*FYI - The students have Spanish homework this weekend.  They will have Spanish class again on Tuesday.

*Also - If your child comes home telling you about birthday cards for Beckett, here's what they are talking about...     http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/life/2014/09/12/young-cancer-patient-wants-mail-th-birthday/15507957/

I read the article in the Green Bay Press Gazette and thought it might be nice if our students made cards for Beckett.  We made them today and they will be sent this weekend.  :)

*Thank you so much for all of the envelopes today!


Have a great weekend!  :)

This is just a test.  I have a few first grade parents that I'm seeing if this works for.

A few updates in our classroom...

Reading - Last week we went through all of the aspects of Daily 5.  This week we are actually doing Daily 5 - practicing our stamina!  We need to practice, practice, practice before we start reading groups.  We'll probably start adding reading groups later next week or the following week.

Writing - Every morning we start out writing in our journals and illustrating.  This week the second graders got to be the teachers - They showed the first graders how we are going to do writer's workshop.

Social Studies - We have been learning about maps.  We also learned about three types of communities - urban, suburban, and rural.

Handwriting - The first graders have been working out of their books on the letters Ll, Ii, and Tt.  The second graders have been working out of their books on the letters Ll, Ii, Tt, Oo, Aa, Dd. Cc, and Ee.

Religion - We learned about the story of creation.  We read about it in our book, we read it out of the Children's Bible, and we watched a short video.  Then we made creation waterfall books.  Tomorrow we will start our Good News papers.  They are like the Promise Papers we have done in the past.  They go through the Gospel for the week and then there's a lesson to go with it.

Math - In first grade we have been working on partners and switch partners up to 10.  We have been learning about math mountains, stair steps, break apart sticks, and circle drawings.  :)  Today we used unifix cubes to make addition equations with flash cards.  If we have an extra five minutes at the end of class, the students have been using the iPads and the app Math Ninja.  They love it!

Phonics - In first grade we have gone through all of the letters, sounds, and keywords.  We have been working on tapping, sentence writing, and spelling.  We have started learning trick words and having word of the day cards.  Today we started learning about digraphs.

Math & Phonics - 1st and 2nd grade split up for math and phonics.  I'm going to let Mrs. Van Zeeland know that she can write on this blog to let the second grade parents know what they are learning about.  :)

FYI -

*Please remember to pack a snack daily for your child.

*Envelopes - If anyone has any "junk" envelopes laying around, we'd love them for our classroom.  In Daily 5 - work on writing - we write friendly letters.  The kids love sealing their letters in envelopes.  I'm just about out already.  That's a good sign - we're writing a lot of letters.  :)

*Next week we are starting MAP testing.  We have math on Monday, Sept. 22nd and reading on Tuesday, September 30th.

Have a great night!

The students have Spanish homework today.  They need to have their Spanish work and folders returned by Friday.

Well, our school year is up and running.  I can't believe we're already on the 8th day!  Here are a few pieces of information for you...

Mass - This year we are responsible for planning mass on October 9, November 20, January 22, March 12, and June 5.

Specials -
Our daily specials schedule is as follows -

Monday -

Tuesday - Gym 12:45-1:15
                 Spanish  1:15-1:45
                 Music  2:00-2:30

Wednesday - Gym  1:15-1:45
                      Music  2:00-2:30

Thursday - Art  2:05-3:05

Friday - Library  12:45-1:15
              Spanish  2:15-2:45



This week we have been going through all of the elements of Daily 5 and we're practicing building our stamina.  Mrs. Van Zeeland has been busy testing kids to figure out their reading levels.  We should be able to start reading / Daily 5 in the next week or two.

Reminder - Tomorrow, September 12, is our first Packer Dress Down Day!

Have a great night!

What a great first day!  Thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes!  The picture that Kay Handrick made is "bee-autiful"!  Some of those responses...well...out of the mouths of babes!  The answers make me smile...and a little teary eyed!  I love that I get to see your children grow and I'm so excited to spend another year with them!  I LOVE the Caliente gift card and of course the UV Nails!  What's more to love than Mexican food and getting your nails done?  I can't think of anything!  :) Liz Sternig was all the buzz in her bee outfit today!  And I heard Jessica Abnet made the "bee-autiful" cupcakes.  The kids loved the treat today!  I feel absolutely spoiled.  Thank you all from the bottom of my heart! 


As for this blog, I'm not sure if it's going to continue this year.  Our Res website was updated this summer, and I believe there's a place for teachers to post things on their website page.  I hope to get clarification this week as to what I'm supposed to do - continue the blog or write on the website.  I haven't put the new first grade e-mails into to blog yet - just for that reason.  I'll have to write out a thank you to my new families!  :)  I know that these posts go right to your e-mail...check the blog out as a website too - You can see all the pictures from last year.  The website is www.ressulllivan.blogspot.com. 


Well, It's 5:15 and I need to go home.  I'm "un-bee-lieavably" exhausted!  Thank you so very much and have a great night!

Have a great night!  See you in the morning!  :)