Last Day of School!
Posted in Weekly Newsletters on June 8th, 2012
We have had a wonderful year of 1st Grade! Click here for ideas to prevent “Summer Set-Back!”2012 Wild for Books Schedule
Writing Process
Posted in Reading Resources, Weekly Newsletters on March 31st, 2012A few years ago, Su Palmer was assistant superintendent of curriculum forFruitport Community Schools. She introduced me to writing workshop, “draft books”, writing demonstrations, Dancing With the Pen, Smith and Elley’s (1997) How Children Learn to Write, Effective Literacy Practice. I couldn’t get enough. As I began to develop my understandings, I made significant changes in my teaching practice and watched my students grow as writers. 
Students in Room 6 have been doing lots of pre-writing, drafting, revising, and some editing all year. But, somehow in our busyness, publishing had taken a back seat. The reality is, it’s not easy to squeeze in publishing without making it a priority. So, to help make the writing process visible and explicit, we made this chart as a class and have it posted in a prominent place. And, I’ve started publishing student writing–my goal is to confer with at least 3-4 students each day until each student has one published piece over the next 2 weeks.
Happy New Year!
Posted in Weekly Newsletters on January 13th, 2012
Vowels are Important!!
Happy New Year Everyone! My New Year’s Resolution is to try to update this Blog every Friday!
Sneaky Silent 'e'
Happy Thanksgiving!
Posted in Weekly Newsletters on November 23rd, 2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
There is no First Grade News this week.
First Grade News 11-18-11
Posted in Weekly Newsletters on November 18th, 2011
The first snowy recess of year, Thursday, November 10, 2011!
First Grade News 10-28-11
Posted in Weekly Newsletters on October 28th, 2011
"-ed" ending chart before
This week during Word Work time, we worked on word endings.
There generally is one spelling for the “-ed” ending in text, but when we read that ending, or say it, it can have 3 different sounds:
/d/ as in played /t/ as in cooked /id/ as in needed
Students had a great time finding words with “-ed” endings in books from our classroom library! Check out the chart “before” and “after”! Wow!
"-ed" ending chart after
Click here for this week’s edition of First Grade News 10-28-11
First Grade News 10-20-11
Posted in Weekly Newsletters on October 19th, 2011
Our Literacy Cafe’ Menu –Reading Learning Targets
Click on the link for this week’s edition of First Grade News 10-20-11
First Grade News 10-14-11
Posted in Weekly Newsletters on October 14th, 2011National Fire Prevention Week
Click on the links below for News Letters
Last week was Safety Week and this week was National Fire Prevention Week. I was the lucky 1st grade teacher to get to put on the fireman’s full firefighting gear! Wow! It was very heavy (and smelly)–I don’t know how those firemen can get all of that gear on in 1 minute! The purpose of having a teacher put the gear on was to show that it’s a real person under all of that scary clothing, so kids won’t be afraid and hide.
Our favorite new website is www.mercywatson.com be sure to check it out!
Photos of Donuts with Dad and Muffins with Mom will be available soon.
First Grade News 9-30-11
Posted in Weekly Newsletters on September 30th, 2011
We are building stamina so we can read by ourselves for at least 15 minutes!
Click here for First Grade News 9-30-11
Sorry for the delay in posting these newsletters, I was having some technical difficulties!
Click here for First Grade News 9-23-11
Click here for First Grade News 9-16-11
click here for First Grade News 9-9-11
First Grade News 4-15-11
Posted in Weekly Newsletters on April 16th, 2011
First Graders attended the New Reader Round-up at the Fruitport Branch of the Muskegon Area District Library. They treated us to a wonderful program including a guest appearance of Amelia Bedelia!
Click on the link below for this week’s edition of First Grade News.