Be COOL About Fire Safety!

October is Fire Safety Month. While our Florida whether may be anything but cool, our kids learned how to be COOL About Fire Safety thanks to the Desoto County Fire Department as well as the Forestry Division.

The team brought their trucks and equipment along with a few very special friends. Students learned basic preventative measures like "do not play with matches" as well as "stop-drop and roll". They also discussed having a family plan of escape in your own home. Does your family know what to do?

The team gave a great presentation to the students to kick off the month of Fire Safety Awareness.

Cafeteria Presentation for 1st and 2nd Grades

Sparky the Fire Dog...

and his pal Smokey the Bear!

giving Mrs. Halloran's class some love ;)

Sparky and Smokey saying hello to all the students

Mrs. H's class 

Outside truck presentation

Forestry equipment

WOW!!!! Check it out.....

Over 500 gallons of water, trying to make us a rainbow but it was too cloudy :(

Mrs. Halloran's Class is COOL about Fire Safety!!

Writing IS EXCITING!!

That's right, in Mrs. Halloran's class, we love to write. Whether we are writing about something we have read, responding to a prompt. writing our opinion, poetry, squiggle stories or sticker stories-We love to put our thoughts and ideas on paper. Fun "Exciting Writing Pencils" also seem to help with motivation :)
After we write we love to "Mix-Pair-Share"(Kaagan Cooperative Learning Strategy) our ideas with our classmates.

These Help Make Writing Exciting!

Working with Mrs. Halloran on Cinquain Poetry

Concentrating on Cinquain Details

Shape Poetry: Pumpkin Poem

Table One 

Table Two

Table Three

Table Four

Mix-Pair-Share With Partners

Presenting Poetry

Sensational September

Our year started out amazing. Student's adapted extremely well to a new school, new teacher, new class and new procedures. Once September arrived we were rolling right along in our learning adventures. Here are some of the highlights from the month.

*Watching BrainPopJr learning about September 11th. The class discussion led students to wanting to make "Thank You" cards for firefighters and Police Officers-Our Local Heroes!

Thanks for ALL of the apples that were sent in for our September Apple Projects. We enjoyed exploring our Five Senses using apples, apple taste testing and making our own homemade class-made applesauce :) We also really enjoyed reading a biography on John Chapman (Johnny Appleseed).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHNNY APPLESEED!!!!

We ended the moth of September with a surprise birthday celebration for Mrs. Halloran. What a special day complete with lots of treats, goodies a decorated classroom and even a surprise birthday party after lunch at the picnic area. Thanks to all the students and parents that made me feel so special. I am one lucky lady to have such a very special group of kids I get to be with every day! September was great and ended with a party. Looking forward to new adventures in October!

Special Guests

Our class welcomed special guests early in the school year. Mrs. Ladinsky CTE Reading Coach and Mrs. Baugh CTE Guidance Counselor. Mrs. Ladinsky read a special story about being in a new place and making new friends. Mrs. Baugh introduced a strategy used with Leader In Me- the "Talking Stick". Students learned the value in listening intently when others are speaking and respecting their time as a speaker as well as waiting your turn to speak once the stick has passed to you. Our guests made a great impression with our class and students love seeing Mrs. Ladinsky and Mrs. Baugh around campus.

Learning is Engaging!

Students in Mrs. Halloran's class have enjoyed participating in many different literacy stations activities. This time of independent and group learning is a highlight of the day. It is a joy to observe them at their stations busy at their tasks. They are engaged in their learning and having fun at the same time. Here is a look at some of the center activities they enjoy during literacy station time.

*iPod Literacy Apps

Guided Reading Practice with "Coach Halloran"

Smart Board Activities

Computers: AR Quizzes and SME (Success Maker Enterprise-individual leveled skill practice)

Reading Center: Picking out and practicing AR Books

Fab First Week in First

What a fantastic first week we had in Mrs. Halloran's First Grade HAART class! We had such a great time getting to know our new school and one another. The students did a great job acclimating to their new classroom and teacher. We worked hard and had a great time doing it. We are looking forward to such an amazing year of adventures learning and growing together. Keep checking in on the latest sneak peak of what is happening in Mrs. Halloran's class.

Mix-pair-share cooperative learning strategy: getting to know each other learning our favorite things!

Finding our groups by matching our puzzle pieces together, agreeing on team name, creating a list of class rules, assigning roles and presenting to the class! They rocked this!!! Finding our matching puzzle groups

"Team Gattors"

"Team Mustangs"

"Team Gaders"

"Team Flames"

"Team green blue"

So blessed to have such a fantastic group of students and families. I can't wait to see where this year takes us!

Ride the Wave to 1st Grade!!!!

Welcome to all my new to students and families!!! I enjoyed meeting you all Monday night and I am so excited for a new year and a new adventure together! Keep checking in or add yourself as a follower to keep up with all that is going on in our class this year! Thanks in advance for checking out our blog and look forward to giving you all an inside peek to the things happening in our class!!!! Enjoy your last summer weekend with your families because come bright and early Monday morning... SURF'S UP!!!!!!