This week Ms. Samantha began working with our class. She is a student teacher from UVM who will be with us every day. She has been a wonderful addition. Below is a photo of a student measuring the height of a Rock Hopper Penguin.

We have been practicing counting by 10s off-decade from any starting number. 

Ms. Betsy came to read us one of her new books. 

Miss Lisa is teaching us more sign language. We focused on body positions last week and animals and colors this week. 

January is Black American History month. We are also learning about the importance of Peace. We enjoyed a Todd Parr read-aloud of his peace book. We painted peace plates.

                          

100-grid penguin puzzles. Each student tried a few unique puzzles.

This month we are writing non-fiction teaching books. Students are writing about many unique topics including basketball, skiing, Pokemon, natural disasters, and gardening, etc. This week we focused on adding details and labels to the pictures, adding lists, and using comparisons and twin sentences. Next week we will practice writing strong beginnings (introductions) and endings(conclusions).

Free Choice time and indoor recess fun!

We have been learning about Poverty Awareness. Yesterday we read the book Maddi's Fridge. The book is discribed as: a children's picture book about two best friends, Sofia and Maddi that addresses childhood hunger and poverty with sensitivity and humor.   After reading the book, we decorated refridgerator doors with pictures of things that bring us joy and make us happy. 

                   

January is a school-wide assessment month. All 1st grade students will take assessments in reading and spelling sight words, reading grade level passages, and reading word lists with varying difficulty. They will also take a Forefront math assessment. Many of these assessments were also given in September. Retesting helps to provide information about student learning growth. 

Report cards will be sent out via email by the end of the month.

Have a great long weekend.