TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

The children are completing a study of Presidents and National Symbols this month. Here is a link to the slideshow we watched on the National Symbols. I hope that someday when your children are older you will take them to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. It is the most awesome experience! Taking your child to Washington D.C. during the high school years would be a history lesson that they would never forget!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHYduWhuoPg&feature=player_embedded

In celebration of "Read Across America" we have enjoyed a variety of books and activities this week. Dr. Seuss' birthday is on March 2. Did you know that Dr. Seuss' real name is Theodor Seuss Geisel? His father ran a zoo in the early years and Theodor would hang out at the zoo. Many of his illustrations were inspired by his childhood memories. My favorite Dr. Seuss book was one that my mother gave me years ago. It is the last book that Dr. Seuss was writing before he passed away. It is titled, "Hooray for Diffendoofer Day!" This book has influenced my teaching styles and ways of thinking! Your child will enjoy exploring "Seussville" and listen to Dr. Seuss books read online at these websites:
http://www.seussville.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jejfpWYlCR0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQRWeZy-S8Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3kfSQJ4avM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RimguSXUVdI&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheLearningStation?v=Q86p2kIMdIw#p/search/0/Q86p2kIMdIw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fj_xwgLW_4I
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNFKdoSWV4M

ARTHUR MEETS THE PRESIDENT

http://kids.aol.com/KOL/2/koljrstories/flashholder/arthur-meets-the-president

TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

We continue to work on learning to count money. The penny, nickel, dime and quarter have been introduced. Here are some fun websites that will reinforce money skills.
MATH:
http://www.apples4theteacher.com/java/counting/money.html
http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/mathgames/money/MoneyDollars.htm
http://www.usmint.gov/kids/games/centsOfColor/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2I9AlYp2zk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Peqc252O1gE&feature=related

You and your child will enjoy practicing the First Grade Dolch Vocabulary Sight Words. These are the most common words your child will need to be familiar with. These words also will help your child in their reading fluency and comprehension skills. The children are doing a great job in learning the basic reading words. Thank you for your support in listening to your child practice words in their yellow word package!
READING:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBznFPH0iQc&feature=related

PRESIDENT'S DAY

Our students have the day off Monday! Happy President's Day! Here is a website the children may enjoy looking at. This site has some very good information about each president:
http://www.mnsu.edu/its/academic/tools/images/US%20Presidents/engage.swf
The President Song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDJB0QbT32A&feature=player_embedded

JADA C. - STUDENT OF THE WEEK

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PAJAMA DAY

The First Graders have once again worked hard on good behaviors! The children have earned 100 marbles for being shining stars! Their reward is a "Pajama Day" on Friday, Feb. 17. Please remind your child to wear their PJ's and bring a stuffed animal. If they have bedtime books they enjoy....please send! We'll snuggle up with a good bedtime story and enjoy some quiet time.

ROLL AND SPELL

The children absolutely love this spelling game. All you need is a dot cube and the spelling word list. I just love to listen to your child's special voices! There will be more ROLL AND SPELL games to come....I have 2 more editions of this game! HaPpY Spelling!

TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

MATH:
Here is a great website to help your child learn about money. Check this out:
http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/counting_money/
Here is another site that has fun games and activities: http://www.usmint.gov/kids/games/coinMemoryGame/
Learn about the United States Mints: http://www.usmint.gov/kids/coinNews/mintFacilities/

SPELLING:
http://www.abcya.com/dolch_sight_word_spelling.htm

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

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BEE MY VALENTINE

Today we celebrate Valentine's Day! Our class party begins around 2:30. We are serving Strawberry Ice Cream Sodas and having treats. The children will open their valentines and play "Put The Lips On
Mrs. Seirer". I've made something special for the First Grade Moms! Hopefully your child will remember to give you extra special ladies a little surprise from me! Wishing my sweet little bumbles a HaPpY Valentine's Day!

CHARLES-STUDENT OF THE WEEK

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SOIL POSTER CONTEST WINNER

Congratulations to Noah for placing 2nd in the County Soil Conservation Poster Contest! Noah, his family and teacher were all invited to the annual dinner meeting tonight. We were served a wonderful meal! Noah was presented with an award for his outstanding work. We are proud of you Noah!

TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

There are so many fabulous Valentine's Day sites out there for kids.
Here are some of my favorites.....let the fun begin!
HaPpY Valentine's Day!
http://www.starfall.com/n/holiday/valentine/play.htm?f
http://static.nickjr.com/game/assets/dora_valentine/main.swf
http://www.mightybook.com/MightyBook_free/new_month/february_fun/punny_valentine.html
http://www.thekidzpage.com/freekidsgames/games/valentine-hearts-game/online-game-valentines.html
http://www.abcya.com/valentines_day_counting.htm
http://www.theoworlds.com/valentine/
http://www.billybear4kids.com/holidays/valentin/mixmatch/mixmatch.htm

ARTHUR'S VALENTINE

We are getting excited for Valentine's Day! The children will be painting valentine bags on Thursday. They are bringing home a list of names so they may begin making their valentine cards. Our class party will be on Tuesday at 2:30. Here is a fun story....read Arthur's Valentine online!
http://kids.aol.com/KOL/2/koljrstories/flashholder/arthurs-valentine

WORD HEARTS

This is a fun way to practice spelling words. Type in the words followed by a comma. Press enter to create a spelling word heart!
http://www.neoformix.com/Projects/WordHearts/

EARLY RELEASE

This week on Wednesday, February 8 the children will be dismissed at 1:00 p.m. Teachers and staff will be meeting to continue our work with "Safe and Civil Schools". Thank you!

ERIN-STUDENT OF THE WEEK

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TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

Below is a game the children will enjoy playing in honor of Groundhog's Day! The game is a memory matching activity with a hidden picture! In math the children continue to work on place value and fact families. Please review papers when brought home to reinforce skills. The more time spent practicing....the sharper the skills!

HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY
http://www.surfnetkids.com/games/groundhog-c.htm
http://www.starfall.com/n/holiday/groundhogsday/load.htm?f&n=main
http://www.groundhog.org/
http://pinterest.com/CrystalLW/february-classroom/#/pin/147422587772066396/

MATH:
http://www.ictgames.com/partition.html
http://www.aaamath.com/B/g21d_px1.htm#section2
http://www.ezschool.com/Games/FactFamily1.html

FIRST GRADERS CELEBRATE 100 DAYS OF SCHOOL

The First Graders celebrated 100 Days of school on Thursday, January 26. The children brought 100 things to share with special visitors. First Graders were recognized for their outstanding job writing numbers to 1,000. Kyra won the 100 Day Balloon which contained a surprise from the Wakefield Short Stop. Noah, Jada H. and Connor were honored for 99 days of PERFECT attendance! Joshua won the 100 Things We Have Learned in First Grade chain. I would like to thank all the First Grade parents for donating cupcakes for the celebration. Your support helped to make the celebration a wonderful day!

JANUARY BOOK-IT

January Book-It Reading Record Sheets are due! The goal this month was to read 20 books. Winners will earn Eskimo Pie Ice Cream on Friday. Be a winner....READ BOOKS!