Welcome 1st graders of 2008/2009

Monday, April 6, 2009

Poetry

The following info was passed along by Alex's mom, Lisa, and I wanted to share it with everyone!

Anastasia Suen is going to share one kids' poem each day of poetry month on her website/blog. Some of you know her, some maybe not--but Anastasia Suen is the author of 114 books for kids, and she's a dynamo in the kids' literature world.

At the blog below, you can find out how kids can submit an original poem for her to consider "sharing with the world" online. Check it out if you would like to, on behalf of your kids--and feel free to share with other teachers, etc.

http://asuen.wordpress.com/2009/03/20/blog-of-the-week-pencil-talk/

Insects!

I'm just BUGGY about this site!
I made this just for you and it's all about insects!
Lets learn and have fun!

http://questgarden.com/41/01/2/070328145808/

India

Hello!
Welcome to India!

Click on the following links to learn more!

The Indian Elephant
DimDima the online childrens magazine from India
Welcome to India
Ancient India
Time for Kids/ India
India web
Travel for kids

Monday, March 16, 2009

Africa

We have been studying Africa!

Here are some really fun links if you would like to continue to explore Africa at home!
http://pbskids.org/africa/
http://www.africa.mrdonn.org/
http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/africa/
http://www.calacademy.org/exhibits/africa/kids.htm
http://www.gowestafrica.org/kids/
http://www.dltk-kids.com/world/africa/
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Places/Find/Egypt
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Places/Find/Kenya
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Places/Find/Nigeria
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Places/Find/South-africa

Don't forget, Our Peace Corps friend Adam is in Uganda right now!
http://pbskids.org/africa/myworld/mengo.html

The following is a note from our friend!

I spend the first 10 weeks in an intensive training course in Wakiso,
Uganda, and the Peace Corps will forward mail to me there. It will take 3-4
weeks for mail to cross either direction, so until the end of March you can
send mail to:

*Adam Coster, PCV
U.S. Peace Corps
P.O. Box 29348
Kampala, Uganda*

After training I will be placed in a new city and will have a different
address. I will update everyone with that address once I have it (plus a 3
week delay).

Some other important details: You'll want to use airmail, otherwise it might
take 6 months (or eternity) for mail to arrive. Always date anything and, f
you plan to send more than a few letters, number them so that I know if one
has gotten lost or severely delayed. Remember that the turnaround time
between you sending a letter and you receiving the one that I send back is *at
least* 6 weeks. If it takes longer than that, it could be that I never got
your letter, it was delayed significantly, I got so many letters that it
took me weeks to respond (that would be nice!), or my response got lost.
Just consider it a one-way communication (I'd love to hear what's going on
with everyone back in the states), but I'll do my best to get back to you in
a timely manner!

Lastly, please do not send any packages. I may change this request,
depending on where I end up, but it is possible that I'll have to travel
serious distances by bike or unreliable and cramped public buses in order to
pick up mail, and so it might be too difficult for me to get those packages.
Plus, I am really just interested in hearing about your lives.

I think that's all for now. I wish you all the best, and hope to hear from
you every once in a while!

Sincerely,
Adam Coster

Kenya

Click on the following links to learn more about Kenya!
Time for Kids/ Kenya
cybersleuth kids/ Kenya
Kid songs from Kenya
Cool Planet

An article about my early childhood professors at NIU in Kenya! I will be joining the professors of the Early Childhood Department at NIU in Kenya this summer!

Update

Hello all!
The following is a brief update on what your children will be doing in the classroom

Open court: This week they will be reviewing the sounds and skills they learned throughout Unit 6, Journeys. They will take their bubble test assessments on Tuesday. By Thursday we will begin Unit 7. In Unit 7 your children will begin taking pre and post spelling test. I will send the words home on Monday. They will have the whole week to study the words and take a post test on Friday!

Everyday Math: Your child will be reviewing Chapter 6 on Monday and Tuesday. They will have their test on Wednesday. We will be moving into Chapter 7 that begins with Attributes.

Science: Over the course of this week and next we will be wrapping up our unit on the Moon and solar system. When we return from spring break we will be learning about insects!!!! Yippee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reminders: Please check your child's folder daily.
-Spring Sing is Wednesday at 8:30 followed by a brief reception in our classroom for all of our family and friends.
-Each family is asked to bring one snack. Remember, we are a peanut-free classroom

Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Miss V

Monday, February 2, 2009

Guatemala

Our Friend Jonathan was born in Guatemala! If you would like to learn more about Guatemala click on the links below!

http://www.kidsculturecenter.com/guatemala/guatemala.htm

http://www.rainbowkids.com/HTMLFiles.aspx?page=GuatemalaAct

http://www.travelforkids.com/Funtodo/Guatemala/guatemala.htm

http://www.peacecorps.gov/kids/

All about the Mayan Culture!

http://mayankids.com/

http://mayas.mrdonn.org/dailylife.html
http://www.kidskonnect.com/content/view/256/27/

http://mayankids.wordpress.com/
http://www.gigglepotz.com/maya.htm

http://www.mamalisa.com/?p=707&t=ec&c=105

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Scholastic

Hello All!

I sent home some more Scholastic order forms today!
We are now placing all of the book orders on-line. You may still send in your paper order with one check made out to Scholastic.

Please click on the following link to browse our catalogs.

www.scholastic.com/parentordering

Class User Name: jaclynvasquez
Password: volcanoes

All orders are due by February 6th!

Browse all the great monthly Club selections at low prices and order online - all while helping our classroom earn FREE books, software, and resources.

Happy Reading!

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Weather

Weather

We are going to be studying more about the weather!
Here are some fun links that we will explore together.

http://www.tornadoproject.com/index.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/3876/
http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/edu/lessons/lesson_map.html
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/
http://eo.ucar.edu/webweather/
http://www.illiniweather.com/pages/kids_weather_links.htm

Monday, January 26, 2009

Happy Chinese New Year!

Today we celebrated the Chinese New Year

This is an exciting time in the Chinese Culture

Click on the following links to learn more!!!

http://www.kathimitchell.com/chinewyr.html

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/chinese_new_year.htm

http://pbskids.org/sagwa/games/countdown/index.html

http://www.educ.uvic.ca/faculty/mroth/438/CHINA/chinese_new_year.html

http://www.kiddyhouse.com/CNY/

http://www.gigglepotz.com/chinese_newyear.htm

ASTRONOMY

Click on the site below to view an amazing picture every day of our fascinating universe! Under each picture is an explanation of the picture. Read it and share it with the class!

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap080207.html

OUT OF THIS WORLD

Out of this world!

We are traveling around the world in the classroom...Well now it's time to also travel out of this world in our classroom!!!
We are about to become astronauts!

Here is our webquest to explore together and at home!
ENJOY!

http://questgarden.com/41/01/2/070426062955/

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Winter Wear

As the winter months are fast approaching, please be sure to send your child to school with appropriate attire. Hats, mittens, and boots will help keep your child warm when they are outside socializing and exercising. Sometimes our socks get wet when we are changing into our shoes by our lockers. It is always nice to have a spare pair of dry socks in our lockers to put on. We want every child to remain dry and comfortable while working in the classroom. It is also a good idea to practice putting on their winter attire at home.

Current Events

READING
We have just begun our unit called,"Our Neighborhood at Work." Students will be reading and learning about communities and the people who work in communities. They will also be developing the ability to use comprehension strategies such as clarifying, predicting, making connections, and summarizing.

EVERYDAY MATH
In Unit 4 students will work with linear measures and review and extend their use of thermometers and clocks. They will continue to practice using rulers and tape measures. Another activity will be to make a number scroll. Scrolls increase a child's understanding of place value.

SOCIAL STUDIES
"Where We Live," introduces the students to the meaning of what some of Earth's natural resources are. We will also be having discussions about our seasons and the different types of weather we experience.

SCIENCE
Activities about the moon's phases will be discussed and explored. A variety of resources will be used to help students have a better understanding of the moon and how it relates to our planet earth.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Everyday Math Resources

Please visit this site in order for extra math help!

http://www.mrsd.org/~mtcaesar/everydaymath1stgr.htm
http://www.quia.com/hm/81768.html

Hello all!!

Well I am pleased to announce that the half marathon for St. Jude's Research Hospital is finally here! I will be in Memphis, Tennessee with my best friend on December 6th. I will not be at school on Friday. We have discussed in class that I will have to leave early on Friday morning to drive to Memphis. I would like to Thank everyone for your support! It is truly appreciated! I hope to take photos and post them when I return!

https://waystohelp.stjude.org/sjVPortal/public/displayUserPage.do?programId=401&eventId=4454§ionStyle=subMenuTwo&userId=18134

Thank you for all of your support!!!
Miss V!!!

Holidays around the world!

On Wednesday we will take our trip to the Chodl auditorium to see the Nutcracker. Click on the following link to read the story of the Nutcracker at home, play some games, listen to the music and get some recipes.

http://holidays.kaboose.com/christmas/nutcracker-story-music.html

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Geography Awareness Week

Here are some really cool games to learn about our world.

http://www.mywonderfulworld.org/kids_explore.html

Visit this site to learn more!
http://www.mywonderfulworld.org/

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Math Attack!

Hi 1st grade and Family,
The first grade team would like to make sure that you have some of our math websites to use at hhttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifome. Most of these websites are already on my Math Webquest but here is a reminder!

http://mathfactcafe.com/

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/math_elem.htm This is a great website covering every single math concept.

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/skills_1st_math.htm First Grade

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/skills_2nd_math.htm Second Grade

http://www.allentownsd.org/EETT/firstgrade.htm -First grade math websites

http://www.homeschoolmath.net/worksheets/grade_2.php Second grade math worksheets

http://www.narragansett.k12.ri.us/Nes/2ndgrademath/2ndgrademath.htm Second grade math websites

Math Games:

Math Magician- http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/mathmagician/cathymath.html This is a great website! Students can pick what kinds of fact problems to solve and then are given problems to solve in 60 seconds. Also, a certificate is issued each time and students can print the certificate. The students will love printing the certificate and taking it home or have a wall in the classroom to display the certificate. Students enter their names that will be printed on the certificate.

Math Journey- http://www.quia.com/mathjourney.html

Directions: Travel around the world by answering math problems. The journey begins and ends in London, and has stops in 30 cities along the way. To board the plane to each new city, you must answer a math problem correctly. If you get a problem wrong, you have "missed your flight". Miss three flights and the game is over.

To begin: Check the skills you want to practice, or choose a predefined skill set from the Combinations column. After you've made your selections, scroll down and press the Begin the Game button.

Math Baseball: http://www.funbrain.com/math/index.html

Solve math problems and swing the bat

http://www.mathmastery.com/cyberchallenge/ Drill and Practice math

Web Manipulatives:

Pattern Block Play: http://ejad.best.vwh.net/java/patterns/patterns_j.shtml

This program can be used to familiarize oneself with the different shapes, their relations, and their proportions. By rotating them, one can also get a good feel for their symmetry. But the real purpose behind the program is to use it as a tool to learn and practice fractions.

Let's illustrate this with an example. Lets assume that the hexagon represents a whole or one unit. In that case, a triangle represents one sixth (or 1/6), so it is very easy to show graphically that 3 * (1/6) = 1/2 (i.e. that three triangles occupy the same space as half a hexagon). You can do this by dragging out three triangles and one hexagon and laying down the triangles right next to the hexagon or even on top of it as the following figures show:

Of course, you can make any shape or combination of shapes represent one unit; even more, you can have any combination of shapes represent any number of units. The possibilities would be endless.

Pentominoes: http://www.scholastic.com/blueballiett/games/pentominoes_game.htm

Polygons: http://www.mathcats.com/explore/polygons.html You'll find hundreds of polygons to drag anywhere you want. (Try dragging the samples above!). Explore symmetry, tessellations, and much more!

Interactive Math Activities: http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/grade_g_2.html Virtual manipulatives related to the NCTM standards

Time

Bang on Time-http://www.teachingtime.co.uk/clock2/clockwordsres.html Read the time in words and then stop the clock when the hands are in the matching position. What score will you achieve in ten turns. Adjust the hand speed to be really slow-3. It is a little hard so this is a great one to practice as a whole class in first grade. Second graders can do it by themselves.

“Play Clockwise” http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/dynamo/den/clock/index.htm

This another great one to do as a whole class students will love it.

Money

Change Maker - http://www.funbrain.com/cashreg/index.html Get as much money in your piggy bank as possible, by figuring out the correct change.

Money Flashcards - http://www.aplusmath.com/cgi-bin/flashcards/money

Consumer Math and Money- http://www.aaamath.com/mny.html

Problem Solving

Figure This- http://www.figurethis.org/challenges/toc.htm

Math Maven’s Mystery- http://teacher.scholastic.com/maven/index.htm

Sources for Hands on Science activities:

http://www.spacegrant.hawaii.edu/class_acts/index.html Exploring planets in the classroom

http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/quick/earlyelem.html A-Z experiments

http://www.aimsedu.org/ Resources

http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_plastics/hop_jr/activities/index.html

Sunday, November 9, 2008

EGYPT

Hi Parents, Some of our children have shown an interest in Egypt. Although we are not studying it in the classroom I thought I would add some interesting websites on my blog so that you may explore them at home on your own!

Here is a fun website for kids that explores Egypt! Enjoy!
www.usborne-quicklinks.com
type the keywords "beginners egyptians"
Kids in Modern day Egypt
Tour Egypt!
Ancient Egypt
History
http://www.guardians.net/egypt/kids/index.htm
Games
National Geographic Quiz
Ms. Vasquez

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Halloween

Parents,
As Halloween approaches, the children are becoming SCARY!!! Please help remind the children about appropriate first grade behavior. This is very much appreciated. Halloween is fun and exciting but we have work to get done first.
Thank You!
Ms. V

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

The History of Halloween!

Time for Kids: The Haunted History of Halloween www.timeforkids.com/TFK/specials/story/0,6079,58038,00.html

Pumpkin Nook
http://www.pumpkinnook.com/
More Info!
http://www.benjerry.com/halloween/history/

Halloween Games
http://www.thekidzpage.com/halloween_games/index.html
Halloween for kids
http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/halloween.htm
Halloween Activities
http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Themes/halloween/halloween.html
Halloween fun 4 kids
http://rats2u.com/halloween/halloween_kids.htm
Halloween Recipes
http://parentingteens.about.com/od/halloweenfun/a/halloweenrecipe.htm

Donald Duck Trick or Treat...I love this cartoon!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skdVouumMk4
Now the following is a clip from my ALL TIME FAVORITE Cartoon! P.S. I am searching for it on DVD so If you find it let me know!

Disney's the Legend of Sleepy Hollow Sing Along (Bing does not sing in this version)
http://video.google.com/videosearch?q=Disney+Sing+Along+Songs+Shorts%3A+The+Headless+Horseman+&hl=en&emb=0&aq=f#

Monday, October 20, 2008

Pink

Here is your link!

http://pink0809.blogspot.com/

log in is: Jaclynvasquez@yahoo.com
password: juniebpink

Thursday, October 2, 2008

I'm a RUNNIN'

Hello all!!

Well I am pleased to announce that I am running a half marathon for St. Jude's Research Hospital! I will be in Memphis, Tennessee with my best friend on December 6th. This is my first half marathon and I am very excited! In running for this wonderful cause I decided I would try to raise some money to donate. I have always wanted to do something like this, raise money, to help children around the world. I hope this is a step on a path that will last for many more years to come! Please click on the link below and if you would like to help me reach my goal!!

www.stjudeheroes.org/users/jvasquez

Thank you for all of your support!!!
Miss V!!!

Welcome 1st graders of 2008/2009

Monday, April 6, 2009

Monday, March 16, 2009

Monday, February 2, 2009

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Monday, January 26, 2009

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Sunday, November 9, 2008

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Monday, October 20, 2008

Thursday, October 2, 2008

More to come....

Janine, Olivia and Marlee

Nia, John and Marlee

Marlee's Birthday!

Welcome to my blog!!!

About Me

Important Information

Weekly Schedule

Alright, It's time to vote for fish names! Only pick 5 please.

How do you get to school everyday?