Everyday after recess we have STAR time. STAR time is like DEAR time, but we have a theme of space. It means "Students Together All Reading." We either sit at our desks, the bungee chair, or anyplace in the room. You can read books from the school or classroom library. We have reminders to stay seated, hold a book, keep your eyes on the page, and be quiet. We can also take a Reading Counts quiz if we are ready. It's nice to have reading time.
Did you know that we switch for social studies and science? Mrs. Foley's class goes to Mrs. Alfeo and Mrs. Alfeo's class goes to Mrs. Foley. It is cool having two classrooms and two teachers! In social studies we are learning about cities, counties, states, countries, continents, and hemispheres. Our focus on where we live. In science we learned how plants need bees. Our science mystery focused on vanilla bean pods and how pollination works. Then we dissected some foods with toothpicks to look for seeds. We had radishes, potatoes, cucumbers, celery, and tomatoes. If it had seeds, then it was a science fruit. If it did not have seeds, it was a science vegetable. In addition, students can sign up to a "Scientist of the Week" this year. The students get to bring in easy, safe, and fun experiments to show the class for 10-15 minutes.
We do tether activities if we are done with an assignment. Our choices are finish late work, reading a book, sharpening pencils, going to the bathroom, taking Reading Counts quizzes, and beyond. Soon we will add more to the list. We do this so you will be occupied and note just stare around the classroom when finished with work. We can use the bungee chairs during this time. As you can tell, we'll have a great year with tether activities.
When we go outside for Fun Friday, we go to the playground and have lots of fun playing with friends. Sometimes we have inside Fun Friday and play games like Battleship, Monopoly Jr., Clue Jr., Headbandz, chess, and checkers. It is important to share and avoid arguments. We can also free draw and color or just read. It's a lot of fun.
We have many awards in our classroom. We have "Star Student" awards. They are small trophies that Mrs. Foley gives out for good behavior. Also, we have "Caution Superstar" awards. On Mondays, week-long awards are given for "A+ Attitude," "Participation," and "Heart of a Hero." From time to time, we also get "Super Stellar Spacecraft" awards for organized desks. For any good behavior, students can receive a bucket slip. After writing your name on the paper, it goes in our class pail. Mrs. Foley chooses 2 each week and those kids get small prizes.
~ Mrs. Foley's Class