Theater Art Specialist

This past week I had the opportunity to go with the students to see Mr Seely, our theater art specialist. The kids got to go the week I missed a couple of days. I can see why they love to go and see him.

He started off with a song that included actions and repetition that sped up the more they sang it, we have some pretty good singers in our class! I'd share the song, but honestly I wouldn't do it any justice. Mr Seely has a talent for what he does. 

He played a pirate game with the kids that help the kids to develop number sense. I was IMPRESSED. We only get to see him once every two weeks, but they remembered what all of the signals were and what number they needed to be. Ask your child about it, I'm sure they would be happy to share.

He also got out some AMAZING puppets for the kids to use. He talked about classifying them and proceeded to have the kids classify (sort) them based on characteristics of their animal. Ask your child about a duck-billed platypus or why a whale or dolphin is a mammal and not a fish.

Here are is a picture to enjoy.

August 19, 2013

Wow, it has been a busy first few days. We are starting to settle into a routine and we are all feeling more comfortable around each other.

This week we started learning our Math and Spelling routines, and next week we will be jumping into writing.

Please check your child's backpack each night for their red homework folder. Take out any papers in the "keep at home" side and help your child complete anything in the "return to school" side so they can turn it in the next day at school.

Our class is fairly large this year, please be patient with me as I adjust some things to better meet our class.

Thank you for everyone who have purchased supplies and have volunteered time, you will truly make this a great year.

I will be sharing with you soon how to access our math program online, and will be posting the dates each lesson is taught just as soon as I figure out what our teaching pace will be.

Thank you for allowing me to teach your children, it is going to be a great year!

February 4, 2013

We have learned a lot about plants and the moon this past week. Our plants are growing fast. I wouldn't be surprised if they start to flower soon. I think I see flower buds growing already!

Valentine's Day is fast approaching. We will be having a class party. I will send home a note with each child's name on it for your child to write names on Valentine's Cards if you choose to send them. Do not send them until February 14th!

Today is a fundraiser at Maggie Moo's. A note will be coming home. The proceeds will go towards our awesome choir.

Also this week is our Computers for Education fundraiser. Your child will be bringing home a packet today. Please fill out as many addresses as you can. The PTA earns money for each address, not magazine sold.

Please read the Click-It Club information that came home last week. There are a bunch of fun activities and prizes that your child can earn.

January 28, 2013

This past week was a lot of fun we made crystals to conclude our matter unit.

Then we were lucky enough to have a visit from the education outreach department from Red Butte Garden. They donated the supplies we needed to start a great plant unit. They even were willing to visit our class and help launch it. Here are a few pictures from that visit.

They are a bit out of order, but you will get the idea. It really was a lot of fun. Each week for the next few weeks we will be having at least one plant lesson and at the end of 40(ish) days from last Thursday we will be able to harvest seeds to use for next year's first graders.

For the next couple of weeks(when we aren't learning about plants) Ms. Woolsey will be teaching the students about the Sun and the Moon. I have been previewing her lessons and she has a lot she will be teaching them. It will be great.

January 22, 2013

We have learned a lot about matter last week, we will be wrapping things up and starting our plant unit.

Representatives from Red Butte Garden have kindly given our classroom the equipment we need to implement a plant unit that they have put together. That means we will be able to grow a special plant that we plant as a seed and will be able to harvest the seeds before school gets out! Pretty cool. I am super excited.

Thank you for helping us out by calling the office when your child has been late or absent. I know the office staff have appreciated it greatly.

Please continue to dress your children for the cold weather. Even though things are warmer now than they have been, it is still cold outside and they need appropriate shoes and coats (not hoodies).

Our DIBELs testing went well. I have gathered up some materials to help some students have some extra practice at home (and at school) to work toward passing the end of year test. I will be sending those home next week. If your child doesn't come home with a folder that means that they have more than passed the end of year goals.

Thanks again for letting me teach your children. They bring a smile to my face each day!

January 14, 2013

Last week we spent some time learning about snowmen and reading several books about snowmen.

This week we are launching our matter unit and will work on it through next week. This is one of my favorite units. We always have a lot of fun.

Please make sure to dress your children appropriately for the weather, we go outside whenever we possibly can.

Starting today Mr. Moyle has asked us to take attendance by 9:30am. If your child is marked absent, someone from the school will call to check on your child. If your child is tardy (school starts at 8:50) please have your child check in at the office before they come to class.

January 7, 2013

Happy New Year!

I hope your break was as great as mine was.

This week we will be looking at snow. It is kind of a general subject, but I have a lot of fun science and writing activities to get us back into the swing of things.

Starting today we will have a student teacher in our class for the next few weeks. Her name is Mrs. Woolsey, she will be teaching part of the time.