For those who would like to visit the North Pole here is a fun website!
www.northpole.com

Here is a quick flick...
Rudolph the Red-nosed reindeer

Happy Holidays!
Love Ms. V

Dear Parents,

After winter break we, the class, would like to begin cooking class on Fridays. We like to call it Cooking in the kitchen with Ms. V and the kids. I would like to try it for six weeks. If anyone would like to help on Friday afternoons please let me know. Also, I ask that each child bring in $10 to cover the cost of food. Thank you!

HOLIDAYS AROUND THE WORLD


Museum of Science and Industry: Holiday Traditions

California Malls: Christmas Around the World

Santa around the world
Kwanzaa:

All About Kwanzaa
http://www.melanet.com/kwanzaa/about_toc.html
Everything About Kwanzaa
http://www.tike.com/celeb-kw.htmKwanzaa - An African-American Celebration
http://www.globalindex.com/kwanzaa/Kwanzaa Fun from Billy Bear
http://www.billybear4kids.com/holidays/kwanzaa/kwanzaa.htmKwanzaa Recipes
http://members.tripod.com/~Nancy_J/kwanzaa.htmPrinciples of Kwanzaa
http://www.benjerry.com/fun/holidays/winter_holidays/kwanza/index.cfm Kwanzaa
http://www.swagga.com/kwanzaa.htm
Kwanzaa
http://www.holidays.net/kwanzaa/



Kwanzaa

Multicultural Holiday Traditions

Hanukkah:

Chanukah On the Net
http://www.holidays.net/chanukah/Hanukkah Games and Activities from Billy Bear
http://www.billybear4kids.com/holidays/hanukkah/hanukkah.htm
History and Traditions of Hanukkah
http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/holidays/hanukkah/Hanukkah - Not Just for Kids
http://www.grandpatucker.com/kids/hanukkah.html-ssiFrequently Asked Questions About Hanukkah
http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday7.htmInformation plus latke recipe
http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-israel.htm Hanukkah from Ben and Jerry - http://www.benjerry.com/fun/holidays/winter_holidays/hanukkah/index.cfm



Around the World
Argentina - http://www.santas.net/argentinianchristmas.htm
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art26683.asp

Australia - http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/xmas/around/australia.html
http://www.santas.net/australianchristmas.htm
http://www.the-north-pole.com/around/australia.html

Austria - http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-austria.htm
http://www.santas.net/austrianchristmas.htm

Brazil - http://www.santas.net/brazilianchristmas.htm
http://www.the-north-pole.com/around/brazil.html

Canada - http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/xmas/around/canada.html
http://www.santas.net/canadianchristmas.htm

France - http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-France.htm
http://www.santas.net/frenchchristmas.htm

France and Canada - http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/xmas/around/canada.html
- http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/Noel/angl/

Denmark - http://christmas-world.freeservers.com/denmark.html
http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-Denmark.htm

Germany - http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/xmas/around/germany.html
http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-germany.htm

Great Britain - http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/xmas/around/england.html
http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-england.htm

Greece - http://christmas-world.freeservers.com/greece.html
http://www.gogreece.com/learn/christmas.htm
http://www.santas.net/greekchristmas.htm

Ireland - http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/xmas/around/ireland.html
http://www.santas.net/irishchristmas.htm
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art6841.asp

Italy - http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-italy.htm
http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/worldxmas/italy.htm

Mexico - http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/xmas/around/mexico.html
http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/christmas.html
http://www.nacnet.org/assunta/nacimnto.htm

Netherlands - http://www.kidsdomain.com/holiday/xmas/around/netherlands.html
http://www.santas.net/dutchchristmas.htm
http://www.the-north-pole.com/around/netherlands.html

Norway - http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-Norway.htm
http://www.santas.net/norwegianchristmas.htm
http://www.stavanger-web.com/jul/christma.htm

Poland - http://acweb.colum.edu/users/agunkel/homepage/polxmas.html
http://www.polishworld.com/christmas/
http://www.santas.net/polishchristmas.htm

Portugal - http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-Portugal.htm
http://www.santas.net/portuguesechristmas.htm
http://www.worldofchristmas.net/christmas-world/portugal.html

Russia - http://www.santas.net/russianchristmas.htm
http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/worldxmas/russia.htm
http://www.the-north-pole.com/around/russia.html

Scotland - http://www.santas.net/scottishchristmas.htm
http://christmas-world.freeservers.com/scotland.html
http://www.heartoscotland.com/Categories/christmas-in-scotland.htm

Spain - http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-spain.htm
http://www.santas.net/spanishchristmas.htm
http://www.idealspain.com/Pages/Information/ChristmasInSpain.htm

Sweden - http://www.santas.net/swedishchristmas.htm
http://www.bry-backmanor.org/holidayfun/sweden.html
http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-sweden.htm
http://www.luth.se/luth/present/sweden/history/folklore/christmas.html

Switzerland - http://www.santas.net/swisschristmas.htm
http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-Switzerland.htm
http://www.eda.admin.ch/washington_emb/e/home/culedu/swikid/xmas.html
http://www.swissworld.org/en/culture/seasonal_customs/advent_and_christmas/

Ukraine - http://www.santas.net/ukrainianchristmas.htm
http://www.brama.com/art/christmas.html
http://www.uazone.net/holidays/christmas.html

Venezuela - http://www.californiamall.com/holidaytraditions/traditions-Venezuela.htm
http://gosouthamerica.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ&sdn=gosouthamerica&zu=http%3A%2F%2Fchristmas-world.freeservers.com%2Fvenezuela.html

Wales - http://christmas-world.freeservers.com/wales.html
http://www.santas.net/welshchristmas.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/christmas/sites/content/pages/customs.shtml
http://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/Wales-History/WelshChristmas.htm

Today was our fun trip to the Chodl auditorium to see the Nutcracker. It was AWESOME! We love it! Click on the following link to read the story of the Nutcracker at home, play some games, listen to the music and get some recipes.

http://holidays.kaboose.com/christmas/nutcracker-story-music.html

UPDATES:
- I know I said we would not have anymore book orders but I did send one out last week. It was a good one and I couldn't resist! Thank you for tolerating the extra paper work!

-Please send a check for $10.00 made out to Erin Jackson for the class t-shirts if you have not already done so. I appreciate that Erin took the time to order the shirts for the class! Thank you Erin!

-Also, I do have a few parents that volunteer on a weekly basis. Your kids are now reviewing their sight words on a weekly. After the break we will begin reviewing math facts as well!

- We have been working really hard on writing letters, capitalization and punctuation and our handwriting. Over the holidays is a great time to have your child help make the shopping lists, write thank you letters for gifts, make place cards, etc. This is authentic learning, your kids can show off what they have learned!

INDIA

Hello!
Welcome to India!




Click on the following links to learn more!

The Indian Elephant
DimDima the online childrens magazine from India
Welcome to India
Ancient India
Time for Kids/ India
India web
Travel for kids

Hello Family and Friends,
Well, we are quickly approaching Thanksgiving break. We have been very busy in our class room. I am looking for a few volunteers to stop by weekly and work with math flash cards and sight words. Please let me know if you are interested.

I know that sight words can be frustrating for many children. The teacher store on Oak Park Avenue has Sight Word Bingo and other games for the sight words we have been working on. Since the holidays are upon us I thought that this would be a great family game.

Many families are leaving for Thanksgiving break. I am sending a paper bag book report home with all children on Friday (tomorrow). It will not be due until we return from break. Have a great Holiday!

P.S. Tomorrow is the last day to place book order orders...?.... You still have time to place a holiday order!

Ms. V

http://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gif

Welcome to Japan!!
Click on the links below to learn more about Japan!
Love Ms. V

http://web-japan.org/kidsweb/virtual/house/house01.html

http://www.geocities.com/traveljapaneasily/jpkid.html

http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/hh/goplaces/main/0,20344,555016,00.html

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/japan_for_kids.htm


http://www.mamalisa.com/world/japan.html

http://www.teachers.ash.org.au/jmresources/countries/japan.html

Finally Halloween is here!
Here is a cool website with cool games I found that I thought you would enjoy!
Love Ms. V
Happy Halloween!

http://holidays.kaboose.com/halloween/halloween-games.html

Since we have been studying Mexico here are some great websites to visit if you would like to learn more!
http://kcs.kana.k12.wv.us/holaamigos/celeb.htm
http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Holidays/Cinco/
http://www.elbalero.gob.mx/index_kids.html
http://anacleta.homestead.com/art.html
http://www.holidays.net/halloween/muertos.htm

California Wildfires

My first grade classroom has a wonderful idea. We would like to help all of the victims that lost their homes in the California Wildfires. I have contacted the Red Cross. I will have more details on what we will be doing in the next day or two. If you would like to help me organize this please contact me. Our first graders would like the help of the whole school and community. So we will need as much help as possible.

Parents,
As Halloween approaches, the children are becoming SCARY!!! Please help remind the children about appropriate first grade behavior. This is very much appreciated. Halloween is fun and exciting but we have work to get done first.
Thank You!
Ms. V

I would like to send a quick thank you out to my art appreciation parents. We had so much fun learning about Diego Rivera! The kids are so proud of their murals. Thank you again for your time!
1 V

HALLOWEEN

On Wednesday, October 31st, at 12:15 p.m. we will have our annual all school Halloween Parade. Parents are invited to view our parade. In the event of inclement weather, parents may see the children as they parade through the gym. Please come out and enjoy the costumes and the excitement of our children.

Hello All!
Well, we have a very busy few weeks ahead of us. Pack you bags we are heading south of the border. We are now studying Mexico! This week we have conferences. So I will be very busy before and after school but if anyone needs to reach me please call me after 7 p.m.

Also, the book fair is here!!! All week long the book fair will be in the auditorium. Please stop by there are some great books!

We are very excited, next week our art appreciation parents will be paying us a visit too!

Well here it is, a Math Webquest. Click on the link below to practice and have fun with Math!
Enjoy, Love Ms. V
http://questgarden.com/41/01/2/071001191353/

Hola! The following links are for all of my students learning Spanish. Please visit these sites throughout the week for extra practice. Have Fun!
Since we have been studying Mexico here are some great websites to visit if you would like to learn more!
http://kcs.kana.k12.wv.us/holaamigos/celeb.htm
http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Holidays/Cinco/
http://www.elbalero.gob.mx/index_kids.html
http://anacleta.homestead.com/art.html
http://www.holidays.net/halloween/muertos.htm

http://www.spanish.bz/games.htm
http://gardenofpraise.com/spanish.htm
http://www.uni.edu/becker/Spanish3.html
http://www.donquijote.org/spanishlanguage/games/
http://webtech.kennesaw.edu/jcheek3/spanish.htm
http://www.learn-spanish-language-software.com/games/index.htm


P.S. Remember to bring your small binder and English/ Spanish Dictionary to class!
Ms. Vasquez

We are studying Ancient Egypt for the next two weeks! Here is a fun website for kids that explores Egypt! Enjoy!
www.usborne-quicklinks.com
type the keywords "beginners egyptians"

http://www.guardians.net/egypt/kids/index.htm

Ms. Vasquez

The following link is a webquest that I created about the Human Body. This webquest will help children learn about bones and the bodies, as well as eating healthy and washing their hands. You may have to subscribe to a free trial to BrainPop in order to view the videos.
http://questgarden.com/41/01/2/070208193953/

The Fun with Phonics webquest is ready! This webquest was created to provide extra support for beginning and emergent readers. Click on the following link to visit it.
http://questgarden.com/41/01/2/070924183356/