How do we measure up?

In Math this week, we are exploring the answer to this and other questions about measurement. We began our unit with an activity called How Many Hearts. Each student was asked to cut out a construction paper heart and use it to measure various items found in the classroom. When we got back together to discuss our findings, we discovered a huge problem! None of our answers were the same. I measured the crayon box to be two hearts long. However when Eli measured it, he got 12. How can that be right? After much discussion, we came to the conclusion that hearts are not good measuring tools. Why, you might ask. Our hearts were not the same size. Therefore, all our measurements were different. Hearts were a non-standard unit of measurement.



On Tuesday, we explored measurement again. Due to Monday's discovery of differing measurements, we decided we would all use the same thing. We chose paper clips. All the paper clips were the same size. It was a standard measurement because each tool used to measure was the same length. Here are a few photos of our measuring adventure.

Today, we used a ruler to measure. Our unit of measurement was inches. Students commented that using a ruler was easier than paper clips. The paper clips moved around a bit and were hard to keep straight when measuring.

What will tomorrow bring?

Informational Writing

We have been working on our nonfiction unit in Writer's Workshop. Last week, we learned where to look for information if we had questions or just wanted to learn more. On Monday, students were asked to choose an animal or insect for their informational report. We completed a K-W-L chart to help us prepare for researching our topic. In the K column, we recorded the information we already knew about our topic. In the W column, we recorded what we wanted to know about our animal/ insect. The L column would be used to record the things we learn about our topic.

Our next step was to put what we've learned into action. We visited Mrs. Massey in our Media Center on Tuesday and Wednesday. She and Ms. Jennifer helped us locate books about our topic (animal or an insect). If a book was not available, we knew to use the Internet or an Encyclopedia. Several of us used all three sources to gather our information and answer the questions we posed in our W(want to know) column. As we gathered information, we recorded our findings on our K-W-L chart.

On Thursday and Friday, we continued to research our topics in the classroom. We needed to make sure we could tell what our animal looked like, what they eat, where they live, and how they are born. Once all information was gathered, we used a web graphic organizer to group like information together and make a plan for writing.

I am amazed at how quickly students picked up the idea and practice of research. It was fascinating to watch as they poured over books, encyclopedias, and used the Internet. I cannot wait to read the final products. They have learn so much. Take a look at these photos...

First Grade Goes Green

First Graders at Gilbert Elementary are kicking off a new recycling project. Mrs. Eager had the idea to recycle paper after seeing so much waste at school. We agreed and decided to take action. Some of our first grade classes decorated paper boxes, rescued from the trash of course, with recycling messages. Other classes made posters to encourage everyone's involvement. Each first grade teacher chose one to two students from her class to do a short presentation on Friday's Morning News Show, which is shown over closed circuit to the entire school. Mrs. Epperson composed a wonderful song for these students to sing and for all first graders to learn. Following the news, boxes were distributed to each classroom.

On Tuesday afternoon, Mrs. Eager took our first load of paper to be recycled. She discovered the recycling center will take all paper as long as it is free of staples. Magazines, catalogs, and old phone books can be recycled. Newspapers are also accepted. So, if you would like to help or clean out your old magazines and such, send them to school with your child. Every little bit helps! It's up to us to help take care of our planet!

Recycling Song

We are the Gilbert Gators.
We recycle every day.
We take back all our paper
And crush our cans this way.
We will make our Earth better
for us and everyone!
We are the Gilbert Gators
and recycling is FUN!

GO GREEN!

Wk 23 Newsletter

Valentine’s Snack & Cards

Our party will be Friday, February 13th at 11:45. A note was sent home last Friday with details as to what we need for the event. Our class will exchange Valentine’s cards with our classmates on Friday. Each student must make a card for everyone.

Important Reminders

• We have P.E. on Monday and Wednesday of this week. Be sure to wear tennis shoes on these days!

• Send in Box Tops and Campbell’s Soup labels. We would love to win the contest again!

• New Pizza Hut Book-It forms are in folders today! February’s goal is to read 10 books.

• We will have ice cream on Friday. Please send $0.50.

• The Six Flag’s Six Hour Club forms are due February 24th. Be sure to write down your books and time spent reading. If you have misplaced your form, you may record titles and time read on a sheet of notebook paper.

Box Top Challenge

We need BOX TOPS! Coach Neal challenged the school to bring in lots of Box Tops so that we can raise money for our playground. This month’s reward is a “movie and popcorn” party. Please send in BOX TOPS by February 28th.

This Week at a Glance
Here’s a peek at what we will be learning this week!

Math Workshop
Measurement
Inches
Centimeters

Writer’s Workshop
Report Writing

Reader’s Workshop
ABC Order
Pronouns

Phonics
/ew/ spelled oo
ue, u_e, _ew
/ow/ spelled ow and ou

Spelling
-ob
-ide
-age & -ace

Fluency Passages
The Rabbit and the Turtle
Jeans
The White House
Basketballs on Wheels

Word Wall Words
Individualize lists

Clipart courtesy of Cute Colors

Spelling Bee Winners 2-5-09

Today's Spelling Bee Winners

First Place - Alexis Keown
Second Place - Chyanne Avans
Third Place - Kai Lucas

Way to go guys!

S-N-O-W!

February Birthdays

Hope Moore
February 11

Chris Burse
February 17

January Book-It Congratulations!

Congratulations to the following students!
They read ten books to meet their goals!

Jaylia Dennel & Eli Prince

Tyler Sprayberry

February Book-It forms will be sent home soon!
I forgot to send them on Monday. :(

Movie Matinee for K-1st Grades

Thanks for helping to make this fundraiser a success. We were able to raise over $1000. Thank you for supporting our school and Gilbert Gators!

Wk 22 Newsletter

Do you know what today is? It's Groundhog's Day! Ask your student to share his/her thoughts about groundhogs. Will we have an early spring? Will we have six more weeks of winter? It all depends on whether the groundhog sees his shadow.

Weather forecasters are predicting cooler weather with a chance of winter precipitation. Be sure to tune into the local news for more information.

Reminders

• We have P.E. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Be sure to wear tennis shoes on these days.
• Send in Box Tops and Campbell's Soup Labels. We would love to win the contest again!
• New Pizza Hut Book-It forms are in folders today. February's goal is to read 10 books.
• The Six Flag's 6 Hour Club forms are due February 24th. Be sure to write down your books and the time you spend reading.
  
• We will have ice cream on Friday. Please send $0.50.

Our class will exchange Valentine's cards with our classmates on Friday, February 13. Each student must make a card for every student in our classroom.

Girls
Chyanne
Jaylia
Destiny
Alexis
Hope
Bailey
Trystan

Boys
Chris
Prem
Franklin
Ethan
Isaiah
Kai
Connor
Camden
Eli
Jarrod
Tyler
Samuel

A note will be sent home soon concerning refreshments for our Valentine's celebration. If you would like to make treat bags for students, please feel free. We now have 19 students. :)

Progress reports will be coming home soon. If you would like to schedule a conference to discuss your child's progress, please send me a note or call the school at 638-2432.

This Week at a Glance
Here's a peek at what we'll be learning this week!

Math Workshop
Calendar Math
Month of the Year
Days of the Week
Passage of Time
Durations

Writer's Workshop
Research for Report

Reader's Workshop
Main Idea and Supporting Details

Phonics
/ew/ spelled oo, ue, u_e, _ew
/ow/ spelled ow and ou

Spelling
-ill
-een
homophones

Fluency Passages
The Frog
Potatoes
The Art Museum
Babe

Word Wall Words
Individualized lists

Skills Review
Column addition
Base words
Subtraction
Nouns