Update 3.31.14

Fourth Quarter is here! We are well on our way to becoming amazing 2nd graders. I hope all is well at home and that the kiddos are still enjoying heading to school each morning. We are hoping for cooperative weather this week, but for today, please keep sending those warm clothing items. We do our best to keep them out of puddles and such, but water happens ; )

Check out the new spelling words to the right. Our class has been doing a wonderful job on our tests! I am so pleased with the growth I've seen so far. Keep up the studying at home!

The carnival is April 11th. We are collecting Cat/Griz items for our basket. The money from the carnival helps us buy essential items for classrooms. If you have any questions about money allocations, the PTA has done a nice break down of where the money will be going. Thanks for your support!

Update 3.25.14

I woke up out of a dead sleep and realized that I FORGOT to post new spelling words. Yikes! Report Cards must really be getting to my brain ; )

A few notes this week:

1. The weather is still being wishy washy, so send layers of clothing to accommodate this Montana weather.
2. The school carnival is on April 11th. A flyer will be going home in the Wednesday folders. Miss Hughs and I are doing a booth together this year to raise money for PTA. The first grade baskets this year will be Griz/Cat themed. You know who I root for!! Go Griz!
3. Report cards will be going home early next week. Remember a score of 3 is the end of the year goal. 2's mean they are on the journey to getting there!
4. Thank you for the lovely donation of disinfecting wipes. I, as well as many others in the class, are doing much better this week.
5. Keep in touch! I'm getting a little sentimental about the year ending and sending these kiddos onto 2nd grade. We still have room for volunteers to do crafts, activities, or an academic club in class. I have a few on my mind right now, so be expecting some emails.

Thanks again for all that you do!

Update 4.18.14

Wow! We've a had a really strange start to our week! If your kiddos haven't mentioned something already, a deer jumped the fence during morning walk and, unfortunately, hurt itself. We sent the kiddos inside for morning walk so Mr. English could coordinate a pick up of the animal. THEN at afternoon recess, a herding dog of some breed was on the playground. Thank goodness for Mr. English; he saved us twice today!

We just finished up with our Quarter 3 math assessments and all we have left are a few reading assessments. I am so amazed at some of the progress we've made this quarter. That being said, I'm anticipating a lot of growth spurts soon. Remember: A lot of sleep, water and food for these growing kiddos. Some of them are already up to my shoulder blades!!

Here are some pictures from our most recent learning moments:

10+, 10-, 1+, 1-

Race to 120!

Race to 120!

Music with Mrs. McKinsey

Playground fun

St. Patrick's Day Luck Charm sort

Homemade shaving cream cloud and rainbow picture

Update 3.10.14

Happy Monday!

We are so excited for this week! Hopefully the kiddos can keep up with the time changes :p
Testing for Math and Reading starts this week. I'll have some lovely helpers during the next 5 days to assist in watching the kiddos and testing. Please send kiddos to school well-rested and with a full tummy. Their brains will be on over-drive!

We won't have a formal spelling list this week, but I will be assessing 1-25 of the sight-word list to just see where they are at with those.

I will be out this afternoon for a teacher training, so Mrs. Scott will be filling in.

Quarter 3 ends the last Friday in March. Can you believe how quickly we are approaching 2nd grade!? Keep up the great work, firsties!

If you have any lingering questions, shoot them my way or leave a comment for all to see :D

Dr. Seuss Birthday Celebration!

Read-a-Thon & Other Happenings

We made it to another month! Woohoo! Our awesome class read nearly 4,000 combined minutes during the Read-a-Thon. That is such a tremendous number. Did the kids tell you what the "mystery" book was? It was "Detective LaRue," which was a book we read earlier this year while we investigated reading. How awesome are we ; )

Some updates:

1.) With the warmer weather fast approaching, please pack appropriate gear. We'll stay out of puddles as much as we can!
2.) Spelling words are on the right hand side.
3.) Math homework will be a greater than, less than worksheet.
4.) My sister, Miss Dorris, will be volunteering in our room 3 days a week helping some of the kiddos on "ketchup," work. Just another great way to differentiate learning!!
5.) Behavior is continuing to improve! Way to go parents!
6.) We will be celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday with many fun activities, an all school drop everything and read time in the hallway, and a spirit day.  

7.) In math, we are working on greater than, less than, and equal.  We also started adding 1 more, 1 less, 10 more and 10 less to any number less than 100.  In reading, we are focusing on fluency and being able to read sight words without sounding them out.  

Have a great week!