May 25th

Some things we did this week:

• Made "Maps" of our new reading partners, highlighting great partner qualities
• Began learning about money in preparation for our First Grade Mall
• Started our end of year iReady math assessment
• Continued working on writing our own fictional books
• Closely monitored the loon cam, they spent all of Friday swimming around the nest...The eggs are coming soon!!!
• Invented our own STEAM challenge
•  Talked about worries then named and drew pictures of them
• Learned about our "wizard brain" (prefrontal cortex) and "lizard brain" (amygdala) 

Some things to ask your child:

• What's the name of your worry?
• Who's your new reading buddy?
• How are your plants looking?
• What's going on with the loons? 

Important Dates:

• Memorial Day- NO SCHOOL Monday, May 28th
• Friday, June 1st-Wiggin Memorial Library visits our students to kick off their summer reading program. You can bring your child to the town library to sign them up.
• Grand Luncheon- Monday, June 4th
• June 6th-Retirement Reception (After school in the library)
• First Grade Mall- June 7th. Details were sent home last Friday. We would love donations to supply our mall stores. Some items will be made by the students as well. This is an all student led event!
• Field Day- Friday, June 8th Volunteers will be needed. Bring water bottles, sneakers, towel, and an extra change of clothes
• Monday, June 11th- The Ultimate Treasure Hunt will take place for first grade in the afternoon. Please have your child wear sneakers this day and bring a water bottle. We won't need volunteers. 
• On Tuesday, June 12th (am only) END OF YEAR CELEBRATION AT STRATHAM HILL PARK. All first grade students will hike to Stratham Hill Park to celebrate a great year together. We would love for you to meet us there anytime from 9:15-11:00. Permission slips were sent home. Please send in $2.50 for the Kona ice truck, if you haven't done so already.
• June 15th...Parent/Community Appreciation. We would love you to join us in the cafeteria at 8:45 to appreciate you, our volunteers!

May 18th

Some things we did this week:

• Began watching the "Loon Cam" waiting for the eggs to be laid. Check it out at home with this link Loon Cam
• Started our fiction writing unit
• Made our own fortune cookie messages using life lessons from our books
• Learned about tornadoes
• Read a Horrible Harry book
• Learned how to play new card games in math
• Planted seeds in egg cartons

Some things to ask your child:

• What have you seen so far on the loon cam?
• What did you choose to plant?
• Who is the character in your fiction book?

Important Dates:

• EARLY RELEASE May 23rd
• Memorial Day NO SCHOOL May 28
• Monday June 4th "Grand" Lunch- Invite your grandparents or someone who in your life who is grand for lunch and recess! 
• First Grade Mall June 7th-info sent home today
• Field Day June 8th AM only 
• END OF YEAR CELEBRATION AT STRATHAM HILL PARK.
• On Tuesday, June 12th (am only) all first grade students will hike to Stratham Hill Park to celebrate a great year together.  We would love for you to join us! Permission slips were sent home this week. 
• Last Day of School June 18th

We are in need of playing cards for a variety of math games! If you are willing to send some in we will greatly appreciate it!!! 

Thank you, The Loons

SMS Auction

Family-friendly Adventures Auction - auction closes on May 18th!
Check out the SMS Family-friendly Adventures Auction. Place a bid on teacher experiences for your child as well as other exciting offerings (including Boston Red Sox tickets or a scenic flight on a private plane)! Make sure you click on items of interest to find out more in the description. The funds from this auction directly add to the fun at SMS — benefiting classrooms plus special events like Jump Rope for Heart, Grand Luncheon, Field Day and the appreciation lunch for our wonderful teachers and staff. Contact Tonia Hutt or Pamela Hollasch with questions.

Mrs. Caldwell and I are offering a Stratham Hill Park hike with our dogs as one of the teacher experiences!

May 11th

Some things we did this week:

• Worked on Mother's Day surprises
• Reviewed attributes of 3D shapes
• Domino STEAM
• Wellness Walk-Thank you volunteers!!! 
• Shared life lessons we are learning from books
• Continued reading A Week in the Woods
• Used real life math skills to figure out how many days we have been in school so far

Some things to ask your child:

• How did STEAM go? What went well? What could you try differently?
• What's Chiller Cove?
• What is A Week in the Woods about?

Important Dates:

• Monday June 4th Grandparent Lunch
• First Grade Mall June 7th 
• END OF YEAR CELEBRATION AT STRATHAM HILL PARK.
• On Tuesday, June 12th (am only) all first grade students will hike to Stratham Hill Park to celebrate a great year together.  We would love for you to join us! 

May 4th

Some things we did this week:

• We spent A LOT of time this week getting ready for our big show! 
• Adding facts to our review writing to really convince our readers
• Read our newly published class book

Some things to ask your child:

• What's your favorite song from the play?
• What person craft did you choose to make?

Important Dates:

• Mark your calendars! First Grade presents...
• FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD HELPERS on Tuesday, May 8th at 6:30 pm on the cafeteria stage. 
• Monday June 4th Grandparent Lunch
• END OF YEAR CELEBRATION AT STRATHAM HILL PARK.
• On Tuesday, June 12th (am only) all first grade students will hike to Stratham Hill Park to celebrate a great year together.  We would love for you to join us! Specifics of the field trip will be on the permission slip and sent home next month.