Dental Health

We read a story this week and collected data on dental health in honor of Dental Health Month.

Students collected data on how often we should brush our teeth daily, and recorded their responses. Then, we researched healthy teeth and revisited our data. We concluded that we should be brushing our teeth at least 2-3 times each day.

We discussed how to keep our teeth clean using a toothbrush and toothpaste during a classroom experiment. We learned that if you don't use toothpaste when brushing you may leave behind bacteria that could lead to staining our teeth.

We really enjoy experiments in first grade!

I mustache you a question.

How much fun did you have celebrating Valentine's Day?

We had a blast!!

We all wanted to show off our mustaches on the blog.  We hope you enjoy our silliness as much as we did yesterday!

   

My Instructional Coach Rocks!

Teachers are fortunate in Henderson County to have Instructional Coaches. Coaches mentor teachers in their beginning years of teaching. This will be my last year with an instructional coach. {Frown} Mary is my coach, and I am so grateful for her support!

Mary surprised me today with a Starbucks coffee because she knew I wasn't feeling well. Awesome, right?

Thank you, Mary- you're the best!

I'm so glad you were here for Valentine's Day!

Mary Phillips and Ms. Wilson

Ms. Pace, Mary Phillips, Ms. Wilson

We have such a great time together with our students!

IME

During IME we are working on many different literacy skills including vocabulary/ESL, writing, guided reading, fluency, and phonics.  My group works on both guided reading and writing activities to help us improve.

This week, in my group, we are composing books about ourselves by borrowing words from our reading book entitled, All About You!

Valentines Day Mailbox Family Project

A letter was sent home this afternoon regarding the exchange of Valentines in the classroom to celebrate Valentine's Day.  I struggle from year to year deciding how children will recieve their valentines and how they will be transported home again.  I have toyed around with making paper mailboxes, which just didn't hold up.  I've also entertained the idea of using gift bags, but those too tear/break. 

I thought back to how I exchanged valentines when I was in elementary school, and remembered making a mailbox using a box from home.  This could be something as simple as covering any box you may have lying around (shoe box, cereal box, tissue box, etc), and decorating it in any way you would like.  The only requirement was that your name was prominantly displayed on the Valentine's Day mailbox so everyone else could easily pop their Valentine into your mailbox without confusing it with another classmate. 

I have been saving a couple boxes here at school, but don't have near enough for everyone.  Please let me know if you need a box, and maybe we'll have some families that have extras and would be willing to share, if needed.  I want this to be a project everyone can get involved in, and I am happy to help in anyway I can. 

I invite students to involve their families in this project as they create a Valentine's Day mailbox that reflects their personality.  I have done a little bit of research through google and found quite a few ideas I'd like to share with you.  Please don't think that you must to something elaborate, because you don't.  I just want students to create something they are proud of to simply contain and transport their Valentines from school.  (Wrapping/tissue paper and stickers look great too!)

     

  

  

Scholastic Book Club Order

I will be sending home a scholastic bookclub magazine.  If you would like to place an order you can do it online here.  If you inlcude our classroom code: GYTGY our classroom can earn free books.  All  you have to do is order online. 

If it is not possible to order online please send in a check (no cash, please) for the correct amount for the desired books and I will send off the request on Friday, February 15, 2013.  It usually takes 1-2 full weeks before our orders are filled and arrive at the school. 

If you're interested I'd like to share some of my recommendations. 

67. Secret Agent: SPLAT! This book series is a favorite of our classroom, even though I do not care for cats. We laugh a lot when we read these books together as a class. 

19. Duck and Cover & Sitting Duck by Jackie Urbanovic We read a book from this series earlier this year and really enjoyed.  The illustrations are vibrant, and the characters are favorites of ours.

4. Amazing Sharks  We are really interested in non-fiction books suddenly.  Since we completed our research project before Winter Break we have been eager to check out books from the Research Center that are about our favorite animals.  This book is sure to be a crowd pleaser.

20. Fly Guy Presents Sharks! I can't say enough about our recent interest in marine animals.  We also like Fly Guy series, as it is never on the classroom bookshelves.  Students like to read these books during just right book time.

The SeeSaw picture book special (featured on the back over of the magazine) is a great deal for those of you looking to expand your personal libraries.  These picture books would provide enough reading practice for at least 4 weeks, and at $10- that's a great deal!

Groundhog Day Prediction Survey

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day! We read a story about Punxsutawney Phil, and learned he has predicted weather since 1887. A groundhog burrows and hibernates all winter long. On February 2, Phil emerged from his borrow to predict the weather. We learned that if the groundhog sees his shadow he forecasts 6 more weeks of winter. However, if Phil does not see his shadow he forecasts spring.

Student asked their classmates to make predictions about whether or not they thought Punxsutawney Phil would see his shadow. We collected data and graphed our results. We have also learned how to make an equation that represents our data.

Our class' predictions are overwhelmingly in favor of spring as opposed to 6 more weeks of winter. We'll just have to wait and see what Punxsutawney Phil forecasts tomorrow.

We'll reevaluate our predictions on Monday after we learn Phil's predictions for our upcoming weather.

Do you think Phil will see his shadow tomorrow?