Busy Friday!

We had a busy day!

We are making a class flag!
Each child made 2 stars.  Each group made 1 red or white stripe.

Our read aloud was about listening and interrupting. 

Speaking Up

Dear Family:

In Open Circle we learned about speaking up. In order to be able to say what we think or feel and express our ideas and opinions, it’s important to be able to speak up. We learned four steps to help us speak up:

•     Look at the person or group.

•     Speak slowly.

•     Speak clearly.

•     Say it loudly enough so that everyone can hear.

At home, ask your child to use the speaking-up steps to tell you about his/her day in school. Compliment your child on using the new skills. Encourage your child to use these skills not only at home and in school but in other places as well.

Literature Connections

Here are some books that relate to the topics we discussed in Open Circle.

Button, Lana. Willow’s Whispers. Kids Can Press, Ltd., 2010.
Willow has trouble speaking up in school, which leads to one misunderstanding after another. Ultimately she finds a way to make herself heard.

Lester, Helen. Hooway for Wodney Wat. Houghton Mifflin, 1999.
Rodney Rat speaks up once he gains some confidence.

Ms. Serrao read us this read-aloud on Wednesday.  What did Willow do at the end of the story?

Recognizing differences

This week our topic in Open Circle was recognizing differences. We learned that there are both inside and outside difference in people.  We all are a people package.  Everyone else can see the outside wrapping (hair color, height) but there is also everything else on the inside that you can't know by looking at them (interests, skills, feelings, talents).  To find out what a person is really like, you have to get to know them.

 We went around the circle and kids said "Something about me that you can't see is ______"

Today, our read-aloud was How to Make Friends with a Giant. Ask your child about Jacomo and Jake. 

At home, have a conversation with your child about the differences in people that we can see and cannot see by just looking at them. What are some things that people wouldn’t know about you by merely looking at you? Talk about some ways your child can get to know other people in school.

Literature Connections

Here are some books that relate to the topics we discussed in Open Circle.

Lionni, Leo. Frederick. Dragonfly, 1973.
Frederick isn’t like other mice. Instead of working to prepare for Winter, he likes to write poetry. Others are grateful for his talent when Winter comes and Frederick shares his poems about Spring.

Rotner, Shelley. Shades of People. Holiday House, 2009.
A diverse group of children celebrate the fact that, “Our skin is just our covering, like wrapping paper. And, you can’t tell what someone is like from the color of their skin.”

Scholastic Book Clubs

Scholastic Book Clubs Ordering Information
www.scholastic.com/bookclubs
Class Activation Code: J73DP 

Sometimes the right book is all it takes to nurture a child's love of reading. That's why we're pleased that our class will be participating in Scholastic Book Clubs this school year.

When you place your order online, you'll help earn FREE books for our class and you also get a $5 FREE Book Pick Coupon to use on your next online order!

Ordering online is fast and easy:

•  REGISTER at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs
•  ENTER the Class Activation Code J73DP  
•  CHOOSE from thousands of print titles, value packs, and Storia eBooks
•  SUBMIT the order to your child's teacher
•  EARN FREE Books for you and the classroom too!

Tapping out game

It is super fun. You have to read the words. If you get it wrong you have to leave it in the box. If you get it right you get to keep the card

Ivan

First grade field trip

This is a tornado. It doesn't really hurt people. First you run in a circle and then you walk fast. Then the tornado will go up and spin fast.
The first graders loved the discovery museum!

Erica

Update 11/15

Wow!! We have been very busy in Room 8! 

You may have noticed that we now have guest bloggers that take pictures and make posts to our blog.  The kids that have been guest bloggers so far have loved taking pictures on my iPhone and deciding what words I should type.  Keep checking for more posts.  We try to make a post a day but sometimes we just get too busy!

If you have not yet, please sign up for a parent conference.  We look forward to meeting with you to talk about your child's progress at school.   

http://arlington.k12.ma.us/parentconferences/ 

First grade progress reports are sent home before Thanksgiving break.  Kindergarten progress reports are sent home just after Thanksgiving break.  Please look for your child's progress report in their home-school folder.

       

 Wish List :)

-disinfecting wipes

Important Upcoming Dates 

Wednesday November 21st 12:00 Dismissal (No lunch at school)

Thursday November 22nd & Friday November 23rd No School- Thanksgiving Break

Thursday November 29th 11:15 Dismissal for conferences (No lunch at school, bag lunch sent home)

Monday December 3rd 11:15 Dismissal for conferences (No lunch at school, bag lunch sent home)

Tuesday December 4th First grade presentation on Africa

Thursday December 6th 11:15 Dismissal for conferences (No lunch at school, bag lunch sent home)

Thursday December 13th Evening conferences 

Monday December 10th PRIDE Assembly (first grade will be presenting!)

First graders should wear blue.  Kindergarteners should wear purple. 

Tuesday December 11th 1:00 Dismissal for teacher workshops (Regular lunch at school)

Friday December 21 Winter celebration in room 8... Wish list items coming soon....

To all who celebrate, have a wonderful Thanksgiving.  We are thankful to have such a fabulous group of kids that we work with every day!!