Hi there, Stupendous SECOND GRADERS and Super Second Grade Parents!
Wow, it's hard to believe the year is over! Kids - you're all second graders now and I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!! Each one of you worked incredibly hard this year and learned so much. Great job!
Our week at Camp Learned-A-Lot was amazing! From the Read In to games to getting soaked on the playground to centers and a slideshow, we all had a great time! Thank you parents, for all your help during Camp Learned-A-Lot. Yesterday was an especially fun day for the kiddos and for me!
Kids - I LOVED being your teacher this year! Each day you amazed me with how much you learned. I loved watching you make amazing strides. You are so smart! You are all really ready for second grade! You're my first class at Harelson and you will always have a very special place in my heart. Come see me any time next year! Parents - Thank you for all you support this year! You're all so wonderful.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the WONDERFUL end of the year gifts! I am so touched by your thoughtfulness. I absolutely love the class book! I love that it is laminated and in alphabetical order too; you guys know me so well! Thank you for the generous gift cards and all the pink and girlie treats. I love everything! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Have an amazing summer and I'll see you next year!
Mrs. Johnston
May 26, 2011
May 23, 2011
Weekly Update, May 23 - 25
Hello Super Smart Pre-Second Graders and Super Pre-Second Grade Parents!
WOW! It's the last week of school! Can you believe it? Kids, get ready...this week is going to be amazing!
CAMP LEARNED - A - LOT
Camp Learned - A - Lot is FINALLY here! Each pre-second grader worked so hard to earn this special privilege! We're off to a super start!
Today was the first day of camp and it was great! We settled into our tents to get ready for a fun day of reading! I read to the kids, kids played teacher and read to the class and kids read in small groups. They are such wonderful readers! We had many guest readers today and the kids LOVED this! Thank you so much to Mrs. Spencer, Mr. Heinemann, Mrs. Kring, Mrs. Beavers, Mrs. Rowland, Mrs. Cardy, Mrs. Lawrence and Mr. Heitmann (my dad!) for coming in and reading to the kids. I just love to see the kids so happy and excited about reading! My dad really enjoyed his time in our pre-second grade class! The kids showed some of their writing to him and he was amazed! Way to go, kids!
TUESDAY
Tomorrow is game day at camp! We will play Simon Says, Heads Up/7 Up, complete a class scavenger hunt, complete brain teasers, play bingo and play lots of board games. After art we will have a special S'mores treat! From 2:00 - 2:55 the first grade classes will play a variety of water games. It will be a blast!
WEDNESDAY
Our last day of the year will be filled with talking about first grade memories and making new ones! We will have memory sharing circle in the morning and then do centers. Each child will go to 4 centers!
1. Create A School - Kids will work together to draw, construct and build their own school!
2. Camp Learned - A - Lot - Kids will complete a writing and art packet all about school memories and they will write about their hopes for summer and second grade.
3. Father's Day Surprise - Shhh! Kids, you'll complete something special for your dad for Father's Day in June. Can you keep it a secret until then?
4. Traveling Through The School Year - The kids will describe different adventures from the school year using pictures only.
We will have a picnic lunch on Wednesday and celebrate summer birthdays (Happy Birthday Abby, Conor, Mrs. Johnston, Ryan M. John, Ryan S. and Ysabella!). After the picnic we will watch our first grade slide show and then send the 6th graders off to Cross with the 6th grade tunnel.
This has been an incredible year in first grade! My first year at Harelson is so special to me because of all of you! Kids - I LOVED being your teacher and watching you learn! You are SO smart! You are going to be AWESOME in second grade! Parents and family members - THANK YOU for all your help this year! Your time, support, encouragement and supply donations helped make our class so special.
Have a great week and stay tuned for a special year end blog posting on Wednesday!
Have a great time at camp!
Mrs. Johnston
WOW! It's the last week of school! Can you believe it? Kids, get ready...this week is going to be amazing!
CAMP LEARNED - A - LOT
Camp Learned - A - Lot is FINALLY here! Each pre-second grader worked so hard to earn this special privilege! We're off to a super start!
Today was the first day of camp and it was great! We settled into our tents to get ready for a fun day of reading! I read to the kids, kids played teacher and read to the class and kids read in small groups. They are such wonderful readers! We had many guest readers today and the kids LOVED this! Thank you so much to Mrs. Spencer, Mr. Heinemann, Mrs. Kring, Mrs. Beavers, Mrs. Rowland, Mrs. Cardy, Mrs. Lawrence and Mr. Heitmann (my dad!) for coming in and reading to the kids. I just love to see the kids so happy and excited about reading! My dad really enjoyed his time in our pre-second grade class! The kids showed some of their writing to him and he was amazed! Way to go, kids!
TUESDAY
Tomorrow is game day at camp! We will play Simon Says, Heads Up/7 Up, complete a class scavenger hunt, complete brain teasers, play bingo and play lots of board games. After art we will have a special S'mores treat! From 2:00 - 2:55 the first grade classes will play a variety of water games. It will be a blast!
WEDNESDAY
Our last day of the year will be filled with talking about first grade memories and making new ones! We will have memory sharing circle in the morning and then do centers. Each child will go to 4 centers!
1. Create A School - Kids will work together to draw, construct and build their own school!
2. Camp Learned - A - Lot - Kids will complete a writing and art packet all about school memories and they will write about their hopes for summer and second grade.
3. Father's Day Surprise - Shhh! Kids, you'll complete something special for your dad for Father's Day in June. Can you keep it a secret until then?
4. Traveling Through The School Year - The kids will describe different adventures from the school year using pictures only.
We will have a picnic lunch on Wednesday and celebrate summer birthdays (Happy Birthday Abby, Conor, Mrs. Johnston, Ryan M. John, Ryan S. and Ysabella!). After the picnic we will watch our first grade slide show and then send the 6th graders off to Cross with the 6th grade tunnel.
This has been an incredible year in first grade! My first year at Harelson is so special to me because of all of you! Kids - I LOVED being your teacher and watching you learn! You are SO smart! You are going to be AWESOME in second grade! Parents and family members - THANK YOU for all your help this year! Your time, support, encouragement and supply donations helped make our class so special.
Have a great week and stay tuned for a special year end blog posting on Wednesday!
Have a great time at camp!
Mrs. Johnston
Computers, 5/23
Free Choice Day!
Let's start by voting in this week's poll. After you vote, please come to the floor in front of the Smart Board and we'll talk about today's activity.
Today is the free choice day of first grade!!! Use your schema about the last free choice day we had; what are some things you can do on free choice day? Let's talk about our ideas.
Let's take a look at the blog and see what it has to offer for free choice day.
Have fun!
Mrs. Johnston
Let's start by voting in this week's poll. After you vote, please come to the floor in front of the Smart Board and we'll talk about today's activity.
Today is the free choice day of first grade!!! Use your schema about the last free choice day we had; what are some things you can do on free choice day? Let's talk about our ideas.
Let's take a look at the blog and see what it has to offer for free choice day.
Have fun!
Mrs. Johnston
May 17, 2011
Weekly Update, May 16 - 20
Hello Smart Pre-Second Graders and Super Pre-Second Grade Parents!
Wow! It's hard to believe this is the last full week of first grade! I am so proud of all the kids have accomplished this year! There's just one more week until Camp Learned A Lot! Kids - keep working hard and following our rules so we can have Camp Learned A Lot! It's so much fun!
Parents - there are still many opportunities to help with Camp Learned - A - Lot! Please fill out the blue form to let me know if you can help. Please send in your self addressed, stamped envelope in by Friday so those can be ready to mail on Monday.
Mrs. Wakefield enjoyed her time in our classroom and the kids received an A+ report from her. Way to go!
Homework Information
* There is no reading log this week. Make sure to read on your own! Make sure to study your spelling words!
* This is the last chance for the PRE-SECOND GRADE SPELLING CHALLENGE!!! There's just one test left to get an A+ or an A++! You are all great spellers and I know you can do it!
BLASTING OFF TO 2nd GRADE!!!
We will finish off our planet study this week. The kids studied Jupiter, the first of the outer planets, with Mrs. Wakefield yesterday. We will study the other outer planets, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune until Thursday. On Friday, we will review the planets and the kids will complete their planet book.
In writing we are finishing our planet-a-day space book. These are coming out great and I can't wait to see the finished product! We are also working on class books. The goal is to have enough for each child to take two home at the end of the year; we are almost to our goal! These class books are just wonderful and it is so neat to see the progress that the kids have made throughout the year. We will also complete our final writing assessment for the year for the report card.
The last Rainbow Words of the year are due today! This week in making words we are reviewing a variety of different word families, contractions and abbreviations. Kids - study hard for Friday's test! I know you can do it!
The kids enjoyed their space centers! The centers for the week include:
1. Listening - The kids listened to "Planets" and they made their own representation of the Sun, Earth and the moon. These are really neat and show how the Earth orbits the sub.
2. Science - The kids made their very own space shuttles! They used oranges for the base of the shuttle and then they used a variety of different treats for their space shuttles. These look great!
3. Writing - The kids wrote a letter to their future second grade teacher to introduce themselves. I will save these for the teachers and, once classes are assigned for next year, give the letters to the teachers.
4. Math - The kids made a diagram to show the different phases of the moon. After they finished, they used pattern blocks to create a map of our Solar System.
5. Reading - The kids read books on space and took assessments for the report card.
In math we are working on finishing the assessments for the report card. We will also experiment with regrouping and borrowing so the kids are familiar with it when they get to second grade.
Have an A+ week!
Mrs. Johnston
Wow! It's hard to believe this is the last full week of first grade! I am so proud of all the kids have accomplished this year! There's just one more week until Camp Learned A Lot! Kids - keep working hard and following our rules so we can have Camp Learned A Lot! It's so much fun!
Parents - there are still many opportunities to help with Camp Learned - A - Lot! Please fill out the blue form to let me know if you can help. Please send in your self addressed, stamped envelope in by Friday so those can be ready to mail on Monday.
Mrs. Wakefield enjoyed her time in our classroom and the kids received an A+ report from her. Way to go!
Homework Information
* There is no reading log this week. Make sure to read on your own! Make sure to study your spelling words!
* This is the last chance for the PRE-SECOND GRADE SPELLING CHALLENGE!!! There's just one test left to get an A+ or an A++! You are all great spellers and I know you can do it!
BLASTING OFF TO 2nd GRADE!!!
We will finish off our planet study this week. The kids studied Jupiter, the first of the outer planets, with Mrs. Wakefield yesterday. We will study the other outer planets, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune until Thursday. On Friday, we will review the planets and the kids will complete their planet book.
In writing we are finishing our planet-a-day space book. These are coming out great and I can't wait to see the finished product! We are also working on class books. The goal is to have enough for each child to take two home at the end of the year; we are almost to our goal! These class books are just wonderful and it is so neat to see the progress that the kids have made throughout the year. We will also complete our final writing assessment for the year for the report card.
The last Rainbow Words of the year are due today! This week in making words we are reviewing a variety of different word families, contractions and abbreviations. Kids - study hard for Friday's test! I know you can do it!
The kids enjoyed their space centers! The centers for the week include:
1. Listening - The kids listened to "Planets" and they made their own representation of the Sun, Earth and the moon. These are really neat and show how the Earth orbits the sub.
2. Science - The kids made their very own space shuttles! They used oranges for the base of the shuttle and then they used a variety of different treats for their space shuttles. These look great!
3. Writing - The kids wrote a letter to their future second grade teacher to introduce themselves. I will save these for the teachers and, once classes are assigned for next year, give the letters to the teachers.
4. Math - The kids made a diagram to show the different phases of the moon. After they finished, they used pattern blocks to create a map of our Solar System.
5. Reading - The kids read books on space and took assessments for the report card.
In math we are working on finishing the assessments for the report card. We will also experiment with regrouping and borrowing so the kids are familiar with it when they get to second grade.
Have an A+ week!
Mrs. Johnston
May 16, 2011
Computers, 5/16
The Solar System!
Let's start by voting on this week's poll. After you vote, please come to the floor in front of the Smart Board to learn about today's lesson.
It was fun learning about Jupiter today! Have you ever heard of NASA? NASA stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA is an organization that studies space. They have a lot of information about space and they even have a special website for kids!
Go here: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/index.html to the NASA Kids' Club! There is all sorts of fun stuff to explore like planets, rocket launches and even Buzz Light Year! Blast off to NASA and ready to share something you learned!
After you visit the NASA Kids' Club, it's time to ask an astronomer. Go here: http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/cosmic_kids/AskKids/index.shtml . Click on the planets and galaxies to learn all about them.
We'll take the last 5 minutes of class to share with our computer table group about what we learned.
Have fun, astronomers!
Mrs. Johnston
Let's start by voting on this week's poll. After you vote, please come to the floor in front of the Smart Board to learn about today's lesson.
It was fun learning about Jupiter today! Have you ever heard of NASA? NASA stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. NASA is an organization that studies space. They have a lot of information about space and they even have a special website for kids!
Go here: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/kidsclub/flash/index.html to the NASA Kids' Club! There is all sorts of fun stuff to explore like planets, rocket launches and even Buzz Light Year! Blast off to NASA and ready to share something you learned!
After you visit the NASA Kids' Club, it's time to ask an astronomer. Go here: http://coolcosmos.ipac.caltech.edu/cosmic_kids/AskKids/index.shtml . Click on the planets and galaxies to learn all about them.
We'll take the last 5 minutes of class to share with our computer table group about what we learned.
Have fun, astronomers!
Mrs. Johnston
May 9, 2011
Weekly Update, May 9 - 13
Hello Smart Pre-Second Graders and Super Pre-Second Grade Parents!
The kids had so much fun with career week last week! Thank you so much to the parents who were able to come in and tell the kids about your jobs.
I hope all the moms had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday! The kids planted your daffodil bulbs several weeks ago and they have been carefully watering and taking care of them. They were so excited to bring them home to you! They had so much fun making their tissue paper flowers; it reminded them of Eric Carle's art! I was so touched by the sweet messages they wrote on the petals and I hope you were too!
The PRE-SECOND GRADE SPELLING CHALLENGE continues! There are only two more spelling tests left! Will you get an A+? Will you get an A++?? You can do it!!!
CAMP LEARNED A LOT!
Camp Learned a lot is a fun and exciting way to end first grade and blast off to second grade! Camp Learned A Lot is a 3 day camp full of games, friends and surprises during the last week of school! The students have been offered the chance to earn a stay at Camp Learned A Lot. In order to earn Camp Learned A Lot, the students must:
* Be awesome pre-second graders at all times
* Follow our class rules (we are respectful, we are responsible, we are safe, we follow the Golden Rule) at all times
* Get an A+ report from Mrs. Wakefield, our guest teacher on 5/16
Kids - Camp Learned A Lot is SO MUCH FUN!!! I know that you will all be responsible pre-second graders and earn camp!
BLASTING OFF TO 2nd GRADE!!!
For the next two weeks in science and guided reading we are doing a unit on our Solar System. The kids are very ready for 2nd grade and this is a fun science unit to end the year and blast them off to second grade! Today we learned about the Sun and stars. Beginning tomorrow, we will study the planets in their order from the sun. We will study all the planets until we finish next Thursday. The planets we will study this week are the inner planets, Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars.
In writing we are working on making a space book! Each child will make a page about each planet with different information. The pictures of the planets are made from tissue paper. The kids loved this as it reminded them of Eric Carle!
The kids came home with Rainbow Words and they are due tomorrow. This week in making words we are reviewing contractions and learning about abbreviations.
The kids enjoyed their space centers today! The centers for the week include:
1. Listening - The kids listened to "I Can Read About Space," and they made their cover for their space books.
2. Science - The kids colored different constellations and made their own telescope. The telescope can actually be used on the constellation paper like a real telescope. Kids, be sure to show your parents how this works!
3. Writing - The kids wrote about blasting off to second grade! They wrote about what it will be like in second grade and what they will do in second grade.
4. Math - The kids made a space book with different patterns and numbers related to space.
5. Reading - The kids worked on reading assessments for the report card.
The kids did a great job working on strategies to help increase speed when adding numbers. We will continue to work on strategies for solving both addition and subtraction problems. We are still working on place value by writing and identifying large numbers. The kids have gotten so good at this!
We were unable to go to computers today due to make-up MAP testing in the upper grades. Computers should resume next week.
Have an A+ week!
Mrs. Johnston
The kids had so much fun with career week last week! Thank you so much to the parents who were able to come in and tell the kids about your jobs.
I hope all the moms had a wonderful Mother's Day yesterday! The kids planted your daffodil bulbs several weeks ago and they have been carefully watering and taking care of them. They were so excited to bring them home to you! They had so much fun making their tissue paper flowers; it reminded them of Eric Carle's art! I was so touched by the sweet messages they wrote on the petals and I hope you were too!
The PRE-SECOND GRADE SPELLING CHALLENGE continues! There are only two more spelling tests left! Will you get an A+? Will you get an A++?? You can do it!!!
CAMP LEARNED A LOT!
Camp Learned a lot is a fun and exciting way to end first grade and blast off to second grade! Camp Learned A Lot is a 3 day camp full of games, friends and surprises during the last week of school! The students have been offered the chance to earn a stay at Camp Learned A Lot. In order to earn Camp Learned A Lot, the students must:
* Be awesome pre-second graders at all times
* Follow our class rules (we are respectful, we are responsible, we are safe, we follow the Golden Rule) at all times
* Get an A+ report from Mrs. Wakefield, our guest teacher on 5/16
Kids - Camp Learned A Lot is SO MUCH FUN!!! I know that you will all be responsible pre-second graders and earn camp!
BLASTING OFF TO 2nd GRADE!!!
For the next two weeks in science and guided reading we are doing a unit on our Solar System. The kids are very ready for 2nd grade and this is a fun science unit to end the year and blast them off to second grade! Today we learned about the Sun and stars. Beginning tomorrow, we will study the planets in their order from the sun. We will study all the planets until we finish next Thursday. The planets we will study this week are the inner planets, Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars.
In writing we are working on making a space book! Each child will make a page about each planet with different information. The pictures of the planets are made from tissue paper. The kids loved this as it reminded them of Eric Carle!
The kids came home with Rainbow Words and they are due tomorrow. This week in making words we are reviewing contractions and learning about abbreviations.
The kids enjoyed their space centers today! The centers for the week include:
1. Listening - The kids listened to "I Can Read About Space," and they made their cover for their space books.
2. Science - The kids colored different constellations and made their own telescope. The telescope can actually be used on the constellation paper like a real telescope. Kids, be sure to show your parents how this works!
3. Writing - The kids wrote about blasting off to second grade! They wrote about what it will be like in second grade and what they will do in second grade.
4. Math - The kids made a space book with different patterns and numbers related to space.
5. Reading - The kids worked on reading assessments for the report card.
The kids did a great job working on strategies to help increase speed when adding numbers. We will continue to work on strategies for solving both addition and subtraction problems. We are still working on place value by writing and identifying large numbers. The kids have gotten so good at this!
We were unable to go to computers today due to make-up MAP testing in the upper grades. Computers should resume next week.
Have an A+ week!
Mrs. Johnston
May 2, 2011
Weekly Update, May 2 - 6
Hello Smart Pre-Second Graders and Super Pre-Second Grade Parents!
Wow! Can you believe it's May already?! This year has flown by and the pre-second graders have made so much progress! Harelson's 50th birthday celebration was a blast! Thank you to all the parents and kids who helped make it so wonderful. Everyone had a great time and the castle and slide were so much fun!
Ms. Koopman, Harelson's art teacher, is hosting two special Ben's Bells events this week on Tuesday (5/3) and Thursday (5/4) in the art room. Ben's Bells have been fired and now they need to be glazed. Students and their families are welcome to work on the beads. The activities will take place from 3:00 - 4:30. All students need to be picked up by 4:30.
PRE - SECOND GRADE SPELLING CHALLENGE!!!
It's almost time for second grade! Are you ready?? Are you spelling like a second grader??? I am challenging the class to all get 100% on their spelling tests this Friday. If EVERYONE gets an A+ or A++, I will provide surprise afternoon treats for the class on Friday. Are you up for the challenge??? YOU CAN DO IT!!!
This week in social studies and guided reading we are continuing our Eric Carle author study, having career week and learning about Mother's Day! We will read "Rooster's Off To See The World" to get ready for second grade and make predictions about next year. Mr. Heinemann was our surprise guest to kick off career week! He told the kids all about his job and they loved having him in class! He came in all dressed up in a silly scientist costume and the kids thought this was hysterical! He gave special medals to the kids for being great readers and he even let them talk into a microphone to practice being on the Bobcat News! The kids had a blast with him and it was such a fun and special way to kick off career week. Ms. Ann from the Harleson office will visit us tomorrow to talk about her job as a behavior intervention monitor. Mr. Rowland, Conor's dad, will visit on Wednesday to discuss his job as an engineer. Mrs. Kring, Andrew's mom, will visit on Thursday to discuss her job as an rehabilitation therapist. Mr. Jones, Ethan's dad, will also visit on Thursday to discuss his job in finance. The kids enjoy learning more about the adults they see on a daily basis. The kids love having visitors in our class! On Friday we will learn about the history and traditions of Mother's Day.
This week in writing we are working on a variety of exciting things! The kids are finishing their research papers on Eric Carle. These are coming along great! The kids will write thank you letters to each of our class guests. The kids are letter writing experts now! The kids will also make several different class books about each career they learn about this week. They are such wonderful and enthusiastic writers. I really enjoy reading their writing.
The kids came home with Rainbow Words and they are due tomorrow. This week in making words we are working on question words with patterns (words that begin with the "wh" chunk) and we are also reviewing "are" and "is" contractions and adding "not" contractions. The kids have really tackled our contraction study and it is such a treat to see correctly used contractions in their writing. Way to go, pre-second graders!
The kids enjoyed their career week centers today! The centers include:
1. Listening - The kids watched a short video of Eric Carle reading a story, talking about his life and career and demonstrating his illustrations. This is a very neat and interesting video! They made a page to our class book about what it would be like to be an author and illustrator.
2. Social Studies - The kids took a mini-field trip to the Harelson office. They interviewed the wonderful people in our office (Ms. Ann, Ms. Janice, Ms. Jill, Ms. Sharon and Mr. Heinemann) to find out more about their jobs.
3. Writing - The kids looked at different books about careers. They wrote a letter to themselves about their hopes for the future.
4. Math - The kids practiced addition and subtraction on a space ship paper to get ready for our upcoming space unit.
5. Reading - The kids played sight word flash card races.
The kids did a great job on their assessment of making combinations of three numbers that add to 6. This was a challenging concept for the kids. They stuck with it and it started to click at the end of the week. It was great to see! This week we are working on strategies for quickly and efficiently solving different types of addition and subtraction problems. The kids are good at addition and subtraction, but speed is still an issue. These additional strategies will help increase speed.
We were unable to go to computers today due to MAP testing in the older grades. Instead, we worked on a top secret project that you will find out about on Sunday!
Have an A+ week!
Mrs. Johnston
Wow! Can you believe it's May already?! This year has flown by and the pre-second graders have made so much progress! Harelson's 50th birthday celebration was a blast! Thank you to all the parents and kids who helped make it so wonderful. Everyone had a great time and the castle and slide were so much fun!
Ms. Koopman, Harelson's art teacher, is hosting two special Ben's Bells events this week on Tuesday (5/3) and Thursday (5/4) in the art room. Ben's Bells have been fired and now they need to be glazed. Students and their families are welcome to work on the beads. The activities will take place from 3:00 - 4:30. All students need to be picked up by 4:30.
PRE - SECOND GRADE SPELLING CHALLENGE!!!
It's almost time for second grade! Are you ready?? Are you spelling like a second grader??? I am challenging the class to all get 100% on their spelling tests this Friday. If EVERYONE gets an A+ or A++, I will provide surprise afternoon treats for the class on Friday. Are you up for the challenge??? YOU CAN DO IT!!!
This week in social studies and guided reading we are continuing our Eric Carle author study, having career week and learning about Mother's Day! We will read "Rooster's Off To See The World" to get ready for second grade and make predictions about next year. Mr. Heinemann was our surprise guest to kick off career week! He told the kids all about his job and they loved having him in class! He came in all dressed up in a silly scientist costume and the kids thought this was hysterical! He gave special medals to the kids for being great readers and he even let them talk into a microphone to practice being on the Bobcat News! The kids had a blast with him and it was such a fun and special way to kick off career week. Ms. Ann from the Harleson office will visit us tomorrow to talk about her job as a behavior intervention monitor. Mr. Rowland, Conor's dad, will visit on Wednesday to discuss his job as an engineer. Mrs. Kring, Andrew's mom, will visit on Thursday to discuss her job as an rehabilitation therapist. Mr. Jones, Ethan's dad, will also visit on Thursday to discuss his job in finance. The kids enjoy learning more about the adults they see on a daily basis. The kids love having visitors in our class! On Friday we will learn about the history and traditions of Mother's Day.
This week in writing we are working on a variety of exciting things! The kids are finishing their research papers on Eric Carle. These are coming along great! The kids will write thank you letters to each of our class guests. The kids are letter writing experts now! The kids will also make several different class books about each career they learn about this week. They are such wonderful and enthusiastic writers. I really enjoy reading their writing.
The kids came home with Rainbow Words and they are due tomorrow. This week in making words we are working on question words with patterns (words that begin with the "wh" chunk) and we are also reviewing "are" and "is" contractions and adding "not" contractions. The kids have really tackled our contraction study and it is such a treat to see correctly used contractions in their writing. Way to go, pre-second graders!
The kids enjoyed their career week centers today! The centers include:
1. Listening - The kids watched a short video of Eric Carle reading a story, talking about his life and career and demonstrating his illustrations. This is a very neat and interesting video! They made a page to our class book about what it would be like to be an author and illustrator.
2. Social Studies - The kids took a mini-field trip to the Harelson office. They interviewed the wonderful people in our office (Ms. Ann, Ms. Janice, Ms. Jill, Ms. Sharon and Mr. Heinemann) to find out more about their jobs.
3. Writing - The kids looked at different books about careers. They wrote a letter to themselves about their hopes for the future.
4. Math - The kids practiced addition and subtraction on a space ship paper to get ready for our upcoming space unit.
5. Reading - The kids played sight word flash card races.
The kids did a great job on their assessment of making combinations of three numbers that add to 6. This was a challenging concept for the kids. They stuck with it and it started to click at the end of the week. It was great to see! This week we are working on strategies for quickly and efficiently solving different types of addition and subtraction problems. The kids are good at addition and subtraction, but speed is still an issue. These additional strategies will help increase speed.
We were unable to go to computers today due to MAP testing in the older grades. Instead, we worked on a top secret project that you will find out about on Sunday!
Have an A+ week!
Mrs. Johnston
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