Christmas Break Homework

Dear families,

Thank you to those who gave your input on what you would like to see for Christmas Break Homework. I really appreciate that many of you are able to print attachments in an effort to keep copying costs down at school. So far, I have come up with these options:

(Please keep in mind that none of these are essential to be done over break, but anything that is done will be celebrated and shared to the class upon our return in January!)

1. Creative Writing Menu: Attached is a menu of prompts, ideas and projects your child can complete that appeals to their creative side (they can also come up with their own!) They can choose one, many or all of the options to write, illustrate and share at school if they so choose!

2. Sleigh Bells Ring Math/Literacy Activities: These are activities that your child can do that include addition and subtraction practice, place value practice (which is what our new unit will focus on), literacy practice, etc. There are games like in the Thanksgiving Break Math Practice, too.

3. Children Who Have the "Sunshine Math" packets at home are a great resource to continue stretching their thinking "out of the box" for parents who may like a worksheet / paper/pencil option. 

4. Children can keep a journal of their daily activities, or "blog" about their favorite parts of Christmas Break, either on the computer (via a word doc - send it to me and I can post it to our blog) or in a writing journal format
5. Writing about their reading: Children can keep track of questions they have while reading, track their learning in nonfiction, make connections to themselves, other texts and the world as they read, or write retellings about their favorite stories. 

6. Sight Word Practice; Read their friends/acquaintances, write stories with their friends/acquaintances or create sight word people and make an artistic representation of them :)  ((kind of like our "ing" and "ed" characters))

I realize Christmas break may be a busy time and these suggestions are not meant to overburden, overwhelm or exhaust your child's time to enjoy family, rest and recharge. These are just presented as helpful options to extend earning and keep skills sharp while on two-week vacation. In short (or long), I hope your child still continues to read and engage with you and if they enjoy these activities and bring them back to school to share post-vacation, that is an added bonus for all.

**If you need another copy of the Math and Literacy Menu of ideas (Sent as pdfs in an email earlier this weekend), please let me know and I will send them to you.

Comprehension: Connections

On Tuesday, we went to DeGraaf Nature Center for a program on Homestead Holidays. We learned about how pioneers lived in the past and compared it to how we live today. We also learned how to make candles and made a sachet full of balsam and fir which should bring some Christmas-y scents into your home for years to come :) We truly enjoyed this field trip and liked walking the nature trail in small groups, too!

"OO"

This week one of our phonics blends was the double 'oo' as in book or boo!
We made glasses after writing as many 'oo' words as we could on the frames. Perfect Photo-Op!

This was also a good sequential, 3-step practice as each child had to cut, organize and paste their glasses together :)

Halloween Party!

 Dear families, we had a GREAT time at our Halloween Party and it was successful because of donations of time and items from you! Thank you!!

Mrs. Clark working on Pull-Apart Puzzles 

Mrs. Rosenberg working on adding coins with Pumpkin Math

Mrs. Rottschafer working on ghost suckers

Mrs. McCleery helping with the 5 Little Pumpkins Poem

Mr. Malaski helping with Pin the Nose on the Pumpkin

Brylee & Mom

Ethan & Mom

Riley & Mom

Christian & Mom 

Eva & Dad

Christy & Mom

Mrs. Boetsma helping to frost and decorate cookies

Welcome First Graders 2012-2013

Greetings Adams Families 2012 -2013! I am very excited to meet all of you at our Open House on August 29 from 4:30 - 6:00. I am looking forward to creating a community of learners in our Safari Room this year. Hop on and join our first grade learning safari!

Please check back here often for newsletters, videos, updates, etc., about our classroom!

Cheers!
Catie Richert

Inquiry Group iMovie!

Dear families,
Here are some clips put together from our time that your child worked collaboratively in an inquiry group. After they asked questions, researched, organized and synthesized their learning, they individually wrote a nonfiction report about their animal. Finally, they reconvened with their group and decided on a way to present their information as experts to the class, somehow incorporating technology. Many groups chose to do a podcast, while some groups chose to share a poster they created while I recorded it and one class even created a group nonfiction book that they read collaboratively while I recorded! This was an AWESOME and inspiring month of learning in the Safari Room where your child challenged and stretched how to read nonfiction and comprehend what they were reading to make true meaning. Awesome time to celebrate!