September 27. 2015

 Important Dates and Reminders:
Tuesday: Library

• Thanks to everyone who has sent in family photos. Our family wall is getting big! Please feel free  to send one in if you haven't yet. I would love to have a photo from every student on the wall. 
• The visit of author Jarrett J. Krosoczka has been changed. He is now coming Monday, October 26. I sent home the order form again in case anyone would like to order his books.
• Sorry for the short update this week! I was away this weekend cheering on my nephew and his soccer team in the big Nashua South versus Nashua North battle. We won!

 Literacy:
We have been working on increasing our independent reading time and also learning how to read and discuss books with a partner. I read books about friendship to the class:

Friends by Helme Heine
What are Friends For by Sally Grindley
 
Math:
Wow! The students are working so hard during math! I see an increase in the amount of independent practice. I also see a huge improvement in how the students share their thinking with a math partner. Here is a picture of some student work. As mathematicians, we want to show our thinking with a representation, write an equation, and have an answer with a label.  

Social Thinking:
We have been focusing on Space Respector and Space Invader. Space Respector is the Thinkable that helps us to defeat Space Invader. Space Invader is the Unthinkable that encourages us to get into other people's space and not respect the bubble around each person.

September 19, 2015

 Important Dates and Reminders:
Tuesday: Library
Wednesday: no school

• Thanks to everyone who has sent in family photos. Our family wall is getting big! Please feel free  to send one in if you haven't yet. I would love to have a photo from every student on the wall. 
• The visit of author Jarrett J. Krosoczka has been changed. He is now coming Monday, October 26.

Routines:
The class is really getting into our routines! Every morning, the students go over the the easel and
answer the daily question. The questions range from do you like white milk or chocolate milk to do like to camp or not? These questions lead to a discussion and sharing during our morning meeting. The questions also help us continue to get to know each other.

 Literacy:
The class is starting to getting into the groove of our literacy routines! I love our independent reading time and seeing how excited the students are about the books they have chose to read! We also learned how to use our large classroom library. We discovered how the books are organized and spent one morning putting books into the correct baskets. We have also talked about the importance of rereading books. Rereading helps us develop fluency and deepens comprehension. The students use reading mats to organize their books as they read. We also enjoy reading with a friend! Books are written so that they will be discussed and enjoyed with others! I know when I read a great book, I can't wait to talk about it with others!

Math:
We've started working on solving story problems! As mathematicians, we have to figure out what the story problem is about (addition or subtraction), write an equation, and then come up with a representation of our thinking. I see the mathematicians becoming more willing to take risks in their work!

Wellness:
This YouTube video has become a favorite this week! Our class can dance!

September 13, 2015

This coming week is a very busy week. Here are some important dates:

Tuesday: The author Jarrett J. Krosoczka is coming to talk to the first graders!
Tuesday: Library
Wednesday: Delayed start: Students are welcome to come to school at 7:30 but they don't need to be here until 8:40.
Wednesday: Picture day!



 Literacy:
We are continuing to develop our classroom routines and build our learning community. It is so fun getting to know the students in our class. One way we are getting to know each other is through sharing what we like. We are working on posters that will be shared and displayed. We are also learning how to choose book based on topics we like. Some popular topics are: weather, animals, Harry Potter, princesses, castles, and dragons.


We love looking at books! We are learning how to read our just right books and talk with a partner about our books. We read in the classroom and we even went to read outside. It's fun to read books anywhere!


Math:
During math time, we are learning the habits that all mathematicians use. So far, we have worked on private reasoning time and representation. The mathematicians have been counting and representing their objects in an organized way. They also have been learning some math games. Through math games, we can build our math concepts and also learn how to work together to solve problems. This week we played the game Double Compare. The students worked so well together! I saw and heard partnerships using kind words and helping each other to add the numbers together.

Wellness:
We love to move during the day and it's good for you too! One of our favorite sites is Go Noodle. It's a great site with movement and calming activities. Check it out! I know you will be glad you did!.

Family Photos

I shared some family pictures with the class today and we thought it would be fun for everyone to bring in family pictures. Please send in a picture of your child with family members or other important people in in your child's life. We would like to display these pictures in the classroom. If your picture is needed back at home, let me know and I can scan it to make a copy for the class.

Thanks so much for helping us create our classroom family.