Friday, February 28, 2014

Presidents



George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are two of our most famous and influential U.S. Presidents.  They both worked hard in school and persevered during difficult times.  They cared more about others than themselves.  They worked hard to change unfair laws and lead America.  Thank you George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.  You are men of true CHARACTER, you are our American HEROES.






Word Study...Who says it can't be FUN!?

So many WAYS to practice our Word Sorts!





Author Visit

Published Author and Barrington Rotary Club member, Jim Proebstle came to our classroom for a special read aloud of the book, Brimsby's Hat.






Wednesday, February 26, 2014

A Chilly Math Game Day!

First Graders "warmed up" their math thinking during an exciting math game day!
















Want to know more about Math in Focus?
A Barrington 220 Math in Focus Parent University will be held Monday, March 3 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at Station Middle School. Parents will learn about the district’s math curriculum from kindergarten through sixth grade, including the research behind it and how it aligns to common core state standards. Hoover Harrera, from Harcourt-Houghton-Mifflin, publisher of Math in Focus, will give an overview of the Math in Focus methodology and sequencing. Hoover will share tips on how to help your children with math at home.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Aalfs!

 
Happy Birthday, Mr. Aalfs!
 
GO HAWKEYES!
 
 
 
 

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

What Does a First Grade Writer Look Like?

We are currently working on writing fiction stories as part of the Marilyn Roselli Young Author's Program. Marilyn Roselli is a beloved retired Hough Street teacher who instilled a passion for writing in each child she touched. Our students are independently working on fiction stories that have an emphasis on meaning, imagination, originality, a sense of language, development, and voice. The purpose of this program is to emphasize that we are all writers! Here are a few images of what first grade writers look like:


 

Want to know more? Join us for our First Grade Parent University "Calkins and Coffee" on Saturday, March 8th from 9-10 a.m. We will have coffee, coffeecake, and a more in-depth explanation of our writing curriculum written by guru Lucy Calkins. We will cover writing genres and first grade expectations for both content and conventions such as spelling, punctuation, etc. Join the fun!

A Trip to Paris!

Madame Rowley visited today for a lesson on the major landmarks in Paris! The students went on a "visual vacation" around the city. We visited La Tour Eiffel, L'Arc de Triomphe, and La Cathedrale de Notre Dame. An information sheet with facts and figures about these important landmarks is coming home today in your child's G.O. Folders. The students are excited to share their knowledge of Paris with you!










Enjoy these YouTube clips together and explore Paris!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_kOgmfEz_8 (Notre Dame Cathedrale, Ile de France)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=014piy6bNpg (Paris, skyline view, arc de Triomphe)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve07V81oM3I (Arc de Triomphe)