Holidays Around the World

We have had a lot of fun with our world travels this week! 

On Monday, we "flew" to Holland and learned about Sinterklaas (Santa) and his white horse.  We also learned that children leave their shoes (sometimes wooden shoes) filled with carrots or hay and then Sinterklaas leaves them small presents.

Tuesday's trip was to Germany where we learned that children write letters to St. Nicholas/Father Christmas.  They make gingerbread cookies and houses and they decorate their Christmas tree (tannenbaum) just like we do!

On Wednesday, we traveled to Mexico to learn about Las Posadas.  We learned that in Mexico, families decorate with poinsettias.  They also have pinatas at their parties.  In Mexico, they also celebrate El dia de los Reyes, or King's Day, in January and many children don't receive their gifts until this day.

Thursday we traveled to China to learn about their Sheng dan Jie celebrations.  Families decorate their homes with plastic trees called "trees of light" and red paper lanterns.  The main celebration in China is the New Year celebration which they celebrate with parties, parades and fireworks.  Children leave stockings for Old Christmas Man to fill with presents, similar to us!

On Friday we took a trip to Israel to learn about Chanukah.  We learned that Chanukah lasts for 8 days, which we thought was pretty neat.  We learned about the menorah (candles), gelt (money, usually gold-wrapped chocolate coins) and the dreidel game.  We also learned about two favorite celebration foods: latkes, or potato pancakes and sufganiyot, or jelly-filled donuts.

Finally, on Monday we will travel to Africa to learn about Kwanzaa.  We will learn that the Kwanzaa celebration also involves candles in a kinara, it lasts for seven days and includes seven principals, or values, that families celebrate the importance of.

We made a suitcase, packed our maps and passports, and we have been keeping careful track of our plane ticket.  On Monday, after we return from our trip to Africa, we will bring home our suitcase and share all of our souvenirs with you.  We've been keeping them safe in our suitcase while we travel but are so excited to bring them home and show you! 

Happy Holidays to Your Family,

Mrs. Sheldon

Hello!

We will be having our Thanksgiving feast on Friday, November 22nd.  We have asked that each child bring something to contribute to the meal.  You can click here to see the list again.  Please have your child bring their item to school by Thursday, November 21st.  If you are unable to donate the item, please just let me know.

Also, I just realized I forgot to post pictures from the Halloween party so you will find those here this week under the photo tab.  Sorry about the delay!

Enjoy your weekend!

Just a few reminders...

Book orders are due on Monday, November 18th.

You can check your child's lunch account online - if you need more info about how, let me know!

And looking ahead...

We will be having a Thanksgiving feast in our classroom on Friday, November 22.  I will be sending more information about this next week.  We will be discussing foods we like and then making a menu together as a class.  Once that is complete, I will send a note home asking each family to contribute an item to our feast.

Remember there will be no school for students November 27-29.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Thank you to everyone for attending parent-teacher conferences last week!  It was nice to have a chance to sit down and talk about your child!  I always look forward to sharing progress and learning more from you about your child. 

Remember, there is a half-day on Friday, November 1.

Book orders are coming home in Friday folders this week.  They are due by Monday, November 18th if you are interested.  Remember, if you send in the paper copy of the order, please send payment in the form of a check or money order.  They do not accept cash through the mail.  You are also able to order online with a credit card.  Keep in mind that books make great gifts and Christmas is just around the corner!  There are many great deals in the catalogs this month.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween!

Fire Safety

This week we learned about fire safety!  We were able to visit with firefighters, watch a fire safety video, and meet Jake the Fire Safety Dog!

Jake taught us some important things today, including how to:

* Fall & crawl under smoke
* Whisper (inside voice vs. outside voice)

The fire fighters taught us:

* Get out & stay out if there is a fire
* Know two ways out of every room in your house
* Stop, drop & roll if your clothing catches on fire


If you would like to read more about Jake the Fire Safety Dog, you can visit his website:


www.jakethefiredog.org


Or see Jake's facebook page:


www.facebook.com/jakethefiresafetydog

Be sure to check out pictures from the cider mill field trip!  Thank you to everyone who was able to help!

Reminders:
Halloween Carnival - Saturday, October 19th from 5:00-8:00 pm at the middle school

Carnival basket donations due by Monday, October 14th

Book orders due Monday, October 21st

What have we been up to?

We hit a BIG milestone last week, that's what!

Each day we have an independent reading time, called Read to Self, when the kids read books that are at their independent reading level quietly to themselves.  We have been working on building our stamina for this activity since the first week of school.  The first day we did this, we were able to read for 2 minutes.  This week we reached the 10 minute milestone!  We are able to read independently for 10 minutes now!  This is a huge accomplishment for the little monsters!  I couldn't be more proud of them!

Just a reminder: please be sure to return the books that are sent home each week in the homework folder.  These books are the same ones that we use for our Read to Self time at school.  Some of the books also belong to the school so it is very important to return them so you are not charged for them.

Finally, please be sure to read about the basket our classroom will be putting together for the annual Halloween Carnival put on by the PTO. Our basket theme is Arts & Crafts.  Please read here for more information!

Welcome!

Thanks for visiting!  I'm glad you stopped by our classroom blog!  My little monsters have been learning and having fun!  Check it out!

This week we have been working on counting:

in books...

 when playing games...

 using ten frames...

 And with apples and trees.

We have also been practicing our drawing skills to prepare for writing.  This week we made people using shapes we know, like circles, rectangles, squares and triangles.  Aren't they awesome?

Be sure to check in each week!  I will try to post pictures each week (normally I will post them in the "Photo" tab) so you can see what we are doing in the classroom.  Also, be sure to click on the "Links" tabs at the top to see a list of songs we enjoy singing or click the "Classroom information" tab for links to read The Little Monster Press (our newsletter) and to see the snack calendar.  There is also a link to the Scholastic website to place your book orders online.

Last Day of School...Bittersweet

My thoughts on this last day of school...

Last day
Bittersweet
images flood my mind
as I gaze around the empty room
remembering laughter
and frustration
hopefulness and love
20 little bouncing bodies
yearning for more knowledge

Through ups and downs
bumps and bruises
we found out way to summer
I'll miss you my friends
your smiles
and hugs
your giggles

You will always be apart of me
My heart will smile
as I watch you take wing
and fly
Have a wonderful summer
my little birds

Love,
Mrs. Sheldon

Look who came to visit!

We enjoyed a visit from Miss Berner on our last day today!

Check out more pictures from the last day on the photo tab!

In Honor of Elizabeth...

You Gotta “B”

Faithful

Courageous

Strong

Positive

Bold

 Today we created bees for Elizabeth!  Check them out!

We miss you Elizabeth!  BEEEEE strong!

 

Our Nonfiction Adventure

As you probably know, we have been working on nonfiction for quite some time now.  First, we learned about the text features in nonfiction books.  We spent a lot of time reading and thinking about how this type of book worked.  Here is the chart that we created together and referred to often:

Next, we decided on an animal to study.  Some kids picked animals they already knew something about and were comfortable with and others chose animals they wanted to learn more about.  The kids spent several days reading books about the animal the picked and learned many facts about their animal.

The next step was to use a planning sheet to draw a diagram and record three facts they found out about the animal they studied.  Here is an example:

Once the planning was finish, the kids began to write their own nonfiction books about the animal that they chose.  The really enjoyed writing their nonfiction books and produced some fabulous writing!

Finally, we worked together to paint murals for our animals.  We created an ocean mural and a land mural.  Each child painted a portion of the background of one of the murals and then painted his/her animal on the appropriate background.  We really enjoyed this creative adventure!  Check it out:

Painting the ocean background

And the forest/rainforest background

Adding the animals

 The finished murals

 

The proud artists!

 

Field Day

We had a lot of fun at track and field day on last week!  Check out the pictures on the photo tab!

Reminders:

• Please send in your child's Fun-Run-A-Thon money if you haven't already done so.
• Please send in your child's zoo permission slip if you haven't already done so.
• June 11 - half day of school, last day of school

Goodbye Ms. Heckman

Today is Ms. Heckman's last day with us.  While we are sad to see her go, we wish her the best of luck in the future! 

We will miss you Ms. Heckman!

Nursery Rhyme Friday - Again!

It's nursery rhyme Friday again!  We spent time reading nursery rhymes again this week and we worked hard to make our art project props to go along with one of the rhymes.  Below you will find links for the nursery rhyme presentations we had today.  Enjoy!

Jack Be Nimble

Old Mother Hubbard

Hickory Dickory Dock

There Was A Little Turtle - Group 1

There Was A Little Turtle - Group 2

Nursery Rhyme Extravaganza!

This week we spent time learning and reviewing some favorite nursery rhymes.  On Friday, the kids each picked a nursery rhyme and created an art project prop.  Using their props, the kids performed their nursery rhyme for the class.  I have included the videos of their performances for you to enjoy!

Jack and Jill

Humpty Dumpty

Itsy Bitsy Spider

I'm a Little Teapot

3-D Shapes!

Welcome back!  The kids have been working this week on identifying and making 3-Dimensional shapes this week.  If you check out the photo tab, you will see pictures of the awesome creations that your children made using toothpicks and marshmallows.  This activity is also a homework activity this week. 

Tip: if you choose to use marshmallows and toothpicks for building 3-D shapes at home, I suggest letting the marshmallows sit out for a while and get a little bit stale.  The softer marshmallows are less stable for building.  Enjoy!

Spring Break is Here!

I hope everyone has a wonderful spring break!  There are no homework assignments and there are no books coming home as homework reading this week.  I did send home an assortment of writing pieces that your child has written since November.  You will find the packet paper clipped together and in your child's Friday folder.  I also cleaned out book boxes this week and your child will be bringing a paper folder full of past reading books home to keep.  It's my hope that your child will spend some time reading over break.  Hopefully this new assortment of books will be helpful!  Enjoy!

Field Trip!

Thank you to all the parents who came on the field trip with us this week.  We had a lot of fun and appreciate your help very much!

Make sure you check out the new pictures from our trip!

Thank you!

Thank you to those of you who came to conferences this week.  It was great to see you and share your child's progress with you!  Report cards will be coming home after spring break with the next update on your child's progress.  Of course, at any time, if you have questions or concerns please let me know.

Remember we have Popcorn for Penguin days on March 14, March 22 and March 28.  If you would like your child to purchase popcorn for snack on those days, please send $0.50 with your child.  The profits from the sales go toward Mrs. Davis's first grade classroom and their quest to help endangered penguins by adopting one!  Very cool cause!

Have a great weekend!  Remember there is no school on Friday, March 15th.

Conference Time

It's conference time!  Please be sure you check your child's Friday folder this week for a conference sign up form.  Return it to school as soon as possible so that I can get everyone scheduled.  I am looking forward to meeting with you to share your child's progress!  Have a great weekend!

New Pictures!!

Be sure to check out the photo tab to see new pictures.  I uploaded pictures from our bowling trip, the 100th day of school and some of our Valentine's day activities.  Be sure to check them out!

News You Can Use

It's hard to believe but we will be celebrating the 100th day of school this week...among other things!  It's sure to be a fun-filled week!


Here is the plan: 

Tuesday - Valentine art projects

Wednesday - decorate Valentine card bag
 
Thursday - a.m. bowling trip
                 - p.m. Valentine's day celebration

Friday - 100th Day of School


Things to remember for the week:

• Please have your child bring a Valentine for each child in the classroom.  I have included a list of first names on the "Classroom Information" tab of the website or you can click HERE.
• Please return your bowling permission slip and money if you have not already done so.
• Please have your child count and bring 100 of something to school on or before Friday.  Please choose one item and bring 100 of them.  For example, 100 toothpicks or 100 Fruit Loops, etc.  Be sure your child's collection of 100 will fit in his/her backpack please.

 

Tricky Teens

We have been working very hard on learning to recognize, write and sequence the teen numbers.  This is a difficult task for most children...difficult enough that I have started to call them the tricky teens.  We have been playing games and completing lessons about the teen numbers for the last month or so.  We have learned a lot and have made some nice progress but we are still working on these tricky numbers.

To help your child practice at home, I have included a link to a song called "Numbers in the Teens" under the Links tab.  Also, I have included an activity to download and print out at home.

Click HERE to download the teen picture puzzles.

 Included in the activity are 6 winter pictures.  Print out one or all of the pictures, cut into strips using the numbers on the bottom as guides.  Include the numbers in the strips so that your child can put the numbers in order(see top picture below) and assemble the picture (see bottom picture below).  Enjoy!

 

Reminder

There is no school on Monday, January 28th.  This is records day for teachers and it means that you can expect your child's report card to come home in the Friday folder on February 1st.

I had added the February snack calendar under the "links" tab in case you want a sneak peek!  You may also notice there is now a link to Scholastic Book Clubs on the "links" tab.  If you would like to place your book orders online, you can click this link and go directly to scholastic.  You will need to enter our classroom code (H3Q7T) and then click on the book order you want to order from.  Of course, you are still more than welcome to send your order and payment to school and I will be happy to place the order for you.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Changes This Week!!

This past week we welcomed a new student teacher into our classroom!  Welcome to kindergarten Ms. Heckman!  She will be joining us in our classroom until the end of April.

Ms. Heckman is looking forward to teaching your children and will begin this week with a few lessons.  She will gradually build her amount of teaching time each week until she has taken over all teaching responsibilities.  If you are in the building, stop by and say hello.  I know she'd like to meet you all!  As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please direct them to me through an email, phone call or note.

Look out!  Here comes a crazy, mixed-up week!  This week students have no school on Monday, January 21 due to teacher professional development.  Thursday and Friday, January 24 & 25, are both half-days of school, with dismissal at 12:15.  Because students won't be eating lunch at school on the half-days, we will have our snack in the morning to help tide them over until they get home.

Also, keep in mind that students do not have school next Monday, January 28th as well because it is teacher records day.

Welcome back!

I hope everyone had a great, relaxing holiday break with lots of family time.  I enjoyed having some extra time to spend with my children!

Just a few reminders...

January 21 - there is no school for students
January 24 & 25 - are half days, dismissal at 12:15, we will have a morning snack on these days because they won't have lunch at school
January 28 - there is no school for students

Have a great week!