Saturday, August 27, 2011

Week 2 - Learning How to Do Reading Centers

Mr. Snyder turns a Read to Self moment into a Read to Someone moment!
We had another AMAZING week in 1st grade.  We were able to go to the library, go to computer lab, begin working with our IPADS, and we got to bring Take Home Book Bags home for the first time!
Read to Self
Students spent the week practicing and perfecting their Daily 5 / Reading Center skills.  In addition to whole group reading instruction, our classroom spends 1 hour each day on small group reading instruction.  I work with small groups of students at their individual reading levels, while the rest of the students are engaged in literacy activities.  These activities are referred to as centers.  Our centers are based around the concept of The Daily 5 literacy activities:  Read to Self, Read to Someone, Listen to Reading, Work on Writing, Work with Words.  The students do Read to Self everyday, after which they will rotate through the other 4 activities.  There are a variety of things for the students to do for each activity and they are self directed; when they are finished with the station they are able to move on to something else.  Each child has a checkoff sheet that they mark when they have completed an activity, this allows them to track what they have done for the week and what they still need to do.  Students will also have the opportunity to work in small groups with our para-educator, Mrs. Shirley, and our classroom volunteers.  Enjoy taking a look at us in action!
Love,

Read to Someone

We listen to reading wtih TAG Readers and Leap Pads


Folder help us keep track of what we need to do!


Work on Writing is one of our favorites!
Mrs. Heath

Students practice phonics skills in Work with Words

Friday, August 26, 2011

Book Orders

Just a quick reminder that August book orders must be submitted online or sent in to class by Monday, August 29th. 

The Bear Who Wouldn't Share

Dear Parents,

We were practicing reading in 1st grade.  (Dannika)  It is fun reading The Bear Who Wouldn't Share.  (Meredith)  We changed our voices for different people.  (Ben)  We love this book! (Leah)  We love READING!  (Elle)

*I shot a video of them reading but am experiencing technical difficulties in getting it to load on the computer.  :(   I'll keep working on it!
Love,


Mrs. Heath's 1st Grade Class

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Week 1 - First Grade Rocks!

Our 1st Day of School Self Portraits.  Names are to the left.

The first week of 1st grade was fun, fantastic, fabulous, and TIRING!!  It is HARDWORK being a first grader!  By the end of the day I  have 21 sets of drooping eyes and tired postures but at least they are still grinning! 

Our 1st Day of School self portraits.  Names are to the left.
One thing that we learned this week was how to be "A Golden Ruler".  What is A Golden Ruler you ask?  It is quite simple, A Golden Ruler is someone who follows the Golden Rule and treats others the way that he/she wants to be treated.  We read a story about the kingdom of Hickory Hill and Queen Mean and King Nasty who lived there and were not nice to others. They learn how to follow the Golden Rule and everyone lives happily ever after!

All and all it was a wonderful week.  I look forward to the remainder of the year with this great bunch of kiddos!
We decided we would be Golden Rulers, not Queen Mean or King Nasty!

Monday, August 15, 2011

Happy Teacher!!!

What a happy teacher I am!  Sshhh...don't tell other first grade teachers but I have the BEST 1st graders in the world!!  I was so happy to meet all but one of you and your families today.  We are going to have an AMAZING year!! 

Parents:  remember that you and your child are welcome to make comments on our blog.  Just remember two things: 
1) You comments will not post right away -- I have to approve all comments.  This just keeps us all safe from the yucky stuff out there! 

2) Once I approve the comment, everyone will be able to see it.  If you need to tell me something that is personal or private, please feel free to email me at dheath@paplv.org 

Thank you all for coming tonight.  I look forward to a wonderful year together!

Love,
Mrs. Heath

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Meet the Teacher

Welcome First Graders and Families!!!
I'm hoping that some of you have gotten your postcards and have stopped by to visit our little blog.  I am SO excited for a new school year to start and for all the learning and fun we are going to have! Don't forget that Meet the Teacher is on Monday from 5:30-6:30. Until then, have fun poking around here and our class website at www.mrsheath.us and find out all about our classroom.   I will see you on Monday!

Love,

Mrs. Heath