Holiday Party

We had such a blast yesterday during our Holiday Party. The kids made holiday crafts and enjoyed yummy snacks. Thank you to everyone for sending in snacks for the party and a HUGE thank you to Mr. & Mrs. Blash, Mrs. Rafferty and Mrs. Perry for volunteering! I could not have done it without your help! Merry Christmas everyone!

Mrs. Lundquist teaches us about Empathy

Mrs. Lundquist, our school counselor, taught us about empathy yesterday. Empathy means to understand how someone else feels.

Holiday Concert

Thank you all for coming to our First Grade Holiday Concert. The kids did such a great job and were so happy to sing for you!

Chum's Reading Initiative

Chum from the Jacksonville Sharks visited our school last week to pass  out pencils to all of the kids who met the Reading Goal of reading 20 books by December 4th. The kids were so excited to get to give him a high five as they got their pencil! Keep reading at home because Chum will be back to visit soon!

November Star Students

Michael and Avery were our Star Students for November! Michael loves to run the track and Science. Avery loves helping her friends and Reading. Great job!

Class Stocking Drive

I'd like to donate a class stocking for a girl and a boy this year for our school stocking drive. These stockings are donated to local families who are less fortunate. Please send in a new small toy (preferably small because it has to fit in the stocking) for either a boy or girl (or both) age 5-8. This is a great opportunity to teach your child about giving to those who are less fortunate in the spirit of the holiday season. Maybe have your child pick out something at the store to send in. Please send in your new, small gift by Tuesday November 26th. If you would like to do your own stocking to donate, the PTA distributes them in the morning outside of the front office. Thank you!

Field Trip to Treaty Oak and MOSH

The kids had so much fun exploring Treaty Oak and MOSH yesterday. The kids were excited to see the oldest tree in Jacksonville and were amazed by how big the branches are. They also loved exploring the MOSH and learning about Earth, Moon and Sun in the Planetarium. They even played a song from their laser light show! Here are a few pictures from our fun day. A special thank you to Ryder's dad, Mr. Blash for chaperoning!

Real Men Read Night at the Bookfair!

Tomorrow night is Real Men Read Night at the Alimacani Book fair! The book fair is open from 5:30 - 8:00. I will also be there volunteering. :) Special guest readers are the owner of the Jacksonville Suns, Peter Bragan. He will read from 5:30 - 6:30. Also our school board representative, Fel Le, will be here to read at 7:00. We will have service men from the Navy reading that night also. It is sure to be a fun night and a great way to support our Alimacani Library! Come check it out!

Mrs. Pugh is having a boy!

In case you didn't hear the news... We found out the baby is a BOY!

October Star Students

Allen and Emily were our October Star Students. Allen is a very funny boy and is a great reader. Emily is a natural leader and loves to run the track!

Red Ribbon Week

Next week is Red Ribbon Week! There are many fun activities going on at school listed below. Please let me know if you are able to come in on Monday to help decorate our classroom door. :)

RED RIBBON WEEK:

October 28-November 1

Dr. Seuss Themes All Week

Planned Activities:

Monday – Pre-K-2 wear blue and Grades 3-5 wear red (1 Fish, 2 Fish)

Tuesday – Dress like a friend and be a twin (Cat in the Hat / Thing 1, Thing 2)

Wednesday – Dress crazy and out of sorts – Wacky Wednesday

Thursday – Crazy shoes/socks – The Foot Book

Friday – Wear red (Bulldogs color) or orange (Gators color)

 

Every student will receive a bracelet on Monday; stickers on Wednesday; and a ribbon with Smarties candy on Friday.

 

Door Decorating Contest – doors will be judged.

First Place – Water bottles with a drug free/anti-bully message

Second/Third Place – Honorable mentions announced / oversized ribbon placed on classroom door

Persuasive Writing: Book Fair Posters

At part of our Persuasive Writing Unit, the kids got into groups to persuade people to come to the Alimacani Book Fair by decorating posters. They needed to include some reasons why people should come to the Book Fair along with details like where and when the Book Fair will be held. I've displayed their posters outside of the Library for the school to see. The kids are so proud of their work! Make sure to come check it out on Family Book Fair night on November 14th from 5:30-8:00.

Mrs. Ridout welcomes baby Eli!

Mrs. Ridout had her baby last night around 6:30! Eli weighed 7 pounds 12 ounces. Congrats to Mrs. Ridout!

Bring you parents to lunch day!

Please join us tomorrow from 11:10-11:40 for bring your parent to lunch day!

Fire Safety with Captain McAvoy

My brother, Captain Ryan McAvoy from Jacksonville Beach Fire Department came in to teach the kids all about fire safety today. They learned about what firefighters do, what they wear to protect them and all about what to do in case of a fire. He even assigned the kids some very important fire safety homework! Please complete the homework with your child. Captain McAvoy said that it is so sad to see when tragedy happens because the batteries in a smoke alarm weren't working. Make sure to test out the smoke alarm, have your child learn their address and phone number, and do a practice fire drill at home.

Chum's Reading Challenge!

The Jacksonville Sharks' team mascot Chum came to visit our school to tell us about a Reading Incentive Program. On December 4th he will visit our school again to pass out pencils to students who have read and logged 30 books!

September Star Student!

Arieana was also our Star Student for the month of September. Arieana is a sweet friend to everyone and is a great helper. Yay Arieana!

Resource Shirts

Thank you to Mrs. Leavitt for designing our resource/ field trip shirts. They are awesome and the kids LOVE them!

Math Investigations

We have been working on adding two numbers together this week. We played a fun game called "Double Compare" where the kids would partner up and draw two number cards. They had to add the two amounts and compare who had the higher sum. Math is so fun!

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September Star Student!

Ryder is one of our Star Students for the month of September. Ryder is a great friend in class and he is a great runner! Thank you to Ryder's Mom and Dad for the special treats today! YUM!

Our Class 2013-2014

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Welcome!

Welcome to our First Grade Class blog! I am so excited to have your sweet one in my class this year. We will be off to great places in First Grade! First Grade is such a memorable, educational and fun year in school. You will be AMAZED at how much your child will grow and learn this year.
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Book Character Dress Up!

The kids had so much fun marching in the Book Character Parade!

May Star Students!

Dylan and Caitlyn were our May Star Students! Good job and Congrats!

Play Day 2013

The kids had so much fun during Play Day! Here are some pictures from our exciting day

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April Star Students

Gabe and Jordon were our April Star Students! Great job boys!

Cleaning up the Earth!

Yesterday, we picked up trash around the playground to help our school look more beautiful. The kids really enjoyed cleaning up the Earth!

Synonyms & Vocabulary!

This week we have been learning about synonyms. Here is a fun link to play a game about synonyms:

Synonym's Sam's lab

Here is also a link for a vocabulary game for this week:

E word game: theme 9.2

Earth day crafts

The kids had so much fun reusing items for fun Earth day crafts. We made book holders out of cereal boxes, bird feeders out of pinecones, peanut butter and birdseed, a flower mural out of toilet paper rolls and paint and finally, we planted flower seeds in a tin soup can. Thank you so much to everyone who donated items from home. I really think the kids better understand the importance of the three R's: reduce, reuse and recycle now. A special thanks to our awesome volunteers- Mrs. Cohick, Mrs. Strong, Mr. Meade and Katie's grandma Mrs. Rieber!

Pinecone bird feeders!

Science: Living and Non-Living Activity!

Thank you for sending in your old magazines for our Living and Non-Living Activity! The kids had so much fun cutting out examples of Living and Non-Living things to glue onto their posters.