Friday 3/8

We loved looking out the window at all of the snow! 

We started the morning with Friday Finish-Up.  First graders worked on their how-to books.  The kids are taking their time adding beautiful illustrations and neat handwriting.  They should be ready for you to see at Open House!  Kindergarteners worked on things in their red folders and then had some time to look through Ice Age books and a read-aloud by Maf. 

We switched gears to Social Studies.  We discussed American symbols and landmarks through a Scholastic magazine and video clip.  On the back of the Scholastic magazine, there was  a map so talked about the cardinal directions.  Take some time to find things on a map that are North, South, East & West with your child. 

                                                                    

Video clip from Discovery Education

First graders remembered that rulers are used to make straight lines and to measure things.  Since they worked so hard this week, they worked on a craft during our first grade time.  They used rulers to make a picture or design out of straight lines.  Then they used watercolors to decorate their picture.

I forgot to mention on Thursday the first graders started their study of Africa.   The kids shared what they think they know about the continent of Africa and the people and animals that live there.  I then read one story to kick off this new unit.

Kindergarteners made awesome wooly mammoths!!  I wish I had taken picture of them to share with you!  

Our afternoon consisted of choice, gym, and Dr. Seuss read-alouds. 

Thank you to so many families for signing up for another snack week. We have a few weeks open.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday, 3/7

We started our morning with math stations.  The kids were highly engaged creating number combinations.

It was very exciting that we got to eat in the classroom all together today!

We ended the day with writing.  First graders worked on their How-To planners and books.  Kindergarteners created a story together based on a snowy day picture.  Some Kindergarteners shared their a piece of writing from this week.

We have gone through one rotation of snack. Please sign up if you would like to contribute snack for another week. http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F094EADAA29A02-snack

Wed. March 6

Today we celebrated Dr. Seuss' birthday! 
The kids made a Cat in the Hat mask, Thing 1 & Thing 2, and oobleck! 

Thanks to Liz for leading this station.  Here are the directions: http://www.instructables.com/id/Oobleck/

We ended our day playing Top It with a partner.

Tuesday 3/5

Look for an invitation in your child's folder today!

We hope you can join us for the Stratton School Open House on Wednesday, March 13th. Come visit between 6:30 and 8pm. All family members are invited to this fun event.  You child will take you on a scavenger hunt!


The kids shared their March comes in like a.. And goes out like a ... with the class.

We ended our day with Open Circle. We attempted to concentrate and take turns to make the sounds of a rainstorm.  We'll keep trying and trying until it sounds just like a real rainstorm!!  Then we thought of 4 ways to solve a problem. We picked what we thought was the best solution, but oh no! It didn't work! We tried a different solution and it did work!  We'll continue to use the traffic signal to help us solve problems.
Stop- Calm down and say the problem.
Think-What could you do to solve the problem? What do you think is the best solution?
Go-Try the best one!

We hope Ms. Dichter feels better!!!

Week of 2/25/13

Check out what we did last week in Room 8!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpcieoSSjl4

Monday 3/4

Hope everyone had a nice weekend!

The children learned a new math game- turn over 10. You could play this game at home with a deck of cards. Ask your child how to play.

We ended our day with an Open Circle read aloud.

Friday 3/1

I spent the day at my last Open Circle training workshop.  I feel ready to jump into the rest of the problem solving lessons!  We will use the traffic signal often.  We'll post the Home-School Links when we conclude lessons so you'll know exactly which step we are on.  Please practice using the steps with your child at home.


Can you believe it's March already!?  The kids worked with a partner to create a saying:  March comes in like a ___ and goes out like a ____.   I stopped by school and saw their posters- They came out great!!

Thank you to Jill's grandfather Tutti & friend Carol for being our mystery readers today.  The kids were engrossed for two stories-Feathers for Lunch and The Great Kapok Tree. A special thank you for the Beanie Babies.  We love listening to stories read by our mystery readers!

Rhyming poetry with Liza!

Fun at choice time








We don't have any other mystery readers set up.  If you or someone in your family is free on Fridays at 1:30, please sign up here: tinyurl.com/mysteryreaders  If this time doesn't work for you, please email me with a time preference and we'll try our best to make it work: nmelnik@arlington.k12.ma.us

Have a great weekend!