I am loved.
I listen to my heart.
I am safe.
I have lots of friends who love me.
My dreams are coming true.
I am helpful.
I am friendly.
Every problem has an answer.
I am kind.
I can do it.
I play well with others.
I’m intelligent.
I learn from my mistakes.
I act responsibly.
I am calm.
I love myself even though I sometimes fail.
Every day brings new opportunities.
I accept and love myself.
I am kind.
I am relaxed.
I have faith in myself.
I am brave.
I have trust in myself.
I am generous.
I am loving.
I meet great decisions.
I am kind to all.
I am protected.
Whatever I do, I give my best.
I am exactly where I need to be.
I trust in my abilities.
I solve problems.
I am unique.
I have lots of energy.
I am peaceful.
I can become whatever I want to be.
I embrace change.
I make friends easily.
My intuition is a guide showing me the right direction.
I accomplish great results.
I have a beautiful imagination.
I am confident.
I welcome the unfoldment of events.
I am caring.
I find creative solutions to my problems.
I think positive.
I am thankful.
I am courageous.
I am gentle with myself and others.
I am whole.
I enjoy testing new ideas.
I have courage.
I have happy thoughts.
I forgive others for their mistakes.
I reach my goals.
Problems are challenges to better me.
I get better and better every day.
I discover the beauty in everything.
I have positive thoughts.
I am in charge of my life.
All is well.
I enjoy discovering something new.
My family and friends love me for who I am.
I am a good friend to myself.
I enjoy learning.
I have many good friends.
I am very creative.
I believe in my abilities.
I am persistent.
I understand complex problems quickly.
I am forgiving.
I am honest.
I am trustworthy.
I always find ways to overcome challenges
I am compassionate.
I listen to my inner wisdom.
I am open to new and exciting possibilities
I make friends easily
I am growing up well
I give freely.
I am a good influence on others.
I am carrying.
I draw inspiration from life and my role models.
I am awesome.
I have good friends.
I am a good friend.
I am thoughtful and kind.
I enjoy spending time with myself.
I am strong, inside and out.
I am gentle.
I reach for the stars.
Miracles happen to me.
I am joyful.
I am patient.
I am brave.
I am perfect just the way I am.
I keep my body healthy.
I enjoy healthy food.
I am ready to seize the opportunities of the day.
I am awesome.
I care about others.
I feel joy in every corner of my body.
I work hard.
Life is fun.
I meet the right decisions.
I enjoy being cheerful.
I am important.
I can do anything.
I am peaceful.
I approve of myself.
My heart guides me.
I trust my intuition.
I am thankful for being who I am.
I see the good in myself.
I enjoy being happy.
I take pleasure in my life.
I support others with love and kindness.
I enjoy absorbing knowledge like a sponge.
I am a winner.
I am worthwhile of all the love and happiness in the world.
I am proud myself.
I take care of my responsibilities.
I am beautiful.
I like being challenged.
I am a bright student.
I play an important role in the world.
I like myself.
I am thoughtful.
I trust the wisdom in me.
I replace anger with compassion.
I am optimistic.
I am beautiful.
I am excited of the unknown.
I am full of energy.
I respect other people.
I learn from my mistakes.
I love my family and friends.
I receive all the help that I need.
Everything works out just fine.
Wonderful and awesome things happen to me.
I am kind to others.
I enjoy challenging myself.
I forgive myself for making a mistake.
I believe in myself.
I believe in my dreams.
I have the courage to be myself.
I am okay with who I am.
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Monday, September 24, 2018
Habit #4 and Habit #5
Last week we learned about Habit #4 - Think Win Win. We learned about how thinking win-win helps us all get along and benefits everyone in the long run. Students thought of some great examples for both the home and school setting! We definitely have to use this habit at school!
This week we are focusing on Habit #5 - Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood. This habit is a tough one for first graders! It teaches us the importance and power of listening with our heart and our eyes. We will be learning about this habit through read alouds and some in class listening activities. As an introduction today we played a game where I gave 3 simple directions (such as 1. touch your knee 2. touch your foot 3. touch your nose) and students had to wait until I had finished before they could actually do the actions. Some of them found this easy and some found it very frustrating!
The habits will continue to be re-visited throughout the school year. Mastery is not expected. (We are all a work in progress!) We would love to see transfer of this language and these ideas throughout the school day and even at home! :0) Mrs. Wagers has a lot of the "7 Habits of Happy Kids" books in the library if you're interested in continuing this work at home!
This week we are focusing on Habit #5 - Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood. This habit is a tough one for first graders! It teaches us the importance and power of listening with our heart and our eyes. We will be learning about this habit through read alouds and some in class listening activities. As an introduction today we played a game where I gave 3 simple directions (such as 1. touch your knee 2. touch your foot 3. touch your nose) and students had to wait until I had finished before they could actually do the actions. Some of them found this easy and some found it very frustrating!
The habits will continue to be re-visited throughout the school year. Mastery is not expected. (We are all a work in progress!) We would love to see transfer of this language and these ideas throughout the school day and even at home! :0) Mrs. Wagers has a lot of the "7 Habits of Happy Kids" books in the library if you're interested in continuing this work at home!
LiM Leadership folders
We are excited to start our Leader in Me leadership folders! Inside the folder students will keep and track their Math and ELA goals for the year. We will begin putting these folders together this Wednesday on our late start. I look forward to sharing these with you at conferences!
Reading Update
We continue to work on our Readers build good habits unit.
EQ-How do reading partners work together?
This week we are really focusing on how reading partners work together. While we have been partner reading for a few weeks, we have developed some norms and continue to practice our routines to make sure we are making the most of our time together!
Partner reading helps break up our reading block so students are not reading independently the entire hour following our lesson. Working with a partner allows students to demonstrate their knowledge of decoding skills, help support their partner's learning by assisting them in solving tricky words, learn from each other's strengths, and provides the opportunity to have conversations around a text. Just walking around and listening in today to many partnerships I heard the application of much of our learning!
This week they will be practicing using sentence starters/prompts following their reading to talk about their books.
EQ-How do reading partners work together?
This week we are really focusing on how reading partners work together. While we have been partner reading for a few weeks, we have developed some norms and continue to practice our routines to make sure we are making the most of our time together!
Partner reading helps break up our reading block so students are not reading independently the entire hour following our lesson. Working with a partner allows students to demonstrate their knowledge of decoding skills, help support their partner's learning by assisting them in solving tricky words, learn from each other's strengths, and provides the opportunity to have conversations around a text. Just walking around and listening in today to many partnerships I heard the application of much of our learning!
This week they will be practicing using sentence starters/prompts following their reading to talk about their books.
Math Update
EQ's-
How can the relationship between addition and subtraction help me to solve problems?
How can I communicate my math thinking?
How can the relationship between addition and subtraction help me to solve problems?
How can I communicate my math thinking?
We have done work with addition and subtraction and practicing a variety of problem solving strategies. This week we are introducing a new type of story problem - comparing situations. Example: Molly drew 7 butterflies. George drew 3 butterflies. How many more butterflies did Molly draw?
As we have worked on story problems we have focused on 3 main questions BEFORE we even begin working with the numbers to solve:
1. What do we know?
2. What else do we know?
3. What is the problem I must solve? (Prompting students to look for the question mark and make sure our answer directly answers that question).
Having this plan of action was helpful today as we started looking at this new type of problem. Many times students want to jump to manipulating the numbers and solving. They are learning to carefully read/listen to the story and making a plan prior to solving. This fits nicely with our Habit #5 work we are doing this week which is "Seek first to understand, then to be understood."
In order to solve these problems we are working with cubes, drawings, and finding the difference (subtracting).
We are also going to be doing work with finding the missing number in a story problem. Example: 5 train cars are on the track. Some more cars join them. Now there are 9 train cars. How many cars joined the first 5 train cars? Our part-part-whole model can be very helpful for these types of problems.
Students will take their second math fact assessment early next week so I can share that data with you at conferences.
At home continue working on fact fluency! I will be sending home a packet at conferences of some games you can play with your child at home to help make these facts more automatic.
Writing Update
EQ- How can I stretch out a personal narrative?
This week we are focusing on stretching out our personal narratives by telling stories in small steps, adding details, adding feeling and writing with action words. We are reading some mentor texts and noticing the craft authors use to tell their small moment stories. Here are some books we will be reading:
We also continue to work on basic sentence structure, starting sentences with a capital letter, and using punctuation at the end of sentences.
This week we are focusing on stretching out our personal narratives by telling stories in small steps, adding details, adding feeling and writing with action words. We are reading some mentor texts and noticing the craft authors use to tell their small moment stories. Here are some books we will be reading:
We also continue to work on basic sentence structure, starting sentences with a capital letter, and using punctuation at the end of sentences.
Calendar Items
September 24 - Box Tops Collection Drive BEGINS
September 25 - International Passport Night (6:30-8 pm)
September 26 - Late Start Day (School Starts at 11:05)
September 26 - Free & Reduced Program Applications DUE
September 26 - Board of Ed Mtg at Central Middle (7pm)
September 27 - Parkway Park Tour - Queeny Park at 6pm
September 28 - Fall Walk/Bike to School Day (8:15 am)
October 1-4 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - (Parent Sign Up)
October 1-3 - Fall Book Fair (4-5pm)
October 3 - Voluntary Flu Vaccination Clinic (9:15-10:15 am)
October 4 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (4:30-8:30 pm)
October 4 - Fall Book Fair (4-8pm)
October 4 - Box Tops Collection Drive ENDS
October 8 - NO SCHOOL
October 11 - PTO Kickball Game on the Blacktop (5-6:30pm)
October 13 - Fall Beautification Day (8-11am)
September 25 - International Passport Night (6:30-8 pm)
September 26 - Late Start Day (School Starts at 11:05)
September 26 - Free & Reduced Program Applications DUE
September 26 - Board of Ed Mtg at Central Middle (7pm)
September 27 - Parkway Park Tour - Queeny Park at 6pm
September 28 - Fall Walk/Bike to School Day (8:15 am)
October 1-4 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - (Parent Sign Up)
October 1-3 - Fall Book Fair (4-5pm)
October 3 - Voluntary Flu Vaccination Clinic (9:15-10:15 am)
October 4 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (4:30-8:30 pm)
October 4 - Fall Book Fair (4-8pm)
October 4 - Box Tops Collection Drive ENDS
October 8 - NO SCHOOL
October 11 - PTO Kickball Game on the Blacktop (5-6:30pm)
October 13 - Fall Beautification Day (8-11am)
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
October Book Fair
Our book fair is just around the corner! Some information came home yesterday including a flyer of books. Here are the times the fair will be open:
Monday October 1 4-5 PM
Tuesday October 2 4-5 PM
Wednesday October 3 4-5 PM
Thursday October 4 4-8 PM
Students will be able to make purchases at school on Monday October 1 during our library time
Math Vocabulary Cards
Within each math UNIT we will be completing different TOPICS. We began unit 1 with topic 2 and now are going back to work on topic 1. (confused yet?!) Haha!
At the beginning of each topic we always start with vocabulary terms. We will complete the cards either together or with partners and then the children will bring their vocabulary cards home. These might be helpful as your child works on homework at home, so I would recommend keeping them handy during our units. This is also a great way for you to see what we will be working on over the coming weeks.
At the beginning of each topic we always start with vocabulary terms. We will complete the cards either together or with partners and then the children will bring their vocabulary cards home. These might be helpful as your child works on homework at home, so I would recommend keeping them handy during our units. This is also a great way for you to see what we will be working on over the coming weeks.
Birthday FAQ's
I always get a lot of questions regarding birthdays, so I just wanted to share some quick "frequently asked questions" for your reference.
Do you celebrate birthdays at school? YES! We love to celebrate every child's special day!
Do you celebrate half-birthdays at school? YES! IF your child's birthday falls when we are not in school (June, July, August) then we will celebrate their HALF birthday. For instance, if your child's birthday is June 5, we would celebrate them on December 5.
May I send in something special on my child's special day to share with the class? YES! In order to keep everyone safe, no food items are allowed. There are still plenty of fun non-food possibilities. Just a few ideas from years past: send in a pencil, eraser, sticker, or small trinket item for the students, send in a new recess ball for our class to use at recess, send in an indoor recess game, send in a new book to be added to the classroom library. Sending in items is TOTALLY OPTIONAL! Please do not feel it is necessary. Some families choose to send items and others do not and whatever you choose to do is just fine! I like to give ideas because some families really like to send items in on that day.
Can I send birthday party invitations to school for my child to pass out? YES! IF you send one for EACH child in the class, then this is allowed.
Can you provide me information for other students in the class? NO. Unfortunately I am unable to share other parents' information with you (phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc.) If you are wanting to only invite specific students, you will need to utilize the buzz book for that information. Thank you for your understanding!
On your child's special day they will get to go down to the office for announcements, get a special pencil, receive a silly straw from me, sit on the bean bag chair on the carpet, and choose our read aloud for the day! We will also sing to them first thing in the morning.
I hope you find this information helpful! :0)
Do you celebrate birthdays at school? YES! We love to celebrate every child's special day!
Do you celebrate half-birthdays at school? YES! IF your child's birthday falls when we are not in school (June, July, August) then we will celebrate their HALF birthday. For instance, if your child's birthday is June 5, we would celebrate them on December 5.
May I send in something special on my child's special day to share with the class? YES! In order to keep everyone safe, no food items are allowed. There are still plenty of fun non-food possibilities. Just a few ideas from years past: send in a pencil, eraser, sticker, or small trinket item for the students, send in a new recess ball for our class to use at recess, send in an indoor recess game, send in a new book to be added to the classroom library. Sending in items is TOTALLY OPTIONAL! Please do not feel it is necessary. Some families choose to send items and others do not and whatever you choose to do is just fine! I like to give ideas because some families really like to send items in on that day.
Can I send birthday party invitations to school for my child to pass out? YES! IF you send one for EACH child in the class, then this is allowed.
Can you provide me information for other students in the class? NO. Unfortunately I am unable to share other parents' information with you (phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc.) If you are wanting to only invite specific students, you will need to utilize the buzz book for that information. Thank you for your understanding!
On your child's special day they will get to go down to the office for announcements, get a special pencil, receive a silly straw from me, sit on the bean bag chair on the carpet, and choose our read aloud for the day! We will also sing to them first thing in the morning.
I hope you find this information helpful! :0)
Monday, September 17, 2018
Conferences Sign Up is HERE!
Please sign up for a time for us to meet to discuss your child's progress!
Calendar Info
September 21 - 4th Grade PE Field Trip
September 23 - Parkway Family Day at Busch Stadium
September 24 - Box Tops Collection Drive BEGINS
September 25 - International Passport Night (6:30-8 pm)
September 26 - Late Start Day (School Starts at 11:05)
September 26 - Free & Reduced Program Applications DUE
September 27 - Parkway Park Tour - Queeny Park at 6pm
September 28 - Fall Walk/Bike to School Day (8:15 am)
October 1-4 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - (Parent Sign Up)
October 1-3 - Fall Book Fair (4-5pm)
October 3 - Voluntary Flu Vaccination Clinic (9:15-10:15 am)
October 4 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (4:30-8:30 pm)
October 4 - Fall Book Fair (4-8pm)
October 4 - Box Tops Collection Drive ENDS
October 8 - NO SCHOOL
September 23 - Parkway Family Day at Busch Stadium
September 24 - Box Tops Collection Drive BEGINS
September 25 - International Passport Night (6:30-8 pm)
September 26 - Late Start Day (School Starts at 11:05)
September 26 - Free & Reduced Program Applications DUE
September 27 - Parkway Park Tour - Queeny Park at 6pm
September 28 - Fall Walk/Bike to School Day (8:15 am)
October 1-4 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - (Parent Sign Up)
October 1-3 - Fall Book Fair (4-5pm)
October 3 - Voluntary Flu Vaccination Clinic (9:15-10:15 am)
October 4 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (4:30-8:30 pm)
October 4 - Fall Book Fair (4-8pm)
October 4 - Box Tops Collection Drive ENDS
October 8 - NO SCHOOL
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
Social Studies
We are having SO MUCH FUN with the Cultural Traditions assignment. We are all learning a lot about one another and new traditions! Myself, included!
Habit 3
This week we are learning about Habit 3 : Put First Things First (Work First, then Play). The gist of this habit is setting priorities. This can be a difficult skill for first graders (and let's be real, sometimes grown ups too!) We will be discussing school and home examples of this habit!
Keep in mind that sometimes for kiddos, their PLAY IS THEIR WORK! :0)
Keep in mind that sometimes for kiddos, their PLAY IS THEIR WORK! :0)
Monday, September 10, 2018
Science - Animal Adaptations
This year we have adopted a new science curriculum called Project Lead the Way. We are very excited to dig into these new units and get students involved in learning about our new topics! As I shared on curriculum night, we are departmentalizing with Science and Social Studies a bit this year, so at some point your student will be learning Social Studies units from another first grade teacher. I am teaching only Science this year.
The new science curriculum gives us access to new technology for our classrooms - tablets.
Later this week we will begin science by talking about what science is and what a scientist looks and acts like. Then students will have the opportunity to use the tablets to explore some of the applications we will use with the science activities.
The way the modules are set up are to explore and gain information and then apply that information to complete activities and solve problems. The learning is cooperative and students will be working in groups of 2-4 to complete modules.
Our first unit in first grade is called Animal Adaptations. In this module, students are presented with the problem of preparing an ideal traveler for a visit to an extreme environment and designing the ideal shoe for this traveler to wear in this environment. Students apply what they learn about plant and animal adaptations to guide them as they make choices about how to create their shoe. Students will learn what it means for an organism to be adapted to its environment and how different adaptations can be categorized. Through various investigations, students will explore an example of adaptations for protection, camouflage, food, and locomotion. They will complete an inquiry investigation to explore how different beak shapes are best adapted for gathering different foods. They will then investigate organisms that live in an extreme environment and document the variety of adaptations that each of these organisms display. Students will combine all of their knowledge of plant and animal adaptations with their understanding of the extreme environment to prepare their traveler and design their shoe.
Throughout the unit students will be working on a whole host of skills from science to technology. I will share these learning outcomes/goals in smaller chunks week by week. The essential questions we will begin with:
1. How can I sort animals into different groups?
2. What is an adaptation and what is the purpose of adaptations in nature?
The new science curriculum gives us access to new technology for our classrooms - tablets.
Later this week we will begin science by talking about what science is and what a scientist looks and acts like. Then students will have the opportunity to use the tablets to explore some of the applications we will use with the science activities.
The way the modules are set up are to explore and gain information and then apply that information to complete activities and solve problems. The learning is cooperative and students will be working in groups of 2-4 to complete modules.
Our first unit in first grade is called Animal Adaptations. In this module, students are presented with the problem of preparing an ideal traveler for a visit to an extreme environment and designing the ideal shoe for this traveler to wear in this environment. Students apply what they learn about plant and animal adaptations to guide them as they make choices about how to create their shoe. Students will learn what it means for an organism to be adapted to its environment and how different adaptations can be categorized. Through various investigations, students will explore an example of adaptations for protection, camouflage, food, and locomotion. They will complete an inquiry investigation to explore how different beak shapes are best adapted for gathering different foods. They will then investigate organisms that live in an extreme environment and document the variety of adaptations that each of these organisms display. Students will combine all of their knowledge of plant and animal adaptations with their understanding of the extreme environment to prepare their traveler and design their shoe.
Throughout the unit students will be working on a whole host of skills from science to technology. I will share these learning outcomes/goals in smaller chunks week by week. The essential questions we will begin with:
1. How can I sort animals into different groups?
2. What is an adaptation and what is the purpose of adaptations in nature?
Volunteers
If you wish to volunteer this year on field trips, we need you to apply through the district:
https://www.parkwayschools.
thank you!
https://www.parkwayschools.
thank you!
Passing Along... Fall Bucket List
Dr .C. shared this in his weekly update and I thought it was really great! Wanted to share it here as well:
https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/fall-bucket-list/
https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/fall-bucket-list/
Calendar Info
September 11 - Patriot Day
September 12 - Chick fil a Fundraiser (5-8 pm)
September 12 - Board of Education Mtg (7pm @ Central Middle)
September 13 - Speaker on Childhood Anxiety (6:30 pm at West High)
September 14 - Dental Program Consent Form DUE
September 21 - 4th Grade PE Field Trip
September 23 - Parkway Family Day at Busch Stadium
September 25 - International Passport Night (6:30-8 pm)
September 26 - Late Start Day (School Starts at 11:05)
September 26 - Free & Reduced Program Applications DUE
September 27 - Parkway Park Tour - Queeny Park at 6pm
September 28 - Fall Walk/Bike to School Day (8:15 am)
September 12 - Chick fil a Fundraiser (5-8 pm)
September 12 - Board of Education Mtg (7pm @ Central Middle)
September 13 - Speaker on Childhood Anxiety (6:30 pm at West High)
September 14 - Dental Program Consent Form DUE
September 21 - 4th Grade PE Field Trip
September 23 - Parkway Family Day at Busch Stadium
September 25 - International Passport Night (6:30-8 pm)
September 26 - Late Start Day (School Starts at 11:05)
September 26 - Free & Reduced Program Applications DUE
September 27 - Parkway Park Tour - Queeny Park at 6pm
September 28 - Fall Walk/Bike to School Day (8:15 am)
Wednesday, September 5, 2018
Books
Here are some great titles that help teach our seven habits. We will be reading many of these to make connections with out learning.
Tuesday, September 4, 2018
Calendar Info
September 3 - NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
September 7 - Spirit Wear Order Form DUE
September 7 - Back to School Carnival (6-8 pm)
September 12 - Chick fil a Fundraiser (5-8 pm)
September 12 - Board of Education Mtg (7pm @ Central Middle)
September 14 - Dental Program Consent Form DUE
September 21 - 4th Grade PE Field Trip
September 23 - Parkway Family Day at Busch Stadium
September 7 - Spirit Wear Order Form DUE
September 7 - Back to School Carnival (6-8 pm)
September 12 - Chick fil a Fundraiser (5-8 pm)
September 12 - Board of Education Mtg (7pm @ Central Middle)
September 14 - Dental Program Consent Form DUE
September 21 - 4th Grade PE Field Trip
September 23 - Parkway Family Day at Busch Stadium
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)