Last week, we started our syllabication work in OG, our phonics program.  I was a bit worried that this might be too difficult for them, but they were ROCKSTARS!!!  How exciting to watch them get it quickly, understand it, and do it on their own.   Kuddos to my 1st graders for doing such a great job on your first type of Syllabication.  The words that they did are called Rabbit words.
Here is an example of "Rabbit" word syllabication:

rabbit  *So they mark the consonants and vowels.  Then divide between consonants.
cvc*cvc    *Then mark the short vowels with a breve.  Sound out word.

Science Fun!  
We have started our unit of Matter--Solids, liquids, and Gases!  So after we had spent some time on discussing solids, looking at different types of solids, and naming different properties of solids--we did a tower experiment!!  The experiment was to see how tall a small group of 1st graders could build their tower!  They had to use the solid materials we had been using in class, plus a few extra items.  (About 12 small items per group.)  Well, it was quite the activity to watch.  Some of the kids immediately started building a tall tower, but the problem that they had was to keep it standing for 10 seconds!  "Oh, Mrs. Schwartz, you can't be serious!"  That was my favorite quote from the activity!!  We had some real thinkers in this activity!!  But no matter how tall each group got their tower up to, I think they all had fun doing it!!

Spelling words-
Coming home today is a list of 10 words that they kids will practice this week at home and in school for word work.  They will have one sheet for spelling homework and it is due on Friday.  We will also start having a spelling test every Friday on these 10 words.  5 High Frequency/Sight words and 5 words that work on our weekly phonics lessons.  

December highlights:
December is always a fun time at Carmel Elementary School.  Our class came in 3rd place for the classes in the total amount of cans/ non-perishables brought in by the classes.  Great job to my kiddos!
We had an amazing Winter Concert put on the 4th and 5th grade choir kids.  Mrs. Baney always does an awesome job putting that show on for CE.  Then there was the Winter Party and the Specials' Party.  The kids had a great last week before break.
The other exciting thing that we had going on in Room 3 was that we had 8 mystery readers come in 2 times each day for 4 days.  That was a highlight for both the kids and myself.  Thanks to all the parents and grandparents who came in to read to the kids.  They loved it and I enjoyed hearing other people read to the kids.  Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday and a great winter break.  

Pajama day

Mystery reader

This kiddo pulled out both his top front teeth within

an hour of each one.

Winter Party Fun!!What a great party we had in room 3!!  I was a very lucky teacher to have so many parents & grandparents come in to volunteer for the Winter Party!!  I think our class had 14 volunteers!!  Kuddos to the room parents for coordinating all the parents and the activities.  The kids had a wonderful time and it was a fantastic way to end the last week before break. 
Here are some pictures from the party

Painting ornaments

Painting ornaments

Mother & daughter fun time!

Crazy kids

Silly kids

Relay race in the hallway

Building a snowman out of toilet paper

So funny

This picture makes me laugh!  

The kids are having a crazy picture!

Random pictures of my kiddos in November.  I love reading time.  I love to see a student get wrapped up in a good book!

These two both lost a tooth in math class on the same day!

Students who have been being leaders in our class!