Spring Break 2019

Happy Spring Break families!  I hope everyone is enjoying time with their loved ones, resting and getting reading for our final quarter of the year.  We will be hitting the ground running after spring break, here's the scoop on what will be happening in room 9 when we return from break...

Math:  The children learned how to make quick tens before we left for break.  We will apply this to learn how to add and subtract tens and ones from a two digit number.  Then we will learn how to compare two digit numbers (<, >, =).  

ELA:  We will move into our 7th 4 week unit in our NatGeo series, "Then and Now."  Students will read about and compare about life now and long ago, which we started before Spring Break with our Magic Tree House story "Twister on Tuesday."  The children were full of questions about one room school houses and started asking a lot of questions about what Marshall was like when if first opened.  Luckily, we have a homegrown expert - retired Marshall teacher Kristie Pagel.  Mrs. Pagel happened to have attended Marshall when the school was only 5 years old, and was the one who came up with Marshall's mascot - the Mustang!  Mrs. Pagel was in the building on Friday and stopped by to help answer all the questions out students had.  We even had the opportunity to take a photo with Mrs. Pagel. 

When we return from break we will also have new Spring Reader Theaters for Daily 5, and I am considering doing another Daily 5 Boot Camp - not only because it is a good refresher to remind them of our Daily 5 routines but because I have a small group who keeps asking for another Boot Camp since we did one in January (especially Liam!).

Science:  We are returning to our science kit begin our motion part of our balance and motion unit.  

Social Studies:  When we return from break we will be rejoining Mrs. Ogg for Social Studies.  The students will be learning about Ancient Greek, and then making a turn into Mayans, Aztecs, and Incan's.

1st Grade Suzuki Performance:

Tuesday, April 2nd will be the first grade Suzuki performance.  This is your first opportunity to come and see what your child has been busy learning in Suzuki all year long.  The performance will be held from 6:30-7:30.  No final word where, but it is usually at Flag High.  I will let you know when I have word on the venue.  Students will be required to wear performance attire, and bowties will be available for the boys to borrow if they need.  I hope to see everyone there.

Parent University/Conferences:  

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Parent University sessions and our group style conferences.  I don't know about you but our time together seemed a little shorter than I would have liked.  A few of you did reach out to me with follow up questions.  Please, if you feel like you have any remaining questions or concerns, reach out to me via email.  I want to make sure we communicate about your child's education fully, and now is the time.  Thank you to those who also signed up for individual conferences.  Those who did not feel a conference was necessary at this time, your child's report card did go home in their purple folder that was full of the information given at Parent University.  Please review it, and again, if you have any questions please feel free to contact me.

Pledge and Announcements: 

Our class had the opportunity to make the announcements and say the Pledge this last Thursday.  The honors went to Sula and Dakota.  Here is a picture of them coming back into class after they did a very remarkable job!  As always, our sweet class gave them a round of applause as they entered the doors!  Love that they always think of doing this to celebrate each other!  I also love that Dakota had to check and fix his hair before I could take their picture :)

Have a safe and fun Spring Break.  See everyone back on Monday, March 25th! -Ms. Shaw

March 11th-15th 2019 Updates

Happy Tuesday before Spring Break. I apologize that this weeks blog is a little later than usual, this weekend was busy with report cards, lesson plans,  and getting ready for Parent University.  I am exhausted but all set and very excited for this week!  Although are days are short this week, we still have a lot of learning planned.  Here's what we have happening in room 9:

Math:  We are working on place value concepts such as writing a two digit number as an addition sentence (ex: 24=20+4), and finding 1 and 10 more, and 1 and 10 less than a given number.  

ELA:  We will be supporting our recent NatGeo stories about weather by spending this week reading The Magic Tree House story Twister on Tuesday to learn more about tornadoes.  Because we will be doing this lit study, we will not have a list of spelling words or a spelling test. 

In case your kids have not informed you yet there will not be any homework this week at all!  

Science:  We will finish our Earth Science unit on weather learning about tools meteorologists use to determine the weather, how to read weather tools, and dive into learning about tornadoes to reinforce our lit study.

Social Studies:  Due to our short days we will not be switching with Mrs. Ogg this week.  We will continue our studies after Spring Break when we will study Ancient Greece and then move into Mayan, Aztecs, and Incans.

Parent University/Conferences:

Tomorrow is Parent University from 5:00-7:00.  If you need a refresher on how Parent University is going to work you can read all about it here...       https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=782437860974803553#editor/target=post;postID=8503161623167765080;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=2;src=postname.  We are hoping to see as many families as possible for the group conference from 6:05-6:30 in our room.  If you feel your family would benefit more from an individual conference you can sign up for that as well.  Sign-Up is online via this link-https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0e4fa4a72ca0ff2-parent.  If you opt out of any type of conference report cards will go home with your child on Friday.  

Conference Week Early Release:

Don't forget, Wednesday through Friday are early release days due to elementary conferences.  Here are the release times for all 3 days:

• Wednesday, March 13th - Extra early release at 11:10
• Thursday, March 14th - Early release at 12:25
• Friday, March 15th- Regular early release at 12:25

Please plan for childcare on release days accordingly.  Thank you!

Science Fair:

We had 3 students who participated in this years science fair.  Ady, Liam, and Yossarian all did an amazing job working on their science fair projects of choice, and all 3 earned ribbons.  Ady and Liam earned 1st place, and Yossarian earned 3rd place!  Each student presented their science fair project to the class before they were taken to the gym for judging.  Last week our class had the chance to walk around the science fair, and celebrate our classmates successes!  We are all so proud of these three!  Here are some pictures of them presenting, and of them with their award winning projects.

THINK Assembly - Trustworthy:

Our Positive Behavior Support Committee has been hard at work this year.  One of the things they have revamped is the blue ticket system, and having the kids earn them when they are caught "THINKing like Mustangs".  This past Friday we held an assembly where two students from each class who showed trustworthiness were given an award.  In our class the awards went to Karina and Derian.  Karina and Derian can always be trusted to make good decisions and do the right thing even when an adult is not watching.  They can be trusted to help do a job, help a friend, and act with kindness. Nice job Karina and Derian!  One of the things I love about this class is how excited everyone was for the two of them when they earned the trustworthy award.  I truly have a class who is always cheering for one another.  Below are some pictures of Karina and Derian receiving their awards.   

    

 

Spring Break:

Don't forget, after all the excitement of this week, next week Spring Break.  School will be closed from Monday, March 18th - Friday, March 22nd.  I hope you find time to spend with your loved ones.  Be safe, be warm, and have fun! -Ms. Shaw 

Parent University/Conference Sign-Up 2019

Parent University/Conference Sign-Up:

Hello parents.  I have attached a link to the sign-up genius for Parent University Night and parent teacher conferences.  This Wednesday is our highly anticipated Parent University night from 5:00-7:00.  Our class conference will take place that evening from 6:05-6:30 in our room 9.  Our hope is that every family will attend our class conference during this evening, and take advantage of a few other informative sessions while they are here.  Remember, childcare is available this night if you need it, and Fratelli's will be providing dinner.  With dinner and childcare covered, it's almost like date night!  There are options for individual conferences on Thursday if you feel that option best fits your needs.  Some families feel comfortable where their child is academically and do not feel a conference is necessary.  If this is you you are still highly encouraged to attend the group meeting during Parent University, but do not need an individual conference.  For more information on Parent University please read last weeks blog.   http://shawsscoop.blogspot.com/2019/03/parent-university-conferences-2019.html.  The link for the sign-up genius is here...https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E4FA4A72CA0FF2-parent.  If any of the options do not work for you please feel free to reach out and we can make other arrangements.  We are trying to get an idea for our Wednesday night turn out, so please sign up and let me know if you plan on attending Wednesday night.  All report cards and informational folders will go home during conferences, and for those who opt not to have a conference yours will go home Friday with your child.  Hope to see everyone next week. -Ms. Shaw

Parent University Conferences 2019

Hello Mustang families.  I wanted to dedicate this blog to explain all about our upcoming Parent University and Parent/Teacher Conferences.  As you know our spring conferences are usually optional, and are usually held over the course of the 3 days before Spring Break.  This year we have decided to do things a little different.  This year our parent teacher conferences will be part of our Parent University night.  So let's explain Parent University for those who are new to Marshall, or did not attend last year.

Parent University is a night where you can come attend several informational sessions to learn about a variety of topics pertinent to your child's education.  These are topics that were chosen by Marshall parents in our survey that went out previously, and include things such as Raising Readers, School Safety, Making Mathematicians, Active Parenting, Positive Behavior Interventions and Support, and more.  These session option can all be found in the Parent University brochures that went home with your children tonight.  This year you will have the opportunity to choose from 3 sessions, as well as attend your child's conference session.  So how will this night look?

Parent University/Conference Night will take place next Wednesday, March 13th from 5-7pm.  There will be 4 sessions that you may choose from, if you choose to attend all four sessions.  The run time for these sessions are:

• Session 1 - 5:00-5:25
• Session 2 - 5:30-5:55
• Parent/Teacher Meeting - 6:05-6:30  (This will be our group parent/teacher conference time where we will meet in our room)
• Session 3- 6:35-7:00  

At the group conference you will be given your child's individual report card.  We will review what goes on our report cards, as well as our first grade progress report information.  We will look at and discuss the data we use in the first grade on these reports, and you will be able to privately see your child's progress thus far.  If you feel you still would like an individual conference after this (or even in lieu of if you still prefer) I will be sending home an individual conference time sign-up sheet tomorrow.  However, having done the group data conferences before, I feel you will find it unnecessary to attend both, and am hopeful you will choose to attend the Wednesday night conference as your option.

You might be thinking sure, but it sounds like a long night.  I hear ya, but here is the beauty in Wednesday night.  You can make it look the way that works best for you.  Only want to attend the conference?  That is an option.  Want to attend the conference and one or two sessions?  You may do that as well.  Or you may choose to attend all 3 sessions and the conference time.  Our main goal is to have as close to 100% attendance for the conference time (6:05-6:30) as possible.  The rest of the sessions you can pick and choose according to your schedule and what works best for you.

Dinner will be provided.  Pizza will be available in the gym all night long, and you may stop in and grab dinner as you make your way in and out of sessions.

Childcare will also be provided if needed.  Children in childcare at 5:45 will receive dinner as well.

If you have any questions regarding Parent University/Conference Night please feel free to email me, and I will get back to you immediately.  Hope to see everyone Wednesday, March 13th for our conference! -Ms. Shaw

Last Week of February 2019 Updates

I cannot believe that we are in the last week of February.  With the use of more snow days I feel like this month flew by.  This week we will spend some time catching up and then getting into some new concepts as quickly as we can.  Here's what it will look like academically in room 9...

Math:  We will finish up our unit on coins and their values and then move into place value.  The first part of place value will be will be looking at ten and ones.  

ELA:  We will have a chance to get into our NatGeo stories about weather, which we did not have a chance to do last week.  Also, we will stay with last weeks spelling words this week.  That means I will send home the same spelling list as last week.  This is a difficult spelling sound (ie and igh that say long i) so the extra week will be beneficial.  I will also send home the same sentence homework, but it is up to each family how much of that page they care to practice this week.  All I care about is the spelling and math this week.  If you think your child needs to practice their sentence writing for the test, it is there for that purpose.  If you care to skip part or all, that is an option for you this week.

Science:  We will take our assessment on balance and move on to some fun weather science for a few weeks.

Social Studies:  We did not have the chance to visit Mrs. Ogg last week, so this week we will see her to learn about President's. 

 Science Fair Projects:  Just a reminder, science fair projects are due this Wednesday morning - if your child choose to do an individual science fair project.  Science Fair Family Night will be Wednesday March 6th from 5:00-6:30 in the gym.

Family Fitness Night:  This Thursday night is our fun filled 5th annual Family Fitness Night.  Come check out our community partners that will be here to offer activities and information on many health, wellness, and mindfulness opportunities offered to our youth in Flagstaff.  Kids will actively participate in many choices such as yoga, healthy snacks, and a ton more.  Hope everyone can make time to join us in the free night of family fun!

Parent/Teacher Conferences:  Conferences will be held Wednesday March 13th-Friday March 15th.  These will look very different than they did in the fall.  A lot more information to come at the end of the week, please stay tuned for that!

So good to have everyone back today!  Some of us were a little more tired than usual.  Time to get back to our routines. Please, no stress over the homework this week.  If the students are tired and not feeling it, write me a note and skip it that night.  Let's just spend this week getting back into the groove of things.  At the end of the night I want happy and peaceful households.  No stress or arguments over homework at all!  Dinner, bedtime stories, and snuggles are more important to me this week than homework.  My intent is not to make this week harder than it needs to be. I love my  families!   - Ms. Shaw

President's Day Week 2019

Happy snowy President's Day.  I hope everyone is having some fun in the snow on this beautiful day off.  With another storm coming Wednesday night, I'm wondering how many days of school we will actually have this week.  Still planned for a full four days.  Here's what we have planned for the next week, regardless of when those day's may actually happen...

Math:  We began learning about coins and their values.  This will be the focus the remainder of this week as well (pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters).  This is always an interesting unit because most get it, but for whatever reason if a child does not, it proves to be very tricky for them to distinguish between the coins.  Feel free to break your change and play little games with your child.  What is the coin called?  How much is a certain coin worth?  What about a mixture of coins?  Put a pile of coins together and see if they can pick out the nickels and then tell you the value of a nickel, etc.  Please avoid quarters however, we have not learned this yet (this week) and this could frustrate your child.  Any extra practice at home doing these types of activities is always useful during this unit.  Thank you for your partnership!

ELA:  We will be reading stories about the weather from our NatGeo series this week.  

Science:  We fell a little behind on finishing our balance unit last week, so this is what we will be doing this week.  

Social Studies:  The kids are learning about President's this week, which is very fitting.

Science Fair:  If your child is doing a science fair project (which is not required) it is due Wednesday, February 27th.  The science fair will be set up in the gym, and our Science Fair Family Night will be taking place on Wednesday, March 6th.  When I have more details, such as a time frame, I will share with you immediately.

Family Fitness Night:  Thursday February 28th is our 5th annual Family Fitness Night.  This is one of the best nights of FREE family fun Marshall has to offer.  The students and their families have the opportunity to come check out vendors and community groups that offer opportunities for all to participate in games, activities and lessons in health, wellness, and mindfulness.  In the past there has been football, yoga, hockey, healthy snacks, and much more.  I'm sure it will look very much the same this year.  The best part is that your child will go home TIRED and bedtime should be a breeze!  Let us tucker them out for you, and come join in the fun!  Hope to see everyone there.

Dates to Remember:

• Wednesday, February 27th - Science Fair Projects Due

• Thursday, February 28th - Family Fitness Night

• Wednesday, March 6th - Science Fair Family Night

• Monday, March 11th - STEM Night at NAU 

• Wednesday, March 13th - Friday March 15th - Parent Teacher Conferences - This will look very different than fall conferences - more details next weeks blog.  Be on the look out!

• March 18th - 22nd - Spring Break

I hope everyone enjoyed their 3 day weekend.  Please make sure to check the Marshall or FUSD website or Facebook pages for school late start or closure updates.  I'm guessing we may have some of these in our future.  Cannot wait to see the kids tomorrow!  Stay warm tonight, and drive safe this week! -Ms. Shaw

February 2019 Pre Valentines Double Edition

Happy February!  Again, sorry for the lack of post last week.  Didn't happen on Super Bowl Sunday, and that was followed by technical computer issues, which resulted in a lack of computer for a few days.  Anyway, I'm back on track this week, so I'm giving you another double scoop of the scoop.  Here's is what has been happening, and what is coming up in our classroom, including some photo's of our porridge taste testing.

Math:  We are finishing our unit on measurement and data this week.  The kids have learned how to read data and record it with tally's (which they learned how to write correctly) and now they are on to making graphs where they organize the data in a type of picture/bar graph.  They are also learning how to use this information to solve word problems, and key in on key terms such as more than and total to determine which operation to use.  After that they are using the information to write number sentences to help answer questions being asked about the graph.  After we wrap up this unit we will be moving on to money.

ELA:  Last week we decided to focus on our Reading Literature Standard and compare and contrast the two stories "3 Snowbears" and "Goldilocks and the Three Bears."  We read the Jan Brett version, which the children were familiar with her books from when we did "The Hat" and "The Mitten."  Our students really did an amazing job with finding a lot of similarities and differences between the two stories, and sequencing the "3 Snowbears."   On Friday we decided to make porridge and graph if we preferred our porridge with honey or with chocolate sauce.  Chocolate sauce won by a single vote, and not every child voted because not every child was actually willing to try porridge!  I did manage to get some REALLY funny pictures out of the whole ordeal.  I'll post them below.  Next week we will return to NatGeo where our stories will focus on the weather for the next several weeks.  

Because we are going back to NatGeo we will be having spelling again next week.  Which means a return of homework.  We were not planning on spelling homework last week, but when both copiers broke on Monday (yes - both!!) math homework was not happening either.  I told the kids to tell you verbally, ya know, since I was having computer issues and all and couldn't communicate anything via email.  Sorry if there was any confusion.  I'm sure there was a lot of sadness.  Never fear, homework is back on this week!  You're welcome!  

Science:  We are going to wrap up our balance part of our balance and motion unit this week.  After that we will do a few weeks of weather to correspond with our ELA, and then go back to our motion part of our balance and motion unit. 

Social Studies:  The students are continuing their studies on American Symbols with Ms. Ogg, after which they will move into Ancient Greece.

Science Fair:  Science Fair projects are due on February 27th.  Again, in first grade this is not required, but if your child is interested they may participate.  Only experiments will be judged.  Please make sure the experiment follows the inquiry process (your child knows this - we study and follow it every time we do an investigation in science).  Most importantly, please have fun!

Kindergarten Registration:  Because of the snow day last Wednesday Kindergarten registration was rescheduled to this coming Wednesday, February 13th - 4:30-6:30 in the gym.  If you have a younger sibling ready to begin Kindergarten at Marshall we will see you Wednesday!

Valentines Day:  Valentines Day is this Thursday.  We will be exchanging valentines.  I sent home a class list on Friday so that if your child wishes to write names on their valentines they may.  Honestly though, it is so much easier on you if they write just their name on their valentines.  I will make sure they get one valentine in each friends holder, as I will be helping them pass out their valentines that morning.  Our celebration will take place that afternoon before specials.  If your child chooses to bring in valentines they must bring in one for EVERYONE in the class!!  If they would like to bring in a healthy treat to share they may (no sign up, we'll take what we get).  Please, no junk...they will get plenty in their Valentine holders (I already have purchased the candy conversation hearts for a graphing activity).  We already have punch, cups, and napkins but if anyone wishes to bring in  plates that would be helpful.  Just write me a quick note in the agenda letting me know.  Your help is appreciated!  If you need another list, please let me know. 

Tax Credit Donations:  Please remember if you have not done your taxes that you can still make your tax credit donations to Marshall School.  This is a dollar for dollar credit, and every dollar goes directly to each and every student here at Marshall.  We pay for everything from field trips to our magnet programs, including our twice weekly Suzuki violin program which our first graders participate in. Thank you for you consideration and your support of our unique programs that make Marshall so special!

Family Fitness Night:  Thursday, February 28th is our 5th annual Family Fitness Night.  This is one of my favorite Marshall events, with a huge community turn out of vendors promoting fitness, health, and wellness.  I believe the event will take place from 5:30-7:00.  I will update you as the date draw closer.  I hope to see everyone there.

Dates to Remember:

• Monday, February 18th - School Closed - President's Day
• Thursday, February 14th - Valentines Day - Class Party 
• Wednesday, February 27th - Science Fair Projects Due
• Thursday, February 28th - Family Fitness Night

Porridge Taste Testing:  As promised, here are the pictures from our taste testing.  If your child is missing (Andres) it is because they disliked porridge so much they would not allow me to take their picture!  Trust me, I tried.  The faces they make are hilarious and I hope they bring you as much joy as they do me each time I look at them.

 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!  - 💜Ms. Shaw