show your appreciation and encouragement!

Valentines for the Elderly

An annual project that Mrs. Foster's 5th grade buddies complete with 1C students is this loving contribution to the grandmas and grandpas at the local nursing homes. This year, we created more than 100 valentines (along with creations from the children in 1V and 4S) to share with those who might not receive valentines from children any longer. The children created "heart animals" and then added special messages to spread the love on the eve of the big day.

AREN'T THESE KIDS CUTE?!?!?

Award Letters are in the Mail - 2/12/16

The children wrote letters of congratulations to authors and illustrators from across the country this week. After choosing books that they felt were worthy of awards, the boys and girls made awards, wrote letters to the authors and illustrators to share what they like about their work, and then mailed them off.  We also studied how the stamp "works" to get our mail from school to the authors. This was a fun extension of the spelling word "mail," from our list.

Class of the Week: Part 2

Our boys and girls were awarded the Class of the Week honor again this year. By being respectful, responsible and really safe in school, the children earned Class CLAWs. We were chosen this past week, likely because of our outstanding hallway behaviors, impressing other staff members. Way to go, Grizzlies.

Cats and Dogs: Compare and Contrast

We had a lot of great ideas for how they are the same and different. Exciting to see them jump at the chance to participate.

Award Winning Books: Phase 1

Our fifth grade buddies shared some award winning books with the first graders. Our goal is to see award winning literature, and determine which books we feel are worthy of our own special awards. The first graders will write a letter to the author, illustrator, or publisher, to notify them of the award the children are sharing. Hopefully, we might hear back from one of those folks!

Mrs. Foster's class read books that were awarded Caldecott Honors (best illustrations), Newberry Awards (best children's books), Theo Geisel Awards (awarded to an early reader author) and more. Seeing and hearing why these books were award winners will give us a chance to brainstorm reasons why we think more books are deserving of awards. We'll write those letters this week.