The ONE MORE STORY website is now linked to Cypress Cove and the teachers have all been contacted to let them know about the website. I have been frantically trying to iron out any bugs and learn as much as possible so that the students and teachers will be able to access the website quickly and without problems.  One of our kids accessed the website from the computer lab and enjoyed a book about the penquins in the Antarctic region. Several teachers have commented that they have accessed the website and are very pleased with the quality and ease of use. Whatever we can do to get kids hooked on reading is good for kids! This website is the best. I hope you will check it out! You can see it and take a tour or listen to a book at www.onemorestory.com 

 

 

Monday, November 2 was a great way to begin a week! In Morning Meeting I was delighted to be presented with the first of five PTA Mini Grants for 2009-10. My Mini Grant was funded in full and is titled "One More Story for First Grade."  In my grant I proposed purchasing a school subscription for the Cypress Cove First graders so that every first grader can enjoy the wonder of literature in the interactive literature based website, www.onemorestory.com . This week I contacted Carl at One More Story website to gain information about getting a school network subscription. If all goes well, we may be connected within a week or two. I am in the process of developing a survey to administer to the kids at CCE to get their input before and after using the One More Story website. I look forward to seeing how well the whole first grade likes the site. My class sure does as we have been using it for almost two months already!

 

 

Our class was delighted to see themselves on the website this week. We watched the short video "A Peek into First Grade" in class. As I led them through the website, I also highlighted some of the special things they could do here. I hope they are communicating to their parents so they can practice spelling, reading and research here.

This year I hope to get a flip camera to create videos to upload so parents can see their child in action in the classroom. Also, I hope some parents will email me for suggested topics for my blog.

On October 1st 17 happy first graders, 5 parents and 1 teacher from Mrs. Cantin's class boarded the bus at Cypress Cove with  another first grade class to make a journey north of Covington to Red Bluff Farm. It was a warm sunny day and the air was full of anticipation. Mrs. Cantin made the time go a little faster by counting down the time for estimated arrival, as the bus rolled nearer and nearer the farm. Eyes widened with each response to the question the children asked, "Are we almost there?"

Mrs. Cantin responded each time..."About 20 minutes...15minutes...10 minutes...5 minutes...two minutes...LOOK! There is the farm!" The children squealed with delight and shared their excitement and discovery by pointing  and exclaming, "Look! It's the farm!"

Farmer Bryant met the children after they exited the bus and ate their snacks. Everyone gathered under the big covered shed where Farmer Bryant  gave everyone a short agenda for the day. The children  had "chores" to do! After watchinga milking demonstration  they fed the calves and touched the baby animals, (chicks, goat, and sheep) and watched the teachers KISS A PIG! After everyone had used the restroom and washed hands,  Farmer Bryant led the group up the road to see the hogs, beef cattle, horses and chickens. Then they had a hayride back to the big trees where   lunch was waiting. After washing hands again, everyone settled at picnic tables under the trees and had a wonderful lunch. After lunch the group proceeded into the garden where the children planted corn, saw honey bees, went through the Louisiana Hay Maze and picked radishes. The Farm trip ended with a class picture. The tired happy children boarded the bus and had a great relaxing bus ride back to school.

On Tuesday, September 23, Miriam Boots, "Miss Mim" the parish librarian, visited our class. She brought several books about community helpers and read to the children. She asked questions and answered the children's questions about the library. She encouraged all of them to visit the public library especially on Thursday nights for Family Story Hour. The children were very excited about her coming and wrote thank you notes to her the following day. We hope she will come again!  You can see pictures of  Miss Mim in the Photo Gallery.

 

On Friday, local dentist, Dr. David Pousson, visited our class to talk about the job he has as a community helper. He encouraged the children to brush and floss their teeth several times a day, eat healthy foods and visit the dentist for check ups. The children were very good listeners and asked good questions. Everyone received a little bag with a new toothbrush, floss and booklet on dental care.

 

As a culmination to our unit on community helpers, we did a Reader's Theater. The children practiced parts and made simple costumes.  We invited another class to come to see our production, then went to four other classes to perform before dismissal. They all thought the class was great! THEY WERE AWESOME!  Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures!

 

The weeks have been flying by! The children are all settled into routines and really enjoying their center time each day.

 

The bulb on our projector has gone out and that means we cannot use our promethean board or document camera until we get a replacement bulb. (This has to be ordered through the school board, as they do not have them in stock in the school, so we hope it won't take too long. The bulb costs over 300 dollars, or I would get one myself!) I think the kids are also missing the interaction of the promethean board. I am too, as I have to rethink and replan how I teach my lessons.

 

This week we will have several visitors for Grandparent's day. I look forward to meeting those who come.

 

I am so very happy with my class this year. The children are all so unique. They are working well with one another and seem to enjoy our class so far. We have finished DIBELS testing and find that most of the children are on benchmark, and ready for first grade. We have begun the first grade reader and workbook, they seem to be ready to read and write! I have very high expectations for them academically.

Behaviorally, they are also doing very well. I just need to give an "orange card" to the child who is not doing well and he/she is immediately on task. WOW! What a great group! 

This week in Science we will be talking about living and nonliving and planting slips from the large plant that I trimmed before open house. The small cuttings have all rooted and each child will be planting his/her own plant to take care of.