Plimoth Plantation Connection

Yesterday's virtual field trip was to the Plimoth Plantation, where we learned numerous interesting facts. Kids play games that teach life long skills. For example, girls make dressed for their dolls to teach them how to make dresses as they get older, and boys make toy boats so the can carve out canoes as they grow up. I always love seeing connections in everyday life so I had to share this. During snack a student was very proud to carve his pickle into a canoe just like the Wamanoag people did! 

Our tootsie pop results.

Many have wondered how many licks it takes to get to the center of a tootsie pop and today a few first graders truly found out! Check out out the data we collected! 

Our Virtual Field Trips

We have had so much fun going on our virtual field trips, and everyone wants to share our info with you!!  Yesterday was the Plymoth Plantation, and today was the Tootsie Roll Factory.  We even sent a class letter to be published on their website!! Other trips we have brought to our classroom are Statue of Liberty, Lincoln Memorial, and a Fire Station. You can google virtual field trips to find similar ones, but here are the addresses to the ones we have explored in our class.   Simply copy and paste the following web addresses.

http://www.tootsie.com  (Tootsie Roll Factory)
http://www.plimoth.org/learn/just-kids/thanksgiving-virtual-field-trip (Plimoth Plantation)
http://www.nps.gov/stli/photosmultimedia/virtualtour.htm (Statue of Liberty)
http://www.nps.gov/featurecontent/ncr/linc/interactive/deploy/index.htm#/introduction (Lincoln Memorial)
http://archive.cityofdavis.org/fire/tour/ (Fire Station)

Please don't spoil the surprise, but here is tomorrows destination!!
http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/  (San Diego Zoo)

Join us on our virtual fieldtrips by asking your child where we traveled to today!  We will go on a virtual field trip most everyday from now through the end of the year.

We will not take any more spelling tests, we will be reviewing words in class.
No school Monday, May 26 and the last day is May 7.

Thank You!

I was in our classroom tonight preparing for next week and I want to say thank you for making me feel so fortunate to be a teacher!  After being away for the last two weeks, I miss every aspect of being a first grade teacher.  Everything from the stories, the questions, the smiles, the needs, the challenges and even the tears that happen on occasion.  It opened my heart even more to the kids and parents.  I am so fortunate to have a job where I can interact with such wonderful kids who are eager to learn and grow!  The first thing I saw was a banner with each kids picture and their writing, along with a huge Welcome Back Sign that included a letter from each of you.  I have never received such a meaningful gift.   It was such a joy and motivational experience to read each of your letters.  I just want to thank you individually for taking the time to create such a meaningful book of memories!

I am so excited to be back teaching!  I know it was a transition for you and your child the past two weeks, and I want to thank you for being so patient and understanding.  I am very proud of your child too for being such a positive leader while not knowing who they would have for a teacher the upcoming day.  I am sure that was difficult for some of them.  All I know is... I am so greatful to be back!! :)
See you Monday!

Update

Tell your kids I miss them and can't wait to be back to teaching. I am cleared to work starting Monday. :)

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding. I know it is hard for six and seven year olds to have their teacher gone for two weeks. Give them all a hug for me! :) 

Thanks!

Volunteers

Thank you so much for all of your volunteer work in the classroom this year. It was helpful and the kids truly enjoyed it! 

This will be the last week with volunteers as the end of the year comes with numerous schedule changes.  We will not have centers everyday throughout the month of May. 

Thanks again for all of the time you dedicated. We truly appreciate you! :)

Update

I am sure you are wondering what is going on, so I want to give you a quick update.  Last week I had surgery that wasn't planned. I am in the recovery process now. It has been hard being away from the classroom. I think this job is one of the most difficult ones to be away from for a length of time, with absolutely no advanced notice. 

My Dr. originally said I would be out for three weeks. My response was, "That is impossible!" but I also know I am not in any shape to go back yet. 

My post op appt is on Wednesday, and I would love to think I could be back on Thursday. More than likely, they will not clear me until the following Monday at the earliest. Once I am back, I will still have to take it slow for a bit.

I am checking my email, so if you need to get ahold of me, feel free to e-mail me.  Thank you for your understanding during all of this.

Robbyn

Sub

We will have a sub tomorrow. I hope to be back wednesday. I will keep you posted on here.  We will practice spelling thought the week, but we will not take a test.

Spirit Day

Correction.  Spirit Day money will be donated to United Love.

Spirit Day

This Friday is Spririt Day! Wear neon colors!! Bring a dollar to support the animal shelters.

This week

We will continue to learn fractions and review addition and subtraction.   It is a benchmark week for Lead 21 so we will not take a spelling test.  Benchmark is a review from the unit (previous four weeks) before we move into the next unit.  We will be learning about the water cycle and finish our study on wetlands.

Thank you to those of you who have provided snacks for our classroom!  We truly appreciate it.  Do not forget next Tuesday is class picture day.  Also, student led conferences are next Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.   I will notify you of your conference time on Monday.  If you need to know before then, please e-mail me.  Thank you! Have a fun and safe weekend! :)

Next week

With the four day week, we will not have a spelling test next week. We will be reviewing numerous skills, and also begin our wetlands unit.

Thank you

I am so excited to be back all five days next week! Thank you for being so understanding when I was absent last Monday and Tuesday for our postponed Great Falls basketball trip.  Continue to share Daily News, and remind your child to pick up extra copies from the classroom as needed! We will take a spelling test next Friday.
Have a safe and fun weekend!

Next Week

We are currently in Week 4 of Theme 5 for Lead 21. This is a review week.  We will review the skills from the previous three weeks.  We will not have a spelling test this week, but we will share Daily News.  Your child can pick up more Daily News papers in our classroom, or you can make copies at home.

Because of the roads, the Skyview girls were not able to travel to Great Falls as planned.  The games have been postponed to Monday and Tuesday.  Unfortunately, I will be absent both Monday and Tuesday, but class will continue as normal, and I will be back Wednesday.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to e-mail, call or text me.

Have a safe weekend.  Hope you stay warm! :)

Basketball Season Update

I am very fortunate to have an opportunity to not only teach, but coach in the Billings School District.  Our season is quickly coming to an end, but our last set of games are in Great Falls.  I wanted to give you and your child a heads up that I will not be here next Friday, February 28 as we are traveling to Great Falls.  That will be the last set of games for my freshman girls.  They are currently 13-3 so it has been a fun season, with a talented group of girls. I will then help with varsity for the week of our playoff game, and hopefully state!! The season will come to an end by mid-March. :)

class supplies

Thank you for all of your generous donations for our classroom this year.  We really appreciate it!!
Our snack and glue stick supply is still low. If you have not had the chance to donate, and have an opportunity to, we would greatly appreciate it.  If you just sent in snack/glue sticks, do not feel like you need to do it again.

Thank you so much for your support and all you do to make this a wonderful year for everyone in our class!

Have a safe weekend!

Love to Read Month

February is filled with the excitement of reading!  Today, we looked at the website Seussville.  This is a fun site filled with reading activities, educational games and a variety of fun facts!  We explored this site today, and it would be fun to let your child explore it at home.

To go along with Love to Read month, if you or anyone you know would like to be a guest reader in our class, please let me know.  We would love to have more volunteers in to read.  All they need to do is pick a favorite book or two, set up a time, and come in and read!

Secret sack

We will not have secret sack this week because of the early out on Thursday and no school on Friday. 

Secret Sack will be coming to an end and we will begin a social studies focus called "daily news." I will be sending more information home regarding daily news. 

Thank you for all of the time you put in to help with secret sack. The kids loved it, and it was a great visual for our phonics skills!

100th Day of School!! All smiles :)

science fair info

Arrowheads Science Fair will be March 27.  Please set up before school in the cafeteria.  March 28 is the Billings Clinic Expo.  You can look into this online if you/your child would like participate in this out of school project as well.

If you did not receive info on how to create a science fair project in the Tuesday folder and would like more info, please contact me.  I only sent pages home to students who were interested in creating a science fair project.

Valentines Party

Please contact Kary Thome to let her know what you are able to provide for our classroom Valentines Day party.  We are still in need of a few things for our ice cream sundaes!  A letter was sent home in yesterdays Tuesday folder with info regarding this.  This letter also has Kary's contact info.

Thank you! :)

Next week

Next week is our reading benchmark week. Therefore, we will review skills from the last 8 weeks and complete the Lead 21 benchmark exam. 

We will have a spelling test next Friday. These words are words that model more than one by adding s or es to the end of a word. Example words. Box, boxes, cat, cats, toy, toys, etc.

We will continue with long o words the following week. 

Next weeks secret sack topic is something that contains a homophone. This is challenging so be creative. Homophones are words that sound the same, but are spelled differently and have a different meaning. 

Ex. Eight

Clues: number word, homophone to when you are eating, less than nine.

Ex. Here

Homophone to something you do with your ears, location, begins with the letter h. 

We with be wrapping up secret sack in a couple of weeks. We will begin a new activity called daily news. Kids will share, local and national events that are if interest to them. :)

Arrowhead night at the Reef

Corrections:  Arrowhead Night at the Reef (not Reed) is tonight from 4-8.  :)

A few reminders

Arrowhead PTA is excited to have Arrowhead night at the Reed.  It is tonight from 4:00-8:00.

The 100th Day of School is on Tuesday!  Please make sure your child has a baggie of 100 objects (that you do not need back) by Friday.

Our snack, glue stick and black dry erase marker supply is running low.  If you are able to help out with any of those items, we greatly appreciate it!  Thank you :)

If your child is interested in participating in the science fair, you can find more information on the Arrowhead Website.  This is a project that is optional and completed at home.

100th Day of School

Monday is the 100th day of school.  Please see that your child has 100 objects in a baggie by this Friday.

Inquiry projects

Report Cards

Thank you for returning the envelope your child's report card came in.  :)

100 day of school

Please send in 100 objects in a labeled baggie of something you do not need back.  We will use these for activities on the 100th day of school. Please send them in by the end of next week. Thank you! :)

Love to Read Month!!

I love to read month!! Please let me know if you are interested in coming in and reading to our class during this month.  Please bring a book that you enjoy and let me know the amount of time you would like for it.  We would love to have you, grandparents, etc.. read in our room during the month of February!   If you are interested, please let me know what date and approximate time works for you.  We will work with the times that best suit you!!

Remind 101

If you recieve a Remind 101 that is titled 9-10 coaches, please read the information as it is still for our first grade class.  It looks confusing, but right now during bball season they will show up that way since I am using the same e-mail for both.  You should not be receiving any of the basketball messages.  If you are, please let me know.  Thank you for your understanding with this!

Secret sack topic

Something with the sound of long a. This a says it's own name. 

Plane, Kate, state, frame, train, etc..

Welcome back!

I hope everyone had a fun, relaxing and safe holiday break! I can't wait to see everyone and hear about their Christmas!! Because of the short week, we will not have secret sack this week. The following week we will share secret sack and kids have the option of sharing one event that was special or a special gift that was received. Please draw Picts if you are sharing electronics instead of sending in the actual object. Thank you!

Happy New Year!