Our First Poetry Reading

The students worked hard on their first Poem of the Week, even though we only had three school days this week!

This morning, we had a little Poetry Reading in our classroom, and the students learned how to snap their applause as in a "real" poetry reading!

Check back next week for news about our second Poetry Reading- hopefully we'll have a 5-day week!

Happy 100th Day!

We celebrated the 100th day of school with some special activities, stories, crafts, and games. Everybody wore 100 of something! Each child brought 100 small treats to add to our 100 trail mix. 

Thanks for your help toward making this day so fun, families!

Sledding Party

On Friday, January 24th, the kindergarten and first grade classes went sledding in the La Farge Village Park. We'd been trying to plan a sledding day for a little while, but the weather just wasn't cooperating! We got a nice day smack in the middle of some REALLY cold ones, and everyone had a great time. Thanks to everyone that sent in sleds to share!

100th Day Fun

We will be celebrating the 100^th day of school on Tuesday, February 4, 2014.  This is a special day because each first grader is 100 days smarter! J

The kindergarten and first grade classes will be celebrating together throughout the day. Two of our special projects need some help from families!

1.      100^th Day Wearable Art

On the 100^th day, each student is invited to come to school “Wearing 100.” Please work with your child to create a 100^th Day work of wearable art by making or decorating a hat, scarf, necklace, t-shirt, or other item of clothing with 100 things. Some ideas include buttons, safety pins, stickers, beads, and candies. Have fun, be creative, and send your child to school wearing their 100 on Tuesday, February 4^th!
Hint: Check this Pinterest board for some inspiration!

2.      100 Snack Mix
The celebration will include kindergarten and first grade getting together to make a trail mix for snack on this day. To make this trail mix we ask that your child count out and bring 100 pieces of something small and edible in a plastic bag to add to our trail mix on February 4^th.

Some ideas: (The list is endless, but here are a few!)

·         100 Cereal pieces (Cheerios, Chex, etc)

·         100 small candies (M&M’s, gummy bears, etc.)

·         100 peanuts, cashews, almonds, sunflower seeds

·         100 dried banana slices, raisins, or mixed dried fruit

·         100 small crackers (like Goldfish, Animal Crackers, or Cheez-Its)

We are proud of our students as we look forward to the 100^th day and we thank you for your help!

When Two Vowels Go Walking...

Check out this video for a fun song about the phonics rule the first graders are currently learning!

All About Owls

The first graders are busy today wrapping up their first big nonfiction writing project today, All About Owls. Each one of their books includes a cover, a table of contents, an introduction, a diagram, and facts about owls, including their special adaptations. In looking for resources to help answer their questions, I came across this full-length (53 minute) video on PBS, The Magic of the Snowy Owl. Follow the link to watch! The kids really thought it was neat. Keep your eyes out for young Snowy Owls to show up in Wisconsin!

Dreidel, Dreidel, Dreidel...

Yesterday during the holiday concert practice, many of the first graders were asking questions about Hannukah. To help answer some of their questions today, we watched some videos, read some books, sang some songs, and made dreidels! A dreidel is a spinning top that is used to play a traditional game.
Our dreidels are drying now, but as the song goes... "and when [they're] dry and ready, our dreidels we will play." Tomorrow we'll decorate our dreidels, learn the symbols, and play the game! The kids are very excited!