Science Updates and More!

Mr. Cairey’s Science Update
First Grade
March 7-11, 2011
This week in science the class will go over the test results from last week Chapter 2 on Tuesday.
Wednesday the students will begin Chapter 9, Down by the Pond. The class will view a video that shows a pond habitat. Thursday the class will read and discuss the living things in a pond habitat. Friday the class will read and discuss the nonliving things in a pond habitat.

Field trip this Thursday! Let me know if you would like to attend.

Mrs. Adams

Science Test!

Mr. Cairey’s Science Update
First Grade
February 28 -March 4, 2011
This week in science the class will complete Chapter 2, How We Use Trees and have a TEST on Friday. Tuesday the class will discuss how animals use trees (shelter) and the how birds build a nest, pages 38-43. Wednesday the class will discuss how animals help to spread seeds in a forest. Thursday the class will finish all the reading and the list of vocabulary words and definitions are due. The Test is on Friday.

Science Updates

Mr. Cairey’s Science Update
First Grade
February 21-25, 2011
This week in science the class will continue Chapter 2, How We Use Trees. Tuesday and Wednesday the class will begin a paper recycling project. Thursday the class will discuss how animals use trees (shelter) and the how birds build a nest. Friday the class will discuss animal shelters in a forest. Test next week

Science Update!

Mr. Cairey’s Science Update
First Grade
February 7- 11, 2011
This week in science the class will begin Chapter 2, How We Use Trees. Tuesday the class will go over the Test results from Friday. Parents be sure to look ask your child to show you their science test score. Wednesday the class will identify things that come from trees. Thursday the class will discuss trees as a resource from nature. Friday the class topic is how animals use trees and the how birds build a nest.

Valentines Day Reminder!

Remember to bring your wrapped shoe box for Valentine's Day by Friday. Check your child's back pack for flyer!

TEST! Mr. Cairey's Science Update

Mr. Cairey’s Science Update
First Grade
February 7- 11, 2011
This week in science class the students will complete Chapter 1, What is a Tree; and have a TEST on Friday. Tuesday the class will cut open and observe the location and patterns of the seeds inside fruit and record in their journals. Wednesday the class topic is how trees change, pages 16-21. Thursday the class will finish the vocabulary and observe another tree on campus. Test on Friday.

Science Update (Revised)

Revised!
Mr. Cairey’s Science Update
First Grade
February 1- 4, 2011
This week in science class the students will continue Chapter 1, What is a Tree; the Ch. 1 Test will be next week. Tuesday the class will read and discuss the needs of living things; food, water, space and sunlight, pages 10-15. Wednesday the class will cut open and observe the location and patterns of the seeds inside fruit and record in their journals. Thursday the class topic is how trees change, pages 16-21. Friday the class will work on vocabulary and observe another tree on campus.

Science Updates!

Mr. Cairey’s Science Update
First Grade
Jan. 24- 28, 2011
This week in science class the students will continue Chapter 1, What is a Tree. This week the class will discuss that as seeds grow and change they will become seedlings. Tuesday the class will read and discuss the needs of living things; food, water, space and sunlight. Wednesday the class will observe the three parts of seeds (seed coat, stored food, and young plant). Thursday and Friday if the weather in nice the class will study trees on campus.

Field Trip Houston Arboretum

Coming Soon...Join us on a nature experience at the Houston Arboretum on February 17, 2011! We will depart from Lantrip Elementary at 9:00 and return to school at 1:30 pm. Lunch will be at Memorial Herman Park. Please pack a disposable paper bag lunch and dress warm for the outdoors. The cost for parents to attend is $5.00; their is no cost for students. There is plenty of room to ride the bus. Look for more field trip information in early February.

Reading Centers

Thanks to our new handy dandy flip cam, I have the opportunity to give parents a sneak peak into our literacy time. Each student is able to choose from a activites that challenge their thinking and encourage creativity at the same time. During this 45 minute blocks, I am able to work with students in small groups and one on one. You will receive a link that will give you access to Ranger TV for reading strategies, math techniques, and more! This month some of our centers are:

Double Pop Up Page: Comparision and Contrast between characters in the story.

Movies: Beginning/Middle/Ending with a written summary

Map of My World: Students create maps of important areas in their world and write a narative to share special moments.

Pop up Page: Character study where students step inside the imagination of the character

Look for samples of student work next week!

Science Updates!

Mr. Cairey’s Science Update
First Grade
Jan. 18- 21, 2011
This week in science class the students will begin Chapter 1, What is a Tree. This week the class will discuss that trees grow from seeds. As the seeds grow and change they will become seedlings. Tuesday the class will discuss the test results. Wednesday the class will add a sketch of a Palm tree to their science journal if the weather is nice. Thursday the class will read that living things need food, water, and sunlight. Friday the class will observe the three parts of seeds (seed coat, stored food, and young plant).

Science Updates

Mr. Cairey’s Science Update
First Grade
Jan. 10- 14, 2011
This week in science class the students will complete Chapter 4, Night Skies and have a TEST on Friday. Tuesday the students will discuss what stars are and how they are can be different sixes and colors. Wednesday the class will read about constellations, pages 90-91. Thursday the student’s vocabulary words and definitions are due (Moon, stars, and constellation) from Ch. 4. Test on Friday

Happy New Year!

Welcome Back Rainforest Rangers!
I hope you had an amazing holiday. I enjoyed reading cards from the children and opening your thoughtful gifts. Thank you all for thinking of me. As we begin the school year we are creating good habits for homework, so we will be practicing homework at school. It is important to be independent, neat and complete. This week spend time reading together or keep a journal; writing and reading should happen everyday.

Science Updates for the Week

Mr. Cairey’s Science Update
First Grade
Jan. 4- 7, 2011
This week in science class the students will begin Chapter 4, Night Skies. Tuesday the topic will be how the Moon appears to change shape called Moon phases. Wednesday and Thursday the students will begin a project in their journals of the Phases of the Moon. Friday the students will discuss stars.

Math (Place Value)

Over the holidays, continue strengthing math and reading skills at home. A holiday packet will be sent home to complete, these will be graded and must be turned in by January 4, 2010. I am including math games and place value blocks to help practice. Please keep the blocks in a safe place, these will need to be returned to school. I found these great websites for practice:

Base 10 Blocks
Base 10 Bear
Expaned Notation
Numbers to 1000
Shark Number Place Value Game!

Party Reminders

Party Reminders

Please remember to bring $5.00 for happy meal and a wrapped book by December 15, 2010. Once orders are placed, new lunches can not be added. Please allow your child to each in the cafeteria, lunch is at 10:44, our party treats will not arrive until to 1:00. The party will begin at 12:30 (parents welcome). We will be making gingerbread houses
This Friday will be our 1st Grade Sleepover! Remember to send the item your child volunteered to bring.

On Friday wear your PJ’s, bring your favorite books, magazines and one special toy. It will be a fun filled day of reading and relaxing!

Science Update! Test this Thursday

First Grade
Dec. 13-17, 2010
This week in science class the students will complete Chapter 3, The Skies Above. The Test for Chapter 3 will be Thursday, December 16th. Tuesday the class will read and discuss clouds. Wednesday the class will check their vocabulary list and discuss the review questions. Thursday the class will complete the Test. Friday the class will discuss the Test results.

Mr. Cairey's Science Update

Mr. Cairey’s Science Update
First Grade
Dec. 6-10, 2010

This week in science class the students will continue Chapter 3, The Skies Above. The Test for Chapter 3 will be next week Thursday, December 15th. Tuesday the class will read and discuss why some days you do not see your shadow. Wednesday the class will make their own weather journal to record the weather. Thursday the class will read and discuss clouds. Friday the class will update their weather charts and make a cloud project.

First Grade Sleepover

On December 17, 2010 we will celebrate with a Pajama Party. Your child may wear their favorite set of pajamas to school (we will be in our pj's for the day) and may bring the following:

Flash light
Sleeping bag/pillow or blanket
1 Favorite Toy (no electronics please)
Books/magazine/comic books to share

Comfy slippers

We will be reading and doing activities throughout the day with our toys to connect to our chapter book: Toys Go Out! This is in addition to our party and book exchange. Class party and book exchange information will be sent home on Monday. Check your child's backpack for this important information.

Children's Museum Field Trip

December 10, 2010 will be our 1st Grade field trip to the Children's Museum. Parents are welcome meet us there. With addition of a second magnet class, the bus is filled to capacity. The cost is 4.00. Please fill out the survey below to let me know if you will be attending. Permission slips went home today with a suggested donation of $6.00.

Classical Composers

We are continuing to listen to classical composers. So far we have explored Vivaldi and Bach. This month we will spotlight Mozart. Here are some interesting Mozart Facts! Mozart's full name was really long. It was: Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophillus Amadeus Gottlieb Sigismundus Mozart. Theophillus, Amadeus, Gottlieb, and Sigismundus all meant the same thing, just in different languages. They mean "Beloved of God." His family called him Wolferl.

Mozart could write music notes before he could write words.

Mozart was very good at mathematics. he liked to scribble mathematical figures all over walls and table cloths. Also, Mozart was very good at languages, especially Italian. Listen to Mozart here! You will have to pause the website playlist at the bottom of the website.

Science Updates

Mr. Cairey’s Science Update
First Grade
Nov. 29- Dec. 3, 2010
This week in science class the students will begin a new topic the Skies Above. Tuesday the students will receive their tests with progress reports attached. Tuesday the class will discuss how thermometers work and how they are used. Wednesday the class topic is how the sun lights and heats the earth. Thursday the class will use prisms to view the visible spectrum. Friday the class will read and discuss why some days you do not see your shadow. Next week the topic is weather and the class will make a weather journal to record the weather.

Little Researchers!

The Rangers are diving into literature and learning how to find information. Students worked together to gather information to use in their research projects. It is amazing watching them share learn and grow together. I snapped as many pics as I could in between questions and helping with research.

We all ready have one bin with recycled cans. Keep crushing, collecting and recycling! Remember projects are due November 30, 2010. Every child must have their own project as these will be graded. Please help guide your child, do not do the project for them. If you have any questions or need some ideas to get started let me know.

Habitats -- Rain Forest Deforestation Pictures, Wallpapers, Downloads -- National Geographic

The Rainforest Rangers are very important. Share with your little ones how recycling will protect our world's rainforests from deforestation. Click on the link below.

Habitats -- Rain Forest Deforestation Pictures, Wallpapers, Downloads -- National Geographic

Mr. Cairey's Science Update! Test this week!

Mr. Cairey’s Science Update
First Grade
Nov. 15-19, 2010
This week in science class the students will complete the topic of Living Things Chapter 8. The TEST will be on Thursday. Tuesday the class topic is why living things move. They move to meet their needs (food, water, and shelter). Wednesday the class will work on the Ch. 8 Review page 190 #1-10 (due Thursday) in class and will be brought home to help study. Thursday the class will take the TEST. Friday the class will study different animal tracks

Spaghetti Lunch

Rainforest Rangers Give Back: Cans For Costa Rica

Monday November 15th is Texas Recycles Day! Your child has created an original poster to get friends and family excited about recycling and protecting our rainforests. Make copies to share with your friends. This is a meaningful teaching moment that shows the importance small changes can make in the world. Proceeds will be donated to adopt an acre of land in the Costa Rican Rainforest and our campus beautification project. Here's what we need you to do:

1. Collect Cans: set up a bin in your office work room or home.
2. Rinse, crush cans, fill trash bags to capacity and send to school.
3. Volunteer to drop off recycled cans on Fridays or Mondays.


Recycle, protect the environment and beautify our school all at the same time. Together we can green the world...one child at a time.

Happy Recycling!
P.S. You don't have to wait until the 15th to get started! We are ready to make a difference now!

Progress Reports

This Friday, Progress Reports will go home to give you a snap shot of your child's 1st grade development. Do not be alarmed if you see a drop in grades, remember 1st trimester grades are a reflection of Kindergarten concepts. You will also have the results from the HISD High Frequency Words evaluation. Please review words that your child is unfamiliar with. TPRI (Texas Primary Reading Inventory) results will be included as well. I will begin scheduling conferences for next week. Please fill out the survey below to sign up for the best time for you to meet. Please respond as soon as possible so that I can confirm a conference time.

Donors Choose

We are making our first request for our class through Donor's Choose. Please share our link with your friends and co-workers to make our wishlist come true!

http://www.donorschoose.org/we-teach/560738.1850358927

High Frequency Word Testing

This week we will begin testing for High Frequency Words. This is a bench mark assessment to provide parents with the sight words that your child may not be familiar with. If your child knows 60 out of 75 words they have meet the criteria for 1st grade expectations. Students who score below 60 will have an opportunity to retest in the Spring. Click to view HISD High Frequency Word List.

Addition Math Strategies

Today we discussed "hairy numbers" for problem solving. Begin with simple facts (example 8+ 4). When your child reaches mastery, try problems like 87 + 3 to see how they grasp counting on. Turn this into an art activity and paint some crazy hair on those numbers. This Friday we will explore art in math with hair numbers.

Mr. Cairey’s Science Update

First Grade

Nov. 8-12, 2010

This week in science class the students will begin the topic of Living Things. Tuesday the class will go over the Test results. Wednesday the students will discuss how animals can move differently such as: jump, hop, and swim, zigzag, flies, run and walk. Thursday the class topic is how animals can move to meet their needs (food, water, and shelter). Friday the class will study different animal tracks.

Spelling Bee

Students sat in anticipation for the Rainforest Ranger Spelling Bee. Ms. Romero was our photographer, Mr. Romero kept notes, and Mr. Adams prepared bee numbers for each speller. The final 4 spellers, Steve, Charlie, Natalie and Joseph spelled words with ease. Natalie made it to the 10th round of words and Gio the 12th round! Charlie and Joseph battled it out until the 85th word: makeshift! Both winners will be representing our class in the school wide spelling be on November 23, 2010 and Gio will be our runner up. Wish them luck. Double Click on the image to enlarge!

Pumpkin Math Picture Collage

Print this collage for your 1st Grade memory books! What a fantastic learning afternoon. Please share any pictures that you have to add to the collection.

Pumpkin Math

What a fantastic learning opportunity. A special thank you to all the parents who made donations and gave of their time to help make pumpkin math a success. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Check out this video of our experience. Enjoy!

Mr. Cairey's Science Update

Mr. Cairey’s Science Update
First Grade
Nov. 1-5, 2010
This week in science class the students will complete Chapter 7, Pushes and Pulls and have a TEST on Friday. Tuesday the class will discuss part and whole pages 160-165.The students will add the vocabulary words to the Chapter list total 8 words. Wednesday the class will discuss how parts work together to make something work, page 166-171. Thursday the class will work on the Chapter review page 174 #1-10. Friday the class will complete the TEST.