What an exciting day it was with our own Kindergarten celebrity Mrs. Straight turning 50! Days like this are not only fun filled but rich with real life learning experiences. The class used their writing knowledge and handwriting skills to write about turning 50 and to wish Mrs. Straight Happy Birthday. They also proofread their pieces and added illustrations. Then the auditory practice began. Each student practiced reading their pieces--first just learning new words and then adding expression. They read to a partner, then to the class, to the class again using the amplification system, and finally a trip to our own recording studio (better known as Mrs. Kollath's computer lab). Mrs. Kollath recorded the birthday wishes and sent a copy to me to place on the blog. We are so fortunate to have such a talented person as Mrs. Kollath as our computer coordinator. Of course, Mrs. Straight will receive the originals and I will make color copies of the wishes for each student's portfolio.
I am so blessed to have such wonderful parents, students, and colleagues to work with in school. I am especially thankful for Mrs. Straight. Not only is she the world's best Kindergarten teacher but she is also an incredibly warm and caring person.
Enjoy the video!
Note: Some parents prefer not to have an individual picture of their child posted on the Internet. Therefore, a couple of students are audio only.
Your partner in education,
Ms. Loetscher
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Einstein Visits!
The First Graders enjoyed a visit from Albert Einstein (Mr. Kravig).
On Friday Albert Einstein taught the boys and girls about the three forces: gravity, electricity, and magnetism. What a wonderful learning experience it was!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Move over Michael Jordan!
The first graders dribbled their way to spelling success this morning! For each letter of a spelling word they dribbled and after the final letter they shot and made a basket. Your child will need to demonstrate this exciting way to practice spelling words.
In math we worked on addition of numbers with zero by using magnets on the marker board. The students were so impressed since they could add facts such as 1,000,000 +0 = 1,000,000! They also used partners to hand count by fives and we raised the roof (raise palms of hands toward ceiling) to count by tens. Once again have your special first grader show you.
Please continue working on spelling words. Thanks so much for your help and continued support!
Your partner in education,
Ms. Loetscher
In math we worked on addition of numbers with zero by using magnets on the marker board. The students were so impressed since they could add facts such as 1,000,000 +0 = 1,000,000! They also used partners to hand count by fives and we raised the roof (raise palms of hands toward ceiling) to count by tens. Once again have your special first grader show you.
Please continue working on spelling words. Thanks so much for your help and continued support!
Your partner in education,
Ms. Loetscher
Monday, September 13, 2010
Oops!
I was trying to cram so much into our shortened day that I forgot to have the boys and girls circle Set 3 for the spelling test this week. I did tell them as they scurried out the door. :) The pink spelling words are high frequency words that usually can not be sounded out. Please remember to have your child prepared to spell any/all of the words Sets 1-3.
We began working in the first grade reading books today by talking about author, illustrator, and table of contents. The class also enjoyed studying the fairy tale The Princess and the Pea. Our new reading series provides ample opportunities for the boys and girls not only to read but also to express themselves verbally and in written form. It is tons of fun to read what they write and also to watch as they develop into accomplished writers.
In addition to the reading series, I also used a separate phonics program called VoWac. Back in the 1970's Mrs. Straight and I were both trained in the Orton-Gillingham phonics. We have relied on that tried and true approach during our entire careers. This program is scientifically researched based and is the foundation for the VoWac phonics program. It is built on the premise that a child learns best given the opportunities to use any/all learning modalities including the visual (sight), auditory (hearing) , and kinesthetic (movement). Every child is a unique gift with his/her own learning style. As their teacher, I provide a learning environment in which they may choose how to learn. For example, some students learn best listening to a story on CD and then reading it, others read the visual words, while some need to spell those words by air writing, etc. before reading the story.
We also began our new vocabulary study today. One of our special words is unique. Try to work that word into your conversations with your child this week. I am thankful for my unique and helpful group of students and parents this year!
Your partner in education,
Ms. Loetscher
We began working in the first grade reading books today by talking about author, illustrator, and table of contents. The class also enjoyed studying the fairy tale The Princess and the Pea. Our new reading series provides ample opportunities for the boys and girls not only to read but also to express themselves verbally and in written form. It is tons of fun to read what they write and also to watch as they develop into accomplished writers.
In addition to the reading series, I also used a separate phonics program called VoWac. Back in the 1970's Mrs. Straight and I were both trained in the Orton-Gillingham phonics. We have relied on that tried and true approach during our entire careers. This program is scientifically researched based and is the foundation for the VoWac phonics program. It is built on the premise that a child learns best given the opportunities to use any/all learning modalities including the visual (sight), auditory (hearing) , and kinesthetic (movement). Every child is a unique gift with his/her own learning style. As their teacher, I provide a learning environment in which they may choose how to learn. For example, some students learn best listening to a story on CD and then reading it, others read the visual words, while some need to spell those words by air writing, etc. before reading the story.
We also began our new vocabulary study today. One of our special words is unique. Try to work that word into your conversations with your child this week. I am thankful for my unique and helpful group of students and parents this year!
Your partner in education,
Ms. Loetscher
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Eruption!
Did you hear about the spewing lava, smell of ash, and plumes of smoke in the first grade room this morning around 9:00 a.m.? We were concerned that the Kindergarten and Second Graders were going to begin evacuating! You will be relieved to learn that it was only the class performing Volcano Spelling! This is how it works. The students look at the spelling word on the board. They spell the word out loud. The first letter begins as a whisper, then it gets louder with each letter, and finally explodes when they say the last letter and then the word. (Hands go up in the air and lava is all over the place!) This would be a fun activity to do at home while practicing spelling words. The second test is tomorrow.
I often tell my first graders what a lucky teacher I am to have such wonderful boys and girls to work with in class! Of course, they knod their heads in agreement! :) I also have a great group of parents and colleagues who add the frosting to the cake.
More news tomorrow!
Your partner in education,
Ms. Loetscher
I often tell my first graders what a lucky teacher I am to have such wonderful boys and girls to work with in class! Of course, they knod their heads in agreement! :) I also have a great group of parents and colleagues who add the frosting to the cake.
More news tomorrow!
Your partner in education,
Ms. Loetscher
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Sammy Snake
I hope everyone had an enjoyable and safe Labor Day! The boys and girls wrote about their long weekend experiences in their Writers' Notebooks so I know there were lots of camping, fishing, and shopping trips.
Sammy Snake (the puppet) slithered his way into the classroom today to tell the boys and girls about the letter s and how s sometimes copies the z sound. An example is the spelling word his. Speaking of spelling words I added four more words to the list. On Friday the first graders are responsible for spelling sets one and two. These words are learn by heart words and not meant to be sounded out in their entirety.
Could you hear the whispers this morning? Each student received a "whisper phone" to read with during class time. It is simply a plastic tube through which the child whispers as he/she reads and the tube amplifies the sounds and words. Sometimes boys and girls need to hear themselves read at this stage in their reading journey. It is also a helpful tool for auditory learners.
The class worked on reading numbers words and doing domino math which was a lot of fun. They also enjoyed Crazy 8 phonics using short vowel words.
At the end of the day there was a Boy Scout presentation for all boys.
All in all, it was a great beginning to a busy week!
Your partner in education,
Ms. Loetscher
Sammy Snake (the puppet) slithered his way into the classroom today to tell the boys and girls about the letter s and how s sometimes copies the z sound. An example is the spelling word his. Speaking of spelling words I added four more words to the list. On Friday the first graders are responsible for spelling sets one and two. These words are learn by heart words and not meant to be sounded out in their entirety.
Could you hear the whispers this morning? Each student received a "whisper phone" to read with during class time. It is simply a plastic tube through which the child whispers as he/she reads and the tube amplifies the sounds and words. Sometimes boys and girls need to hear themselves read at this stage in their reading journey. It is also a helpful tool for auditory learners.
The class worked on reading numbers words and doing domino math which was a lot of fun. They also enjoyed Crazy 8 phonics using short vowel words.
At the end of the day there was a Boy Scout presentation for all boys.
All in all, it was a great beginning to a busy week!
Your partner in education,
Ms. Loetscher
Friday, September 3, 2010
Salamanders, toads, and snails! Oh, no!
Today the first graders traveled to Mr. Sok's science lab where they learned about living and non-living things. Using magnifying glasses they closely observed and even held toads, salamanders, and snails. The boys and girls discussed the characteristics of living and non-living things. It was an exciting, hands-on learning time for everyone including Mr. Sok, since he had not worked with first graders for a while. Mr. Sok and the class did an outstanding job! We are scheduled to meet with Mr. Sok every other Friday. Rumor is that the next visit will include some creepy, crawly creatures!
Also today the boys and girls read and learned about Labor Day. They were shocked to hear that years ago children their age worked 12 hour days, 7 days a week in factories. The first graders wrote about a worker they appreciate. Please go to the Writing Projects tab and scroll down to Labor Day to read their thoughts.
Laughter is good for the heart and good for the soul! Laughter and learning permeate our room!
What a joy and privilege to work with your child!
Enjoy Labor Day!
Your partner in education,
Ms. Loetscher
Also today the boys and girls read and learned about Labor Day. They were shocked to hear that years ago children their age worked 12 hour days, 7 days a week in factories. The first graders wrote about a worker they appreciate. Please go to the Writing Projects tab and scroll down to Labor Day to read their thoughts.
Laughter is good for the heart and good for the soul! Laughter and learning permeate our room!
What a joy and privilege to work with your child!
Enjoy Labor Day!
Your partner in education,
Ms. Loetscher
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Reading Fun
It was another great day in the land of first graders! The boys and girls read words that could be sounded out in order to increase their fluency. If they carefully followed along, they earned a beautiful bright "gem." All my little first grade "gems" earned a gem to take home. I reminded the boys and girls to keep the gems out of the reach of any younger brothers and sisters since we want to keep everyone safe.
Your child should have brought home vocabulary cards with the days of the week written on them. Please have your child practice these. Each first grader had a partner and used the days of the week cards to play Memory Match. What a fun way to learn new words!
Looking forward to Fantastic Friday!
Your partner in education,
Ms. Loetscher
Your child should have brought home vocabulary cards with the days of the week written on them. Please have your child practice these. Each first grader had a partner and used the days of the week cards to play Memory Match. What a fun way to learn new words!
Looking forward to Fantastic Friday!
Your partner in education,
Ms. Loetscher
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Writing Projects
Good evening!
There just aren't enough hours in the day! This will be a brief entry. :) We worked on the number of syllables in a word. The boys and girls could clap out the syllables or do the chin check. The chin check consists of placing a hand under the chin and counting the number of times the chin goes down. This works well since a syllable is one vowel sound. For example, if I say Willy my chin goes down twice. Each student reported the number of syllables in their first name and we created a "live" graph which was in three sections. We discussed the data which tied in well with our math vocabulary words greater and lesser.
Rick Raccoon (puppet) stopped today to teach the boys and girls about the -ck sound. His jingle goes like this: -ck /k/ after one short vowel in a one syllable word like Rick, capital R-i-c-k, Rick, Yeah!
Please check the Writing Projects tab for story starters about families. You will need to scroll down when you open the tab.
Time to go! This was supposed to be a short entry--oh, well. :)
Your partner in education,
Ms. Loetscher
There just aren't enough hours in the day! This will be a brief entry. :) We worked on the number of syllables in a word. The boys and girls could clap out the syllables or do the chin check. The chin check consists of placing a hand under the chin and counting the number of times the chin goes down. This works well since a syllable is one vowel sound. For example, if I say Willy my chin goes down twice. Each student reported the number of syllables in their first name and we created a "live" graph which was in three sections. We discussed the data which tied in well with our math vocabulary words greater and lesser.
Rick Raccoon (puppet) stopped today to teach the boys and girls about the -ck sound. His jingle goes like this: -ck /k/ after one short vowel in a one syllable word like Rick, capital R-i-c-k, Rick, Yeah!
Please check the Writing Projects tab for story starters about families. You will need to scroll down when you open the tab.
Time to go! This was supposed to be a short entry--oh, well. :)
Your partner in education,
Ms. Loetscher
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