Classroom Newsletter 4/17/09

Dear Families,

We have worked very hard in first grade this week. We finished our non-fiction reports and had fun sharing them in class. We have worked on this unit for a few weeks and written many reports on different topics. For publication, some students chose their reports on marsupials, while others chose reports on magnets or favorite toys and gifts. The students enjoyed looking through their writing pieces and comparing their rough drafts to the final, edited piece. We have also started writing our reports on the computers. The students write them as a Word document in their own personalized font. Writing the reports on the computers has become so popular that some students wish to spend recess indoors so they can finish them before the break next week!!!
In math, we started a new unit on geometry this week and explored shapes and patterns in stations and small group work. First, we learned to identify two-dimensional shapes and used templates and rulers to create our own. We also learned to make patterns using the Yup’ik Inuit border patterns from Alaska. We learned that these geometric patterns are passed on in families and used in clothing. We used this design technique to make book-marks. Please visit the Inspire First grade blog to view examples of these artistic creations! I hope to post the pictures soon. The students will receive the actual book-marks after the break. Second, we worked in small groups to create a larger geometric mural for our classroom. Each group was responsible for a quarter of the mural. The students were asked to come up with a plan for what they wanted to include and which colors to use. They worked very well together and the results were amazing. Please visit the blog again for pictures.
The concert was a success earlier this week! I had the privilege to see the dress rehearsal earlier that day, and I was very impressed. I hope you all enjoyed this very special evening. We listen to the songs many times in the classroom. We even created a new greeting to go along with these songs. Ask your child to tell you about the “Bubble Greeting”.
We attended the 5th grade dress rehearsal with Jon Gailmor this week as well. First and second graders met with him last week. We also had the opportunity to write a song with him. The students chose the words and Jon Gailmor put it to music. It was great and we had fun!
Lastly, the Inspire team will attend "The ant and the elephant" at the Flynn Theater, Monday April 27, 2009. This is the first day back from the school break. Students need a bag lunch as we will depart at 11:15 and eat lunch in the classroom. Please remember your child needs to pack a peanut free lunch. We will return at 1:30. Thanks.

Have a wonderful week off from school!
Regards,
Maria McCormack