Ms. Rossi’s first graders know all about opinion writing! They began this writing unit by learning how to judge a collection of items and choosing “best in show”. After that they learned how to write reviews about things like toys, restaurants, birthday places, water parks and even vacation destinations. Finally, they finished the unit with book reviews. Throughout the unit, they focused on writing an opinion clearly and supporting it with reasons. Since these first graders LOVE to read, they wanted to record their book reviews and pass them on to you! Enjoy!
April’s word of the month is flexibility. Having a positive and hopeful attitude helps us to overcome challenges. When times are difficult or mistakes are made, it is important to stay motivated and be flexible. Being flexible helps us when we need to cope with changes. Flexibility helps us to think about problems in new, creative ways.
Overview: Flexibility is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
Assembly Read Aloud: But, Excuse Me, That Is My Book by Lauren Child
In this funny “Charlie and Lola” adventure, Lola insists on going to the library to get her favorite book, the same one she has taken out over and over again. What will happen when she discovers that the book she loves is not on the library shelves? Will Lola be flexible and take an different book from the library shelves?
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Read Alouds:
Zoom by Istvan Banyai
Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun by Maria Dismondy
Not a Box by Antionette Portis
The Girl Who NEVER Made Mistakes by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein
Be responsible! Responsibility is being accountable for your own actions.
Assembly Read Aloud: But It’s Not My Fault!by Julia Cook
My name is Norman David Edwards… but everybody calls me Noodle. Sometimes things happen to me that get me into trouble. But it’s not my fault! This first book in the new Responsible Me! Series, follows Noodle through a very rough day at school. It just isn’t his fault that his brother’s game ran late and he didn’t finish his homework. Or that his mom forgot to remind him to turn in his library book. Or that Mary Gold got in his airspace and hit his arm with her head…
Students will join Noodle on his journey as he learns not to blame others or try to find fault, but instead practices accepting responsibility, and turns his very rough day into a very good NEW day!
Books:
Pigsty by Mark Teague
I Just Forgot by Mercer Mayer
Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie by Laura Rankin
The Way I Act by Steve Metzger
Lucy Goosey Takes Responsibility by Katherine Ciriello Clark
The Worst Day of my Life Ever! by Julia Cook and Kelsey De Weerd
I Am Responsible! by David Parker
I Tell the Truth! by David Parker
Read Aloud YouTube Videos:
Charlie and Lola:It Wasn’t Meby Lauren Child
Pigstyby Mark Teague
What If Everybody Did That?by Ellen Javernick
The Paperboyby Dav Pilkey
Ruthie and the (Not So) Teeny Tiny Lie by Laura Rankin
The Emperor’s Egg by Erin Boone
The Way I Act by Steve Metzger
The Worst Day of my Life Ever!by Julia Cook and Kelsey De Weerd
Check this out! Students in our class, along with Mrs. Berube’s class, showcased the power of a positive attitude in their WOS Word of the Month assembly about Optimism. Watch the video to learn more about positive self-talk and how optimism can see the potential in a situation and prevent us from believing that something is impossible!
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
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. Childrencan 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.
Questions can be forwarded to hhill@socsd.org, ebarsanti@socsd.org, ccosgrove@socsd.org.
The nation celebrates Veterans Day on November 11th to honor all who have served in the military for the United States. Across America, various parades and ceremonies are held to celebrate the loyal services of our country’s armed forces. Watch the video below to learn more about Veteran’s Day.
The Character Education Word of the Month for November is “Gratitude”. It is important that Americans give thanks for their freedom. Veteran’s Day is an opportunity to honor, give thanks and to be grateful to those who have served or are currently serving in the military.
This year, William O. Schaefer (WOS) is participating in the Vetiquette Program’s; Veteran’s Day Project spearheaded by Maureen Kelly. Each student will decorate a brown lunch bag which will be filled with candy and gifted to a veteran. Students will also write a note of thanks on a dog tag style card identifying at least one character trait that our veterans display by their service. (e.g., brave, generous, selfless, kind, etc.) As liaison to the project, first grade teacher Suzanne Luke coordinates the efforts of all WOS teachers and students assists in collecting, packing and shipping out the project. Thank you Mrs. Luke!
Kids Thank a Vet includes many resources to help kids learn more about veterans. There are pictures of famous veterans, book lists, activities, and much more.
Are there additional ways you and your family celebrate Veterans Day? What are they? Please share in the comment section below.
Gratitude is the quality of being thankful; the readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness. Assembly Read Aloud: The Thankful Book by Todd Parr
I am thankful for music because it makes me want to dance. I am thankful for my feet because they help me run and play. I am thankful for kisses because they make me feel loved.
Additional Titles:
An Awesome Book of Thanks by Dallas Clayton
Thankful by Eileen Spinelli
The Secret of Saying Thanks by Douglas Wood
Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson
The Most Thankful Thing by Lisa McCourt
Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? By Dr. Seuss
Every night in the United States an estimated 600,000 people live on the streets. This October, SoulPancake and Kid President want 2 million people to prove that even the smallest acts of love, like donating a pair of socks, can make a big difference in the lives of our neighbors who are homeless.
Socktober was launched by Kid President creator Brad Montague four years ago. It’s a movement to get kids and grown-ups to help the homeless in an easy, fun way.
Last year, more than 10,000 schools, families, businesses, and churches rallied together to bring Socktober to life. People from every state and continent have taken part in Socktober! This year, William O. Schaefer is participating and we are having a “Sock Drive” the last week in October!
All of the socks we collect as a community will be donated to a local shelter.
H/T to Ms. Kolesar!
Take the Sock Challenge. Leave your answer in the comments below!
Acceptance is the fact of allowing someone to become part of a group or community and making them feel welcome. Assembly Read Aloud: The Sandwich Swap by Queen Rania of Jordan
The smallest things can pull us apart-until we learn that friendship is far more powerful than difference.
Books:
Same, Same, but Different by Carol McCloud and David Messing
Assembly Read Aloud: But, Excuse Me, That Is My Book by Lauren Child
