Speaking of gifts given, I don't know who the gift pictured below is from. I'm working on thank you's tonight and would like to say a proper "thank you" to the person who gave it to me. It may have come with a card, but by the time the day was over on December 20, my desk had a HUGE pile of gifts on it, and the card may have been separated from the gift. If it's from you, please let me know!
Growing up it was an expectation that I write thank you's after receiving gifts. If this isn't something you do at your house, please consider it. It's a great way to practice authentic writing, and it shows appreciation for the gift/gifts given.
Speaking of gifts given, I don't know who the gift pictured below is from. I'm working on thank you's tonight and would like to say a proper "thank you" to the person who gave it to me. It may have come with a card, but by the time the day was over on December 20, my desk had a HUGE pile of gifts on it, and the card may have been separated from the gift. If it's from you, please let me know!
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It's time for some new playdoh. I'm looking for the full size cans, not the party size. Would you be willing to donate some? If yes, thank you SO much!
Congratulations to the following students who have been chosen for Titan of the Month. They are respectful, responsible, and safe on a daily basis!
Elliot-September Asher-October Josephine-November Brayton-December The December snack calendar has posted under "snack calendars."
I was in a rush when I updated the blog today so I'm sorry if I wasn't very clear about our project for Elliot's uncle.
Your child can make a Christmas Card and write a Christmas letter this weekend as homework. Please make one for Payton, and the other one for a "soldier." Some examples are below. The examples were letters that were sent with the cookie care packages (Iowa Cookie Crumbs) earlier this month. If you would like to help with the postage, please send whatever amount you are comfortable with ($2.00, $5.00, $10.00, $20.00). Of course, ALL of this is optional! Elliot's uncle, Payton Hiffernan, is a Marine, and won't be home for Christmas. Her grandma is sending 40 care packages to his platoon and I've volunteer our class to write letters and make Christmas cards to send in the care packages. We will need at least 40 letters and cards to send.
Though we will work on this project at school, I'm wondering if some of the kids would be willing to write a letter and/or make a card at home this weekend. The packages will need to be mailed on December 2 and with Thanksgiving break, that doesn't give us a lot of time. Elliot's grandma is also collecting monetary donations for postage. If you would be willing to donate, please send your donation on or before December 2. Please mark it "postage donation." Thanks in advance! On Tuesday, a speaker from Hitchcock Nature Center came to Kreft to teach the students about the earth, the sun and the moon. The kids LOVED it!
We are currently learning about the sun, moon, and stars. Earlier this week a mobile planetarium came to Kreft, which the kids LOVED! I think it would be fun for the kids to visit a real planetarium. If you have a free weekend, take a trip to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where they have a planetarium. I believe UNO has one as well, though it's only open during certain times. Talk with your child about the sun, moon, and stars. Go outside on a clear night and look at the moon and stars. We are using a program called Mystery Science to teach this unit. Ask your child what he/she has learned so far, and about the activities we've done. Attendance TrophyAfter dealing with a lot of sickness in our classroom, including me, we won the attendance trophy AGAIN! Great job kids! WritingDuring literacy students work at centers that focus on reading and writing. I'm sure you have seen cards and letters come home that have been written for parents. Students often make cards and letters for staff members remembering them on their birthdays, or thanking them for the job they do at school. The card below was made for Jay, the custodian who cleans our classroom. It's so sweet I had to share! Kids Say The Funniest Things!While having a discussion during science, one student shared some of the things he knew about space. When I asked how he learned so much he replied, "I watch a LOT of tv and I have lots of small talk with my mom!" When play time was over today one child looked like he was about to cry. I asked him what was wrong and he said, "Two girls were saying something to me at the house center that I really didn't like." I asked him to tell me more as I was quite curious about what was said. He replied, "They told me that I should get down on one knee and PURPOSE to them, and I didn't want to!" Story TimeDuring story time we are doing an author study of Mo Willems. He is the writer of the Elephant and Piggie books, the Pigeon books, and Knufflebunny, to name a few. The kids LOVE hearing his books.
Below are two of his websites that I'm sure the kids would enjoy looking at. While talking about how to show respect to the flag, I explained to the kids that some people take their hats off before the national anthem or the flag salute. One child looked worried while raising his hand. He said, "What if someone is wearing fake hair or a wig? Do they have to take that off, too?" After having lots of sick students these past few weeks, I'm finally getting sick as well. While reading to the class during snack I felt as if I might lose my voice. A child raised his hand and said, "Why is your voice so dark, and low!" One day last week I had to leave early for a doctor's appointment. Of course the kids want to know exactly why I'm going to the doctor. After explaining that I have a wart on my finger that just won't go away, one child suggested, "Put duck tape on it. That's what my sister does!" I'm thinking that actually might be a good idea! LOL Halloween PartyA BIG thank you to everyone who helped with the Halloween Party. Whether you came to the party, sent donations, or planned the party, THANK YOU so much! The kids had a great time! Book FairThe Kreft Book Fair, sponsored by the PTA, will be here at Kreft this week. It will also be open during Family Activity Night (November 7). Each year I try to make sure that EVERY child in my class is able to purchase a book at the book fair. If you would be willing to make a small donation ($2-$5.00), I will use what you send to buy books for children who are unable to. Please mark the envelope BOOK FAIR DONATION. Because the Book Fair is a fundraiser for the PTA, the books are more pricy than they are in the book order. If you plan to send money with your child to buy books, I would suggest sending at least $5.00. You may send book money November 5, 6, or 7. Our class will actually shop on Wednesday, November 6, at 10:00. If you are planning to attend Family Activity Night, it might be best to shop with your child that night. Trying to shop (by myself) with 23 first graders who have little knowledge of money can be a challenge, to say the least! Directed DrawingOn Halloween we read a story called The Little Old Lady Who Wasn't Afraid of Anything. After the story we did a "directed drawing" of a scarecrow. The kids LOVED it! There are hundreds of directed drawings on Pinterest. Give it a try!
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AuthorMy name is Mrs. Hahn and I teach first grade at Kreft Primary at Lewis Central Community Schools in Council Bluffs, Iowa. |