31 Days of Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 says, "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I AM NOTHING. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Last year when I taught 4/5 grades, our class had a theme song we sang quite often.  We bonded with each other through this song.  The above verses are the theme of the song.  With my new adventure in teaching 1st grade, I left that song behind.  I felt I needed a new approach to try and teach 1st graders about love and to bond with them.  The last few weeks I have been so moved by the sermons at church about love, I brought back the song in my new classroom and grade.  Of course, the enthusiasm and bond were the same with first graders as they were for 4/5 graders.  This helped me to remember that God's love never changes.  After all, He did sacrifice His only son for us.  We can't relate with God on that, but we can relate in knowing that having to sacrifice our child wouldn't be easy.  In fact, it would be down right heartbreaking.  Yet, God did it for us.  It is the ultimate example of love.  May we be reminded of that love as we strive to be just like God in showing love to others. 
Feel free to check out our theme song about love.  It is one of my favorite songs!

EEKK!

This week we started reading with partners.  In first grade we use the poem EEKK as a guideline on how to read with a partner!  It is fun for the kids to read to each other too!  They loved doing this and did a wonderful job working with each other.  Continue to encourage your child as they read! 

Kaitlyn and Janesa practice great reading with each other!

Annalise and Kate are elbow to elbow and knee to knee.  Great job girls!

Backpack and Ice Cream Party!

  I need to announce a small change to the letter I sent you in early July.  The Open House I announced in the letter has been renamed to Backpack and Ice Cream Party!  It will be on August 15th from 4-7 p.m.  Please bring your supplies and move into your desk and locker!  I look forward to seeing you!  Continue to have a blessed summer! 

Important Dates to remember amongst a WONDERFUL, BLESSED summer!

We are in the midst of summer.  I pray all is going well for you.  I am enjoying weeks off here and there, and then taking some time to move my classroom from 4/5 grades to FIRST grade.  I am SO very excited about my new adventure with FIRST graders. There is just something so special about first graders and I feel so blessed to be back where I began my teaching career!

You are here at my blog because you have received the letter I recently sent out.  Here are important dates to remember: 

July 17th-Fees and Records Day
I will be present there ALL day!  Come see me!  The times run from 8 a.m.-noon and 4-8 p.m.  I cannot wait to meet you, give you an important folder about FIRST GRADE, and give you an opportunity to sign up for a home visit if you'd like to do so.

August 15th-OPEN HOUSE-5-7 p.m.
Come on in to the first grade classroom, find your desk, drop off your supplies, and even get a little gift from me as your teacher!  This is a great way to ease a little bit of the nervousness your children might have about entering first grade!  Can't wait to see you then!

God's blessings as we enter the second half of our summer!  I wish it would SLOW DOWWWNNNN!

Celebrating 12/12/12!

Today is 12/12/12!  I began to think that both you and I have witnessed 01/01/01, 02/02/02, 03/03/03...and so on until today.  The students just looked at me like...so?  I think it's a big deal since there's no 13/13/13 and when it hits again, I won't be here on earth any longer.  So, here's to being able to see these days for the last 12 years!
We talked about things that come in 12's and celebrated with a dozen and 1/2 donuts (that's 18 for 18 AWESOME students).  They all were very thankful for a treat.  I'm very thankful they're my students.

4th/5th grades continues to celebrate Advent

We're getting ready for Jesus' coming!  What a blessing!  What a celebration!  He lived a perfect life, and followed God's plan to be crucified and die for us!  But that's not the end of the story.  It's just the beginning.  We have to do our part to tell others about this love.  How?  Well, it can be as simple as a prayer for that family member or neighbor that doesn't know Him.  We could invite someone to church.  The Holy Spirit will take it from there!  That's what's so great about being a Christian.  We just have to start and God will help us do the rest!  May you find it in your hearts to share His love with someone today! 

Has your child shared with you that I show them an "Advent video" each day after we do our Advent calendar together?  The videos don't have much to do with Advent, but are meant to motivate them to share the love of Christ with someone.  This one is my favorite from this week.

We have had fun decorating our classroom for Christmas this week.  I am not finished putting up all the decorations yet, but when I am, I will post a picture.  For now, here is a couple of pictures of some students making paper strip Christmas trees.  They had a blast.  The littlest things excite them!  

Advent is here!

We began celebrating Advent in our 4th/5th grade class this past Friday.  I asked the kids what they saw as they went out and about into restaurants, shopping stores, etc. during the Christmas season and the second student I called on mentioned, "lots of mean people..."  I thought wow, how quickly children pick up on such a thing.  Not a surprise, right?  I then showed them this video to kick off the season of advent in our classroom.  If you're like me, you do not like to go shopping for Christmas due to "lots of mean people".  I think about the fruits of the spirit and how Christ wants us to them and be an example of them to others as Christians.  May we FIND AND GIVE Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Self-Control, Faithfulness, and Gentleness as we enter the Christmas season! 

In other classroom news, we finished our book cover book reports.  They look awesome.  Here are some pictures to enjoy!  All of the students did a great job on these!  Have a blessed week!