Brady

We took poor Brady to the vet today and he has pneumonia.  We are hoping the medication helps and that he recovers quickly. Poor puppy! It makes me think about all of the people and animals in this world who are suffering with health issues.  I know I take my health for granted too often.

I hope you are all having a happy, healthy break!

Merry Christmas!

I hope Santa was good to everyone! It is so nice to spend time with friends and family! We finally have a name for the dog........ Brady Joseph Edgar.  Unfortunately, he is sick again. The poor little thing has a ton of congestion and keeps coughing anytime he walks. We think it's a reaction to another vaccine the breeder gave him before we picked him up a second time. I cannot believe he is feeling this sick again. It always hits on the weekend when our vet is closed. My parents are hoping the vet is opened tomorrow so we can get him examined.

Have a wonderful holiday with your family!

Christmas Break is Here!

We had a wonderful day!!! We had a sing-a-long in the morning, completed reindeer themed activities, played "Holiday Music Bingo," and had a reindeer themed party. Five parents came to help with the party and Mrs. P planned it! The kids loved it and I appreciated it greatly!

The puppy is coming home tonight after being away with kennel cough! I'll update you all if he is named over the break!

I felt so blessed with so many wonderful gifts! I was not able to finish all of my thank you cards today! I will definitely finish them over the break! I really wanted to get them done, but we ran out of time today!


Have a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year!!!! I will miss you all!

If You Take a Mouse to the Movies

Tomorrow, we are reading If You Take a Mouse to the Movies and completing several activities related to the book. Please make sure your child returns his or her permission slip in order to eat popcorn!

We listened to The Polar Express  on http://www.storylineonline.net/ today.  It is a really neat website with several interesting stories. I'll add the link to the side of the blog.

Let me know if you have any puppy name ideas!


Happy Tuesday!

Santa, Santa, Santa!

Today, we made a present and wrote about Fox and Bear Look at the Moon in the spaces.  The students were very excited about the bows!  They did a great job discussing the story and writing about it! We reviewed short vowel sounds and talked about plural nouns. I love having a review week! It feels like we are getting a lot done! Students read sentences and had to determine the correct ending mark. They put a counter on a Bingo board once they determined the correct ending mark.This activity was fun, yet beneficial! Punctuation is a difficult concept for first grade students to master. Please reinforce this concept at home when you read with your children. Simply mentioning it briefly while reading a story may make a big impact.

We have a very exciting week ahead! Tomorrow, we are reading a cute story about Santa getting stuck in the chimney. Students will respond to a prompt about this and make a little craft. We are taking the benchmark exams. I think the students will do a wonderful job! Wednesday, we will be reading If You Take a Mouse to the Movies.  We will eat some popcorn while completing several educational activities related to the story. Permission slips to eat popcorn will go home tomorrow (Tuesday) night after school.

I have a cookie exchange tomorrow! It's time to bake, bake, bake!

Let me know if you have a good name idea for the puppy! My favorite thus far is Charlie.

Ginger (the all white dog) and the puppy taking a nap!

My Parents' New Nameless Puppy!

First grade school dental exams are scheduled for this Thursday.  A reminder notice will be sent home this evening.  The exam is only for the students who signed up for a school dental exam.  If your child is having a private dental exam this year, please return the form completed by your family dentist by April 30, 2012. Please contact Mrs. Minjock if you need another form or if you have any questions!

The kids did a great job singing today in the concert! They smiled and used their loud singing voices!!!! Everyone looked so nice all dressed up!

After we read The Polar Express and students looked under their seats, they found bells that Santa left them! It was a very exciting afternoon!

Santa!

Someone gave me the following information. I have never tried it before, but if it works, it would be pretty cool!

http://www.portablenorthpole.tv/home

This website allows your child to get a special message from Santa.  You upload their picture and put in some personalized things (favorite color, toy they want, favorite food, ...) and Santa gives them a message.

Ending blends/Supplies

We have been discussing ending blends this week.  They are tricky to hear in words.  Ask your child the sounds they hear at the end of the following words: must, went, walk, jump, just, friend, swift,

I passed out tickets today for the Polar Express! Tomorrow, we are going to board the train and listen to the story.  Santa has left a special surprise for us!

Tomorrow is the Christmas Concert.  Please make sure your child dresses up for this special event! Please try to avoid tennis shoes and jeans.

We have library tomorrow! Please make sure your child brings his or her library book to school!

If you happen to have any of the following supplies at home, please send them in. Do not go purchase new supplies!!!! I know this is a very expensive time of year!

• hot chocolate
• marshmallows (any size)
• clear plastic wrap
• microwaveable popcorn
• tinsel
• foam holiday stickers
• buttons  

Have a wonderful evening!

Happy Monday! We made ornaments today for the trees in the front of the school. The kids took their time and seemed very proud of their fabulous work!!

This Friday, we will be watching the Polar Express while wearing pajamas and drinking hot chocolate! We are completing some reading comprehension activities this week and Santa has left a special surprise the students will receive after we are done reading the story!

Spelling City is updated with the list for this week!

Breakfast with Mrs. Claus

 It was great to be back today. I can only fight the temptation to do damage on Target's website for so long! (Although this was so miserable and I barely had the energy to lift my head.) I don't know how you all handle being sick and taking care of your children!

This morning was very exciting! We had breakfast with Mrs. Claus. She read a story and gave each child an ornament. It was adorable!

Tomorrow we will be celebrating Grinch Day! I have a fun surprise to send home with your child after school.  Please try to have your child wear green tomorrow!

Go Steelers! (I'm not sure I'll still be awake when the game starts!)

Out Sick....

I had to take off today and found out that I have strep throat. I started antibiotics this afternoon and I'm taking tomorrow off too. I hate to miss the Santa Shop, but I just don't think I'm going to have the energy yet to make it through the whole day. After getting more antibiotics into me, I should be good to go by Thursday! Thank you for your understanding in my delays getting back to your notes and emails!

The Santa Shop is tomorrow! I am so disappointed to miss it.  I remember when I was young I would always try to peek and see what my sister bought me! I almost always made her look at the things I bought her at the Santa Shop! Do you remember going to the Santa Shop when you were in school? It is so funny how things stand out in our minds! I should have realized then that shopping would always be a temptation for me!

I just posted the spelling list on spellingcity.com. I was too sick last night to even think about it.

Have a wonderful night!

Friday!!!!!

I cannot believe how quickly this week went by! Today, we finished our elf applications, completed "Brown Bag Reports" during RTII, and took our spelling test.  I think we all did very well on the spelling test. The most difficult concept to remember is that s, l, f, and z's need to be doubled when they follow a short vowel sound.  I tell the kids to remember "Sally loves fried zebras." 

Have a wonderful weekend!

 SANTA FUND COLLECTIONS WILL BE TAKEN UP TO AND INCLUDING FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9^TH.

December!!!!

I cannot believe December is here already! We have a very exciting month ahead! Today, we made words with the short u sound in them. Your child has brought letter cards home with him/her today. Try to make dug, rug, bun, run, fun, or any other words you can make from the letters in the pile!

We made cards for soldiers who will be overseas during the holiday season.  Students took their time creating very thoughtful messages and pictures! They were working as though they were Santa's best elves! :-)

This week we are reading the story, Biscuit. If you have any books with Biscuit in them, feel free to send them to school with your child. Please write your last name in them so I can make sure they are returned safely to you at the end of the day! :-) 

I am VERY excited to tell you that we received TWO STARS for good behavior in music class today. This was extremely pleasing news to my ears! Please give your child a special high five, hug, or whatever else they would like for being such a great listener in music today! I am thrilled!

Scholastic orders are due tomorrow! I want to make sure they are entered early enough in the month so we can guarantee delivery before Christmas.  Please send a check made out to Scholastic or enter your order online.