Math Groups

Each day we meet with our math groups to do targeted skill work. We have grouped students from all three first grade classrooms who need to work on the same skill sets. During our time together we play games that focus on a particular math skill, work in our Everyday Math journals,  use whiteboards to practice math concepts, play whole group games and use math apps to help students meet the first grade math standards. Here are a few photos from our work today! 

FREE Tennis opportunity!

During October our first graders had the opportunity to play tennis at the Y once a week for FREE. We had a great time and our students improved so much in four, short lessons. The YMCA in Damariscotta has offered FREE tennis every Tuesday and Thursday in November for first grade students. Please take advantage of this offer if you can. See attached flyer.

A couple scary spiders...

Look out, we have a couple scary spiders in first grade!

These spider headbands were one of our special Halloween crafts the first graders made!

Old Fort Western Field Trip

Our trip to Old Fort Western was a memorable one. Our first graders had the opportunity to learn about what life would have been like for them long ago. We learned how to start a fire with flint and charcloth, cut and split kindling wood, play games, make hot cocoa, grind cinnamon and sugar with a mortar and pestle, card and spin wool, and make a bed! A fun time was had by all. When we returned to school we decided we enjoy our modern conveniences like indoor plumbing and electricity!

Halloween and Harvest Fair

On Monday we will have a first grade celebration. Once a month, we come together to celebrate birthdays, perfect attendance, homework completion and Lexia awards. Our day in first grade will be Halloween themed with a special craft and read aloud. We ask that students not wear or bring costumes to school. We are not in need of food for this celebration, but we appreciate the offers we have received for special treats. 


On Saturday, Great Salt Bay is hosting their annual Harvest Fair. Bring your family for a day of fun and festivities. This event is put on by our 8th grade class and their families. All proceeds go to benefit the 8th grade class trip to Boston in June. It runs from 10-2 with games, face painting, food, silent auction and you can even tag your Christmas tree at the GSB tree farm! If you haven't had a chance to visit the Scholastic Book Fair in our library it will be open during the Harvest Fest, as well.

Fire Safety Day

It's Fire Safety Day here at GSB!

First graders went through the smoke trailer with our local firefighters. They all did a great job exiting the smoke trailer safely. Each student received a junior firefighter helmet and packet about fire safety. In Mrs. Verney's Class only 4 students knew their home address and safe meeting spot if there was an emergency! It is important to practice your address, phone number and safe meeting place with your child! There will be a test! :)

Old Fort Western Field Trip

Old Fort Western Field Trip on Thursday, October 27th. We will depart from school at 10:00 a.m.  Please pack your child a bag lunch or return the lunch slip by Monday.  Your child should wear sneakers on this trip and dress in layers.

Parent Teacher Conference Sign ups!

Please use the links below to book a parent teacher conference. 

We look forward to meeting with you during conference times. 

Mrs. Verney

Mrs. Hilton

Mrs. Peaslee

What we do in 1st Grade...Guided Reading!

"Guided Reading" 

That's teacher lingo for reading books with small groups of students. We actually do more than just read books! So here is a little information about what we do with students during "Guided Reading" groups.

Our readers are working at all different levels. We group them by what reading level they are working at. At each level there are certain concepts of skills we teach. Not every student is learning the same thing. Each student is working on what THEY need to work on, how cool is that! It is magical really. What every student has in common is that they are reading BOOKS!

We practice...

• identifying uppercase and lowercase letters
• letter sounds (see attached video and photos)
• sight words (Kindergarten, 1st grade and beyond!)
• reading books 
• rhyming words
• sounding out words
• blending sounds
• reading fluently
• pointing word to word as we read
• using the picture to help us read
• using our reading strategies from CAFE. (No Coffee, more on CAFE later!)
• using text features to help us understand
• and SO MUCH MORE!!!!

What are other students doing while we are working hard with our reading groups!? That's a really good question. Stayed tuned for the next edition of "What we do in 1st Grade!"

We are in need of a few supplies!

1.  paper plates (any size, need to get rid of leftover birthday party plates? We will take them!) 
2. plastic forks and spoons
3. plastic sandwich bags with zippers
4. small paper cups

We use these materials for cooking activities and taste test! Any donations are greatly appreciated. 

THANKS!!!!!

Tennis in October

First grade has been offered FREE weekly tennis lessons for the month of October at the CLC YMCA.

Mrs. Verney's Class will be going on Mondays
Mrs. Hilton's Class will be going on Wednesdays
Mrs. Peaslee's Class will be going on Fridays

We will leave at 1:30, our lessons will start at 1:45 and we will return to school at 2:15. 

Sneakers are required. All other equipment will be provided!

Reading Folders

This folder needs to come back to school everyday!

• It comes home each night.
• Your child will read you the books
• Remind your child to put the book in the folder
• Remind your child to put the folder in their backpack
• Everyone is happy!!!

Our first grade field trip

We are going to the Damariscotta Farmer's Market on Friday, September 23rd. 

Mrs. Verney's Class is leaving at 8:50
Mrs. Peaslee's Class is leaving at 9:10
Mrs. Hilton's Class is leaving at 9:30

Followed by a taste test!

Pictures to follow!

WELCOME BACK DINNER AND OPEN HOUSE

JOIN US FOR THE WELCOME BACK DINNER!

The GSB PTO is hosting a welcome back dinner in the cafeteria on Tuesday, September 20th from 5-6 p.m. Following the dinner we welcome you back to our classrooms for open house from 6-7 p.m. Come check out the first grade classrooms, chat with the teachers and see what we have been up to!

See you there!

Sign up to volunteer at the dinner

A great start to our year!

We are LOVING first grade! We are establishing our routines, practicing for our Daily 5 stations, organizing math groups, completing beginning of the year assessments, learning new games, making new friends and having lots of fun! Here are some pictures from the beginning of our school year!

CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR PHOTO SLIDESHOW

Remind.com

Please remember to join remind.com in order to stay update to date with what is going on in first grade.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN!

Once you have joined you will receive text or e-mail notifications about first grade. We will let you know important information, remind you about field trips, request supplies, etc.

Welcome to our blog!

Welcome to our first grade blog! Here you will find information about what Mrs. Verney, Mrs. Peaslee and Mrs. Hilton's first grade classes are up to. We will work hard to keep you updated on what we are learning, fun pictures of our students and reminders for upcoming events.