CLASS CHRISTMAS PARTY

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KALEB-STUDENT OF THE WEEK

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TROUBLE IN THE HIVE

After listening to Charlotte's Web last week our elf...Twinkle Toes decided to try and spin a web this weekend. Looks like it didn't work out very well. This is what the children found this morning!

AN ELF STORY

TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

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 hope the children will always remember Charlotte and the wonderful friendship she shared with Wilbur, Fern and the barnyard animals!

“It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer.”
― E.B. White, Charlotte's Web

"Chin up, Chin Up...everybody loves a happy face. Wear it share it...it'll brighten up the darkest place! Twinkle, sparkle...let a little sunshine in. You'll be on the right side looking at the bright side....up with your chinny chin, chin!

READING
http://www.scholastic.com/charlottesweb/
http://www.starfall.com/n/holiday/gingerbread/play.htm?f

SONGS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bnr2MeDz4Hw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHtjYTM64Jo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHMaiQimSYU

THE GINGERBREAD COWBOY

The children are enjoying 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....you can't catch me I'm the Gingerbread Man." Last year my daughter gave me the book for Christmas!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rq0CIzBlA8U

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

CLASS CHRISTMAS PARTY

Our class party will be on Friday, December 21. 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. If your child is not able to bring a gift, please send me a note. Santa wants to make sure every child will receive a gift so that there are not hurt feelings. The children may begin bringing gifts anytime. Ho-Ho-Ho….Merry Christmas!

MYLES-STUDENT OF THE WEEK

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CHRISTMAS MUSIC PROGRAM

The Elementary Christmas Program will be presented Monday evening, December 10. Parents will need to be seated in the new gym. The children should be in their classrooms by 6:50 p.m. The mini-musical is titled, "I Need A Little Christmas Vacation." The play is set in the school setting on the last day before Christmas vacation. Teachers Mr. Freeman and Mrs. Larson are featured in the program. The Kindergarten class will sing and the 5th grade band will play several selections. The First Graders are to wear school appropriate pajamas. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the program!

EARLY RELEASE

A reminder that school will be dismissed on Friday, December 7 at 1:00 p.m. Our staff will be attending inservice meetings. Please make arrangements for your child to be picked up at 1:00 p.m. Buses will run the routes as usual...just a bit earlier. Thank you!

TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

Ho-Ho-Ho....this is our first trip to the computer lab this month. The children have been busy little bees as they are wrapping up Level 1.3 in Reading. We will be testing the week of December 17th. This week our reading skill has focused on short vowel review and contractions. In math we have been working on fact families and problem solving. Thank you parents for helping your child practice their reading words!

READING
http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/phonics/grade2_3/name_pict/name_pic1.htm
http://www.starfall.com/n/matching/short-vowels/play.htm?f
http://www.starfall.com/n/skills/vowels/load.htm?f
http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/sites/elementary/samoset/RESOURCES/klcontractions.htm

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

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

THE ELF ON THE SHELF CHRISTMAS TRAINING CAMP

Learn how Santa trains the elves at the Christmas Training Camp
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvmOKx5-wDw

22 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS

TWINKLE TOES

Twinkle Toes....the elf that Santa assigned to our class has arrived! We adopted Twinkle Toes last year. We are glad that he found his way back to the hive. The children are working hard to show off their best behaviors!

THE ELF ON THE SHELF

The Elf Tradition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdLNRCSTRv4

Have you ever wondered how Santa knows who is naughty and who is nice? The Elf on the Shelf®: A Christmas Tradition is the very special tool that helps Santa know who to put on the Naughty and Nice list. This interactive holiday hide-and-seek tradition is perfect for children and families of all ages.

The tradition begins when Santa sends his scout elves out to Elf Adoption Centers. Waiting for their families to bring them home, these patient elves hibernate until their family reads The Elf on the Shelf, gives their elf a very special name, and registers their adoption online. Once named, each scout elf will receive its Christmas magic and become a part of the family’s Christmas each and every year.

Excellent listeners and even better observers, these scout elves are the eyes and ears of Santa Claus. Although they cannot be touched, or else they may lose their magic, the elf will always listen and relay messages back to Santa. Taking in all the day-to-day activities around the house, no good deed goes unnoticed; these scout elves take their job seriously.

Each night, after the family goes to bed, the scout elf uses his magical Christmas powers to fly back to the North Pole. Once there, the elf will make his or her daily report to Santa and visit with elf friends where they will tell stories about their beloved families, play with the reindeer, and of course, sneak some of Mrs. Claus’ cookies!

Before the family awakes each morning, their special scout elf will fly back to their home from the North Pole. However, since these elves like to play games, don’t expect to find them in the same spot! While some like to hide in the freezer (probably because it reminds them of the North Pole) and others prefer to sit on the fireplace mantle or hang from the chandelier, these elves love to play hide-and-seek with their families.

On Christmas Eve, the scout elf will listen for Santa’s bell and then fly back to the North Pole until the next season, wishing every girl and each boy a Christmas of peace and a year full of joy. Join the tradition and adopt your own Elf on the Shelf now!

ZOEY-STUDENT OF THE WEEK

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TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

It seems like it should already be December especially with Christmas all around us! The children have enjoyed reading "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" this week. The boys and girls are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our class elf....Twinkle Toes! They have been practicing good behaviors as Santa's elf will be reporting back to the North Pole. Here are a few fun activities the children may enjoy this week!

READING
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pryNnhuYJA

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

GRINCH FUN
http://www.seussville.com/grinch/coloring.swf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgP0aUKlmNw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzZ_YlYNINI

OUR FIRST THANKSGIVING 2012

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THE FIRST THANKSGIVING

On Tuesday, November 20 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:

Carol Maurich – 2 jugs apple juice
Michelle Hawthorne – 1 jug apple juice
Petra Hatcher – I box microwave popcorn
Gene Ford – 1 jug apple juice
William Brennan – 1 bag apples
Kerry Severson – 1 bag apples
Mrs. Seirer – plates , cups and napkins

Monday, Nov. 19 the class will be walking to the museum to learn more about Thanksgiving and view the Veterans exhibit. Tuesday, Nov. 20 the children will read at the Nursing Home in the morning. Please remind your child to bring books to share with their reading buddy. Wishing you all safe travels and a blessed Thanksgiving with your families!

TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

I can smell the pumpkin pie and almost taste the turkey, dressing and mashed potatoes! The children (and teacher) are getting so excited for our Thanksgiving gathering with our Second Grade Native American friends. This week in the computer lab I've posted some fun games that have a Thanksgiving theme. I'm thankful for all of my students who make my day joyful! Gobble....Gobble! Count your many blessings each and every day!

READING
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f97nHzvSB4k&feature=related
http://www.starfall.com/n/holiday/turkey/play.htm?f
http://www.abcya.com/word_search_thanksgiving.htm

SOCIAL STUDIES
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFDSobNnfQs
http://www.scholastic.com/scholastic_thanksgiving/webcast.htm

JUST FOR FUN
http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/thanksgiving/games/dragdrop/
http://www.primarygames.com/holidays/thanksgiving/games/match_up/
http://www.game-voyage.com/games/turkey_coloring.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zl5r76hVYF0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8rU2CK_1FI

ANDREW-STUDENT OF THE WEEK

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VETERANS DAY

A reminder that Veterans Day is Monday, November 12. There will be no school for the children. Spelling words for the new week are in the homework folders today. I'll see the First Graders on Tuesday, November 13. Take time to honor a Veteran or a solider serving our country this weekend! Happy Veteran's Day!

HAPPY 50TH DAY OF SCHOOL

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EVAN-STUDENT OF THE WEEK

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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!

TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

November is going to be a fast and busy month. This is our first trip to the computer lab this month. This week we are reading the Biscuit series of books. What a joy it is to listen to the children read! They are amazing readers! In the area of reading the boys and girls will be practicing words with the silent e. We call these the "Magic E" words. One of the tasks in the AIMS Web Reading Assessment is being able to read words with the silent e. In math the children are learning about subtraction. The math game posted will reinforce counting down to find the difference between 2 numbers. Wishing you a wonderful week....get out and enjoy the beautiful fall weather while it lasts!

READING
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeLYo88qJ90
http://www.fun4thebrain.com/English/magice.html
MATH
http://www.abcya.com/subtraction_game.htm

50th Day Of School

The First Graders will celebrate the 50th day of school on Tuesday, November 6. We will have a 50's dress up day! Start planning now how you can dress up your child for this special day.

OCTOBER BOOK IT DUE

Please remind your child to turn in the October Book It Reading calendars this week. I would like to highly encourage our first graders to participate in the November Reading Book It Club. Information will be sent home Friday in your child's Homework Folder. Thank you for listening to your child read every day!

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

TRICK OR TREAT

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GOING BATTY

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HALLOWEEN FUN

Wednesday, 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. Please keep costumes simple, no makeup or weapons. After we return to the classroom we will enjoy a movie and refreshments. Have a "Boo"-tiful Halloween!

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

LEARNING ABOUT BATS

First Graders are learning about BATS! Here is a link to a song the children love to sing about echolocation. Happy BAT hunting!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OYmHVuguWI

RED RIBBON WEEK

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