Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The two weeks before Spring Break we researched ocean animals.  We made a video to share with you.  It's not a perfect performance but the students worked hard.  I suggested that we practice the ending then re-do that part but when I heard the collective groans, I decided against it.  This week we are studying about characters and their feelings and actions in reading so it's time to move on.

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CRAZY CRAZY CRAZY!!!

I guess I can be as crazy as the kids!

Every week is a little crazy but last week was especially wild!  Not only did we miss two days of school (which puts us way behind before we ever get started) but the snow on Friday was icing on the cake.  We made a snowman glyph and wrote about it just for fun.  They will be hanging on our wall at least through this week because they are just too cute to not display.

The Living Museum was in the library right across the hall so all day long we had people coming and going (past our room and some sneaking a little peek in our window.)   Our Living Museum has become such a big production at our school that first graders no longer get to participate.  They have one more thing to look forward to in the second grade though.

A few of the students have earned enough fuzzies to buy "lunch somewhere else in the school."  One student and three friends of his choice lucked out with the snow.  We ate lunch on the ramp in front of the big window watching the snow fall and people trying to de-ice their windshields.

Four lucky students got to eat lunch in front of the big window during the snow!

 

Today was Read Across America day in honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday!  Our wonderful librarian organized an hour of people outside of our school but from the community to come and read to students in their classrooms.  We had Ms. Court (from the district) and Ms. Thompson (from the Mesquite Public Library) read to us!  We loved it!

Ms. Court

Ms. Thompson

One more thing…remember that next week is Spring Break.  We will return to school on March 16!  Hopefully we will have Spring weather!

Mrs. Cooper

February 9, 2015

This week we are still studying maps.  We are looking up addresses on google earth and that's been a lot of fun. We will also learn about important African Americans in history.  We are finishing up our study of fiction genre in reading.  Today was the 100th day of school.  We spent most of the day doing Math activities to practice numbers to 100.  The rest of the week we will be practicing numbers to 120.

Last week some students dressed up as their future career.  They are adorable if I do say so!

On Friday many of us wore red for Heart health awareness.  I think we looked pretty sharp!

It's fun to have special days at school!

February 4, 2015

This week is college week and a few of us have the college spirit!  Tomorrow is Dress Up for your Career. I'm excited to see what shows up in my classroom tomorrow!

This week we are working on numbers to 120 and expanded form.  We are reading Valentine books and poetry.  We have looked at different maps and drawn maps and even looked at our school on Google Earth.

Field Trip and t-shirt money is due on Friday.  I've never been to Texas Discovery Gardens and am looking forward to going.  We'll also have a picnic lunch.

Thursdays are "Fuzzy Days."  Some of the students are saving their fuzzies for lunch in the classroom with three friends.  It's taking months to save up 500 points.  It'll also be fun to eat lunch outside on the playground.  Other things that they can buy with points are shoes off (25), dog day (25), ice cream (50),  and occasionally prize box (amount varies.)  The students love earning the fuzzies for good behavior, returning things to school such as forms signed and participating in Math.  I think they like filling up their fuzzy cup more than spending them though.

If you have questions about your child/progress, you may reach me at dcooper@mesquiteisd.org.

Deedee Cooper

First Grade

Here we are in the library being silly the last week of school in December!

First Grade is going great!  We have finally completed all of the middle of the year testing!  I can't believe that it's almost February.  Progress reports will go home on February 6.  Please sign and return so I will know that you have seen it.

We have been learning about Rocks in Science.  We had a blast on a rock hunt this past Wednesday. I hope you saw the bag of rocks that your child brought home.  We kept some at school that we will be studying. If your child has any pretty rocks from home that he or she would like to show our class, please send them!  Rocks are so much fun!

We have been learning about tens and ones up to 120 in Math.  We took the Topic 8 test on Wednesday and it was sent home yesterday. I was disappointed that several students did not do well.  Tens and ones can be very difficult because of all the new vocabulary such as value, standard form and expanded form.  Although I read the questions to the students they did the work independently.  Sometimes they did not listen to the question and chose the answer that looked like it would be right.  

I have begun sending guided reading books home.  Have your child read the book 2 - 3 times (unless your child is reading the longer books) and return to school every day!  The students who progress the most are those who read their books and return them.

Field Trip! We are going to the Texas Discovery Gardens on April 17.  The cost is $8 and I must have the money by next Friday or your child will not go.  I've been told there are no exceptions.  T-shirt money is due on Wednesday ($5.)  I have received most everyone's money but if you have not sent yours in, please do so ASAP!

If you would like to go on the field trip, you need to fill out a Criminal Background Form that is online.  Call the school @ 972-882-5101 if you don't know how to do that (because I don't either!)  I will let you know about payment for your admission into the Texas Discovery Gardens at a later date.

Have a great weekend!

Mrs. Cooper

Welcome to First Grade!

Tonight is School Supply Drop-off and Meet the Teacher here at Galloway Elementary. I am so excited to meet my new students.  It's been six years since I have taught the First Grade.  I have also taught Kindergarten and most recently, Second Grade.

As I wait in my classroom for my new students and their families to arrive, I'd like to introduce myself.  I am originally from Sunnyvale, Texas.  I graduated from North Mesquite High School.  I went to Brigham Young University and graduated with a degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education.  I earned my Masters degree from Texas A and M Commerce in Education.

I have three daughters who all attended Mesquite schools.  My oldest is a hair stylist.  My second daughter is a senior at Baylor in Waco, and my youngest daughter is a sophomore at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.  My husband is an engineer and works in DeSoto, Texas.  We are learning to live as empty-nesters this year.

I am looking forward to a wonderful year teaching your children.  I will update on Monday after our first day of school!  Enjoy your weekend!

The Twelve Days of Christmas and party Dec. 20, 2013

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