School Days: 1st and 4th Grades First Nine Weeks

Fourth and first grades are off to a great start for Riley and Rory. Both of them ended their first quarter with straight A's. Riley got on the Alpha Honor Roll for the very first time! He was also recognized for having the highest amount of AR points in his class (23). So proud of both of my boys.

In ELA, Riley learned about types of sentences, simple/compound subjects and predicates, nouns, direct objects, subject complements, context clues, idioms, and text evidence. In math, he learned about place value, adding and subtracting whole numbers, and multiplying by 1- and 2-digit numbers. In science, he learned about hurricanes, forces, and motion. And in social studies he learned about latitude and longitude, continents, oceans, hemispheres, renewable/nonrenewable/natural resources, and the branches of government.

Rory is loving first grade. In ELA he learned about types of sentences, correct punctuation, lots of new spelling words, sequence, adding "s" and "ed" to the ends of action words, ABC order, nouns, and commas. In math, he's learned about understanding addition and subtraction, counting on, and doubles facts. In religion, they read 7 chapters in their book and took quizzes on each.

They also made their class rules, did activities about their school community and self confidence, celebrated International Dot Day and Mrs. Tanner's birthday, voted on a name for their new class pet (Goldie the dog!), and learned about the Constitution. 

They both had fun at their first pep rally of the year on August 16. Rory earned a Fun Buck and got to enjoy a dress down day on September 20. And they both enjoyed celebrating SCR week September 23-27 (crazy hair on Monday, Team Tuesday, Wild West Wednesday, Throwback Thursday, and Black and Gold Friday).

Rory had a fun afternoon for Johnny Appleseed Day on September 26. They made applesauce together as a class, tasted different apple foods, labeled and colored a picture of Johnny Appleseed, and other fun centers.

They had a special morning assembly on September 27 to wrap up the World's Finest Chocolate Fundraiser. Ever since August 23, Dana and I were affectionately known as the Willy Wonka Ladies. We co-chaired the fundraiser committee and spent practically every day for four weeks straight working on it at school. And boy, did it pay off. The family participation this year was off the charts: together we were able to raise $16,000 in profits, all of which will directly benefit the school. We handed out the awards at the assembly, and the prizes went home the next week. So much fun.

Rory also started fair dance practice the week of October 7, and I'm helping to teach. (They go to PE right after recess, so they're often all sweaty and gross when they get to the gym.) This is the first year Riley doesn't have to dance; he's so excited. The fair's theme is "All Roads Lead to SCR," and first grade is dancing to "On Broadway." The dance is really cute; they're going to rock it onstage on November 9!

And we got their school pictures back. Both turned out great.

Only 7 weeks left until Christmas vacation!