Newsletter for the Week of Oct. 30th

Newsletter for the Week of Oct. 23rd

A Look at Our Week

This week we focused on, "Readers make connections."

I always use Scaredy Squirrel to begin my mini-lessons.  I mean, he's AFRAID of everything and kids can relate to him.  Students had to write one thing they were afraid of and share what they'd use to help with their fear.  They also made Scaredy Squirrels to go with their writing.

Here are a few examples.

I also used the book, Knuffle Bunny.  Students responded in their Readers' Notebooks about a time they lost something.

I introduced Narrative Writing this week.  Students created Heart Maps where they listed topics they could write about.

After listening to a read aloud about mom, I modeled what I did with my mom as a child, and they practiced.

And last but not least, here are our CRAZY pumpkins!  I love making these every year.  

To make these you need:

-Orange construction paper

-White pastels

-Red, orange, and yellow paint

Have students draw the outline of their pumpkin with the white pastel.  Starting with red paint begin painting, then add orange, yellow, and blend.

Once dry make your VERY own unique face.

A Week in Review

We had a busy week!  The firefighters were at our school all week.  We met with them to talk about fire safety and had a look at their trucks.

Reading groups are up and running.  Please make sure to practice the books that are coming home. Students are also responding to their books in their Reader's Notebook.

We focused on, "Readers ask questions before, during, and after reading.  Students have listened to books and responded in their notebooks.  I used the books below to teach this strategy.

They wrote their "I wonders" on a sentence strip and made a bear to go with it.

Newsletter for the Week of Oct. 16th

Newsletter for the Week of Oct. 10th

A Look at Our Week

We had our First Kindness Counts!  This is where we meet as a community and recognize two students from each classroom for working hard and being kind.

From my room, Mrs. Mitchell, picked Aiden and Cayden.

Great work boys!

My pumpkin family also arrived at school and the kids are quite excited!  I paint some each year and students have the opportunity to win one.  They make estimates on the circumference around the pumpkin.

We also had our Ice Cream Social on Friday.  A perfect ending to the day-ice cream and playing outside in the sun!

Meet Bentley

Meet Jonathan

Meet Aiden

Writer's Workshop: Opinion

We have now been focusing on opinion writing.  In first grade, students should be able to state their opinion, give a reason, and write a wrap up sentence.

I always begin Writer's Workshop with a mini-lesson, read aloud, modeled writing, Quiet 10 (where they work on their illustrations), independent writing, and share.

Here's what we've worked on this week!

We've talked a lot about the seasons!  Students had to share what their favorite season was.

Students shared what pet they would want, if they could pick ANY animal!

Then, we narrowed down our animal list to just Dog vs. Cat.  I was SO surprised that there were so many kids that would rather have a cat than dog.  Can you believe it?!  I'm partial to dogs and even I couldn't sway them!

I didn't intend to paint but after our work I changed up the plans a bit and said, "Let's paint!"  I absolutely LOVE kid's artwork.  Look how adorable these dogs and cats are!

I'm sure your child has many opinions now that we've been practicing!  Have they convinced you of anything yet?

And as you can see, this is how much I LOVE kid's artwork!  They're now obsessed with drawing on the board.  This took a couple of days for them to complete!