Open House

Such a beautiful night for Open House! We especially love getting to know parents after spending time with their children. This year we had a mix of returning families and new families. It's a mix that makes up the most precious class yet! Thank you parents, for sharing your children with us!

Stoplight Cookies

Today was another long Wednesday so it was cooking day.  Today we made Stoplight Cookies.

Just in case you want to make them at home, here is Addison's recipe.

Ingredients

peanut butter

crackers

chocolate

plate

M & Ms

cups

First, you need to spread peanut butter on the cracker with a popsicle stick.

Second, you put the cracker on the peanut butter.

Third, you put the cracker on the cracker.

 

Last, (you spread chocolate on the top cracker and then) you put the three M & Ms on the cracker.  Then you eat it all gone. It is yummy!

Sweet Success!

We can't wait until Open House on Thursday when each of our children will be able to read a finished pattern book to their parents.  Our standard-based bulletin board this month features four of our bright stars standing in front of each published piece! We can't wait to rock the house!

The MARC Opens

On Thursday, September 14 the MARC opened for first grade.  The MARC is a tutoring center in the Portside Community on Ascot Drive in the building next to the small swimming pool that serves children from Chets Creek but also provides many other services for families.  The Center is funded by the McKenzie Wilson Foundation. First grade tutoring day is Thursday and both Mrs. Ruark and Mrs. Timmons work each Thursday from 4:00-6:00.  The tutoring is free and open to any child that lives in Portside.  If you have child that lives in the area, please join them!

Ants on a Log

A little celery - a little peanut butter and a few raisins...  Wah lah!  Ants on a log!

Five Senses

Today was a Science day!  We have new Science  curriculum in first grade and today we had our first "investigation" around a unit on the Five Senses.  Items were placed in a sock and then the sock was knotted so that children had to feel to figure out what was inside the sock.  The children always enjoy Science and today was no exception.  Make sure to ask your child what was inside his sock today!

Skill Centers

Today is "short" Wednesday which means students leave at 2:00 so teachers can participate in professional development.  Wednesdays are also the day that students get to participate in Skill Centers.  Each of our six tables gets to practice a different skill with some type of interactive game.  The students really love this time because they have such fun!  Make sure not to tell them that they are really learning!

To the computer lab we go...

 

Today we made our first trip to the computer lab.  We wanted to review procedures with our returning students and teach our new students the procedures for using a computer in our classroom.  Children practiced turning the computers on and signing in - no small task with the 10 random letters and numbers for a username and another 10 or so for the password!  Of course, it is the same for a student all their years at Chets so if they finally memorize it, at least they can continue to use it for all six years!  Until memory sets in, each child has an index card with all the information. 

We then learned how to get into Number Worlds which is one of the Math programs that our children use.  Next week we will send the passwords home so that students can also get into the games at home!  Each day four students will be allowed to use the computers during the day when we have independent work time.  We will add specific sites that the children may choose from - they are not allowed to just surf the web! - as the year goes along.

Make sure to ask your child about their time in the Computer Lab today.  We expect it to be the first of many days!