Fantastic First Week

What a wonderful week it has been in first grade! It is already evident to me what a wonderful bunch of kiddos this is and how excited they are to be back in school. They have shown great love for one another and have shown great love for God in their actions and words. I have seen children help another classmate, find a friend to play with, share words of encouragement, give high-fives, push in chairs for each other, and be amazing friends. They have HUGE and kind hearts and it is a joy to be with them each day.

This week we worked hard to learn many of the routines of school and getting into good habits. This is a big adjustment. They have earned a weekend full of rest and play!

Bible~

We spent this week just beginning to learn about how BIG God's love is for us! We unwrapped the very BEST gift- God's word. We learned about how God's word is our greatest treasure! I had my Bible wrapped in shiny silver wrapping paper, it really did look like a treasure. The best part, we could see our reflection! We too are God's treasure. I cannot wait to learn grow together as God's treasures this year. 

We also talked about how God's word is solid as a rock. We talked about how in the Bible God's people would use standing stones to mark a place where God had done something important. This would cause those passing by to pause and ask "What happened here?" I want the kids to know that God will do big and important things in our classroom this year too. Each student wrote their name on a rock for our classroom standing stone. It was a really special moment and I know God will do amazing things in this class this year!

We also read that God's word is sweet like honey! And man, honey sure is sweet! I cannot wait to live and learn in the sweetness of our God together this year.  

Jitter Juice~

On our first day we read the book,  "First Day Jitters". In reading this text students learned about make predictions, hunting for clues in the story to determine meaning of vocabulary words like "jitters". In the story we learned about Sarah, who did not want to go to school on the first day because she was scared and nervous. In the end we learned that Sarah was not a student but a teacher in a brand new school. It was fitting for both nervous kiddos and nervous teachers on the first day! We ended our time making and drinking a batch of our own jitter juice. It was a tasty treat!

Reading~ 

It was so fun to watch the kiddos engage with literature this week. We had many class read a loud books. During this time I would think out loud for the students while I was reading. Doing this helps children get ready to build good thinking habits while they are reading. Our first unit focuses on learning the routines and procedures of readers workshop but we managed to sneak in a few minutes of quiet reading with books from our book boxes. It was so much fun for the kids to see and read some of their kindergarten favorites that they chose for their book boxes. Next week I will begin to read one on one with each student to be sure they are reading books that are just right for them! :)

Science~

Our miraculous monarch caterpillars have had an eventful week! We watched our caterpillars chew and chew! They grew from little caterpillars to HUGE caterpillars! They are still munching their way through the milkweed but my guess is that when we return on Monday we will have some that have made a chrysalis.  As we learned more about caterpillars we recorded important "data" on our caterpillar datapillars. They turned out so cute! I hope are able to ask your child to tell you a few facts about those amazing caterpillars.

We earned our first 10 star reward today for great behavior!!! We had "proboscis popsicles". Ask your child what a proboscis is (if they need a hint...it is a part of a butterfly) and if their popsicle worked like a proboscis! 

Wednesday Lunch Helpers~

Would you be willing to come and sit with the class while they eat lunch and make sure they get out to the playground? Younger siblings are invited too! If you are able and willing, please see the following SIGN UP GENIUS

Before volunteering in the classroom (in this capacity or in any other way), you will need to fill out background check paperwork in the office. Some of you already did this at the ice cream social or parent night! Please note, you only need to fill out 1 form for yourself for the DISTRICT. If you have already done this paperwork for a different child you should be all set!

Additional Notes~

A full change of clothes (including underwear and socks) is good idea to have at school! Accidents, spills, muddy bodies (after outdoor learning) and many other things come up in our day. Please send a change of clothes, in a large ziploc bag, to keep in your child's locker. Thanks so much!

Looking Ahead~

~Wednesday, August 27, 9:00,  District Wide Convocation. If you are able, please join us out at the High School football/soccer stadium for a time of worship!

~Friday, August 29- Monday, September 1, No School: Labor Day

~Monday, August 2- Please return heart map by this day! 

~Friday, September 5- Outdoor Learning at Sassafras Ridge. Please pack your child a lunch from home on this day. We will be having a picnic at Sassafras!

~ Wednesday, September 17- School Pictures

~Wednesday, September 25- Walk-a-Thon

~Friday, Septmeber 26- Holland Christian Homecoming events! More information coming soon!

~Monday, October 13- South Side and Pine Ridge Grandparents Day. Stay tuned for more details.