HAPPY NEW YEAR

Wishing all my first graders and their families a Happy 2012! May the New Year bring many happy days your way. Hope your vacation time was spent making memories. Looking forward to seeing my little bumbles on Wednesday, January 4!

FUN WITH CHARLOTTE'S WEB

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SNOW DAY

Today is our first SNOW DAY! I hope the children enjoyed sleeping in. Many will be out playing in the snow and sledding! Please remind your child to study the spelling list sent home yesterday. The students will need to take a re-test tomorrow. Maybe they could go outside and practice writing their words in the snow! Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows!

DECORATING GINGERBREAD COOKIES

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THE GINGERBREAD GIRL

A twisted version to the story of the Gingerbread Man is the Gingerbread Girl story. The children ask over and over to watch this story. Follow the link to enjoy, "The Gingerbread Girl" an Australian version from down under!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmJ-Fr0ePxA

THE GINGERBREAD COWBOY

The children have enjoyed reading the many different versions of the "Gingerbread Man". Here is link to a favorite the children are excited about. This verison is titled, The Gingerbread Cowboy". He escaped from the ranchers. "Giddyup, Giddyup....up can't catch me I'm the Gingerbread Man." I am ordering the book so that we can read the entire story!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq0CIzBlA8U

JADA H. - STUDENT OF THE WEEK

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CLASS CHRISTMAS PARTY

Our class party will be on Thursday, December 22. We will begin around 1:30. The children will have a gift exchange. Boys bring a gift for a boy. Girls bring a gift for a girl. Price range is around $3.00. The children will need to place a tag on their gift saying who it is from. They may begin bringing gifts anytime.

CHRISTMAS MUSIC PROGRAM



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TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

It's our last Thursday for the month of December to be in the lab! With the holiday break we won't be back for computers until January 5,2012! The children are doing such a wonderful job learning that each day seems to fly by. Now a semester is about to come to a close. With the trends of technology constantly changing we now have the opportunity to stay updated with the new ipads teachers received today! I'm so excited to have a school ipad that can stay in the class where the children have access to the newest and best apps! We hope to soon have ipad mobile carts for our students. As the children were writing their letters to Santa many asked for ipads. Santa's helpers at the workshop are going to be very busy filling orders! Ho-Ho-Ho....Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

JUST FOR FUN
http://northpole.com/Clubhouse/DancingSanta/
http://northpole.com/Clubhouse/Games/

MATH
http://www.abcya.com/math_facts_game.htm

EARLY RELEASE WEDNESDAY

A reminder that tomorrow, December 14 the children will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m. Please be ready to meet your child as soon as possible. Teachers need to be in Clay Center for meetings by 1:30 p.m. We are receiving our new ipads! I'm so excited to get mine all set up with apps for the first graders. They have enjoyed working on my personal ipad. Now we'll have an ipad just for our class! Wishing Santa could deliver enough for 14 students!

GRANT - STUDENT OF THE WEEK

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CHRISTMAS MUSIC PROGRAM

The Elementary Christmas Program will be presented Monday evening, December 12. Parents will need to be seated in the new gym. The children should be in their classrooms by 6:50 p.m. The first graders are singing a song titled, "Forty Winks". They are to be dressed in pajamas and bring their stuffed animal or a blanket. Cookies will be served by the PTO following the program!

NAUGHTY OR NICE LIST

The children may check Santa's List to find out what list they are on. Santa will leave a report that is updated daily. Ho-Ho-Ho.....Santa is making his list and checking it twice!

Click on this web address to go to Santa's Workshop:
http://www.claus.com/naughtyornice/index.php

TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

The children are so excited for Technology Thursday this week! I promised that as soon as I got home from basketball practice that I would post the sites they will explore in the lab this week. We always preview the sites on Wednesdays. I don't think Thursday can get here soon enough! I wished we had a movie camera running in the classroom so that you could experience the joy and blessings of reading Charlotte's Web. The children look forward to the new chapter each day. This story brings back many childhood memories as I too grew up on a farm. We didn't have pigs but we did have the most wonderful barn! My brothers and I spent many hours playing in the barn. I feel Christmas in the air....with snow in the forecast for Thursday evening!

READING
http://www.charlotteswebmovie.com/site/index.php

MATH
http://www.abcya.com/christmas_lights_holiday_game_for_kids.htm

CHRISTMAS FUN

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WELCOME HOME JONATHAN

We WELCOME Charles' dad back from his service in Iraq. Johnathan treated the class to several Christmas stories. Thank you for visiting our class!

CHIEF DOONAN VISITS OUR CLASS



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TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

Today is the 1st day of December! The children have been so busy learning that the schools days are passing quicker than ever. We are working on subtraction in math. The children use many different kinds of hands of counting tools to help understand what subtraction is all about. We will have 3 spelling tests this month. Continue to use the spelling city.com website to review and practice words. Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!

READING
http://www.spellingcity.com/

MATH
http://www.abc.net.au/countusin/games/game8.htm

THE FIRST THANKSGIVING

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THANKSGIVING FUN

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JAYLEN-STUDENT OF THE WEEK



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THANKSGIVING JIGSAW PUZZLES

This website has an assortment of Jigsaw Puzzles. Your child will have fun putting the puzzles together. They can pick between 6,12,25 and 40 pieces. Pictured is my favorite puzzle! Gobble....Gobble!
http://www.thekidzpage.com/onlinejigsawpuzzles/holidays/thanksgiving/index.html

MUSEUM VISIT

The first graders are going to the museum on Monday, November 21 for a Thanksgiving visit. We will leave at 12:00 and arrive back to school by 1:00. You are welcome to meet us at the museum at 12:15. Thanksgiving is almost here! Hurray for the pumpkin pie!

THE FIRST THANKSGIVING

On Tuesday, November 22 we will have a Thanksgiving gathering with our 2nd grade Native American Friends. Our activities will begin after lunch at 12:15. The children are making costumes here at school. Even Mrs. Koerner and Mrs. Seirer will be in costumes! If the children have something black or gray they can wear that day it would work fine. Girls will need to have hair down so that the bonnets will fit. Also, if the girls have an apron at home they may bring it to school that day. I have several extra aprons here at school. We are serving apples, popcorn, cornbread, homemade butter, and apple juice at our feast. Please do not send in any baked items or extra food. We will have plenty for the feast. Those called who are helping with food for this activity are:

J. Stephens- apples
T. Clark – 2 jugs of apple juice
M. Jones – 2 jugs of apple juice
S. Freeman– microwave popcorn
Mrs. Seirer – plates and cups

Wishing you all safe travels and a blessed Thanksgiving with your families!

TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

This is our last time to the computer lab during the month of November! What a fast month this has been. We have started learning about subtraction in math. The website that I have posted is so much fun...and it even has bees! For reading the children will have fun with Silly Turkey from Starfall. May all your wishbone wishes come true! Gobble...Gobble - Happy Thanksgiving!

READING
http://www.starfall.com/n/holiday/turkey/load.htm?f

MATH
http://www.abcya.com/subtraction_game.htm

MUSEUM VISIT FOR VETERANS DAY

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THANK YOU TO OUR VETERANS

Veterans Day 2011 | Military.com
View this short video clip in tribute of our Veterans!

TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

It sure has been a quick week...it's Thursday already! We have been working on doubles and doubles + 1 in math. If you have dominoes at home your child would enjoy getting them out and finding the doubles. The First Graders know how to write problems for the dominoes. Here are a few websites that help us practice the doubles:

MATH
http://www.ixl.com/math/grade-1/adding-doubles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFuskIXXQa4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljPKoNJH1Jg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ro7x6friTI&feature=related

EARLY RELEASE DAY

Today the children will be coming home early at 1:00 p.m. Teachers will meet this afternoon to evaluate the place students in new LIFT groups. I have been very pleased with the mastery of skills the first graders have demonstrated. I observe the children using their sounding out strategies daily in their reading. Thank you for supporting your child and listening to them read every day! I'm very PROUD of our flyers!

VETERANS DAY

In honor of Veterans Day on Thursday, Nov. 10 the First Graders will visit the Museum to view the Military exhibits. We will leave school at 12:35 p.m. and arrive back to school by 1:45. You are always welcome to join us! Welcome home John (Charles’ dad) and Travis (Rieley’s dad)! THANK YOU to all of our military who serve our country and keep us safe!

TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

This is our first Thursday in November to be in the computer lab! Time to turn our clocks back this weekend and sit back and relax for an extra hour. Make time to enjoy these websites with your child.

READING
http://www.fun4thebrain.com/English/popcornWords.html

MATH
http://www.abcya.com/addition.htm

STORIES ONLINE

I came across this website and I love how the stories are read! Shared with the children today and you could have heard a pin drop on the floor. They were very much engaged in the stories as the movie star readers read their books. This is a must watch website. There are many books to view. Click through the choices and find one your child would like. STELLALUNA is a favorite!
http://www.storylineonline.net/

CLASS HALLOWEEN PARTY

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THE YEAR OF THE BAT

The Milford Nature Center recommends viewing of this website. There are many resources that your child would be interested in exploring. Several children expressed an interest in building a bat house. The instructions are posted on this site:
http://www.batcon.org/
When you have time take a look at the Bat Conservation International website and explore the world’s largest bat colony in a cave near San Antonio, Texas.

CLASS HALLOWEEN PARTY

Monday, October 31 the children may bring their costumes to school in a sack or bag. In the afternoon we will dress in our costumes and sing at the nursing home at 2:00. After we return to the room our class party will begin. I have games planned and parents are helping with refreshments. Please keep costumes simple, no makeup or weapons. Parents helping with the party are:
Jaylen's mom - cupcakes
Connor's mom - drinks
Mrs. Seirer - treats, cups, plates and napkins
Thank you for all your help! Have a "Boo"-tiful Halloween!

OCTOBER BOOK IT

Please remind your child to turn in the October Book It Reading calendars this week. Those that participated this month will be in a drawing for prizes awarded on Friday. I would like to highly encourage our first graders to participate in the November Reading Book It Club. Anytime we can put books into the hands of our children good things will happen. I wish for my students the love of reading! What an adventure it can be.....snuggle up with a good book and your child!

THANK YOU

A BIG thank you to all the parents who took time out of your busy schedules to attend parent teacher conferences. I enjoyed sharing all about your child's progress! The success your child demonstrates is largely due to you parents. You take time each day to be involved! Thank you again for sending your treasures to me!

RIELEY - STUDENT OF THE WEEK



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GOING BATTY IN FIRST GRADE

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VOWEL BAT

Learning about the short vowels is fun when we enjoy a fun song! Check out this link to VOWEL BAT! It's one of our favorites.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g43EfOXvpG8

50's DAY

The First Graders will celebrate the 50th day of school on Friday, October 28. We will have a 50's dress up day! Start planning now how you can dress up your child for this special day.