Merry Christmas!

We have had so much fun this holiday season!  I am sorry to say that I don't have many pictures to show you, but some memories are best made without an iPad in my hands.  I will do my best to give you a the gist, but please have your child fill in the blanks!  

After comparing and contrasting all different kids of Gingerbread stories, we decided it was time to make gingerbread men!  We mixed all of the ingredients, we put them in the oven, and when I went to get them... THEY WERE GONE!!  We followed clues, and finally tracked them to the office.  Luckily, Mrs. Thelen was quicker than them!  She captured them, and we made sure to eat them right away.

We also had Polar Express day!  We all got to wear our pajamas, then we boarded our own Polar Express.  We visited a literacy center (Reindeer Food), a math center (roll-a-reindeer), and a social center (kids made a snowman snack).  We ended our Polar Express day with bells from the North Pole!  The bells were FREEZING!!  They must have just arrived :)

The parents put on a spectacular Christmas party!  The kids had pizza, decorated a cookie, played bingo (and won some cool prizes!), and took home a goodie bag.  THANK YOU PARENTS!

Mrs. Shira and Mrs. Stevenson made Playdoh for the kids as a Christmas present!  You'll find the recipe below on a previous post.  

Plannig Folders!

Now that we have a good routine and structure during our center time, I decided it was time to introduce the planning folder!  We will continue to learn how to use them to make choices during our Daily 5 literacy block.  The process is student driven, and allows me more flexibility when working closely with your child.  Here's what it looks like:

It is color coordinated, and aligns with posters around our room. 

 A student will make a choice as to where they want to go for their MUST DOs (listen to a story, word work, work on writing, and work with the teacher).

When they are finished with their MUST DOs, the students can look at their planning folder and make their own literacy choices.  So far, it is going well!  The routine and independence will be hammered until it's just right!

Here are some photos of students independently making choices, working the whole time, and doing their very best:

Listen to a Story-- Thank you REF and Belmont PTO for granting me the monies to purchase a listening center and audio books!

Work with the Teacher: Elkonin Boxes

Work on Writing: making thank you cards for the REF

Word Work:

Making Choices:

Read the Room

Book shopping and read to self

Puzzles- they just finished a 100 piece puzzle using teamwork!

Math "go" tubs

Playdoh Recipe!

The kids just LOVE the new playdoh I made.  It is so simple and cheap, so I thought I would pass it along to all of you.  I found this recipe on Pinterest (of course!) and you can add ingredients to make it your own.  You will need:

PLAYDOH BASE
A medium size sauce pan
A spoon (I use a small wooden spoon, but a large soup spoon will do just fine)
1 cup of flour
1/4 cup salt
1 teaspoon of Crème of tartar
1/2 tablespoon of oil (veg works best!)
1 cup water

ADD THESE INGREDIENTS TO MAKE...

Candy Cane Playdoh: 

           1 teaspoon peppermint extract
            white glitter (optional)
           A couple drops of red food coloring for half the dough (optional)
Gingerbread Playdoh:
           1/2 tablespoon ground ginger
           1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
           brown glitter (optional)

DIRECTIONS

1. Over medium high heat, pour all of the dry ingredients (flour, crème of tartar, salt) in the sauce pan and mix to combine.
2. Add wet ingredients (oil, water, food coloring)
3. Stir with spoon until all the ingredients start to come together.  This may take a few minutes!  It will look like a gooey mess at first-- keep stirring!
4. Remove from the heat and take dough out of the pan. 
5. Knead until playdoh consistency.  Fold in glitter and continue to knead.
6. VOILA! 

 

 

Christmas Concert!

What a lovely bunch of kids they are! I am so proud of them for going on stage and singing their little hearts out!  Enjoy the photos!

 

 

 

Computer Time!

Today was our first day with the computers!  We are so lucky to have such helpful 3rd grade Tech Support.  Thank you, Mrs. Noakes' class!  We had to learn to log on using our computer codes, and learn how to use a touch-screen mouse pad.  We also learned how to plug in the head set, and how to shut down.  It was quite the task, but it always gets easier!  Enjoy the photos!  These are our COWs -- computers on wheels!  Our computer lab time will be coming shortly, but this is great practice!

Please visit www.starfall.com and www.pbskids.org for computer games at home.

Officer Bradley!

Today, we are learning all about police officers and what tools they use.  Officer Bradley came to tell us about his job, the tools he uses, and we even got a visit from PC the Patrol Car!  Please show the pictures to your child and have him/her talk about their experiences.  Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

He described his "Batman Belt" filled with tools that help him do his job.  He wasn't able to show us his gun and tazor-- do you remember why?

His chest plate and bullet proof vest help protect his heart and lungs from being damaged in an emergency

Now for the highlight... Meet PC!!