Wednesday, December 21, 2016

Christmas Concert!

Greetings on this third day of Christmas week! The students are really getting excited for Christmas. They tell me about baking cookies, wrapping presents, and what they do on Christmas. 

In Religion class today we recalled the Christmas story. The students then created their own Nativity scenes. They colored pictures of the people and animals in the story. They then arranged their own Nativity scene on construction paper. They turned out really nice. 

Our Christmas story today was The Polar Express. After reading it, we sequenced the events in the story. We then made Christmas bells. The students decorated them with foam stickers. The bells could be heard ringing throughout the primary floor! 

Since we were not able to get to Social Studies last week because of the delay, we had it today instead. Today we talked about natural resources. We learned what they are, where they are found, and why we need to save them. 

This afternoon we headed to church for the Christmas Choir Concert. The students sang so beautifully. It was so enjoyable hearing the Christmas music. Our favorite song was the "Carol of the Bells". 

Just a reminder that tomorrow is an early dismissal. 

Tuesday, December 20, 2016

Ringing of the Bells!

Greetings! Happy Tuesday of Christmas week. Excitement was definitely in the air today in first grade. This morning we had a special delivery. A few weeks ago, I had the students write a letter to Santa Claus. I then mailed them to him and today we received letters back from him. The students were so excited to receive a letter from Santa. 

In Religion class today we continued to learn the Christmas story. Today we read about how shepherds and kings came to see the baby Jesus. We also learned that the kings brought Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We also talked about the legend of the candy cane. We made candy cane ornaments and attached the legend of the candy cane to them. 

Our Christmas story today was How the Grinch Stole Christmas. After reading the story, we talked about ways to make the Grinch grin. We then wrote or illustrated a way and made a Grinch with our writing. 

This afternoon we attended the annual Handbell Concert. We were treated to Christmas carols performed by students in third through eighth grade. The music was beautiful and really got us into the Christmas spirit. 

Tomorrow is a jean day. Students can wear jeans and a Christmas shirt/sweater to school. 

Monday, December 19, 2016

It's Christmas Week!

Greetings! Happy Christmas Week! All week we will be doing some Christmas activities. The students are so excited for Christmas. I love their energy!

In Religion class today, we read the Christmas story. We talked about how Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem and how Jesus was born in a manger. We will continue to talk about the Christmas story this week. 

In Language Arts class today, we read Santa's Stuck. We then brainstormed ways we would help Santa if he got stuck in our chimney. We then wrote about what we would do and added it to a craft project. Here are a few examples: 


Our Language Arts class was interrupted by a special visitor. Santa Claus himself stopped by. Everyone got to sit on his lap and tell him the one thing they are hoping for for Christmas. 

Math class today focused on measurement. Together we used linking cubes to measure a pencil, paper clip, marker crayon, and ruler. The students then worked with  partner to measure 4 things in the classroom using the linking cubes. We will soon be using rulers to measure objects. 

This afternoon the students were treated to a surprise. Because they have worked hard all year, the primary teachers decided to reward the students with an afternoon movie. The students got together and we watched Finding Dory. 

Here is a picture of the Santa's from Friday's Art class: 


Have a wonderful evening! 

Saturday, December 17, 2016

Brrr . . . It's Cold!

Greetings! It was another cold day on Friday. But we did not let that stop us from learning in first grade. 

After getting settled, we jumped into Language Arts. We first wrote the final step in decorating a Christmas tree. Then we reviewed our oral vocabulary words for the week by using them in sentences. We also practiced reading long i words and plurals. Next we practiced our sight words by writing sentences with them. After that we took our weekly assessment. And before we knew it, it was time for lunch! 

After lunch and recess, we reviewed present tense verbs by using them in sentences. Finally, we did some Christmas writing. The students pretended that they had a pet reindeer and answered questions about their pet. They were so creative in their responses; I love how they turned out. Here are a few examples: 


Then it was time for Science class. We talked about the characteristics of solids, liquids, and gases. We also completed a picture sort sorting pictures based on whether they showed a solid, liquid, or gas. 

Finally, it was Art time. We began by painting a few things we will be doing next week. We then made a Santa Claus today. They are drying, and I'll post pictures of them next week. 

I'll leave you with a picture of Jingles. He is really enjoying our classroom! Have a great weekend! Stay warm! 


Thursday, December 15, 2016

A Productive Short Day!

Greetings on this chilly December night! It certainly does have a Christmas fill in the air tonight. Just like on Monday, we had a productive day even with two less hours. 

In Religion class today we wrapped up our chapter on the Holy Spirit. We reviewed what happened on Pentecost and the prayers to the Holy Spirit. 

In Language Arts class today, we reviewed our oral vocabulary words, used letter tiles to spell long i words, practiced spelling plurals and using them in sentences, and reviewed our sight words by reading the word wall. Then we partner read a story in our decodable reader booklets and read a nonfiction pieces about plants. We also talked about diagrams. 

In Math class today we practiced our adding 2 facts. We used a wrap-up to help us. 

We think Jingles was bored this morning without us. He used the linking cubes to make a Christmas tree. Here he is: 


Just a reminder that tomorrow is another 2 hour delay day. We will still be going to the library and having Art. 

Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Christmas Music in the Air!

Greetings! Today was a busy morning and relaxing afternoon in first grade. We began our day with Religion class. Today we talked about how the Holy Spirit is the third person in the Blessed Trinity. We also learned that the Glory Be prayer is a prayer to the Holy Spirit. 

In Language Arts class, we reviewed our oral vocabulary words, long i words, plurals, and sight words. After all that reviewing it was time to put our skills to work. We partner read a story in our decodable readers. We then read our story The Big Yuca Plant which was a play about a big yuca plant and how a family worked together to pull it out. Finally, we learned how to write the title of a play. 

This afternoon we went to the annual Christmas Band Concert and Christmas play. It was an afternoon filled with Christmas music and songs. The band students and intermediate students are to be commended for a job well done. The music was absolutely beautiful and performed from the heart. Congratulations to all! 

As promised, here are the pictures from yesterday's gingerbread man writing project: 


Enjoy your night! 

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

A Full Day of Learning!

Greetings! It was nice to be back to a full day today. Just like yesterday, though, it was filled with learning. 

We began our day by going to Adoration. I reminded the students that it is always nice to spend some quiet time with Jesus especially as we prepare to celebrate his birth. That quiet time talking to him really starts the day off well. 

We had a busy morning in Language Arts class. We learned three new oral vocabulary words. Next, we practiced reading long i words by using our letter tiles to spell and read long i words. Then we learned about plurals and practiced using plurals in sentences. After that we reviewed our sight words before rereading Time to Plant. After rereading the story, we wrote what happened first, next, then, and last in the story. We continued to practice our reading skills by reading our decodable reader. We then switched our focus to grammar and writing. We wrote the second step in decorating a Christmas tree and practiced using present tense verbs in sentences. 

This afternoon for Language Arts we worked in literacy centers. We then did a Christmas activity. We read The Gingerbread Man and then wrote the steps we would take to catch the Gingerbread man. We added a gingerbread craft to our writing. I'll post pictures of it tomorrow. 

In Math class today, we used pattern blocks to cover a design. After covering the design, we sorted the blocks, counted how many of each one we used, and recorded those numbers on a chart. 

Christmas music will be in the air tomorrow; we will be going to the Christmas Band Concert and Christmas play. We are looking forward to it!