Apples, Apples and More Apples!

This week we learned more about apples. We talked about the parts of an apple (seeds, flesh, core, skin, leaf, and stem) and that apples aren’t always just one color. For one of our projects we ripped up pieces of paper and glued them to a paper apple. We had to use two colors for the the skin, brown for the stem and green for the leaf. (Some kids must have had bruised apples because some of them ended up with brown on the apple, too. :) )

We each made an apple tree growth chart today. We talked about the different stages of an apple tree- seed, sprout, seedling and tree.

Today we read the story of “The little red house with no windows or doors with a star.” The kids thought it was awesome to see a star in the middle of an apple!

Ten Apples Up On Top! We listened to a youtube reading of the book Ten Apples Up On Top! Then we drew a picture of ourselves and made tissue paper apples to glue on top of our heads. When we made it to the top, we counted our apples and wrote the number word. (“Mrs. Nelson has seven apples up on Top!”) These are decorating the hall right now.

I started using “Blurt Chart” today. Some of the kids have some trouble remembering to raise their hand, so I made a “Blurt Chart” so they can see how much it is actually happening. It is only a chart with 3 post-it notes next to their name. Each time they blurt, they need to remove a post-it. If a student loses all three post-its by the end of the day, they get moved down. If they still have all three by the end of the day, they get moved up! Two students lost all three today, and eight still had all three by the end of the day! It was unbelievable how quiet they were!

Remember to send a picture of someone/ something special! I love watching the kids look at the pictures with their friends during playtime. They get so proud to show them off!

We have learned two sight words so far- I and can. We are also learning about the phrase “I can.” We read a book called My Bus. We only had a few minutes to practice reading it to a buddy, but I am confident that they will be able to read it to you! Remember to sign it and send it back!

We finished our “Friend” journal today and it was sent home. Have your child read it to you! Make sure they touch each word as they read it! We started a new “My Friend Can..” journal. Each day I will pick a student to tell us what they can do. Today we wrote “Mrs. Nelson can cook.” and drew a picture of me cooking.

We started centers this week. 
Puzzles- The kids worked together in a group to put several puzzles together. Each puzzle had a category (ex. tools) and they had to find the four pieces to go with it.  
                              
Train Sorting-  The kids sorted the cars by shapes, numbers and letters. 

Apple Patterns- We finished the AB and ABB patterns. If we had time, we colored the pictures.

Candy Land- The kids worked on their colors, counting, and most important, working together and taking turns! 

Names- the kids were given a packet with each classmates picture on it. They had to find each students name and write their name next to it. (This will be a two week center since there are so many names to write!)

On the back of the center sheets, there will be a number- either 1, 2, or 3. 3 is the best and hopefully what they will get every time! I will also write a quick note on it saying good job, amazing, or something to explain why it wasn’t a 3.

Iowa-Grant Cheer Camp! Even though the permission slip says “daughter,” boys are welcome to attend, too!

Remember to return your Homecoming permission slips.

We got an extra recess today! Ask them to tell you why! I hope they would be able to tell you that since we had been very respectful and hard working this year so far that they let the whole school have an extra recess in the morning!
Here are a few playtime pictures from today. The kids played Candy Land and made a puppet show!