The 100th Day is Here!

Just when you thought it was going to be another same-old, same-old school week... the 100th Day of School pops its head up around the corner!  The excitement never ends here in First Grade!  = )  Before we go on to that topic, let's look at some photos from our Catholic School Week:

 Mrs. Coulter and I loved our decorated doors on Teacher Appreciation Day! Thank you to everyone for your kind words, cards, flowers, coffee, pastries, and fruit!  We felt so loved!

The kids really seemed to enjoy their "free" share pass on Student Appreciation Day!  

 And, in case you missed it, the Firsties all signed a large  heart that we had hanging on our door for Parent Appreciation Day! We hope you all received your heart-felt letter of appreciation from your Firsty! That was our first attempt at writing a friendly letter, something we will be doing more and more of as the year goes on.

 
 We had a great time on Principal Appreciation Day, especially since that was the same day as the Snowflake Run!  Thank you to all of our parents who helped us out with that event!  

The kids also completed a very detailed, abstract art project for Meet the Masters this week.  They learned about the American modern artist Alexander Calder, and they created their own stabiles this week.  A stabile is like a mobile, but instead of hanging from the ceiling, it stands on its own.  Thank you Mr. Szyman and Mrs. Weeger for "hanging in there" and teaching our Firsties all of the steps to making their own stabile!  Here are some photos from that day:

Besides all of the hoopla of Catholic Schools Week, our Firsties did have to take a few tests this week. In fact, this Friday marked the first day in a LOOOONG time that all of our Firsties took a test together.  We've had so many absences, what with cold and flu season, it has really made things a little tricky to make up all of the tests these poor kiddos have missed.  I apologize for not sending all of their tests home right away for review, but now you know why we've had such a delay!  Expect a LARGE amount of tests to be returned this week = ) In case you've ever wondered what it looks like while Firsties are testing, I snapped a few photos this week!

And what would a week in First Grade be like without time for lots of reading?!?!  Firsties read with a partner during EEKK time- EEKK stands for, "Elbow to Elbow, Knee, to Knee, I want a friend to read with me!" This week we read the classic story by Eric Carle, The Very Hungry Caterpillar.  The kids also worked at a center with yours truly to complete their first book report form.  Book reports will begin being sent home shortly.  Their first book report will be sent home sometime this month, and the students will have one week to complete it. Ask your child what they thought of their first book report!  Don't worry parents- First Grade book reports are not complicated or lengthy, and grades are based primarily on completeness, being turned in on time, using their own neat printing, and beautiful coloring when applicable.  Here are some snapshots of the Firsties during some EEKK time... as I look at these photos, I can't help but feel so very proud of how far they have come with their reading skills! Keep up the great work Firsties and parents! It's paying off!

Now, about that 100th Day! Parents, I hope you are as ready for this big day as the Firsties are (hint, hint, hint... check your email!) We will be celebrating this day with many learning activities concerning this large number... some estimating activities, coloring, counting, writing, and, of course, reading!  In fact, there are just so many activities about this day, I need to spread out the activities over the course of the entire week!  I'm sure the Firsties are going to love it! 

Well, I'm off to go do some planning and grading (this is a busy month!)
I hope you all enjoy your weekend, and we'll see you Monday! 

Take care! 
~Ms. Hudson