Journaling about the Signs of Fall

Today we went outside and used our senses to discover the signs of fall. Then the students wrote about what they saw, heard, smelled, and felt. It was the perfect day for outdoor journaling and the kids did a great job!

Field Trip to Robinettes

 Bus ride shenanigans

 Fun on the bus!

 Mrs. Robinette shows us the apple picking bag

 Friendship!

 Learning about life cycles, fruit, and bees on the hayride

 Posing with Mr. and Mrs. Robinette in the maze

 Choosing the perfect apple

 Here comes cider!

 My favorite part!



Patiently Waiting...

Our butterfly-to-be has been forming and changing inside its chrysalis for a while now. We've been writing down our observations and reading all kinds of books about life cycles and metamorphosis while we wait!

Listening to Reading

Listening to books on CD while reading along is a great way to learn to read! We had fun this week learning to use the listening center and computer. We are so lucky to have had a brand new computer donated through Donors Choose. Check out the e-reader website www.meegenius.com.

Survivor!

For the last two years, we have raised butterflies in our class. It is a first-hand look at the life cycles of these amazing creatures. Unfortunately, this year the Monarch population has taken a huge hit due to deforestation in Mexico and a lack of milkweed. Read more at: http://www.usatoday.com/story/weather/2013/08/22/monarch-butterfly-population/2687621/

For this reason, we weren't able to buy caterpillars to raise this year. However, on Friday afternoon,  a group of our first graders found a Monarch caterpillar outside-pretty remarkable considering the circumstances! They came running over holding this little guy and fistfuls of milkweed for him to eat. They were so excited and quickly named him "survivor" because he "might be the last one on Earth!" (Don't worry, he's not, but it sure makes it sound exciting!)

I was out of town overnight Saturday and left Mr. Shubert and my daughter, Avery, to caterpillar-sit. By a stroke of luck, they went to check on Survivor just as he was making his chrysalis! Here is a picture of him, patiently waiting to become a butterfly:

Welcome to First Grade!

 

It's that time of year again! The cooler weather is really helping me get into the back-to-school mode, how about you? I am very excited to meet all of the new first graders and start the 2013-2014 school year at WMAES! Here are a couple of important notes to remember:



• School supply list can be found at http://www.wma-es.com/. Please let me know if you have trouble finding items or if I can be of any help to make sure your student is prepared for the school year.
• Please be sure to inform me of any allergies or medical issues your child may have.
• Check your child's folder daily for communications home; homework is given every Friday and is due the following Friday.
• If you would like to volunteer in our classroom or as a field trip chaperone, please check with the main office to be sure your volunteer paperwork is on file and up to date. We love volunteers! I have had parents and family members come in to tutor reading, help proofread student writing, help with parties, read stories to the class, share their family traditions, etc. Many parents choose to volunteer from home by preparing arts and crafts materials. Let me know if you ever want to join us!
• Let's make first grade an important and memorable year for your special student! Communication is key- always feel free to get in touch with me if questions or concerns arise: clareshubert@choiceschools.com or 791-7454.

Follow the Yellow Brick Road...

 On our field trip to see The Wizard of Oz

 "I'll get you, my pretty!"

Pizza Party Lunch