January 26th

Some things we did this week:

• Learned more about snap words and how we acquire new snap words everyday
• Finished up our nonfiction books and shared them with the Koalas
• Practiced some tough math word problems
• Began working on items for our market
• Enjoyed a very entertaining visit with Sandra Dodge author of Grandma Pearl Goes Kaflooey
• Made moon, sun and earth models
• Tried to make moon rocks...#pinterestfail
• Played a new iPad math game

Some things to ask your child:

• Fill in the blank: The moon _____ around the earth. (orbits) 
• What are you working on for the market? 
• What have you learned about the moon?
• What is belly breathing? 
• What did you play with at choice time this week? 
• Which book did you display for the Koalas to see? 

Important Dates:

• EARLY RELEASE DAY February 7th
• YOU'RE INVITED: Water Princess fundraising market February 2nd 8:30-8:45
• Valentine's Day breakfast February 14th $2.00 per student for a full french toast stick breakfast in the cafe I will send more information home as the time approaches.
• 100th day is looking like it will be February 7th check out the 100th day project sent home in the blue folders today. 

Water Princess Fundraising Update:

So far we have raised $61 through outside donors with more on the way. If your business offers any donations to causes similar to this please let me know and I'd be happy to send a long a request letter along with a note from some of our Loons. The items crafted already are far exceeding my expectations!!! We have things like comic books, bracelets, crowns, cards, bookmarks, airplanes, etc.. The kids are so excited to host all of our shoppers! THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT! 

Artisans hard at work! 

January 19th

Some things we did this week:

• Earned our Reading Detective badges
• Learned how local author and illustrator Mary Preble uses Gelli Mats to make her artwork
• Started learning about the phases of the moon
• Taught what makes a good reading partner
• Practiced writing with help from our reading partners
• Learned why penguins have wings even though they don't fly
• Practiced comparing numbers using >, < and = signs
• Made paper tables out of 5 pieces of paper and tested how many books it can hold. Our record: 39 books!!!

Some things to ask your child:

• How can you tell if you're a good reading partner?
• Why do penguins have wings? 
• What happens in the book The Giving Tree?
• How many books did your STEAM table hold? 

Important Dates:

• EARLY RELEASE DAY February 7th
• YOU'RE INVITED: Water Princess fundraising market TENTATIVELY planned for the morning of February 2nd, we would love to have you join! If not the 2nd then we will do the 9th at about 8:30-9:15. Again this is not set in stone but gives you an idea for scheduling. 
• Valentine's Day breakfast February 14th $2.00 per student for a full french toast stick breakfast in the cafe I will send more information home as the time approaches 
• 100th day is looking like it will be February 7th

Strongest Table winners! 

January 12th

Some things we did this week:

• Made Martin Luther King Jr. craft projects
• TOP SECRET: We were assigned reading missions by the SSDA (Super Secret Detective Agency)...We're still trying to figure out who's sending us these clues! So far no leads...
• Read Nate the Great and Martin's Big Words
• Wrote about a dream we have for the world to be a better place
• Learned how wells are made in Africa 
• Completed our math midterm diagnostic, they did amazing!!! (We were expected to grow +15 points but our class average was +27)
• Learned a new math game "Crash"
• Learned about Noble Peace Prize winners
• Worked on word problems in math

Some things to ask your child:

• What would you want to earn a Noble Peace Prize for? 
• What makes a good reading partner? 
• What have you been noticing about the moon? 

Important Dates:

• NO SCHOOL Monday January 15th

Tallest tower winners! 

January 5th

Some things we did this week:

• Made New Years resolutions
• Finished up our nonfiction reading unit
• Wrote letters to the Chair Fairy requesting new seats
• Learned about why baby animals are so cute!
• Continued working on word problems within 20
• Played "Door 24" an iReady game app
• Got new flashlights for Flashlight Friday
• Voted to have a "Gum Day" as our next class reward

Some things to ask your child:

• What do baby animals have in common?
• Can you show me how to read while adding drama/acting it out?
• What is your goal for 2018?
• Who do you sit with now? How's that going? 

Important Dates:

• NO SCHOOL Monday January 15th
• Moon journals will be coming home next week, be on the lookout! 

Stay warm this weekend! 

Little Activists

Check out your amazing first grader!!! Bravo to them for their thoughtful nature and giving hearts! Click the link below to read about them in the Exeter News-Letter...

 Stratham Memorial first-graders fundraising for African crisis