the Amazon Rainforest

For the past several weeks, my reading group has been working hard reading and researching  the layers of the rain forest. We started by reading Afternoon in the Amazon by Mary Pope Osborn.  One of the many Magic Tree House books, that the kids love.  We then began using the non-fiction companion book to do our research.  Students were assigned a layer and began designing their box! I was blown away by what they came up with.  They were so creative and engaged it was so fun to see! I hope you enjoy their presentation and work as much as I did! 

May Happenings!

Wow~ Where has the time gone? Time truly does fly when you are having fun! I apologize for being so absent with updating our blog...:( I can't hardly believe school is almost coming to an end!  We have had a busy last month with our chicks hatching and Spring testing.  I am so proud of all the kids and all their incredible growth! 100% of our students fell in their RIT range of growth in Reading and Math!  Not to mention some of our friends made +30 points of growth! One major thing we added this year to first grade was Math Enrichment.  Two days a week, all first grade students are broken up into groups and work on essential math skills.  Much of our success this year is due to Math Enrichment, the collaboration between our staff and excellent student performance!  Here is a little video of what the kids think of it:)

YAHOO!! Now onto celebrating.... 


Things coming up:

Yesterday I sent home a letter about our field trip!  We will be going to visit our chicks at Turner Farms on May 30th at 9:30.  Please be sure to have your first grader wear their Tie Dyed shirt! 

Field Day is Tuesday, June 5th

Fire Truck Tour with some of Missoula's finest will be May 31st.  Time TBA. 

Reminder:  No SCHOOL on Monday, May 27th ~ Memorial Day! 

Hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend! Hope to see you all soon! 
Mrs. Farnes

Tippy - Toe Chick, GO!

This week we will be reading Tippy- Toe Chick, GO!

Learning Targets:

-I can read ow, ou words.

-I can read words that end with -le.

High Frequency Words:

along, pulling, behind, toward, eyes, never

Spelling Words:

1. how
2. town
3. down
4. now
5. brown
6. cow
7. clown
8. frown
9. crowd
10. growl
11. eyes
12. never

WE HAVE EGGS!!!

HOORAY!! Are eggs have ARRIVED!!  Thank you so much to Jon and Erin Turner!  We appreciate all your time and expertise! We are so excited!  This year, we not only have chicken eggs, but turkey and a few pheasant eggs!!  Our incubator is at set at the perfect temperature (between 100 and 102 degrees) and now we wait 21 days for our chicks to hatch! 

Welcome Back!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Spring Break! Robby and I really enjoyed our trip to Jamaica! We had a great time and soaked in as much sunshine as 2 fair skin, red heads could! :) 

This week we will be reading Henry and Mudge: And Mrs. Hopper's House.

Learning Targets:
- I can read words with the suffix ly and ful.
- I can read words with the vowel sound oo. 

High Frequency Words:
across, because, dance, only, told, opened, shoes



Spelling Words:

1. slowly
2. careful
3. quickly
4. useful
5. painful
6. playful
7. sadly 
8. gladly
9. nicely
10. wonderful
11. because
12. across

Peter's Chair

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and a Happy St. Patrick's Day!  This Irish girl went home to Butte to celebrate with my family and enjoy some of our favorite traditions!  

This week we will be reading Peter's Chair.

Learning Targets:
-I can read compound words.
- I can read words with ew, ue, and ui.

High Frequency Words:
remember, room, stood, picture, thought




Spelling Words:

1. backpack
2. outside
3. baseball
4. herself
5. flashlight
6. bluebird
7. lunchbox
8. suitcase
9. inside
10. brainstorm
11. picture
12. remember

Our Little Inventors!!

Our friend Jaydon in our class is in the Flagship after school program.  He is participating in Cardboard Creation!  Jaydon has come to school a couple times with creations made out of cardboard.  This week I was so impressed with his invention I had to post it!! Great Job Jaydon! We are so proud of you!

 He even has inspired some of his friends... Here is Shane the Astronaut!