November, 2009
Where has the time gone?? Room 106 has been VERY BUSY this month!
In Reading, students continue to enjoy working in small groups, playing
reading games, writing reading responses, and practicing fluency during
Guided Reading. Some of our Reading topics have included: Animal Families,
Animal Homes, Families and Friendship. Please remember to practice Spelling
and High Frequency Words nighlty. RTI Groups have also begun, to enhance
students learning in particular skill areas. Please note that these are
flexible groups that will continue to grow and change according to the needs
of the first grade children.
In Writing, students are currently focusing on writing complete sentences
with proper capitalization, punctuation, grammar usage and adding details,
through various forms of writing (poetry, listening response, story webs,
sequencing, and graphic organizers). Journal Writing has been a popular
activity, with many students now writing 3+ sentences on a topic of their own
choosing. What wonderful writers we're becoming! In December, we will be
sending out a volunteer note for those parents who may be interested in
assisting with Writer's Workshop which will begin mid-January. This will
allow students the opportunity to create and edit their own books.
In Math, students have participated in Math Groups on a weekly basis. Topics
have included Time to the Hour and 1/2 Hour, Adding pennies, nickels and
dimes, Frames and Arrows, Addition and Subtraction Number Stories, as well as
reviewing the basic skills taught earlier this year. A special thank you to
Mrs. Gentile, Mrs. Edmonds and Mrs. Rogers for helping to make this possible.
Students have also had the opportunity to spend time in the Computer Lab with
Mrs. Tsillas, Michael's Mom. For the next few weeks, students will be working
on the program, Type to Learn Jr., which focuses on beginning keyboarding
skills. Students will also begin creating their own neighborhood maps using
the Neighborhood Map Machine program. Please be sure to talk with your
child, or take a walk (or drive) around your neighborhood, to prepare them
for this activity. Please take note of the houses, streets, and any other
important places nearby.
In Science, we continue to record the daily weather and temperature. Students
have had the opportunity to watch the changing seasons through observations
of the First Grade Tree. My, how time flies!
In Social Studies, topics have included Communities, Map Skills, Veteran's
Day, and Thanksgiving. Students enjoyed creating Treasure Maps, a class
Community Map of Littleton, and a mural of the First Thanksgiving.
Room 106 would like to extend a special THANK YOU to Ellie's Dad, Cole's Mom,
and Charlotte's Dad for thier well-organized and thoughtful presentations
during Math and Science Visitors week. The children were treated to some
wonderful "hands-on" activities, which included learning about magnets,
mixing solutions, and seeing various tools used during a doctor's check-up.
We truly appreciate all their time and efforts to make this such a memorable
experience.
A few reminders~
As the cold weather approaches, please be sure to dress children in layers
(our clasroom temperature is unpredictable) and with appropriate outdoor
clothing--warm jackets, hats and gloves or mittens. Many students have stated
that they do not have a jacket and are needing to borrow from the nurse.
Unfortunately she has only so many to share. Please let us know if you would
like some assistance in this area.:)
Also, students should not be bringing toys or other items to school, unless
it is a special Show and Tell day. Special jewelry, headwear, etc. should
also be left at home to ensure it does not get lost or broken.:)
If you are planning on sending in a treat to the class for any occasion,
please let us know 3-4 DAYS IN ADVANCE so that we may accommodate those
children with food allergies. THANK YOU in advance for helping to keep the
children in Room 106 safe.:)
Our Very Best Wishes to all for a Happy, Healthy and Restful Thanksgiving!
~Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Thibeault
October 1, 2009
WOW! It's hard to believe September is over! Room 106 has gotten off to a
GREAT start!!!:) We are so excited to be together, making new friends, and
learning the routines of First Grade. We have begun our Reading Series,
TREASURES, and are moving along nicely. Small Groups/Centers have started
during our Tier 3 Reading block. We are enjoying the Listening Center,
Reading Games, Guided Reading with Mrs. Hill, and other Literacy-based
activities. Many of us are proudly "reading" our Class News, High Frequency
Word Lists, and leveled reading books. We have spent many days working on
Handwriting, Journal Writing and theme-related writing. Can you believe, we
already know how to write a complete sentence, proper punctuation and all?!
In Math, students have spent time counting, sorting and graphing. We have
enjoyed our many lessons in the Everyday Math Series. Calendar counts, "Top
It", "Bunny Hop", "Dice/Tally Roll", and "Rock, Paper, Scissors" are some of
our favorite games. We are looking forward to our Math Groups which will
begin next week, with the assistance of Mrs. Rogers and Mrs. Edmonds, the
Shaker Lane Math Specialists.
In Science, "The Five Senses" has been our primary focus. Students have
participated in a number of different activities and listened to many stories
on this topic. Ask them to share some of what they've learned! Later this
month, students will be making observations and recording their findings
using the "Eye Spy" method. We will be asking for donations of small
pumpkins to help us with this activity. Please let us know if you can help
out!
In Social Studies, we have followed the path of Johnny Appleseed, and we look
forward to learning more about Columbus. Making a "Book Of Holidays" will be
a major project for us this school year. It's truly amazing just how many
holidays we celebrate in the U.S. We hope to learn about the
cultures/celebrations of our classmates, so please let us know if there is
something you wish to share!
As you can see, Room 106 is bustling with activity. Please take some time to
chat with your children each day about their adventures at Shaker Lane.
There is always something new and exciting, a song or two, to move us along
in Room 106. Happy Fall to all! ~Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Thibeault
September 9, 2009
WELCOME BACK! Room 106 is ready and awaiting your arrival! I can't wait to
meet you and begin our journey together. Please remember to bring your
supplies to school in a bag labeled with your name. Thank You! See you
soon! ~Mrs. Hill and Mrs. Thibeault
Summer, 2009
Hello! I hope you are all having a relaxing summer, spending time with
family and friends. I am busy planning for the upcoming school year. I am
looking forward to seeing you all on Wednesday, September 9th. Until then,
enjoy your time away from school, and take some time to READ, READ, READ!
See you soon! Fondly, ~Mrs. Hill
REMINDER: IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON VOLUNTEERING IN THE CLASSROOM, OR
ATTENDING FIELD TRIPS YOU MUST FILL OUT A CORI FORM. Please do so as soon
as possible so that we may begin our volunteer schedule. THANK SO MUCH!!:)
Also, if you would like to be added to my email list, please drop me a quick
email so that I will have your correct address. Many thanks!
**We look forward to meeting you all at our Open House.....More details to
follow!:) ~Mrs. Sandy Hill and Mrs. Susan Thibeault
