MILES-STUDENT OF THE WEEK

IT'S THE HAPPIEST TIME OF THE YEAR

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CLASS CHRISTMAS PARTY

Our class party will be on Friday, December 20. 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!

TWINKLE TOES - MISCHIEF IN THE HIVE

When the children arrived in the Hive Friday morning they found that Twinkle Toes had been up to some mischief. After watching the children use their math counting chips he decided it would be fun to play too! Twinkle Toes left each child a math problem on their desk. He didn't have time to clean up and we found the math chips all over the classroom. Twinkle Toes left a note apologizing for the mess. Before cleaning up the chips the children had fun drawing a picture and writing about their problems. I'm very lucky to have such kind students who helped clean up the counting chips and put them away.

POLAR EXPRESS DAY

The First Graders have earned 104 marbles for their good behaviors! Their reward is a Polar Express Day. On Thursday the children may wear pj's to class. Our activities that day will be related to the Polar Express story. ALL ABOARD the Polar Express...the train will be leaving the station at 8:30! Congratulations First Graders! Keep up the good work!

CHRISTMAS MUSIC PROGRAM

The Elementary Christmas Program will be presented Monday evening, December 9. 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, "It's Christmas, Carol." The Kindergarten class will sing and the 5th grade band will play several selections. The First Graders are to dress as elves. Looking forward to seeing everyone at the program!

THE ELF ON THE SHELF

The Elf Tradition
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvmOKx5-wDw

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!

TWINKLE TOES

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

NAUGHTY OR NICE

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

MAZEY-STUDENT OF THE WEEK

THE FIRST THANKSGIVING

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THE MAYFLOWER

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MAKING BUTTER

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OUR THANKSGIVING VISIT TO THE MUSEUM

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THANKSGIVING MUSEUM VISIT

We had a lovely visit at the Wakefield Museum today. The children were able to see many old kitchen items used in the early days. They were really excited to see the butter churns and butter molds. Thanks to Mildred Sherbert, Kay Giest and Sharon Babst for being our tour guides.

FOOD ITEMS NEEDED

The Wakefield Food Bank is in need of nonperishable items for the up coming Holiday season. They have asked Student Council if they would please run a food drive for families in need in and around our community. We will begin bringing boxes around to each classroom today and tomorrow. The drive will end on December 4th, three days after we get back from Thanksgiving Break. Thank you for your support of this worthy cause. (Mr. Braden)

LIFT GROUPS

First Graders are working on Digraph sounds in 2 LIFT groups. We started new groups on Monday. Mrs. Langley is leading one group and I have the other group. Digraphs are 2 letters that go together to make one sound. The last day for these groups will be December 12. Here are some websites to help your child practice the sh, th, wh, and ch sounds.
DIGRAPHS:
http://rbeaudoin333.homestead.com/files/digraphs_consonant/billionaire_one/billion.html
http://www.softschools.com/language_arts/phonics/games/ch_sh_wh_th_sounds.jsp
http://rbeaudoin333.homestead.com/files/digraphs_consonant/initial_digraph_20.html
http://www.starfall.com/n/level-a/learn-to-read/play.htm?f
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7jnqoG-D69M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fc_pnz1sh0

PILGRIM CHILDREN

First Graders are getting so excited about Thanksgiving! Today we dressed up Grace and Merrick as Pilgrims. They sure make a cute pair of Pilgrim children.

On Tuesday, November 26 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:

Tina Seward- apples
Gloria Scherer – apple juice
Tiffany Foote - apple juice
Hannah Butcher – apple juice
Debbie Brown – microwave popcorn
Cristina Thurlow – plates, cups, napkins

Monday, Nov. 25 the class will be walking to the museum to learn more about the early days of the Pilgrims. Tuesday, Nov. 26 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!

SUNNY D BOOKS HAVE ARRIVED

The 20 free books from Sunny D labels have arrived! They are wonderful books! Thanks to all who sent in labels and helped to make this happen. We are going to be HaPpY Readers!

THE FIRST THANKSGIVING

The children are busy this week learning about the First Thanksgiving and the Pilgrims. Here is song that we like to sing along to. I'm looking forward to reading what the children are thankful for! It is such a blessing to come to work each day to teach the wonderful children that I have in First Grade!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-vannwwn2U

MILITARY MUSEUM VISIT

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CELEBRATING VETERANS DAY IN FIRST GRADE

Thank you to our guest Veterans that visited our class and helped the children learn about the different hats that our military service men and women wear.

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VETERANS DAY

HaPpY Veterans Day! I hope the children enjoyed their days off from school. Spelling words for the new week were sent in the homework folders last Wednesday. I really miss my little bees! This week we will take time to honor our Veterans and soldiers serving our country. We will have guest speakers (2 veterans) visit our class Tuesday afternoon. On Wednesday the children will visit the Wakefield Museum to view the Veterans exhibit. Thank you to all our past, present and future soldiers who have made sacrifices to keep our country free!

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!

CELEBRATING HALLOWEEN

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LIFT PROJECTS

LIFT - Learning Is Fun Together!

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DANIEL-STUDENT OF THE WEEK

GOING BATTY

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LEFT BEHIND

This pullover sweattop with hood was left in the classroom. No one will claim it. Please let me know if this belongs to your child. Thank you!

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

CLASS HALLOWEEN PARTY

On Friday, November 1 the children celebrate Halloween at school. Please have your child bring his/her costume in a sack. Keep the costumes simple. NO MAKEUP OR WEAPONS. Thank You! We will dress in costumes at 1:30. Mrs. Croxton is taking the children to sing at the Nursing Home. Grades K-2 will sing at 2:00. I am keeping things very simple and low key here in the classroom. When we return to our classroom we will have a movie and refreshments. Feel free to join us at anytime. Please do not send in treats unless you are called. Trick or Treat Me at 810 Lakeside Drive. Have a “Boo”-tiful Halloween!

WE'RE HALF WAY TO 100 - CELEBRATING THE 50TH DAY OF SCHOOL

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GRACE - STUDENT OF THE WEEK

LITTLE FIREMEN

The children had a good time dressing up like a firemen. Here is a movie for you to enjoy!

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50th DAY OF SCHOOL

The First Graders will celebrate the 50th day of school on Friday, October 25. We will have a 50's dress up day! Start planning now how you can dress up your child for this special day.

ASSESSMENT WEEK

This week in Reading the children will be tested over the skills and vocabulary for Level 1.2. During this week there will be no new spelling words which means no spelling test on Friday. Monday I will send home the tested vocabulary for this level for your child to practice. On Friday, October 25 we will read at the Nursing Home. Thank you Tina and Shannon for volunteering to assist with our special reading day at the Nursing Home! We plan to leave around 8:55 and arrive back to school by 10:00 a.m.

SEBASTIAN-STUDENT OF THE WEEK

FIVE LITTLE SPECKLED FROGS

Check out this site and sing along with the 5 little specked frogs!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVPmtaHmL4g

TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM

Learn about the Lifecycle of a Frog. Check out these websites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hkyv_msRS6w&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs2g_rHBUH4

PICTURE RETAKES

If anyone is interested in Picture Retakes they are scheduled for Tuesday, October 22. Please send me a note and I'll send home the information. Thank you!

SUNNY D LABELS

GREAT NEWS.....WE HAVE COLLECTED 20 LABELS! I am not sure if we have the correct labels but I went ahead and sent the order in. Guess we'll wait to find out. I heard it takes several months to receive our books. Mrs. Davis from Project Lead has participated in this Book event. She said the books she received were very good. Thank you to all who sent Sunny D labels in. I appreciate your support very much! Hope we don't have to wait very long to receive our books!