My Favorite Time of Year

Nothing is better than a fall day in October with 22 Gators to share it with here at Grove!!  We have been working on habitats in Science, Fire Safety in Social Studies, word problems or number models using Halloween shapes for math, asking thick and thin questions in Reading Workshop AND narrative writing in Writing Workshop!    We even found some time to
create!!!  Take a look at our paper strip pumpkins!
I love this "outside the box" activity that makes kids problem solve how they can turn 9 simple orange strips of construction paper into a recognizable pumpkin!  They are all so creative.  The best part was the writing they did afterwards, describing their jack-o-lantern!!!  You will be able to see them up close during Parent/Teacher conferences!!!

Salutations!!!

1KC has been hard at work! After our back to school assessments and skill reviews, I am proud to announce that your child is in the right place!!  :). Seriously, the kids have caught on to our routines and have impressed me with their quick learning!! I look forward to an awesome year!!

This week, we are covering letter writing in Writer's Workshop.  We have discussed the components, thus the title of this blog, written an invitation to Ms. Hale's class to join us for Math Workshop and will be dropping our 4th grade buddies a line also!

We are enjoying Apples and Johnny Appleseed this week as we merge this fruit and historical character into Science and Social Studies. Here is our apple tasting food from today....yum!!

These were popular with almost everyone!!
  I promised I would share the bag, so you could

pick  some up for your Gator.  I found these at Cub Foods.

Math Workshop is one of our favorite activities!

Here are some pictures from this past week ...we broke out the water colors to paint a colorful sea of Rainbow Fish, like the character in the children's book. We used this story to discuss our Schema or what we know, in Reader's Workshop. We learned we are all pretty colorful and special in what we know!

MATH Workshop

We started our MATH Workshop this week!  We had four centers (see picture) that everyone rotated through Tuesday.

 Thank you to Mrs. Beaty for her help as we began our adventure!

 I am pleased with how well the class is handling routines and expectations!! 

 We drafted a list of traits and actions that outlined what Workshop time should look like and then all the Gators signed it, like a contract.  Then, it was work time!!!!

 It was a success and a routine we look forward to doing this year in 1KC!!  If you would like to join us sometime, please let me know!  

Building Stamina

This week, 1KC is working on building stamina by reading quietly during our Reader's Workshop time.  As with anything new, practice makes perfect and the more you focus and practice, the longer you can read and the better reader you become!!!  With that in mind, here are some pics of us in action!!!  (By the way, we got up to 6 absolutely SILENT minutes today on the first try...GO GATORS!!!!!

My favorite picture, however, is how we all feel at the end of the day......  :)

1KC Curriculum Night Notes

If you were unable to attend the first grade curriculum night, we missed you!!  For those that did attend, as promised, here are the notes from my power point for you to review!!!
It is going to be a great year!

Dates to remember:

September 18  Picture Day

September 25  Grove Evacuation Drill

October 19  Grove Gator Run

October 21-25  Book Fair

October 25  Parent/Teacher Conferences

October 31  Halloween party—pm

December 13  NCHS—First grade Winter Concert

December 19  Holiday Party--am

1KC Weekly  Area Schedule

Mondays  Art  10:25-11:15

Wednesdays  IMC  1:45-2:35

Thursdays  Music  1:20-1:45 

Fridays  Music  11:15-11:40

Daily  P.E.  (Mr. Beaver)  12:55-1:20

Lunch  11:40-12:30

Tuesdays/Fridays  Math Workshop  1:30-2:30

What to expect this year in first grade:

Mondays  Words Their Way Sorts

Tuesdays  Book Box Reading (15 minutes)

Wednesdays  Math game or activity sheet

Thursdays  Book Box Reading (15 minutes)

Fridays  Reading at home and on weekends

How was your day???

Gators ALL start their day on Green…Ready to Learn.

As  the day progresses, those showing good listening skills, cooperation and respect may move up the chart to yellow or orange rectangles. 

The chart is fluid and those that go below the green into the light blue category may reverse their position with good behavior.  Those on pink or purple will not move, and corrective action will be taken.

We take lots of water breaks, so please—no water bottles at school!!

Cheerful, the Alligator

Cheerful will come home with your child at least once this year for a weekend stay.  In his bag there are books, activities and a journal for your child to write about his time with Cheerful. 

Feel free to take pictures of your Gator with Cheerful to include, though it is not required!

Cheerful has very good manners and is usually a welcome houseguest.

Parent Communication:

Grove’s phone number is 309-557-4417.

1KC’s blog:  http://gatorsatgrove.blogspot.com/

Contact information:  carlockk@unit5.org

Attendance line:  309-557 4466

Fax line:  309-557-4518

 Volunteer Opportunities

Math Workshop

Tuesday and Fridays

1:30-2:30

I ask that siblings do not come along, if possible to allow you to give your full attention to the groups and your task.

I also need room parent(s) to organize parties for the year.  I have had committees work together in prior years and share the responsibilities very successfully if you are interested in that option.  Please let me know!!

Birthday Celebrations

First grade has many ways to celebrate your child’s birthday:  Each child knows it is his/her special day by the flying of the birthday flag on the front board.  He or She will also receive a special crown to wear around Grove School all day and bring home.

PTO provides each child with a birthday book that Mrs. Fogal delivers to each Gator on his birthday.

I use Scholastic Book Club bonus points to supply each child with a new book on their day, along with a card and new pencil!

You are more than welcome to send in a small token for your child to pass out to the class, such as a tattoo, sticker, pencil, etc.

**To keep everyone healthy, we do ask that no edible treats are sent in for birthdays. 

Parties**

We celebrate throughout the year with three class parties:  Halloween (pm), Winter (am), and Valentine’s Day (pm).

District Guidelines require all treats to be store purchased and individually wrapped with ingredients displayed.

**Room parents coordinate these. 

Welcome to 1KC!!!

It is a new school year and I am excited to welcome you to my blog!!  This is the place to check
for pictures, updates and news from 1KC!!!  I regularly send a group email with the subject:  Blog is updated to let you know new information is available!!!

It will be a terrific year!!!
Mrs. Carlock