P.J. Day!

We have finally filled our marble jar!!! So, as a reward we chose to have a p.j. day tomorrow!!! Please make sure your child has extra clothes, just in case they want to change at some point during the day.  Also, because of safety reason we are not allowed to wear slippers.  We are all super excited about earning this reward!!

December Dates!

December Important Dates!

5th - PTC Craft Workshop

11th - Report Cards Go Home

16th - Christmas Concert @ 10:30

23rd - Jan. 3rd - Christmas break

'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving

On the last couple days before Thanksgiving we enjoyed one of my favorite Thanksgiving stories, Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving.  After hearing this very fun turkey story we got to work making our own turkey stuffed shirts.  On the shirt we wrote a persuasive writing piece for fun.  The writing piece was trying to convince others to eat something besides turkey for Thanksgiving.  When we were done our activity and writing everyone was able to paint their stuffed shirts/feathers.  I hope everyone had a wonderful and Happy Thanksgiving!

Putting our shirts and feathers together

Hard at work

Don't forget the feet!

Almost to the writing part

SARSSM

This week we had a special presentation done by SARSSM.  The information concerning this presentation was sent home in your child's folder last week and on the day they presented this past week.  To find out more about the presentation at SARSSM, please go to their website at http://www.sarsonline.org/our-programs/education-programs/elementary.  If you have any questions concerning this presentation please contact our guidance councilor Amy Saunders at amy.saunders@lakeregionschools.org.


Here are a few pictures of the presenters putting on the puppet show portion of the show.

Fundraiser!

Student Council is sponsoring a new holiday fundraiser this year!  Two of our teachers, Mr. Gasbarro and Mr. Elder, have agreed to shave their beards in a design voted upon by our student body!  For $ .50 or more, students can place a vote for the teacher and design they would like!  Students can vote as many times as they want to get the teacher they want to shave the design they want!!!  The teacher and design that raise the most money will be shaved and shown on November 20 for each teacher.  Students will have the opportunity to vote every morning during the week of November 16-November 19 when a student council member comes to their room.   Please support local families and encourage your child to participate in this fun fundraising event.  We plan to end the week  with a “crazy hair” day (Friday , November 20) so that Mr. Elder and Mr. Gasbarro won’t be alone in the fun!!!!!

November Dates

It is strange to think it is already November, before we  know it we will all be making our holiday plans and celebrating with family and friends!
Here are a few dates to keep in mind as you make your plans this month.

November

11th - Veterans Day - there will be no school this day, we look forward to honoring our veterans this week through letters.  We also were excited to write why we were thankful for our veterans on our Learning Lane bulletin board.

25-29th - Thanksgiving Break - This past week we started to learn about life long ago, during pilgrim time.  Over the next couple weeks we will be studying the first Thanksgiving, and all the pilgrims had to overcome as settlers.

30th - 1st Trimester comes to a close - Student's report cards will not be coming home until Dec. 11th

Harvest Day

   On Friday Learning Lane had a harvest celebration.  Each grade level had a different activity in their room.   The 6 classes were split into k-2 groups, and they traveled to each grade level together.  This was a great opportunity for older students to mentor younger students.  The activities were approximately 40 minutes long.
   In the K classrooms the students read a story about skeletons and did a craft to make their own skeleton.  In the 1st grade classrooms they read a story about a scarecrow and created a scarecrow.  Finally, in the 2nd grade classes they played Halloween bingo and pattern blocks.
   Everyone had a great time, and the day was ended with watching the movie, Spookly the Square Pumpkin.
    It was a great day, and everyone was excited to wrap up red ribbon week by dressing up like super heros, even the teachers!

Enjoying the day too!

Parent - Teacher Conference Week

This week is parent - teacher conference week, and I am very excited to meet with everyone and talk about how their child's transition to 1st grade is going.  Due to these late night meetings, Learning Lane doing a Veteran's Day project, and also having our Learning Lane harvest celebration we will not being having our spelling test this Friday.  This will help students to have more in and out of class time to work on these words.  The test will be Friday, November 6th, please work on these words over the next couple weeks with your child.

Schools across America will be celebrating Red Ribbon Week next week, Oct. 26 to Oct. 30.  Red Ribbon Week is a reminder to stay drug and alcohol free.  Student Council is asking Songo Locks staff and students  to “Respect Yourself …..and your health…. Stay Drug Free!”  

To represent our commitment to remaining drug and alcohol free, please dress up next week in the following:

MONDAY - Oct. 26 is “TOO BRIGHT for drugs”  Wear your neon and bright colors!!!

TUESDAY - Oct. 27 is “SOCK IT to drugs”  Wear crazy, mismatched socks!

WEDNESDAY - Oct. 28 is “RED-y to say ‘no’ to drugs”  Wear as much red as possible!

THURSDAY - Oct. 29 is “Say 'PEACE OUT' to drugs!  Wear tye-dye!!

FRIDAY - Oct. 30 is “Be a superhero.  Have the power to say “NO” to drugs!  Dress up as your favorite superhero!!!

For more information on Red Ribbon Week, please explore http://redribbon.org/theme/

Integrating science and writing

This past week we have been working through our science unit about seasons.  This unit is all about how the seasons change and continue in a pattern.  Also, we are learning about why the seasons change.  The first thing we did in this unit was list out the different seasons and brainstorm words/activities that got along with these seasons.  After that we drew a picture of what we wear for clothes during these seasons, and we wrote about why we like these different seasons or what we like to do in these different seasons.
  The next activity we did around this unit we ended up sorting pictures that went with each of the seasons.  After we sorted each student picked a word to write about.
   Finally, at the end of the week to wrap up our studies we created leaf people and did a creative writing project.  We were to write about what we would do if we were a leaf.  Everyone had a great time thinking of an idea of what they would do, and creating a leaf person.
   Next week we will start our unit on day and night, and we will continue to learn how our Earth has patterns.

Writing about a topic from a season

Writing about a topic from a season

Writing about a topic from a season

Working on creating our leaves

Putting the pieces together

A leaf person completed

Proud of our work!

Everyone's leaves on display!!

Our Week!

It is amazing that we already have a month of school under our belts, and we are now into the month of the October.  Here is what we did this last week, learning we have ahead, and some things to remember in the upcoming weeks.

Math

   This week we finished our fraction topic in math.  Wednesday we started our new topic, numbers and operations.  We will be working a lot on developing our addition fact fluency and number sense.  One of the goals in first grade is to know facts to 20 and fluently know facts to 10.  To help build this fact fluency we will start to use a computer program called XtraMath.  This site can also be used at home as a way to help your child gain the experience of timed addition practice.  For more information about this site please visit, https://xtramath.org/#/home/index.  Then use the information I sent home last week on XtraMath to sight into your child account.  



Reading

      This week we started our first Learning Lane switch.  Students were placed in reading groups according to their needs as a reading learner.  Then, these groups were assigned to one of the six Learning Lane teachers.  Students will work on reading strategies in small groups every day for approximately 20 minutes.  After they are done working in their reading group with their teacher, they will participate in practicing literacy skills in independent centers.  


Spelling

      Last week we continued to work on the short a and i vowel sounds, along with the /ck/ ending.  This week we will being moving onto our new vowel, short o.  Due to a teacher workshop students will take the test on Thursday.  I will then send home the new list for the long weekend.  

Writing

         In writing we have been working on personal narratives.  The 1st trimester goal for 1st graders is to independently write 2-3 sentences, attempt punctuation and capitals, and apply current spelling knowledge to their writing.  We will continue to work towards this goal as we learn about how to expand our narrative stories.


Science

       This week we will start our science unit on seasonal patterns.  Students will learn about how and why the seasons change.  








October Reminders

          9th - No School - Teacher Workshop
          12th - No School - Columbus Day
          16th - Mid-trimester Reports Go Home
          27th/29th - Parent/Teacher Conferences
          29th - Fire Safety Presentation
          *Please remember student drop off starts at 8:10

Co-Teaching Math

This year we are trying a new model of teaching in a few of our classrooms, co-teaching. I was fortunate enough to be able to be a part of the training for co-teaching last spring.  Now, our special education teacher, Mrs. Spearin, and I are trying to implement this model into my classroom.  There is a wonderful website that explains what co-teaching is and the benefits of this model.  Please take some time to read more about co-teaching at, http://www.cehd.umn.edu/teri/co-teaching/foundations/What.html.

In math we have been working on our topic concerning fractions.  On Friday, Mrs. Spearin joined us with her smart table.  A smart table is a technological tool that engages students in their learning through a collaborative and fun method.  To learn more about this fabulous piece of technology please view the you tube video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaUxBkkvcmE

As Mrs. Spearin led the smart table group, I led a fun craft activity to reinforce fractions.  Other students were engaged in independent game time.  Every 20 minutes students switched and rotated through the math stations, it was a fun and engaging way to end our week in math!  Below are a few pictures of our math time Friday.

Mrs. Spearin teaching smart table edicate

Learning the fraction smart table game

Working on our fraction pies craft

Sorting fractions on the smart table

Hard at work making our fraction pies

Reading Routine

Over the last couple weeks we have been working on learning our reading centers.  Reading centers are an opportunity for everyone to practice skills that they are learning independently while I run small reading groups. There are 6 main centers that everyone will end up going through throughout the week.  The centers are read to self, buddy read, writing, word work, listen to reading, and computers.  This is also the time of day students are given to creatively practice their spelling words.  In writing they are given the chance to write stories or practice handwriting.  These centers come from a book called, The Daily Five.  If you would like to read more about the idea behind centers and learning please check out, http://www.the2sisters.com/theDaily5.html.  Here are a few pictures of us practicing our centers this week.

Working in our language interactive notebooks

Practicing computer time during centers

Practicing our spelling words through stamping

Practicing handwriting while finding hidden words around the room

Writing around the room

Learning Lane's Plan for Success

As part of a way to help students transition from class to class within Learning Lane, we have developed what we are calling Learning Lane's Plan for Success.  Each classroom is teaching the 5 expectations, 5 encouragements, and the 5 enforcements.  These expectations are in place to help each student have a successful learning environment.  Also, we wanted the expectations to carry from classroom to classroom so students know exactly what to expect no matter what Learning Lane room they may be working within.  We need students to realize how important it is for them to do their part as respectful students.  Please talk to your child about what these expectation are and why they are important!  If you have any questions about our Learning Lane Plan for Success, please do not hesitate to call or email me.

Learning Lane's Plan for Success

Expectations:

1. Follow Directions Quickly
2. Raise Your Hands for Permission to Speak
3. Raise Your Hand for Permission to Leave Your Seat
4. Make Smart and Safe Choices
5. Treat Others The Way You Want to Be Treated

Encouragement:

1. Praise
2. ROCK Star Ticket
3. Raffle Ticket
4. Positive Contact Home
5. Class/Learning Lane Reward

Enforcement:

1. Reminder
2. Take a Break
3. Buddy Room/Think About it Sheet
4. Parent Contact or Out of Morning Recess
5. Office Behavior Report

Remind

This past week I sent home a notice about a way for me to communicate with you via text, called remind.  I have had a few people contact me that they have had some difficulty signing up with this system.  One of the confusing issues was the code I gave.  The code that you are to text to 81010 is saunders1s, my number 1 was confused with a letter l.  If you are still having problems with the code, you can try to go to https://www.remind.com/join/saunders1s.  Please let me know if you are still having issues with signing up.

For more information about this system go to https://www.remind.com/.

Meet The Teacher

Hi my name is Kristen Saunders, and I am so very excited 

to be your child's 1st grade teacher.  This will be my 10th year 

teaching first grade, and my 3rd year 

on the Learn Lane team.  I am looking

forward to a great year!

I grew up in Windham, Maine where I attended
Windham Christian Academy from K through
12th grade. My grandparents owned
a cottage on Sebago, and I have always loved
the lakes region area!

                                         

In December of 2003 I graduated with a
Early Childhood/Elementary Education
degree from Evangel University in
Springfield, Missouri.  

After a couple years of teaching, I
decided to go back to school and pursue
my masters degree.  I graduated in 2009
with my masters in General Education.

My Favorites

Food:  Italian and Chocolate

Movie: Anne of Green Gables

Book:  Little Women

Color: Pink

Drink: Coffee

Season: Summer

Sport:  Skiing

Fast Food:  Chinese

Hobby:  Knitting

Subject:  Reading

Dessert:  Anything chocolate

Flower: Dahlia

Pet: Dogs

To be the best teacher I can be, I couldn't
do it without my love and #1 support, my husband
Josh.  Josh and I have been married for
4 years.  

Next to my supportive and wonderful husband,
Josh, our puppy boy, Watson, is love of my
life.  He brings us great joy and fun.  

Welcome Back to School - Supply List

I hope everyone has had a wonderful and fun summer!  It is hard to believe that next Monday, August 31st we will be starting a new school year.  On the last day of school I send home a pamphlet about Learning Lane, and on the back there was a supply list for this year.  If you are unable to find the pamphlet, and would like a new one please contact the office at school.  Below I have listed the supplies on the back of the pamphlet.  I look forward to getting to know you and your child this year.  Enjoy the last week of summer break!

Supply List

Please put your name on all 

personal supplies

Supplies must be latex free due

to severe allergies

Pencil bag

Glossy Red Pocket Folder

Box of #2 Ticonderoga Pencils

Pack of Mechanical Pencils

Glue Sticks (6)

Box of Crayons

(8 pack - suggestion Crayola twist)

Headphones

(needed for daily computer use)

box of sandwich baggies (zip up)

Classroom Donations

Dry Erase Markers

Glue Sticks

Pencils

24 Pack of Crayons

Markers

Colored Pencils

Tissues

Paper Plates

Brown Paper Bags

Thank you so much for your support in helping to start the year off successfully!!

Sabre Yacht Field Trip

Friday was a very exciting field trip day!  We heading for Sabre Yachts early in the day and got back at lunch time.  We had the opportunity to see the boats in the making from beginning to end.  While we waited for the tour, as we needed to go in small groups, we were able to do different stations in their lunch room.  The stations consisted of snack, making thank you cards for Sabre Yachts, and 2 read aloud books that had to do with engineering.  Here are a few pictures of our experience that day!

We made it, welcome to Sabre Yachts

Working to make thank you cards

Seeing a finished boat 

Learning about why their is a stripe on the boats

Our safety gear on as we walk through 

Being taught about how the boats are assembled

In the cafeteria getting directions

Making more thank you cards!
We had a great trip!