Welcome 2009-10 1st Graders!

Dear 2009-10 1st Graders and Families,
Welcome to a new school year at Zilker Elementary! This year we will be posting entries in our class blog and sharing what we are doing. Please make sure you check back often and ask your child about the activities we are doing in class. I am very excited to be your child's teacher this year and I look forward to getting to know each of you.
Love,
Ms. Shapiro

First Grade School Supplies 2009-10

First Grade School Supply Fee 2009-10

For the 2009-10 school year, we will be doing something different. In the past, we have ended up with supplies that we didn't need, parents have expressed certain items were sold out and we wanted to make it as easy as possible for everyone.

(Each child will still be responsible for bringing a backpack to school each day- preferably one without wheels.)

Therefore, instead of requesting that you purchase various supplies, we are asking for a flat amount of $40. The school supply fee will be $25, $5 for a class t-shirt (that we will tie dye), and $10 for field trips.

Cash, Check payable to Zilker, or Money Order will be accepted.

If you have already purchased school supplies, we are flexible and that is absolutely fine! Just please remember to include the $15 fee for a class shirt and field trips. Thank you!

Thank you so much for your support!
Sincerely,
The First Grade Teachers

Scientist of the Week-Paper Petals

What happens when you draw, color, and cut out a paper flower, then fold it and put it in a plate full of water? Today's Scientist of the Week showed us!

More Published Work!

Here are a few more stories that our budding authors wrote! Enjoy!









There are still more to come!

Scientist of the Week-Balloon Blow Up

We learned about carbon dioxide as we watched what happens when vinegar and baking soda mix!

We Are Authors!

Over the past several weeks, we have reviewed different aspects of writing a story. We brainstormed lists of characters, settings, problems, and more. Then each child chose a setting, a problem, and one or more characters and began writing a beginning, middle, and end to their story. Next, they needed to make sure they included a solution to their problem. Each child also added three or more "fancy" words (adjectives) and dialogue. We went through the process of editing and then we learned about and created page breaks in their stories. Finally, each child typed up their own pages, typed a title page, and finally illustrated their pages. Please enjoy the stories read by the authors. I am so proud of them and I know you will be, too! (If needed, push pause on the iPod to stop the music so you can hear their voices.)















**More stories will be posted as soon as they are "published."