Mrs. Parker’s Press

Whew!  February is flying by! 

The day we come back will be the 100th Day of School!  Children will need to bring in 100 edible items for our 100th day snack mix.  (goldfish crackers, raisins, M&M’s, nuts, etc.)  We don’t have any food allergies this year, so peanuts are fine.

Also, the day we come back will be our Sight Word Test:  Children will need to read and spell these words-

January  Sight Words: heard, learn, word, work, world, once, today, together, tomorrow, again

Friday will be our Valentine’s Exchange/Treat:

Children participating should bring a Valentine for every child in our class.  (we will not be able to give Valentine’s to children in other classes!) If they  want to decorate a box or bag at home to bring to school to put their Valentine’s in they can….or we will make one at school.  (just another idea for something to do)

17 Students in our class:

Juliana, Greta, Ayden, Michael, Taylor, Kyle, Emily, Anthony, Sydney, Zak, Elliott, Justin, Bowen, Luke, Nick, Katherine, Dylan

I hope ALL the children are reading every single day.  That is the #1 way to keep from losing ground while we are out.  If they’ll read 30 minutes a day and work a couple of pages in their green math book (pgs. before p. 75) they should be in good shape.  The link to the Social Studies Posters would also be an excellent thing to do.

Enjoy your day!

Mrs. Parker

Thanks to Beth Gentry at RES for this fabulous idea:

Snowy days got you down because your kids are home from school with nothing to do? Don’t worry there’s something you can do to keep them entertained for hours! Try an at home storybook theatre show.

Things You’ll Need:
* children’s book
* adult clothes you don’t use anymore
* anything you could use for props (old hats, scarves, gloves, costume jewelry, sheets or blankets)
* things to use for music (chop sticks, old kitchen pans, etc.)
* optional: camera

Being in the house on snow days can go really slow if kids are not entertained. If you don’t want them in front of the t.v. or glued to their video games try giving them a storybook theatre day.   It’s easy, fun and can be a great bonding time for all. The key to a successful storybook theatre day is to keep them engaged and using their imagination through out the whole process.   Get the kids all together and let the fun begin!

First: Have the kids pick out a book of their choice. It can be a favorite or one they’ve never heard or read before. If you have older kids the book needs to be a shorter book, long chapter books don’t work. Once they have all picked and agreed on which book to use for the “show” have them all sit down in a circle. They can take turns reading the book or if you have young children read it to them. The story is going to be the “script” tell them to listen carefully so they’ll have an idea of how they are going to want the play to go.
Second: Once the book is read have them all decide how the “script” will go. It should follow the story and have a beginning, middle & end. Have them decide who will play which character. If there aren’t enough characters in the story for each child have them double up or create new characters to add to the story.
Third: Next step is to have them pick out costumes and props that match the story. Use old clothes, hats, boxes, toys, etc.. Also, making scenery and back drops are great art projects and can make the process more fun! Use old paper, construction paper anything they can use to make scenery. Use old blankets or sheets to hang back drops and pin the pictures on them. Have everyone get their costumes on, place their props and put up the back drop and scenery.
Fourth: Have them practice their story (remember the beginning, middle and end) improv style. For the younger kids keep them on track by reminding them of the story and helping them with continuity. Let them know that this is called “rehearsal” in theatre. Help them with starting the show, having one or all of them announce “the show will now begin” is a great way for the to do their opening. Also help them with the ending reminding them to take a bow when they are finished!
Fifth: It’s time for the show!  Grab any available adult or child who didn’t participate and take your seat. Sit back and enjoy the show! If you have a camera you can record it and replay it later for them.
Tips
* Let the kids do most of the work, it’s good for their imaginations!
* Help by guiding and suggesting not telling or directing.
* If they want they can add music and singing to turn it into a musical.
* Designate an area for the show, the “theatre”

1. What is the scientific word for forms of water that fall from the sky?  Rain, snow, hail, and sleet are forms of precipitation.
2. What did you learn about snowflakes from the book Snowflake Bentley?  No two snowflakes look alike.  They come in many different shapes and forms.
3. What happens to snow when the temperature rises and the sun’s rays hit the snow?  The snow will melt.
4. What type of climate does an area need to have to keep snow all year?  It needs a very cold climate.
5. Can you name the continent that is covered by snow all year?  It is the home of Emperor penguins.  It is Antarctica.

Ms. McTamany asked me to post this:

Due to school closings and weather issues we are able to extend the Valentine carnation order date to Monday, February 8th!
If you have questions or need more information please contact Becci Dougherty becci@tombec.com or call at 556- 6102.
Thank you!

No School on Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday or Thursday AND Friday!  Have a Great  Week-End!  Ideas for Snowy day fun???  E-mail them to me and I”ll post them on the Blog!

New Link:  Make your own Social Studies Posters.  Put them together to make your own study book!

http://chumby.dlib.vt.edu/melissa/posters/firstposter.html

Ideas for when you’re inside and they say that they are “bored”.

1.  Go online to Razkids.com   password:  dparker

2.  Go online to Scholastic and browse for books:

User Name:  dparker    Password:  firstgrade  (due Feb. 12th)

3.  Inventions are due  on Feb. 8th! (or the day we come back)

4.  Sight Word Test will  be the day we get back.

5.  Read, Read, Read a book or two.

6.  At the top of my blog is a link to Websites.  Internet 4 Classrooms has some great games in Math and Language Arts that the kids love to play.

7.  Make Your Valentines: 17 Students

Juliana, Greta, Ayden, Michael, Taylor, Kyle, Emily, Anthony, Sydney, Zak, Elliott, Justin, Bowen, Luke, Nick, Katherine, Dylan

8.  Don’t forget Starfall and PBS Kids…that’s always fun!

9.  If  you’re really bored…you can do any page in your Green Math Homework Book up to page 75!

10. Here’s a fun sight I ran across that has lots of stuff to do:

http://holidays.kaboose.com/winter-print.html

Here are some more ideas:  (Thanks Mrs. Alvis)

1. Mix half shaving cream and Elmers glue and make 3d snow pictures on dark construction paper.
2. Write sentences using sight words about the snow.

3.  Dump a pile of coins on the table or floor and have your child sort them:  pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters.

4.  Practice counting money to prepare for what’s ahead.

See you when the snow melts!  Don’t forget your bag of 100 edibles for our 100th Day of School Trail Mix!

Warm Wishes!     Here’s where I’ll be spending my summer: