Bubbles!

This week we continued to get to know our classmates and we also did a few bubble activities! I gave the kids some paper cones and asked them if they had any idea what we would be doing with them. There were some great suggestions! Party hats, telescopes, horn, etc. When I told them it was for bubbles, they didn’t believe me!

We started our Read to Self time on Thursday. They each have their own box with books in it to read quietly in a place that they choose. We are just beginning to build our stamina, so we have only red for about 3 minutes each time.  

Math- We started math this week. We read a book about number scenes (if the number on the top was 2, there were two buildings, 2 trees, 2 cows.... We went all the way up to 10. They had fun pointing out all the different groups on each page! We made our own math scenes on the white board. Ask your child to point out their picture below.

We began using math trays, too. These are manipulatives that we can use to sort, counts, arrange, etc. We worked with partners pulling down numbers and putting that many tiles next to it.

On Thursday we did another project with bubbles… this time I poured bubble solution right on the table! They used straws to blow bubbles. Some could even blow another bubble inside of another! I also showed them that if you put bubble solution on your finger, you could touch a bubble!

Reading- We started our new reading series and learned our very first sight word- I! We also reviewed the letters A-E. We learned about a new genre- tales. We learned that they are made up stories, usually have animals as characters and teach a lesson. Our big question this week was “What makes everyone special?” We also each wrote a sentence and read it to the class! We will be keeping those here for a few days so that we can read them again.

Looking Ahead

We will be learning about apples for the next two weeks. Please send an apple, or 2 or 3, to school by Friday. We will be make something special with them! If you happen to know the kind of apple, please send a note with the name so we can talk about all the different kinds!

Reading Fest is Monday (14th)!

I have a doctors appt. Thursday morning, so the kids will have a sub (Mrs. Schroeder). I will be back after lunch though!

Specials Next Week

B- Music, Guidance, Art    C-Art      D- Music, PE, Library      E-PE        F-PE

23 questions to ask instead of 'how was your day at school?'

• This is something I came across the other day. I was already struggling about this with trying to get my girls to tell me anything about daycare!
• "You might be able to get away with asking, "how was your day at school" right at the beginning of the school year, but not long after. After all, there are new teachers and friends to talk about, new projects, new classrooms, and new backpacks to talk about. But in a month? Your question about their day is going to result in a one-word answer: "good." That doesn't give you much information.
  Mix it up a little with 23 questions that should get more than a single syllable response.

• 1. What's the funniest thing that happened today?

• 2. Can you tell me 3 different people you talked to today?

• 3. If I was your teacher tomorrow, what would you want me to teach?

• 4. What's the biggest difference between this year and last year?

• 5. What's something special that happened today that you wish happened every day?

• 6. Who would you like to play with at recess tomorrow?

• 7. What will you do tomorrow that's different from today?

• 8. Who would you like to switch seats with tomorrow?

• 9. Did you use your markers at school today? When?

• 10. What's something from home you wish your classroom had?

• 11. If I called your teacher, what would they say about you?

• 12. What are you excited to do tomorrow?

• 13. Which school rules are the same as the ones we have at home?

• 14. What was the hardest thing about today?

• 15. If you were the teacher, what would you teach?

• 16. What did you eat first at lunch?

• 17. Who was your favorite person to talk to today?

• 18. What didn't you have today that you want to have for tomorrow?

• 19. Did you notice what your teacher was wearing today?

• 20. Who do you want to be better friends with?

• 21. If a spaceship came to class and beamed up someone, who would you want it to be?

• 22. When were you bored today?

• 23. Could you tell me your favorite part about today in just 2 different words?

  Asking questions about specific moments, or questions that include a number are going to get your kid to open up about their day. There's nothing wrong with the old standby, "how was your day at school?" but come January, you are going to want something new to ask."
• source: http://www.familyshare.com/parenting/23-questions-to-ask-instead-of-how-was-your-day-at-school

Reading Fest and Homecoming

Reading Fest 2015

Welcome Home

Our annual Family Reading Fest will take place at IGEMS on Monday, September 14th from 6:30 to 8;00. 

We welcome all families back to IGEMS to see what is happening in the IGEMS building when it comes to reading. We will have a time for families to read together, group readings, skits, awards for summer readers and a RIF book for each child. Come and join our family at IGEMS. Hope to see you there!

Homecoming

Reminder that the parade is at 2:30. We will meet parents outside across from the school or in the classroom at 2:15. If you are taking your child home with you, please make sure to let me know you have them before you leave. You will also have to sign out in the office (it might be easier to sign them out before the parade!) Remember to dress in red and black!

Happy First Day!

We had a wonderful first day! The morning started off a little tough for some kids when the they went outside for recess before school, but once we got back to the classroom, everything was great! I'm sure the kids will do wonderful tomorrow now that they are starting to learn the routine.

The question I got asked most today was... "When are we going to play?" and of course playtime is at the end of the day at 2:45! 

Today we did a little coloring, writing our name, numbers, ABCs and getting to know each other. We only had PE with Mr. Rear for a special, but tomorrow we will have Music and Art. (We will not have Guidance for a while because Mrs. Belken broke her elbow in a fall and will be gone until she starts to feel better.)

I'm sure you will hear so many stories tonight and you will be able to use these pictures to help them remember all the new friends that they made!