Falcon Palooza! This Saturday!

Folders with Brads

We need 18 folders with brads. Color does not matter. If you have any at home that you are willing to spare, our class would love to use them for our nifty number practice books!

Class Basket Help... Last Call!

Pumpkin Carving

We are planning to carve pumpkins this Thursday, October 25th at 1pm in the classroom.

 

We will need at least four parent volunteers to safely carve. Right now I have only heard from one parent that is able to help. Please let me know if you are willing to help!

 

 

If we do not recieve enough help, we will paint the pumpkins instead.

 

Thank you!

Gem Jar Rewards

In our class our whole group good behavior incentive is a prize decided upon by the whole class. In order to earn the prize, we must earn 20 gems. As the students exhibit responsible and respectful behavior, I add gems to our jar.

We recently earned all the gems to have a popcorn party. It was suggested by a student that we have colored popcorn. Of course, I love color too so I said yes. Well now I'm not quite sure where you buy colored popcorn. I need your help! Please comment if you know where I can find colored popcorn for Monday!

Retelling

Last week, we focused on the skill of retelling after reading our read-aloud books. We learned that retelling means to remember the important details of the story and share them quickly. We also learned that a special way to retell is to include the beginning, middle, and end.

This week we will continue practicing to retell.

Students retelling with partners

Recess Pics

A Visit from the Firefighters

Last week, the College Station fire department came to our school. The students had the opportunity to meet fire fighters and EMTs, take a look inside their vehicles, and participate in a puppet show about fire safety. The students listened to the sound that a fire detector makes and learned that this sound means "Get Outside." They were introduced to the concept of "Stop, Drop, and Roll" when there is smoke. They met a real fire fighter in all of his gear and learned that although it may look scary, all of his gear is necessary to stay safe and it shouldn't be scary. The fire crew also taught the students to remember the number 9-1-1 in case of emergency.

The students were really impressed with all the fire fighting tools that are carried in the truck. On Monday, the student will recieve a water color page. As they complete the page at home, it may be a good time to talk about what all the fire crew taught them.

 

Addition and Subtraction Stories

On Friday we did our first lesson on addition and subtraction stories. At this point, we aren't writing equations or using symbols or even using the words addition and subtraction . We are simply describing stories where more are added or some are taken away.

Our first example was with trick or treaters. An example of an addition story is "There were 4 trick or treaters. Then 3 more trick or treaters came. Now there are 7 trick  or treaters." A subtraction story works the same way except instead of arrriving, trick or treaters are going home. This type of foundation will help students have a more complete understanding when we begin using symbols and writing equations later in the year.

We will continue practicing math stories during whole group instruction and by next week the students will begin coming up with thier own stories independently in math stations.

Word Study

This week we began word study. We will continue to do word study daily by doing word sorts. Our first sorts will require student to sort picture cards by 3 different beginning sounds. Our consonant sounds for the week were G, S, and T.

Guest Readers

 A highlight of our week is having our guest readers visit. The times when are special guests are reading are some of the most quiet we have in our room! Thanks to those that have come to read to us! We LOVE it! If you are interested in visiting to read a book aloud or to meet with students to read one-on-one please let me know. The more reading, the better! I really appreciate the help of all of you in helping our class develop a love of books and find the pleasure that comes from literature!

Willie Wabbit

 

We have really enjoyed having a new friend in our room!

 

As a class, we wrote a letter to the teacher that gave Willie and all of his supplies to his. I wish I  had a picture because it was very sweet but I forgot to take one! It said "Thank you for the bunny. We love Willie. We will take good care of him. Love, Miss Hollar's Class" The kids took turns writing words to make the letter come together. They were so into writing this little note to say thanks!

 

Thanks to those of you who have sent treats for Willie! We have decided his favorite is apples!

If you can help by sending newspaper, he also needs that for his litter box.

 

Let me know if you have any concerns about Willie in our classroom.

Reading Buddies

On Friday, we met for the first time with our third grade reading buddies. The kids LOVED it! After the third graders left, the students took turns talking about the books that they read with their partners, how their buddies helped them read, and some even shared about some "book talk" they had with thier buddy. Each Friday we will meet with our buddies. I am excited to see these relationships form and the love for books and reading continue to grow!

Math Stations in Photos

A peek into some of our math stations:

 

Writing Numbers

 

We are working hard each day to get better at writing on number 0-10. We use a song at school that names random numbers to practice listening, processingm, and writing the number. This same type of activity can be done at home my naming random numbers while your child writes them. As each number is said, quickly say that rhyme that helps us remember how each number is formed. Upon completion, we go back to look for numbers that don't look quite right and try those again.

 

Keep practicing! :)

List Writing

Last week we began writing lists during writing time. Today, we made a list together of items we would need for a pumpkin party. There were a lot of great ideas but we narrowed it down to four items that are must haves.

 

In our lists, we must have a title, then item names with quick sketches.

 

 

 

During independent writing, the children came up with their own list ideas and got to work. I saw a lot of really great work!  One student chose to make a list of foods that bunny rabbits can eat.

 

 

I am so happy with the progress that I am seeing in all the boys and girls! We are learning to spell the best we can and move on so that we can get our ideas on our paper. Many students are beginning to write letters to represent initital sounds which is wonderful! Some are even including letters for medial and final sounds. I'm so proud of my writers!

 

 If you need any help with your grocery list, I know some Kindergarteners that can help!

Classroom Pet

Today when the children arrived, I had a surprise for them!

We have a new classroom pet! Meet Willie, our pet bunny rabbit.

We are totally in love already! The kids didn't get to pet him yet. We want to give Willie a chance to warm up to all of our energy!

We are authors!

During writing time we have been working very hard!

 

I have seen so many students that are improving very quickly!

 

This week we chose our favorite peice of writing from the past few weeks to publish. I typed the children's stories and then they illustrated them.

 

When they were complete, we had our first author celebration!

They were each very pleased with their work and eager to share with one another.

 

Throught the year we will continue to publish our work and have publishing parties as we complete each writing unit. I can't wait to see what our writers will be writing in the future.

 

 

 

 



                   
WeareAuthors from Caitlin Hollar on Vimeo.

Readers, Readers, Everywhere!

We have been talking about how words are everywhere and readers are everyehere!

We learned that we were reading before we even knew it! There are words on our toys, on our favorite restaraunts, at stores we visit... We even read when we watch TV to find out what is on!

Help your child begin to recognize words that they are already reading by pointing out the environmental print around them.

Math Stations

Practice Practice Practice!

 

More sorting, patterning, and counting!

 

 



A visitor!

Clifford was at our school last week for the book fair! One moring he stopped by our classroom to join us for the connecting song as say hello! We loved it!

Busy Bees... working hard!

Practicing alphabetical order

Making and Recording Pumpkin Observations

 

 

Reading to Our New Library Friends

Building Masterpieces

Practicing Partner Reading

Fine Motor and Pencil Practice

High Tech Handwriitng Practice

Sight Word Stamping

Sight Word and Environmental Print Reading

Fishing for and Recording Uppercase Letters

Watercoloring in the Art Station