Happy Halloween!

We had a great day today!! The pictures say it all :) Thank you to Mrs Randazzo and Mrs Schafer for organizing everything!!!

Candy corn Adjectives

Today in writing we tasted candy corn and came up with a HUGE list if adjectives to describe how they look, feel, taste, and smell. Ask your child tonight to tell you what an adjective is :)
Also, today the school pictures came back!! I sent them home so that you can decide if you'd like retakes on Friday.
Please read my previous post about Halloween changes that were put into into effect today.

Tomorrow is Halloween!

Tomorrow is the big day! Please send your child to school dressed and ready in their costume :) The parade will start soon after school begins so there won't be much time for changing once they have arrived.
Due to the weather, we have made some changes to our annual parade route.  We will having our costume parade indoors.  The parade will begin on the first floor, travel to the 2nd floor and then circle around in the gym.  We would like parents who are attending to stand in the gym while watching the parade.  The hallways will be lined with students and we wouldn't want to block their view or get over crowed with parents in the hallways as well. The parade will begin at approx. 8:45am.
After the parade we will be having our class halloween party in the classroom.  The party will be hosted by 2 of our parent, Mrs. Randazzo and Mrs. Schafer.  They will be supplying the snacks and games for the students. A portion of the $6 party money you turned in at the beginning of the year was used to help cover the cost.  If you havn't yet brought your $6 party money, please do so ASAP so that we will continue to have enough funds for future holiday parties. Our party will last approx. 1 hour until it will be time for the students to head to the gym for an assembly.  If you are planning to attend the party, please come ready to help out with games, serving food, clean up, and general classroom control :) This is a VERY exciting day for students and we could use all the help we can get!
Tomorrow is a HALF DAY. The students will be let out at 11:34.

Monday, oct 29th

I gave all the students your conference times today!! Many of you chose times at back to school night, but if you did not, please fill out the form and return it to me ASAP! Thanks!

Mrs. Ranieri's Baby

Many of you know that the 1st/2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Ranieri recently had her baby! The students were DYING to see a picture of him so I showed them this one I took over the weekend while visiting. I thought I'd share it with you as well :)

Anthony Joseph Ranieri. Born October 26th :)

Witches Brew!

We've been reading the book Cinderhazel in class.  This is a perfect book to practice problem & solution as well as sequencing. In writing right now we are alwso working on "How To" pieces, so we wrote our own recipes for 'How to Make Witches Brew.'  The students had to write their own steps and put them in the correct sequence.  To celebrate our hard work, we made 'real' witches brew using my top secret recipe :) (shhhh.....it's hawiian punch + Sprite!)

Insect museum!

Everyone did such a great job on their projects!! We had the first graders over to our classroom for an "insect museum" to see all of our hard work :)

Thursday, Oct. 25th

Today in class we took our first *big* science test! Overall, the class did FANTASTIC! I was very pleased :) Look for the graded test in tomorrows Friday Folder.

In reading today we read "Cinderhazel", a cinderella-like story about a witch.  We made story maps to show to problem and solution in the story. Tomorrow we will practice writing the sequence of the story and make our own witches brew :)

In writing today we did another punctuation activity.  I have been noticing that the students are not using punctuation as accurately as I would like in their actual daily writing so I've decided that we will be extending this study into the next couple weeks.

We also practiced putting words in alphabetical order with having to look at the 2nd and even 3rd letter.

**Dont forget that the insect project is due tomorrow!! All insects must have 6 legs, 3 body parts, and antennas! Also, do not forget to complete and return the accompanying "life cycle" worksheet that goes with the project!

Tomorrow is Tigers Day :) Children may wear hats & whatever other tigers clothing they have

Monday, Oct. 22

Tomorrow is the deadline for the pumpkin contest! The flier went home Friday about the contest.  If you would like to paint/decorate a pumpkin to enter, please bring it tomorrow :)

Tomorrow is also the book exchange.  Please send back the "book exchange" book your child got last time OR send a different used book that you would like to exchange for something else.

Remember that the insect project is due on Friday!! Here are a few samples to help you get started if you haven't already! Remember to also have your child fill out the information sheet about his/her insect that was attached to the project directions.

Friday, Oct. 19th

We had a great day today! In math we played a fun fact families games (I took some pictures which I will upload from home this weekend :)), made a graph, and did some review boxes.  We are getting SO good at mental math! I am very happy with the progress that most students have made already.

In reading we read a book about a monster called "Mostly Monsterly" that was connected to the "wild Things" book we read yesterday.  While reading this book we did a retelling AND worked on Problem and Solution.  Problem and Solution is our new unit in reading starting next week :)

New homework went home today!! PLEASE REMEMBER THAT  YOU ALSO HAVE THE SCIENCE HOMEWORK TO COMPLETE that was given out last week.  Each child needs to create an insect (out of clay, toilet paper rolls, Styrofoam balls, and egg carton, ect.) and also complete the worksheet that was attached to the directions sheet.  Be creative and have fun!!

Thursday, Oct. 18th

Today in class we made a fun project to go along with our retelling of the book "Where the Wild Things Are."  Students had to retell the story (without including the small details) and then were able to make a "Wild Thing" of their own :)  We read the story yesterday and reread it today.  Students also took a reading comprehension test on this story which will be coming home graded tomorrow in the Friday folder :)

In math we worked with base ten blocks and also reviewed some older concepts. I was very impressed by the work the students were able to do with the base-10 blocks and with making "trades"! They were able to make the connection between base 10 blocks and money (we can trade a dime for 10 pennies just like a "stick" for 10 cubes)

REMEMBER: HOMEWORK IS DUE TOMORROW!!! The science homework that went home last week, however, is not due until next Friday (as you saw on the direction page).

more pics :)

Pictures! :)

Monday, Oct. 15

Today in math we started Unit 3! This unit focuses primarily on place value (which is what we did today), money, and time.  Please continue practicing with money and clocks at home :)

In science made a venn diagram showing the differences between spiders and insects.  We also took a mini- quiz about this and the students did GREAT! I hope that all of you saw the insect homework in the homework folder on Friday.  That will be due in 2 weeks!

In reading we are continuing to work on retelling.  We practice this everyday using a whole-group story that we read together and then the students do it on their own with their own "letter" books. Make sure to ask your child to "retell" when they read at home too.  If they leave out an important detail, ask them to reread and try again.  It is important that students are working hard to hold information in their memories when reading so that they are able to read longer and more complex books.

We also had our first "Poetry Jam" session today. I wish I video taped it!! Some students made a rap using the poems, some read it with a friend, and some turned the poem into a song.  They were so cute! Reading poems helps kids with their reading fluency (ability to read more smoothly without pauses or choppiness)

**No reminders tonight that I can think of!! Check the Calendar section of this website to see November happening around Poupard if you haven't yet.

Thursday, Oct. 11th

Today in class we reviewed for our math test by playing an addition and subtraction dice game.  The test will primarily be over "mental math" addition and subtraction facts, as well as some review over other things we have done this unit (telling time, finding a pattern, counting money, ect)

In reading we read a play and noted the differences between the way we read a play vs. a fiction story book.  We took turns performing the play in groups.We also practiced retelling what happened in the play (which was about Christopher Columbus) and then read our own level books and retold those stories. ** It's super important for students to be able to retell about what they've read.  Their retelling needs to make sense to someone who hasn't read the book and should be clear and focused on the main points.  Children who cannot do this are not comprehending the story and need to move to a lower level book to practice this skill more.

In writing we wrote a butterfly story (to piggy-back on the spider story from yesterday-- ask you child about what they wrote-- they were hilarious!). In science we noticed that ALL 6 of our butterflies hatched!! One cocoon fell and we were afraid that it might not make it, but it did!! The kids were so happy :)  We learned that butterfly wings are symmetrical, which is one of our math words too!

Reminders: HW due tomorrow! Make sure that reading log is complete as well as 3 spelling activities and the math pages! PTO Fall Festival is tomorrow night!

Wednesday, October, 10th

THANK YOU to all the parents who came with us on the trip yesterday!! The kids had a great time and were really focused on the insects and nature around us.  I am so glad that we are able to take our kids on these kinds of trip with parents support.  Our next trip is Nov. 7th at 12:30pm-- it is to a play at the middle school :) I will be sending home the slips about a week and a half before the trip.

I updated the "calendar" link by adding the November Calendar.  This is still a work in progress but it has everything that I know so far!

Reminders: Homework due Friday, Fall Festival at Poupard is Friday night!!

Monday, October 8th

Tomorrow is our Field trip!! EVERYONE NEEDS TO BRING A PACKED LUNCH (in a disposable lunch bag) AND A BOOSTER SEAT (if your child is under the age of 8). Please dress your child for the weather tomorrow-- this is an outdoor trip.

If you are driving, I sent home a direction sheet with info about when to be at school.  PLEASE look for it, read it, and bring the directions tomorrow so you'll know where to go! See last week's post about who is driving if you would like to know :)

Friday, Oct. 5th

Poupard PTO

Invites you and your family to our Annual Fall Festival

&

Chili, Mac & Cheese, and Cornbread Cookoff!

Friday October 12

6-9 pm

Poupard Gym

Today in class we learned the word "adjective" and made a web of adjectives that discribe insects (gross! tiny, cool, creepy, colorful, ect). We also read 3 fun poems about insects and put them in our binder for reading next week.
In math we worked on number patterns that dont start at the beginning (for example, we counted by 8's and started at 24) We also had time to do some math boxes (review activities) for the concepts we've coverend this week and last.
In reading we finished reading Stellaluna (a book about a little bat who gets seperated from her family) and did some writing about the beginning, middle, and end iof the story.  Having students "recap" what they've read helps improve their comprehension and memory about what they have read. 

New homework goes hometoday for everyone! Graded spelling tests and homework are in the fodlers as well so make sure the check those out!
Hope everyone has a great weeked :)

**If you signed up to drive on the field trip on TUESDAY, I will be sending you home a sheet with directions and info on Monday afternoon.  I am counting on these people attended: Bailley's mom, Treana's Dad, Jordynn's Mom, Alayah's Mom, Nathan J's Grandma, Christopher's Mom, Yasmin's Mom, Joey's Dad, Cam's Mom, and Karvell's Grandma.  Be on the look out for your info sheet!! Thank you!

Thursday, Oct. 4th

Today in math we worked on "name collection boxes"-- which is really just the Everyday Math way of saying "Addition facts/Subtraction Facts that have the same answer."  For example, we made a name collection box for 12.  It included: 6+6, 10-2, 24-12, ect.

In reading we began a fiction story about a little bat.  We will be following up with some non-fiction reading about bat on Friday or Monday.

We also had a special guest today--Mrs. Zizelman ( the teacher who will be filling in while I am on maternity leave)!! She was so excited to meet the class and got to see how we spend our reading time :) Mrs. Z will be visiting our classroom a lot more in November as my leave gets closer.

Wed. October 3rd

Everyone looked SO cute today for picture day!!

Today in class we read the book "Stellaluna" and practiced retelling the story.  Ask your child tonight to retell the story to you!
In math we used a spring scale and a pan balance to compare the weight of different objects.  We also learned the vocab words Ounce and Pound.
In writing we finished our Fiction stories from yesterday and got a chance to share them :)

Tigers day is Friday-- wear blue and orange (hats are allowed too!)
HW due Friday

Tues. October 2nd

Thank you to all of you who brought your permission slips in today and to those who signed up to drive! We have enough drivers for the all students to attend the trip :)

Today in class we work with fact families and subtraction stories.  The kids are GREAT at addition stores (how many in all?) but are having a hard time remembering that "how many are left" and "how many more ___'s than ___'s" are subtractions stories.  They tend to always want to add! We made a list of words that are used for addition and words that are used for subtraction to help us remember.  We will continue to work on this!

In writing we wrote a fiction story to help us prepared for the Grosse Pointe Writing Practice Test.  Fiction stories have to have  characters, a setting, a problem and a solution.  The students are also going to be graded on capitalization and punctuation. 

In science we observed our caterpillars and can't WAIT for them to turn into butterflies.  They are currently hanging from the top of the butterfly cage  :)

PICTURE DAY IS TOMORROW! The form for that was in your orange folder last Friday.  Whether you are purchasing or not, your child's picture will still be taken for the yearbook :)

Monday, Oct. 1

FIELD TRIP PERMISSION SLIPS ARE DUE TOMORROW!!!! THe slips were in your orange folder on Friday. There is no cost for the trip so all you have to do is sign and return TOMORROW! Thank you!!