Panda News:

October is Safety Month.  We will have a visit from the Stratham Police Department tomorrow.  They will talk about Halloween Safety and the kids will get to explore the police car.  On Thursday, October 23rd, Diane Griffith our guidance counselor, will do a presentation on personal body safety.  She will show a video and have a discussion with the kids.  If you would like to join us for this it will be at 12:30-1:00 in our classroom.  Also next week, the Stratham Fire Department will come to talk about fire safety.

Language Arts: 

We practiced writing uppercase H & K.  We used wood pieces and our slate boards to practice.  We also worked on the word see.  The Pandas learned about the sound th.  It is the only time in school they can stick out their tongue to make the sound.   We started to work with partners during Reader's Workshop.  They enjoy sharing books with one another.  

Math:

We introduced number stories.  This is a skill that will be worked on all year.  The Pandas practiced telling and solving simple stories.  For example,  I have 3 apples and my friend gave me 2 more apples.  How many apples do I have know.  We worked on a variety of strategies to solve the problems.  This a great thing to do in the car to practice.

Social Curriculum:  

We talked about two characters this week.  They are "super flex" and "rock brain".  They are characters to help the children be more flexible in there daily thinking.  You may here your student refer to these characters throughout the school year.  We talked about what it means to be flexible and what it means if you are being ridged and stuck.  

Upcoming Events:

Book of the Week- Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr.
Upcoming Letters- U & L
Word of the Week- a
Phonics- a
October 21st- field trip to Portsmouth Music Hall (chaperones please meet us at The Music Hall by 9:15. also there will be not be any snack so please have a bigger breakfast) 
Parent Conferences- 10/29 & 11/7 early release (please sign-up if you have not) 
Halloween Celebration- Students and Staff only 10/30 (please see signup genius for more info)

Panda News:

October is Safety Month.  We will do a variety of activities to promote safety.  We will be having presentations from the fire department, police, and many more.  We will also practice safety drills. 

Check out the Cider Hill Farm field trip pictures. 

Big News!  Panda of the Day has begun.  Jamie is our first Panda of the Day.  Watch for the panda bag and directions to arrive at your house.  Please try and return the panda bag with a share that matches the theme and the necklace the next school day.

Language Arts: 

We have practiced writing uppercase B, R, M, & N.  We have used wood pieces and our slate boards to practice.  We also worked on the word at and in.  We recreated our own versions of Yuck Soup!    We have been focusing on telling stories based on a moment in time.  It is called a small moment story.  We will be starting to put our ideas to paper next week.  Ask your Panda to tell you about a ride on a rollercoaster they have taken.   

Math:

We worked on our first open response problem in math.  The children worked in partnerships to sort a collection of objects using a certain attribute or attributes.  They then analyzed each others work to try and figure out what the sorting rule was.  The Pandas did a great job having a conversation about the math work.

Science:

The Pandas finished up the seasons of the apple tree.  We focused on what the apple tree looks like during each season.  They then labeled each picture. 

Upcoming Events:

Book of the Week- Yuck School by Joy Cowley
App of the Week- Quick Image (using ten frames)
Upcoming Letters- H & K
Word of the Week- see
Phonics- th & th
October 13th- No School
October 21st- field trip to Portsmouth Music Hall
Parent Conferences- 10/29 & 11/7 early release (please sign-up if you have not)
Halloween Celebration- Students and Staff only 10/30 (please see signup genius for more info)

Panda News:

We have been working on our apple theme for the month.  It kicked off with our field trip to the apple orchard.  We have tasted apples, baked with them, created art projects and learned about the life cycle of the apple tree.  The Pandas really enjoyed making sweet apple pizzas on Friday. 

Here is the recipe:

refrigerated cinnamon rolls
2 cut up apple (small chunks)
a squirt of lemon juice
1T of flour
1/4 cup sugar
1t cinnamon

Mix all  together except for the cinnamon rolls.  Flatten out the cinnamon rolls.  Add the apple mixture.  Bake at 350 for 15 min.  You can drizzle glaze over the top while still hot.  Yummy!

Language Arts: 

We have practiced writing uppercase D &P.  We have used wood pieces and our slate boards to practice.  We also worked on the word no.  We read the story No, David! and created an innovation about things they do wrong.

Math:

We have been working on the numbers 0-5.  We have also been working on patterning and geometric shapes.  The Pandas have used a variety of materials and games.  I have been establishing daily routines with the calendar. 

Social Studies:

October is safety month.  We will learn about fire safety, safety drills, bus safety, and Halloween safety.

Upcoming Events:

Book of the Week- No, David by David Shannon
App of the Week- Letter School
Upcoming Letters- B & R
October 13th- No School
Word of the Week- at
Phonics- k & g
Parent Conferences- 10/29 & 11/7 (more info to come)

Thank you to each and every family for sharing your child with me this year.  It was a wonderful year.  I can't believe it is over so quickly.  Enjoy those summer days and bright smiles.

I am posting pictures from grandparent luncheon and I will try and post the end of year slideshow.

Happy Summer!

Panda News:

We had a super successful field day.  Enjoy the pictures and all the smiles!  Have a safe and relaxing long weekend.

Upcoming Events:

Handwriting Letters: review of all lowercase letters
Phonics Letters: review of all phonic letters
Word of the Week: review of all sight words

No School: 5/26 (Memorial Day)

Grandparent Luncheon: 6/2 more info to follow

Last Day for K: 6/11 We will have an end of the year celebration starting at 9:30 in our classroom.  Dismissal will be by 11:00am if this poses a problem for your family please let me know ASAP so I can plan accordingly.

Panda News:

On Thursday, May 22 the school will honor our amazing volunteers.  Please come and enjoy light refreshments (8:10 am) before a whole school morning meeting (8:45 am).  Each grade level will be saying thank you in their own special way. 

Language Arts:

We are continuing an author study of Eric Carle.   The children have been trying out numerous painting techniques.  They also created "grouchy ladybugs"  after reading The Grouchy Ladybug.  They splatter painted today.  A big thank you to Mrs. Lord who didn't get too splattered.

Math:

We played several games composing and decomposing numbers.  The children worked on adding sums together.  We used the strategy of finding the biggest number and counting on.
Book of the Week:  various Eric Carle stories
Song of the Week:  secret volunteer song

Upcoming Events:

Handwriting Letters: review of all lowercase letters
Phonics Letters: review of all phonic letters
Word of the Week: review of all sight words

Baby Picture: 5/19 (if you have not sent one)

Field Trip: 5/21 (Music Hall) if you are chaperoning please meet us at The Music Hall @ 9:00

Field Day: 5/23 parent volunteers welcome

No School: 5/26 (Memorial Day)

Grandparent Luncheon: 6/2 more info to follow

Last Day for K: 6/11 We will have an end of the year celebration starting at 9:30 in our classroom.  Dismissal will be by 11:00am if this poses a problem for your family please let me know ASAP so I can plan accordingly.

Panda News:

Thank you for the wonderful lunch on Tuesday and the great art work the children made for their teachers.  It was a great Teacher's Appreciation Week.  Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms!

Language Arts:

We have begun an author study of Eric Carle.  They have been studying his craft and have tried out some of his illustration techniques.  We watched a video about his life today. 

P.E.:

The school did a great job with this years Wellness Walk.  We walked for our wellness and to support those who lost their battle with cancer this year.  Each child was given a Live Strong bracelet.

Art:

The students worked on Mother's Day gifts. Shh!  I hope you love them.

Upcoming Events:

Handwriting Letters: review of all lowercase letters
Phonics Letters: review of all phonic letters

Word of the Week: review of all sight words

Baby Picture: 5/12 (if you have not sent one)

Early Release: 5/14 @12:50

Field Trip: 5/21 (Music Hall)

Field Day: 5/23

No School: 5/26 (Memorial Day)

Grandparent Luncheon: 6/2 more info to follow

Last Day for K: 6/11 We will have an end of the year celebration starting at 9:30 in our classroom.  Dismissal will be by 11:00am if this poses a problem for your family please let me know ASAP so I can plan accordingly.