Math Test

Our first subtraction chapter test will be this Thursday...we will review in class on Wednesday. Please go over any homework/classwork with your student, especially this week, so they will be prepared for the test.

To Live Like A Pilgrim...

This student is ready to shake!
We have been studying the pilgrims and the children were very interested in the life of the pilgrim child. We decided to combine a science experiment with social studies and look at what happens when you shake heavy cream from the prospective of the activity being a common pilgrim child chore. Beforehand, the child made predictions about what they thought would happen, and then....after about 20 minutes of shaking.....wrote down their discovery. Above, two boys are sharing the shaking...

Not a great picture, but this group did a great job working together during their experiment.
They are noticing their cream is changing properties.
The final product....smeared on a piece of homemade bread....
Everyone game the project a 'thumbs-up'!
A sample of our prediction chart.

Quarter Report Cards

Report cards for the first quarter were sent home. It will show that your student's grades are lowering somewhat compared to the first half...I know this because all of my students' grades lowered a little. Please remember that the first half involved a lot of kindergarten review and covered very basic skills. Now the students are working hard at an authentic first grade level, which is more difficult. I am happy to discuss your child's report card with you (just give me a call at school and I will get back to you), but at this time I am not concerned with any percentage drops, as it is very normal at this time of the school year.
Your children are doing well!
If you want to help your child in the classroom, please practice reading, handwriting, and talking about math problems at home, in line somewhere, or in the car.

Spelling!

I am really proud of my class and their effort with spelling! This week and last, I had many 100% on the spelling pretests...with others only missing one or two. The words are difficult and the children practice (and study with homework) to learn these words. They are doing a great job!

Halloween!

Our students came to school in their Halloween costumes! Everyone looked great!

After the parade (rained out and held in the gym), we went to our classroom for a quiet-down movie, and then to the gym for party games. Above, the children were waiting in line for their turn to race a marble, on a spoon, down to a cup.

Mr. and Mrs. Wills planned and carried out our games...thank you!

Mrs. Wills took the students' estimates on how many candy pieces were in the jar. The winning guess won the whole jar!

The pinata was a huge hit!

Here, it is close to breaking...

Candy Frenzy! Thankfully, the candy was prepacked in baggies so every child could grab one.

Thank you to all of our family helpers who sent items in and/or helped! I think the students had a great party!

Although we were robbed of a pumpkin decorating award, we drew names and two students were given them to take home.