Mystery Reader
We are such a lucky class! One of our class ambassadors came in today to be our mystery reader! She read us five books!
It was a great day!
Making Snowflakes
Yesterday, we were able to go to the science lab for a very special snowflake lesson! Sam the Snowman and Shannon the Snowman taught us about water molecules. Then we learned how to model them using toothpicks and marshmallows! We kept track of how many atoms and molecules we were using by repeatedly adding three to whatever total we already had. We also talked about the shapes the molecules made when they were connected. It was so much fun and we learned a lot!
Reading and Writing Charts
We are beginning new reading and writing units! In reading, we will be focusing on characters. We will study them and think about their thoughts, feelings, and traits. In writing, we will begin writing reviews! Here are some charts that might be of use to you at home when working with your child!
Reading Charts
Writing Charts
Word of the Month: Optimism!
Be Positive! Optimism is the ability to remain hopeful and confident about the future or successful outcome of something.
Assembly Read Aloud:
Pete the Cat I Like My White Shoes by Eric Litwin
Books with Optimism Theme:
 Be Positive! A Book about Optimism by Cheri Meiners |
 Wanda’s Roses by Pat Brisson |
 Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin |
 When Pigs Fly by Valerie Coulman |
 The Carrot Seed by Ruth Kraus |
 Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen by Cari Best |
 The Little Engine that Could by Watty Piper |
 I Think, I Am by Louise Hay |
Additional Resources:
Songs:
Class “Pet”!
I’d like to introduce our new class pet – Flamer Rexy! Students contributed names and then we all voted to figure out his first and last name (we even voted if he should be a boy or a girl!). We are so excited to have him in our room to enjoy all our first grade adventures with us! On the weekends, students will be picked at random to take Flamer Rexy home to continue the fun. Then on Mondays, during our morning meeting, the student that had Flamer Rexy will be given some time to share about their weekend together – verbally or with pictures! If you do not want your child to participate in bringing Flamer Rexy home, or if you have any questions, please let me know.
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays! We have had a few fun-filled weeks leading up to the break! We imagined living in a snow globe, we learned a winter song, had a mystery reader, and had an awesome party! At the party we made snowman ornaments, noise makers, watched the ball drop, performed for parents, and had an amazing time! It’s been a great December! Let’s all enjoy the break and see each other again in 2017!
Blizzard Boxes!
This request may find you busy preparing for the upcoming holidays and sharing special celebrations with family and friends. It is our hope, however, that your family will reserve some time to help with our community service project.
For the fifteenth year, William O. Schaefer’s community service activity will be donating BLIZZARD BOXES, formerly known as Covered Cupboards, for the Meals on Wheels Program.
A BLIZZARD BOX is an assortment of donated non-perishable food items packed into shoeboxes. Refer to BLIZZARD BOX FOOD LIST to find out all the details, including the suggested foods. Please be sure to check product expiration date.
Please wrap the lids separately from the boxes – wrap the top of the shoe box separately from the bottom of the shoe box (no boot boxes please) in grocery bag paper in order to make sure contents are easily accessible. Do not put any decorations on the box. Children can use their imagination to draw pictures on the paper that seniors would enjoy receiving! The BLIZZARD BOXES will be delivered to the recipients of the Home Delivered Meals Program if regular food deliveries are halted due to weather related or other emergencies.
Consider creating a BLIZZARD BOX with your family. Drop off your BLIZZARD BOX at William O. Schaefer (WOS), 140 Lester Drive, Tappan, New York between December 5th and December 16th.
Thank you in advance for giving so generously to the seniors in our community during this winter season.
Reading and Writing Charts
Tomorrow, we will be starting new reading and writing units! After speaking with several parents, I realized that it might be helpful to share some of the charts we will use throughout the units to help us learn. We have not learned this information yet (at least not in the context of the new units). However, as the units develop, I thought these might be useful tools to reference when working with your children. These charts will include the strategies and language we use in the classroom. If you have questions about the terminology, feel free to ask!
Nonfiction Writing
Nonfiction Writing
Nonfiction Writing
Nonfiction Reading
Nonfiction Reading
Nonfiction Reading
Mystery Reader and What We are Grateful For…
Today, we were lucky enough to have a mystery reader! It’s was a student’s grandmother all the way from the UK! She read The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson. It was great! Then we got to decorate a giant turkey in the cafeteria. We hung hearts that said what we’re grateful for. We are grateful for: our moms, dads, brothers, sisters, families, friends, pets, school, and more! It was a wonderful day!
Philipsburg Manor
Our field trip was great! We learned so much about life long ago! We got to visit a mill, a barn, a farm, an activity center, and a house from the 1700s. Make sure to ask your children about it!
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