On the 99th Day Of School!

 Greetings! Today was another great day in first grade. The excitement is building for tomorrow as we get ready to celebrate the 100th day of school. As one student said, he was not going to be able to sleep tonight! 

In Religion today, we wrapped up our chapter on the life of young Jesus. Next week, we will begin to learn about Jesus' public ministry. 

We wrapped up another week of learning in Language Arts. We used our oral vocabulary words in sentences, wrote sentences using our sight words, and took our weekly assessment. 

In Math class today, we learned how to add two two-digit numbers without regrouping. We learned to add the ones first and then the tens. We will continue to practice this tomorrow. 

This afternoon was tons of fun. We made crowns and necklaces for tomorrow. We also watched The Peanuts Movie. It was a great celebration today. 

Have a wonderful night! 

Student Appreciation Day!

 Greetings! Happy Wednesday! I hope everyone had a great day! The students really enjoyed their day! 

In Religion class, we talked about how Jesus obeyed his parents. We talked about how we can obey our parents as well. 

In Language Arts class, we answered questions using our oral vocabulary words, read long a words, put words into ABC order, and reviewed all of the sight words we learned this year. We also spent time working on our fluency and comprehension. We partner read our story from yesterday along with reading a story in our decodable reader booklets. We also read a nonfiction piece about animals moving fast. After reading that story we completed pages in our Reading/Writing Companion that focused on main idea and key details. Finally, we practiced using was and were in sentences. 

This afternoon in Language Arts we focused on writing. We wrote about why our snowman melted and added it to a craft. 

In Math class today we took our test on the calendar and time. Tomorrow we will begin adding two digit numbers without regrouping. 

Have a wonderful night! 

Let's Go Bucs!

 Greetings! Happy Tuesday! Today was an exciting day at Holy Name as we welcomed Neil Walker to the school. We were able to take a class picture with him and receive an autograph. We were very excited to meet this former Pittsburgh Pirate and see how his faith helped him in his career. 

Despite all of the excitement surrounding the day, we were able to focus and had a great day of learning. 

We began our day by attending Adoration. We spent some quiet time talking and praying to Jesus. 

In Language Arts class, we reviewed our oral vocabulary words. We also read long a words spelled with ai and ay. In addition, we practiced putting words into ABC order. We worked on our fluency as we read a story in our decodable reader booklets. Along with that, we practiced reading our sight words and practiced using our vocabulary words in sentences. 

This afternoon we read Little Rabbit. After reading the story, we completed pages in our Reading/Writing companion that focused on sequencing the events in the story. 

In Math class today, we reviewed what we learned about the calendar and time. We will be taking our chapter test tomorrow. 

Have a great night! 

Happy Catholic School's Week!

 Greetings! Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great weekend! Our Catholic School's Week Celebration is off to a great start! 

This morning we gathered for a prayer service honoring Fr. Brian, Deacon Condor, Deacon Conner, and Sr. Margie. We thank God for their call to serve and for all they do for us. We pray that we may be open to what God is calling us to do in our lives. 

In Language Arts class, we reviewed the oral vocabulary words we learned last week by answering questions using the words. Next, we used our letter tiles to spell and read vowel team words spelled with ai and ay. Then, we learned how to put words into ABC order when they all start with the same letter; we learned that we focus on the second letter to help us put them in order. Following that, we practiced using our sight words in sentences. Beginning this week, we will be learning two vocabulary words. This week we are focusing on the words special and splendid. Today we wrote sentences using these words. We ended our morning by focusing on our comprehension; this week we are practicing sequencing. We reread Snail and Frog Race. After reading the story, we sequenced the events in it. 

This afternoon in Language Arts we practiced using the verbs was and were in sentences. We also wrote the steps in brushing our teeth. 

In Math class today, we practiced telling time to the half hour. The students worked with a partner to match the time on a clock to the digital time. 

Have a great night! 

Polar Bear Art!

 Greetings! Happy Friday! It is hard to believe that the week is over. We were just getting started! 

At Mass this morning, Fr. Brian reminded us to love one another. He also reminded us to show our love to our greatest friend, Jesus! 

We continued with our week of learning in Language Arts. We practiced reading long a words with the vowel teams ai and ay. We also learned our new sight words for the week (about, animal, carry, eight, give, our). In addition, we practiced our new skills as we read Frog and Snail Race. Finally, we learned how to use was and were in sentences. 

In Math class, we learned how to tell time to the half hour. We know that we must pay attention to where the minute hand is pointing. We must also look carefully to see which hour has past in telling time. The students really enjoyed using the small clocks to show time. 

In Science class, we talked about how light helps us. We did an experiment trying to read a message in a dark box. We realized that we needed light to help us read it. We then spent time identifying all things that give us light. 

We ended our day with Art. Today, we made a picture of a polar bear. Yesterday, we painted the background. Today, we added the polar bear and painted snowflakes. They turned out great! 

Have a wonderful weekend! 

We're Back!

 Greetings! Happy Thursday! Boy, it was nice to be back in the classroom today. I missed seeing the children and working with them. Thank you again for everything these past two days. 

It was a crazy day back. We helped film the upcoming Proclaim episode about Catholic School's Week. The children were so good at being quiet for so long. Although we had that interruption, we were able to resume our learning. 

In Religion class we talked about what life was like for the Holy Family in Nazareth. 

We began a new week of learning in Language Arts; this week we will be reading about how animals use different body parts to help them survive. We began by learning our new oral vocabulary words (feature, appearance, determined, predicament, relief). We then worked on rereading for details as we heard the folktale of how elephant's got their trunks. Next, we learned about the vowel teams ai and ay. We learned that both make the long a sound. We practiced reading words and phrases with ai and ay. 

In Math class today, we reviewed telling time to the hour. The students did very well with this. 

We ended our day with Social Studies. Today, we reviewed the seasons. The students illustrated pictures showing something they do in each season. 

Have a great night! 

March of the Penguins!

 Greetings! Happy Friday! Today was a great day to end another week of learning in first grade! 

At Mass this morning, we heard the story of Jesus healing the paralytic man. Fr. Brian reminded us that he can always turn to Jesus when we need healing. 

We finished another week of learning in Language Arts. We used our oral vocabulary words in sentences, wrote sentences using our sight words, and took our weekly assessment. Yesterday, we learned about Martin Luther King, Jr. Today, we talked about our dreams for the world. We wrote about our dreams and added it to a craft. 

We also wrapped up our week of penguin learning. Today, we wrote about something we would do if we were a penguin. We added that writing to a craft as well. 

In Math class today, we began our chapter on calendar and time. Today we reviewed the days of the week, months of the year, and practiced finding a date from a given date. 

In Science class we talked about light. We learned the words opaque (can't see through), translucent (can kind of see through), and transparent (can see through). We sorted objects based on these words. We also created a picture using tissue paper. We hung them on the window to see if light could easily pass through it). 

We ended our day with Art. Today, we made penguins. Thank you for sending in the bottles. We had lots of fun making these adorable penguins. 

Have a great weekend! Stay warm! 

An Early Night!

 Greetings! Happy Thursday! I hope everyone made it home safely. Today was our first weather related early dismissal in years. These days are usually crazy, but not today. The students stayed focused, and we were able to accomplish a lot today. 

In Religion class, we talked about how Joseph was the protector of Mary and Jesus. We also talked about how Jesus would help Joseph in his shop.

In Language Arts, we answered questions using our oral vocabulary words. We also read oo and u words along with words with inflectional endings. To help us build our fluency and comprehension, we partner read a story from our decodable reading books. We also read a nonfiction story about the five food groups. Finally, we practiced writing contractions with not. 

In Math class, we took our chapter test on the numbers to 40. Next, we will focus on the calendar and telling time. 

In Social Studies, we learned about Martin Luther King, Jr. We will be completing an activity about him tomorrow. We ran out of time today! 

Have a great night! 

Warming Up with Learning!

 Greetings! Happy Wednesday! It was another cold day outside. But inside, we warmed up with lots of learning. 

In Religion class, we talked about how Mary and Joseph presented Jesus in the Temple. We also talked about how they fled to Egypt to escape Herod's persecutions. 

In Language Arts, we reviewed our oral vocabulary words, read words with oo and u, spelled and read words with inflected endings when the final letter is doubled, and read our sight words. To build our fluency and comprehension, we partner read a story from our decodable reader booklets. We also read a nonfiction piece about getting milk. After reading that story, we sequenced the process. 

This afternoon in Language Arts we practiced writing contractions correctly. 

In Math class today, we reviewed the concepts we learned with the numbers to 40. We will be taking our chapter test tomorrow. 

We ended our day with some penguin learning fun. Today, we talked about the life cycle of a penguin. We watched videos showing a chick hatching and the mother penguin finding her baby. 

Here is a picture from our Art project on Friday. 

Have a great and warm night!  

It's a Cold One!

 Greetings! Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone is staying warm this week! 

In Religion class today, we wrapped up our chapters on the Christmas story. Next, we will learn about young Jesus' life. 

We continued with our week of learning in first grade. We began by reviewing the oral vocabulary words we learned yesterday and by learning three new words (enormous, responsibility, and delighted). Next, we worked on rereading for to find details as we read a folktale about a little red hen. Then, we used our letter tiles to spell and read oo and u words. Following that, we learned how to spell and read words with inflected endings when the final letter is doubled. After that, we practiced using our sight words in sentences. We ended the morning focusing on building our comprehension. We reread A Look at Breakfast. After reading the story, we wrote facts that we learned and sequenced the steps in making orange juice. 

This afternoon in Language Arts we practiced writing contractions with not. 

In Math class today, we used our critical thinking skills to solve problems. We wrote sentences describing a pattern. We solved for missing numbers and created a pattern with numbers that were in random order. 

We ended our day with some penguin learning. Today, we learned how the different parts of a penguin help it survive. We also learned where different types of penguins live. 

Have a great night! 

Penguin Week!

 Greetings! Happy Monday! I hope everyone is doing well and had a fabulous weekend! 

In Religion class today, we talked about how we can give Jesus gifts by praying to him and by doing kind works for others. 

We began a new week of learning in Language Arts; this week we will be reading about how we get our food. We began by learning two new oral vocabulary words (delicious and nutritious). We then worked on rereading as we read Where Does Our Food Come From?. After that, we learned how to blend and read words with oo and u, words like book, hood, pull, and full. We ended our morning by learning our new sight words (after, buy, done, every, soon, work). 

This afternoon in Language Arts put our new skills to work as we read A Look at Breakfast. We then reviewed how to write contractions with not. 

In Math class today, we continued working with number patterns. The key for us is to take our time to find the pattern before writing the missing numbers. 

Today began our Penguin Week in first grade. Each day this week, we will learn about penguins. Today, we learned that penguins are birds because they have beaks, wings, and feathers. 

Have a great night! 

Snowman Art!

 Greetings! Happy Friday! I hope everyone had a great day to end the first full week of 2025! 

At Mass this morning, Fr. Brian reminded us of God's healing touch. He reminded us to turn to God when we need help and to pray for those who need help. 

We wrapped up another week of learning in Language Arts. We used our oral vocabulary words in sentences, wrote sentences using out sight words, and took our weekly assessment. To review reading long vowel words and CVCe syllable words, we played "Stinky Foot". The students had to clean the foot by reading and erasing the words on it. They had lots of fun with this activity. 

In Math class today, we worked with number patterns. Using our number chart to 40, we practiced filling in the missing numbers in a pattern. 

In Science class today, we talked about how sounds are all around us. We used a string to make sounds by plucking it and watching it vibrate. 

We ended our day with Art class. Today, we made a snowman looking out a window. We got to use our messy glue and paint! I'll post pictures next week once everything dries. 

And, last but not least, here are pictures from last Friday's snowflake art along with the trees we painted in Social Studies class yesterday. 

Have a wonderful weekend! Stay warm! 

Staying Warm with Learning!

 Greetings! Happy Thursday! I hope everyone is doing well. 

In Religion class today, we talked about gifts we can give to Jesus. We said that our gifts can include being nice to others and doing chores at home. 

In Language Arts, we answered questions using our oral vocabulary words. We then spelled and read long vowel words and CVCe syllable words. Following that we worked on our fluency as we partner read a story in our decodable reader booklets. We also read a short nonfiction piece about the history of transportation; after reading that story, we completed pages in our Reading/Writing companion that helped us sequence the transportation inventions. Finally, we reviewed using the verbs is and are in sentences. 

In Math class today, we compared numbers. We used the symbols < and >; the students had fun drawing the 'alligator' mouths. We also ordered numbers from least to greatest and from greatest to least. Then, for some review fun, the students selected two numbers, used tens and ones to show the numbers, then compared the numbers. Here are some results: 

We ended our day with Social Studies. Today, we talked about the seasons and the weather in each season. We used paint to show how trees look in each season. 

Here is a picture from our winter writing we did earlier this week. 

Have a good night! Stay warm! 

Life Today and Life Long Ago!

 Greetings! Happy Wednesday! I hope everyone is staying warm. Winter has returned this year! 

In Religion class today we talked about how we can visit Jesus just like the wise men did. We talked about how when we go to church, when we go to Adoration, and when we find quiet time at home to pray we spend time with Jesus. 

In Language Arts class, we reviewed our oral vocabulary words, read long vowels words, CVCe syllable words, and our sight words. We then spent time building our fluency and comprehension skills. We partner read a story from our decodable reader booklets. We also read Long Ago and Now. After reading that story, we completed pages in our Reading/Writing companion that had us compare and contrast things from long ago and today. 

This afternoon in Language Arts, we practiced using the verbs is and are in sentences. We also wrote the final steps in how to build a snowman. 

In Math class today, we practiced finding 2 more, 3 more, 2 less, and 3 less from a given number. We used a number chart to help us solve the problems. 

Have a great night! 

Snow Days!

 Greetings! Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone is doing well and staying warm. The children are so enjoying playing in the snow! 

We began our day by going to Adoration. We spent some quiet time with Jesus praying for others and asking Jesus to help us have a good day of learning. 

We continued with our week of learning in Language Arts. We began by reviewing the oral vocabulary words we learned last week and then learned three new words (entertainment, future, and present). Next, we worked on retelling as we read a story about pioneers. After that, we used our letter tiles to spell and read long vowel words. Following that, we learned how to read multi-syllabic words that have a long vowel. Then, we practiced using our sight words in sentences. We ended the morning focusing on building our comprehension; this week we are comparing and contrasting. We reread Life Long Ago and compared and contrasted life today to life long ago. 

This afternoon in Language Arts, we practiced using the verbs is and are in sentences. We also focused on writing. We wrote the first two steps in building a snowman. We also wrote about what we like to do on a cold day. 

In Math class today, we reviewed place value. We also compared sets of objects. We identified which set had more and how much more. 

Have a great night! 

Snowflake Fun!

 Greetings! Happy Friday! I hope everyone made it home safely today. It was quite a snowy ride home. 

At Mass today, we celebrated the feast day for the most Holy Name of Jesus. We were reminded to always use Jesus' name with reverence and respect. 

In Language Arts, we partner read Life at Home. We also learned how to use the verbs is and are in sentences. Finally, we wrote about something we hope to do this year. 

In Math class, we continued practicing counting to 40. We did a write the room activity. Students looked at pictures of numbers and wrote the number for what they saw. 

In Science class, we talked about how vibrations make sounds. We then became sound effect experts as we used our hands and feet to make noise for a thunderstorm. We also used rulers to make a boing sound for a bouncy ball. 

We ended our day with Art. Today, we painted a piece of white construction paper with a snowflake made of painter's tape on it. Once the paint dries, we will remove the tape which will leave behind a beautiful snowflake. The students had tons of fun painting. I will post pictures of the finished product next week. 

Have a great weekend!  

Happy New Year!

 Happy New Year! Today was an exciting day as we kicked off the year 2025. The children were eager to tell me all about their break and eager to learn new things. It was a great day to start a new year. 

In Religion class, we talked about the three kings and the gifts that they brought to Jesus. 

We began a new week of learning in Language Arts; this week we will be reading about life long ago. We began by learning two new oral vocabulary words (century and past). We then worked on retelling as we read The Last Train. Following that, we learned how to blend and read long o, long u, and long e words. After that, we learned our new sight words (ago, boy, girl, how, old, people). Finally, we got to practice all of our new skills as we read Life Long Ago. 

In Math class today, we began our chapter on the numbers to 40. We practiced counting a collection of objects by grouping them into 10s and then counting on. 

We ended our day with Social Studies. Today we talked about natural resources. 

Have a great night!