Thanksgiving Feast 2012

Look at these cute Indians and Pilgrims from the Friendly Frog Pad!  I hope that everyone had a wonderful time with family and friends during the Thanksgiving break.  Your children are precious and I am so thankful for each and every one of them!

The Best Looking Fifties' Kids

50th Day of School Celebration

We began our day by discussing how life in the past was different from life in the present.  We used power points, venn diagrams, and discussion to  convey this hard concept.

Thank you for helping making our 50th Day of School a great celebration!  We had a great time.  The students danced to fifties music, compared and contrasted "Kids in the 50's" and "Kids Today",  wrote about the comparison of the fifties and today, made Coke floats, and wrote the steps to make a Coke float.  We played several games using our current skills being taught in a FIFTY way.  Then, at the end of the day we had a hula hoop contest and a bubble gum blowing contest to see how many we could do in 50 seconds.  I can't begin to tell you the communication, conversations, and learning that took place in a non-traditional way.  I love it!!  It was FABULOUS!

I hope you enjoy the slide show.  It was "the best day ever!!!!"

Daddy Zoo Field Trip

We were so blessed with a beautiful day at the zoo.  A big thanks to the dads and grandaddys (and even a mom) who spent the morning with us making memories.  We enjoyed Gods' beautiful creations as we completed our scavenger hunt with a little help from DAD!!

Apple Time!

Students enjoyed celebrating Johnny Appleseed's birthday.  Our room had the sweet aroma of apples cooking all day!!  Yummy, yummy!!

Bubble Blowing!!

We had a blast wrapping up our short vowel "u" last week with Bubble Gum activities.  The students LOVED blowing (and some still trying) bubbles.  The students enjoyed writing the steps of "How to Blow a Bubble".  I hope that you enjoy the pictures as much as we did in class.
Also, we wrote Scarecrow sentences this week.  The students came up with some awesome describing words for their scarecrows.  Happy Fall!
Lastly, you will see a few pictures of students practicing their math skills by playing a fun math game.  Who ever thought first grade could be so much fun???

First Grade Fun!

Students enjoyed listening to "Noah" retell his story.

Students have also enjoyed learning about animals.  They loved making "alligator pie" and arachnid hats.

We are off to a great start!

Take a look at our fabulous first graders of 2012-2013.  We are having a blast!!

May 14-17

It is hard to believe that we only have four days of school left.  I feel fortunate to have worked with your children this past year.  It has been an amazing privilege to witness the tremendous progress and growth they have made since August.  They are now all readers and writers and a lot taller than they were 9 months ago! They are confident in their abilities and excited to learn more!


Each child has brought joy and happiness to our classroom.  I was so blessed to have had such a wonderful group of children this past year.  Thank you for all of your support.  It has been a pleasure getting to know not only your child, but you as well.  You have helped make this a successful year.  Thank you for helping to make our year memorable.


Please continue to encourage your child's growth over the summer.  There are many activities that you can do to enrich your child's learning at home.  Make sure you take time to engage in meaningful conversations with your child daily.  Take time to read to and listen to your child read.  Ask questions, make predictions, and make life to text connections as you read.  Practice addition and subtraction facts and work with money.  Encourage your child to write often.  Writing letters, journals, stories, etc. are a great way for your child to get thoughts organized and on paper.  These little things will help success in second grade.


I will be sending home the final set of graded work on Monday.  Please sign and return.  Also, your child's final averages will be in the folder.  You will also find a few sheets of suggested activities from the CPAA assessment.  The activities are based on the progression of your child's growth in the areas of literacy and mathematics.  I hope that you find the information helpful.


Next week we will be wrapping the year up with some end of the year activities.


Upcoming dates:
Tuesday - report cards
Wednesday - 8:15 - Semester Celebration 8:15, Willett Hall
Thursday - Field Day,   9:00-11:15 (on the football field - You are welcome to attend.)


I hope that all of the wonderful moms have an awesome Mother's Day!!


Have a fabulous summer.  Please let me hear from you over the summer.  I will miss you!!


Much love,
S. Etheredge

May 7-11

It is hard to believe that we are winding down the year!  It has truly been a wonderful year with your children.  I have enjoyed every minute of every day with them.  I am blessed! 


We took the STAR test  this week.  I will send home the results of the test in Monday's folder.  I was so pleased with the students progress.  Please, please continue to encourage your child to read over the summer.  They are such fabulous readers and I know that you enjoy listening to them as much as I do.


Also, I would encourage you to set aside time weekly over the summer to practice math facts.  This will help prepare students for timed tests in second grade.


Just a few reminders of upcoming important dates:
May 15 - report cards
May 16 - Semester Celebration Early Dismissal 11:15
May 17 - Field Day/Pizza Party Early Dismissal 11:15


Here is a look at next week:
Reading - Fairy Tales 12-1
Spelling - Spelling City List  (There will be a test but no grade.)
English - Mother's Day  :)
Math - Subtraction with Regrouping (WOW!!)
Science - plants
Bible - Elijah and Elisha      There will be no memory verse.  We will review Psalms 23.


Have a blessed weekend!
S. Etheredge

April 30 - May 4

Hip, Hip, Hooray...Popsicle Time!!

I am so proud of all the Friendly Frog students!  Everyone has attained their 

AR reading goal!  Yeah!!  Congratulations to the students for their hard work and thanks to you for your continuing encouragement!  The students will celebrate with an ice cream party on May 11. 

• We had a blast this week with our baseball theme.  The students enjoyed partner reading, choral reading, and silent reading Littlest Leaguer.  We shared baseball stories, reviewed reading skills, and used our creative writing skills.  It was a HOMERUN week!
• Please check with your child on his/her pencil supply.  Several students are needing pencils with erasers.  I know we are on the home stretch; however, we need adequate supplies to complete our work.
• In math students will be introduced to regrouping with addition and subtraction.  However, there will be no graded work on this skill.  Please continue to work on math facts at home.  We are working hard at school on memorizing basic facts; however, extra practice at home is necessary.
• Here is a look at next week:
• Reading - Arthur's Funny Money (possessives, pronouns, adjectives)
• Math - addition with regrouping
• Spelling - Spelling City list 11-4
• Science - review "Seasons"
• Bible - Elijah - memory verse Psalm 23:6
• Language - review nouns and verbs

Have a marvelous weekend!!

April 23-27

The Angels did a fabulous job!  I hope that you were blessed as much as I was today.  There's nothing more beautiful than hearing the angels' precious voices lifting their praises to the Lord!  What a glorious day it was!  Mrs. Ahna is such an important part of our lives and we will truly miss her.  God has used her in a mighty way!  

We have had a BIG week as the students shared their book reports.  I was so impressed with their diligent work on their reports and their eagerness to share and listen to others.  Parents, thank you for your support and effort in helping us with our first ever book reports.  What a success!!

Please continue to practice math facts using flashcards, IXL, or online games.  We are working hard on moving from finger counting to memorization.  Thank you for encouraging your child to practice.

We have a fun week planned ahead as we will be reading a baseball story. We have some fun activities planned.   Here is a look at the week ahead:

Reading - The Littlest Leaguer  (er/est, compound words)

Language - persuasive writing

Spelling - Spelling City  11-2  (HFW)

Math - mixed double digit practice (addition and subtraction)

Science - Objects in the Sky

Bible - David and Jonathan (memory verse Psalm 23:5)

Have a wonderful weekend!!

In Him,

S. Etheredge

April 16-20

Tah Tah Day rocks!!

Wow!  We have had an exciting day with our "Tah-Tahs".  Our Tah-Tahs were on their best behavior!  Thank you for allowing your child to participate in this fun day.  Be sure to read Tah-Tah's story in today's binder.  The students are really doing a great job on writing.  We are continuing to work on complete sentences, punctuation, and correct spelling of words that are on our Word Wall.  I enjoy seeing their improvements!

Students did a fabulous job with double digit addition.  However, I am noticing that extra math fact practice would be beneficial.  A strong foundation using math facts is beneficial as we move forward in math.  Please continue to practice math facts using IXL, flashcards, and online math games.  We have been using some of these resources in class to review facts and the students love it!!  You will notice a difference in their speed with routine practice at home.  Thanks for your help!!!

Ahna's Angels sing Thursday, April 19, 12 noon.  I hope to see you there!  You will be blessed.  Please don't forget Ahna's Angel attire for Thursday.

We have another fun week planned:
Reading - Nate the Great (We'll do some fun activities to learn more about dinosaurs!)
Math - Double Digit Subtraction (no regrouping)
Spelling - Spelling City 11-2
English - BOOK REPORTS ARE DUE MONDAY!!  BOOK REPORTS WILL BE PRESENTED ORALLY IN CLASS!  WE CAN'T WAIT TO HEAR THEM!!!
Social Studies - Objects In The Sky
Bible - David and Goliath   Memory Verse  Psalm 23:4

Have a marvelous weekend!!
Serving Him,
S. Etheredge


 

April 9-13

Wow! It is hard to believe that this year is flying by so quickly!  I love this time of the year as the students' hard work is evident in their work habits.  It is a joy to see their accomplishments and growth.

We completed our first book report in class this week.  The students were so excited and loved it!  I sent home book report directions, a sample that we did in class, library book, and material needed for the report yesterday.  Please check your child's backpack.  Book reports will be due on April 16.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  

This week we concluded our final story in the reading basal books.  We will spend the final weeks of school reviewing skills in reading and using trade books and supplemental readers.  This is always fun and a time to reinforce the skills and lessons that have been taught in reading.

Next week we will be reading several stories.  However, we will finish the week with Ira Sleeps Over.  Therefore, we will have Tah Tah Day on Friday, April 13.  Students will wear their pajamas  to school and bring their favorite "Tah-Tah".  I sent home an information sheet concerning dress code.  What fun!!!

Ahna's Angels will have their end of the year concert on April 19 at Mrs. Ahna's church, Mulder.  This will take place around 12 noon.  Everyone and anyone is invited to attend.  You will have an information sheet in Monday's folder.  Please fill out and return.

Here is a look at next week:
Reading - Various stories and enrichment activities
English - Letter Writing
Math - Double Digit Addition
Social Studies - Our Country
Spelling - Spelling City 11-1
Bible - David  Memory Verse  Psalm 23

I pray that you and your family have a wonderful Easter!  May you enjoy celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior!  Hallelujah, He is RISEN!!

In Him,
S. Etheredge

April 2-5

Wow!  What an exciting week!  We have worked extremely hard on some difficult reading skills, attended an awesome dance performance by the middle and upper school  students, and had loads of fun at the Science Fest!  The students certainly deserve a break.


Here is a look at the week following SPRING BREAK:
Reading - endings er,est; cause and effect
Math - Capacity
English - learning to create book reports
Social Studies - Our Country
Spelling - Spelling City - 10-3
Bible - Easter   Memory Verse: Matthew 28:6


The spelling test and Bible verse will be on Thursday, April 5. Students will not attend school on April 6, Good Friday.


I am so blessed to get to spend each day with your precious little ones.  I hope that you and your family have a fabulous SPRING BREAK.  I will miss you!!


Students will return to school on Monday, 
April 2.


Serving Him,
S. Etheredge

Weekly Preview March 19-23

What a blessing!!!

The Angels did a fabulous job!  They were such a blessing to the residents of Hickory Hills Assisted Living.  They brightened their day and brought many smiles, tears, and joy to the elderly.  I was so proud of them!!

We have had a full week!  Students are doing a marvelous job with the spelling rules of adding endings to words.  It has also been a busy week in math as students are learning to make and use fractions!  


The students loved our special visitor, Eric Litwin, a children's author.  He had many interesting stories to tell.  We had a blast!  Be sure to ask your child about him.


I sent spelling words home with the students today.  We will have our spelling test on next Thursday rather than Friday due to the Science Fest and early dismissal.


Please remember that we will have early dismissal next Friday, March 23.  We will have our Science Fest in the morning and a 11:30 dismissal.


Here is a look at next week:
Reading - spelling of plurals with s, es and ies
Math - Measurement
Science - Weather
English - Compound Words
Spelling - Spelling City 10-2
Bible - Easter  Memory Verse Luke 23:46


Love,
S. Etheredge

March 12-16

It was wonderful to have a full, uninterrupted week at the Friendly Frog Pad.  The students have worked hard learning about fractions, word endings, and air and weather.  They are loving this science unit.  We are having fun with experiments and hands on learning!!  I hope they are sharing some of this information with you at home.

Please remind students to wear Ahna'a Angels attire Wednesday.  We will be singing in Prattville at a local nursing home.  We will depart at 9:15, sing at 10:00, then return to school.  Class pictures will also be made this day.

March is full of important dates.  Please note the following:
March 14 - Field Trip and Class Pictures
March 15 - Report Cards
March 16 - Library Event with Eric Litwin (children's author)
March 23 - Science Fest - Half Day Dismissal 11:30
March 26-March 30 - Spring Break

Here is a look at next week:
Reading - word endings and changing the spelling of words (ex. dance -dancing; grin - grinning) -                  dropping the "e" and doubling the consonant
Spelling - Spelling City  Unit 10-1
Math - More Fractions
English - Multiple Meanings
Science - Weather
Bible - Easter  - Memory Verse  Matthew 2:41

Have a  blessed weekend!  Hope to see you at the Fun Run on Saturday morning!!
S. Etheredge

March 5-9

 Our Fun, Fun Field Trip!!

Thank you sweet moms who drove on the field trip!  We had a great time as students experienced a "pretend" hospital.  The nursing students did an excellent job of creating a "real" hospital environment for students to experience.  Students are exposed to terminology and equipment of the hospital.  Hopefully, this field trip experience would help ease the anxiety of any hospital jitters.


Many students have already met their AR goal!  Yippee!!  Others are so close!  I know they will get there soon.  Please continue to encourage reading nightly.  Students should be taking 2-3 AR tests weekly.


We had a BIG time in computer this week.  I hope that you got to see their "wordle".  Students created wordles with their spelling words and loved it!  The website is wordle.net if students want to create one at home.


Here is a look at next week:
Reading - endings (s, ed, ing, ful, ly, y)  comparing and contrasting
Math - fractions
English - homonyms
Science - air and weather
Spelling - Spelling City 9-3
Bible - Samuel    Memory Verse - Psalm 23:2


Have a great weekend!
Blessings!!

February 27-March 2

We are looking forward to a full, five day week next week.  Although it was a short week for us, it was packed with a heap of learning and fun.  Students did a great job with oi/oy in reading.  Our reading story this week was about a grandfather and grandchild's precious relationship. Students were able to share about their "dear" grandparents.  They are such a blessing.





In math we had a big time! A portion of our lessons this week was spent on graphing.  We used our inquiry skills and the 20 question game to guess what was inside the Mystery Box.  Then, students used their estimation skills and problem solving to guess the total amount of Hugs and Kisses.  Next, students used their own bags of cubes to estimate in their groups.  Finally, we had a tasting test to see if students liked Hugs or Kisses best and graphed the results.  The students did a follow up writing activity with the question...Do you like real hugs or kisses best?  I just loved their responses!!  A few answers included "hugs because they are warm,"    "hugs because they show love and care about you," and "hugs because they make you feel good!"  So...there you have it...give your precious one lots of hugs today!!


Students did a great job with the continents and oceans this week.  Hopefully, they have share some geography facts with you.  We have some awesome maps that we are using on the smartboard.  Students are loving it...me too!!


To top off our fabulous week we had a special visitor.  Mr. Gary Johnson, a missionary in Sweden, came to talk to our class.  He taught the students a Swedish song with his guitar and discussed life as a missionary in Sweden.  It was very interesting to know that 9 out 10 people in Sweden do not believe in Jesus. We certainly need to keep his family and their mission work in our prayers.


Please consider participating in TPS's 2nd Annual 5K and Fun Run/Walk.  The class with the most participation wins a party!!  I am planning on attending.  I hope you and your family can come and enjoy fun games, inflatables, face painting, and food.


Our field trip to the "Let's Pretend Hospital" is next Friday.  We will depart at *8:05.*  PLEASE, PLEASE HAVE YOUR CHILD AT SCHOOL ON TIME.  Our session begins at 8:30.  It will be tons of fun!!  If you have not sent the permission slip back please do so ASAP.


Here is a look at next week:
Reading - au, aw; reality and fantasy
Language - continue capitalization and commas
Spelling - spelling city 9-2
Math - solid shapes
Social Studies - continue Land and Water
Bible - Hannah  Memory Verse - Psalm 23:1


Blessings!!

February 20-24

I love my class!!

We had a great week.  Thank you to all of the moms that helped with the Valentine's Day Party.  We loved it!!

I sent spelling words home today since we will have a short week next week.  Hopefully, the students can find a few extra minutes over the long weekend to study.  There are fifteen words and no dictation sentence for next week.

We will be attending the "Let's Pretend Hospital" field trip on March 2.  Permission slips will be coming home soon.  Please sign and return.  This is always a favorite!!

Here is a look at next week:

Reading - oi/oy 

Math - review (graphing, fact families, patterning)

English - capital letters and commas

Social Studies - Land and Water

Spelling - Spelling City 9-1

Bible - Lost Sheep  Memory Verse John 10:11

Enjoy the long weekend!!

In Him,

S. Etheredge

February 13-16

What a fun day at the Davis Theater!!!

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Thank you, thank you for making my birthday very special.  I loved the cards, flowers, cupcakes and gifts.  You are so sweet to think of me!  It was a FANTASTIC birthday!! 


We enjoyed the "Henry and Mudge" play.  The students were so well behaved.  We now have a large interest in the Henry and Mudge books.  I am so excited!!  I absolutely love it when I see students get excited about books!!  It is such a joy to see these young students develop a "love" for literature!!  It makes me happy!


We will be writing our Tooth Stories next week in class.  Please help your child recall any information about losing his/her first tooth.  


I suggested to students that when they are making Valentine cards to only put "from....." and their name.  This will make passing out cards much easier.  We are looking forward to the party on Tuesday.


Here is a look at next week:
Reading - silent letters (kn,wr,gn,mb)
English - tooth stories (write, edit, revise)
Math - addition and subtraction facts to 20  (STUDENTS SHOULD BE MEMORIZING SIMPLE FACTS AT THIS POINT.  PLEASE USE FLASHCARDS, ONLINE MATH GAMES, IXL, etc. to help memorization.
Social Studies - land and water
Spelling - Spelling City 8-3
Bible - Jesus Heals a Blind Man    Memory Verse:Mark 10:52


Have a wonderful weekend!
In Him,
S. Etheredge

Weekly Preview February 6-10

We have had a wonderful, busy week!
Our purple cows were a hit for some and not for others!  

The students have enjoyed our science lessons on balance this week.  We are using the FOSS Kits, a hands on approach to learning science.  The students are loving it!!

The students are working so hard.  I am very proud of their eagerness and desire to learn.  The students are doing a great job with their reading.  They are becoming such fluent readers, using great expression.


At computer this week the students enjoyed visiting my blog and playing some of the games.  I encouraged them to log on at home.  Some of the games include skills that have already been taught.  The students also enjoyed listening to 
some of the stories on "Storytime."


One area that we are working on is writing our name on our work.  I am getting several papers daily without names.  Then, I am having to use class time to figure out the "ghosts" in the room.  I remind students to put their names on their papers FIRST, before beginning their work.  Beginning next week, I have told students that I will deduct points on papers without names.


We are excited about our field trip to see "Henry and Mudge" next Wednesday.  We will depart at 9:00 and return around 11:30.  Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to drive.  We will be eating lunch in our rooms on this day.


Here is a look at next week:


Reading - oo (look, cook, book), main idea and details
Spelling - Spelling City list 8-2
Language - antonyms
Math - subtraction from 20
Science - balance and motion
Bible - Jesus Walks on Water and Calms the Storm (memory verse Matthew 14:27)


Serving Him,
S. Etheredge

January 30-February 3

Look at these cute chefs!!!  They did a fabulous job!!  I am so proud of them!

Students presented Spanish cuisine for the lower school on Friday.

                                                 Michael from Michael's Table Restaurant

Michael brought us a special Spanish dessert.  It was yummy!

Well, it has been a very busy week at the Friendly Frog Pad!  A few of the exciting events that took place in our classroom included a special guest speaker, Michael from Michael's Table restaurant; celebrating 101 days of school; a  fabulous Chapel; and a fabulous Spanish cuisine presentation  by the first grade students.  The first grade classes presented a power point presentation on Spanish cuisine and served Spanish olive oil and bread.  We had a BIG time and the students loved it!!

Students also began using wide ruled paper this week.  We are learning to write smaller and learning to head our paper correctly.  We are working hard to get ready for second grade!!


We will have our Valentine party on February 14, at 2:00.  Students may begin bringing their Valentine cards on Friday, February 10.  We have 21 students in our class.  Students will open their Valentine cards at the party.  


Upcoming dates:
February 6 -midterm reports
February 8 - field trip - Davis Theater - "Henry and Mudge"
Februray 14 - Valentine party
February 17 and February 20 - no school 


Here is a look at next week:
Reading - ou/ou (like in mouse, out, house)
English - Adjectives
Math - Addition to 20
Spelling - Spelling City unit 8-1
Science - Motion/Magnets
Bible - Jesus Feeds 5,000  Memory Verse: Eph 4:32


Have a great weekend and enjoy the weather!
In Him,
S. Etheredge

Weekly Preview January 23-27

Wow, what an exciting week!!  Ed Gannon, owner of The Vintage Olive, visited the First Grade this week.  He talked to the students about the uses of olive oils in Spain.  He brought samples of olive oils and bread for the students to sample.  Ed did a great job and the students loved the oils!  Thank you,  Mr. Gannon.


Thank you for bringing your child to Kindergarten Open House.  We had a great turn-out and the Angels made such a positive impact on the night.  Thanks again for getting out on a school night.


The Book Fair will begin Monday.  It will be open daily from 7:30-3:30.  Friday will be the last day, closing at 1:30.  Students are always excited to "shop" at the Book Fair!


Here is a look at next week's plans:
Reading - soft g; ge,gi,gy=j   (ex.   gem, gym, ginger)
Math - Patterns
English - Adjectives
Spelling - Spelling City 7-3
Science - Motion
Bible - Jesus Loves Children  Memory Verse: Luke 18:16


Hope you have a marvelous weekend!


In Him,
S. Etheredge

Weekly Preview January 17-20

It was great to have a full week of school!  We enjoyed a special visitor, Lauren Carroll, who shared some interesting facts and information on Spain for the students.  She will be leaving for Spain next month as an exchange student.  The students had some great questions for her.


We spent some time this week drafting, composing, and editing snowmen stories.  They are precious!  Then, we made our snowflake snowmen.  We had a ball and the stories are priceless.  I can't wait for you to read them.


Please, please continue to encourage nightly reading.  As the second semester begins, our pace picks up somewhat.  As we are learning more sounds, students have to learn to put them all together.  For some, this is no problem.  For others, it slows them down.  However, practice at home certainly helps.


I gave students the spelling words on Friday for next week's test since it is a short week.


Thank you in advance for bringing your child to sing at Open House on January 19.  They are always such a blessing!


Thank you for blessing the Ford family!!  What a blessing they received from everyone.  God is good!!




Here is a look at next week:
Reading - ce,ci,cy=s  (ex. circus, cycle, cement all start with "s" sound)
Math - spatial (symmetry, over, under, etc)
English - ABC order
Social Studies - Work!
Bible - Jesus Calls Disciples   Memory Verse Matt4:19
Spelling - Spelling City  Lesson 7-2


Remember...No school Monday, January 16, in honor of MLK!!


Stay warm!!!


In Him,
S. Etheredge

Weekly Preview January 9-13

Happy New Year!!


 I am so happy to have everyone back!  We have spent this short week reviewing and getting back into our routine.  Each nine weeks, students look forward to having new seating arrangements.  They were so excited to get their new seats this week.


January is an exciting month.  We kicked off our month long culture study of Spain.  The students were thrilled to board the plane and depart.  It was awesome!!  We spent time this week making our packing list, completing our passports, and enjoying our snack from the flight.  The first grade students will be responsible for studying Spanish cuisine and presenting their information to other grades.  It will be so much fun!!


The students did a great job with their spelling dictation sentence.  I have graded the practice test for you to see how it is graded (although it is not counting in the grade book).  The grade will reflect spelling, capitalization, spacing, and punctuation. 


Be on the lookout for upcoming important dates during January.  I will keep you posted.


Here is a look at next week's plans:
Reading - Cousin "Y" - Tricky and sly, sometimes he says "e" and sometimes he says "i".  We will also be working on summarizing.
Math - Time
English - Synonyms
Social Studies - Needs/Wants; Goods/Services
Spelling - check Spelling City 7-1 list
Bible - Jesus Is Tempted     Memory Verse: Matthew 4:4


Have a blessed weekend!
Roll Tide!!
S. Etheredge