Readers Workshop:

We have starting reading our first class chapter book. The mouse and the motorcycle! The students are already hooked. Students have been working on learning how to recognize the characters emotions and feelings. The students also learned about what a narrator is and how to recognize when characters are speaking. We've taken a closer look into how context clues in the books can help us learn more the characters, problems, and connections to the book. Ask you child what has been their favorite chapter so far.

Writers Workshop:

Our class has been working very hard on writing their fiction stories. They have learned about fantasy and realistic fiction. Students have been working on how to brainstorm different settings for their stories. They have also been working on adding their characters emotions not only to their writing, but their pictures as well.

Science:

The students have done a ton of exploration with the organism unit lately. We've looked at isopods and how they compare to our mealworms. Students also looked closely how our aquarium and terrariums have changed. We noticed that we had baby snails!!! The students were very excited about that discovery. We also did an experiment to see if isopods prefer wet or dry soil, we found out they like wet. We talked about why they might like a wet soil habitat vs. dry, ask your child what they think?

Geography: This week students finished learning about India. Student's were able to explore their artistic side with using different spices from India to paint designs. The students loved smelling and explore the textures of the spices. We also performed a Bollywoood dance for Ms. Chin's class. Both classes practiced and rehearsed different dances and performs for each other. The students loved learning a different style of dance and music. Next week we are starting to study Europe, exploring Germany first!

Reminders:
Zoo Field trip tomorrow- remember you sack lunch and good walking shoes.
Aladdin Play- Will be on 5/7 at 2:00 at school and at 6:00 pm at night
Jog-a-thon is 5/15 (9:00-12:00)

Readers Workshop: The past few weeks in readers workshop we have been working on Author studies. Our class choose to read books written by Peter Reynolds. We compared characters, setting, problems, solutions and how the characters felt. We also took a look at how the characters feelings changed through out the story. We learned more about Peter Reynolds: like how he is a Twin, how he has always loved to draw, and how he runs his own production buisness. Ask you child what their favorite book was, what was a problem and solution in the sory, and how did the character in the story change?

Writers Workshop: To go along with our readers workshop unit students wrote book reviews. Students learned about how to write a summary, just a little information about the book. They also learned to rate and recommend books. Students wrote their feelings and reasons why they recommended a particular Peter Reynolds book. On Friday we met up with all the K/1 classrooms to read other book reviews. Students read book reviews about Mo Williams books, Kevin Henkes, and Ezra Keats.

Geography: Students learned a lot of new information about Russia these past two weeks. We learned about the Red Square and they painted their own version of the St. Basil's Cathedral. We also learned about the famous Russian Ballet and the dancer, Mikhail Baryshnikov. Some students had to label the rivers, lakes, seas, mountians, and pensiulas in Russia. We painted our own verison of a famous Kadinsky work while listen to music by the famous Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Ask your child what they found most interesting about studying Russia

Science:

We've really jumped into our new science unit organisms. Students have so far invesitgated and observed the inside of a lima bean, woodland plants, mosss, duckweed, elodea, and planted their own seed. Over the next few weeks we will continue to think about what does a living organism need to grow? We will also take a closer look at cloud fish and snails. As new plants are growing for spring ask your child if they have any ideas about what they think living organisms need to survive.

Roots of Empathy: This week baby Sam came to visit. He has grown so much!!! We learned about Communication. How babies communicate. What are some ways to positively engage a baby and foster language development How do we recognize the baby's temperament. Why it is important torespond to a baby's efforts to communicate. How we can connect to one another and the baby. Understand more about how a baby develops and learns.

St. Patricks Day

Having some Irish heritage, I of course have to celebrate big on St. Patty's day. Our classroom had so much fun reading an Irish legend about the gift of Blarney, making hats for leprechauns, writing How to's on how to trap them and building traps with their buddies. While we didn't catch any leprechauns this year they left our classroom in quite a mess, took all the gold, left rainbow treats, and shrunk our hats. It was a fun day for the students to really use their imagination and creativity to build their traps.

Readers Workshop:

This week we took a look at new author, Peter Reynolds. We are starting an author study for our next reading unit. This is a great way for students to be inspired by famous children's book authors. Each K/1 class is picking an author to study, at the end of the unit we are going to have a fun read-a-thon celebration. This week we read the story Ish and talked about how the characters in this story were feeling. Ask your child about the character Ramone!

Writers Workshop: We finished our opinion writing last week. Students ended the week by writing their own opinion piece. Many students were able to write their opinion, give multiple reasonings, and restate their opinion with a great ending. The students really grew as writers throughout this unit. They were able to add more and more to their writing. Our next unit will be persuasive writing. Ask your child to read their opinion piece to you!

Science: We just received our new science kit, ORGANISMS. Students brainstormed with their partners last week what do living things need to survive. In the next couple of weeks students will take a closer look at seeds and different plants. We also will learning about two types of fish, snails, and a variety of bugs. This is a fun unit for students to take a closer look at organisms.

Since Friday was the first day of spring the students wrote about some signs of spring. We then had a special guest, Baby Eadlyn!!! The students read about about the first signs of spring to Eadlyn

Forestry/Garden Club:

This was our first forestry day. We will have a lesson each month for our fabulous forestry/ garden club teachers Jana Robbins and Kim Blakemore. We learned about organisms in the forest (peppi's park). The students sang a great little song about " Is it living, does it eat, breath, and grow?" This is a great conversation to have with your child about what things are living/organisms we see each day.

Geography: This week we studied Turkey. Students learned about paper marbling and were able to taste test a few turkish foods. The students tried pita bread, hummus, tzatziki, and carrot/raison salad. We also watched a video on how these foods were made. Ask your child which one they liked the best and maybe try it at home.

Star Student: Zoe is our Star Student this week. Zoe has been very welcoming and a great friend to students in our class. This week I saw her working with new friends and showing them new works. Zoe also has been challenging her self in readers and writers workshop. She has moved up reading levels and is continue to try and write more and more! She has really been a welcoming and supportive friend to our classroom and school community. Keep up the great work Zoe!

Worktime: Sorry that I've been so behind on our classroom news. There is a lot to catch up on and celebrate. Wow the growth students have made during worktime is amazing! This past week was the best week students have had all year. They were incredible focused and driven. Many students are starting to really challenge themselves and set high goals. Students have been very motivated to finish their work plans, learn new works, move up reading levels, get a math binder and learn new math works. It is great to see the whole class helping to motivate each other and working together to meet their goals. Ask your child what they feel has been their biggest accomplishment lately?

Readers Workshop:

This week in Readers Workshop students were working on practicing re-tell strategies. Students learned about the character, setting, problem/solutions and events (Beginning, Middle, and End). We learned how to stop and check in through out the story to make sure you know whats happening. After reading students learned how to tell across their fingers to recap important parts/characters in the story. We also took a look at different ending sounds such as "ed" and "ing" to help us tell if something is happening or already happened. Practice looking for those endings and retelling while you read with your child.

Dr. Seuss Day:

Last week students ended our week of celebrating Dr. Seuss by doing a fun activity in each K/1 classroom. During the week students read Cat in the Hat, Green Eggs and Ham, Tere's a Wocket in my Pocket, and If I ran the Zoo. Students participate in an activity that matched each book such as making their own Wocket, creating their own crazy animal for the Zoo, making their own Hat, and trying green eggs and ham! It was a fun way to celebrate Dr. Seuss while visiting other classrooms!

Writers Workshop:

We've embarked on a new writing unit, opinion writing! Students were able to watch four movie previews and then write about which movie they thought was the best and why. Students did a great job adding more details and really trying to convince me their favorite movie. Ask you child which movie they choose? Last week we also did a fun lesson with Oreo's where students Planned with a partner Oreo opinion writing. We imagined the top the cookie our opinion, the middle the reasons/details, and the bottom where we restate our opinion. After students planned their writing, they got to eat their Oreo and get started writing. Students did a great job going back and planning their opinion, reasons, and then restating. We are going to continue opinion writing over the next week and really dive into giving great reasons to support our opinion. Brainstorm with your child about some ideas they could write about, this is a great conversation to have and ask them to support their reasoning.

Geography:

Last week students took a closer look at South Korea. Students learned about their flag and a fun game called, Yut (Four-Stick Game). It was fun for students to learn about a different culture and games they play for fun. This week students have been learning more about Turkey. They learned that Turkey is surrounded by three seas, is part of Asia and Europe, and more about some of the amazing food they eat! Students have had a chance to decorate their own textile square using crayons and water colors. We'll continue studying Turkey this week, while getting to end the week trying some traditional Turkish dishes.

ROE: Roots of Empathy we've been learning about safety. Baby Sam came to visit the other week and it is amazing to see how much he has grown. The other week he crawled for the first time while visiting us! Since then he is crawling much more, using his pincher grip, and really working on developing his fine motor skills. Students are helping to recognize how to keep babies safe and making more and more connections to Baby Sam's emotions.

Star Student:

Violet- Violet these past few weeks has really pushed herself. She has become much more independent during worktime. She is able to look at her workplan for the week and see what she needs to do to finish it. She has been practicing everything we talk about in readers and writers workshop and applying it to her own reading. She has moved up several reading levels and continues to challenge herself. Yahoo Violet!

Robbie- Robbie really set up as a great role model in the class. He has been welcoming in class and making new friends as well as joining in with others at recess. He has been focused during worktime and learning new works to add to his workplan. He has been participating more in our readers/writers workshop and sharing out his great thinking. Way to go Robbie!

Sarah- Sarah really stepped up this week as a leader in our class. She was following directions everyday and really setting a great example. She also challenged herself with new work. She finished a whole section of her language work plan by working on it everyday. During writers workshop she was focused not only on adding more to her opinion writing, but really stretching out her words to do her best guess spelling. She has become much more independent in trying her best. Keep up the great work Sarah!

Work Time: Students have working so hard these past few weeks. Many students now have work plans and are really focusing to finish those work plans. It is a great skill for them to think about time management and setting goals. We take about different strategies to finish their goals such as starting with the hardest first, marking which three you can get done today, and trying works from ever area. Each day ask your child what they were able to accomplish, how did that make them feel, and what are their next goals.

Students had so much fun this week counting their 100 objects, writing 100 words, building with 100 legos. This was a great day to celebrate 100 days in school, but it also was a great way for students to think about all the ways to make 100. They had to really use problem solving skills, grouping strategies, and literacy to write 00 words and what tehy built will 100 legos.

Science: This week we finished our balls and ramps unit! The students did a great job learning about how to compare different properties of balls. I sent home clay and their science journals on Friday. Hopefully you were able to spend some time going through the journal with your child and asking them what they learned from the unit. Did you have a chance to make different ramps and talk about what makes the balls roll faster, easier, more efficient?

Geography: This week we started studying China! We celebrated the Chinese New Year by decorating our own dragon. Students learned about the folk tail , The Story of Nian. We also learned about the panda and labeled different parts. The next week we will continue learning about China and the great wall!

Black History Night: Black History Night is this Thursday, Feb. 26th from 5:30-7:30 . Please RSVP so that we can make sure to have enough food for everyone. It is going to be a great night to hear and see all the work students have been doing to honor those who fought for civil rights. The K/1 videos will be playing in the library and Mrs. Gardner's room.

Reminders:
I will be out of town Wednesday-Friday for a wedding. Ms. Richerdson and Ms. Balcome will be our guest teachers while I'm out. I know the students will be in good hands and enjoy having guest teachers in the class.

2/23-3/6 Open Enrollment-for Kindergarten
3/8 Daylight Saving Time begins – Turn clocks forward 1 hour

100th Day of School!!!!

Wednesday is the 100th day of school. Wow, it is amazing we have already been in school 100 days. Take this time to reflect on how much growth your child has made!!! On Wednesday we will be doing a lot of fun activities , such as counting 100 objects, jumping for 100 seconds, reading as a class 100 books, and so much more!!!!! I sent home a letter Friday for your child to collect 100 things. Small items are great and I will have extra in case someone forgets!!!

Valentine's Day! Leading up to Valentine's Day this year we tired to take part in an act of kindness everyday. Some examples of what we did for acts of kindness were: cleaning the school halls, cleaning our buddies classroom, writing special cards and giving donuts to all the teachers, writing Valentines day cards to the Leschi Community senior center. Ask your child which act of kindness they liked doing best and how it made them feel.

Thank you to all the families who came to help with the valentines day party! It was so nice to have everyone there helping the kids and get to see them so excited to pass out sweet cards to their friends.

Readers/Writers Workshop- We have been continuing to work on finishing up our All About books. This past week students worked on Fun facts about their person of interest. This next week we will finish up our books and students will start working on their presentations. Students will be editing their writing, adding finial details and planning out their presentations. We are going to be filming their presentations to show at Black History night next Thursday.

Geography: Last week we started learning about China! We learned about animals in China, such as the red panda. We also learned a little about the Great Wall, which we will be doing a project later on. We learned a lot about the Chinese New Year! Mr. Glenn was so kind and even brought in fortunes for every student in class. Part of the Chinese New Year tradition is to receive a fortune. Ask your child what their fortune was. This year the Chinese New Year is on Feb. 19th, which we will celebrate a little in class.

Buddy Classroom: Each student in our classroom has a special 4/5th grade buddy from Mrs. Deese's classroom. We try to get together every few weeks for projects, reading together, and just getting to know each other. This week our Buddy classroom is working on writing fiction stories. They asked us to pick out our favorite story. Each child choose a favorite fiction story which our Buddies are going to write their own ending to, we can't wait to see what they write!

STR resident:
This year we will be having a student resident in our classroom. He is attending UW's Seattle Residence Program to receive his Master's degree in Special Education. He is working part time in Mr. Goldwater's classroom and part time in our classroom. Here is a little more info about Jacob!
Dear Parents,
I am so excited for the opportunity to work with your children! I am in the process of getting my Masters in Education through a program called Seattle Teacher Residency. The philosophy of a “resident program” suggests that the most valuable component of learning how to become a teacher is through actual time spent in the classroom. Therefore, I am spending the whole school school year at working at Leschi with different teachers. I spent the first trimester working with Mrs. Snyder and Mrs. Diaz, and now I am working with Mr. Goldwater and Mrs. Castiglia for the rest of the year. I will receive my endorsement in Special Education and plan on teaching Special Education next school year.

On a personal level, I am recently married as of August 2014. In my free time I enjoy reading, hiking, and riding horses. If I were stranded on an island with one book, I would choose Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov. When my wife and I have a free weekend, we escape to Issaquah and ride her horses up Squawk Mountain. Well, that about wraps it up! Please don’t hesitate to ask me any questions. I look forward to getting to know you throughout the rest of the school year!
Sincerely, Jacob Schmitt

Eadlyn turned five months, last week! Wow time goes by fast.

Feb. 8th

Work Time: WOW! It is amazing to see all the work the students have been doing lately. In the past two weeks, many first graders have worked very hard to finish their work plans. We've talked about strategies to plan out how they are going to accomplish their goals for the week. Starting with the hardest work first, highlighting works each day, trying to finish three each day, etc. This planning and time management is a great skill that students will be able to carry with them through out their lives.
Some kindergarteners even received a work plan this past week. They were showing their determination to challenge themselves, work on a variety of works, and be independent. The goal is to continue to introduce workplans to kindergarteners each week. Ask your child what was one their goals and how they are managing their time to finish it each week!

Black History Month: Students have really been diving in to learn more about many different African Americans that have impacted history in a variety of ways. We've been learning about the challenges Wilma Rudolph over came as a child, a women, and an African American. The students have been fascinated with her determination to win three Gold Medals. For the month of February the students are working in groups to research various African Americans throughout history who have made a difference. The students choose to research Charles Drew, Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges, Martin Luther King Jr. and Barack Obama. Students are working together in groups to research and write All About books about their person of interest. ON Feb. 26th for Black History Night, you will be able to see a video of your child's presentation as well as other classrooms presentations.

Readers Workshop and Writers Workshop:

For the next few weeks students have been working on researching and writing an All About a significant African American from history. The students are learning how to look for new information, working together in a group, and write in their own words an All About book. Ask your child how their research is going, what is their favorite part, what have they learned about so far?

Geography:For the past two weeks we have been learning about Japan. We were able to watch a documentary on a famous sushi Chef from Tokyo. Mr. Glenn then came in and made sushi with us while we watched a famous Japanese cartoon, My Neighbor Totoro. The students also made their own Co fish flags for CHildren's Day. They have learned to count to 10 in Japanese and write a few Kanji symbols.

Science: We have started our unit on Balls and Ramps. So far students have been learning a lot about how to look for similarities and differences using our senses. They took a look at different attributes of rubber balls and polystyrene.

Star Student: For the month of February I will not be choosing a start student. Every Monday morning we will be having special guest speakers for Black History Month. We will not be reading out start students on these mornings.

Valentines Day Party: On Friday I sent home a letter about our Valentines day party. We will be having the party from 11:50-1:15. We will be enjoying some Valentines day snacks, passing out cards, working on a craft, and playing a few games. I will be sending out a link to sign up on Volunteer spot if you would like to help contribute to the party or participate in an activity. We're using VolunteerSpot (the leading online Sign-up and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming Sign-ups. Here's how it works in 3 easy steps: 1) Click this link to see our Sign-Up on VolunteerSpot: http://vols.pt/cdCZJ7 2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like. 3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on VolunteerSpot. Note: VolunteerSpot does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.