Friday Fun!

Our day in a "nutshell":
Jefferson: Child of the Day...GREAT READING:




Mystery Reader: Leighton's Mother read The Polar Express! Thank you!!! We LOVED it and Leighton was surprised!





Our classroom gift for everyone:
'Twas the Night Before Christmas Readers' Theater

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And the holiday party....

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Thursday Thrills

We were busy today finishing up holiday projects. We also practiced our Readers' Theater performance of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Students also worked on their Around the World scrapbook.

And, on top of that, we didn't have time for our child of the day to read, so Jefferson will be child of the day again tomorrow.

Have a GREAT night, and don't forget to READ...READ...READ!!!!

Around the World Wednesday!

Matthew read The Magic Fish..one of my favorite pieces of traditional literature.



We were able to connect with Barrett Elementary School in Arlington VA today. Neha's father also visited and helped us with the connection. (THANK YOU!) Here are some pictures from our conversation:







Since we had our resident author in class today, we were fortunate to have him tell us a story! Look at these mesmerized students as they listen to a story being told to them:






We left the United States at 9:30 and traveled to Australia, Mexico, Brazil, the Phillipines, Denmark, and India. Here are a few pictures from our exciting trip. I'll prepare a slideshow of all the events over break.

















2nd graders have math MAP testing tomorrow. We also will have art. Have a GREAT night, stay warm, and don't forget to READ...READ....READ!!!!

Tales from Tuesday!

Joshua read Tom Was Brave and did a wonderful job. While reading this book to me earlier in the month, Joshua made Text to Self connections about helping his grandfather, just like the Tom in the book.



We had a VERY special visitor today, Klara's mother! She shared with us about life in Greece. We learned a LOT!!!! We saw pictures of the Parthenon and the Acropolis. She left us a book we can look at as well...although I admit, I brought it home to share tonight with my daughter!!! So interesting!!! Thank you for doing this and enriching our lives!!!!






We read a Cinderella story from Mexico, Adelita, by Tomie dePaulo. We took a close look at the characters and used the text to support our thinking.

We received holiday cards from Virginia and Florida. Tomorrow we will have a SKYPE conversation with the school in Virginia. We also watched a power point on holiday traditions in Liberia, Africa and one on Japan. We even made an origami Christmas Tree.

And...we went to our vision and hearing screening.

The rest of the day was spent practicing our readers theater and working on some secret holiday projects.

Tomorrow we will "travel" to the other 1st and 2nd grade classroom and focus on holiday traditions in Australia, Mexico, Africa, the Philippines, Denmark, and India.

2nd grade Math MAP has been rescheduled for Thursday afternoon.

Have a GREAT night, stay warm, and don't forget to READ....READ.....READ!!!!!

Monday Marvels

Branden read Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! a non fiction book that went along with our science topic. Thanks, Branden!


We received 6 more holiday cards in today. Our map skills are really growing!



We read Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters, a Cinderella Tale from Africa. We also learned about holiday traditions in Germany and made Tangram Christmas Trees. Students then decorated them and wrote a persuasive piece of why I should choose their tree to represent our classroom.

We heard from our friends in Croatia and looked at pictures they sent us of their school.

We also practiced our Readers' Theater 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Due to technical issues, MAP testing for 2nd graders in math was cancelled for today. I will post the date it is rescheduled for as soon as I know.

Have a GREAT night and don't forget to READ....READ....READ!!!!

1st and 2nd Grade Musicals!!!!

1st Grade: December is a Time For.....

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2nd Grade Musical: Bugz!

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Winter Wonderland Field Trip!

Here are some pictures from our field trip to the Elgin Public Museum for Holiday Traditions Around the World.

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And here's another view (and a MUCH BETTER slideshow!!!) by Miss Diana:

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Friday Fun!

Another busy, busy, busy, day! Klara was our child of the day and we enjoyed listening to the Gingerbread Girl. GREAT reading, Klara!



We began the day with a mystery reader: Christopher's mother! He was so excited, I almost didn't get his picture when she walked into the room. She read Cindy Ellen, a Wild West Cinderella story. Thank you for the book donation, by the way!





Tomorrow is Poinsettia Day so we read The Legend of the Poinsettia and made our own poinsettia's. We also worked on a secret project!

After lunch, students went to P.E. and Music. Then they celebrated our box top win (most box tops for the 1st quarter) with ice cream!







Keep sending in those box tops!!!

We finished up the day reading two Cinderella stories in the Jewish traditions in honor of Hanukkah, which begins tonight. We also talked about what we learned Wednesday about the meaning of Hanukkah.

At the end of the day we also celebrated Christopher and Mallory's birthdays. Happy Birthday!!!!

It was GREAT to see so many students and parents at the musicals last night. I'll post pictures this weekend of the musical and our holiday traditions field trip.

Have a GREAT weekend....stay warm...and don't forget to READ....READ.....READ!!!!