The Shanghai Education Commission has requested that all schools, Chinese and international, be closed because of the possibility of issues from Typhoon Kompasu.

Shanghai American School will be CLOSED tomorrow, Wednesday, September 1.

School will reopen Thursday, September 2.

Here is another game to practice beginning and ending consonants.  Click on the picture below to get started.

We have been reading books by Kevin Henkes, and in Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, she has a pair of amazing movie star glasses that she can’t help pulling out and showing everyone at school!  Our students made their own glasses during center time and will be bringing them home to show you!

Aren’t our first grade movie stars gorgeous!?!

The students in 1LH have brought in their favorite books from home.  We used Comic Life to make a poster saying why we chose these books as our favorites.

Here is an example.  The rest are on the door of our classroom.  Be sure to check them out when you come for Open House.  See you soon!

Today we began an earth science unit.  We will be studying rock, one of the most important earth materials.  Our investigations will center on the properties and uses of rock in many of its particle sizes – pebbles, gravel, sand, silt and clay.  The children will be working extensively with materials, observing, comparing and communicating what they learn through their firsthand experiences with the various earth materials.

Your child may ask for help finding a rock or two to contribute to our class rock collection.  A rock from your yard, a park or neighborhood is fine.  As our study continues, your child will be learning more and more about rocks.  Try to find opportunities to talk with your child about sand, gravel and soil and the ways people use these materials in construction (asphalt, concrete, bricks, mortar etc.).

We’re looking forward to lots of discoveries and new experiences as we explore the earth materials that can be found all around us.  The pictures below show the children observing and rubbing three different rocks and washing them, so see if they look and feel different!  A quote from one of our first graders…”Science is AWESOME!!!”

What a fun learning week in 1LH!  Our first graders learned the center routines (and had so much fun that they cheered when they saw learning centers on the schedule after recess every day this week!) and learned how to play Bunny Hop and Top It in math, as well as tallying our dice throws.

We also celebrated Celine’s birthday!

This week in centers we will be playing Alphabet Match on the computer.  You need to match the letter with the animal who has the same beginning sound.  You can play it during Centers time and at home with your mom or dad!  Just click on the picture below to play the game!

Think hard and have fun!

Not only have we been singing, reading, writing and doing some fun math activities (the students ask every five minutes if they can play Monster Squeeze!!!!! ) we met our 5th grade reading buddies (Mrs. Power’s class) and had some computer time.  What a fabulous first week!

The first grade classes have been learning some songs and poems together.  Here is a video of them all singing “This Great School.”  Aren’t they amazing!?