BUCKET FILLERS

We're learning how to be "Bucket Fillers". Through kind acts, being nice, helping others, and when we smile...we fill buckets! Are you a Bucket Filler? Enjoy listening to one of our favorite class songs!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaddbqEQ1NE

LEARNING ABOUT HEALTHLY LUNCH CHOICES

Mrs. Cooper from the River Valley Extension District out of Clay Center visited the classroom this week. The children listened to a story about the "Lunchbox Surprise". She helped the children learn about making healthy choices by selecting smart foods from the food groups. At the end of the program Mrs. Cooper treated the children to fresh vegetables and dip! Thank you Mrs. Cooper!

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FIRST GRADE CLASS

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HOMEWORK TIPS

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays I will be sending home a page of homework for the students to complete. Mondays will focus on phonics, Wednesdays are grammar days, and Fridays are math review. Points will be taken as to accuracy and if work is completed on time. As the curriculum picks up it is so important that your child review and practice skills they are learning. I also want my students to learn a life skill of being responsible and accountable. Here is a link to an awesome webpage that gives helpful hints with how to help your child with homework. The road to success requires a team working together to ensure the best for your child. Thank you for being part of the team and playing your part in your child's learning adventure!
http://www.wchuskies.com/ParentTip.htm

THE KISSING HAND

One of my favorite stories to help children cope with separation is the story of the Kissing Hand. A beautiful story of how a mother shares her love with her little one. It's time for school and little Chester is not sure he wants to leave his mother. Giving your child a kiss in their hand and reminding them that you'll always love them gives comfort in times of separation. Little Chester puts his palm against his cheek and feels his mother's love. The first graders made a Chester the raccoon and I treated them with chocolate kisses. I hope that each morning as your child leaves for school that you place a kiss in their hand to remind your child how much they are loved! Enjoy this beautiful story by Audrey Penn.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsaPm5p4Iu4

WE'RE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT

I'm sure you have heard all about the Bear Hunt that the children went on the first day of school! I'm posting the story that I used so that they may watch it at home. This summer in Estes Park, Colorado Coach Seirer and I encountered a real bear on the deck of our family summer home. She came to feast on the sugar water in the hummingbird feeders. Yes, it was very scary to wake up to find a huge black bear right outside your front window! Not something that happens in Kansas...I was afraid!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzIcu6tbEko

OPEN HOUSE

Wakefield Elementary School is inviting all parents to our Open House on Thursday, August 22. Please join us from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The children will have been in school for one week! Buzz on in....your little bumbles will enjoy showing you what they have been busy doing!

WELCOME BACK

Welcome to the Hive! At this site you can read about our exciting news. I will be posting several times a week...so please check back in often! Click to follow our blog and this way you should be receiving updates. We have 18 new little bumbles joining our hive. 10 girls and 8 boys!

I've been busy making lists and organizing materials for the new year. Our school district has adopted the Common Core Math Curriculum. Which means the children will explore deeper into the skills taught and demonstrate understanding of how problems are solved. Our students in Grade One will be receiving letter grades in the subject areas of Reading, Math, Spelling and Language Arts. The first nine weeks will end on Friday, October 18. Conferences are on the calendar for the evening of November 6th and all day and evening on November 7th. There will be no school on November 7th and 8th.

I will send home a packet for parents on our first day of school. Please look over the letters and return any documents that need to be filled out. I'll be looking for parents to help with parties this year! Your child should have received a letter from me inviting them to my Open Class time on Wednesday, August 14 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Hope you can stop in and help your child put their supplies away. This sure makes our first day go smoothly. Looking forward to getting to know everyone. For some, I've taught your parents and perhaps brothers or sisters in your family! For others, this is your first child in Grade One! WELCOME TO THE FIRST GRADE HIVE! We're going to have a fantastic year!

SUMMER FUN

Hello to all my first graders and former students! I hope your summer has been just as exciting as mine has been! Coach Seirer and I spent one month in Colorado this summer! We enjoy exploring new places and hiked and experienced the sights and sounds of the beautiful mountains! I look forward to sharing pictures of the wildlife we saw and places we visited. It will be fun to hear where all you have visited this summer.

The first day of school will be here soon! Are you ready to begin a new year? The school supplies are out in the stores and they get me all excited about the new year! I'm just like you and buy new crayons and pencils for my desk. If your parents have questions about the supply list, please get in touch with me and I'll help out. I'm looking forward to meeting you and starting our year together! Enjoy your last days of summer vacation!

SCHOOL SUPPLIES

FIRST GRADE SCHOOL SUPPLY LIST
2 Box of 24 Crayons
1 Small School Box with Closure
2 pkg. Pencils
1 Pocket Folder
2 Large Erasers
1 Container Clorox Disinfecting Wipes
2 - 8 oz. Bottles of Elmer’s Glue
1 Box of 100 Sandwich Size Ziplock Bags
Watercolors (Prang preferred)
1 Large Box of Tissues
1 Rounded Tip Scissors (Crayon or Fiskar preferred)
Gym Shoes (white soles & Y ties or Velcro)
1 Spiral Notebook – Wide Ruled