Polar Express

Author Study: Chris Van Allsburg

http://www.chrisvanallsburg.com/home.html

This week we will not be having a unit story and quiz from our reading basal.  The first grade team has decided to do an author study about Chris Van Allsburg.  We will be learning about this author/illustrator by using his website that is at the top of this post.  We will also be reading some of the books he has written and illustrated.  We will be having a Polar Express party on Wednesday.  Your child may wear their PJ's to school on Wednesday to celebrate with us! 

Grandparent lunch

 Thanks to all the grandparents and parents who came to join us at lunch last Wednesday.

Santa's Surprise

Our class is working hard to earn points to fill up Santa's beard.  If our class earns enough points to fill up Santa's beard we get to choose a prize from the "Santa's Surprise" envelope.  Some of the prizes in the envelope are: class party, pajama day, play a class game, math station time with a partner of your choice, partner read with a partner and book of choice.

Christmas Ornaments

 These are the ornaments our class made to help decorate the big tree by the main office.

Elf FUN!!

I love when I find great ideas that other teachers have shared on their blogs!  I found this darling Elf Application from Cara Carroll at the First Grade Parade.  She is an awesome teacher and awesome person!  I loved her idea she shared about RACKING. Such a fun way to get in the rue Christmas spirit.  Click this link to check it out.  Let's Go Racking


I also found this great Elf Glyph to use on First Grade a- la- carte.  I made my own elf pattern but used Ms. Law's glyph for our class to follow as they made their own elves.  Kathy Law is another talented teacher I find great ideas/games to use in our class room.

 This is our class Christmas Alphabet on display in our classroom.

 Here are a few samples of student work:

I read this book to our class.  Then, we made our own class Christmas alphabet.  It is on display in our classroom and I'll be making it into a class book that parents can see when you come to parent teacher conferences in February.

New game for math stations

 Our class learned how to play a new game to help us practice number facts that end in 10.  Each pair of students turn the cards over and plays this game like memory/concentration.  They take turns turing over 2 cards.  If they turn over 2 numbers that add up to 10 they get to keep it as a match.  This has been a great way to help with addition fluency.  I found the mini deck of cards at our local grocery store, Kents, in the holiday isle for 99 cents a box.  This would be another great way for your child to practice addition facts to 10.  Have you child teach you this game.  All you need is a deck of cards.

Doubles Rap

I saw this rap on a blog in the fall and made a poster for our class.  Using doubles is one of the math strategies we've been using to help us with our addition and subtraction facts.  Please have your child practice this at home too.