We are learning about OPINIONS...play this game with your firstie for practice!

When You Subtract with a Pirate (subtraction song for kids)

Between the Lions: Chicken Jane & the Duck with the Truck--OUR SOUND OF THE WEEK!

Safety Week Update...

On Monday during specials, we had a 911 training at Sunflower for our PM KDG, all day KDG and our 1st graders. We watched a video that talked about all the different kinds of phones that could be used to call 911 in an emergency. They learned some of the questions that might be asked of them when they call. Some students even did a practice call with a fake emergency. It was determined that most kiddos could use some practice knowing their address and phone number. As a review, you might see if your kiddo knows how to call 911 (gets tricky in homes with only cell phones...can they get into the phone, do they know where to get to the emergency number?) Thanks for helping them be safe! Additionally, we have spent each morning talking about all different ways to stay safe. Today we had our severe weather drill and tomorrow we will practice our intruder drill. The kids are doing an amazing job thinking of ways to stay safe in all different situations. From playground safety to car safety to stranger safety to street safety, we have had some great discussions about all of the different ways to be safe and smart in all sorts of places. You may want to find an opportunity this evening or some time this week to talk with your child about some important safety tips that we have talked about in class.

Our first slideshow! What a day for a WALK-A-THON!

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Sesame Street: Rhyme with Bert and Ernie--We are ROCKING the rhymes this week!

The Big Pig Song - Hooked on Phonics: Learn to Read

I am back!!! Monday Magic!

Hi families! I was SO happy to be reunited with your amazing children today after such a hard week in my personal life. I am so sorry for my lapse in communication. My husband has had terrible complications from a surgery earlier this month and his conditioned worsened last week. It was essential that I was with him in the hospital and so I missed some magical time with your children. They did an incredible job for their dear substitute...but it sure was good to be reunited with those beautiful faces today! I hope they had a wonderful Monday. Because of your dear ones, my Monday was the best one I have had in a very long time. Thank you! We are up and rocking our Storytown reading program. Today you will find that your child has brought home their first SPELLING WORDS to practice this week. Our sound of the week is short /a/ and the kids have 10 words to help them learn/review the pattern. We are going to attempt our first "spelling test" on Friday, so if you can give 5-10 minutes a night to practicing the words it will help your child be successful. Our first grade team of teachers is currently working on a video to send to parents to help you learn some of the ropes of first grade. We know everyone is so busy and so in order to respect your evening family time, we are working to create a short video that will help you learn the ropes of first grade instead of coming to school for a Parent Meeting...Thank you for your patience while we experiment with this new technology. Speaking of new technology, I am trying my hand at this new "BLOOMZ" app--"Ms. Beverage's Bloom Room". Hopefully, I got the link sent out to everyone correctly. I am trying to migrate through the site as I go, as it is brand new and I am by no means an expert at it yet. Please continue to check our blog as well as the app and hope I figure it out quickly. Again, thank you for your patience. The kids are doing an amazing job working on their math teams. We are even working on mastering the "Ole' Switch-a-Roo". Ask your first grader to tell you about what the ole' switch-a-roo is. You can give them an example such as: 7+2=9. What is the switch-a-roo? Did your child bring home their Walk-a-Thon packet last week? This Friday is the due date for the packet fundraisers. Our goal was for each Sunflower student to earn/raise $100 so that we have classroom and school money for our annual activities (field trips, classroom supplies, etc). That is a lot of money, so please know that every little bit helps. We are grateful for anything your child can contribute to help our school reach our goal. Thank you so much. Enjoy your Monday evening together. Thank you so much for your understanding as I try to heal my dear husband. And a HUGE thank you for having such loving, kind, precious children. They were my best medicine today. Thank you!

'Twas the Night Before First Grade...

'Twas the night before first grade and all through the school, we had new, smiling faces in our building (which is oh, so cool).  They met their new teacher, they put their things away and they wondered what to expect on that very next day.  Their teacher was THRILLED to meet her new crew. She was so excited, she didn't know WHAT to do!  She looked at the clock and said, "Time for bed!  There is so much fun in the days ahead!"

Thank you to EVERYONE for coming to Meet the Teacher night tonight!  It was so much fun to meet your sweet kiddos tonight.  I know it is a mix of emotions as we begin something new.  First grade is where the magic happens!  Up, up and away we go...time to BLOOM!

Don't forget that tomorrow is just a half day and we release at 11:25.  We will not be having lunch.  Please let me know if your child's transportation plans will differ than their normal dismissal transportation.  Thank you, again, for coming tonight.  What an awesome way to begin our year together.  See you tomorrow!  Sweet dreams!

Sesame Street - Count It Higher--Get Ready to get your COUNT on!!!

ALLIGATORS ALL AROUND--One of my faves!

We looked to musical theater to learn and talk about MEMORIES today. Memories can be happy and sad at the same time. Have your child share their favorite memory about first grade with you.

April in review (so far)...ENJOY!

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PS

PS...We have spent our week learning about 4 famous artists. Have your child tell you something they have learned about Matisse, Seurat, Miro or Monet. Wait until the Art Walk when you can see their beautiful work on display! Have your child tell you about their favorite artist, their style and WHY they like this one the best. Also, ask your first grader about our "free art" exploration today and the creations they designed.

Friday Updates...

Hi families! Happy April!!! Not sure how it happened, but April found it's way to us and that means the end-of-the-year will be on us before you know it! I wanted to make sure you were aware of ALL of the special events that we have happening this month. It is one of our busiest months in first grade, so mark your calendars! Here we go: 1. Tonight, April 1st = Movie Night. We are showing the Peanuts Movie! Come and join the fun! 2. Tuesday April 5th = Art Walk and PTO Meeting. We are in dire need of new officers for PTO, so if you have ever thought about being a part of this incredible and much-appreciated organization please let me know! 3. Thursday April 21st = First Grade Musical! This is a BIG deal and a note is coming home about it today. Please take some time to read through Mrs. Neely's note and start looking around your home for a costume for our Funky Chickens. 4. Thursday April 28th = Zoo Field Trip 5. Friday April 29th = CARNIVAL! Whew! Have a wonderful weekend! Stay healthy and happy and help your child get their math homework done in preparation for our test next week!

Our Winter in Pictures...Have your child narrate what is happening (it is a good practice of RETELL!)...ENJOY!

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Hard/Soft 'g' - Shock & Lin-Manuel Miranda (The Electric Company)

Countdown to Spring Break...

Happy Hump Day, families! Is your first grader talking about the excitement in our room? We are ready to catch a leprechaun tomorrow! Thank you so much for helping your child create their own traps. Today they were able to share their creativity and write about how they have planned for their traps to work. We are SURE we will catch at least one tonight...Time will tell. Do you remember that there is NO SCHOOL FRIDAY? I can't believe that third quarter is over and Spring Break is upon us. One quarter left together...so sad. This final stretch goes QUICKLY, so be prepared. April is already looking ridiculously busy with our musical, Zoo field trip, carnival, Art Walk. Be sure to rest up over Spring Break because once April arrives it is ON! Enjoy this beautiful evening. Cross your fingers for a leprechaun catch tomorrow....

'ai/ay' - P-Star Rap (The Electric Company)

Mid-week Check in...

Happy Hump Day, families! The days are zooming by and we are about to say goodbye to February. I wanted to touch base on a few events that we are looking forward to in first grade. Tomorrow, Thursday February 25, the first graders will be riding a bus to Wheatridge Middle School to watch the second graders' dress rehearsal for their musical "SQUIRM" which takes place tomorrow night. Our first graders will get to see, first-hand, the almost-end result of the hard work that goes into a musical. Next month, it will be first grades turn to begin practicing for OUR show in April and this is a great way for our kids to see the finished product of what they will be doing later this spring. I wanted to be sure that you were aware we would be riding a bus and at WMS from 1:30-2:30 tomorrow (Thursday). It will be exciting! Also, those of you who have opted to participate in the Schlitterbahn reading challenge, the deadline is quickly approaching! Get your final minutes recorded and get those forms back ASAP so that you are sure to get your child's pass to use this summer! Tomorrow (Thursday) also is the FIRST day that Major Saver Cards will be checked. If your child is selling these cards, remind them to bring their packets back tomorrow so that they may earn their bonus prize! Finally, I just got word from our school nurse that we are in the midst of a late-hitting flu season. I am trying hard to keep our room and our hands germ-free, but please help your child remember the importance of washing their hands and getting plenty of rest. I know spring is just around the corner (at least, that is what I am telling myself) but we have to get through this yuckiness together. Please keep your child home for at least 24 hours if they are showing flu-like symptoms. We need warmer weather and healthy kids! Hang in there! Don't forget to practice your sight words and RED folder read each day! Have a super-duper Wednesday!

The Electric Company - Spidey teases Crank

Sunday check-in...

Happy Sunday families! I hope you are all healthy and happy at your house! Unfortunately, I have a sick baby at my house and will not be at school tomorrow to see my favorite firsties. We have a very exciting week ahead as we prepare to celebrate 100 days of FIRST GRADE! Please be sure to send in a white t-shirt for your child so that we can begin getting our shirts ready for the big 1-0-0 celebration! I can't wait to come back and see my sweet friends...please give your child a hug for me and be sure they get plenty of sleep and keep washing those hands! This bug is a yucky one! Oh yes, and don't forget to send your CONFERENCE SLIPS back ASAP! I am anxious to see you all soon! Enjoy one more beautiful day before winter comes back and settles itself in on us.

Practice these Sound-of-the-Week words at home....Can you beat the computer and read the words before she does?

Friday Fun...

Happy Friday, families! I am SO sorry that Friday folders did not get sent home today. I had to leave early this afternoon and the folders did not get handed out in time. Take your weekend to read together but don't worry about homework until NEXT WEEK...I will be sure HOME folders get home on Monday. Thank you for understanding. Did your first grader tell you about our cooking experiment today? This week we read a story called "The Best Apple Crisp in the World". We decided to follow the recipe in the story to see if, in fact, it really was the best apple crisp in the world. It was a great opportunity for us to learn about sequencing and putting things in order, following a recipe and giving our opinion. Be sure to ask your child if they agree or disagree with the title of our story...Was it the best apple crisp in the world? Why or why not? We have also spent this week learning and celebrating the greatness of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Has your child come home and shared any of their new knowledge with you at home? Be sure to ask your first grader what they have learned about Dr. King and what he did that helped us become better as a nation. Finally, please help your first grader get plenty of rest. Strep throat is starting to make its way around the building and we want it to pass us by! We are working hard on good hand washing practice but please ensure that their little bodies are getting plenty of rest so they can stay healthy as we finish our last week in January!

The Story of Martin Luther King Jr. by Kid President

UR ER IR - R controlled vowels song!

Annie's Bossy 'r' - Prankster Cam (The Electric Company)

And we're back!

Happy 2016! We have the first 3 days under our belt in the new year here at school and we are off and rolling. What a fun 3 days it has been being back together and making goals for the new year. Your child is bringing home some VERY important information in their Friday Folders today. Please be sure to look through all of the information carefully. We have information coming home about first grade "Chat and Chew", Jump Rope for Heart, January Book-It, January book order, Second Quarter REPORT CARDS and a Schlitterbahn Reading Program Packet! Whew! Please read through the Schlitterbahn Waves of Reading Log carefully and under stand that ANY reading that was done over winter break can count towards minutes read, since the program officially began during winter break. The kids need to read a combined total of 10 hours between December 21 and February 26. All packets MUST be returned by February 26, if you choose to participate. The family letter in the front of the packet explains the expectations and if accomplished, your child will earn one FREE ticket to Schliterbahn Waterpark in Kansas City. I hope that your first grader enjoys the challenge and has an opportunity to celebrate their hard work. Next week, it is back to business as usual. We begin a new math unit, join new reading groups and get down to work. Have a wonderful weekend together, but please remember the importance of rest and routine for your child's success. I am so happy to be back in the classroom with you precious babies. Stay safe, warm and healthy! Start reading!

Kid President AWESOME YEAR Challenge! (Our kids LOVED this!)

Welcome Back!

Happy New Year families! It was WONDERFUL to see my firsties back at school today. I have missed them SO much! We spent our day sharing about all of the fun and memories that were made over winter break. It sounds like a good time was had by all. We reflected about our success last year and learned about the word "resolutions". Ask your first grader to tell you what a resolution is. Your child also spent some time thinking of some new year's resolution of their own. Invite them to share some of their new year goals for themselves! We will continue to talk about our resolutions tomorrow and use our writing to make a New Year craftivity. Can you believe that we have a math test ahead this Friday? Be sure to have your first grader complete their math homework (from before break) and return it to school by Friday. This practice will help freshen the concepts after being on "vacation brain". I am sure your kiddo will be very sleepy this evening. Please help them stay healthy and happy by ensuring they get plenty (or extra) sleep. Getting back into a schedule can be tricky after a break, but it is so important for your child's success. Thank you for all you do to help your child make their last 74 days of first grade (sniff) be amazing.