Finally...we are getting back to normal! :)

Well...this year was definitely off to a different start than other school years! :) As I mentioned in my previous post, we haven't had AC since the start of the 2012-2013 school year. The kids have been such troopers! We worked in our classroom throughout the AM while it was still cool. In the afternoon, we shuffled around the school building to open classrooms to try and stay a little cooler. This past week, we were out of our classroom for 2 whole days. On Wednesday, I set up classroom in the music portable. Thank GOD Ms. B is amazing and allowed us to be in her classroom all day. On Thursday, I created a classroom in the auditorium. I wish I took a picture because our make shift classroom wasn't too shabby! :) My coworkers have been AMAZING: offering their rooms, combining classes to give us a break from the heat, and loaning items for my make shift classrooms! I truly have the greatest coworkers! :)

 

Again, it has been amazing to watch how my kiddos have been able to work through all this craziness!! Moving up from kindergarten to first grade is a transition in itself. Throw all the other craziness and I was expecting a zoo. The kiddos suprised me and were SO awesome! :)

 

So, apologies about my lack of posts since the first grade year has started. With being shuffled around, the last thing on my mind was the blog! We have finished out Start Smart book and have now entered into our hardback reader! The kids are loving their "big kid" books! Next week, be on the look out for pictures of the kids in action and updates as to what is going on in 1A! :)

 

Thanks again for all the CONGRATS!

I am happy to share that I am expecting a baby BOY this February!! :)

 

Take a look at some of the class name suggestions:

 

 

 

 

Off to a great start...

Well...the first grade year is off to a great start! Last week, I welcomed 21 smiling kiddos into my classroom. It is so much fun to see how much they have grown since Kindergarten. I was worried the kids wouldn't be smiling for long because in my classsroom...we are dealing with a little "situation!" My classroom is the ONLY classroom with a broken AC unit. It is quite hot in here! It is noisy too since I have 2 portable AC units, 3 fans, and 2 dehumidifiers running! The kids (and myself) are being real troopers as they are trying to adjust to a new classroom, new year, new desks, etc. We are being shuffled around the building to find various cool spots. Thankfully, I work with AWESOME people who have welcomed my class with open arms to get a break from the hot room. We decided that 1A is offering up any complaints we might have to Jesus! :)

 

So...back to the beginning of the year! The kids have been working very hard reviewing some Kindergarten work and taking various assessments. We have been practicing various letters (both sounds and handwriting). We are also reviewing different sight words. Here is a list of the words we have covered so far in 1st grade:

 

I                  can                     we                      like

see                  the                   go                      to 

and                  have                  a                     he 

is                 she             and           said            are

 

Be sure to practice these words at home. Also, re-read the mini books that come home. The sight words are used throughout the mini books!

These are our "Chester the Raccoon" art projects. We always read

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn during the first few days of school.

The children wrote about something they

wanted to learn this school year.

The kids worked in groups to create their memories

of the "first week of first grade" posters.

 

 

I will begin posting more pictures next week once I receive all blog permission slips from the parents. Be sure to check back for work samples or the kids in action! :)

 

 Below you will find some new additions to my classroom.

 

 Welcome Door...of course...have to represent NKOTB in some way!

Yes, if you are new to my blog...I still LOVE New Kids on the Block! :)

Sorry! HAHA!

 This is  my new classroom wreath. My mom and I made it over the summer!

 Thank you Pinterest for the idea!

Here is another Pinterest idea. These are the most common parts of the day that I am asked about.

 I decided to set up these clocks so that I can direct the kids to look at the classroom clock!

They will definitely be more helpful once we review time.

  

 

 

Now...on to planning for Back to School Night!

 

 

2012-2013 Sneak a Peek

Well...another sneak a peek is over! Today, I met my newest batch of first graders. I am so excited for another school year to get started. There will be lots of fun things this coming year. Be sure to signup for Edline because all important information, weekly letters, spelling lists, & homework will be posted on my class homepage! If you ever have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me!

 

 Welcome to 1A! :)

Happy Summer!

After some much needed R&R, I am now getting myself back into school mode. Summer has been great so far. I decided not to work this summer, for the first time since I started teaching. There have been plenty of LAZY days but I have filled my time reading, catching up with friends, and visiting family in Buffalo. I still have one more trip home planned and my main summer event happens to be the last weekend of my summer vacation. It'll be bittersweet knowing summer is ending but I am counting down until that weekend where I will FINALLY meet NKOTB/see TONS of other amazing artists! I will share my highly anticipated summer event when I return! So, the wheels are turning and I am beginning to hunt around for some new ideas...with the help of Pinterest, of course! Every year I try to tweak things from the year before, throw out what didn't work, or pull out activities that were a hit! I am looking forward to meeting my new batch of kiddos! Since we have 2 first grade classes, it is mostly a surprise as to which children will be in my class. I can't wait to get back into the classroom, get things set up, & organized. If you know me...you KNOW I am highly OCD and LOVE to be organized and ahead of the game! Not knowing my students is a planners nightmare because I can't quite put the finishing touches on things! I hope summer is treating you well! :) Back to the grind...

ZOO!

Thank you to all the parents that came with 1A to our ZOO field trip. We had a great time at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore! The first and third graders enjoy this trip together. Usually we go to the National Zoo but we decided to switch it up so that each grade could experience a different zoo.

Here are some of the many pictures I took for you to enjoy!

1A is a little SPACEY

This week we are learning about the Solar System in Science. Yesterday, the kids worked on a little art project using chalk. Today, during computers, the kids worked on Pixie to create the Solar System.
1A Solar Systems:

Arts Festival 2012

A BIG THANK YOU goes out to all the people responsible for another awesome Arts Festival! Each year, our school takes a break from the daily routine to focus on the regions from the Mission Rosary. Each grade focuses on a different region...learning about their culture

and creating different art pieces (drawing, painting, cooking, dance, singing, etc).

Take a look at some of the FUN 1A had last week!

(A special thank you to all the 1A parent volunteers! We could not have done it without you!)

We kicked off the Arts Fesitival with Marie Miller. She is a singer/songwriter who incorporates God into her music. She reminded us that God created all Art and to see Him in everything we were going to do during our activities . Click on her name to check her out. She has a BEAUTIFUL voice and spreads a wonderful message. I hope we get her back. The kids LOVED it.

A favorite of mine is always Dancing with Sabine. Sabine knows how to get the kids moving. My classes always love dancing but this class...LOVES dancing! Click on the link to learn more about her classes. Check her out over the summer!

We also got to listen to the Navy Band Brass Quartet!

To incorporate our region from the Mission Rosary, the first grade students learned a lot about Africa. We created a mural, African shelters, solar stills, masks, & cave art! Take a look! :)

I took some great videos of the guests mentioned above but each time

 I try to upload the video there is an error! I will keep trying! :)