Early Release and Happy Winter Break!

Tuesday, December 19th and Wednesday, December 20th are both early release days.  If you need to make any changes to your students dismissal plan, please send a note in their agenda.

Additionally, Thursday December 21st begins our winter break so school will be closed.  I hope every one has a wonderful, happy and healthy holiday break!  See you in January 4th! 💗

Apps for Extra Practice at Home

Spelling/Sight Words:

ABC Ya- spelling practice. Level = Primer or 1^st Grade

http://www.abcya.com/dolch_sight_word_spelling.htm

 

Free Spelling Apps:

-        The Electric Company Wordball!

o   The Electric Company Wordball is a phonics game that integrates video clips from the TV show to teach reading and spelling. The game consists of two parts: watching a video about a letter sound or letter combination and tapping the "wordballs" with the featured letter or letter combination; then using the collected wordballs to complete words as they move across the screen. The object of the app is to teach lessons about phonics, reading, and spelling.

-        Chicktionary *primarily for 2-4*

o   Chicktionary is a chicken themed spelling and vocabulary-building word game. Children create as many words as possible out of seven letters. Completed words can be tapped to view their definition. There are multiple levels and children can choose a timed or untimed mode. *Note: This is a noisy app — incorrect words receive scolding squawks.

-        Spell Well Lite

o   Help Wordy the frog build a beautiful magic garden by spelling words correctly.

-        Spelling Bus

o   Spelling Bus is for learning to spell and practice to spell. Kids see the pictures and listens to the word and then type the spelling.

-        Cimo Spelling Sight

o   This is a great app for kindergarten through 3rd grade children. It teaches a combination of high frequency and sight words (from the Dolch Sight Word list).

Reading:

Raz Kids- you will need to get your log-in from the school/teacher if you have not done so already

https://www.raz-kids.com/

 

Starfall- Practice Phonics, Reading, and Math

http://starfall.com

 

Math:

ABC Ya!

http://www.abcya.com/first_grade_computers.htm

 

Math Playground

https://www.mathplayground.com/grade_1_games.html

 

Free Math Apps:

 

First Grade Splash Math

-      Free app on iTunes

First Grade Learning Games

-      Free app on iTunes

What we are Learning...

Social Studies- We have been learning about Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin and all the ways they helped the United States of America.
Writing- We are writing "How-To" papers in which we tell the reader sequential steps of how to do a task. A cookbook or instructions for putting together a table are both real-world examples of how-to writings. We will also be using the information we learn to write nonfiction stories.
Reading- We just finished up the idea of asking questions before, during, and after reading a text. This is a strategy we will use in class to help us better comprehend and enjoy each story we read! Now, we are moving into problems and solutions within a text- What is the problem and how did they solve it? We can use this knowledge to both help us better understand a text, and to apply to every day life when we have a problem and need to find a solution! Both of these strategies for comprehension can be used in your household while reading with your child, also!
Math- Math has been a busy subject in the past couple weeks! We have been learning about the equal sign, and that it simply means that both sides must be the same number (i.e. 6 = _ + 4, so something and 4 together must equal the same number as 6. We can count on from 4- 5..6.. so we had to count 2 more numbers. So 2 + 4 is the same as 6: 6 = 2 + 4.. 6 = 6). AND we are learning how to add 3 digits together to get our total, or whole. We look at each number as a "part" and then the total as the "whole" (i.e. 3 + 2 + 4 = _ can be seen as one part is 3- which can be modeled using any household item, another part is 2, and the last part is 4. If you are modeling these items with objects, you simply join all objects together and find the total, or whole!). I know Common Core Math strategies can be tricky for some of us, so as always, please reach out if you would further information for assisting your child!

Learning Commons

We were able to visit the Learning Commons recently and meet with Ms. Holcombe.  She encouraged us to explore the Maker Space tools and create as a team.  We are learning to....

Collaborate, Create, Communicate!!

Have a Happy Thanksgiving Break!

Just a reminder that schools are closed November 20th - 24th for Thanksgiving Break.  

I hope you all have a wonderful time off with your family and friends!

I will see the students bright and early Monday, November 27th.  💗

Thanksgiving Lunch - Wednesday November 15th

Parents, Grandparents, and friends are invited to join us for our annual Thanksgiving lunch on:

Wednesday, November 15th at 11:10 - 11:55.

Lunch for adults is $3.75.

There will be photographers on site if you and your family wish to have your picture taken and the book fair will be going on in our Learning Commons.

You will find a flyer in your child's blue folder with more information.  If you are planning on attending please fill the bottom portion out and return to school.

Hope to see everyone there! :)

Big Springs Farm

We had a wonderful time on our field trip to Big Springs Farm today!  From making butter to storytelling and a hayride - we had SO much fun!!

Please take a minute and complete....

Georgia Parent Survey

The Georgia Parent Survey is open now. Parents may complete the survey using their personal computer, smartphones or tablet.  It should take just a few minutes. All parents are encouraged to participate in the Georgia Parent Survey because the data will be used as part of the calculation of the School Climate Star Rating. It is critical that your voice is heard!!!  Survey responses are anonymous and will be submitted directly to the Georgia Department of Education for analysis.  Individual data results from the Georgia Parent Survey will not be available to the public and will not be posted online.  The URL address for the Georgia Parent Survey is posted below.

 http://apps.gadoe.org/schoolclimate/parents.nsf/Survey.xsp

Parent Conferences / Early Release - October 16th - 20th

Conference Week is October 16th-20th

Early Dismissal  12:20

Be in Car Rider Line OR at Bus Stop 2 hours early every day!!

ASP begins at dismissal and closes at 6:00 p.m. as usual.

I look forward to see you all!

Sedalia Park's Fall Festival

It is finally here!  Sedalia Park's Fall festival is this Friday October 6th from 5pm - 8pm.  This is a FUN night to bring your family and friends to eat, play games, shop vendors and win big in the basket raffle! It's one of the biggest events of the year! Please join us for the fun evening!

For only $25, you can purchase your child's framed art, created in Art class with Dr. Casey. This fundraising event benefits all of the students at the Park, allowing the art department to purchase supplies needed throughout the year. Thanks for your support! Cash or check accepted.

Happy Fall Break!

Just a reminder that we are out of school September 25 - 29 for our fall break.  I hope you and your families have fun, safe, and restful break!

Picture day!

Parents, don't forget that Friday September 22nd is picture day. These will be pictures for purchase and for the yearbook we want everyone to look their best. :)

Cobb County Parent Math Video Unit 2

Parents,
Below is a video our distinct has provided for you to guide you through what your child is learning in Unit 2.

CoGAT Testing

Parents,
CoGAT testing will be taking place next week - September 6th - 8th.  It is so important that your children are at school and are on time.  Make sure your child gets a good nights rest and eats a healthy breakfast.  Our class will earn a special treat if we have perfect attendance! :)

Early Release

Parents,
Just a reminder that this Wednesday, August 30th is early release day.  Students will be dismissed from school at 12:30.  If you have any questions please let me know.
katherine.braxton@cobbk12.org
Thanks!

Solar Eclipse

We had a great time learning all about today's solar eclipse.  We made models of the earth, sun, and moon and used them to help us describe a solar eclipse in our informational writing.  While we watched the live stream we snacked on sun chips and played with space playdoh.  What an amazing learning experience!!

Welcome back!

We have had a great first week in 1st grade!  I am so excited about all of the fun things we have planned and all we will be learning this year. We have been working hard learning the routines and procedures of our classroom. This is going to be a great year. We're so excited to have your child grow with us!

Don't forget that open house is next Tuesday night from 6-8 pm.  I hope to see you all there!

~Mrs. Braxton

Georgia Aquarium

We had a wonderful time at the Georgia Aquarium!!

Hello Parents,

In the classroom, we have been exploring Folktales of figures such as Paul Bunyan.  Students have been learning to retell stories, including key details to demonstrate their understanding of the lessons of the story.  Students are learning to compare and contrast these adventures of characters in stories as well.

Over the break you may consider exploring some Folktales at home.  Ask your child to retell the story in their own word.  What were some of the details that he or she remember from the story.  Have them write their own Folktale or draw one in sets of pictures!

Below is a website where you can find Folktales.  Enjoy and have fun!  And enjoy your break.

Mary McPherson

http://www.kidsgen.com/stories/folk_tales/

Spring Break

Just a reminder that spring break is April 2nd - 6th.  I hope you and your families have a wonderful, relaxing break!

High Museum of Art

We had a great time at the High on Friday!  We learned about the Jon Eric Riis' artwork and collaborated to create our own bug pictures, Howard Finster's artwork and created some mosaics in sand, and the elements of art creating our own water color picture.
Thank you Dr. Casey for making this trip happen!!  It was so much fun we were all worn out on our way home.