Week 24

 Weekly Greetings!

Before I share about some of the fun things the class did last week to learn, I want to share about our 100th day of school event this Friday. We will celebrate by doing activities that center around the number 100. Please send in some small snack items of 100, such as Chex Mix, chocolate chips, M&Ms, raisons, Gold Fish crackers, Cheerios, anything that can be put in to make a "100 Day Trail Mix". The only food item that must be omitted is any type of nuts due to a student food allergy. In addition, the students can gather 100 small objects to bring for a "100 Day Show & Tell". They can be 100 of something small, or 10 different items of 10 such as: 10 buttons, 10 marbles, 10 erasers, 10 barrettes, 10 pennies, 10 beads, 10 paper clips, 10 rubber bands, etc. to equal 100.

Another important piece of information I need to share is that I will be sending home a permission slip for the US Fish and Wildlife calendar competition for the 2017 Migratory Bird calendar. Each student will be bringing home the 2016 that are free at the Tetlin Refuge, and hopefully we will have some pictures in next years calendar. The drawings are due by Feb. 12 and then we will focus on the Duck Stamp competition that are due a month later.

Now, on to some highlights from last week! The Kindergarten kids were just too cute to pass up snapping a photo while they worked with pattern blocks after their math lesson. They enjoy their time together and really get along well.

In Science, the salt water we put in a plastic dish the week before, changed into large salt crystals after the water evaporated. The students were surprised at what they found and were intrigued by the crystals!

The "Instant Challenge" was interesting also! The groups had to use symbols to direct a student "Robot" to stack cups in a certain way following a pattern card. The student that was the "Robot" had to leave the room, and then returned to read the written code created by the group.

They had a good time and caught on quickly to the symbol codes.

I should have some photos next week from the 2nd quarter awards Monday afternoon.

Enjoy your week!

Kind Regards,
Julie Brown

Week 23

 Weekly Greetings!

We had another fun and productive week, and started it off with a couple of birthdays to celebrate. The class was able to crown two kings that day, and they even got to enjoy some cupcake treats in the afternoon.

Due to the late start on Wednesday, we were not able to use the gym for our normal morning recess but we made use of the available room next door to play some parachute games. The class had a great time and I don't think the kids missed being in the gym at all.

With the warmer weather, our afternoon recess has been spent outside. The kids come up with all kinds of creative games and enjoy the equipment even with the snow cover. Please make sure they have all their snow gear with them daily, as we will continue to go outside if it is warm.

 In Science, the students have been investigating what solids can mix in a liquid. In the next few photos, they are examining the properties of each solid before mixing them in water.

This Tuesday, the class will be participating in the January "Instant Challenge" as part of our Science activities. I should have some photos next week to share from that activity. Another important event will be on Friday. We will be having the Quarter 2 awards in the gym at 1:15pm. I hope many of you can attend.

Stay well and have an awesome week!

Kind Regards,

Julie Brown

Week 22

 Weekly Greetings!

Despite all the testing taking place last week for the district, we accomplished a lot and had fun doing so! In Science, the students investigated two solids, salt and rocks, to see if they mix. It was concluded that the solids could not remain mixed together.

 The class continues to earn rewards for good behavior and got a special ice cream reward treat mid-week.

The first grade has been learning about contractions in Language Arts, so everyone got to get involved with some "Contraction Action" on Thursday. Balloons were thrown into the air with  contractions written on them and the students had to find the classmate that had the two words on a balloon that matched the contraction.

 We played a few rounds of the game, and then everyone got to pop the balloons.

 After lunch on Friday, the students had Art and made a winter bird scene using their handprint and watercolors.

This week we start the third quarter, and will continue with our Science unit on "Changes" in addition to our regular math and language arts curriculum. In addition, there will be Show and Tell on Friday and book orders are due that same day.

Please note that this Wednesday will be our monthly morning staff meeting, so the students will come to school 1 hour later that day. Also, there will not be any school on Monday the 25th for Parent /Teacher conferences. I look forward to visiting with you all then!

Have a great week!

Kind Regards,

Julie Brown

Week 21

Weekly Greetings!

It was a full and fun week, as we returned from vacation! The students got right back at work as if we never had a break! A highlight was the weekly visit from Loraine Titus to volunteer on Tuesday to do Upper Tanana Athabascan language activities with the class. The students have really grasped basic words and phases, so now she teaching them to speak in full sentences. The class is so fortunate to have her as a language teacher.

We also started our new Science unit on "Changes" and each group is learning to think about solid and liquid changes. In the pictures below, they put a solid tablet into water and it fizzled until it devolved.

There were eight students that brought something to Show and Tell on Friday. They were excited to share some of the new things they got at Christmas.

This week will be much the same as last week and on Friday it will be the end of the second quarter, so there will be additional assessing taking place through the district. In addition to nightly homework, I am sending home book order forms on Monday. If you would like to order books for you child, please return the completed order form with the money to by Friday, January 22.

Have a wonderful week!

Kind Regards,

Julie Brown