Life Cycles Introduction: a Farmer's Visit

We officially kicked off our life cycles unit today with a visit from a local farmer, Lauren Nykamp. Students were able to observe traits of animals and their young first hand. She brought a cat and her one week old litter of kittens, as well as eggs, several hens, and a rooster. Students were even able to touch a hen. Ask your child to share something he or she learned! 

Newsletter 4-22-16

Mueller Moments

1st Grade * Bauer Elementary * Mrs. Holly Mueller * hmueller@hpseagles.net

April 22, 2016

What a wild weather week we had these past 5 days. Layers are definitely key this time of year. Students go out with what you send them in - please be sure to send layers so that your child has options. The fog delay today was a surprise for everyone!

We have many dates to be aware of coming. Please check out the calendar below. 

• Coming up:
• Star Student - Ashley Wayne
• Monday, April 25 - PE Day AND WEAR BLUE FOR AUTISM AWARENESS
• Tuesday, April 26 - Library - Return library books!
• Thursday, April 28 - PE Day
• Friday, April 29 - Book orders Due
• Friday, April 29 - Field Trip forms due (Please be sure to send in $4 cash if you are a chaperone if you have not yet)
• Thursday, May 19 - 1st Grade Field Trip

• Reading: This week we began a new unit exploring characters in greater depth. We are learning how to think about our characters on the outside, what they look like, and on the inside, what they think, say, feel and do. We studied Alexander from Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Goo, Very Bad Day, as well as Curious George. Try asking your child about the inside and outside of characters in books you are reading together. 
• Writing: We continued this week with nonfiction stories. Students wrote their Table of Contents, headings, captions and labels for pictures, and worked on making sure we were using facts rather than opinions. We also worked with our partners to make sure we used these parts in our stories. 
• Math: We wrapped up unit 6 this week, and started unit 7 today. This is a fun unit with a little break from story problems and equations. This unit will begin with telling time, then move into geometry, focusing on 2D and 3D shapes, and end with measurement. We began today with looking at analog and digital clocks, talking about parts of a clock, and how to tell time to the hour. We will be learning how to tell time to the hour and half hour in 1st grade. Please point out the clocks around your home when time is to the hour or half hour, especially on an analog clock, and talk about time often at home. 
• Porch Steps Clothing Drive: Thank you to those of you that have donated clothing already. You may continue to do so until April 29!
• Book Order: A reminder that book orders are due by April 29. This is a great opportunity to stock up on cheap books for the summer while supporting our classroom library at the same time. If you need the online access code again, please let me know. Thank you!

Enjoy the sunshine!

~ Holly R. Mueller

Newsletter 4-15-16

Mueller Moments

1st Grade * Bauer Elementary * Mrs. Holly Mueller * hmueller@hpseagles.net

April 15, 2016

I hope you all had a wonderful spring break with your children. Students came back refreshed and ready to work hard as they work to become 2nd graders. It was great to be back!

Students are bringing home data notebooks today. There are several new items tucked inside. You will also notice the behavior recording log has changed. Students are only recording the color they land on at the end of the day. We are moving forward with the way 2nd grade records their behavior. Some students have very full notebooks. If you would like to remove any of the previous behavior recording pages, feel free. Please DO NOT remove anything from other sections. These contain assessment data that is needed through the end of the year. 

• Coming up:
• Star Student - McKayla VanKampen
• Tuesday, April 19 - Library - Return library books!
• Wednesday, April 20 - PE Day
• Friday, April 29 - Book orders Due
• Friday, April 29 - Field Trip forms due (see note in folders today)
• Thursday, May 19 - 1st Grade Field Trip

• Reading: We wrapped up our unit on cross genre topics this past week. We will begin a new unit next week diving into character development. Please be sure to login to Raz Kids when possible (www.kidsa-z.com password hmueller1). They have changed the upper level quizzes to add in a written response question. This is great practice.
• Writing: This week we began a new unit writing informational stories on topics we are experts on. Students worked to create a list of topics, “tried on” topics to make sure they had at least 5 facts or sections that could be taught about the topic, wrote our table of contents, and began writing. Students are very excited about this new unit!
• Math: We are wrapping up unit 6 with our review today. YOUR CHILD IS BRINGING THE REVIEW HOME. PLEASE HELP THEM TO PRACTICE AT HOME THIS WEEKEND!! The test will be on Monday. We will have no homework next week as we are getting ready for unit 7. Our next unit will focus on telling time, geometry and measurement. 
• Porch Steps Clothing Drive: Please send in any clothing items you are willing to donate with your child starting next week (see Bauer Bits for more information). The drive runs April 19-29.  
• Book Order: There is a book order form in folders. These are due by Friday, April 29. You can look online as well. There are many books on sale on the Scholastic website. Because it close to the end of the year, they clearance out many titles. Take a look!

Enjoy the sunshine!

~ Holly R. Mueller