October 30, 2013
October 30, 2013
Good Morning,
Yesterday we completed our write ups on how our two town librarians, Joy and Lisa, make a difference in our community. The second graders and a couple of 1st graders were asked to use our class brainstorm to write their own paragraph using details and elaboration. I led the rest of the 1st graders through a guided whole class write of the same assignment.
Tomorrow we will head to the Flynn Theater. We will be leaving around 8:45 and will return sometime around 12:15. We will eat a snack before we leave and lunch once we get back. Since we will not be having Reader's workshop tomorrow. I will ask that the students continue reading their chapter books or reread the decodable books that they have in their homework bag.
Notes:
*Please remember to leave all Halloween Candy at home.
*I still need the Flynn money from two more students. Could you please send it in.
*Jersey Friday!
I hope everyone has a great day and a safe Halloween.
Peace,
Tom
October 25, 2013
Above is this weeks video. I hope you enjoy it. Today we read the book It Looks Like Spilt Milk and used the book concept to create our own writing pieces. We also finished our conversation about the day and night sky. Afterwards, I read the book What Makes Day and Night. I used this book to teach the concept of the Earth's rotation and where the sun is during day and night time.
I still need Flynn money from the following students: Bella, Miles, Juno, and Riley.
Have a great weekend.
Peace,
Tom
October 23, 2013
October 23, 2013
Good Morning,
What a change a week can make. With this in mind, it is time to start thinking about cold weather attire and appropriate footwear. Please make sure your child has a jacket for recess and boots on rainy and snowy days. If you would like to have your child leave a pair of sneakers at school, feel free to do so.
On Monday, we continued to work on our pen pal letters. The students were asked to write a letter that had four sentences about themselves, 1 sentence about something they like, and 2 questions for their pen pal. I am asking the 2nd graders to use elaboration and detail within their writing.
Yesterday, we went to the town library. The students learned about all of the interesting events the library offers as well as all of the children's books that the library offers. Lisa and Joy (the two librarians) talked to the students about obtaining library cards and the digital download (for e books) option that is available through their website. The students all brought home sign up sheet to get their own library card. If you fill it out and return it, I will walk the kids down on a Wednesday afternoon to turn it in, or you can bring it in yourselves.
Notes:
*I have decided to not have my class attend the High Fives assembly on Thursday. Kaiya asked us to preview the movie (that will be shown) and decide if it was grade appropriate. After viewing it, I have decided that it is a bit to "scary" for 1st and 2nd graders. Although the message of wearing a helmet is an important one, I feel the intended audience is 3-6 graders. We will discuss the importance of ski and snowboarding helmets prior to the start of our Winter Sports Program.
*Please send in the $3 for the Flynn trip. The trip is October 31st.
*Halloween: We will not be having a halloween party. As excited as the students are about this special day, I feel they all have plenty of opportunities outside of school to reveal in the Halloween spirit and festivities.
*First Grade Math: Yesterday each first grader brought home another set of flash cards. Please add these to your child's current set and practice them. This is extra and will not have to be written up in a survey. However, your child is on the 2nd week of their math game. I will send home the game survey on Monday, October 28th. A new game will be sent home on the 29th.
That is all for now. Have a great day!
Peace,
Tommy
What a change a week can make. With this in mind, it is time to start thinking about cold weather attire and appropriate footwear. Please make sure your child has a jacket for recess and boots on rainy and snowy days. If you would like to have your child leave a pair of sneakers at school, feel free to do so.
On Monday, we continued to work on our pen pal letters. The students were asked to write a letter that had four sentences about themselves, 1 sentence about something they like, and 2 questions for their pen pal. I am asking the 2nd graders to use elaboration and detail within their writing.
Yesterday, we went to the town library. The students learned about all of the interesting events the library offers as well as all of the children's books that the library offers. Lisa and Joy (the two librarians) talked to the students about obtaining library cards and the digital download (for e books) option that is available through their website. The students all brought home sign up sheet to get their own library card. If you fill it out and return it, I will walk the kids down on a Wednesday afternoon to turn it in, or you can bring it in yourselves.
Notes:
*I have decided to not have my class attend the High Fives assembly on Thursday. Kaiya asked us to preview the movie (that will be shown) and decide if it was grade appropriate. After viewing it, I have decided that it is a bit to "scary" for 1st and 2nd graders. Although the message of wearing a helmet is an important one, I feel the intended audience is 3-6 graders. We will discuss the importance of ski and snowboarding helmets prior to the start of our Winter Sports Program.
*Please send in the $3 for the Flynn trip. The trip is October 31st.
*Halloween: We will not be having a halloween party. As excited as the students are about this special day, I feel they all have plenty of opportunities outside of school to reveal in the Halloween spirit and festivities.
*First Grade Math: Yesterday each first grader brought home another set of flash cards. Please add these to your child's current set and practice them. This is extra and will not have to be written up in a survey. However, your child is on the 2nd week of their math game. I will send home the game survey on Monday, October 28th. A new game will be sent home on the 29th.
That is all for now. Have a great day!
Peace,
Tommy
October 21, 2013
October 21, 2013
Good Morning,
I hope you had a great weekend. My wife and I were able to have a quick retreat to Cumberland, Maine. It was a beautiful drive and a great time with friends. This morning we had two more published author's read their books at Morning Meeting. Congratulations to Anna and Emma.
A few reminders for this week:
*Flynn trip money is due. Again, the show is on October 31st and the cost is $3. I have 5 of my 15 students that have paid.
*We are walking to the Waitsfield Town Library tomorrow at 10:30. Please let me know if your child has a library card already.
*Picture retake day is tomorrow. We will have our class photo redone. The first attempt was labeled as a third grade class and we had to send it back.
*There is an assembly on Thursday. THe High Fives group will be presenting. Assembly starts at 7:50.
That is all for now.
Have a great week.
Peace,
Tommy
I hope you had a great weekend. My wife and I were able to have a quick retreat to Cumberland, Maine. It was a beautiful drive and a great time with friends. This morning we had two more published author's read their books at Morning Meeting. Congratulations to Anna and Emma.
A few reminders for this week:
*Flynn trip money is due. Again, the show is on October 31st and the cost is $3. I have 5 of my 15 students that have paid.
*We are walking to the Waitsfield Town Library tomorrow at 10:30. Please let me know if your child has a library card already.
*Picture retake day is tomorrow. We will have our class photo redone. The first attempt was labeled as a third grade class and we had to send it back.
*There is an assembly on Thursday. THe High Fives group will be presenting. Assembly starts at 7:50.
That is all for now.
Have a great week.
Peace,
Tommy
October 18, 2013
October 18, 2013
Good Morning.
Today we talked about our pen pals that we will write to this year. Our pen pals ore 1st and 2nd graders from Waterbury. The idea will be that we write back and forth a few times during the year and then meet up in the spring. I am hoping to to a Skype session with our pen pals too.
On Tuesday of next week, we will be walking to the Waitsfield Library at 10:30. This trip will serve two purposes. First I want the students to obtain a library card, if they don't have one. I want the children to see what a valuable resource the library is. Secondly, I have asked Joy (the librarian) to speak to our class on how she makes a difference for the town of Waitsfield. As a reminder, this is part of our Social Studies curriculum this year. If your child has a library card already, would you please let me know.
There will be a film crew in my classroom on Thursday, October 24th. The crew will come during lunch and film my math class. This is one of five recordings that will happen this year.
Notes:
*Please send in the $3 for the Flynn trip.
*Your child has his/her Weekly News Journal in his/her backpack. Please sign it and send it in on Monday.
*First Grade Math: Remember you will play the game (you received this week) all of next week and receive a game survey on Monday, October 28th.
Hare is this weeks video.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Peace,
Tommy
Today we talked about our pen pals that we will write to this year. Our pen pals ore 1st and 2nd graders from Waterbury. The idea will be that we write back and forth a few times during the year and then meet up in the spring. I am hoping to to a Skype session with our pen pals too.
On Tuesday of next week, we will be walking to the Waitsfield Library at 10:30. This trip will serve two purposes. First I want the students to obtain a library card, if they don't have one. I want the children to see what a valuable resource the library is. Secondly, I have asked Joy (the librarian) to speak to our class on how she makes a difference for the town of Waitsfield. As a reminder, this is part of our Social Studies curriculum this year. If your child has a library card already, would you please let me know.
There will be a film crew in my classroom on Thursday, October 24th. The crew will come during lunch and film my math class. This is one of five recordings that will happen this year.
Notes:
*Please send in the $3 for the Flynn trip.
*Your child has his/her Weekly News Journal in his/her backpack. Please sign it and send it in on Monday.
*First Grade Math: Remember you will play the game (you received this week) all of next week and receive a game survey on Monday, October 28th.
Hare is this weeks video.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Peace,
Tommy
October 16, 2013
October 16, 2013
Good Morning,
Yesterday during science we discussed why the moon seems to change in the sky. I used a website that has a visual of the moon cycle and we had a discussion about the Sun, Moon, and Earth. I am hoping the children walked away with the understanding that the sun is always shining on the moon (the moon doesn't create its own light) and the moon changes in the sky because we can only see parts the the face that is being illuminated by the sun. Please keep checking the moon phases with your child. We will use these observations later in the unit.
NOTES:
*Friday is Jersey Day!
*We will be going to the Flynn Theater on Thursday, October 31st. We will be treated to a show called Step AFRIKA! Step Afrika is a rhythmic, exuberant, and electrifying! It is the world’s first professional company devoted to stepping, a unique art form born at African American fraternities in the early 1900s, with roots in African dance and military traditions. The dancers use their bodies as instruments, creating intricate patterns of kicks, stomps, claps, and chants that pound the floor and fill the air. This high-energy performance includes traditional Zulu and gumboot dances, originally developed in the mines of South Africa. The PTA covers the transportation and some of the ticket cost. However, I will still need to collect $3.00 from each student. Please send in the payment by 10/28/13. Checks should be made out to Waitsfield Elementary School. As always, please let me know if assistance with the fee is needed. We will be eating lunch at the school upon our return from Burlington.
Here is a You Tube clip of the group:
That is all for now. I hope you have a great day.
Peace,
Tommy
Yesterday during science we discussed why the moon seems to change in the sky. I used a website that has a visual of the moon cycle and we had a discussion about the Sun, Moon, and Earth. I am hoping the children walked away with the understanding that the sun is always shining on the moon (the moon doesn't create its own light) and the moon changes in the sky because we can only see parts the the face that is being illuminated by the sun. Please keep checking the moon phases with your child. We will use these observations later in the unit.
NOTES:
*Friday is Jersey Day!
*We will be going to the Flynn Theater on Thursday, October 31st. We will be treated to a show called Step AFRIKA! Step Afrika is a rhythmic, exuberant, and electrifying! It is the world’s first professional company devoted to stepping, a unique art form born at African American fraternities in the early 1900s, with roots in African dance and military traditions. The dancers use their bodies as instruments, creating intricate patterns of kicks, stomps, claps, and chants that pound the floor and fill the air. This high-energy performance includes traditional Zulu and gumboot dances, originally developed in the mines of South Africa. The PTA covers the transportation and some of the ticket cost. However, I will still need to collect $3.00 from each student. Please send in the payment by 10/28/13. Checks should be made out to Waitsfield Elementary School. As always, please let me know if assistance with the fee is needed. We will be eating lunch at the school upon our return from Burlington.
Here is a You Tube clip of the group:
That is all for now. I hope you have a great day.
Peace,
Tommy
October 11, 2013
October 11, 2013
Good Morning,
Over the last few days, we have been looking at repetitive line books during Writer's Workshop. The students have been identifying how author's use this structure in their writing. We have read a variety of picture books as models of this writing.
During Reader's Workshop, we have been working on the idea of what good readers do when they are reading. We have been working on the concept of thinking about your reading in the sense does it make sense and do I understand what am I reading?
Yesterday, we had library in our classroom because of students taking the NECAP test in the library area. Today, we will start a year long photography project. Mr. Mongeon and I will be teaching the kids how to use a digital camera. The final project will be a part of an exhibit at the end of the year.
NOTES:
*The 1st Grade math Survey will be sent home today. It is due on Tuesday. New math homework will be sent home on Tuesday.
*The moon journals do not have to be filled in nightly. I ask that you observe on or around the key dates that I outlined in Wednesday's blog post. If your child wishes to do more, then feel free to have at it!
*Remember there is no school on Monday.
Here is this weeks video:
Peace,
Tommy
Over the last few days, we have been looking at repetitive line books during Writer's Workshop. The students have been identifying how author's use this structure in their writing. We have read a variety of picture books as models of this writing.
During Reader's Workshop, we have been working on the idea of what good readers do when they are reading. We have been working on the concept of thinking about your reading in the sense does it make sense and do I understand what am I reading?
Yesterday, we had library in our classroom because of students taking the NECAP test in the library area. Today, we will start a year long photography project. Mr. Mongeon and I will be teaching the kids how to use a digital camera. The final project will be a part of an exhibit at the end of the year.
NOTES:
*The 1st Grade math Survey will be sent home today. It is due on Tuesday. New math homework will be sent home on Tuesday.
*The moon journals do not have to be filled in nightly. I ask that you observe on or around the key dates that I outlined in Wednesday's blog post. If your child wishes to do more, then feel free to have at it!
*Remember there is no school on Monday.
Here is this weeks video:
Peace,
Tommy
October 9, 2013
Good Morning,
This week we started a science unit in the Earth, Moon, and Sun. Today your child will be bringing home their science notebook. It will be in their homework bag. Over the next 4 weeks, I would like your child to observe the moon and draw what they see in their journal. If need be, take a digital picture and have them do it during an earlier time the next day. The idea is that they will see a few distinct phases of the moon and notice that the moon appears to change. Below are the dates of major phases during this time period:
10/19 Crescent
10/12 1st Quarter
10/13 Half Moon
10/18 Full Moon
10/26 Last Quarter
10/20 Crescent
Here is a video explanation as well.
*Please keep your child's science notebook in their homework bag. We will need them for class during this time period as well.
I hope you have a great day.
Peace,
Tom
This week we started a science unit in the Earth, Moon, and Sun. Today your child will be bringing home their science notebook. It will be in their homework bag. Over the next 4 weeks, I would like your child to observe the moon and draw what they see in their journal. If need be, take a digital picture and have them do it during an earlier time the next day. The idea is that they will see a few distinct phases of the moon and notice that the moon appears to change. Below are the dates of major phases during this time period:
10/19 Crescent
10/12 1st Quarter
10/13 Half Moon
10/18 Full Moon
10/26 Last Quarter
10/20 Crescent
Here is a video explanation as well.
*Please keep your child's science notebook in their homework bag. We will need them for class during this time period as well.
I hope you have a great day.
Peace,
Tom
October 6, 2013
October 7, 2013
Howdy Folks,
I am actually writing this Sunday afternoon from school. Tomorrow all of the 1st grade math teachers from the district will be at a math data meeting. This is a required meeting and I will be out all day. Tonight, your children will bring home a reading log as part of their homework, please watch the video for an explanation on this. If you have any questions, please let me know. The reading log should be filled out all week and sent back on Fridays.
Spelling groups will start today. I have used the students assessments to create 5 different spelling groups. This is parr of their Word Work for our Daily 5 time. Barb Morrison will be leading three of these groups. She and I meet once a week to plan out the activities and everything is overseen by me. Again, please let me know if you have any questions.
**1st Grade Math Homework: Continue working on the flash cards for the 2nd week. I will send the survey home on Friday and it will be due on Tuesday of next week.**
I hope you have a great week.
Peace,
Tom
I am actually writing this Sunday afternoon from school. Tomorrow all of the 1st grade math teachers from the district will be at a math data meeting. This is a required meeting and I will be out all day. Tonight, your children will bring home a reading log as part of their homework, please watch the video for an explanation on this. If you have any questions, please let me know. The reading log should be filled out all week and sent back on Fridays.
Spelling groups will start today. I have used the students assessments to create 5 different spelling groups. This is parr of their Word Work for our Daily 5 time. Barb Morrison will be leading three of these groups. She and I meet once a week to plan out the activities and everything is overseen by me. Again, please let me know if you have any questions.
**1st Grade Math Homework: Continue working on the flash cards for the 2nd week. I will send the survey home on Friday and it will be due on Tuesday of next week.**
I hope you have a great week.
Peace,
Tom
October 4, 2013
October 4, 2013
Good Morning,
Yesterday we had our school wide celebration for reaching our ROCK goal. The students were treated to a variety of Fall themed activities. You can see some of them in this week's video. This week marked the start of many things in our classroom (Full Daily 5 implementation, 1st grade math homework, and sight words). Next week will mark the start of spelling groups.
Today we will wrap up our initial look at the needs of living things. We will pick up this science unit again in the spring (focusing on plants). We will start our Earth, Moon and Sky science unit next week.
Notes:
*Weekly News Journals are in your child's backpack.
*Please make an concerted effort to complete the reading homework each night (M-Th). Next week your child will have a reading log in their homework bag. I explained this log in a previous blog.
I hope you have a great weekend.
Peace,
Tommy
Yesterday we had our school wide celebration for reaching our ROCK goal. The students were treated to a variety of Fall themed activities. You can see some of them in this week's video. This week marked the start of many things in our classroom (Full Daily 5 implementation, 1st grade math homework, and sight words). Next week will mark the start of spelling groups.
Today we will wrap up our initial look at the needs of living things. We will pick up this science unit again in the spring (focusing on plants). We will start our Earth, Moon and Sky science unit next week.
Notes:
*Weekly News Journals are in your child's backpack.
*Please make an concerted effort to complete the reading homework each night (M-Th). Next week your child will have a reading log in their homework bag. I explained this log in a previous blog.
I hope you have a great weekend.
Peace,
Tommy
October 2, 2013
October 2, 2013
Good Morning Friends,
Yesterday marked the first day of a full Reader's Workshop. The students had four rotations through the Daily 5 activities and I met with a Reading Group and individuals about their reading. Reading homework will be sent home Monday-Thursday (with a few exceptions). Starting next week, the students will also have a reading log to fill out (each night). Second graders should be filling out their own log (with a little if needed). First graders can fill it out themselves or have a parent do it for them. Please make sure this gets done each night.
Upon arrival to the classroom, the students take care of their homework bag, sign up for meeting, and then get right to work on their sight words. This gives them 40-50 minutes a week to work on spelling sight words. IT is a very important part of each child's development as a writer and reader. The students have a variety of choices on how they practice these words. However, if your child arrives late, he/she misses out on this opportunity. In that regard, I need your help. I will do my best to make sure your child hits their potential this year, but I need them at school on time. Even being 5 minutes late each day adds up to 25 minutes a week. I truly appreciate everyone's effort to make this happen. Below is an example of one of the sight word activities.
Tomorrow, the whole school will take part in our 1st PBIS celebration. We will head outside at 1:30 and be engaged in a variety of Fall themed activities. I heard a rumor of Gourd Bocce. It should be a fun time for the students.
1st Grade Math: The cards sent home yesterday were meant to be flashcards. Cut them out and practice with your child whenever you have a chance. Five minutes a day will go a very long way!
**There is a PTA sponsored potluck at the school tonight. The idea was to have an avenue for new families to meet the other families of the Waitsfield School. I will not be attending tonight. As many of you are experiencing, kids schedules are quite busy and I need to be available for my family tonight. After being here last Tuesday for Open House, I couldn't ask my wife to try to go solo again this week. I apologize for my absence and hope you enjoy the event.
I hope you have a wonderful day.
Peace,
Tom
Yesterday marked the first day of a full Reader's Workshop. The students had four rotations through the Daily 5 activities and I met with a Reading Group and individuals about their reading. Reading homework will be sent home Monday-Thursday (with a few exceptions). Starting next week, the students will also have a reading log to fill out (each night). Second graders should be filling out their own log (with a little if needed). First graders can fill it out themselves or have a parent do it for them. Please make sure this gets done each night.
Upon arrival to the classroom, the students take care of their homework bag, sign up for meeting, and then get right to work on their sight words. This gives them 40-50 minutes a week to work on spelling sight words. IT is a very important part of each child's development as a writer and reader. The students have a variety of choices on how they practice these words. However, if your child arrives late, he/she misses out on this opportunity. In that regard, I need your help. I will do my best to make sure your child hits their potential this year, but I need them at school on time. Even being 5 minutes late each day adds up to 25 minutes a week. I truly appreciate everyone's effort to make this happen. Below is an example of one of the sight word activities.
Tomorrow, the whole school will take part in our 1st PBIS celebration. We will head outside at 1:30 and be engaged in a variety of Fall themed activities. I heard a rumor of Gourd Bocce. It should be a fun time for the students.
1st Grade Math: The cards sent home yesterday were meant to be flashcards. Cut them out and practice with your child whenever you have a chance. Five minutes a day will go a very long way!
**There is a PTA sponsored potluck at the school tonight. The idea was to have an avenue for new families to meet the other families of the Waitsfield School. I will not be attending tonight. As many of you are experiencing, kids schedules are quite busy and I need to be available for my family tonight. After being here last Tuesday for Open House, I couldn't ask my wife to try to go solo again this week. I apologize for my absence and hope you enjoy the event.
I hope you have a wonderful day.
Peace,
Tom
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