We are Readers!

This week, we started to practice our independent reading time.  During this time, students sit in a quiet, comfy spot around the room and read books that they selected from our classroom library. 

We learned that there are 3 ways to read a book:  Read the words, Read the pictures, or Retell a familiar story.  All the kids did a fantastic job building their reading stamina this week! 

On Monday, students will pick new books from our classroom library.  They learned that the Five Finger Rule can help them choose a book that is just right.  You can also try this at home!
Our Five Finger Rule:
step 1:  Open a book to any page.
step 2:  Read the words and put up a finger for every word you do not know.
             If you know all of the words--Too Easy
             1-2 fingers up--- Just Right
             3-5 fingers up----Too Hard                  

Welcome Back! Our First Week at Klein West!

We had an amazing first week in First Grade!  This week we learned lots of rules and procedures.  We aslo explored the classroom and discussed the difference between a good friend and a bad friend. 

We made Elephant Toothpaste (a simple science experiment) to emphasize how good friends help each other.  Even elephants need help sometimes brushing their teeth!  :)

If you would like to try this experiment at home, visit www.stevespanglerscience.com

I think we are going to have a great year in First Grade!!

Popcorn, Pillows, and Poetry

This week we celebrated poetry in Writer's Workshop!  There were 23 poets in my classroom during the month of April.  They learned how to write awesome poetry by using different techniques and different forms of poems. 

On the last day of April, all of the kids brought in their favorite pillows, we ate popcorn, and we listened to everyone's favorite poem!

PSSA Week at Klein Elementary

This week our 3rd through 6th graders began taking their PSSA tests!  Even though we are only in first grade, we still have a lot of involvement in helping the older students be successful on the test!




On Monday, We had a PSSA Pep Rally to pump up the older kids and get excited about trying their best on the PSSA's.  All the younger grades stood up and stated a test-taking tip!  Then, we had a Rock, Paper, Scissors contest against the 3rd-6th grade teachers and ended with a Wii Just Dance dance off!  Even Mrs. Hess boogied down with one of our talented 6th grade students!

We adopted a 4th grade classroom this week.  First, we decorated their door and hallway with encouraging posters and banners, then in the mornings we took down treats for them to enjoy like suckers, cards, letters, pins, and pictures!

Good luck to all of our test-takers at Klein Elementary!! 


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