Spanish Spider Day

The spider climber is very exciting for 1st graders because they are on the "big kid" playground now...and that means playing on the The Spider! Unfortunately, too many kids on the spider spells danger. To help with this, one class from each grade level plays on it each day. In 1st grade the day your class has Spanish ancillary is the same day your class can play on the spider. Today was our day! This year our ancillary is trying something new...we go to the same ancillary twice in a row! So that means we have another day on the spider tomorrow!

paperwork update...

Help me to get all the required paperwork turned in...about half of the class returned their 1st day envelopes today. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!

math today

Our math today was very hands on. We graphed how many letters were in our names on a floor graph, played around with greater than/less than/equal to, added and subtracted big numbers on our own number lines, tallied vowels/consonants on our name tags/friend's name tag, and counted all the way to 100 by 2's on our own hundred's boards stuck inside our school boxes! All in all...it was a fun math day!

They're Here!!!

We finally got the infamous "1st day envelopes!" PLEASE check your child's backpack...I told them the paperwork is your parent's homework! This is what you need to fill out:

• Read the Code of Student Conduct and sign the slip in the middle stating that you've read and understand student behavior expectations.
• Go to www.marktwainpto.org to register online for PTO membership and give personal information for the student directory. Membership is FREE to all and if you join you will receive a FREE student directory. Once on the website click on "Mark Twain student directory & PTO membership 2009-20010" on the NEWS column on the left. All classrooms/teachers will be rewarded for 100 % participation!
• Read the yellow Mark Twain Handbook. FYI...Mr. Baker follows ALL rules enthusiastically!
• Fill out Employment Survey.
• Fill out lunch application...even if you don't think you need it.
• Fill out Media Release. Remember to let me know ASAP if you wish not to be a part of our classroom blog!
• Fill out white emergency card.
• Fill out blue health inventory.
• Go to www.parentonline.net to put money on your child's lunch card.
• FYI...if you are new to Mark Twain, the deadline to apply for GT testing is September 2nd. If you need more information concerning this contact: Mrs. Norris at jnorris@houstonisd.org

*** Sign-up for room parents and volunteer opportunities have been posted outside my classroom door. Don't be shy...

Whew...that's a lot! PLEASE, PLEASE sign forms by Friday, August 28th. The office will hound me daily if not!!!

1st day of school

We had a GREAT 1st day! We read several books...one of their favorites, Bono Goes to School...was about a monkey that had all sorts of problems at school, decided to make better choices and earned a star from the teacher at the end of the day. Look for your child's star...everyone earned it! We even read the 1st chapter of our teacher read aloud, The Trumpet of the Swan! We graphed how we were going home today, shared what we did over the summer, decided what our essential agreements for the classroom should be, drew our self-portraits, started our math routines and decorated our helper tags. All in all, the day was a big success...we even had a fire drill! The kids must be exhausted... I know I am!

1st day envelopes

OK...so the packets didn't make it to our classrooms today...count your blessings! Be on the lookout...my bet is that we get them tomorrow! Please, please sign and return all papers ASAP!

Welcome to 1st grade!

Welcome to 1st grade! I am thrilled to be teaching your child. The first grade team has planned many fun and exciting lessons for your child. Our main focus is on reading and math, but we will be doing lots of science and social studies as well. At Open House I will explain further and in depth about what we have planned for the year and how we spend our time in the classroom. For now, I want to welcome you to my class and explain a few routines to get you and your child through the first few weeks in my class.

The first few weeks are tricky…we have to go over a lot of routines new to your child! This week we will start every morning with a “fun activity sheet” to help establish the routine of putting away their backpack, lunches, folders, information sheets, etc. and then getting straight to their desk to start their assignment. This will help them internalize our morning routine. Starting next week the children will be writing in their journals until 8:30. Soon, I will be soliciting for volunteers to stay during journal time each day so that I may work with small groups…so look at your schedules and consider helping out (we won’t start volunteers until be have Open house). Children LOVE to have their moms (dads and grandparents, too!) help out in the classroom…hint, hint!

We will be starting our spelling program next week. Every Monday the children will be given a list of 10 spelling words…6 spelling words and 4 sight words. There will be a spelling test every Friday. I will also include several more challenging bonus words from current social studies, science. PYP lessons for those that are interested. We will have daily lessons concentrating on these words as well as daily spelling homework. All homework will be due on Friday.

Last year the state of Texas has adopted a new math program (Envision/Investigations) which will be new to everyone. It is very organized, thoughtful and many games are included. I will use this time to introduce all the routines we use in math as well as incorporate the other math program Mark Twain purchases in addition to the required program. I’ve used the Chicago Everyday Math program for 8 years in kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade…I know it will prepare the kids for next year. Everyday Math homework is called “Home Links” that go right along with what we learn each day in class. Home Links also include weekly letters to the parents and answers for the homework for the following week…keep an eye out for it! Keep these as a reference tool…I know you will find these very interesting and helpful when working with your child at home. Home Links are sent home in the yellow homework folder on Mondays and are due back Friday. They will be checked for completion.

A homework packet will be sent home in a yellow folder next Monday to give you an idea of what to expect each week. The routine will be similar every week. I am asking that your child (not parent) commit to reading at least 15 minutes each night (Mon. - Thurs.). A reading log will be sent home to list book titles read and a parent signature. From time to time we will break from our normal homework routine to do a simple project at home instead. Again, homework folders are due on Friday.

I hear this year our home communication folders will be brown…they have been red in the past. They will be sent home every Tuesday. They will have notes from the office about events around school, important dates/information, and ALL (except work I decided to display) of the work done in class the previous week. Many notes this year will be sent electronically. Please go over all work with your child. They are proud of their hard work and are eager to share their knowledge with you as you become more familiar with what is learned in class and how well he/she is doing.

The bell rings at 7:50 and class begins right away. Every child should be on time in the mornings. If not, a tardy slip from the office is needed to enter class. This is an HISD policy and Mr. Baker is strict about following this procedure. If your child is sick and misses school, a note needs to be brought to me within 3 days of returning back to school.

*** Please fill out all paperwork in the big manila envelope ASAP. The office really needs the information quickly and will hound me DAILY for it…hint, hint.

I update our classroom blog almost daily....sometimes more! I’m weird that way. The kids, parents, grandparents, etc. LOVE the constant and updated information about our class. Be sure to sign the media release enclosed in the manila envelope so I can include your child in this exciting experience! If you are not wanting your child involved in this project, please let me know in writing immediately. Much of what you see will be information concerning what was done in class each day, class work, quotes from the children, upcoming event information, etc. I do not use any names…sometimes initials. If you need a better idea of what I am talking about…visit and decide for yourself. Currently, it has last year’s class an even a bit from the year before that! Feel free to comment as you wish on our blog (I will show the kids how to do this, too!)…please be aware they are first sent to my school email for approval by me before being publicly posted.

I look forward to getting to know your children! I am confident that we will have a successful year! Please plan now for a babysitter and attend Open House on Tuesday, September 15th 7-8 PM so that I may explain how my classroom works in more detail and give you the opportunity to ask questions. Please know that I am very open to answering your questions and listening to your comments/concerns. I have time during my ancillary time at 10:10 AM (except Thursdays when I plan with my 1st grade team), before school at 7:30am, and after school at 3:15pm after carpool duty (except Wednesday when I attend a school-wide faculty meeting) to have parent conferences. I am ALWAYS available through email and it will be checked several times each day. My email address at school is mphillip@houstonisd.org (please note there is not an “s” on my email address). Please do not hesitate to contact me.

WOW…that’s a lot of information…but not too much! I look forward to getting to know everyone and sharing my class with you. Thanks in advance for your support!

*** The weather is very hot. We have a daily 30 minute recess after lunch. Children are permitted to bring a water bottle to take outside.

yikes!!

I actually plugged the pencil sharpener in today and tried to sharpen 100 pencils...and it didn't work! If anyone has one at home that isn't being used...we could use it in our classroom. The pencil sharpener is a constant issue (and obsession) in here!

Did you know?

I went to a IB conference this week...I really enjoyed talking with other IB teachers in our feeder pattern. It was nice to exchange classroom experiences with other PYP schools, Roberts and River Oaks as well as learn a bit about what goes on at IB schools after they leave Mark Twain! I thought I'd share an AMAZING (and frightening) video that was shown...something to think about!

sneak peek

Today was the 1st official day back to school...and boy have I been busy! Take a peek at our classroom...this is probably the cleanest the room will be all year! Still no class lists...your guess is as good as mine!

so empty...

The room is very quiet and somewhat cleaner. I miss the children already...they were such a big part of my day...and heart and it's just sad here without them! Have a fabulous summer and I look forward to hearing all about your summers. Thank you for a great year!

Love, Mrs. Phillips

incentives...

I sent home a 2nd grade handwriting workbook (that is out of adoption) if you'd like some extra handwriting practice over the summer. I also sent home an empty journal for summer writing. Challenge your child to continue writing 3 pages each day...I swear they can do it in 15 minutes or less. Maybe you could throw in an extra incentive for a finished journal. How about this...I will have a treasure (not from the chest!) for every student that finishes all journal pages front AND back...just like in class. I look forward to checking them in August...or sooner if you wish!!

thank you, again

Y'all are so sneaky! I can't believe you accomplished such a wonderful gesture that totally escaped my radar...Maggie didn't even hint that she knew...that's amazing! I love the Wish Book and will treasure it for years to come. Thank you also for the money...it will surely be helpful on our trip! Your generosity and thoughtfulness is appreciated.

The Wump World

Today we read the book The Wump World by Bill Peet. The message the book taught us was more than just about pollution (even though the story's villains are called Pollutians) but had more to do with loving nature, taking care of the precious planet we live and the hope of good overcoming evil. It was a gentle reminder to better take care of the earth!

extra workbooks

By now you've probably dug into your child's backpack and discovered the huge bag of notebooks and workbooks. You are probably wondering...what have they been doing all year? It looks like they've done nothing! You are right! All of those workbooks are given to us by the state but Mark Twain isn't much of a workbook kind of school. Feel free to do whatever you think is right for your child concerning the extra books. We've covered all the objectives this year so if you were to give your child summer work, it would be a review...which is not a bad option! The last option falls right in line with our last planner on ecology...recycle them all!

Class Party

We had a GREAT time at our class party at the park! The balls were a great addition. We couldn't have asked for better weather.

The constables made sure we got there safely and we had PLENTY to eat and drink...thank you for all the contributions! FYI...the kids ate dinner at 2:30!!!

Fun Friday

Whether they had 15 minutes or the full 30 minutes...the children LOVED Fun Friday! It was a great way to end our last full week of 1st grade. Have a great weekend!

Sea Turtles

We've read quite a few books and have learned a lot about sea turtles. Just so you know...the kids are FASCINATED in them! Do you know about the NOAA hatchery in Galveston? I found out about it last year and took Maggie over the summer. It’s an unprepossessing set up, behind the campus of Texas A&M, but fascinating. You can do a ‘tour’ with one of the scientists, and see all the turtles they have rescued/hatched and hear about the work they do, rescuing eggs, testing shrimp net escape devices etc, as well as a real Turtle Excluder Device (TED) in a fishing net in the yard. Here’s the website for NOAA: with a down loadable brochure in the bottom right corner. They offer free tours on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The kids expressed a huge interest in going...another fun and educational way to spend your summer!

Waste-less Picnic pics

A fun time was had by all! The rest of 1st grade returned to the Mark Twain playground for recess. We stayed and enjoyed the park all by ourselves...it was fabulous!

First, we took our lunches apart and sorted what could be reused or recycled and what was trash and organized them onto paper. I hope that what we learned will become the beginning of a new way of life!

art a la carte # 6

In our last Art a la Carte lesson, we learned about how different artists create landscapes, seascapes and cityscapes incorporating three elements of art: line, color and shape. Then the children painted their own "scapes" using watercolor. We discovered that we have wonderful "scape" artists in our midst - 22 of them in our classroom!

last minute tips for Friday

I was at Maggie's award ceremony while Cathie, Sarah and Whitney fit one last Art a la Carte lesson into our year! Unfortunately, I did not get to really sit down with the children and remind them of a few things so here goes...

1. Please return permission slip ASAP for our class party next Tuesday. We didn't realize we needed them so check backpacks!!
2. Tomorrow is our waste-less picnic. Refer to an earlier post on this blog or the paper sent home in the Tuesday folder concerning your child's lunch tomorrow.
3. Wear field day shirts tomorrow to the waste-less picnic AND the class party next Tuesday...I didn't even tell the children that!
4. Tomorrow is not free dress...the last day of school is.
5. Tomorrow is Fun Friday. Your children know this. At the beginning of the week I gave everyone 30 minutes (30 squares on a paper). I told them about Fun Friday...a time where we could play with toys from home for 30 minutes! Here's the catch...any off-task time had to be paid to me in minutes and snip off a square or two! As the week wore down, some have fewer minutes to play than others. My only rule about the toys...it has to fit in their backpack!

Mrs. Dauber

Every class is making Mrs. Dauber a page in a scrapbook to present to her at her good-bye rally wishing her a happy retirement. The children chose 1 or 2 PYP attitudes they felt they fit. Here is what they chose:

Waste-less Picnic

Just a reminder...tomorrow will be 1st grades waste-less picnic at McGovern Park! We've been learning how to substitute reusable and recyclable items for disposable ones to help create less waste and conserve natural resources. When packing your lunch for tomorrow, choose items that are recyclable in our community and substitute reusable containers for things you would throw away. If unsure, look at the note sent home in the Tuesday red folder with the picture of a picnic basket and ideas written inside. We will be discecting our lunches and reporting what can be reused and recycled! Happy recycling!

Marathon Kids

Coach Jody handed out Marathon Kids t-shirts to all participants today...be on the lookout!

Solar S'mores

First, we put all the ingredients together in aluminum foil:
graham crackers, chocolate, and marshmallows.

Next, we put them into the sun and let SOLAR ENERGY do its magic!

Last of all, we enjoyed them!This could be another fun summer project!

Awards Day

As I said at the program, thank you parents for the support you've given to me and our class this year...you made my job a lot easier! I also want to say again that I am SO PROUD of the boys and girls...they've worked so hard and grown up so much. I know everyone will shine next year! I already miss everyone! This class will be difficult to replace in my heart.

This is Paris...

Bayliss' dad brought Paris to us by reading the book, This is Paris by Miroslav Sasek. We learned that Paris must be one of the most exciting cities in the world! There are famous buildings, beautiful gardens, cafés, and the Parisians-artists, concierges, flower girls, and even thousands of cats. Take a tour along the banks of the Seine, through the galleries of the Louvre, and to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Bayliss and his dad recently spent a week and Paris...thanks for bringing a little back with you to share!

pencil parts

In science today we learned where on our earth the natural resources needed to make a pencil come from. Did you know the wood comes from cedar trees in California? The graphite is mined in Mexico? The eraser comes from latex found in trees in South America? The aluminum from China?

Acid Rain update

This experiment has been a visual one. The results have been dramatic. They get it. :-(

last favor EVER!!!

Sometimes it is hard to be a parent AND a teacher at the same school. The mommy in me has 2 favors to ask...these will be my last, I promise!!!

1. Maggie's Award day is Thursday, May 21st at 1:30pm. I will need an hour coverage of the class. I will provide lesson plans! update: Quinn's mom will help with this!

2. I never eat lunch with Maggie and have promised I would do so for her 10th birthday. Her lunch is at noon so I will need coverage from 12-12:30 on Wednesday, May 27th. That is EASY because we are at recess. All you need to do is come to the playground (you can eat with your child prior!) at noon and then bring them in for water and then bring them to Spanish class on the stage. I will be done in time to pick them up at 1:05! update: Michaela's mom will help with this!

Good News!!!

It was a long two days. Major problems with the IV. I'm VERY tired. Despite all that, our family rejoices over the news...cancer-free for 2 years in a row!! Thanks for your support while I was gone...it looks like everything went smoothly during my absence!

dress rehearsal

Thursday will be a dress rehearsal right after journal time at 8:30. It would be helpful to wear your costume to school and then put it in backpacks to go home for the program later that night. Remember...no hats! Sorry to miss the fun!

Super Kids!!!

We decorated our field day t-shirts yesterday. Your child will be taking them home today...so check backpacks if you didn't already take it home this morning!! It's gonna be hot so be sure to wear shorts and plenty of sunscreen on Wednesday. Please come dressed for field day and remember to wear athletic shoes/socks. I know y'all will have a great time!!

Acid Rain

In class we learned that acid rain occurs when rain mixes with gases in the atmosphere and that these gases can come from factories, car exhaust, forest fires, and other resources. We also read that they can kill or damage trees, plants, and animals. We have had firsthand experience with our acid rain experiment in class. We started with 2 healthy plants (Spearmint) and will be watering one with unpolluted rain water (bottled water) and the other with acid rain (vinegar/water solution). Sadly, we'll expect the plant to die because most plants cannot survive when the acid level in the water is high. Each week we will record our results and discuss what has happened and what we predict might happen next. I am hoping to have one Spearmint plant for my garden at the end of the year!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

Summer Reading

The Millionaire Club is an effort to keep Houston ISD’s students reading over the summer months. If all students read five books this summer, HISD students will have read 1 million books!!

Besides becoming better readers, students develop a love for reading, and the entire family can benefit by making reading a family activity. Reading over the summer is the best way to make sure that students enter school in the fall with reading skills at or above the level they were at before leaving for summer break. Students who can least afford to risk the gains made during the school year in the area of reading suffer the most from summer reading loss.

Students should select and read a minimum of 5 books over the summer months. We are suggesting two fiction books, two non-fiction books and one biography. However, any five books will work! They will complete the Reading Log which they will receive in a few days. In the fall, they will return the log in order to be eligible to receive prizes for participating in the Millionaire Club.

Art Cars

Some of the Art Cars came to school today. We were impressed with the amount of stuff people put on their cars that appeared to be reused and recycled items!

calendar of events

Get your calendar out and make note of our BUSY schedule for the last few days of school:

*** NO HOMEWORK OR GEOGRAPHY NEXT WEEK...out 3 days...not fair to the kids!!! ***

May 12 - PYP day. I will be on campus all day in a meeting with the 1st grade team
May 13 - Field Day. I will be absent. I am sorry...MDA stuff. Tennis Shoes/socks MUST be worn!!! Vi Lewis wants to provide pizza for the kids and pasta for the parents for lunch. If your child would like otherwise, they need to bring a lunch.
May 14 - 1st grade program 7:00pm. I will still be absent. I am really sorry...cannot be avoided.
May 18 - 1st grade awards 8:30am.
May 22 - waste-less picnic at McGovern Park...more information to come later.
May 25 - Memorial Day. No School.
May 26 - 1st grade end of the year party at Karl Young Park.
May 28 - Last day of school...early dismissal

I've got a migraine just thinking about it...

our new principal

Today the faculty met our new principal, Mr. John Baker. I think he was well received and let me be the first to tell you...I love him! You be the judge (and I know you will agree)... he will also be introduced to the community this evening at 6:00pm. I hope to see all of y'all there!

Our Class Landfill

Today we talked a bit about what landfills are, how long everyday items take to decompose, made our own class landfill, and started a journal to record what we see in the next few weeks. We added aluminum, paper, plastic, Styrofoam, lemons, material and lettuce to our landfill in class. We will be keeping a log documenting what we see for the rest of the school year. I'm thinking about saving it (that is a horid thought) and digging through it the same time next year with my new class!

The class was SHOCKED and HORRIFIED to find out how long stuff takes to decompose. Did you know it takes 450 years for plastic? 500+ years for glass? 100 years for tin? 350 years for aluminum? 1 year for material? 1 month for paper? Beware...the kids all wanted to make their own landfills for home! Maybe a summer project? :-)

We all wanted to know how long it took Styrofoam to decompose. We looked it up...more than 1 million years! At one point someone made the connection out loud..."OMG, Chick-fil-A uses Styrofoam cups!" SK immediately said, "I will never go there again!" The kids unanimously decided that we needed to take action and write a letter showing our displeasure and concern...

We used part of my coffee cup in our class landfill...apparently, it will be around for the next million years!

Of course, I felt like the biggest earth grinch when the kids pointed out my Styrofaom coffee cup our Junior Achievement volunteer brought me this morning and then the Styrofoam plate and cup from the teacher appreciation lunch PTO provided. Here's a heads up...all the kids said they had important things to discuss with their parents tonight at dinner...just a warning!

Teacher Appreciation

Thank you for making my day so special. I especially enjoyed the individual flowers each child contributed to the bouquet. What teamwork! I am lucky to have such a caring class. Thanks for the photos Cathie!

natural resources

Today we watched a short video on our earth's natural resources and how we use them in our every day lives. Our art today reflects what we've learned and what natural resources are important to us. Enjoy!

Bash Swim Party

Luckily, rain didn't come...what a wonderful way to end our week! The weather was gorgeous, the snacks were yummy and the kids had a fabulous time! I enjoyed visiting with everyone...thanks for supporting Mark Twain!!

buttons

Does anyone have any scrap buttons around the house? If so, bring them by the classroom...we could use them! :-) Please don't go out and buy some...we are looking to recycle!

writers

Today the children were given the assignment to compare a clean environment with a polluted environment. Because they have diligently written in their journals every day all year long... they can easily write what is on their mind! Their thoughts were clearly written and well thought out. Well done! I think I see some 2nd graders in here...