Google Slide Show about Caribou

The students worked hard to research and create a google slideshow about caribou!  We picked this topic because we will begin learning about Alaska after vacation. Each pair had to come up with a question to answer and then they used various books to help them answer the question.   We are learning how to use text features to find answers and then how to put that information in "our own words"!  Check out all of our hard work!

Holiday Party

We will be having a small holiday party on Monday, December 16th from 2:15 - 2:50.  Here is the sign up genius for the event! We hope to see you there!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0C48ABAA22A13-room2

Gingerbread House Candy Needed

We will be making foam gingerbread houses as a culminating event to our gingerbread fables unit.  I like to give the kids small bags of candy to snack on as they create their masterpiece. If you are able to help out and provide a treat, that would be great!! Here is a link to our signup genius!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0C48ABAA22A13-gingerbread2

Lake Champlain Google Slideshows

We learned all about Lake Champlain and how the lake helps our town of Colchester. We also talked about ways that we accidentally harm the lake. The students put their knowledge into a google slide show!  Check out their hard work!

Parent Teacher Conferences

Parent teacher conferences are Monday, November 25th from 10:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday, November 26th from 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.  Conferences last for 20 minutes and each child gets 1 time slot so please plan accordingly.  Report Cards will go home on Friday, November 22nd so that you have the weekend to look at them. I can't wait to talk about all of the great things that your child is learning in Room 9! We've been having a fabulous year!

 https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0c48abaa22a13-collins1

Fire Safety

This week, the Colchester Fire Dept. came to UMS to talk about fire safety.  The students were great listeners and they asked really wonderful questions.  Here are a few pictures from our talk!

Harvest Party Sign-Up Genius

We will be having our Harvest Party on Thursday, Oct. 31st from 2:15 - 2:50 in our classroom. We will eat some yummy treats and listen to a story.  Everyone is welcome to attend this low key event (but there is only enough food for the students of Room 9). Check out the sign-up genius to see if you can help!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0C48ABAA22A13-harvest2 

Potato Harvest

In first grade, these students planted potato seeds and this year they were able to harvest them!  Each student picked 3 potatoes and then we brought a bin full of potatoes next door to the Colchester Food Shelf.  The students had so much fun and they were amazed at how one tiny seed could create multiple potatoes!! Check out our pictures!

Filling Buckets In Room 9

We have been very busy building a sense of community in Room 9!! We've talked about being a good friend and classmate and we put our words into action on Friday when everyone had a bucket to fill with kind words!  We had so much fun and friendly words were flowing all over room! Everyone received at least 8 notes of friendship and smiles were abundant!  We will do this activity throughout the year!  

Guided Discovery of the Bus

Mrs. McCleary, our school guidance counselor, came in today to talk about the expectations while riding the bus. We talked about staying safely in our seat, being in control of our body, using a level 1 or 2 voice (whisper or quiet talk), being kind to other students on the bus, and waiting patiently for their stop.  Once we talked about the expectations, we took a quick bus ride around the block. The kids did a fantastic job!  Here are some pictures from our adventure!

Welcome Back to School!

I hope that everyone has had a fabulous summer!! I've been busy swimming, reading, and spending as much time with my daughters as I can.  However, school starts in just a few short weeks so I've been busy getting Room 9 ready for everyone!! I've unpacked boxes, cleaned furniture, organized supplies, decorated bulletin boards, and made our classroom feel warm and welcoming.  I  can't wait to see everyone at the UMS Open House for first and second graders on Tuesday, August 27th from 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.  This will be a really informal event for you to come and see our classroom, find your seat, and see old friends!  Enjoy the last few weeks of summer and I'll see you soon! I'm so excited for a great year! 

Your cubby is ready!

Our hallway is getting colorful!

The book nook is almost ready for you!

Bulletin boards are being put up for you!

Room 9 Ice Cream Celebration

We have had an amazing year in Room 9!! We have worked hard on being safe, kind, and doing our BEST!  As our final classroom celebration, we went to the Village Scoop and had the perfect day for some ice cream! Check out our class picture!  (A special thank you to the Village Scoop for accommodating our large excited group!)

Butterfly Release Day

We have been learning all about life cycles with brassica plants and painted lady butterflies.  We started with small caterpillars that wove their own chrysalis and then emerged as butterflies! Today was the day we released them into nature! It was so great to see each stage of their life cycle!

Opinion Writing

We've been busy learning to write persuasive essays this trimester.  We read a book called My Teacher For President!  and the students had to write their opinion on whether or not I would make a good President. They all did a fabulous job!!  Here are some examples.... 

John Churchman Visits UMS!

John Churchman visited UMS yesterday to read his new book The Easter Surprise! The kids loved listening to it, but the best part was the baby sheep and his dog Laddie that he brought to UMS! Check out our photographs. 

Pajama Day Celebration

We have been working so hard in Room 9 to follow our school rules of Be Safe, Be Kind, and Do Your Best!!!  We've filled 2 bins with Champ bands so we celebrated yesterday with a pajama and stuffed animal day!  Look at these smiles!

Planting in Room 9

We have started out science unit on planting!! The students planted brassica seeds (which are part of the kale, mustard, and cabbage family) and they are growing quickly!  Take a look at our scientist observations in our science notebooks! 

Caribou Slide Shows

The students did a fabulous job coming up with a question about Caribou and then doing research to find an answer.  Students used this information to create a google slideshow. Check them out!

No Strings Marionette - Handmade Puppets!

Look at the amazing puppets that everyone made!!! We had such a great time with No Strings Marionette and our show was fantastic!!!  Check out all of our handmade puppets!!

Conference Sign Up

I can't wait to meet with you to talk about your child's progress!  Conferences are Monday, March 4th from 12:00 - 4:00 and Tuesday, March 5th from 10:30 - 6:30. Please remember that each child gets one conference slot so please plan accordingly.

If you are traveling over February break and you won't be back for conferences, please email me at colleen.collins@colchestersd.org to set up a time to meet before February vacation.  Here is the SignUp Genius link to conferences:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a0c48abaa22a13-collins

Hot Chocolate Celebration

We have been busy following the school rules and earning Champ bands!  We celebrated by having a hot chocolate and cookie party yesterday!  It was delicious!