The End of April!

 Greetings! Happy Thursday! I don't know about you, but this week has flown by. Tomorrow is already Friday! 

In Religion class today we talked about how Jesus gave Peter the keys to the church. We talked about how Peter became the first Pope. 

In Language Arts class, we answered questions using our oral vocabulary words, read words with silent letters and compound words, and reviewed our sight words. To build our reading fluency and comprehension, we partner read a story in our decodable reader booklets. We also read a nonfiction piece about rainy weather. After reading that piece, we completed pages in our Reading/Writing Companion that focused on the main idea and key details from that selection. Finally, we practiced identifying special pronouns in sentences. 

In Math class today, we began our chapter on time. We introduced telling time to the hour. We will take a deeper dive into that tomorrow. 

We ended our day with Social Studies. Today, we talked about why people work. We also talked about how some people work in factories. We watched some short videos showing people working in factories. 

Have a great night! 

A Mid-Morning Thunderstorm!

 Greetings! Happy Wednesday! I hope everyone found some sunshine on this rainy day. At least the grass will stay green for a bit! 

In Religion class today, we finished our chapter on the Easter story. We reviewed what happened during that first Easter Sunday and what it means for us once Jesus rose from the dead. 

In Language Arts class, we reviewed our oral vocabulary words, read words with silent letters, compound words, and our sight words. We also practiced using our vocabulary words in sentences. To help build our fluency and comprehension skills, we partner read a story from our decodable booklets. We also read the realistic fiction story Rain School. After reading the story, we completed pages in our Reading/Writing Companion that focused on cause and effect. 

Ironic story - We were reading Rain School during the thunderstorm this morning!!

This afternoon in Language Arts, we practiced using special pronouns in sentences. We also wrote our very own persuasive paragraph. Next week, we will be diving into narrative writing. 

In Math class today, we practiced solving problems by looking for a pattern. We organized the information in a table, looked for a pattern, and then worked to solve the problem. 

We ended our day with Music class. Today, we created our own 4 beats in a measure. We had fun acting out our beats with everyone! 

Have a great night! 

A Rainy Day!

 Greetings! Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone had a nice day. 

In Religion class today, we talked about how Jesus resurrected both body and soul. We also talked about how we can live with him forever because of this. 

We continued with our week of learning in Language Arts. We began by answering questions using our oral vocabulary words. Then, we used our letter tiles to spell and read words with silent letters. After that, we reviewed how to read compound words. Following that, we practiced using our sight words in sentences. We ended our morning by learning our vocabulary words (country and gathers). We defined each word and wrote sentences using them. 

This afternoon in Language Arts, we focused on our comprehension skills. We reread Wrapped in Ice and wrote cause and effect examples from the story. Then, we learned about indefinite pronouns (anybody, everything, nothing, etc.) and practiced finding them in sentences. 

In Math class we took our chapter test on shapes. Next, we will learn how to tell time. 

Have a great night! 

Blossoming Writers!

 Greetings! Happy Monday! It is hard to believe that today is the final Monday in April. Where did this month go? 

In Religion class today, we talked about how we need to feed the gift of grace Jesus won back for us. We talked about praying, going to Mass, and helping others as ways to feed our grace. 

We began a new week of learning in Language Arts; this week we will be reading about the weather. We began by learning our new oral vocabulary words (cycle, predict, creative, frigid, and scorching). Then we worked on visualizing as we read a tall tale about Paul Bunyan. Next, we learned how to blend and read words with the silent letters kn, gn, and wr. We ended our morning by learning our new sight words (been, children, month, question, their, year). 

This afternoon in Language Arts we read Wrapped in Ice which helped us practice our new skills. We also wrote a persuasive paragraph on why we love school. We wrote the first and last sentence together. The students did the middle sentences independently. They have blossomed into writers! 

In Math class today, we again reviewed shapes and fractions. We are ready to take our chapter test tomorrow. 

Have a great night!  

Beautiful Butterflies!

 Greetings! Happy Friday! I hope everyone had a great day to end the week! 

At Mass this morning, Fr. Brian talked to us about Jesus in the Eucharist. He reminded us that when we receive Jesus he becomes part of us. We are like a tabernacle for him. 

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. We also played Memory where we matched a, au, aw, al, and augh words to their pictures. Finally, we did some creative writing. We wrote about what we would do if we were a kite. 

In Math class today, we continued our chapter review on shapes. We did very well explaining our understanding of shapes today. 

In Science class, we talked about why we only see stars at night. We created a star finder. We then used our flashlights to project our star on paper while a partner became the sun and blocked the stars. We had lots of fun with this. 

We ended our day with Art. Today we created a butterfly. The students had lots of fun painting their butterfly. They were very creative. 

Have a great weekend! 

Earth Day!

 Greetings! Happy Thursday! I hope everyone enjoyed the sunshine today. 

In Religion class today we talked about how we remember Easter every time we celebrate Mass. We also looked at the four parts of Mass. 

In Language Arts, we reviewed our oral vocabulary words by answering questions using our words. We also practiced reading words with a, au, augh, aw, and al and vowel team syllable words. We reviewed synonyms and practiced using possessive pronouns in sentences. To help build our fluency and comprehension skills we partner read a story in our decodable reader booklets. We also read a poem and completed pages in our Reading/Writing Companion that helped us build our poetry comprehension skills. Finally, we wrote a persuasive paragraph on why we love gym. 

In Math class today, we began our review of shapes. The students did great identifying both 2D and 3D shapes. 

In Social Studies today we talked about saving and why people save money. 

We finished up our celebration of Earth Day today. We have been talking about ways to help the Earth all week. Today, we read The Lorax and wrote about something we can do to keep Earth clean and healthy. 

Have a great night! 

A Pizza of My Heart!

 Greetings! Happy Wednesday! I hope everyone had a great day! 

In Religion class today, we reviewed the Easter story. We focused on Jesus rising from the dead. 

In Language Arts class, we reviewed our oral vocabulary words, practiced reading words with a, au, augh, aw, and al, and practiced reading vowel team syllable words along with our sight words. We also reviewed our vocabulary words. Then, to build our fluency and comprehension skills, we partner read a story from our decodable reader booklets. We also read the nonfiction story Meet Rosina. After reading that story, we wrote about the author's purpose. 

This afternoon in Language Arts we practiced using possessive pronouns in sentences. 

In Math class today we cooked up some fun. The students created a pizza. They then decided whether to divide their pizza into halves or fourths. Next, they decided the toppings to add to their pizzas. Finally, the students wrote about their pizza. They turned out great! 

Today is Earth Day! We have been talking about how to help planet Earth all week. Today, we made a tree and sorted examples on whether our not they are helpful to Earth. 

We ended our day with Music class. Today, we learned about phrasing in songs. We learned how by singing phrases we have time to breath. We practiced this by singing "The Itsy Bitsy Spider."

Have a great night! 

A Cold Start!

 Greetings! Happy Tuesday! I hope everyone had a great day and warmed up after that cold start! 

We began our day by going to Adoration. It was nice to spend some quiet time with Jesus especially during the Easter season. 

We continued our week of learning in Language Arts. We began by answering questions using our oral vocabulary words. Next, we used our letter tiles to spell and read words with the vowel variants a, au, aw, augh, and al. Then, we learned how to blend and read vowel team syllable words. Following that, we practiced using our sight words in sentences. We ended our morning learning our vocabulary words accept and often. We wrote sentences using those words. 

This afternoon in Language Arts, we focused on our comprehension skills. We reread All Kinds of Helpers and wrote about the author's purpose. We also practiced using possessive pronouns in sentences. 

In Math class today, we continued our study of fractions. We practiced folding paper shapes into halves and fourths. 

Have a great night! 

Fraction Fun!

 Greetings! Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great start to their week. It is hard to believe that this is the last full week of April! 

In Religion class today we wrapped up our chapter on the Last Supper. We reviewed what Jesus said and did at the Last Supper. We also talked about when we remember the Last Supper. 

We began a new week of learning in Language Arts; this week we are reading about helpers. We began by learning our oral vocabulary words (inspire, respect, decision, distance, swiftly). Then, we worked on retelling as we read a fable about how the moon got in the sky. Following that we learned how to blend and read words with vowel variant diphthongs a, aw, au, augh, and al: words like ball, paw, cause, taught, and walk. After that, we learned our new sight words for the week (brother, father, friend, love, mother, picture). 

This afternoon we put are new skills together as we read All Kinds of Helpers. We also reviewed the reasons an author writes a story. Finally, we learned the possessive pronouns and practiced using them in sentences. 

In Math class today, we continued our discussion on fractions. We learned that when we divide something into halves we get 2 equal parts. We also learned that when we divide something into fourths we get 4 equal parts. Here is what we created today: 

And, here are pictures of the spring gnomes we created in Friday's Art class. 

Have a great night! 

Spring Garden Gnome!

 Greetings! Happy Friday! I hope everyone had a fantastic day to end the week. 

At Mass today, we welcomed Fr. Norris. He reminded us that Jesus always feeds us in the Eucharist and that we are to feed people too by being kind to others. 

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. We also wrote a persuasive paragraph on why we love the beach. 

In Math class today, we began to look at fractions. Today, we looked at shapes to see if they were divided into equal or unequal parts. 

In Science class, we learned about the phases of the moon. We created a moon book to help us see the cycle the moon completes each month. 

We ended our day with Art class. Today, we created a spring garden gnome. 

Have a great weekend! 

A Beautiful Spring Day!

 Greetings! Happy Thursday! Today was another beautiful day. It was so hard to come in from recess! 

In Religion class today we learned that extra blessed hosts are kept in the tabernacle. We talked about how Jesus' Body is always present in church in the tabernacle. 

In Language Arts class, we answered questions using our oral vocabulary words, read words with the vowel variant /u/ and words with suffixes. To help build our fluency and comprehension, we partner read a story in our decodable reader booklets. We also read a nonfiction piece about volunteering. After that, we practiced using pronouns in sentences. Finally, we wrote a persuasive paragraph on why we love the zoo. 

In Math class today, we wrapped up our study of 3D shapes. We completed a write the room activity where we identified the various shapes. We also did a roll and color activity. 

In Social Studies class today, we learned the names of the countries the border the United States. We learned that Canada is our neighbor to the north and that Mexico is our neighbor to the south. 

Have a great night! 

Beats in Music Class!

 Greetings! Happy Wednesday! I hope everyone enjoyed the sunshine today! 

In Religion class, we talked about how Jesus is the Bread of Life. 

In Language Arts class, we reviewed our oral vocabulary words, read words with the vowel variant /u/, words with suffixes, and our sight words. We also practiced using our vocabulary words in sentences. To help build our fluency and comprehension skills, we partner read a story from our decodable reader booklets. We also read Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type. After reading that story, we talked about its theme. Finally, we practiced using pronouns in sentences. 

In Math class today, we identified the 3D shapes used to construct a design. 

We ended our day with Music class. Today, we talked about 4/4 beats. We created our very own 4 beat pattern and practiced clapping it out. 

Have a great night! 

Oh! Happy Day!

 Greetings! Today was another great day of learning in first grade. 

In Religion class, we talked about how we remember what Jesus said and did at the Last Supper every time we celebrate Mass. We talked about how the bread and wine become Jesus' Body and Blood. 

We continued with our week of learning in Language Arts. We began by answering questions using our oral vocabulary words. Then, we used our letter tiles to spell and read words with oo, u, ue, ui, ew, and ou. Next, we learned how to read and define words that end with the suffixes -ful and -less. Following that, we practiced using our sight words in sentences. After that, we learned our vocabulary words (demand and emergency) and wrote sentences using those words. Finally, we worked on our comprehension skills. We reread Super Tools and wrote about problems and solutions in the story along with its theme. 

This afternoon in Language Arts we reviewed pronouns. We created a pronoun flower. We wrote pronouns along with nouns the pronouns could replace. 

In Math class today, we reviewed our 3D shapes. We reviewed the shape names, their attributes, and real life examples of each shape. 

Tonight, our Reading Competition team earned a first place ribbon scoring 59 points. They earned 2nd place overall in the competition. We could not be prouder of how hard this group worked! 

Have a great night! 

The Greatest Gift!

 Greetings! Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great weekend! 

In Religion class today, we reviewed the Last Supper. We talked about how Jesus gave his greatest gift to us: the gift of himself in the Eucharist. 

We began a new week of learning in Language Arts; this week we are reading about working together. We began by learning our oral vocabulary words (conflict, fair, argument, shift, risk). Then, we worked on asking and answering questions as we read a fable about mice and a cat. Following that we learned how to blend and read words with oo, u, u_e, ui, ue, ew, and ou, words like spoon, truth, rule, juice, blue, chew, and you. After that, we learned our new sight words for the week (answer, brought, busy, door, enough, eyes). Finally, we put all our new skills together as we read Super Tools. 

This afternoon in Language Arts we learned about pronouns. We learned that they take the place of nouns. We also talked about theme as we read A Bad Case of Stripes. 

In Math class today, we shifted our focus to 3D shapes. Today, we learned the names of the shapes and their attributes. 

Have a great night! 

Spring Wreaths!

 Greetings! Happy Friday! Today was a great day to end a great week of learning. 

At Mass this morning, the children were excited to use the song books for the first time. They also enjoyed the sprinkling rite; we got very wet. 

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. We also worked on our fluency and comprehension skills as we read a short nonfiction piece about tiny houses. 

In Math class today, we reviewed our 2D shapes. I read a riddle, and the students drew the shape I was describing. Then, we completed a write-the-room activity where students identified the shape on top of a snow cone. Finally, we played shape BINGO. 

In Science class, we talked about how the length of days changes during the seasons. We learned that days are long in the summer and short in the winter. 

We ended our day with Art class. Today, we created a spring wreath using cupcake liners. The students glued flattened mini cupcake liners on a paper plate. Then they added circle to the middle and leaves to complete their flowers and wreath. I'll post pictures on Monday once they are dry. 

Have a fabulous weekend! 

Welcoming Prospective Teachers!

 Greetings! Happy Thursday! I hope everyone was able to enjoy the sunshine today. 

In Religion class, we wrapped up our chapter in believing in Jesus. We talked about what makes us believe in him. 

In Language Arts class, we answered questions using our oral vocabulary words and read words with diphthongs oi and oy and words with final stable syllables. To build our fluency, we partner read a story in our decodable reader booklets. Finally, we practiced using prepositions in sentences. 

In Math class today, we used our shape blocks to make designs. We had lots of fun doing this. We were very creative in our designs. After designing, we identified how many of each shape we used. 

In Social Studies class today, we learned the names of the continent, the country, and the state where we live. 

This morning we welcomed students from the Penn Highlands Early Literacy program into our classroom. These prospective teachers read stories with the students, did a rhyming activity with them, and played Simon says. We really enjoyed having them. 

Here is a picture from the Religion Easter project we did on Tuesday: 

Have a great night! 

Fun with Shapes!

 Greetings! Happy Wednesday! I hope everyone had a fantastic day! 

In Religion class, we talked about how Jesus wants us to grow in our faith. One way that we can do that is by praying to Jesus. 

In Language Arts class, we reviewed our oral vocabulary words, read words with the diphthongs oi and oy, read final stable syllable words, and read our sight words. We also practiced using our vocabulary words in sentences. To help build our fluency and comprehension skills, we partner read a story from our decodable reader booklets. We also read Building Bridges. After reading that story we wrote details about each bridge that we read about. 

This afternoon in Language Arts, we practiced using prepositions in sentences. 

In Math class, we reviewed the 2D shapes. We sorted cards by identifying the shape name, its attributes, and real life examples of the shapes. We also talked about what makes a shape closed and not closed. 

In Music class today, we talked about sounds we hear all around us. We listened to snippets of sounds and identified the sound, whether it was loud or soft, and whether it was high or low. 

Have a great night! 

He Is Risen!

 Greetings! Happy Easter! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend celebrating with family and friends! 

In Religion class today, we talked about what happened on that first Easter many years ago. We created a Resurrection scene to remind us that Jesus is risen and is alive. 

We picked up with our week of learning in Language Arts where we left off last week. We answered questions using our oral vocabulary words. We also used our letter tiles to spell and read words with the diphthongs oi and oy. After that, we learned how to blend and read final stable syllable words, words like table and simple. Following that, we practiced using our sight words in sentences. Then, we learned our vocabulary words (balance and section) and wrote sentences using those words. We ended the morning focusing on comprehension. We reread The Joy of a Ship and wrote cause and effect examples from the story. 

This afternoon in Language Arts, we practiced finding prepositional phrases in sentences. We also wrote a persuasive paragraph on why we love spring. 

In Math class today, we began our chapter on shapes. Today, we learned the names of the 2D shapes. We learned characteristics about them including number of sides and vertices. We then sorted shapes based on the number of sides. 

Have a great night! 

Jelly Bean Jamboree!

 Greetings! Happy Easter! The students were greeted with quite a surprise today. The Easter Bunny came! He left baskets filled with treats for them. I'm sure you can picture the smiles on their faces! 

In Religion class today, we reviewed the events of Holy Week. We watched a short movie about Holy Week and created a cross with pictures from the events of Holy Week. 

Our Language Arts class centered around jelly beans. We read a book which told the meaning behind the colors of jelly beans. Next, we used jelly beans to measure different objects. Finally, we created a graph of our jelly beans and answered questions about our graph. 

After lunch, we watched It's the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown. Then, it was time to go home. 

Here is a picture from the cross scene was painted yesterday. 

May everyone have a blessed Easter. See you on Tuesday! 

A Peep-tastic Day!

 Greetings! Happy Wednesday! We had a peep-tastic day in first grade! 

Our focus in Religion today was the events of Good Friday. We talked about how Jesus was arrested and how he carried his cross up the hill. We also talked about how he was nailed to the cross and died. We created a cross scene to remember these events. 

Our Language Arts class centered around Peeps today! Each student adopted a Peep. He/she created a nest for it, named the Peep, and watched the Peep all day. We also did a graphing exercise with peeps which helped us review tally charts and picture graphs. Finally, the students worked in Peep centers. They used place value blocks to show various numbers, identified whether the word had a short or long vowel sound, and matched synonyms. 

This afternoon was our Haiti reward of a movie. We really enjoyed A Bug's Life. 

Have a great night!