Week 20

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Week

This week we learned about Martine Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks and Ruby Bridges.  Please ask your child about segregation and how they felt when they learned about it.  One of the books we read was called, "Martin's Big Words."  His big words were; peace, freedom, speeches, dream, kind, fairness, together, all.  We came up with our own big words.  I will create a class book of this project.  

Mystery Shape Skype

We are learning shapes right now.  This week some of us played a mystery shape game with Mrs. Cavin's class in Georgia via Skype.  We asked each other about shape attributes to guess a mystery shape.  Some questions that we asked them were:

• Is it a 2D or 3D shape?
• Does it have 6 sides and 6 corners?
• Does it have one face?
• How many edges does it have?

We will continue on with this activity next week so that more friends will have an opportunity to play this game.

Water Cycle

We did an evaporation experiment this week.  Please ask your child the answer to the question & how we figured it out!!  #littlescientists 

Upcoming Weeks

Water helper ---Saige

Wednesday, January 29 --- Early dismissal

Tuesday, February 4 --- 100th day of school (tentative) 

Week 19

Water Cycle

Charles from Dickinson Nature Center came to teach us water cycle.  We created a water cycle diagram and learned a song that explains the cycle.  Next week we will brainstorm the ways we can observe each phase of the water cycle, evaporation, condensation & precipitation.  

Glad Monster, Sad Monster

Our high school J-term intern, Kinsey read a story called "Glad Monster Sad Monster" by Ed Emberley.  After reading the story, she helped us make a feeling monster mask and write about our feelings.  Please check your child's blog for this project.

http://kidblog.org/MrsDeGrootsClass2013-2014/

Water Helper

Saige

Upcoming Events

Label Contest

Early Dismissal on Wednesday, January 29

Week 18

Welcome Back!

It was great to see everyone after a long break.  I enjoyed listening to the highlights of their vacation.  We also spent some time revisiting school expectations.  The students worked in groups to review rules and expectations, made a poster and taught each other.  They also showed great team work deciding what to write, photograph and taking turns.

Winter Fun

We have so much fun in the snow at recess.  Please make sure to send boots, snow pants, hat, and gloves everyday! If they don't have boots or snow pants, they have to stay on the concrete area:(

Help Please!

We will be studying shapes next few weeks.  I would like to have some real life recycle items for us to investigate.  Examples are cereal boxes, empty soup cans, toilet paper tubes, etc.  In the end, we will build sculpture using these items.  To ensure safety for every student, please avoid containers that had peanuts or tree nuts products.   Thank you!  

Next Week

Water Helper --- Ryker

Wednesday, January 15 --- Charles from Dickinson County Nature Center will come to teach us about water cycle.

Week 17

Christmas Party

Special thanks to Abi's mom for planning the party, and Ryker and Isabella's family for providing some supplies!

January Water Helper Calendar

Week 16

Past Sharing

We had fun learning about where our families came from this week.  It was also nice to see many baby pictures and items.  Thank you for your help with this assignment.

The Giving Tree Project

We read the books called "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein and "Auntie Clause" by Elise Primavera.  Both stories had a good message; it is great to give.  After reading the stories we found so many occasions when we were being giving to each other.  

• We gave attention to our classmates when they were talking.
• We gave respect when our classmates were sharing their ideas.
• We gave help when our classmates needed help.
• We gave time and patience in line.
• We gave kind words to each other.

We have such a giving group of first graders!  We also thought of a way to be giving at home.  We recorded our ideas and posted it on the blog.  Please make sure to check your child's blog.

http://kidblog.org/MrsDeGrootsClass2013-2014/

We made a Giving Tree in our classroom to display our kindness.  Ms. Kurashige's 6th grade class in Hawaii wanted to join our project.  They made pretty flowers and leaves for us to use.  What a great gift from our friends! 

Upcoming Events

Friday, December 20 --- Class Christmas Party (1:30-2:30)

Saturday, December 21-Sunday, January 5 --- Christmas Break

Water Helper

Nicky

Week 15

Music Concert

What a wonderful job they did on the stage!  Thank you for the great performance! 

RIF Celebration

(Reading Is Fundamental)

The first RIF celebration was a huge success.  Many thanks go to all the parents and families who provided supplies and volunteered their time to run the activities for us.  We also enjoyed a gift of books from our local Noon Kiwanis.  

Past Sharing
Next week we will spend some time talking about our own past.  The students were asked to bring a sharing item from their past.  It can be a toy, blanket, book or clothing from when they were little.  This is a good opportunity for you to talk about what your child used to do or be like when they were little.  I cannot wait to have a fun sharing time in the classroom.
I also sent a note in the Friday folder asking about your family ancestry.  Please fill in the form and return it to school by Tuesday.

Christmas Party

Our class would like to have a Christmas party on Friday, December 20 from 1:30-2:30.  If you are interested in helping us with the party, please e-mail me.  Thank you.

December Calendar & Water Helpers

Week 13

America's History

We have been busy learning about America's history.  Please ask your child about Native Americans, Christopher Columbus and the Pilgrims' journey on the Mayflower.

First Graders Off to See the World

We read the book "The Rooster Off to See the World" by Eric Carle with Mrs. Cavin's class in Georgia and co-created books that follow pattern from the book.

Book 1

Benson, Mason, Karter, Kiana, Faith, Merek

Book 2

Kloi, Tory, Alex, Preston, Alex, Sam

Book 3

Abi, Keegan, Saige, Isabella, Sicily, Ryker

Book 4

Faith, Nicky, Addison, J.D., Keagan, Jarred

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, November 27--- @1:45 Dismissal

Thursday, November 28 & Friday, November 29 --- NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, December 3 --- Reading is Fundamental celebration

Thursday, December 5 --- Holiday Concert @9:00am