April 26-May 6

I hope everyone enjoyed their Spring Break. It was nice to have some time to rest and refresh. The end of first grade is now in sight, and there are so many exciting things coming up!
During these next few weeks, we will finish our insect unit. Our next science unit will be on MARE. First grade learns about the tidepools and all of the amazing creatures who live in them. Our MARE kick off is on May 6 and is a fun schoolwide event. This year we are playing Minute to Win It to review concepts learned in previous years. Should be exciting!
In math, we only have one more unit left in our Everyday Math series. So we are learning about some other math concepts, such as weight, coordinate grids and graphing, ratios, and probablility. Please continue to practice basic addition and subtraction facts, telling time, and money.
The students are almost finished writing their All About books. They have done a fantastic job. We are planning on sharing them with the fourth grade. Then we will send them home for you to read!
In reading, we are getting into such good books, such as the Henry and Mudge series, by Cynthia Rylant, and Frog and Toad, by Arnold Lobel. I am so pleased with the students progress in reading!
My daughters, Lauren (13) and Gina (11) will be joining us this week for Bring Your Child to Work Day. Lauren will bring her flute and Gina will bring her violin. Lauren is planning a writing activity and Gina is going to help the students with an origami project. They are really looking forward to their visit and finally meeting the children I tell them so much about! :)
Thank you for your generous donations for the American Red Cross for Japan. Our Hat Day raised $320!

Week of April 11-15

On Thursday we will go to the beautiful State Theater in Easton, PA to see a live performance of the Berenstain Bears. We have been reading books about these characters and the lessons they learn. The students are very excited to see live theater in such a grand setting. We will leave school about 9:15 and return by 12:30. We will eat with the late lunch. No need to send a snack that day, but your child should eat a good breakfast.
The library will be closed on Wednesday, so we will attend on Thursday this week. We will be able to purchase books from the archery book sale fundraiser then. All books are only 50 cents. If you want your child to purchase books, please send in money on Thursday for the book sale. All proceeds go to the archery team.
Friday is Hat Day. This was our class' idea, and we are hoping to raise some money to send to Japan. The students are excited to watch their ideas go into action. They can wear a hat all day at school for a minimum donation of 50 cents. Please help us to help those who have been struck by tragedy.
Please remember that we do not have school April 18 through April 25. School resumes April 26. It is very important that you remember to vote on Wednesday, April 27. Every vote counts! I hope everyone has a fantastic spring break and a very happy Easter.

Week of April 4-8

As we enter the final marking period of the year, we will be having another busy week. We will continue to learn about bugs in science, focusing on life cycles this week. We will read a true story about a girl named Abbie Burgess who helped to keep the lights burning in the lighthouse her family ran. We will also read a true story about a cat who saved her kittens from a fire. In math, we will continue to explore place value and adding and subtracting larger numbers. In Writing Workshop, we will begin working on "All About" stories.
This is the last week to send in books and DVDs for the archery fundraiser. Our Tricky Tray basket has received many donations lately, thank you!
Good luck to Olivia in the play "The Wizard of Oz" this weekend!
Have a great week!