Welcome back to First Grade! I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving and thank you to each one of you who came to conferences last week. I appreciated learning more about you and your child and especially how they are feeling about school. This week we are settling back into our daily routine: A.M....
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This week finds us busy and active. Students are continuing to work hard at being independent learners during our Worktime stations. This week the focus is on Animals Who Live in the Grasslands. In math, we have been exploring patterns using pattern blocks and students have created wonderful pattern “snakes” which I will be...
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 The month of November is just flying by. We have been so busy in kindergarten. In science, we continue to learn all about trees. We are learning the difference between coniferous trees and deciduous trees, why trees lose their leaves in the fall, and also the many things trees provide us.     We have started...
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HOMEWORK Week 12 Name: ____________________ Nov. 17-21 Monday: 1. Reading: Read for 20 minutes. Summarize for, or discuss with, parent. Record what you read below. Book I Read:_____________________________________________ Read from page ____ to _____ 2. Math: Do worksheet assigned. Study multiplication facts. 3. Library tomorrow. Bring back books you want to return. 4. Practice...
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This week we are back to our normal homework schedule: Reading Log Spelling Math
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On Monday morning children had a lovely time sharing their book reports and puppets. We were impressed by the quality of their work. In preparation for our upcoming walking fieldtrip to Reed College, Gregory MacNaughton spoke to our class about how painting has developed over time. Our class will be visiting the Cooley Gallery...
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For those students who are reading The Terrible Wave, we are finishing our novel study this week.   This means that all the summaries, scenes, vocabulary definitions will be due on Friday, Nov.21st.  Some of the groups also have a webquest assignment due that day too.  This week’s homework in Math will be on...
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Next Monday and Tuesday, there will be Parent/Teacher conferences from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Therefore, there will be no school for the students. I will send home reminders of the day and time that you signed-up for your conference. We have said goodbye to one of the most exciting Presidential Elections! The third...
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During our short school week, we worked on matching, sorting, and counting coins. This week students will learn the values of each coin, and adding them. We also did more abstract paintings, this time outdoors in the crisp, sunny air, using a palette of blue, black, and white to make wintery scenes. At the...
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It is hard to believe this is our last full week of November. The year is really flying by. This week all grades are working with the Orff instruments. In the primary grades students our working to develop a relaxed and flexible mallet grip. Students do this away from the instruments and by playing...
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Our science table has evolved from sunflowers to fall leaves to a coyote skull.  We did an art lesson on Georgia O’Keefe’s fall leaves which has now led to her painting of a Cow’s Skull with Calico Roses.  Georgia grew up on a farm in Wisconsin in 1887.  Her bright paintings show the beauty...
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TAG Please remember to return signed TAG forms to your child’s teacher. If you would like to make changes or have any questions, please talk to your child’s teacher or me. THANKS! Reading Groups 1st-3rd When we finish reading books in our reading groups, I send the books home with the children for them...
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We are having fun with our math unit on 2-D geometry. We’ve been playing the game “Sunken Ships” both on the computer and off. Most everyone’s favorite is on the computer! We are also working on symmetry and determining the number of lines of symmetry in different shapes. Using our mirrors makes this especially...
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Homework for Ms. Swan’ s class Week of 11/17-11/21 Monday: Spelling (Please keep the second list for practicing words at home.) Tuesday: Math (Adding 10’s and Doubles) Wednesday: Handwriting- “e, f” Thursday: Spelling Quiz tomorrow, so study! =-) Write 4-6 sentences about “James and the Giant Peach.” Include at least 3 amazing adjectives. Remember,...
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***By the time you read this, we will have just returned from our big adventure to see “James and the Giant Peach” at the Newmark Theater! After reading the novel in class, the children couldn’t wait to see the production. Thanks to our fearless parents: Tom Charles, Patty Jay, Dave Brown, Ken Hanson, Julie...
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As we finish the month of November the weather continues to be quite cold. The classroom is often not quite warmed up when school first starts. Please send kids in long sleeved shirts so they will be warm enough in the morning. On the other hand, the classroom can be quite warm. So if...
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Homework sent home on Tuesday, November 18th.1.  November Calendar of Activities2.  Literacy- Family Times *long a, (CVCe), c/s/ and g/j/ sounds,  Cause and Effect3.  Weekly Reading Log4.  Math-Problem Solving, should you add or subtract? 
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By the time you read this, we will know the results of our election! Ask your child about who won. At this time I will not be assigning a BIG homework project on our next unit; your child will have another project assigned after Winter Break. However, regular math and reading homework will continue...
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We have two days of school together until parent/teacher conferences next Monday and Tuesday. I hope you received your conference reminder notices. If you need another, please e-mail me or call our awesome Secretary, Tracy Buckley for times and day. This weeks focus revolves around being thankful for all the things we have and...
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This is our last full week of school before Parent/Teacher conferences and I am looking forward to meeting with each of you to discuss your child’s academic and social progress. I have sent conference reminders home; however, if you need to change your time and/or day, please let the office know. Children are busy...
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The field trip to the Newmark Theatre to see the Oregon Children’s Production of James and the Giant Peach was a great success even though I could not attend. I pinched my sciatic nerve the day before, therefore, I thought it best to stay at home instead of having the students taking care of...
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Homework for November 12th-17th.1.  November Calendar of Activities2.  Weekly Reading Log3.  Literacy-Family Times*What families do together, digraphs sh and th, vowel sound in ball, and Main Idea 4.  Math-addition facts 
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