February 6, 2004
Book Fair:
Students made their choices and counted out their coins to pay for their book/s. It was hard for some students to make a choice with limited funds (a real life experience!). Thank you to the parents that assisted/checked students as they counted their money.
100th Day of School:
Today is the 100th day of school. We've been doing many different activities around 100. We're making a number quilt of 100. They 're making a bag of trail mix by picking up 10 sets of ten "goodies" with chopsticks. We're pumping up balloons, our goal is to get 100. Students work in pairs. First they estimate how many pumps it take to inflate the balloon, then they count as they pump it up, and then they tell if their estimate was close. The book fair and counting out their dollars in coins reinforced ways to get to 100. My favorite activity was getting them to be quiet for 100 seconds!
Celebrating the Lunar New Year:
On Tuesday, February 10, we will be going on a field trip to Oakland Chinatown and the BART Chinese New Year presentation. Your child brought home a permission slip this week. Please return it by Monday. We need parent drivers for this trip. Thanks!
Asian/Pacific Islander Living History Day:
On Tuesday, March 9th, all the first grade classes will have the opportunity to participate in the Asian/Pacific Islander Cultural Day. A form was sent home with the students that did not return it. Please return it by next week. Thanks!
Valentine's Day Party:
Next Friday, February 13th, is our Valentine's Day Party. Room coordinators may be calling you to bring treats, drinks, and/or paper goods. If your child is planning to pass out Valentine cards for the class, a list is attached. Parents are welcome to attend.
Parent Volunteers Needed:
I need parents to assist with skill groups in the afternoon. During this time, four different groups are set up, each with a different activity. The activities are integrated with writing, math, science, and art. I need parents to help with underwriting, checking and helping students when needed.
The groups are stuctured and the students generally are doing well by staying on task. However, I feel I'm not able to help students as much as I would like because I'm mostly supervising. I'm not able to get to their individual needs. My lessons tend to be open-ended and hand-on, so every student's work is unique and needs to be addressed accordingly. I hope you can help.
Skill Groups are Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday at 1:50-2:50. On Friday they are scheduled at 12:40-1:40, but it sometimes changes to the last hour of the day if there is an assembly. Presently I have one parent, Cynthia, Ryan's mom, that comes in on Thursdays. If you can't do it on a regular basis, maybe you can team up with another parent and alternate weeks. If you can help on any of these days, please let me know. Thanks!
Everybody Eats Bread:
We will be starting a multicultural unit on breads around the would. Please let me know which country and the name of the bread your child will be bringing in. If you would like to make the bread with the class, that would even be better!
Please sign up A.S.A.P. I'm hoping we'll be able to taste a couple kinds of bread a week.
January 30, 2004 (Highlight)
Lindsay Wildlife Museum:
Hopefully your child shared with you something s/he learned, say, heard, or felt at the museum. The museum's wildlife rehabilitation center treats more than 6,000 native California wild animals each year, returning whenever possible, most of them to the wild. The students learned what to do if they see a wild animal and what some animals will do to protect themselves. They saw mammals sleeping, birds perched high, and saw/felt the backbone of reptiles. Have them name some of the animals they saw.
After the museum we went on a jog through the park, then sat down for lunch. It was a beautiful day!
Storytelling:
Julia's grandmother, Bobbie, came in and told the class stories related to the Asian culture. One story was about a boy who swallowed a pearl and was transformed into a dragon. We learned about dragons and their significance. In another story about a magic paintbrush (Bobbie gave each student a paintbrush so they could make "magic"). We are reminded that with hard work, you can do what you set out to do. The third story was about a sculptor who "listened" to the rock/jade that was to be carved for the emperor. He doesn't carve what the emperor wants, but gives him so much more.
Book Fair:
As a class, we will be going to the book fair next Friday, at our scheduled library time. We've been learning about money. I am asking all students to bring at least three dollars in coins so your child can purchase a book on his/her own (or you can make the selection with your child prior to or when we go as a class). I like to use the book fair as an opportunity for students to practice math/money concepts and learn to make choices.
January 23, 2004 (Highlight)
What a Wonderful Class!
Hats off to Ariel, Claire, and Kennedy, for speaking at the Oratorical Fest today! Ariel wrote an original speech, Claire recited a poem by Langston Hughes, and Kennedy recited some words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Great job girls!
In the spirit of the oratorical, our class did a choral presentation "What a Wonderful World!" The kids were terrific!
Time Capsule:
We have been writing for our time capsules. Please have your child bring his/her time capsule container. Remember to include your letter to your child.
January 9, 2004 (Highlight)
Happy New Year and we're off to an exciting start! This week we started writing things for our time capsule. When we finish this project, your child will bring his/her time capsule home for safe keeping unit the year 2005 (if you can wait that long).
Field Trip to Lindsay Wildlife Museum:
On Thursday, January 29, we will be going to the Lindsay Museum in Walnut Creek. We will be leaving school at 9:30 a.m. and returning by 2:30 p.m. We are scheduled for the "Animal Characteristics" program at 10:30. Hopefully it won't rain that day and we'll be able to spend time at the park.
We need parent drivers for this trip. A permission slip will be sent home next week.