Report Card Update & Boots

I have not yet received our class's report cards, but as soon as I have them in my hands I will be sending them home. I apologize for the delays!

Be sure to send boots to school with your child. The playground is a bit muddy and as much as I try to keep everyone clean- we often step in puddles! Snow pants are also welcome!!

Report Cards and MAP Test Scores

On Monday you will receive your student narrative report card and MAP testing score sheet.  The MAP test is a computer based test that helps me track progress and see areas of concern or strength for your student in math and reading. I am attaching a link that will help you understand the MAP test a bit more. If you have any questions please feel free to set up a time to have a discussion with me.

NWEA MAP Test Parent Tool Kit
(When you get here there is a box on the right hand side where you can download the parent toolkit.)

Mystery Reader and Shining Light

Thank you Mrs. Reed for coming to read to the kindergarten and first grade students this Wednesday! 

(If you want to be the Mystery Reader and I haven't contacted you yet, please send me an e-mail. Mystery Readers read to the whole floor on Wednesdays at 3:00.)

Congrats Jayla! She was our Shining Light this week! I was really looking for someone who followed directions. Jayla is very good as listening and following through with what was asked! Keep up the good work!

We've Been Busy!

We had such a busy week assessing, but we also learned and had fun!

We began discussing measurement this week in math. The students cut out an outline of their own foot to measure a table and we realized we all came up with different measurements! Then we talked about the purpose of a ruler and decided that its best to measure with a ruler, which is one standard foot, rather than our own feet! After we measured items around the room and compared out feet to a standard foot.

All week long in writing we learned about non-fiction writing. We've read many non-fiction books about penguins and practiced writing facts instead of stories during writing time. Today we did one last non-fiction writing and made penguins out of our work! 

Reminder

There is no school on Monday, January 23 for a records day. See you on Tuesday!

Shining Light

On Friday, I told the students I was looking for a leader to choose for shining light. We discussed what it means to be a leader. We decided that a leader helps others with out being bossy and makes responsible choices. Makenzie did a great job of meeting those expectations all week so she was our shining light Congrats Makenzie!

I am also happy to say, as a whole class, the students are doing very well with being good sports during shining light. After the shining light is announced, the other students give high-fives, cheer, and say "Congratulations!" I am so proud of this mature behavior!

Fishing For Words

This week the kids began using a new center activity. They are fishing for sight words! I was so proud of how the students used the fishing poles responsibly and safely! They seems to really enjoy reading and writing words after fishing them out of our "ocean!"

A Few Notes Regarding Reading Bags:

Because of assessments this week and next, books will probably only be coming home 1-2 nights during the week.

A HUGE thank you goes to all the families who donated snacks and supplies to our classroom!! WE APPRECIATE YOU! 

Shining Light

Congratulations to Jaden, our Shining Light this week. He is a great friend who works well with his peers. I often overhear Jaden using his words to solve problems and saying nice things to other classmates! Keep up the good work!

Compliments and Wishes

This week in writing the students have been working on giving "Compliments and Wishes" to their peers after writing. Each student reads his or her story to their partner. After the partner gives a compliment and wish about the story he or she just heard. This activity is a beginning step to peer editing and revising.

Supplies Needed

Since it is a new year our classroom is in need of certain supplies.

 Snack
  We have a snack time everyday before we begin our centers. Its really hard for little minds to work when they are hungry. Our snack supply is running low and we currently only have pretzels left. If you can, we would appreciate whole group snack donations. Snack must be healthy and dry. Some good examples are goldfish, cheese-its, graham crackers, fruit snacks, etc. As always, students may bring in their own snacks if they want.


-Glue Sticks:
For literacy and math we do a lot of cutting and gluing. With that being said, we are completely out of glue. If you are willing and able please donate glue sticks to our busy classroom.

-Black Dry Erase Markers:
Because we frequently write with dry erase markers during centers and whole group lessons, many of our markers have dried out. If you can please send in black dry erase markers for us to use on our white boards.

Thank you in advance! 

Attribute Blocks

On our first day back we spent some time sorting attribute blocks in groups. Not only did this activity help up with our sorting skills, but the students had to figure out how to work together as a team to accomplish a goal.

The green table sorted their shapes by color.

The orange table sorted their shapes by width.

The green table sorted their shapes by shape.

The red table sorted their shapes by size.

New Mrs. Woolsey's Games Website

I put together a new website of games for the kids.  I am adding this sit as a link on the left hand side of the blog's website for easy access.

It is organized by ability level so students can play games that are appropriate for them! Alligator games are beginner level, Bear games are for students on grade level, and Cat games are for students performing above grade level. Many of the games are familiar to the students already. Enjoy & See you on Monday the 9th!

Mrs. Woolsey's Games

Read Books On Line

Another great site I found this break!

Wegivebooks.org has a huge library of children's picture books that you can read on line. This site many popular titles and authors the kids in our class know and love. What is SO cool about this site is that after you read a book, the site will donate books to children's charities! Enjoy reading over break!

wegivebooks.org

Helping Your Child Make New Years Resolutions

I hope everyone had a wonderful New Years! I found a great article from education.com about setting New Years Resolutions with children. I hope you can use it! See everyone on the 9th!

Six Tips To Help Your Child Make New Years Resolutions