So what have we learned this week?

Are you ready to test your child's knowledge? Here is what we have worked on so far this week:

In Phonics: We can now match words that rhyme. Let's check: What two words rhyme out of dog, cat, and frog?

In Math: We can now count and compare numbers. Let's check: What number is bigger, 4 or 2? How about 3 or 5? How about 8 or 10?

In Guided Reading: We can now identify story elements. Let's check: Who were some of the characters in Jack and the Beanstalk? What were some of the settings in Jack and the Beanstalk? What was the big problem and solution in Jack and the Beanstalk?

In Junior Great Books: We can now discuss our thoughts about a story. Let's check: What is a lutin? Where do they come from? Would you want to have a lutin? Why or why not?

The students have been working really hard in school, and I am super impressed with all of the superstars that I see shining in our room! I am looking forward to adding more to everyone's "schema" next week :)

See you tomorrow, Wildcats!

Dear Parents

Dear Parents:

If you would like to have some entertainment tonight, please ask your child to model a "Jellicle Cat" for you and explain what they are. We read a poem about Jellicle cats for the past couple of days, and had the most interesting conversations and discussion about them! We even acted out Jellicle Cats....which had Ms. Clayton and I laughing like always. (And please know, this was to help us learn how to comprehend text that does not have pictures and use our "mental images" and thoughts and "schema.")

On another note, I am super proud of our mathematicians! We played Compare numbers today to practice counting and comparing quantities. The kids easily grasped the game and were engaged in mathematics conversation, helping each other out, and most importantly, learning math! It looks like Level A Compare might have been too easy for our students, so prepare yourself Wildcats, next week we will be bumping up to Level B Compare!

Have a great time if you're headed to the fair, Ms. Clayton and I are looking forward to hearing your stories on Monday!

Enjoy your weekend, Wildcats!

WONDFERFUL NEWS!

Hello students and parents! I am so excited to share some wonderful and exciting news with you! At the beginning of the school year, I had written a grant for new Geoboards (we use these to create and explore shapes and figures). I only wrote the grant 2 weeks ago-and today I received word that our project had been completely funded by ONE donor in Hendersonville! The donor said she gave because "of the need of one of our local schools." We are so lucky to have a community that supports our students and their education! 

Please be on the lookout for a permission slip in your child's agenda regarding the grant-as a requirement for the grant, we send thank you notes and pictures of the students using the supplies. Everything will be kept anonymous  but if you would prefer your child not to participate, just send a note and let me know :)

Alright Wildcats, get your imaginations ready: What will you use our Geoboards to create?

And I would also like to share a classroom funny story. Today, we were sharing 3 things that we like about ourselves with a partner. I had called on students to share with the class what 1 of their 3 characteristics was. One little boy said, "I like the fact that I can do back-flips, and you can't because you're OLD, Mrs. McMurray!" Ms. Clayton and I have been laughing about his comment all day today. We are so happy to have a class that keeps us smiling and laughing!!!

Good night and see you bright and early, Wildcats!

Diving In!

This first week of school, we have really focused on the words Procedure, Purpose, and Action. Basically, we have worked on how we do things, why we do them, and what we do while we are at school. This has helped students know what expectations they have while they are at school. 

We have already started learning new first grade math and how to use manipulatives to help us learn, but we have been reviewing information from Kindergarten .Next week, we are diving into our first grade curriculum. We will be learning First Grade popcorn words, new comprehension strategies for reading, improving our writing, and so on and so on forth. I am so excited for my little Wildcats-I just know that they are going to grow and learn this year and be successful! 

Please keep an eye out on the blog next week for what we are learning and tips/resources for success. 

Have a wonderful weekend, Wildcats! 

So Proud of our Wildcat Teamwork!

I have been very impressed with the teamwork and friendships that I have seen in our classroom, and we are only two days into the school year!

When we are writing, I hear students asking each other for help and students helping each other back. I hear comments such as, "Sure I can help! You spell love like l...o....v....e!"

Today, I was very inspired by one little boy in particular. He saw that his friend was having a hard time counting, went and got a "pointer finger," pulled the other to the one hundreds chart, and started teaching him how to count. He said, 'Okay, I will say the number and point and you say it after me! Ready? Let's go!" I was so very proud of my little Wildcats!

I am so looking forward to a wonderful year with each and every child :)

Go Wildcats!!!

First Day Back = SUCCESS

Hello students and families! What a wonderful day today. Ms.. Clayton and I were amazed to see all of the proactive leaders in our classroom! We are very proud of each of our students for such a wonderful day back. Today we practiced rules and procedures in our classroom, and we discussed expectations for all that we do. During our writing time, I was very excited to hear students helping each other. I heard questions such as "How do you spell...?" and "What would be a good sentence next?" I am very proud to say that I have a class full of children ready and willing to help each other. I can tell that this year will be a fun and successful one. See you bright and early, Wildcats!