tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32923129723843685232024-03-13T08:32:32.999-07:00First Grade Fan ClubWelcome to Mrs. Polaski's First Grade! Keep up with our classroom throughout the year!Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-78268851449479693182014-04-17T17:24:00.003-07:002014-04-17T17:24:13.135-07:00MAKE IT RAIN!!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/G1KrRrnv2Cs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-28923284632965081112014-03-06T13:23:00.002-08:002014-03-06T13:23:23.261-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d21wJmTVvAY/UxjkHuGGx4I/AAAAAAAAAZM/wQ3B51e26u0/s1600/1376317_10151970092542957_423293258_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d21wJmTVvAY/UxjkHuGGx4I/AAAAAAAAAZM/wQ3B51e26u0/s1600/1376317_10151970092542957_423293258_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d21wJmTVvAY/UxjkHuGGx4I/AAAAAAAAAZM/wQ3B51e26u0/s1600/1376317_10151970092542957_423293258_n.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M14pqpODihY/UxjkK8VETqI/AAAAAAAAAZU/YLAFk5Dx1IA/s1600/1912297_10151970092277957_1587476383_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M14pqpODihY/UxjkK8VETqI/AAAAAAAAAZU/YLAFk5Dx1IA/s1600/1912297_10151970092277957_1587476383_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jni6CGqqPV0/UxjkDQGgLVI/AAAAAAAAAY8/I5syubFvWQ4/s1600/4997_10151978112587957_1601664865_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jni6CGqqPV0/UxjkDQGgLVI/AAAAAAAAAY8/I5syubFvWQ4/s1600/4997_10151978112587957_1601664865_n.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KbHaesUEdI8/UxjkQGnxYII/AAAAAAAAAZc/NslqVyKPhHE/s1600/1782059_10151978112262957_1356330662_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KbHaesUEdI8/UxjkQGnxYII/AAAAAAAAAZc/NslqVyKPhHE/s1600/1782059_10151978112262957_1356330662_n.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sqwckv9IdjE/UxjkFYOhe9I/AAAAAAAAAZE/CMjWlFRKQnk/s1600/4997_10151978112592957_1618837279_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sqwckv9IdjE/UxjkFYOhe9I/AAAAAAAAAZE/CMjWlFRKQnk/s1600/4997_10151978112592957_1618837279_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
March is Reading Month here at Rogers City Elementary School and my students are all pumped up to reach our goal of reading 1,300 books by the end of the month. I have all faith that they can do it. We figured out the math of how much we are already reading as a class: 22 students each reading 2 books a night for homework, multiply that by 5 nights, then multiply that by 4 weeks. That is almost 900 books a month being read by my first graders! That means each of my students is reading about 40 books per month. I asked my students -- who all sat with their mouths wide open at the news of how much they are actually (really!) reading what they thought it would be like if they DIDN'T read those 40 books a month. Many of the answers were the same and they understood immediately: they would not be improving as readers. I can't stress enough how important it is to lay those tracks of early reading skills at this age level. I can't imagine what a different class I would have if they weren't doing their nightly reading. So yes, it can get tiring and this time of year...it can be a battle. But, when March rolls around and the motivation of Reading Month kicks in -- I just love seeing them jump up to grab a book, find a comfy spot in the room.....and READ. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I think I'll go home and read, too.</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-81928140468438607122014-01-01T19:32:00.000-08:002014-01-01T19:32:00.542-08:00So long 2013! Time to get 2014 started!One of my many New Year's Resolutions for the classroom is to keep up on my blog! I'm starting right now! :) The year of 2013 is gone and going through my photos I realized that I had many things to tell you all about that happened in our classroom! We have been so busy that keeping up with my blogging has taken a backseat. Sometimes as a teacher I feel like I'm just not doing enough, not getting enough done and I get nervous when time ticks by too quickly. Looking through these pictures I realize that all is well and my students are doing great! We have celebrated holidays, worked on writing, strengthened math skills and learned new strategies. I'm so proud of how far they have come so far, but I'm so anxious to get started back to work to see how far we can go! I hope you enjoy the pictures! Check back for more in 2014!<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WDfA27G6dbw/UsTZkyyOX8I/AAAAAAAAAXo/80Qu0hoyN4A/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WDfA27G6dbw/UsTZkyyOX8I/AAAAAAAAAXo/80Qu0hoyN4A/s200/photo+(2).JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Resolution? NEVER let my desk get like this again....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NtOXHnG6V0s/UsTZe3Fd0JI/AAAAAAAAAWg/qEHgWf0dyhM/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NtOXHnG6V0s/UsTZe3Fd0JI/AAAAAAAAAWg/qEHgWf0dyhM/s320/photo+(1).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2_pJlYzzDDc/UsTZmwJ0ysI/AAAAAAAAAX8/BHPJh5qO8xo/s1600/photo+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2_pJlYzzDDc/UsTZmwJ0ysI/AAAAAAAAAX8/BHPJh5qO8xo/s320/photo+(4).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g4ivP8RZ6wI/UsTZlm_8wKI/AAAAAAAAAXs/QD3wIiXIgRY/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g4ivP8RZ6wI/UsTZlm_8wKI/AAAAAAAAAXs/QD3wIiXIgRY/s320/photo+(3).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In November we celebrated Veteran's Day and our FREEDOM</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GHDrOCj4YAA/UsTZqaJyB6I/AAAAAAAAAYg/U9S_OEQdh-M/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GHDrOCj4YAA/UsTZqaJyB6I/AAAAAAAAAYg/U9S_OEQdh-M/s200/photo.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zpXAK28VRAk/UsTZneRRRmI/AAAAAAAAAYE/tIxr7ltDj6g/s1600/photo+(5).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zpXAK28VRAk/UsTZneRRRmI/AAAAAAAAAYE/tIxr7ltDj6g/s320/photo+(5).JPG" width="240" /></a><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mk6KvhnDJM4/UsTZnadGXsI/AAAAAAAAAYA/_TO1LbKfdSc/s1600/photo+(6).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mk6KvhnDJM4/UsTZnadGXsI/AAAAAAAAAYA/_TO1LbKfdSc/s320/photo+(6).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When I consider how far we've come with writing, it always blows my mind.<br />
I just LOVE watching my students write, using their fingers for spacers between <br />
words and concentrating on forming each and every letter, word and sentence.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NdryuWebCXE/UsTZoe1cKSI/AAAAAAAAAYU/F-67cvFcdvY/s1600/photo+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NdryuWebCXE/UsTZoe1cKSI/AAAAAAAAAYU/F-67cvFcdvY/s320/photo+(7).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2LMkOn4W49s/UsTZpgObDRI/AAAAAAAAAYk/dDRkLHhMUjk/s1600/photo+(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2LMkOn4W49s/UsTZpgObDRI/AAAAAAAAAYk/dDRkLHhMUjk/s320/photo+(8).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We happily celebrated Christmas this year and enjoyed a huge FEAST of donated goodies. Students brought books to exchange as gifts and everyone loved ripping the paper open to see what was inside. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w7RY7cTu_ig/UsTZp9yXoaI/AAAAAAAAAYc/59NEqiXotus/s1600/photo+(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w7RY7cTu_ig/UsTZp9yXoaI/AAAAAAAAAYc/59NEqiXotus/s320/photo+(9).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FEELING THE LOVE!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wh2h1n2oPG8/UsTZesWrSaI/AAAAAAAAAWc/AquMMPaW-_M/s1600/photo+(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wh2h1n2oPG8/UsTZesWrSaI/AAAAAAAAAWc/AquMMPaW-_M/s320/photo+(10).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jFDpumLaWp4/UsTZfHkrK4I/AAAAAAAAAWk/izzmr4QNKsI/s1600/photo+(11).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jFDpumLaWp4/UsTZfHkrK4I/AAAAAAAAAWk/izzmr4QNKsI/s320/photo+(11).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every great classroom has great parents to help!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f2WEmuHOzLc/UsTZg9zKS8I/AAAAAAAAAW0/F7YTLbUJTH0/s1600/photo+(12).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f2WEmuHOzLc/UsTZg9zKS8I/AAAAAAAAAW0/F7YTLbUJTH0/s320/photo+(12).JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OPENING THE GIFTS!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k4VrbjNkxhM/UsTZihwFRKI/AAAAAAAAAXM/7ypqJ4IUC9A/s1600/photo+(15).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k4VrbjNkxhM/UsTZihwFRKI/AAAAAAAAAXM/7ypqJ4IUC9A/s200/photo+(15).JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E9B-PEbI_Lk/UsTZhPsgj5I/AAAAAAAAAW4/IyVXAb6js3s/s1600/photo+(13).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E9B-PEbI_Lk/UsTZhPsgj5I/AAAAAAAAAW4/IyVXAb6js3s/s320/photo+(13).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kcj6qbFJzq8/UsTZhNN5hGI/AAAAAAAAAW8/9CDaOOwdZds/s1600/photo+(14).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kcj6qbFJzq8/UsTZhNN5hGI/AAAAAAAAAW8/9CDaOOwdZds/s200/photo+(14).JPG" width="150" /></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jf1oJ4LIs8Q/UsTZjYDmxaI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/jbyWqTZ3R2k/s1600/photo+(16).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jf1oJ4LIs8Q/UsTZjYDmxaI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/jbyWqTZ3R2k/s320/photo+(16).JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our last week of school was busy and full of celebrations, programs, work, and gift making....so, it's always nice to set some time aside for a quiet and calm READ-IN. Students brought blankets, pillows, coloring books, books, magazines and we all just chilled out and enjoyed some down time with friends!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CbuzqGruzTA/UsTZjsmDxeI/AAAAAAAAAXU/i1ozMEL_vFY/s1600/photo+(17).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CbuzqGruzTA/UsTZjsmDxeI/AAAAAAAAAXU/i1ozMEL_vFY/s320/photo+(17).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QiQ9cMJOBCQ/UsTZlFMZMnI/AAAAAAAAAXk/nlcnfZ1O1AE/s1600/photo+(18).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QiQ9cMJOBCQ/UsTZlFMZMnI/AAAAAAAAAXk/nlcnfZ1O1AE/s200/photo+(18).JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this picture -- two boys simply enjoying a good book!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-32528730084203804902013-09-20T12:53:00.000-07:002013-09-20T12:53:06.167-07:00A Friday Afternoon of Painting Zombies and Rainbows....You know, I remember being in preschool and kindergarten and it seemed like we painted almost every day. I don't remember seeing any looks of stress on my teachers' faces when they brought the paint out. I don't remember going home with any splotches of paint on my clothes or in my hair. I just remember painting -- I remember the smell of tempura paint -- the real stuff, not the watered down washable kind they manufacture now. I remember the big, huge paint brushes that were put into our little hands and it was as if someone had just handed us a magical scepter. Painting was just something we did, and everyone smiled and everyone took home beautiful art. <br />
<br />
Fast forward to today. <br />
<br />
I brought out the paint so we could do a project being that it is Friday and everyone is tired and hot. I purchased pizza boxes to be used (Pinterest project!) as containers for all of the First Grade activities that parents want to save through the year -- they will now have a nice storage box for all of it. The pictures on Pinterest were of course these beautiful pieces of art -- each child with a perfectly placed hand print on the box and their name written in beautiful script. I saw the picture of the end product -- each little student holding a box that was awesome. After today I went back and looked at that picture again and realized there are a lot of adults in that picture, too. Evidently those beautiful boxes were not <em>entirely</em> the work of kindergarten students. Well, there was only one adult in our room today and I thought I would give the students a bit more freedom -- "Paint some kind of nice picture on it or a pattern of some sort and we'll add hand prints," I told them sweetly.<br />
<br />
Getting the paint out was fine and explaining how to carry it and not spill it went well. For the most part, they did pretty good. No huge messes -- although we found out we do have one little butter fingers in our class who dropped the paint six times! As I circulated around the room I saw students painting outside scenes, pretty trees, houses, people, rainbows....and then I came across the zombies. "What are you painting on your box?" I asked. "Zombies," answered the little Firstie. "Ah, I see...," I said. "And does your mom like zombies?" I asked. "No, she hates them," answered the little fella as he continued to paint. <br />
<br />
So, although the meaning behind the boxes may have been lost on some of my students, they did enjoy the painting and a break from the work. The boxes are all spread out across the room, drying. Except for that zombie one. That one is roaming around aimlessly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4_tETO5-mns/UjymgHFRTsI/AAAAAAAAAPE/cGP_CrSCmb8/s1600/547033_10151648470802957_396537059_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4_tETO5-mns/UjymgHFRTsI/AAAAAAAAAPE/cGP_CrSCmb8/s320/547033_10151648470802957_396537059_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rs6NKGJhHx4/UjymgHwT9HI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/bVzMX8TezGU/s1600/547033_10151648470807957_573767618_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rs6NKGJhHx4/UjymgHwT9HI/AAAAAAAAAPQ/bVzMX8TezGU/s320/547033_10151648470807957_573767618_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7CaU7VqBvI4/UjymgP8CtSI/AAAAAAAAAPI/s5BPVZ5nSCE/s1600/547033_10151648470812957_1730533031_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7CaU7VqBvI4/UjymgP8CtSI/AAAAAAAAAPI/s5BPVZ5nSCE/s320/547033_10151648470812957_1730533031_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gsl5H8KkXNg/UjymhE0GkuI/AAAAAAAAAPo/AoVf0Wammqs/s1600/554117_10151648472482957_632687795_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Gsl5H8KkXNg/UjymhE0GkuI/AAAAAAAAAPo/AoVf0Wammqs/s320/554117_10151648472482957_632687795_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8ajgDYY7vo/UjymgQVh_YI/AAAAAAAAAPM/La-Oz_6nbKU/s1600/547033_10151648470822957_1806229763_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h8ajgDYY7vo/UjymgQVh_YI/AAAAAAAAAPM/La-Oz_6nbKU/s320/547033_10151648470822957_1806229763_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TS1ifYawOZ8/Ujymgz1oJrI/AAAAAAAAAPY/wtLMPxyPK4I/s1600/551288_10151648472082957_352203244_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TS1ifYawOZ8/Ujymgz1oJrI/AAAAAAAAAPY/wtLMPxyPK4I/s320/551288_10151648472082957_352203244_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-21635406140110070632013-09-10T13:06:00.002-07:002013-09-10T13:06:48.501-07:00Busy Bees and Happy Campers!<br />
As first graders we are always busy! This week we have been learning more about our friends, practicing and reviewing our numbers, enjoying an art activity drawing Mrs. Polaski's favorite animal, and building words using Play-Doh -- getting ready for our Daily Four. I'm so proud of these new firsties -- they are building stamina in the classroom and working hard! That's a big change for them this year and they are handling it like champions.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZNQuEWShHk/Ui97EENn6vI/AAAAAAAAANk/rJ029GcFvmQ/s1600/1238136_10151629907127957_469156581_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ZNQuEWShHk/Ui97EENn6vI/AAAAAAAAANk/rJ029GcFvmQ/s200/1238136_10151629907127957_469156581_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SWxoAJIsHEk/Ui97EPiOpuI/AAAAAAAAAN4/9m3C8H44SoM/s1600/1238136_10151629907132957_894545364_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SWxoAJIsHEk/Ui97EPiOpuI/AAAAAAAAAN4/9m3C8H44SoM/s200/1238136_10151629907132957_894545364_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ifw0uIJD55U/Ui97EAzXQII/AAAAAAAAANo/HxeS0u_HQBw/s1600/1238136_10151629907137957_802498491_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ifw0uIJD55U/Ui97EAzXQII/AAAAAAAAANo/HxeS0u_HQBw/s320/1238136_10151629907137957_802498491_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zZM2DpJR9pE/Ui97EhGF9wI/AAAAAAAAANw/TAH1FDj3JZ0/s1600/1238136_10151629907142957_1556291142_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zZM2DpJR9pE/Ui97EhGF9wI/AAAAAAAAANw/TAH1FDj3JZ0/s200/1238136_10151629907142957_1556291142_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F41bcEgIwBQ/Ui97E47q6UI/AAAAAAAAAOA/gul4MpahB1k/s1600/1238136_10151629907147957_119624586_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-F41bcEgIwBQ/Ui97E47q6UI/AAAAAAAAAOA/gul4MpahB1k/s200/1238136_10151629907147957_119624586_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-teCEt8rzeYs/Ui97HbBq_BI/AAAAAAAAAOM/DT356pPtwSg/s1600/1003928_10151629909767957_1173269665_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-teCEt8rzeYs/Ui97HbBq_BI/AAAAAAAAAOM/DT356pPtwSg/s320/1003928_10151629909767957_1173269665_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dy06rRAehFk/Ui97K2Wy7MI/AAAAAAAAAOU/QuT3DBcL2Gc/s1600/530507_10151629808482957_215367458_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dy06rRAehFk/Ui97K2Wy7MI/AAAAAAAAAOU/QuT3DBcL2Gc/s200/530507_10151629808482957_215367458_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5aVC5Ikyuok/Ui97N4-0N9I/AAAAAAAAAOg/Vaa9Y7ALcKU/s1600/1175608_10151629909262957_927870607_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5aVC5Ikyuok/Ui97N4-0N9I/AAAAAAAAAOg/Vaa9Y7ALcKU/s200/1175608_10151629909262957_927870607_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e4WWV25jCkY/Ui97UHFxNTI/AAAAAAAAAO0/p9govHX--jU/s1600/1237870_10151629881637957_190917894_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e4WWV25jCkY/Ui97UHFxNTI/AAAAAAAAAO0/p9govHX--jU/s200/1237870_10151629881637957_190917894_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EhuOOscAMtQ/Ui97NtILGPI/AAAAAAAAAOc/HD50-EP_58Q/s1600/1175608_10151629909267957_794377494_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EhuOOscAMtQ/Ui97NtILGPI/AAAAAAAAAOc/HD50-EP_58Q/s320/1175608_10151629909267957_794377494_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-__rRW0XdH2c/Ui97PwAVEiI/AAAAAAAAAOs/vi1m51NDqHQ/s1600/1175608_10151629909282957_2130838576_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-__rRW0XdH2c/Ui97PwAVEiI/AAAAAAAAAOs/vi1m51NDqHQ/s200/1175608_10151629909282957_2130838576_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-29016933917792683612013-09-10T12:37:00.001-07:002013-09-10T13:07:05.969-07:00WELCOME BACK!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jv6qxdF7zYM/Ui95so8qikI/AAAAAAAAANA/Y-WkeYSiAcg/s1600/1174716_10151615684592957_132684838_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jv6qxdF7zYM/Ui95so8qikI/AAAAAAAAANA/Y-WkeYSiAcg/s200/1174716_10151615684592957_132684838_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HmkfCx8CGwI/Ui95sURosXI/AAAAAAAAANU/G8CNSWiN5es/s1600/1157582_10151615681982957_708205794_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HmkfCx8CGwI/Ui95sURosXI/AAAAAAAAANU/G8CNSWiN5es/s200/1157582_10151615681982957_708205794_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="150" /></a>
We are on week two of our new year in First Grade and it is going great! The students are enjoying their new classroom, getting comfortable with their new settings and learning how this classroom functions. It's a lot to take in for a little first grader, but they always do better than expected with all of the new information. Here are a few pictures of our new classroom!<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VgZqk8esrQw/Ui95sHdazUI/AAAAAAAAAM4/1aSV9TxFHmQ/s1600/1157582_10151615681977957_1226926184_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VgZqk8esrQw/Ui95sHdazUI/AAAAAAAAAM4/1aSV9TxFHmQ/s200/1157582_10151615681977957_1226926184_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a96hEVTLHuA/Ui95sbSCpWI/AAAAAAAAAM8/0xPzQud2Ojo/s1600/1174716_10151615684582957_877713259_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a96hEVTLHuA/Ui95sbSCpWI/AAAAAAAAAM8/0xPzQud2Ojo/s200/1174716_10151615684582957_877713259_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="150" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LCp4GoTGfKE/Ui95s9kSSOI/AAAAAAAAANQ/cBWl6BNfZ_0/s1600/1174716_10151615684597957_1166907334_n%5B1%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LCp4GoTGfKE/Ui95s9kSSOI/AAAAAAAAANQ/cBWl6BNfZ_0/s320/1174716_10151615684597957_1166907334_n%5B1%5D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-60157407248466580282013-06-05T13:10:00.000-07:002013-06-05T13:10:35.602-07:00Full Circle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ki5-1ELR2-g/Ua-YISNOBbI/AAAAAAAAALc/Vwk5KNqzSAI/s1600/102_2689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ki5-1ELR2-g/Ua-YISNOBbI/AAAAAAAAALc/Vwk5KNqzSAI/s320/102_2689.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It sure is quiet in here. I have Pandora music playing quietly and I'm sipping on an actual cup of hot coffee that hasn't been warmed up over and over. I'm enjoying the silence. The books are collected, the desks and lockers are cleaned out, and the mailboxes are packed with the last of the last. It's 3:59 and I'm looking at some empty desks and oddly enough, even though we still have two half days left and even though my 27 students have at times truly tested my patience, I almost miss them a little. Today was a day of true excitement...the day of cleaning. Everyone knows that day in school -- we used to have lug buckets and rags to school in order to scrub the 9 months of filth out of our desks. Cleaning day is always that day when you KNOW summer is coming and school is ending and ALLELUIA! Let's Celebrate! Today was that day in first grade. My kids were giddy and smiling, giggling and goofy. There were some that were sad, but then quickly remembered that summer means they can sleep in and watch cartoons and play games and not come to school and oh yes...no homework! The sadness doesn't last long. Teachers get excited, too. The end of one year always means a brief intermission and then the beginning of the next. It's the life cycle of school -- everything comes full circle on the last few days of school. It was a good year, kiddos. I hope you enjoyed it, I hope you learned something and I hope that some day when you look back on your first grade year, you remember that teacher...what was her name again? She was funny. She liked to read. She drank a lot of coffee. She loved us.Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-46552711480780220742013-06-01T16:00:00.000-07:002013-06-01T16:00:20.011-07:00ALOHA FIRST GRADE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: right;">
We are ready for our last week of school. I have mixed emotions, as usual. I love summer and I love knowing I have some time with my daughter, but I'll also miss the everyday adventures of first grade. This year we have a Hawaiian Beach theme to our last week, so it is all decked out and ready for students to arrive! We will kick off Monday with a Read-In. Students can hang out in the pools, bring their own beach towels and chairs to lounge in and enjoy some good summer reading!<img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TywDbHwA1YI/Uap77ruCkKI/AAAAAAAAAKs/b3pZxZEidGQ/s320/102_2557.JPG" width="320" /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jVArZDpEUuY/Uap7718SgeI/AAAAAAAAAKw/37nOJp1yHdU/s1600/102_2558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jVArZDpEUuY/Uap7718SgeI/AAAAAAAAAKw/37nOJp1yHdU/s320/102_2558.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FD-qzQjzg2k/Uap78pWj5GI/AAAAAAAAAK8/zUR894UKvDc/s1600/102_2559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FD-qzQjzg2k/Uap78pWj5GI/AAAAAAAAAK8/zUR894UKvDc/s320/102_2559.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqCFsf1c9Os/Uap7-DSMcKI/AAAAAAAAALE/gIas0fKL3Us/s1600/102_2560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JqCFsf1c9Os/Uap7-DSMcKI/AAAAAAAAALE/gIas0fKL3Us/s320/102_2560.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ynV9LSLu8Og/Uap7_sdnkiI/AAAAAAAAALM/Z8dZTUixRcI/s1600/102_2561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ynV9LSLu8Og/Uap7_sdnkiI/AAAAAAAAALM/Z8dZTUixRcI/s320/102_2561.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-23711460912415073492013-03-07T19:02:00.001-08:002013-03-07T19:02:15.081-08:00Finding Perfection...<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cd-SbrJmSSE/UTlSEP424OI/AAAAAAAAAJg/fwUtumnMiJI/s1600/102_2150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cd-SbrJmSSE/UTlSEP424OI/AAAAAAAAAJg/fwUtumnMiJI/s320/102_2150.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finding a quiet spot to write....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWhqGyxWPoY/UTlSGi-CztI/AAAAAAAAAJo/nj7B6-8BXcQ/s1600/102_2151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RWhqGyxWPoY/UTlSGi-CztI/AAAAAAAAAJo/nj7B6-8BXcQ/s200/102_2151.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-17rSSQLSffQ/UTlSRGUL_rI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/p6KVIYD98rA/s1600/102_2153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-17rSSQLSffQ/UTlSRGUL_rI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/p6KVIYD98rA/s320/102_2153.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love this picture of my sweet Scarlett....sitting and writing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hj8XFwiGgSE/UTlSdQrjOpI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/7s4Yr1Z_9-o/s1600/102_2156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hj8XFwiGgSE/UTlSdQrjOpI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/7s4Yr1Z_9-o/s200/102_2156.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qjuDJIQrqMg/UTlSLy3GcaI/AAAAAAAAAJw/eFKS7IVaswM/s1600/102_2152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qjuDJIQrqMg/UTlSLy3GcaI/AAAAAAAAAJw/eFKS7IVaswM/s200/102_2152.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em> Today as my students worked on Daily Five, I couldn't help but want to take pictures. It was a room buzzing with conversation and students moving this way and that, but when you looked closer, you realized they were all on task, working on writing, spelling, reading and listening. I loved it! It was my favorite moment of the day, and I wanted to share it! This is perfection! </em> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8rEM8vjDXLo/UTlSZW_e2eI/AAAAAAAAAKI/geFSe5IG5hI/s1600/102_2155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8rEM8vjDXLo/UTlSZW_e2eI/AAAAAAAAAKI/geFSe5IG5hI/s320/102_2155.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0PFlM54ZPY/UTlSVPe5ekI/AAAAAAAAAKA/soARJ42FeO4/s1600/102_2154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r0PFlM54ZPY/UTlSVPe5ekI/AAAAAAAAAKA/soARJ42FeO4/s200/102_2154.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
</blockquote>
Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-18400599853150442322013-02-21T16:02:00.000-08:002013-02-21T16:02:36.235-08:00We Are 100 Days Smarter!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0vIhEs2WTf8/USavAigYzyI/AAAAAAAAAIU/1o-ZZV2tfZE/s1600/102_2064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0vIhEs2WTf8/USavAigYzyI/AAAAAAAAAIU/1o-ZZV2tfZE/s200/102_2064.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Izabelle concentrates....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ROVAWj9aNEw/USavF5WgVvI/AAAAAAAAAIc/yYIGs6Q8r5o/s1600/102_2066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ROVAWj9aNEw/USavF5WgVvI/AAAAAAAAAIc/yYIGs6Q8r5o/s200/102_2066.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Connor flips....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
After several snow days threw a wrench in our calendar, we were finally able to celebrate our 100th Day of School! In elementary school, that's a pretty big deal and we usually have quite the celebration and this year it was no different. We enjoyed many 100 Day Activities, such as Flipping a Coin 100 times and graphing our results.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oI6M36_StZU/USavNWofdWI/AAAAAAAAAIs/N82MD4ZUZD8/s1600/102_2073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oI6M36_StZU/USavNWofdWI/AAAAAAAAAIs/N82MD4ZUZD8/s200/102_2073.JPG" width="200" /></a> All Flip a Coin 100 Times worksheets can be found on Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT), which is where I do all my shopping! I'm not sure what the students liked more -- the thrill of having to go "all the way to 100" or learning how to flip a coin "the real way." Either way, each student enjoyed the activity and learned more about how the number 100 can be broken apart into two different numbers. Look how they concentrate! It's amazing!! ----------->>></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V7CUOCRzgF0/USavGfhJxfI/AAAAAAAAAIk/b52Fso-ND0g/s1600/102_2067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V7CUOCRzgF0/USavGfhJxfI/AAAAAAAAAIk/b52Fso-ND0g/s200/102_2067.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cora and Cameron work, work, work!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YyhRS0Kyv6E/USavaSyWo_I/AAAAAAAAAJE/v6KQ7MjCndw/s1600/102_2086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YyhRS0Kyv6E/USavaSyWo_I/AAAAAAAAAJE/v6KQ7MjCndw/s200/102_2086.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freddie counts....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvTwsUAEhag/USavVqTBuFI/AAAAAAAAAI8/17mGgWXgfKg/s1600/102_2080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rvTwsUAEhag/USavVqTBuFI/AAAAAAAAAI8/17mGgWXgfKg/s200/102_2080.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autumn writes....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After a quick snack, we enjoyed making 100 Words I Know booklets. The kids had a blast walking around the room and seeing if they could reach 100 words. Every 100 words earned them a pack of Smarties (since they are so SMART, get it?). I don't yet have pictures of our next activity, but they will come soon. We worked on creating a list of things we would be when we were 100 years old. Some examples were that we would have hairy noses and ears, we would be called Granny, and our teeth would fall out. We then created some really awesome "self portraits" of ourselves at 100 years old. Pictures will be posted soon of some finished products.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FmQuEZuHjOc/USavRe-6qsI/AAAAAAAAAI0/PsUnlUrg_YY/s1600/102_2076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FmQuEZuHjOc/USavRe-6qsI/AAAAAAAAAI0/PsUnlUrg_YY/s200/102_2076.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaysen finds 100 words...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Lastly, we ended our awesome 100th Day with a sweet treat and challenge. I told my kids that I would happily give them each a Blow Pop sucker, but there was a catch: they had to lick it 100 times before they could crunch into it! It was fun listening to them attempt to lick the suckers and count to 100, and although I know I heard some early crunching, some of them were quite serious about making that challenge! Overall, we had a great day and we all left school feeling pretty happy-go-lucky and ready for 100 more!</div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vAsluoB7CZc/USaveXj67QI/AAAAAAAAAJM/jS6p5-OsHdk/s1600/102_2091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vAsluoB7CZc/USaveXj67QI/AAAAAAAAAJM/jS6p5-OsHdk/s640/102_2091.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Wild and Crazy Bunch of First Graders!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-86300215277260383052013-02-04T13:06:00.004-08:002013-02-04T13:06:35.832-08:00A Heart-to-Heart....I love the time leading up to Valentine's Day. There is something about the ooey-gooey-ness of love that makes our hearts pitter-pat. I remember the fun of making Valentines -- getting out the red and pink construction paper, hearing that sound as my safety scissors would slice through -- you know the sound. I loved ever-so-gently dabbing on small pools of Elmer's glue, sticking on little puff balls of reds, whites and pinks, and finally having a use for those white paper doilies. I remember sitting with my mom on snowy afternoons and cutting out decorations to hang on our windows at home. It was always such a nice, quiet time -- she always paired it with hot chocolate and music playing in the background. Knowing her, it was either the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac or Linda Rondstant. I loved those afternoons. We would cut out paper hearts and have our own little heart-to-heart talks. I knew in those quiet moments with my mom that she truly loved me. I think sometimes those are the quiet moments that some kids are missing out on today. It's a busy, busy world and it's practically impossible to have a family without having to work. Add in all of the sports and extra curricular activities and pretty soon we hardly have time to say good morning and good night. Now that I'm a mother I have promised myself to make paper hearts with my daughter. I can't wait to sit at the table on a snowy afternoon and watch as she cuts through construction paper and signs her name with several X's and O's. <br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Lu1Hkbp94E/URAiDuSx5aI/AAAAAAAAAH8/ao88Y3-Q3mY/s1600/a4fc11f79c747d8b3923aa3c6f524d84.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9Lu1Hkbp94E/URAiDuSx5aI/AAAAAAAAAH8/ao88Y3-Q3mY/s320/a4fc11f79c747d8b3923aa3c6f524d84.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K_pO7EziYaM/URAiHhvWExI/AAAAAAAAAIE/9TzTUuzsHjc/s1600/2d56b0bdd807345f8214e9ed2f033b7c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K_pO7EziYaM/URAiHhvWExI/AAAAAAAAAIE/9TzTUuzsHjc/s320/2d56b0bdd807345f8214e9ed2f033b7c.jpg" width="320" /></a>And so to the parents of my students I have a little "homework" for you. Try not to look at it as "yet something else that we don't have time for." Look at it as a moment for creativity and expression and heart-to-heart conversations. It's that time of year to make our Valentine's Day boxes! Get out the red and pink papers, break out the glitter glues and ribbons -- it's time to think of something fun together. I've added some example photos I found online to get your creative juices flowing -- but a shoebox, some paper hearts and and glue will do the trick, too. Whatever you choose -- choose to have fun and to truly enjoy the moment with your child. Valentine's Day is February 14!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9IVQmDLXMZY/URAiBXt9YGI/AAAAAAAAAH0/KCiLpVOjZOE/s1600/b23c134a691ffecfda59b2a28a76d2e2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9IVQmDLXMZY/URAiBXt9YGI/AAAAAAAAAH0/KCiLpVOjZOE/s1600/b23c134a691ffecfda59b2a28a76d2e2.jpg" /></a></div>
Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-17569297393658538382012-12-06T13:17:00.002-08:002012-12-06T13:17:25.087-08:00Doubles plus one equals what?!?<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZELv3abtL0/UMELMkigfBI/AAAAAAAAAHg/gg5N6sS1ICg/s1600/102_1764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4ZELv3abtL0/UMELMkigfBI/AAAAAAAAAHg/gg5N6sS1ICg/s320/102_1764.JPG" width="320" /></a>After attending a great math conference in Chicago last week, I couldn't wait to come back and try out all the new strategies I had learned. I'm happy to say that just in the short time I've had this week, I'm already seeing some positive changes and more "lights" are turning on! Today we continued to work on doubles (2+2=4, 4+4=8, etc) and how we can find a double (new strategy) in an addition problem in order to help us add the numbers together. For instance, we can look at 5+6 as 5+5+1 -- finding the double and adding one more. We can look at 5+7 as 5+5+2 -- finding the double and adding two more. It all sounds as simple as can be, doesn't it!? Well, try to get 26 first graders to catch on and you've got yourself a challenge! We made doubles flip books today to help students remember their doubles facts -- they practiced and quizzed each other afterward. They are learning more and more that math is not just about numbers -- it's about patterns -- taking things apart and putting things together. I never looked at math that way when I was first learning -- I certainly wish I would have -- it would have been way more fun!Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-680362341853955492012-12-06T13:04:00.001-08:002012-12-06T13:06:17.894-08:00The Christmas Spirit of GIVING!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LxOFYmRvIKg/UMEGRTwYVUI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/ivSpu1o_a2Q/s1600/102_1761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LxOFYmRvIKg/UMEGRTwYVUI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/ivSpu1o_a2Q/s320/102_1761.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Our first grade classroom successfully collected A LOT of toys and money for the Otsego County Toys for Tots program. (It's hard to tell from this picture, but there is a lot there!) We chose this charity to help this season because of a recent fire that destroyed their entire donation collection. I'm sure many people and groups came together to replenish what was lost, but my students only saw the pile of toys in our classroom grow day by day and it made them feel very proud! Many students and members of our staff helped collect donations and they were all picked up today by Katie Liedtke who volunteered to drive them over to Gaylord for delivery! THANK YOU to everyone who gave toys and money! Your Christmas Spirit is ALIVE!Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-1580551622678539232012-11-06T12:54:00.001-08:002012-11-06T12:54:37.257-08:00We Rocked the VOTE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RK0Gd52r6ZY/UJl2yqAX2FI/AAAAAAAAAGk/HK5nCMtnO70/s1600/102_1633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RK0Gd52r6ZY/UJl2yqAX2FI/AAAAAAAAAGk/HK5nCMtnO70/s320/102_1633.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-umwkmS_ULjE/UJl21vVRpqI/AAAAAAAAAGs/6PlDGHQbANE/s1600/102_1634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-umwkmS_ULjE/UJl21vVRpqI/AAAAAAAAAGs/6PlDGHQbANE/s320/102_1634.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VA-SQrzV3mg/UJl2u8BNDoI/AAAAAAAAAGc/-Dak2n1EX4g/s1600/102_1635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VA-SQrzV3mg/UJl2u8BNDoI/AAAAAAAAAGc/-Dak2n1EX4g/s320/102_1635.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
This week in first grade we have been talking about today's big election and I expressed to my students how important it is to go out and vote. The electricity in the air today was magnificent -- they were all so excited! It was the first thing they asked me about when they walked in the classroom: "Do we get to vote now?" We discussed that being able to vote is not something every person around the world has the right to do, but we here in America do and should exercise that right. The girls in the class were all completely confused when I told them that women did not always have the right to vote and for some reason we had to fight and argue in order to receive that right. So today each student in my classroom checked off the box for who they thought should be our President. We took a look at PBSkids.org yesterday and read up on some facts about each candidate and today they made a choice. Tomorrow we will see if their choice matched up to the rest of America's.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We also wrote today about what we would do if we were President. Here is a sample:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4793jPQst4A/UJl5AANAmHI/AAAAAAAAAG4/S1FZ5cpipxc/s1600/102_1640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4793jPQst4A/UJl5AANAmHI/AAAAAAAAAG4/S1FZ5cpipxc/s320/102_1640.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-89968912331106325502012-10-14T15:36:00.002-07:002012-10-14T15:36:29.403-07:00Bits and Pieces...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XA9w0iYvMcg/UHs9ZHbMTVI/AAAAAAAAAFg/FVj97rXpZ1Y/s1600/102_1558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XA9w0iYvMcg/UHs9ZHbMTVI/AAAAAAAAAFg/FVj97rXpZ1Y/s320/102_1558.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YibnPI7eNYQ/UHs9fl4vTQI/AAAAAAAAAFo/jQelrc72VOI/s1600/102_1568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YibnPI7eNYQ/UHs9fl4vTQI/AAAAAAAAAFo/jQelrc72VOI/s320/102_1568.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8j_xOnu4r1o/UHs9sFuNWRI/AAAAAAAAAF0/J_n2-Q0WiC0/s1600/102_1569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8j_xOnu4r1o/UHs9sFuNWRI/AAAAAAAAAF0/J_n2-Q0WiC0/s320/102_1569.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QjueMCDkaFA/UHs9zMY-FXI/AAAAAAAAAF8/iqM4NXrFfiQ/s1600/102_1570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QjueMCDkaFA/UHs9zMY-FXI/AAAAAAAAAF8/iqM4NXrFfiQ/s320/102_1570.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Og10fgewofc/UHs94CZeOqI/AAAAAAAAAGE/xEuyk20a3u4/s1600/102_1564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Og10fgewofc/UHs94CZeOqI/AAAAAAAAAGE/xEuyk20a3u4/s320/102_1564.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V3D0HYM0NSE/UHs99vhxJTI/AAAAAAAAAGM/2GpEaLqtoIQ/s1600/102_1567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V3D0HYM0NSE/UHs99vhxJTI/AAAAAAAAAGM/2GpEaLqtoIQ/s320/102_1567.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I was up in my classroom on this rainy Sunday evening, attempting to make a dent in what I need to have prepared for the week when I remembered that I should post something new and exciting to our First Grade Fan Club blog. Hmmmm....something exciting on a rainy day....what could it be? What could it be? I looked around the room, congratulating myself for cleaning up the place on Friday before I left rather than leaving it for later....it looked as if homecoming and Halloween exploded in my room and there were bits and pieces of it everywhere. Bits and pieces....I started looking around and thinking that there are several bits and pieces in the room that are exciting to me as the teacher. I don't know if YOUR socks will be blown off, but mine were! My students started writing focused pieces last week -- we went from writing two words about something to writing four sentences in a week! I was proud of that! We paired up our cat writing with a water color painting -- I love how we all painted the same thing, but each one looks so different from the next. We also did a pumpkin writing. I had students re-write and illustrate the writing. We hung them on the wall and they are all proud. I also noticed our Writing Pride wall is full -- each child is coming to me daily with something else they have written -- whether it be a little book about farm animals or all of our word wall words copied down -- they are excited to write, which gets me excited! We also had an afternoon last week where the weather ruined our Science plans, so we had to come up with a Plan B. My Plan B is always ART. :) I can't help it. We made some quick scarecrow paintings and again...they are all so creative. I'm was also made very proud this past week with my students and how they conduct themselves during our (modified) Daily Five. They are expected to work independently -- and that scared me to death at first. But, I decided to just let them go and see how they would do with such a responsibility: they did great! My socks were blown clear across the room! First grade is all about change and it all happens at a fast pace -- if you blink you might miss some of the most important bits and pieces!Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-19172118189794137142012-10-04T13:14:00.002-07:002012-10-04T13:14:38.108-07:00I'm a Teacher!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RWUJcpOjy4w/UG3t65Jjr-I/AAAAAAAAAFQ/svH29pTQVJU/s1600/superteacher_color.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RWUJcpOjy4w/UG3t65Jjr-I/AAAAAAAAAFQ/svH29pTQVJU/s200/superteacher_color.gif" width="141" /></a></div>
The classroom is quiet. The kids have gone home. I'm sitting here eating my almonds and looking out over the room. I love seeing the "aftermath" of a great day: new writing hanging up on the Writing Pride wall, all GREEN cards looking at me from the behavior chart, things put back in the actual places they belong, and a nice stack of papers for me to check. The room is now empty, but I can still hear the voices of little learners coming to me with their work held up in my face, asking me to look at what they accomplished. I smile at the thought of my little mover & shaker sitting still for 24 minutes and busily completing his work. I've never seen such a look of concentration on his face. When he finished I praised him for such great work and asked him how he felt. "I feel pretty good!" he replied. I gush at the moment today when members of our classroom started to tell another student that they "believed he could do it" when the student was feeling he had enough work for the day. I grin at the thought of my little girl who has such a hard time sharing offering her snack to a student who came without today. Yes, she offered because she "hates those darn cheese things," but the fact is: she SHARED. It's days like these when I look around the room after the kids have gone home, smile and I think, "Yup. I'm a teacher."Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-5261074557414556142012-09-20T12:46:00.001-07:002012-09-20T12:46:15.927-07:00Writing to Learn & Learning to Write!<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUMb_yuqEag/UFtwQvtN52I/AAAAAAAAAFA/d_Y8clq_qwc/s1600/102_1530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kUMb_yuqEag/UFtwQvtN52I/AAAAAAAAAFA/d_Y8clq_qwc/s320/102_1530.JPG" width="240" /></a>We are learning so much already in First Grade, including how to write more! After having several students copy exactly what I had on the board during writing time, it dawned on me that some of them don't realize that they can make up stories! They can think of things that happened to them and write them down! In a class where getting all 25 to pay attention to me at once can be difficult, hearing this golden nugget of information was captivating to them! They were so excited to hear that all of the information they have in their minds could be put on paper and shared with others! Today we talked about a way to get those ideas out on paper in a writing strategy called "Sketch-to-Write." The idea is to make small sketches (beginning-middle-end) of their writing idea and then to write a sentence (or ten!) next to the sketch to explain what is going on. For some students this idea was the next best thing since sliced bread....or has it always come sliced for them? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N7i9gZc8u08/UFtwKKJiJxI/AAAAAAAAAE4/3Pkdov5uXPg/s1600/102_1540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N7i9gZc8u08/UFtwKKJiJxI/AAAAAAAAAE4/3Pkdov5uXPg/s320/102_1540.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-67758344849982581862012-09-18T09:12:00.001-07:002012-09-18T09:12:23.587-07:00IN CASE OF EMERGENCY...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uvLuby-zU7I/UFichTUNQMI/AAAAAAAAAEo/UbVEoL3VxYs/s1600/102_1539.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uvLuby-zU7I/UFichTUNQMI/AAAAAAAAAEo/UbVEoL3VxYs/s320/102_1539.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
I know, I know....it is NOT the picture of health, but it IS the picture of Teacher Survival 101. There are times when I have to break the glass and reach for my tools to get me through the rough days....and when that happens I reach for chocolate and Coca-Cola or Coffee. In fact, this morning I dreamed that I had a coffee maker right on my desk -- one of those fancy ones where you put the little cup of coffee grounds in and it instantly makes you a hot, delicious cup of joe. I'm in need of one of those. So, excuse me as I take a moment to inhale this chocolate and caffeine -- is it Friday?<br />Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-54460798961785032802012-09-12T11:10:00.003-07:002012-09-12T11:10:46.855-07:00Bubble Mania!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kEGNNOg6nSQ/UFDO449x2FI/AAAAAAAAAD8/pCyjOQ0ugcY/s1600/102_1522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kEGNNOg6nSQ/UFDO449x2FI/AAAAAAAAAD8/pCyjOQ0ugcY/s320/102_1522.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rh_0iikmHjw/UFDPuva3JqI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/1E7-fZuZV4o/s1600/102_1525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rh_0iikmHjw/UFDPuva3JqI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/1E7-fZuZV4o/s320/102_1525.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-58EOEXCsDaI/UFDPxHiICQI/AAAAAAAAAEY/xvPBHvejjlM/s1600/102_1526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-58EOEXCsDaI/UFDPxHiICQI/AAAAAAAAAEY/xvPBHvejjlM/s320/102_1526.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kEGNNOg6nSQ/UFDO449x2FI/AAAAAAAAAD8/pCyjOQ0ugcY/s1600/102_1522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Today in Science we discussed whether we could make square bubbles if we used square-shaped bubble makers. The prediction was an overwhelming YES. The verdict was an overwhelming NOPE! :) We had fun, learned how to work as teams, and enjoyed the challenge of making bubbles on a windy day!</div>
<br />Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-20423096302694328292012-09-11T12:45:00.001-07:002012-09-11T13:01:14.232-07:00Introducing Bloose the Moose!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JY_OtDd5g4o/UE-TdTZ5XMI/AAAAAAAAADs/-I2Q3elBg0w/s1600/543751_10151040230147957_142818568_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JY_OtDd5g4o/UE-TdTZ5XMI/AAAAAAAAADs/-I2Q3elBg0w/s320/543751_10151040230147957_142818568_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Our second week of school is off to a quick start! Monday we had a great day back and got lots of work accomplished. Tuesday was a little challenging -- perhaps it's the sunshine outside our windows or that distant calling of "reeeeceessss! reeeeccceeesssss!" I'm not sure, but our behavior today needed a little work! Speaking of behavior....let me introduce you to Bloose the Moose! Bloose is one of my best friends. How does he work? If students have a tattle (and we first discuss what a tattle is) they know to come and write in Bloose's notebook. Bloose hears a lot of stories! Some kids get pushed in line, some students feel they have been robbed of their rightful place in that same line, and some students think that others are being too loud in line! Whatever the tattle is, Bloose gets to hear about it. I read Bloose's notebook weekly and find out if there are any tattles that require more than Bloose can offer, but for the most part...they are just that: tattles. So, let's hear it for Bloose the Moose! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray!Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-81789096503476751522012-09-06T12:40:00.001-07:002012-09-06T12:40:07.017-07:00It's a Heat Wave!Flashes of the Wicked Witch of the West flood through my brain during hot weeks like this, and I just keep repeating, "I'm melting! I'm meeeeltiing!" It's just too hot! I look at the weather report every morning hoping for a cool down, but it hasn't come yet...hopefully tomorrow. In the meantime, we will continue to melt away and push full force through our day! <br />
<br />
The new first grade students have been doing very well considering the heat -- they get a little squirrely at times, but it's to be expected. I'm happy with how things are going so far -- moving through the first week or two (or three!) of school always keeps me nervous. I want to move into "the work" but I also want to make sure they have "the rules." Today, we moved on and did some work in Reading -- reviewed the sounds for short /a/ and /b/. We added the word my to our word wall and practiced writing it on our white boards. We have started our daily calendar routine -- parents might be surprised to see all that first graders will know with calendar by the end of the year -- it's not just about names of days and counting! I found a very cool calendar routine on Pinterest and made one for my own room. Here is the one I copied from: <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-McYzdeT8iZw/UEj6kHtR-uI/AAAAAAAAADc/SA4qE_UfVAM/s1600/148407750191193109_AkY6suEl_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-McYzdeT8iZw/UEj6kHtR-uI/AAAAAAAAADc/SA4qE_UfVAM/s320/148407750191193109_AkY6suEl_c.jpg" width="231" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So onward and upward we move! I'm looking forward to cooler weather where students aren't melting into their seats and walking across the classroom doesn't cause me to breakout in a flop sweat. :)</div>
Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-85532663755768663242012-09-04T11:32:00.001-07:002012-09-04T11:32:49.428-07:00Phew! What a RUSH!We had our first day of school today and boy was it awesome! Each one of my 26 students came filing into their classroom, found their seats and happily shared exciting stories together. I saw cameras going off, parents giving quick reassuring hugs to new students and teachers helping others get into the right rooms. It is a busy, busy day on opening day of school! There is so much excitement and so much happening! I just read recently that it would be nice to see that much excitement for EVERY day of school! Can you imagine taking a picture of your child for every day of school? There's a project for someone out there! But, seriously the message is not lost on me. If we can instill the love for school and the respect for education into our children now and forever, they will be that much better off in the long run. I firmly believe that 100%! And that love and respect for school and learning doesn't just happen at home -- it happens at school, too. I hope that each and every day I leave my students with the feeling that I love being here for them and that school excites me. It's the truth!! <br />
<br />
So how did your children do on the first day? They were awesome! It was a long morning of listening and sitting and they pulled it off like pros! Please remember to pack HEALTHY snacks -- we actually had a Twinkie make it past my classroom door today. I showed it the door again.... :) If snacks are forgotten, I do have some pretzels and things in my closet that I happily share. <br />
<br />
Also, if your child has any ALLERGY, now would be a great time to let me know. Especially food allergies! <br />
<br />
Thank you for having your child to school today! I am looking forward to many more good days to come!Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-36653737270806519602012-08-31T13:01:00.003-07:002012-08-31T13:01:46.670-07:00It's Gonna Be a HOOT!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Orqj1xN7CzM/UEEWZ5gvfVI/AAAAAAAAADM/SDKMGMRAs_g/s1600/294446_10151040230282957_131981486_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Orqj1xN7CzM/UEEWZ5gvfVI/AAAAAAAAADM/SDKMGMRAs_g/s320/294446_10151040230282957_131981486_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
I've been busy getting the finishing touches done in our classroom and I'm happy to report that it's juuuuust about there! I'm always doing something -- rearranging this, tweaking that! I'm pretty sure most teachers have about five Plan B's. <br />
<br />
Just a reminder that our first day of school is September 4. Our bell rings at 7:50 a.m. and students should be in the classroom ready to go! There will not be any breakfast or lunch served on day one, so be sure to grab some grub on your way out the door! Remember to bring a good, healthy snack! We will dismiss from the gymnasium and as part of our school policy, parents need to stay up by the office until children are released. It's all about safety and organization! If your child has any special needs or concerns, please let me know ahead of time what they are -- it's never a good thing to learn about an allergy after the fact. <br />
<br />
Our first couple weeks of first grade are dedicated to learning the ropes and adjusting to being in a new classroom with a new teacher and new rules and expectations. It is a time to be very patient and to ask a lot of questions! :) I'm always available....and I'm even more available to chat if you bring coffee and/or chocolate. Good luck first grade parents! It's going to be a HOOT of a good year!Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-39959874092829040012012-08-28T19:13:00.002-07:002012-08-28T19:13:47.897-07:00Welcome Aboard!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iQl6llvPqpI/UD150Wiq0vI/AAAAAAAAAC8/uBhfM8db2fk/s1600/102_1507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iQl6llvPqpI/UD150Wiq0vI/AAAAAAAAAC8/uBhfM8db2fk/s640/102_1507.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Just got back from a fabulous Open House. It was great to see so many families come in -- kids were running in and out of my room, I could hear lockers opening and closing and students shouting "Here's mine! Look at it!" I even had students from last year come into my room and tell me that they wish they were coming back! So sweet! (They followed that promptly with, "Can I have a piece of candy?") Overall, it was a successful night and got me even more excited for our first day of school on September 4! Welcome Aboard First Graders! We are going to have an excellent year!</div>
Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3292312972384368523.post-30962645032525240862012-08-27T18:11:00.002-07:002012-08-27T18:12:40.162-07:00Open Doors....Open House!Tomorrow morning I have to set my alarm. I will press snooze several times before actually opening my eyes and realizing that summer....is gone. (Moment of silence.) It's time to get back to work! I have a full classroom of first graders coming soon -- hopefully I will see most of them and their parents at tomorrow's OPEN HOUSE from 5:30-7:30. There will be an elementary orientation at 5:30 in the gymnasium. Bring a pen, because we'll have all the fun paperwork you'll need to fill out for the year. This year there are 26 students in first grade and I am ready to welcome you all to our classroom! Hope to see you there! <br />
<br />
Reminder: If you're a parent please choose to follow this blog -- I will always be updating and adding information you'll want to know! Updates will be sent to your email automatically! :) Mrs. Polaskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01935909869581158634noreply@blogger.com1