Snow Day!

Today is our 2nd full snow day of the school year, we've started late several times as well.  Did I forget to mention that it is only December 6 and not even technically winter yet!?!?  I figured I could spend part of this cold, windy, snowy day catching you all up on the happenings of the first graders.

The kiddos were excited when we got our first dusting of snow a couple of weeks ago.  They came to school in their snow pants and boots, scarves and winter coats, ready to play out in the snow.  There was a little disappointment in the fact that there wasn't enough snow to build a fort yet, but they still loved it!

I have gotten a little more used to my Mimio projector this school year.  It is a little touchy but we make it work in the end.  If I know their handwriting is going to be too messy for an activity using the interactive part of the board, I freeze the picture and let them write with dry erase markers instead.

I just love this note that was given to me.  It will be saved and given back to the author at their graduation.  If you look carefully, mom and dad was erased and Ms. Anglin was left :)

We had another hat day for National Honor Society right before Thanksgiving break.  It seems like every hat day becomes my favorite, but this one really is!  I went to Wal-Mart with this idea in my head and I actually found it- a turkey hat!!

In Social Studies this past chapter we learned about Jobs and we had our own Job Day of sorts.  The kiddos dressed up as the job they would like to have some day.  They were all so cute in their costumes and could all tell me if their job was a service job that helps people, or if they had a job that produced goods for others.  They also had to list some tools that are used at their job.  We had 3 vets, 2 artists, 2 construction workers, 1 cowboy, and 1 horse trainer.

We've had some fun show and tells again lately.  Who am I kidding- show and tell is always great!  Here are some moments I remembered to capture.

Georgia and her elf Chippy

Peyton brought a cute purse
with changeable bows

Georgia brought a zip lining doll

This is not a very good picture but it is capturing one of the whole class's favorite times- including mine.  Sam comes into our room 2 days a week to hang out with us.  She gets to read to the students while they have a snack in the afternoon.  She also helps with reading centers and art projects.  I do not always get that kind of attention and stillness when I am in front of the same kids, so you can tell they adore her.  Thank You Sam!

Our word wall is coming along nicely.  Every morning we read every word up on the wall.  The words come from our reading series and I occasionally add a word if it is something they are consistently writing.  It has taken a while but they are finally getting used to looking to the word wall when they are writing.

Peyton pointing to the words as they are read.

December is the month of Responsibility for character counts.  We wore green to celebrate it.  Responsibility is one of my favorite traits to teach about because the kids are learning that they can be more responsible every day.  We talked about how they are responsible for reading at night, remembering their folder or coat every day, and turning their papers in.  I hope to hear less of "my mom or dad forgot to...".  I know they are little, but I am trying to show them that taking responsibility for things they do is so important in life.  Your mom and dad are not in 1st grade- you are :)

As you can see from the pictures above that the tree is up in the classroom!  I'm not going to sugar coat it for you- putting this tree up is not exactly my favorite thing to do.  But we worked on it all together.  They took turns fluffing the branches, getting dizzy with me wrapping the lights, and placing the ornaments.  It took a full day, but it's up and ready for presents!

Yesterday we had an assembly called Be a Star!  It was a little bit of magic, music, and a positive message about having dreams and not letting bullies get to you.  Meika was a volunteer who shared her dream of being a horse trainer.  I love the way she is soaking up this man's words.

AH that's it!  I am up to date but will soon be back with some more Christmas activities.  Now it's time to use this snow day wisely- make some cookies and read!
~Ms. Anglin