You're Invited!

Don't miss the December Arts Show!

Wednesday, December 21st

4:30 p.m. Stroll the art galleries

5:00 p.m. Performances in the auditorium by the OG Band, Theater, Dance, Strings, Chorus and Piano students.

The Lion's Den and other Orchard Gardens novelties will be on sale.

F is for Friend

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Bear wants to read, write and think quietly. Goose wants to do everything that bear is doing until thinking makes him hungry. Goose goes off to make a snack and brings more than a few treats back to warm the heart of his favorite bear. Students LOVE this story and are intrigued as goose tries to copy everything that bear does. We talk about what makes a "splendid" friend and students draw pictures of their friends. Other stories to try:

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You Don't Like Green Eggs and Ham?

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For Letter E we read Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss. "E" for "egg."  You just might like green eggs and ham but you have to try them. We read Green Eggs and Ham and watched a video. Students discussed things that they didn't like but then they tried it and they liked it! Our students are very DARING eaters and many of them like spicy food, especially spicy pepperoni on pizza! Sam teaches us that sometimes you just have to try something to see if you like it. If you don't like it today, maybe you will like it when you get a little older. Read the book and watch the video with your child today. 

Do you like my hat?

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For Letter D we read the classic Go, Dog. Go! by P.D. Eastman. Our story word is "DOG" but there are so many other important early reader words; in, out, over, under, big and little as well as number and color words! 
I enjoy the sophistication of our readers when they giggle and wonder if the yellow dog will ever like the hat that the pink dog is wearing. You can enjoy the entire story with your child below.

Color Words for Letter C!

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LEMONS are NOT YELLOW by Laura Vaccaro Seeger is a great introduction to color words that always captures my students imagination and interest. The cut outs on each page artfully display the outline of objects that are first displayed in a wrong color and then reveals them in their correct color. Students follow up this activity by making a color word page for the Alphabet Journey book. I highly recommend checking out other books by Laura Vaccaro Seeger on your next trip to your local library or buy them from your favorite bookseller.

Word Jars and Word Games!

Grade 2 Library Media students are increasing their vocabulary as we continue to read Donavan's Word Jar. We all learned about a dictionary, "a collection of words in a-b-c order" and used the dictionaries to play a fun word game. Many students have also started working on their own Word Jars. The challenge is to fill your jar with as many words as you can of different sizes...you must be able to read the word and use it in a sentence! Pictures to follow!

Tera, Star Student?!

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In Episode Four of First Graders From Mars we learn that the bossy and mean student Tera is actually a hard worker that needs to learn how to work better with others. Ms. Vortex the teacher assigns a group project and Tera begins by ordering her friends around. Tera receives a time out and does not get a gold star for the day!  Will Tera learn to work better with others? Will her friends forgive her? Ask your 1st grader how the story ends and if you have a chance go to your local library branch and borrow these wonderful books for another read at home.