2012 is coming to an end

Well, based on the cooler weather outside, I guess we are getting closer to winter. We sure are going to miss the warm days. Things have been so hectic around here that I have had little time to sit down and update our blog! Last week, we spent a lot of time learning the difference between evergreen and deciduous trees. We even went on a tree hunt and compared the two.

Deciduous Tree

Evergreen Tree

I honestly believe that we have some future female architects in our classroom! Below are a few pictures of things our kids have created over the last 2 months.

Below is a picture of some kids working in their math journals. On this day, we were doing Angry Bird math. The kids had to roll 2 dice and add the numbers. Then, they had to find the number on the Angry Bird and color it in. The kids LOVED this! :)

Below is a picture of our students working with their Senteo devices. These are hand held "clickers" that students use to answer questions. Each student has one with their own unique log in  I create a couple of questions that are displayed on the SMART board. The kids use these clickers to answer. In the past, the kids beg to use these. It really makes learning fun for them!

And finally, I need to get the Star of the Week pictures up. I have several!

 Star of the Week Wes!!

Star of the Week Riley!!

Star of the Week Tion!!

On Monday, we learned all about reindeer. I love my job because I, along with the students, learn something new every day. Did you know that reindeer are great swimmers? Did you also know that when they walk in the snow, their hooves spread out like snowshoes? Along with reindeer, we are learning about some of the customs that are celebrated around the world. Look for a book coming home next week.

This Tuesday, we invite parents to join us for hot chocolate and cookies. As 2012 is winding down, we are using this last day to relax and enjoy each other's company. We invite the children to wear their pajamas on this day. We invite parents to join us.

And I will end with this picture. This is my sweet godson Aidan. He went to see Santa Clause and did NOT enjoy it one bit! :)

Things we need

I hope that you all had a great Thanksgiving! Before you know it, we will be out of school once again for another mini vacation! :)

We are in need of a few items for our upcoming units.

1. 16 2.5' white styrofoam balls
2. tacky glue
3. real pine cones 

Busy busy!!

I am so sorry that I have not updated the blog in almost a month! It has been so busy in our classroom! Just a reminder, we will not have school Wednesday-Friday of this week.

Below are some overdue Star of the Week shout outs.....

Tyler!!

Sydney!!

 Wes!!

Is it the end of October already??

Can you believe we are already ending October? I feel like we have just began to school. However, counting our days of school proves otherwise. Today is the 47th day of kindergarten! For next week, we are in need of 2 items. We really need glue sticks and brown paper grocery bags.

This week, we will learn about what happens during an election year. Today, we talked about what an election is and how important it is for our country. We learned that in order to vote, you have to be at least 18 years old. The kids really wanted the opportunity to vote, so we have made up our own election! The students will have the opportunity to vote for a president after reading the books My Teacher for President, Duck for President and Grace for President. Following each book, we will discuss how that person/animal would make a good president. Today, we created voter registration cards. The kids were really excited to make these. We will vote for the "president" on Wednesday.

Don't forget that this Thursday is the 50th day of school! Feel free to dress your child in 50's attire. Please don't feel like you have to go out and buy anything. A ponytail and skirt will be fine for the girls. Slicked back hair and jeans will be fine for the boys.

Next week, we will begin our unit on nutrition. This is always a great unit to teach before Thanksgiving! The students really start to pick up on how many food groups are represented on their plate.

Meet our Star of the Week Arden!!

Panthers Video Link

Click the link to view the video! If you find any other photos or videos, let me know!

Click here for video!

Panther's Hometown Huddle

Oh. My. Goodness. That was so much fun! The kids had a great time and my ears are still ringing from all of the screaming! We got to see Jordan Gross, Steve Smith, Richie Brockel and Jeff Byers!! I'm uploading pictures below from today's pep rally. (Sorry the quality isn't the best)

Anticipation is killing them!!

Sir Purr :)

Way to go Indy!!

Steve Smith looking for a student contestant

This is the closest we got to Cam! :)

Back to Monday

I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend! I sure did! My husband and I spent the weekend camping in the mountains of North Carolina. It was such a beautiful trip with the leaves changing. However, it was NOT fun staying warm at night when it was in the low 30's!!

Here is Matt and I riding the chair lift to Ghost Town in the Sky in Maggie Valley, NC.

View from the Ghost Town. The mountains were beautiful!!

This is Betty's new favorite spot to ride. This picture
was taken on the way up to the mountains.

Here is Betty again on the way home. Camping wore
her out

Last week, we spent a lot of time learning about pumpkins and the life cycle they go through! This week, we will will spend some time learning about nursery rhymes. This is always a fun unit for our students to recite old favorites and learn some new rhymes.

This week is also Red Ribbon Week. Here is this week's schedule:

Monday - School Spirit (Wear your GHES shirts)
Tuesday - "Team Up Against Drugs - Panther Style (Wear your favorite Panther team gear or Teal and Black)
Wednesday - "Sock It To Drugs" (Students wear crazy or mismatched socks)
Thursday - "Put a Cap on Drugs" (Students wear their favorite hat)
Friday - "Elect to be Drug Free" (Everyone wears red, white and blue to "Elect to be Healthy)

Forgive me Aidan, that I forgot to include your pictures from when you were Star of the Week! Here they are below.

Meet our Star of the Week Aidan!

Meet our Star of the week Ava!