Happy December! I find it very hard to believe we are already here.
During this holiday season, many cultures use lights to celebrate or commemorate special occasions. Our class will be learning about some ways light is used during different holidays. Be sure to ask your child to share some of the things he or she learns about these special occasions. If your family has a special celebration or tradition, I would love for you to share it with the class. Let me know, and we can set up a time for you to come to our class.
The first Holiday was introduced on Wednesday; it was Mexico. Did you know that in Mexico, children enjoy nine days of celebration before Christmas Day? In a special ceremony, the children parade down the street holding lit candles. They are in search of lodging, and at the end of the procession, they will gather around a manger. After the ceremony, there is merrymaking and the breaking of a pinata. We also read a wonderful story about a family that lives in Mexico. The story takes place on Christmas Eve. Mama loses something special. Ask your child what Mama has lost. Is Christmas Eve ruined?
Our class will also study the winter solstice {the darkest day of the year}, the Swedish festival of lights known as Luciadagen, the Advent wreath, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, St. Nicholas Day, the tradition of the pickle ornament in Germany, in India the Hindu Festival called Diwali....
In literacy, the children will be working in small groups reading books and learning phonics skills. Each child has his or her own individual skill folder to work with at center time. Parents are welcome to look at their child's folder. Each child will bring his literacy book home to share when we complete the lesson. Next week I will be sending home book bags. (NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THEIR LITERACY BOOKS!!!} The book bags contain activities that children and their families can do together. The bags are meant to be fun. Most of the kits contain a hands-on activity using manipulatives along with a journal recording sheet that needs to be returned with the bag to school. I understand your days and evenings can be crazy, so feel free to keep the bag for a week. Please help your child to be responsible and return the bags with all the materials they contained. A child will not receive a new bag until all materials are returned. Please let me know if you have any questions.
In math, the children are working on number fact families, skip counting, and addition and subtraction. The Mother Goose Rhyme next week will be Old Mother Hubbard.
The children are very excited to share with you the completed vests they made for the Frog and Toad stories. Each child had to sew {with my help) two buttons onto their vest. They also used lots of glue and glitter along with permanent marker to decorate them. It was so much fun...I had glitter from my toes to my head!
Please remember Barnes and Noble this weekend. Please have your child there at 10:15. Check your Quick Notes for details.
The Frog and Toad play is Wed., December 16. No parents are needed.
Jack-Tales will be at Hollins on Tuesday, December 8. No parents needed; we will walk.
Last Day of school Party: December 18. We will be making Gingerbread houses. If your child is a girl, please send in a bag of candy to decorate with. Boys, please bring in 2 cans of white frosting. We will decorate in the morning at 10:30. Please let me know if you would like to help. I also need a parent to bring in drinks for the class and a holiday cookie for each child.
Thank you for letting me teach your child. I truly love my job. All of your children give me much joy!!! Enjoy your holiday season. They are only little for a short time. Thanks Beth
The Laughing Frogs
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Thursday, November 19, 2009
November 18 2009
We are having so much fun reading Frog and Toad! The kids did an incredible job mapping out the places that Toad lost his button in the story. They illustrated the story, and they also had to hunt through the button box to find the right attribute for the buttons they found at each location as they searched for Toad's lost button. The children have begun to create their own Frog and Toad vest. They are sooooooo awesome!!!!!! I can't wait for them to share their completed project with you!! Thank you Wendy {Christopher's Mom} for all of your help cutting out the vests.
In science, we are learning about amphibians. We made Venn diagrams with our buddies to illustrate the differences and similarities between frogs and toads. Ask your child what they have learned.
On Tuesday, November 24, we will have a Special Reading Day. Students are encouraged to bring their favorite blanket, stuffed animal, and books. We will spend extra time reading. Please remember to let them wear their pajamas {but we will still play outside}. It should be a fun and cozy celebration of the joy of reading.
Please remember to check Quick Notes regarding Thanksgiving Luncheon and Book Fair information. Our class will be performing at 10:30 on Sat. the 5th. Please have your child there at 10:15. Please let me know if you are unable to attend.
In science, we are learning about amphibians. We made Venn diagrams with our buddies to illustrate the differences and similarities between frogs and toads. Ask your child what they have learned.
On Tuesday, November 24, we will have a Special Reading Day. Students are encouraged to bring their favorite blanket, stuffed animal, and books. We will spend extra time reading. Please remember to let them wear their pajamas {but we will still play outside}. It should be a fun and cozy celebration of the joy of reading.
Please remember to check Quick Notes regarding Thanksgiving Luncheon and Book Fair information. Our class will be performing at 10:30 on Sat. the 5th. Please have your child there at 10:15. Please let me know if you are unable to attend.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Thursday November 5 2009
Blog November 5,2009
It was so nice seeing all of you at conference. I love listening to the children share with you what they have learned at school. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about your child.
My door is always open.
I started the day off on Wednesday introducing our new author: Arnold Lobel. Mr. Lobel is well known for writing the Frog and Toad books. Arnold Libel's stories are perfect for this level. Some children are able to read (with some help!) these stories of friendship. We will start with the story ” A Lost Button.” In the story “A lost Button,” Frog joins Toad on a search for a button, but they find lots of other buttons before they find THE button!! This story lends itself to many math activities. We will explore different attributes of a button. The kids will have to name three attributes for each button. For example,”It is large. It is white. It has four holes."
In literacy, the centers will be:
1.Make individual story maps. They will illustrate and write the parts of the story. The parts are: characters, setting, problem, solution.
2.Draw a detailed map of the button story.
3.Listening center.
In science we will study the life cycle of the frog.
DATES TO REMBER:
1.November 10: We have a field trip to see the play "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing." We are all set for drivers.
2.December 11,12,13: Barnes and Noble book fair. Watch for the schedule in Quick Notes. Our class will be doing a little performance.
3.December 16: Field trip. Frog and Toad play. More information to come.
It was so nice seeing all of you at conference. I love listening to the children share with you what they have learned at school. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about your child.
My door is always open.
I started the day off on Wednesday introducing our new author: Arnold Lobel. Mr. Lobel is well known for writing the Frog and Toad books. Arnold Libel's stories are perfect for this level. Some children are able to read (with some help!) these stories of friendship. We will start with the story ” A Lost Button.” In the story “A lost Button,” Frog joins Toad on a search for a button, but they find lots of other buttons before they find THE button!! This story lends itself to many math activities. We will explore different attributes of a button. The kids will have to name three attributes for each button. For example,”It is large. It is white. It has four holes."
In literacy, the centers will be:
1.Make individual story maps. They will illustrate and write the parts of the story. The parts are: characters, setting, problem, solution.
2.Draw a detailed map of the button story.
3.Listening center.
In science we will study the life cycle of the frog.
DATES TO REMBER:
1.November 10: We have a field trip to see the play "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing." We are all set for drivers.
2.December 11,12,13: Barnes and Noble book fair. Watch for the schedule in Quick Notes. Our class will be doing a little performance.
3.December 16: Field trip. Frog and Toad play. More information to come.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tuesday Oct. 27 2009
Today we did an apple taste test. We tried red, green, and yellow apples. Then we graphed to show our result. The winner was green apples; yellow came next, with red having the fewest votes. Each child drew their own version of our conclusion.
Pattie read "Halloween With Morris and Borris." It was really funny!
We had music today. We played the instruments to the Ghostbusters song.
On Friday, we will have a Halloween Parade on campus. Please send in your child's costume. We will have cider afterwards.
Pattie read "Halloween With Morris and Borris." It was really funny!
We had music today. We played the instruments to the Ghostbusters song.
On Friday, we will have a Halloween Parade on campus. Please send in your child's costume. We will have cider afterwards.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Thursday Oct. 22 2009
Wow...thank you all for making fall festival a success. The kids had a blast! Thanks to all the Moms and Dads that came to help. We could not have done it without you! Lets hope for better weather next year.
Treasure Box sight words go home a couple times a week depending on the week. My suggestion is that you keep these words in a special folder to review with your child. Each time we introduce a new word, the children make a copy for their sight word treasure box that we use for writing in class.
In Math, we continued to work on number words one thru ten. We have also been working on number recognition and number formation. We also read "The Button Box." This book is about a little boy who explores the pleasures that can be found in his Grandmother's button box. The kids are always fascinated with buttons because they come in variety of shapes, sizes,and colors. One of the activities we explored with the buttons was sorting. Each child was given a small plastic tub with various buttons. The children sorted the buttons in a way that made sense to them. Then, they described their grouping to me. Some sorted by shape, color, or size. I even had one child sort by rainbow colors. Each child had to explain what their rule was for sorting. We talked about keeping the same rule through the sorting process.
We will also be working with a Venn diagram. Each circle is labeled with an attribute. The buttons that have both attributes are placed in the intersection of the two circles. Other skills we are working on include constructing patterns, labeling and describing, counting, and tallying.
In literacy centers :
1. "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe": We make books and practice reading them.
2.Finding and matching number words with "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe."
3.Alphabet sequence activities. Play games to practice putting letters in order.
We had our first Show and Share day. Show and Share will be every Thursday. If your child forgets, he or she will need to wait until the following week to share. Only if your child is sick on Thursday can they bring their share to school another day.
General Information:
1.We need plastic spoons.
2.Field trip November 10: We may need a couple of drivers. Please let me know.
3.Conferences on November 3: Please let me know if you need to change your date.
4. Frog and Toad on December 16.
Treasure Box sight words go home a couple times a week depending on the week. My suggestion is that you keep these words in a special folder to review with your child. Each time we introduce a new word, the children make a copy for their sight word treasure box that we use for writing in class.
In Math, we continued to work on number words one thru ten. We have also been working on number recognition and number formation. We also read "The Button Box." This book is about a little boy who explores the pleasures that can be found in his Grandmother's button box. The kids are always fascinated with buttons because they come in variety of shapes, sizes,and colors. One of the activities we explored with the buttons was sorting. Each child was given a small plastic tub with various buttons. The children sorted the buttons in a way that made sense to them. Then, they described their grouping to me. Some sorted by shape, color, or size. I even had one child sort by rainbow colors. Each child had to explain what their rule was for sorting. We talked about keeping the same rule through the sorting process.
We will also be working with a Venn diagram. Each circle is labeled with an attribute. The buttons that have both attributes are placed in the intersection of the two circles. Other skills we are working on include constructing patterns, labeling and describing, counting, and tallying.
In literacy centers :
1. "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe": We make books and practice reading them.
2.Finding and matching number words with "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe."
3.Alphabet sequence activities. Play games to practice putting letters in order.
We had our first Show and Share day. Show and Share will be every Thursday. If your child forgets, he or she will need to wait until the following week to share. Only if your child is sick on Thursday can they bring their share to school another day.
General Information:
1.We need plastic spoons.
2.Field trip November 10: We may need a couple of drivers. Please let me know.
3.Conferences on November 3: Please let me know if you need to change your date.
4. Frog and Toad on December 16.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
October 8th 2009
YES, we are going to sing with Dan Zane. YES, we are going to record a CD with him. We are scheduled for this Monday, October 10. We will be boarding the activity bus at 9:15. Please make sure your child is at school on time. Parent are welcome to attend. However, we ask that you meet us at the Jefferson Center downtown. Please let me know if you do plan to join us. Children need to be with me because we are not sure what the schedule will be for the day. If the weather is nice, we will eat our lunch outside in the courtyard area.
Math: The national Council of Teachers of Mathematics has outlined ten content and process standards that have become the basis of math for young children. We will work on these standards all through the year. The standards are:
1. Numbers and Operations
2. Pattern and Algebra
3. Geometry and Spatial Sense
4. Measurement
5. Data Analysis and Probability
6. Problem Solving
7. Reasoning and Proof
8. Communications
9. Connections
10.Representation.
This week, we began working with the rhyme "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe." The skills we are working on are recognizing, writing, and understanding numbers. We have had a fun week using games and manipulatives and songs to help practice these skills.
In literacy, we are almost finished with Eric Carl. We worked on the days of the week. We made the most beautiful Hungry Caterpillar mobiles. I can't wait to share them at Conference time!!!! This week, we are studying spiders. We went on a spider web hunt. We gathered data by drawing pictures of the webs that we found. Something fun to do with your child is to go on a spider web hunt in your own back yard!! Report back to the class what you find. You can even use your observation skills and draw us a picture. Ask your child to name two parts of a spider.
Dates to Remember
Oct. 12: Dan Zane
Oct. 14: Fall Festival here
Oct. 15: Peaks of Otter
Oct. 16: No School
Nov. 10: Play “Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing” (no drivers needed)
Dec. 10: Play “ Frog and Toad “ (more information to come)
Math: The national Council of Teachers of Mathematics has outlined ten content and process standards that have become the basis of math for young children. We will work on these standards all through the year. The standards are:
1. Numbers and Operations
2. Pattern and Algebra
3. Geometry and Spatial Sense
4. Measurement
5. Data Analysis and Probability
6. Problem Solving
7. Reasoning and Proof
8. Communications
9. Connections
10.Representation.
This week, we began working with the rhyme "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe." The skills we are working on are recognizing, writing, and understanding numbers. We have had a fun week using games and manipulatives and songs to help practice these skills.
In literacy, we are almost finished with Eric Carl. We worked on the days of the week. We made the most beautiful Hungry Caterpillar mobiles. I can't wait to share them at Conference time!!!! This week, we are studying spiders. We went on a spider web hunt. We gathered data by drawing pictures of the webs that we found. Something fun to do with your child is to go on a spider web hunt in your own back yard!! Report back to the class what you find. You can even use your observation skills and draw us a picture. Ask your child to name two parts of a spider.
Dates to Remember
Oct. 12: Dan Zane
Oct. 14: Fall Festival here
Oct. 15: Peaks of Otter
Oct. 16: No School
Nov. 10: Play “Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing” (no drivers needed)
Dec. 10: Play “ Frog and Toad “ (more information to come)
Thursday, October 1, 2009
What's News?
General news
Don't Forget!!! Monday, October 5, NO SCHOOL!!
October 12, Jefferson Center: Wonderful news!! We have been asked to record a song with Dan Zane. Dan is a famous children's song writer and entertainer. He will be at the Jefferson center on Sunday, October 11. We are going to use the Jefferson Center's studio recording lab and sing background on one of his cd's. Watch the blog for more information.
Fall Festival
October 14: We will be on campus. Your child will not need a lunch. Please let us know if you are available to help that day. We do not need many parents.
October 15: Peaks of Otter trip. Please bring a lunch and fruit break. Please have your child wear appropriate shoes for hiking. No sandals. We will need parent drivers for this outing; please let us know if you can help. We will be leaving the campus at 8:15!
By the way, in case you didn't already know, our class name is....Bubble Bubble Toot Toot, Chicken Airplane Soldier Laughing Frogs, or for short...The Laughing Frogs. Diplomacy at its best. LOL!!
Language Arts: We will be studying a selection of different children's authors. We have started with Eric Carle. We have read many of his wonderful books, including “The Hungry Caterpillar” about a caterpillar who eats his way through the days of the week. We read “ The Very Quiet Cricket” and adopted a cricket in the classroom for the day! On the day we read “ The Very Lonely Firefly,” we did our own illustrations using cray-pas and lots of glitter. They shimmered in the night!! Next week, we'll be reading “ The Spider,” also by Eric Carle. We will be studying spiders in science.
Math: Recent activities include graphing, counting skills, sorting, making patterns, and classifications. For example, we sorted and graphed a selection of dried beans. We interpreted the data and discussed it as a group.
Don't Forget!!! Monday, October 5, NO SCHOOL!!
October 12, Jefferson Center: Wonderful news!! We have been asked to record a song with Dan Zane. Dan is a famous children's song writer and entertainer. He will be at the Jefferson center on Sunday, October 11. We are going to use the Jefferson Center's studio recording lab and sing background on one of his cd's. Watch the blog for more information.
Fall Festival
October 14: We will be on campus. Your child will not need a lunch. Please let us know if you are available to help that day. We do not need many parents.
October 15: Peaks of Otter trip. Please bring a lunch and fruit break. Please have your child wear appropriate shoes for hiking. No sandals. We will need parent drivers for this outing; please let us know if you can help. We will be leaving the campus at 8:15!
By the way, in case you didn't already know, our class name is....Bubble Bubble Toot Toot, Chicken Airplane Soldier Laughing Frogs, or for short...The Laughing Frogs. Diplomacy at its best. LOL!!
Language Arts: We will be studying a selection of different children's authors. We have started with Eric Carle. We have read many of his wonderful books, including “The Hungry Caterpillar” about a caterpillar who eats his way through the days of the week. We read “ The Very Quiet Cricket” and adopted a cricket in the classroom for the day! On the day we read “ The Very Lonely Firefly,” we did our own illustrations using cray-pas and lots of glitter. They shimmered in the night!! Next week, we'll be reading “ The Spider,” also by Eric Carle. We will be studying spiders in science.
Math: Recent activities include graphing, counting skills, sorting, making patterns, and classifications. For example, we sorted and graphed a selection of dried beans. We interpreted the data and discussed it as a group.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
September 17 2009
Thank You!
We've had a great start to our year! Everyone is working hard and having fun.
Thank you to everyone who came to the Gatherings on Tuesday. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to stop me or call Community School.
We're working on our class skit for Friday. Each class will perform a short skit to act out the name they have chosen. Please feel free to come see these often funny always creative performances.
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