Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

 I hope you all enjoy your extended break with your kiddos. I know I will be spending a lot of time with my kiddo :) Every student came home today with some special items, and I gave them permission to sneak their backpacks away until they've unpacked their stuff. Let's just say they were busy little elves today. Tomorrow morning I can't wait to see everyone one last time before Christmas. Below is a video from one of my favorite people ever. See you all next year!

December 8th - 12th

Next week we will continue reading different versions of Cinderella. Next week we will read Cendrillon, which is the Caribbean Cinderella and Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, which is an African tale. We will also continue to compare and contrast the different versions, which is all about making connections between different texts. Next week is also our final week of Adopt-A-Family. As of right

Adopt-A-Family Update

As you know, our classroom adopted a family from our school that is in need of a great Christmas. Below is the information again on what our family needs. So far, we have raised $10. I will be talking again to our class to really pump up the help needed. Also, the food & hygiene drive is still going on. If you are able to send anything in to help the families here at Central that are in need, please think about doing so. Thanks everyone!

Spare Change: As a class we are raising money for a $100 gift card to a grocery store. We will be tracking what we raise with an online graph, which can be viewed on the link below. If we are able to meet our goal, we will have a celebration to reward ourselves for being so giving. (Of course any grocery gift cards can be donated as well).

Our FAMILY: We have been assigned a family with 2 children. One
child is a 5 year old boy and the other is a 4 year old girl. Our goal
for our family is the following:

Gifts:  2 or more presents per child (please contact me if you are interested in donating a gift and I will let you know what the children have asked for) ***If you would like to donate money toward a Toys ‘R Us gift card instead, please let me know.

Clothing & Shoe Sizes
     Boy: shirt size 5/6; pants size 5/6; shoes size 4      Girl: shirt size 4T; pants size 4T; shoes size 8

Adopt-A-Family Goal Chart

December 1st - 5th

Next week we will continue working on cultures and traditions around the world. I am looking forward to teaching the kiddos about the different countries that they may be able to visit in the future. Don't forget to talk to your kiddos about what they are learning about and what they like best about what they are learning. Also, a lot of kiddos came home with some pretty interesting recipes today. Everyone got to write a "How-To" book on cooking or making their favorite Thanksgiving food. Some were pretty entertaining to say the least! There's nothing like being told that a cake bakes

A Fun Day in Our Classroom!

Today we made a fun turkey with our 4th grade buddies. It was nice to get to see them again before our extended Thanksgiving weekend. I hope everyone enjoys their long weekend and take the time to talk to your kiddo about what they are so thankful for. I'm thankful to have each and every student I have! Keep looking below for more fun stuff! 

Also, I'd just like to give a big CONGRATULATIONS to our character award winners, Jacob and Audrey! Audrey received the award for "cooperation" because she works well with others and is also a great listener when working with a small group or with a partner. Jacob received the award for "problem-solving" because he is a great problem-solver. Whenever he is having difficulty with something, he always tries his hardest first before asking for help. Way to go you two!!!

Upcoming Events to Add to Your Calendar

Food & Hygiene Collection Continues
Thanks to all who have contributed to Central’s 2014 Adopt-a-Family Food and Hygiene Drive, which continues through December 5. Canned food and dry goods of any kind are appreciated, as well as personal and home care items such as shampoo, toothpaste, kleenex, dish soap, and cleaning supplies. Students can take items to their classroom or drop them off in the front lobby at the Adopt-a-Family bulletin board area and boxes. So far the donations have been great! We especially need

Thanksgiving Week

Next week is a very short week. We are only at school on Monday and Tuesday, but we will definitely make the most of our time together. We will continue working through our units of study, but we will also be taking some time to talk about what we are thankful for, as that is what Thanksgiving is all about. Today, I sent home a fun Thanksgiving activity for you to do with your child. It is optional, but I can't wait to see what creative ideas you all come up with! Also, don't forget to keep up on using Spelling City to practice our phonics words. Check in past links for other links to great videos that can solidify what we are learning in the classroom. Also, we've only raised about $3 for our Adopt-A-Family, so if you're in the giving spirit, keep the donations coming. I'll talk again about it on Monday to the kiddos :) Check some previous posts to read more about the needs of our family. Below are just some pics of some friends reading together. Thanks everyone for reading and enjoy your weekend!

Marvelous Matter!

Today we learned all about how the 3 states of matter can change. We tied it into what we've learned about cause & effect too. I included a few different videos we enjoyed watching to teach us the different ways that matter can move from one state into another. We did a super fun experiment today to solidify our knowledge that heat can cause solids to melt and freezing air can cause liquids to freeze. Ask your kiddo about what they learned during our science lessons this week! I have a feeling they may be asking you to do some experiments at home too!
Brainpop, Jr. (ask your kiddo for the log-in information) 
Study Jams
Matter Chatter Song

Our hands were awfully messy after melting chocolate kisses into them!

November 17-20

This week we will wrap up learning about matter and we will also finish up our topic on addition. Mid-week, we will begin our new unit titled, Around the World. We will learn about various cultures, customs and traditions from around the world, as well as reading fairy tales that have some of those same customs & traditions. In math, we will take our Topic 5 test and begin Topic 6, which is all about

Adopt-A-Family Information

Mrs. Walleman’s 1^st Grade

Adopt-A-Family

      

       As the holidays approach, it is time to start thinking about the season of giving. We have many families here at Central that are in need of being adopted and helped out this holiday season. Our first grade class has adopted one of these families in need. Here are some ways that you can help during the Season of Giving!!! Just remember, even if you can only give a little, every little bit adds up!

·       Spare Change: As a class we are raising money for a $100 gift card to a grocery store. We will be tracking what we raise with charts and graphs. Our class will celebrate before winter break in regards to how much we have raised and donated to our family. (Of course any grocery gift cards can be donated as well).

·       Our FAMILY: We have been assigned a family with 2 children. One child is a 5 year old boy and the other is a 4 year old girl. Our goal for our family is the following:

·       Gifts

o   2 or more presents per child (please contact me if you are interested in donating a gift and I will let you know what the children have asked for) ***If you would like to donate money toward a Toys ‘R Us gift card instead, please let me know.

·       Clothing & Shoe Sizes

o   Boy: shirt size 5/6; pants size 5/6; shoes size 4

o   Girl: shirt size 4T; pants size 4T; shoes size 8

SO WHAT CAN WE DO RIGHT NOW??????????

·       Start collecting spare change and money to send in with your child to help us raise money for a $100 food gift card. **Please make sure your envelope is marked with Adopt-A-Family, the amount, and if the donation is for the food gift card or a Toys ‘R Us gift card.

      During our time in the classroom, we will be taking the time to discuss the meaning of community and the importance of helping others in need. I also encourage you to talk to your child about this at home. Thank you so much for understanding and donating items. I am looking forward to having a successful Adopt-A-Family here in our classroom!!!! Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns. I will be posting updates on how much we have collected on our classroom blog. Last year, my class beat our classroom goal and I know we can beat it again this year!

                                          Mrs. Walleman

                                          851-5544

http://mrswatermelonsworld.blogspot.com/

Adopt-A-Family

As you saw, our classroom has sponsored a family for our Adopt-A-Family program. In our classroom, I have tried to talk to everyone about the importance of being a selfless and giving person. If you can remind your child at home the importance of giving, even if you don't have a lot to give. I am looking forward to seeing how much everyone will be able to help out with. If you haven't read it yet, please take a look at the Adopt-A-Family note I sent home with your kiddo on Wednesday. If you are interested in helping out with anything specific, please let me know ASAP so I know what I need to purchase for our family. I will be posting periodic updates on here to let everyone know the progress we have made on our goal. Remember, our goal is to raise just $100 to purchase a grocery gift card for our family. Thank you all in advance for your support during this giving time of year!


http://www.school-fundraisers.com/my-thermometer.php?id=39718

Food Drive Information

Central Elementary Adopt-a-Family

Food and Hygiene Drive

November 17-25 and December 1-5

Dear Central Families,

Once again we will assist Central families in need this holiday season by collecting food and hygiene supplies. We are requesting the items listed below in order to complete "helping hand" packages for our families in need. Look for great sales on these items at your local grocery store for the holidays and pick up some extra to donate!!

Please have your child bring your donated items to school between November 17- 25 and December 1-5. The collection boxes will be located in the atrium entryway.

Thank you for helping with this important project! It is so important to teach our kiddos the importance of giving to those in need.

Examples of Food Items Needed

Boxed side dishes (pasta/rice/mac&cheese), peanut butter & jelly, canned meats and tuna, stews & soups, canned fruits & veggies, baking mix, cereal, oatmeal, granola bars, pop-tarts

Examples of Hygiene Items Needed

Toothpaste, toothbrushes, floss, combs, shampoo, conditioner, soap/body wash, paper towels, toilet paper, deodorant, lotion, dish soap, Lysol wipes, all purpose cleaner, Windex

A Peek Into The week of 11/10-11/14

Next week will be another great week. I will continue to look for 2 kiddos that are cooperative and great problem solvers. Also, congratulations to our Shining Star of the week, Mia Simon! I can't wait to see her pictures and listen as she tells us more about herself.

We will become scientists as we learn about force and motion and how it connects to cause and effect. Our minds will be hard at work creating hypotheses and changing our guesses as we learn more about force and motion. Take a peek below at our learning objectives for the week.

Reading:  We will be able to ask and answer questions while we listen to reading.

Phonics: We will be able to read and write words that have the -mp, -lf, -nd and -lt ending blends. We will also be reviewing digraphs, as well as beginning blends. Our phonics words for the week are: tilt,

Brain Breaks!

Over the course of the day, our brains work a lot. Often, I say to the students, "Your heads look huge because of how big your brains have grown today!" To help with focus and getting us back on track for learning, we give our brains a break by doing some singing, stretching, dancing, relaxing and other fun stuff. GoNoodle.com is one of our favorite websites to use. Here is a snippet of one of our Brain Breaks from today. I love hearing the singing and seeing all the sweet dance moves!

Halloween Party Fun!

We had a great time at our Halloween party! Thanks to all the parents that helped by volunteering to come to the party and another thank you to all the parents that sent in goodies! You can tell by the pictures that we all had a great time :) I only wish I'd gotten a pic of me in my Miss Frizzle costume. It was quite the hit!

This Week

Your kiddo may have told you, but my husband, son and I just purchased our new home on Monday. The kiddos were so excited when I showed them a picture.  I had fun talking with a few of them about how my house is similar or different to their house. It was fun!

Math: In math, we are learning all about ADDITION!!!! There are a ton of fun YouTube videos on different strategies to help us add quickly. Click any of the links below for some fun ways to reinforce the strategies we are learning.
Double Number Song
Doubles 1-5
Doubles 6-10
Near Doubles/Doubles +1
Counting On  
Make 10

Reading: In reading, we will be finishing up Wizard of Oz and comparing and contrasting characters, as well as discussing how they changed throughout the story.

Writer's Workshop: We are continuing to work on our personal narratives by editing, revising and adding our best illustrations.

Phonics/Spelling: We will be learning how to read and write words that begin with the -nk and -nt blends at the end. Don't forget that you can have your child head to www.spellingcity.com/mrswalleman/ for some fun ways to practice their words for the week!

nk:  think     skunk     plank     drink     blank     rink
nt:  absent     tent     bunt     went     front     ant

Blues Bookworms/Six Flags

This is just a reminder that the October Blues Bookworms forms are due tomorrow, October 29th. Also, I will be sending home the November Blues Bookworms form, as well as the Six Flags Read to Succeed forms tomorrow or Thursday. The great thing is that when you read a book, add it to both sheets!

A Peek Into Our Week - October 27th - 31st

This week, we had a great time learning about the four seasons and the different types of weather that accompany each season. We used our senses to create a lot of details that we will be using in our personal narratives next week. Here is a peek at what we will be focusing on next week in our classroom.

Writer's Workshop: We will be starting our personal narratives on a favorite small moment during a season. So far, our small moment ideas are great. As a reminder, a small moment is a story about ourselves that is very important to us. For example,

Together, We Are Awesome!

Next week is Together, We Are Awesome! week. On Monday, please have your child wear a red shirt so they can match me :) Also, on Thursday we will be having our Fall Party. If you are planning to attend the party and would like to assist with any games or activities, please let me know ASAP. Thanks!