The Tillis Tribune

El Cafe Sombrero

2011-05-09T11:11:00.001-07:00

Living Museum

2011-05-09T10:58:00.000-07:00

Each student chose one famous American or American Symbol to research and represent during our Living Museum.

Rainforest Layers

2011-01-25T11:59:00.001-08:00

Groups researched layers of the rainforest, then gave a report to their classmates. Each child has become an "expert" on a chosen animal and is developing a Keynote presentation to share their learning. Please check student blogs for those slide shows.

Letters To Vincent

2010-10-15T10:57:00.001-07:00

Custom Search Engines

2010-04-22T04:45:00.000-07:00

This week we used the search engines below to help us locate useful information on our chosen ocean animals. Be sure to check out student blogs to see the Keynote presentations we created from the information we found.

Starfish, Humpback Whale, Penguin, Beluga Whale, Killer Whale, Octopus, Sting Ray, Sea Lion, Dolphin, Jellyfish, Hammerhead Shark, Great White Shark

Human Body Systems

2010-02-19T09:37:00.001-08:00

This week our class began exploring Human Body Systems. Students worked with their partner to assemble body systems onto a paper body.

Stars!

2010-02-09T11:53:00.000-08:00

During our study of stars, we learned that there are more stars in the sky than anyone can count. We've also learned that stars are not just white lights, they can be red, yellow, or blue-ish white.

November Family Projects

2009-11-11T13:07:00.000-08:00

Wow! Our November Family Projects are outstanding! We had a great time sharing our projects today. Thank you, Moms and Dads!

Short Vowel e

2009-11-03T11:49:00.001-08:00

2009-10-22T13:02:00.001-07:00

Writer's Workshop

2009-09-18T07:46:00.000-07:00

Each day, we have the opportunity to learn writer's crafts from excellent authors of children's literature. This week we have learned to add details using "The Paperboy" by Dav Pilkey.

Butterfly Science

2009-09-18T06:41:00.000-07:00

We found milkweed plants with lots of caterpillar eggs. Now that they've hatched, we take a few minutes each morning to journal our observations. The caterpillars are getting so fat! We look forward to seeing them climb up high and make a chrysalis.

Short Vowel A Wordles

2009-09-11T12:51:00.000-07:00

Today our class created wordles to review word families. Note: When creating wordles at home, please be sure first graders are supervised. The public gallery is easy to access and may contain wordles unsuitable for children. Enjoy our show!

Word Study

2009-09-10T08:43:00.001-07:00

Each day we join our word study groups to create and explore words. Here are pictures of some of our work:

When I am 100...

2009-02-03T12:21:00.001-08:00

Freerice.com

2009-02-02T03:45:00.000-08:00

It's 2pm on a Friday...why aren't these children playing? Several students opted to use the mobile lab during playtime on Friday so they could play "free rice", a vocabulary game that allows players to donate 10 grains of rice for every correct response. Since difficulty level increases with each correct response, I worried they might soon become discouraged but they would not give up until they collectively donated over 600 grains (6 bowls) of rice to feed the hungry. Wow!

Our Salute to Great Americans

2009-01-27T08:08:00.000-08:00

BubbleShare: Share photos - Easy Photo Sharing

Custom Search Engines

2009-01-05T10:08:00.000-08:00

As your child begins to utilize internet resources as part of Explorer's Club, please encourage them to use the following custom search engines for their topic. I've pre-selected 6-9 websites that are safe, appropriate reading level, and that support the topic your child has chosen. They still have to enter search terms (ie, diet, size, habitat) but the links that appear will only come from the sites I have selected, not the entire internet. This will be my first time using this as a resource so I will appreciate all of your feedback. If you do not see your child's name, please check back later...I am still gathering sites for each child's subject.

Please click on your name to begin your search: Joel, Rachel, Kenze,Teah, Emilio,Katie R., Nicholas, James, Isabella, Emory,Sufana,
Katie B.
Johnquavis,
Logan,Taylor, Tyresse, Danny, Amara

Exploring Microscopes

2008-12-08T17:24:00.000-08:00

This week students learned the names and functions of microscope parts, practiced focusing and adjusting magnifications, and viewed plant and animal slides. We journaled our observations and compared diagrams with our partners. Finally, May and Roxana assisted us with preparing our own slides with a red onion skin (we were even able to identify the cell wall and the nucleus). It was a bit tricky, but a few of us were able to view our own skin samples. Ask your children about that experiment! We hope to continue microscope investigations as far as they may go.

Family Heritage Celebration

2008-12-08T17:10:00.002-08:00

Our first graders were in charge of all photos during last week's Family Heritage Celebration. Great Job!

Gingerbread Houses

2008-12-08T17:10:00.001-08:00

Rainforest Commercial

2008-12-08T16:24:00.000-08:00

Teah, Taylor, & Katie R. worked for weeks to create a commercial to help express their concerns about rainforest habitats. We are proud of their hard work!

Our Important Book

2008-11-25T09:56:00.001-08:00

When I First Came To This Land

2008-11-18T13:03:00.001-08:00

Rainforest Experts

2008-11-05T08:01:00.001-08:00

Mega-Bat or Micro-Bat?

2008-11-02T10:26:00.000-08:00

Our culminating activity for our recent study of bats was to create a bat cave and surround it with mega/micro-bat riddles. Great job First Graders!

Happy Halloween

2008-11-02T09:41:00.000-08:00

We were pleasantly surprised by a special afternoon of Halloween Treats on Friday. Thank you for all the goodies and for helping us create special memories...

Picture Day!

2008-10-30T16:14:00.000-07:00

This year's group pictures will be taken on November 6 at 9:30a. Everyone will have a chance to preview the pictures before purchasing. Retakes are unlikely, so please be sure to be at school on this day. Thanks!

Spreading Sunshine

2008-10-29T06:28:00.000-07:00

2008-08-24T11:09:00.000-07:00

The Tillis Tribune
August 22, 2008

I hope everyone managed to stay safe & dry this weekend and that everyone enjoyed a three-day weekend. This newsletter will be posted each week on our classroom blog. You will receive email reminders that the news has been posted. It is very important that emails and posts be read as most of them require action on your part (ie homework, etc). Newsletters will also contain an overview of skills taught for the week, homework directions, specials rotations, as well as important dates.

Our First Week
We spent the majority of the week getting to know each other and learning many of the procedures and patterns followed in first grade. I can tell already that our class is a bright, inquisitive & fun bunch of children. This week will be a review and introduction of new procedures including literacy stations, math tubs, reading & writing workshop. While we spend a great deal of time focusing on how to get around in the classroom, using resources, and working together as a team, please know that I am assessing and gathering information about your child that will help me most effectively meet them at their strengths and challenge them to grow. More information about daily classroom life will be detailed during Open House on Sept. 4. Please make plans to be here that evening.

Spelling
This week our lightening words are: is, in, I, a, can, and. We will review these words together an independently and practice using them in our reading and writing. Please encourage your child's attempts to read and write these words.

Math
Our first homelink will go home on Monday. It will include a family letter with Homelink 1.1 attached at the end. Homelinks will be sent home most days, be sure to check the orange daily folder in your child's backpack & return it daily. This week we practiced many of our daily math routines. Next week we will spend a great deal of time review numbers, sets & number words.

Lunch
Our lunch time is 11-11:30. Please sign in at the front office.

Specials
Our rotation this week: (M) PE, (T) Music, (Th) Art, (F) PE

Important Dates
Code of Conduct booklets are coming home Monday. After reviewing, please sign & return the forms enclosed. The booklet should be kept at home.
Sept 1 - Labor Day
Sept 4 - Open House

Our Class Pets!

2008-08-12T06:59:00.001-07:00

Calling All Experts!

2008-08-09T08:45:00.000-07:00

Dear Families:

This year's science standards open up a world of adventure & exploration for your first grader. As always, first grade teachers are on the lookout for "experts" on anything.

In this case, we are hoping that if you or your child have a special interest or knowledge relevant to our science curriculum that you will feel free to share with us.

This year's science includes:

The Practice of Science
Earth in Space and Time
Earth Structures
Properties of Matter
Force & Motion
Organization and Development of Living Organisms
Interdependence

Experts (children or parents) are always welcome and do be sure to give advance notice when you want to share!

First Grade Science

2008-08-09T08:11:00.000-07:00

First Graders are the luckiest kids at PKY!

Since a large part of first grade life science is the study of living organisms, specifically including plants, I would like for each student to choose a type of plant to contribute to our classroom. Please encourage them to choose plants that need low-light and can thrive indoors.

To make it simple, I have a list available at Garden Gate Nursery (just ask them). I chose Garden Gate because their plants are not sprayed with pesticides and since the children will be handling plants extensively, I felt this was an appropriate choice. Of course you are welcome to bring in any plant you like. Succelents are also welcome, as we will study desert habitats & plants.

See more details about first grade science in the "Calling All Experts" section of this blog.

Please bring your plant to Meet the Teacher on Aug 15th between 11-1pm.