High Touch High Tech

Today, Scientist Stan came into our classroom and extended our current learning of the ocean.  Our students were able to see real-life ocean animal fossils.  They also learned how the sun feeds plankton (which in turns feeds other animals and gives energy to the food chain).  The scientist helped us created coral reefs - which you will get to take home at Open House.  Also the students learned that sharks have rows and rows of teeth and lose them very easily.  They were able to dig through some ocean floor sand and pick out shark teeth of their own.  The loved getting to experiment and become little scientist themselves today.  A HUGE thank you to our awesome PTA for sponsoring such a wonderful learning event!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Monk

Here is Scientist Stan.

Here are the students checking out the different ocean animal fossils.

Here the students are seeing first hand how the sun feeds the plankton.

Making our Coral Reefs. 

We had a great time learning with our scientist today. 

Grapevine Mills Aquarium

Yesterday, we went to the Grapevine Mills Aquarium.  The kids loved getting to answer the questions to the interactive quiz that was placed throughout the aquarium.  They each also earned a medal for completing the quiz.  The students also loved the interactive part of the aquarium where they were able to touch some of the sea animals.  A HUGE thanks to all the parents that were able to go on the field trip and help out.  Thank you for being so great!  Below are some pictures from our field trip adventure.  Hope you enjoy!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Monk

Riding on the bus with the students is ALWAYS fun!

 

 

 

All tuckered out after a fun day at the aquarium. 

The Tooth Fairy

The Tooth Fairy came to visit our school on Friday.  She spoke with the kids about brushing their teeth at least twice a day and about the importance of flossing.  The students learned about how to get rid of "cavity creeps" before the "creeps" get a chance to much on their teeth.  The students loved her presentation and were so excited about getting a new tooth brush to take home!

Sincerely,
Mrs. Monk

The Tooth Fairy showed the kids good choices to make when it comes to food with sugar in it.

She also gave a great demonstration of how to brush your teeth - be sure to get the front, the bottom and the back side of your teeth when brushing!

Valentine's Day Party

We had such a bast celebrating Valentine's Day together.  The kids loved getting to give out the valentines that they had created to each of their classmates.  As you know, they got to open all of them at home and share all of that yummy candy with you! :-) Our party was such a success as well. It is always fun to take a break from our day of normal learning and get a chance to just have some fun together.  A special thanks to our room moms and to all of the parents that were able to come and help.  I hope you had as much fun as we did.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Monk

Checking out everyone's cool boxes.

Giving out their valentines.

Some BINGO party fun!

Science Research Project

This week and next week we will be doing some research on the ocean and a specific ocean animal.  The students have had the opportunity to go into the library to conduct their research.  Mrs. Denham and Mrs. Leonard, our librarians, have prepared station activities for the students to complete.  They are exploring different animal habitats on the iPads and are learning about how pollution can effect the ocean and ocean life.  The students will rotate through all of the stations, one every day this week and one next week during our library time.  These are some pictures from yesterdays research. Be sure to ask them about what they are discovering through this research at home.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Monk

100 Days Smarter!

Can you believe we have made it to the 100th day of school!?1?  I look back over the last hundred days and see how much we have accomplished in such a short amount of time and am amazed. I'm so proud of your kiddos!  We had so much fun celebrating the 100th day of school.  We wrote about what our lives would be like in 100 years (their answers were so priceless that I had to hang them up outside of our room - so be sure to check them out at the Valentines party).  We also wrote about what we would buy with 100 dollars.  We had a lot of practical buyers with ideas such as American girl dolls, puppies, and video games.  Then we had some friends ready for a "deal" when they wrote about purchasing houses and pink sparkly cars. We also had a great time during math creating our snack and our fruit loop necklaces.  Below are some pictures from our fun and adventurous day! (Fingers crossed for getting this gray out of my hair tonight!!!)

Sincerely,
Mrs. Monk

Teacher like to have fun too!

 

The glamorous grannies.

The grumpy grandpa's

We made it to the 100th day!

The silly picture that must ALWAYS appear. :-)

Snack time anyone?