Welcome Back

Wow!  Last week seemed to fly by...BUT I have a feeling the next 3 weeks will be zooming past as well!  I sure did miss seeing my little ones everyday...however, I enjoyed spending so much time with my family and friends.  I decided this was the BEST Thanksgiving ever! I hope everyone enjoyed their break as much as I did!

I did send new books home today in green folders.  We also took our spelling pretest!  Homework is listed and I will send math books home tomorrow!  Time just got away from me today! 

TOP DOG

Mia! 

Mia has two brothers and loves her family!  Her favorite food is eggs and bacon with an apple!  At school she likes to go to computers!  Mia's name is a "princess" name! Pictures to come!


Thank you...
for remembering our Angels at this time of year! Several friends brought in items today! TOMORROW is the last day to bring items in!


Reminders...
5.00 for the Holiday Party (in an envelope labeled with your child's name)
Questions: you may contact me or Mrs. Lloyd


PTA HOSPITALITY LUNCHEON!  Our class is responsible for bring BAKED POTATOES.
Please drop these off in the office on Dec. 9 no later than 10:00 am!
Questions: Tricia Stimac  

The Little RED Hen (rooster)
So...here's the story.  I started uploading these to you tube at 7:30 this morning!  Here it is 4:30 Thanksgiving Break has started...it's getting dark outside, POD 2 is EMPTY , it's kind of eerie here alone...BUT  I'm waiting on 1 last one!!! It is 74% uploaded...HURRY UP is all I have to say! OOOOO 91%....it won't be long now! Since I'm waiting I thought I would send everyone an email about our Holiday Party...BUT my desktop has NO icons...so I can't get to my email. I tried to go through the remote location but it cannot find our Parent group email list...WOW what an afternoon! 
HOLIDAY PARTY
You will be getting information from our room after the break BUT they wanted us to let you know that we will be collecting 5.00 from everyone.  Please send this in  ASAP in an envelope labeled HOLIDAY PARTY and your child's name.  This way they can get started on buying all the goodies!
Video UPDATE
The LAST one is processing! ANNNNNNNDDDD here it is! UUUGGG something terrible has gone wrong!  I will continue to work on posting theses videos....just not today!

GOBBLE GOBBLE

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so thankful for this bunch of puppies!

Mia: I am thankful she is so kind to others.

Gage: I am thankful for his sense of humor.

Akin: I am thankful for his willingness to try.

Thatcher: I am thankful he always has something to say that makes me smile.

Sam: I am thankful he is such an amazing listener.

Peyton: I am thankful for his creative writing.

Emily: I am thankful for her wonderful HUGS.

Addison: I am thankful for her happiness.

Julian: I am thankful for his patience.

Ella: I am thankful she is here with us.

Demi: I am thankful for her helpfulness.

Jacob: I am thankful for his effort.

Kennedi: I am thankful for her spunk.

Landon: I am thankful for his attention to detail.

Anna Richey: I am thankful for her wonderful behavior.

Anna Rotz: I am thankful for her sweetness.

Logan: I am thankful for his love of school.

Kenidy: I am thankful for the joy she brings to the classroom.

Kent: I am thankful for his growth.

Alison: I am thankful for her out of the box thinking.

Kreston: I am thankful for his uniqueness.

Taylor: I am thankful for her kindness and perseverance.

Justice: I am thankful for her never-ending smile.

I am thankful that I have the opportunity to share my days with each of these special children. 

Families please enjoy your time with them!

Happy Holidays!

TOP DOG

Anna FILLED the bag with her favorite things!

Pirate Bear, an animal from Ghatti Town, a Hello Kitty ring, nail polish and make up! 

All things ANNA!

HIPPEST in the HOUSE

Respect

THATCHER

I wish everyone could have seen the expression on Thatcher's face when his name was called.

priceless!

 OUR GUEST PHOTOGRAPHER

snapping photos during reader's/writer's workshop

TOP DOG 

A Special Lunch with Special People

 And a HELLO KITTY cupcake!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

THE LITTLE RED HEN

Readers' Theater

David, Akin, Jacob, Cayley, Sam, Jubilee, Thatcher

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

A Wise Old Owl

A wise old owl lived in an oak.

The more he saw, the less he spoke.

Why can't we all be like that wise old bird?

The less he spoke, the more he heard.

BLOGGERS

We started blogging today. We logged into our own personal blog pages today! SO much excitement!  Please know that, because this is them typing on the computer I am not checking for capitals.  I'm trying to encourage punctuation and SPACES.  Your child may log in from home.  I will send you the password (just send me an email requesting it)!  This will be a GREAT place for our writing homework!  In the future there will be some blogging assignments but until then please feel free to have them log in and use the site! I talked a little about posting comments on friends blogs...As I am encouraging that please monitor.  I also have it set so that I have to approve ALL posts and comments before they can be posted!

TOP DOG

Anna's mom was busy!  Anna got not ONE poem but TWO today!  Her smile was priceless!

Anna Claire

Always loveable

Nice and kind to others

No front teeth or Never without a headband

Athletic

Collector of rocks, squinkies, receipts, candy wrappers, dollar bills

Loves music and dancing

Artistic

Intelligent

Really pretty

Everyone's friend

We love you Anna!

My Anna

Anna is a tender soul with love to give to all.

She crafts and paints and draws so much she could cover every wall!

She has 2 sisters and one brother and is very easy-going.

Her favorite thing to do is shop and she always asks "Where are we going?"

She is everyone's friend, athletic and clever,

Does she ever walk out of the house without a headband? NO, NEVER!

She loves to listen to music while doing her chores and she even likes to dance.

She entertains all her family including her 6 aunts!

She loves 1st grade and her teacher Ms. Guy,

But you may not believe that she is not really shy.

We love you ANNA!

YEE HAW WESTERN DAY

 TOP DOG READS 

WOO HOO

It's the LITTLE things that make this first grade teacher SOOO happy!  I logged into Hot Diggity Dog this afternoon and I have a BACKGROUND...Oh MY Goodness. That puts me on cloud nine! (LOL)

We had one of those FLIP FLOP days again...kinda gets us out of sorts!! But we made it through. We had library but a quick check out only day then it was time for SPECIALS...yes you heard that right...specials first thing this morning. Mr. I and his wonderful office staff did our LUNCH and RECESS duty for us today...(such a treat for us teachers).  We came back and got to "meet" our...

 TOP DOG!

Anna is such a quiet little puppy...so you are going to have to listen hard in her video! 

Anna has 2 sisters and 1 brother, her favorite color is uhmmm oh yes...PINK!  She likes to eat tortellini...And at school she likes to get "punches" and have GREEN DAYS!

Math

It's 3-D TIME

Don't forget to review those 2-D shapes...

This week we will be comparing 2 and 3 D shapes.  

The Little RED Hen (Rooster)

We will begin video taping our Reader's Theater tomorrow!  PLEASE practice again with your little pup!  BIG BIG BIG voices, lot's of expression and fluency! We made our headbands today so everyone is getting excited! Please make sure your pup has his or her script here at school this week!  We will begin "normal" guided reading after the break! 

IMPORTANT STUFF

Be sure to check homework tab...Due Friday!

We need brown lunch bags! 

Let me know if you will be leaving EARLY for the break!

Send in notes/email ANYTIME your child misses school!

I'm looking forward to a GREAT week AND a great HOLIDAY WEEK off! 

FUN FRIDAY

Well today was FUN FRIDAY...

But first we had to get some learning out of the way!  We took our spelling test...lots of great spellers again today...if it weren't for that darn bonus word "mopping" we would have had a LITTER FULL of SUPER STAR SPELLERS!!! Keep up that spelling practice. I am so amazed and proud of  my little puppies!

Then we read one of my FAVORITE Thanksgiving books...

We got a jump start on questioning (comprehension strategy).

Pete is a clever, plump and perky turkey!  How did he survive Thanksgiving? You'll have to read the story or ask your first grader to find out!  

After we read we went ahead and made our own plump and perky turkeys!

OH,  how I love them all!

TOP DOG

This week we learned a lot about Thatcher...

He was born in Utah.  And he was told he was the cutest baby EVER!

He LOVES LOVES LOVES to swim and visit Disney World and ride Splash Mountain!

Thatcher is a wonderful PUPPY...please be sure to check out his personal blog by clicking on the link http://kidblog.org/HotDiggityDogGuy/ 

Yesterday, Thatcher's mom joined him for a YUMMY TACO BELL lunch! 

SHOW US HOW OLD YOU WERE YESTERDAY,

Taylor!

WOW...what a BIRTH DAY! 11/11/11

This won't happen again until Taylor turns 107!! 

Thank you all for reminding your little ones to be respectful of learning!  We had a much better day today!  I, too am getting excited for the holidays!  LOVE LOVE LOVE spending time with family and friends...SO I understand BUT we've got to remember why we are in school! 

I hope everyone enjoys their weekend...I'm already missing my puppies and looking forward to Monday morning!

HOMEWORK

Nov. 14-18 DUE Friday, November 18, 2011

1. Investigations Activity Book:  Unit 2 pg: 1, 2, 12, 13 (you will get a patter block sheet to help complete this homework.  PLEASE keep the pattern block sheet for future homework)
2. Spelling TIC TAC TOE pick three activities from the TIC TAC TOE board (sent home last week. If you do not have it...it is attached below)
3. Writing:  Write about the Thanksgiving traditions you have at YOUR house! Then illustrate! Remember our BIG 3.  Always start a sentence with a capital letter, Always end a sentence with correct punctuation and VBH (Very Best Handwriting)

WOW

This teacher had to just go home today!! I am sorry about not uploading pictures and blogging more Reminders... Spelling Test tomorrow NEEDED AT SCHOOL! The Little Red Hen script All folders!!! Thank you all for you continued help and support!

Kids Count

Today the Children's Advocacy Center of Collin County came and talked to us about some very important topics.  Your child should have a flyer in his/her blue folder outlining what was discussed.  Please look it over and talk with your child.

TOP DOG

Our Thatcher Boy!

Thatcher is such a fun little boy

He loves to run and play

Lately he's been learning to play basketball

And I think he could play it all day

He has a sweet little heart and he loves to share

with his brother Taggart, his family, and friends

And if his parents buy him a treat (and not for his brother)

Back to the store, them he sends

Thatcher loves to learn lots of new things,

From books, computers and T.V.

He loves to do math and learn science too

He makes them seem all to easy

In short Thatcher is a special boy

Friendly and kind to all he meets

Never was there such a good little child

(who also loves to eat too many sweets!!!)

HOLIDAY TIME

Making the Difference in the Lives of Children

It is that time of year when the spirit of the holidays fills us with joy!  We want to spread that feeling to families in Frisco who need help insuring the holidays are memorable and filled with wonder for their children.

Our class is participating in a service project to sponsor an "Angel" during this holiday season.  "Angels" are less fortunate children in this community. These families and children will have a joyful and memorable holiday season with your help and generosity. 

Please send in donations:

1. Unwrapped (if you would like to donate a roll of wrapping paper please send it in with your gift)
2. IN A BAG LABELED WITH THE ANGEL NUMBER
3. If you are donating to more than one angel, please send in separate LABELED bags

Please have gifts in the classroom by NOVEMBER 29th!

Angel #827

Age 7

GIRL

• Pants: size 8
• Shirt: size 8
• Shoes: size 13
• Coat: size 8
• Underwear: size 8

NEEDS: boots, coat and winter clothes

WANTS: boots, Barbie, Arts and Crafts

Angel #523

Age 6

Boy

• Pants: size 7
• Shirt: size 7
• Shoes: size 13
• Coat: size 7
• Underwear: size 7

NEEDS: pants, underwear, shoes and coat

WANTS: Bike, Legos

SOMETHING NEW

Your child will now have a place to blog about school! We will talk about what we have learned, what is going on in our school and our classroom, or maybe just tell about what is going on in our lives!  This will also be a place that we can respond to others! I will post things periodically for your child to leave comments (homework)!! What a technological world these kids are growing up in! 

http://kidblog.org/HotDiggityDogGuy/
You will find the permanent link on the side bar..."A Blog for the Puppies"

 Let's get ready to blog!

UGGG

I don't know what happened to our CUTE blog...I am trying and trying to add a background again to no avail! I'm at a LOSS...It is frustrating me immensely!!! But, I figure until I can get it figured out I best keep blogging. If any of you bloggers out there would like to give me some {private tutoring} I would APPRECIATE it! 

SPEAKING OF TUTORING...if your child attends on Tuesday and Thursday please be aware that we will NOT be  having it next week!  

The Little Red Hen

Every student came home with a script of The Little Red Hen.  We will be performing in groups of 7 as a readers' theater (meaning we will be allowed to read our parts...no need to memorize).  We are practicing our fluency and EXPRESSION...along with retelling this week and reading for a purpose (our purpose is to entertain)! So, please have your child practice, practice, practice!  To help with fluency it would be WONDERFUL if everyone in the family took a part. Our first graders need to be able to follow along and know when it is their turn to read! HAVE FUN with this! 

SHAPES SHAPES AND MORE SHAPES

Yesterday we went on a shape hunt around the school.  I had some very creative finds!!! LOVE the observant eyes we have. 

What shape are these? How many sides do they have? What about VERTICES?

TOP DOG READS ALOUD

Looks like a teacher...

I love my listeners!

Listen to Thatcher READ!

HOMEWORK

Nov. 7-11, 2011 DUE Friday, November 11, 2011

1. Investigations Activity Book: Unit 2 pg. 28, 29, 30, 31
2. Science: Use the circle maps provided to record sounds you hear outside going to school in the morning. (be sure to record the time) AND record the sounds you hear outside after the sun goes down (be sure to record the time). 
3. Spelling TIC TAC TOE pick three activities. (This is the 

Tic-Tac-Toe card that you will use this nine weeks.  We

will send a new one next nine weeks...so please do  not 

throw it away!! Recording sheets will come home each 

week!) Notice the middle square is for you to be creative!

please share with us ways you study the words so that

we can add them to the next card!

TECHNOLOGY

http://myap.ps/eHP

This link was shared by our technology department.  Lots of GREAT, free or almost free apps!

BATTER UP...

This morning we started our day with a CELEBRATION OF LEARNING world series style!  We enjoyed recognizing students that have been HIPPEST IN THE HOUSE, had perfect attendance and just all around GREAT STUDENTS!

TOP DOG ROCKS!

GOING ON A SHAPE HUNT...

Fun FRIDAY

GOOD TO BE BACK

What a great day I had with my puppies...TWO DAYS in a row!  It's been a while.  We are all excited about FALL FESTIVAL tonight from 5:00-8:00pm.  I will be working at one of the bounce houses from 5:00-6:00! Hope to see you all there! 

Yesterday we took a math CBA that covered money, place value, patterns and fact families! Everyone did a good job. 

SPELLING

Today was our spelling test. I wanted to make a correction to our grading of the spelling tests. 

Grading is based on first 10 words, two bonus words and dictation sentence.  

Check ++ SUPER STAR SPELLER.= EVERYTHING correct

Check +  SUPER SPELLER = no mistakes in first 10 words AND 2 bonus words

Check GOOD JOB=  1-4 misspelled words in first 10 AND/OR 2 bonus words

Check - Let's study more= 5+ mistakes in first 10 words AND/OR 2 bonus words

I can tell we have some little ones really working hard on these words! Next week I will send home a Spelling TIC TAC TOE board that has some ways to study weekly words. 

Homework

Last week I did not get the homework until late so we had a week off!!! Next week we will have math, spelling, reading AND a science activity! I will send it all home on Monday and it will be due on Friday!  SO...make sure to have your little one budget their time wisely!!!

TOP DOG

Anna has been such a sweet Top Dog!  She always does her best work, is polite and a good friend to everyone! 

Thank you Anna for being such a SPECIAL PUPPY!

Thursday

The last few weeks have been CRAZY...I'm so sorry to have been out so much!  I think I am back for good now!  My mom had a hip replacement and needed to have someone with her all the time for the first couple of weeks.  My sister and I took turns.  I kind of thought well...at least I might get  a nap in while she was resting! BOY was I WRONG...I was making breakfast, dropping kids off at school, doing laundry, getting lunch, picking kids up from school, making sure hip exercises were done, medicine taken AAAUGGGH how I longed to be in the classroom with my 23 little puppies.  I know it has been hard on some of them having me here one day and then out the next...But I think all in all we have SURVIVED.  I am so thankful that Ms. Woodard was here to us on schedule!


TOP DOG
On Tuesday Anna shared one of her "favorites" and it seemed as if it was a favorite of MANY!

Anna's Poem
Anna
"GRACEFUL"

A is for Activities, for you have many

N is for Natural, the genuine side of you

N is for Noticeable, she shines, she sparkles

A is for Affection, it's warm as the sun

Thursday

Anna's was lucky to have her mom here to have lunch with her today! AND she got a BIG girl burger!