Mr. G's Trick-or-Treat "Stay Safe" Pledge

Many students will soon be headed out in their costumes in hopes of attaining as much candy as they possibly can within the allotted "Trick-or-treat" time.

In an effort to encourage the students to be safe and smart while they are trick-or-treating, I have created this "Stay Safe" Pledge and encouraged each student to sign it and share it with their parent or guardian.

Mr. G’s Trick-or-Treating “Stay Safe” Pledge

I promise to:

1) Go with a grown-up.
2) Look both ways before crossing the street.
3) Not eat any candy until a parent/grown-up has checked-it.
4) Make sure it’s okay with a grown-up before I visit a house or knock on a door. 5) Take a flashlight.
6) Not go to any unfamiliar houses or streets without an adult.
7) Stay with an adult at all times.

Student Signature: __________________________

Teacher Signature: __________________________

Be Safe,

Mr. G

Class Song: Corn Dog

Before you enjoy our latest class song, I want to inform you of a little story that goes along with this latest "smash hit."

Mr. Guy, our faithful custodial engineer (custodian that is!) always comes around in the mornings and collects the attendance folders. Sometimes, if I am playing my guitar when he walks by, he will enter the room and I will play a verse or two of Elvis Presley's famous song, "Hound Dog," and Mr. Guy will dance and lip sing! The kids love it and it's a great way for the kids to get a laugh.

After this had happened a few times, one young lady in the class raised her hand and said, "Mr. G, can you play that Corn Dog song?" I immediately knew that I had to write a song!

Please enjoy our latest class song, "Corn Dog:"

Corn Dog
(To the tune, “Hound Dog”)

You ain’t nothin’ but a corn dog
Deep-fryin’ at lunch time (2x)

Well, your just a hot dog on a stick
But a lunch time I’ll be first in line

Well, I said, “Hey Mr. Guy!
It’s time to testify!” (2x)

Well, it’s time to sing this smash hit
Because you know it’s almost lunch time!

***This song was inspired by Mr. Guy, our faithful custodial engineer, and by one of our dear classmates.

Just for your information, I will be using this song as an example of how NOT to talk in the classroom (or anywhere else!) and Mr. Guy has agreed to stop by sometime and perform the song with me for the kids!

Thank ya...Thank ya very much!

Mr. G

Class Song: The Monster-Dash

Enjoy our latest class song:

The Monster-Dash
(To the tune, “Master-Mash)

I was walking to my classroom
Early one day
When I saw a werewolf in the hallway
He said to me, with a big, loud growl
You better run because I’m hungry now!

I did the Dash
I did the Monster Dash
The Monster Dash
I don’t want to be a snack
The Monster Dash
I ran with a flash
The Monster Dash

Then I was safe and sound
I thought I could not be found
When suddenly, right in front of me
There stood Dracula staring right at me!

I did the Dash
I did the Monster Dash
The Monster Dash
I don’t want to be a snack
The Monster Dash
I ran with a flash
The Monster Dash

I was tired now
I could barely stand
So I hid down in the basement
When I reach the bottom of the stairs
There stood Frankenstein in his underwear!

Keep Singing,

Mr. G

Wordgirl!

I love superheros; always have. Imagine my surprise when I was informed last year, by my students, that a there was a super-heroine named Wordgirl! I, of course, had to see what this was all about...checkout the following:

"WordGirl is a new animated series that follows the every day life and superhero adventures of “WordGirl” as she fights crime and enriches vocabulary usage, all in a day’s work. Disguised as mild-mannered 5th grader, Becky Botsford, WordGirl arrived on planet Earth when she and her monkey sidekick, Captain Huggy Face, crashed their spaceship. In classic superhero form, WordGirl possesses superhero strength with the added benefit of a colossal vocabulary. WordGirl has a family and friends who have no idea of her secret identity. As WordGirl, she battles and prevails over evil (albeit ridiculous and comical) villains.

Each episode introduces four new vocabulary words and will reinforce their meaning in a variety of contexts throughout the episode. The vocabulary itself is not necessarily a plot point. The show teaches new vocabulary words to children in a variety of fun and interesting contexts. WordGirl is a superhero spoof, so story lines are funny takes of familiar stories from that genre.

WordGirl enriches young audiences’ vocabulary, closes the gap for those who don’t grow up in language-rich environments, instills a love of language, and fosters better reading comprehension.

Only a superhero like WordGirl, endowed with power punches and dictionary strength, can put the word-wrenching scoundrels back in their place proving once again that crime doesn’t pay…but knowing the right word for the right moment is priceless." [1]

So, I get to watch super-heroes, comical super-villains, and learn new vocabulary words all at the same time? Wow, it's like Hong Kong Phooey with a point!

Wordgirl's website is jam packed with fun activities and resources: coloring pages, games, comics, and videos. I recommend it to you and your child for hours of meaningful fun and learning! To check it out, click here.

Keep Reading,
Mr. G

Class Song: Firststones

Enjoy our latest class song:

Firststones

(Tune "The Flintstones" Cartoon Theme)
by Mr. G

First Grade, meet the First Grade
They're the coolest kids around you see!

Working, in the classroom,
so that one-day they'll make history

Let's read, all the books that we can see
So that, we can work right on Wall Street!

First grade, meet the First grade,
They're the coolest kids in our time,
they have a fun time...

Oops, they fell in SLIME!

Keep Singing,

Mr. G

2008 Mock Election

As all of you are aware, the 2008 Election is almost here! In First Grade, we will be doing various activities to help your child understand the election process, identify the candidates, and learn about what the President of the United States actually does.

I would like to offer the following resources that I believe will provide you with a fun way to teach your child about a most important moment in our nation's history!

Election News Center

1) Weekly Reader: Election Center

2) Time for Kids: Election Connection

3) Scholastic News Online: Countdown to Election 2008

Election Games

1) The Road to the Capitol Game

Election Books

1. My Teacher for President by Kay Winters

2. Arthur meets the President by Marc Brown

3. Duck for President by Doreen Cronin

4. Vote by Eileen Christelow (There are teacher resources included here!)

5. So You Want to be President? by Judith St. George


Don't forget to vote!

Mr. G

Class Song: "Stretch It Out"

Enjoy our latest class song...

Stretch It Out
[tune, “Twist and Shout”]

Stretch it out First Grade [stretch it out First Grade]
Stretch those sounds [stretch those sounds]

Come on, come on, come on
Come on, First Grade now [come on First Grade]
Stretch’em on out [stretch’em on out!]

Stretch-stretch-stretch-stretch

Well, let’s decode those words [decode those words]
Hear those sounds [hear those sounds]

Now put them all together now [put them all together]
Read that word out loud [read it out loud]

Stretch-stretch-stretch-stretch

Keep singing,

Mr. G