Books!

You probably noticed the bag in your student's backpack containing 3 new books. Today we were one of the lucky classes to be able to participate in a book give away. A HUGE thank you goes to Volunteers of America and Scholastic who provided the books. Another thank you goes to the wonderful UPA High School students who partnered up with our first graders to help them choose their books. After, they read their new stories together! The kids were so excited! I hope they are enjoying their new books!

Field Trip Chaperones

We have enough chaperones for our field trip to the Ann Arbor Hands on Museum. Thank you!!! :)

Family Game Night

The 3rd floor will be hosting Family Math Game Night and Internet Safety Workshop on Wednesday, April 27 from 5-6:30 on the 3rd floor for he whole school. Come learn fun math games you can play with your family to help improve students' math skills while having fun at the same time. Mr. Curran will be hosting an Internet safety workshop at 5:00 in his room. Math games start at 5:30. There will be a giveaway of numerous math games and flashcards at 6:30. You must be present to win. Snacks and drinks will be provided. We hope to see you all there.

Some other notes-

~I was so excited to receive 9 early milestones today! Milestone #2, Ten Facts, is due this Thursday, April 28th.

~We will be having a free dress for $1.00 day on Friday, April 29th.

~Money for the field trip to the Ann Arbor Hands On Museum is due this Friday, April 29th. The cost is $3.00 per student and $1.00 for chaperones.

Milestone Reminder

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter! I am looking forward to hearing about everyone's breaks when we go back to school on Tuesday. Just a quick reminder about Milestone #2 10 facts...

-The form for milestone #2 was sent home the day before break and is a sheet of blue paper. If you misplaced that paper- it is ok for your student to write out their 10 facts on paper from home.

-If Milestone #2 is turned in early on the Tuesday we come back from break, your student will receive a "Homework Pass" to use on a future assignment.

-Milestone #2 is due by Thursday, April 28th.

-Be sure to have your student write out all their facts, use correct capital letters and punctuation.

-Also, be sure the facts are in "kid-friendly" language so the student is able to read, understand, and remember their facts better.

As always- let me know if there are any questions or concerns. See everyone Tuesday at 8:20!

Spring Break Sticky Notes

Send a message to your friends over break!

Bubbles

With the weather warming up we've been spending more time outside. This means breaking out the bubbles! The students really enjoy blowing and popping bubbles at recess. If your student wants to bring any in from home they are welcome to.

Pajama Day

We had such a fun day today! This morning the students helped me push together the tables and lay out blankets and pillows around the room. Each student had a comfortable reading place for the day. We played a game of Word Wall Bingo, Skyped with some new friends in Massachusetts, had a cookie and milk snack, went on a pajama parade through the school, and watched a movie with the other first graders. School is always tons of fun when you are wearing PJ's!

Student Service Projects

Some fifth graders at our school are collecting items for service projects. If you are able to, the students are asking for donations for a Teddy Bear Drive and for a Book Drive. The items may new new or gently used. The items will be donated to children in local homeless shelters. They will be taking donations until May 7th. Thank you for your support of our older students!

Reminder

Milestone #1 is due tomorrow, Thursday, April 14th. Milestone #1 is a list of the resources your student is using to learn about their interest project. If your student turns in their milestone on time, they are able to participate in our pajama day on Friday, April 15th.

More Shapes and Bird Feeders

In social studies we leaned about the 3 R's, reduce, reuse, and recycle. We "reused" the milk cartons from lunch to make bird feeders to hang in the back of our playground with kindergarten partners.

In math the students used straws and twist ties to make polygons. We learned that polygons are shapes with straight sides, no opening and with lines that do not cross.

Rules Podcast

Even the teacher has homework! In my grad class at Oakland, I've been learning about project based learning. In our class at UPA the students experienced learning about school and state rules through many hands on and explorative activities, that also meet state and district academic guidelines. To end off our project, some of the students helped me create a podcast sharing what we learned about rules in school. Enjoy!

Shining Light

Congrats Tristan! He was our shining light last week. He is always such a good friend to all the students in the room. Keep up the great work Tristan!!!

Important Dates

Monday, April 11th from 4-5:00

Mr. Kefgen and Ms. Standard will be holding another Student/Parent Reading Workshop. All are welcome to attend and learn many of the tricks and skills we are teaching the students to use while reading.

Thursday, April 14th

Milestone #1 Resources is due. The students in our class received a form to fill out this previous Wednesday. Students know they need to write out the resources on the form.

Friday, April 15th

Pajama day for students who turn in a completed Milestone #1 on time. Students will receive a Pajama day ticket on Thursday verifying that I received their milestone and they are able to participate in the day. Students who can participate can also bring a favorite book, pillow or stuffed animal from home. In the morning we will have some special reading time and a cookies and milk snack. A note will be going home on Monday, April 11th with more information.

April 16- 25th

Spring Break! Enjoy your time off and have a Happy Easter!

Thursday, April 28th

Milestone #2 Ten Facts is due. Use time over break to gather information with your student about his or her interest project topic. The form to complete this milestone will be sent home Friday, April 15th before break.

Match My Shape Pattern

Today is school we learned a new math game that the kids loved! Each student has the same number of shape blocks. One student creates a pattern behind a folder, then describes the pattern to their partner. The partner tries to recreate the pattern. After they check and see how close their patterns are! Check out all the fun!

Mystery Reader & "Woolsonville"

Today our mystery reader was Sawyer's Mom! She read us the book, "The New Girl." We enjoyed her visit! Thanks so much for reading to us!

This week in social studies the students in our class and Ms. Josephson's class learned about places in a community. After we created our own community named, "Woolsonville." Check out the buildings the students made to resemble different locations in our own community.

Doubles Song

Today we learned a new song to help remember our doubles addition facts. We are practicing it to share on our next Skype conversation with a first grade class in Massachusetts.

Shining Light and New Books

Congrats to our Shining Light this week, Summer! She had a great day on Friday doing her best! Keep up the good work!

On Friday in your student's backpack were 3 new books, A Chair For My Mother, From Head to Toe, and Harold and the Purple Crayon. Our floor received these books from the organization, "First Books" to give to each student to keep. I hope you and your student spent some time together reading them over the weekend!