World Read Aloud Day

Today marked LitWorld's campaign for sharing the importance of reading aloud and sharing stories. Room 116 had an extra special treat for WRAD and was able to skype with two different published authors.  We have been preparing all week, reading their stories and learning about them as authors.

We began in California with Jennifer Fosberry.  Before our skype visit we voted on which one of her stories we wanted her to read.  It was an overwhelming win for My Name is Not Isabella Girl on the Go.  We were so lucky that Mrs. Fosberry read this story as well as another one we loved called Spoons.

She explained how her famous books My Name Is Not Isabella was inspired by her daughter who loved dressing up as a princess or prince.  Mrs. Fosberry wrote her story because she wanted to teach her daughter about all the other wonderful people she could use her imagination to be such a Amelia Erhart or Sally Ride.

After that we headed to Colorado to visit with Carmela Coyle.  Mrs. Coyle took the opportunity to inspire young writers and readers by reading her silly tale The Tumbleweed Came Back and gave us recommendations of her must read books which some of us had already read.  Mrs. Coyle spoke with us about writing, and rewriting, and revising and editing and then rewriting some more.  We know from experience how authors can always make their work better!

It’s hard to imagine a more delightful holiday than World Read Aloud Day, “to celebrate the power of words and create a community of readers taking action to show the world that the right to literacy belongs to all people.” Never underestimate the power of reading aloud with your children.

Common Core Standard: Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.

February Vacation Challange

1st graders were given a little extra (optional) homework over vacation. I have heard all about your travel plans to tropical places, trips up north, and staycation activities. Now it's time to share them on the blog. Share a picture or comment anytime this week about what you are up to this vacation. Double click anywhere on the padlet below to add your comment. If you'd like to attach a picture then double click to add your sticky note and click the arrow symbol to attach a picture. I look forward to hearing/seeing your fun vacation posts to come.

Valentine's Day

Roses are red, violets are blue. Miss Klipfel's Class says, Happy Valentine's Day to you! Enjoy our Valentine's Day poems by clicking the video below. We hope your weekend is filled with chocolates, hearts and lots of love. 

XOXO Miss Klipfel's 1st Grade Class

Fancy Day

Fancy Friday which quickly turned into Tre Magnifique Fancy Tuesday due to our snow days, was one exquisite (that's a fancy word for great) day!  I was genuinely disappointed when we didn't have school on Friday and then again on Monday postponing our Fancy Day.  Our anticipation has been building for this stupendous day and let me just say it was well worth the wait today to see all the 1st graders dressed in their imaginative posh outfits.  Of course, I couldn't resist dressing in my most elegant clothes too.

Students were thrilled (that's even more excited then excited) to complete fancy activities throughout the day. 1st graders read Fancy Nancy books, went on a fancy word hunt, read poems on fuschia paper and used elegant vocabulary; looking exquisite while doing it all. Snack time was transformed (that's a fancy word for changed) into a Tea Party, using our imagination of course. 

We also learned about Jane O'Connor and Robin Glasser the author and illustrator of the Fancy Nancy series. A large part of 1st graders Writer's Workshop is focusing on using word choice in our writing pieces. Our Fancy Word Wall will help 1st grade writers' pieces sparkle and dazzle. We have already added a huge amount of fancy words to our wall. Keep your ears and eyes open for 1st graders using them while speaking and writing.

To end our fabulous Fancy Day, we had a little soiree with the rest of the first grade. Students paired up to finish the day with some phenomenal reading.

1st graders (and their teacher) had a splendiferous Fancy Day learning and working, with our pinkies up!

Common Core State Standard L.1.6: Use words and phrases acquired through conversations, reading and being read to, and responding to texts, including using frequently occurring adjectives.

Dear Crayons

With an idea inspired by Mrs. Scharffenberg and a book borrowed from Mrs. Higgins, Klipfel & Kids imaginations were swirling.  After reading the adorable book The Day the Crayon's quit, 1st graders were charged with the task of providing their opinion about which crayon in the box is their favorite and giving reasons why.  First, we used the writing style of our story to write letters to our favorite crayon colors.

Afterwards, 1st graders digitally published their writing.  Each student was responsible for their own page of the book.  Students first illustrated in Drawing Box, put that illustration into Book Creator, typed their letter, picked their font, positioned their writing and illustration and even recorded their own voice on their page.  Needless to say I was very impressed!

You may download our book on any electronic device to add to your digital library or you can view our book as a PDF for reading or printing on a computer.

Option 1: Add our class crayon book to your digital library (for iPad or tablet reading).
Click on the link: Dear Crayons
Then click on Download.
Click Open in iBooks.

Option 2: Read our class book in PDF form by clicking here.