November ends with a bang!

The end of November in first grade was filled with fun!  We celebrated the 50th day of school by dressing like we went back in time. We danced to Barbara Ann using Wii Just Dance to get the day started.

 The Dudes

The Ladies

Too cute for words.  

(They were VERY willing to pose for the camera!)

This month included some CONTRACTION SURGERY as well.  

And finally a visit from a wonderful mom who made a yummy craft with the class.  

Munchkin acorns!

 Munchkins with icing rolled in sprinkles with a pretzel stick stem

"DELISH!"

When we asked if anyone wanted another one this is what we got.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!

I Mustache You a Question

Mrs. Doran, our awesome student teacher, taught a super fun lesson about asking and answering questions in writing.  As you can see below she used the cutest prop to do so....

"I mustache you a question"

 

 

Students had to ask one another a question and write it following the sentence rules for a question.  Then record their partner's answer written as a statement, of course.

 

 

Keep the learning fun at all times!!!!!

 

HALLOWEEN!!!!!!

All the little girls......

All the little boys.......

THE FIRST GRADE WORD WALL

Fun, Games and Crafts

 Couldn't resist this picture!  

2014-15 Class in Action!

Welcome to my Student Teacher, Miss Lauren Brown.  We are so happy to have you with us!  Absecon is a great district in which to learn the teaching craft.

Miss Brown and I would like to thank you for coming to Back to School Night and visiting with us.  We look forward to being a part of the teacher team with you.

The children are all settled in and the learning has begun!  This year's Firsties are WONDERFUL.  We started the year off learning the classroom rules according to Whole Brain Teaching and it has been smooth sailing.  Where has WBT been all my career?  Any teacher not using it, is missing out.  I highly suggest checking it out.  There are so many teaching videos to watch on Youtube as well as on the WBT site.  Parents may benefit from WBT too.

We are so cool just like Pete The Cat!

I actually sent the Kindergarten teachers a THANK YOU email for getting this group so ready for first grade.  I am not exaggerating when I say they are WONDERFUL!  Wow! The writing is blowing me away.  This group loves to write.  They add detail and the illustrating is second to none.  It's going to be an exciting year. 

Our literacy centers are up and running which means we are getting to read with the teacher at the reading table.  This is the most important part of the first grade year.  Each student gets to read at their level with the teacher and work on skills in centers that reinforce the language arts lessons they have learned.  CHECK US OUT!

poetry center

writing center

word wall center

spelling center

working on words center

listening center

art center

read the room center

buddy reading center

Summer Reading is good idea!

I was reading some professional blogs today and I want to share this information with whomever might be looking at my tiny blog.  Summer reading IS a good idea no matter what you might be thinking.
“Children who do not read over the summer will lose more than two months of reading achievement. Summer reading loss is cumulative. By the end of 6th grade children who lose reading skills over the summer will be 2 years behind their classmates.”

 http://www.rif.org/us/literacy-resources/articles/primer-on-summer-reading-loss.htm

 

So if any of my incoming Firsties are checking out my blog, get reading little ones!  I don't care if you are reading books, magazines, video game directions, box labels or what....just READ something every day. 

 

I can't wait to meet all of you in September.....OK, I can wait because I love summertime, but I am looking forward to meeting you when the time  comes.  There that's the real truth!  I swear!

 

 

It's the last day AND my birthday all in one! Time for fun!

It's a bitter sweet ending to a fabulous year with this group of  firsties.  This particular group of children have become such good friends and a big piece of my heart has been filled.  Today is our last day together  even though I always say, "Once a Cialini, always a Cialini".  I am so very proud of their accomplishments.  They have not only learned a great deal, they have become better little people who care about others.  They know the meaning of respecting themselves and other. So often children of this age don't know how to verbalize what respect means, but when you see them showing it each day you know they get it!  These firsties get it!

So the morning started with a great birthday surprise from a sweetheart and her family so I had to put it on....by the way it's my birthday too.

And then we HAD to have a dance party.  It was disco of course, but then I had a request from Cole to play Michael Jackson.  No one believed me when I said I knew the moves to the Beat It video....

The rest of the day was a blurr...we were so busy.  At the Marsh Awards Assembly, Samantha and Joey M. got awards for their Fire Prevention posters and Cole and Ava got Mileage Club awards for walking over 100 miles this year.  WOW!  Nothing like seeing pride on a seven year old's face.  I will miss these beauties, but at the same time I will enjoy the summer break.  Thank you to all the supportive parents this year.  I can't do my job well without you!  Absecon is the best!!!!!!