The Polar Express Pajama Premiere

We had a wonderful time watching the Polar Express with our first grade friends. We enjoyed a simple treat (graham crackers with vanilla frosting and sprinkles served with chocolate milk), and enjoyed some time being a community. I really hope you are having a nice winter break! First grade friends, don't forget to take some time to impress your friends and family with your amazing reading! I can't wait to hear about all the wonderful books you read!

If you haven't heard this amazing Chris Van Allsburg story, listen to Lou Diamond Phillips read it at Storyline Online. There are some excellent project ideas that connect to the book too. If you try any of these ideas, let me know when you return to class; I'll award 5 class jewels for any activity you choose! Enjoy!

Our Second Math Leader..."Counting On" and "Teens"

Math Expressions, our district adopted math program, has impressed me since the day I adopted it (as a 5th grade teacher). This is why: the students show their understanding by teaching what they know to others. This is a process that happens gradually, but it happens. The students share, discuss, and revise their ideas about mathematics. I am floored by how quickly the students are learning. This is only a small example of what happens with math in our classrooms...I hope you learn something! She is an amazing young teacher...listen to how effectively she pulls her peers into the conversation; so exciting!!

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

I just love how eager they all are to help one another. First grade is a wonderful world!

Wow! We ARE Readers!!! Come Listen as we Read You a Story!

These first readers did such an amazing job! I plan to post a few students each week...so check back often.

Schooltube (the site where I host our class movies) seems to be streaming a little slow lately. If the video seems choppy, first try click the HD to "off"; if that doesn't work, pause the video at the beginning...let it buffer to the end, and then play. I do apologize for the white noise in the background. We recorded during our Daily 5 time, and there is a lot of learning going on around the room:) I'll seek out a quieter spot in the room next time.

What is the Weather

I lost my Tooth

Look at that Cat

Skyping with some Cold Springs Friends!

Thanks so much to the KF Dragons (Kindergarten class from our local Cold Springs Elementary School) for taking to time to listen to us read. Only two wonderful students had an opportunity to experiment with the reading part of this project, but all the wonderful students will get a turn. What a wonderful time we had!

Happy Halloween

What a fun Fall we have had so far!!

Messy Learning

We are learning to practice our spelling words in new and interesting ways!!

Welcome to our classroom! Take a look at what we have been up to!

Math Talk: Math Leader

Excellent job friend!! What a great job you did on your very first time to lead our daily math routine!!

• August 30th: First Day of School


• September 6th: Labor Day~ No School


• September 27th: Staff Development~ No School

Welcome to First Grade: Summer Letter

Please consider printing out the letter above (if you haven't received a letter from me yet); it includes a summer reading list. Summer reading not only helps give your child a jumpstart on the new year, it also makes those long car rides and rainy days a lot more tolerable! These titles are meant to be read aloud to your child or read along side your child, so enjoy a little quiet time with your incoming first grader before the hectic school year rears its ugly head. Have fun!

Dear 2010-2011 1st Graders and Families,


Welcome to a new school year at Hawthorne Elementary! This year we will be posting entries in our class blog and sharing what we are doing. Please make sure you check back often and ask your child about the activities we are doing in class. I am very excited to be your child's teacher this year and I look forward to getting to know each of you.

Looking forward to a great year,

~Mrs. Anderson