Bat and Pumpkin Centers

Bat and Pumpkin Centers arrived in our classroom on Friday. The students rotated through four centers and then participated in a pumpkin hunt. Students made "bat hats" in the first center, a Stellaluna bat puppet in the second center, fruit kabobs - "bat food" in the third center, and played pumpkin fishing in the last center. College students from the local university and our room mother were on hand to help out with the centers.

Main Library

A goal for the first graders at our school was for each child to get a library card. All of the first grade classes got together and read the book "The Wednesday Surprise" by Eve Bunting. The story tells of a little girl and her grandmother and the wonderful surprise that they create for the little girl's father for his birthday. After the story, each teacher revealed her library card and told the students about all of the resources that were available at the library and announced the goal for each student to get a library card. The campaign began and I am pleased to announce that all of the first graders now have a library card.

Last week we took the students to the Main Library in our city. The students were treated to a special storytime with an appearance by Mrs. Owl. After the storytime, the classes toured the library. Next it was on to lunch at the park for a picnic and playtime. What a great way to celebrate reading!

Fire Station 23

Last Friday our class walked to visit Fire Station 23. The firefighters gave the students a wonderful tour of the fire station. They showed them all of the equipment that they use to fight fires. One firefighter dressed in full bunker gear. The students got a chance to sit in the fire engine. Then they got to walk through the rescue vehicle. It is great to have such resources so close to our school.

Pumpkin Carving with Mrs. R

We are always looking for ways to expand the vocabulary of our students. One of the ways that encourages the development of language is through shared cooking experiences. Last week Mrs. R brought a pumpkin into our classroom. Then she let the students design a face for the jack-o-lantern. Mrs. R carved the pumpkin and many new words were introduced. The students learned what pumpkin pulp was as they scooped out the inside of the pumpkin and separated the seeds. Next each students counted the number of seeds in their piece of pulp and the numbers were added together to get the total. After that, Mrs. R showed students how to roast the seeds. Last, they were able to eat the tasty seeds.

Farewell Friends

We have many military families at our school. There are many wonderful advantages to having children from all over the United States in our classroom. One of the disadvantages however, is that families get new orders throughout the school year. Our class had a celebration for two of our students that moved with their military families. We baked two special cakes and let the boys decorate them and then share them with the class. We will miss D & R, they are moving to the same city, maybe they will be in the same class!

Little Red Hen

This week our class read a special story called The Little Red Hen. Throughout the week the students sequenced the story events and made character puppets with a storyboard for retelling the story to their families. We had a special cooking day on Friday. First, we made bread with Mrs. L. Next, we were able to knead some dough to make biscuits with Mrs. R. Then, we shook heavy cream until it turned into butter with Miss H. Last we ate our bread and biscuits with the butter and jam.

Fast ForWord

Our class visits the Fast ForWord Computer Lab every day. There are many benefits to this program. Here are some of the benefits:
The Fast ForWord program develops and strengthens memory, attention, processing rate, and sequencing—the cognitive skills essential for reading intervention program success. The strengthening of these skills results in a wide range of improved critical language and reading skills such as phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, fluency, vocabulary, comprehension, decoding, working memory, syntax, grammar, and other skills necessary to learn how to read or to become a better reader.