Newsletter December 15 - 19

Here is a list of things that we will be doing this final week before 2015:

• Wednesday, December 17--Gingerbread House construction at 9:30 a.m. Thanks to all of those that have helped contribute for this project.  If you haven't sent anything yet, and would like to you can still send the item by tomorrow, Tuesday Dec. 16.  If you would like to come and help out you are welcome to.  Thanks to Dante's, Kaden's and Ben's moms for already offering to help out that day :)
• Thursday, December 18--Pajama Day, Read-a-thon, and Christmas Sing.  Students can wear pajamas all day today and bring blankets, pillows or stuffed animals for the read-a-thon (just make sure they don't overdo it).  We will have our read-a-thon in our classroom at 12:45 - 1:15 and then afterwards go to the school wide  "sing".  This is not a program, but rather a time where the students get together and sing Christmas songs.
• Friday, December 19--Christmas movie in from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.  The movie has been decided on yet, but it will be a rated-G movie.  In the afternoon, we will go to computers like always and our regular library time, and have a low-key Christmas party.  

I will still send home spelling words this week.  I will test on Friday before we go to the movie in the morning.

I sent home overdue library notices today.  Please go on a book hunt and help your child find those missing books.  Mrs. Clark, our librarian, would like to have all books returned this Friday before the holiday break.  Students will not check out books this Friday, as many books are lost over big breaks.

Tomorrow I will test on Math Chapter 4.  I will start teaching Unit 5 this week.  You may have noticed on my math homework section of this blog that you have a nice "break" this week from math homework.  Please use that extra time to read more--we will take the DIBELS reading test on Thursday, January 15.  I only had three students return their take-home books today.  Please use that resource and read EVERY night with your child.  December Reading records will be due the Monday we return from the break.

I hope that you all have wonderful holiday season.  Enjoy your time with your family and friends and travel safely if you are leaving Cedar City. 

Happy Reading and Happy Holidays!

Newsletter December 8 -12

Today I sent home a note regarding our Gingerbread house construction.  We will be doing that next Wednesday, December 17th at 9:30 a.m.  Ben's mom has graciously offered to help that morning.  I would still love more volunteers to help that morning.  Please send me an e-mail if you could help.

 On the note, I also mentioned the $1.00 secret gift.  We will be starting those this Wednesday.  Thank you for helping your child "earn" $1.00 for this little gift.

This week we will continue our Gingerbread stories compare and contract unit.  We will be making Rudolph :), finishing up with Unit 4 in math (I plan on testing on Unit 4 next Monday).  As always, will have reading groups in the morning.  I hope that you are continuing to read every night with your child and practicing their sight words.  When we get back in January, we will shortly take the second portion of the DIBELS reading test.  Knowing sight words automatically will greatly increase your child's fluency rate.

Thank you to Dane for brining two packages of pencil-top erasers today!  I wrote in my letter to Santa that I wanted more of those :)  Thank you too for sending items to help with our Gingerbread houses.  This is a such a fun activity, and wouldn't be possible without help from you!

Happy Reading!

Newsletter December 1 - 5

Today we had the pleasure of listening to Jenny Oaks Baker and other musicians play a variety of Christmas tunes from around the world.  The weather couldn't have been nicer as we walked over to the Heritage Center.  Kelsie said, "This is my first concert!"

This week we will write letters to Santa that will be answered by wonderful elves from CHS.  Remember I said that first grade teachers have North Pole connections :) We will also start our unit on Gingerbread Man stories--we will read several stories and compare and contrast them.  This unit will culminate with my students writing an opinion piece about their favorite Gingerbread story.

Speaking of Gingerbread we will be constructing Gingerbread houses out of graham crackers on December 17, at 9:30 a.m.  I will compose a letter on Wednesday giving details about this activity and send it home on Thursday.  I will be asking for donations, of course if this is not a possibility don't worry about it.  If you would be willing to help with supplies--I very much appreciate it.  I failed to mention Kaden and Dante as they also helped with supplies for our "turkey cookie" activity before Thanksgiving and thanks to Dante's mom as she helped too that day.  Thanks also to Nash for bringing a package of pencil top erasers to share with our class. I could use parent volunteers for the Gingerbread house construction--if you could help that morning, please let me know via e-mail.

I sent home a December Scholastic book order today.  In order to get these books back for Christmas those orders will be due this Friday, December 5.  If you would like me to save any books as Christmas gifts, let me know and I would be happy to do that.  I attached a "Free book" coupon to each of the book orders.  The easiest way to order is to use the online code found on the note attached to the order, but you can also send your order with a check (written to Scholastic) or cash to school with your child.

I mentioned in my last newsletter that we will be making "secret gifts" for Christmas.  I talked to my kids about earning the money for these gifts.  If you could help them "earn" $1.00 to help with these gifts, or as Dane said, "I already have $1.00 in my piggy bank", I again would appreciate it.  Please send the $1.00 with your child by next Friday 12 if possible.  Thanks!

The November Reading Record is now due!  I sent home the December reading record home yesterday.  I know December is a crazy month, but please don't neglect the gift of reading with your child.

I will add some pictures of our Thanksgiving cookie making activity--scroll down and enjoy!

November 24 and 25

Remember that I will test on last week's spelling words tomorrow (the /or/ sounds).  There are also two sentences that will be counted towards the final score starting this week.

Tomorrow we will be having a little classroom party, where we will be making turkey cookies.  Thank you Dane, for provided Oreo cookies to help out.  If any of you would still like to help donate something by tomorrow send me a quick e-mail and I can assign you something.  We will be having the party around 2:30.  If any of you would like to come and help with the cookie assembly I would love to have you.

When we get back from our Thanksgiving holiday, it will be December--crazy!! We will write letters to Santa that week, and have some wonderful elves from CHS help answer those letters.  On December 2, we will be walking over to the Heritage Center for a violin concert by Jenny Oaks Baker.  If you signed that coral paper about field trips that is all you need to sign. If you would like your child to opt out of this field trip please let me know.

A couple of other things that we will be doing in December is our annual first grade Gingerbread house making extravaganza!  I will be sending home a note after Thanksgiving asking for donations for this activity.  We will do that on Wednesday, December 17 in the morning, if any of you want to mark that date on your calendar and come and volunteer that day also.  We will also be making a "secret" Christmas gift.  If you could send your child with $1.00 to help with these gifts that would be appreciated.  I encourage my students to do some kind of chore or service around the house to earn their "$1.00.

Your child will not have math homework this week.  Today Mrs. Williams is teaching a lesson on subtraction stories and then we will work on fact families before getting back into our Go Math Lessons.

I hope that you all have a fabulous Thanksgiving Break.  Travel safely--count your blessings--and enjoy time with family and friends! REMEMBER that the November Reading Record will be due after the holiday! Please turn this in to help our school reach 3,000,000 reading minutes, but more importantly read with your child for their benefit!

Happy Reading!

November 17 - 21

For this week's spelling test, I will have two dictation sentences included as part of the test.  Please help your child with these sentences--I can tell most of you are, as I have been pleased with the majority of our spelling test results.

Tonight I sent home the math Chapter 3 Test Review homework.  If possible could you please help your child with that tonight, as we will start testing Chapter 3 tomorrow.  For Chapter 4 (subtraction strategies), our student teacher Mrs. Williams will teach lesson 4.1 and then we will focus on the concept of "Fact Families" (4 + 5 = 9, 5 + 4 = 9, 9 - 5 = 4. and 9 - 4 = 5) before we move to lesson 4.2.  As that lesson deals with related facts, that my students do not have the necessary background knowledge for.

This week we will be doing a writing/art activity about Piligrims. We will write about about what Pilgrim can..., what Pilgrims are..., and what Pilgrims have... and make a boy or girl Pilgrim to display our writing. 

We have a new visual arts teacher here at East Elementary, Mr. McDonald.  He replaces, Mr. Seeley, our theater arts teacher who took another position at Fiddler's Elementary.  Mr. McDonald has an art degree from the University of Utah and will be a great asset to our school.  He will visit our classroom bi-monthly for 45 minutes and integrate the visual arts into our core curriculum.  His first visit will be this Thursday.  I am so excited about this as his expertise far outweighs mine in the area of art and art instruction :)

I can't believe I'm saying this (where is the time going), but we will have a little Thanksgiving party next Tuesday, November 25 before school dismisses for the holiday.  We will have it in the afternoon after our computer time at approximately 1:30.  We will be making "turkey cookies".  I need various items for these cookies.  Things like double-stuffed oreos, mini-chocolate chips, whoppers, icing among other things like that.  If you would be willing to donate something for this activity, could you please contact me (e-mail is the best and I can assign you something or give you an option).  Also, since I'm asking for donations we are about out of pencil top erasers.  The next time you go to Wal-mart and feel inclined could you please buy a package of pencil top erasers for our classroom use.  I would appreciate it!

Happy Reading! 

November 10 - 14

I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend. I just have a few items today.

In math, we are finishing our Unit #3 (Addition strategies) this week.  Thank you for helping your child with their homework.  Today the strategy is "Making a ten".  This is where students "make a ten" in order to add.  For example:  7 + 5 = 12.  Students would "take" three from 5 to "make a ten" and then add 10 + 2 = 12 so 7 + 5 = 12. 

The November Scholastic book order is due this Friday, November 14.  Remember that I can hide any books that you might like to order for Christmas.

I sent home a field trip permission form for all field trips.  It is on coral paper.  Please read the note and sign the permission slip about the district's policy for field trips. 

I am noticing a decline in the return of take-home books.  Please read every night with your child.  It's so important! 

Since this is "thankful month", I want you all to know how grateful I am for my beautiful class of first graders.  I love all of my students, and feel it a privilege to be their teacher.  They bring joy into my life and it's so exciting to watch their growth in learning.

Happy Reading!!

Newsletter November 3 - 7

Welcome to November and snow!  It's chilly outside and all students will go outside for break, unless snow or rain is falling from the sky or temperatures get way below freezing.  Please send your children with proper warm clothing (coats, hats, gloves, boot etc.).  This is especially important for lunch recess as it is longer break time.

We had a great Halloween.  The kids and I were so excited, but we remarkably were able to complete a spelling test, and some "Halloween math" that day.  I think the tradition of dressing up and having a costume parade will continue at East Elementary (at least I hope it will).

This week in math we are going to continue with Chapter 3.  This is a unit where there are many addition strategies that are taught.  Right now we are doing "double plus one".  That is where there is an addition problem where the numbers are right next to each other on the number line (7 + 8).  We are teaching the students to double the smaller number and then just add one (7 + 7 = 14 so one more than 14 is 15 or 7 + 7 +1).  My student teacher Andria Williams will start teaching math today and will continue until she is finished with her time with us.  She has been a great addition to our classroom!

We are going to start a Close reading unit on Spiders--I know I'm a bit behind (spiders would have fit better in October), but the students love this unit.  Close reading is a way where students actually get into a text many times to find out certain focus points (author's point of view, non-fiction text features as examples).  We will be reading from Gail Gibbons book Spiders for this unit. We will also be doing some list writing, and letter writing this month, and will specifically focus on what we are grateful for.

October home reading records are now due.  I sent home a new November reading record today.  That will be due the first day back in December.  Please read with your child every night.  Many of you are NOT regularly sending back your child's take home book.  Please take advantage of this program.  It will greatly benefit your child and your child's reading success.  Your child should be working on at least Sight Word List #3. I also sent home new spelling words and a new Scholastic book order.  That will be due November 14.  If you would like me to "hide" and save any of those books for Christmas let me know. 

I will post some recent pictures from Red Ribbon week and from Halloween.  Scroll down to see them and...
Happy Reading!

Thank you PTA for our t-shirts!

Nash and Zoie--dressed up as their heroes--their grandpa and grandma!

Enoch and Kylee--dressed up as heroes for Red Ribbon week.

Dane and Kaden's heroes are their dads!

Sweet Kaitlee dressed up as "me"!

Halloween fun!

October 27 - 31

Obviously we didn't have spelling words with the two short weeks we just had.  I sent home a new list of spelling words today.  For the last two spelling tests, the dictation sentence was counted at bonus points.  This week it will count as regular points (hopefully that makes sense).

I hope that you saw the note I sent home about Halloween costumes and the costume parade on Halloween afternoon.  I will not elaborate more here, but if you have questions please don't hesitate to contact me. We will finish our apple head witches for a little Halloween party.  We will do that Halloween morning. 

The PTA sent home an information sheet about their new reading program (3,000,000 minutes).  They sent home little papers for you to put your child's weekly reading minutes on.  Since most of the teachers if not all require reading minutes in their classrooms, we have decided to make it easier on parents and just use our classroom reading calendars and tally up the minutes that way.  You do not need to fill out the PTA reading minutes anymore.  Just continue to read with your child for 20 minutes each day and color in the icon (ghosts this month) and I will turn in the reading minutes for our class at the end of the month.

We just finished our Math Test #2 a couple of weeks ago.  I wanted to remind you that I have a high school helper who helps make corrections on those tests.  So if your child has missed some points, but you look over the test and see that everything is correct, then corrections have been made.  I do this so that my student's will understand why they missed the problem and have immediate feedback (well, as "immediate" as I can get it).

I can't stress the importance of sight word practice and having those be words that are automatically read.  If your child is not working on at least List #3, then they are behind with their sight words.  I will test all students on List #3 starting on November 3. 

Remember that picture retakes are tomorrow.  Only those that send their picture packets back or send money or have requested retakes will be sent down for pictures. 

I will have grades for the first quarter by the end of this week.  The October Scholastic book order that I sent home last week will be due this Friday, October 31 and the take-home librarian was absent today so your child will not have a take-home book today.

Congratulations to Dane and Brennan.  They were our classroom Catch the Vision winners for October.  They are both wonderful deserving students. 

Happy Reading!

Newsletter October 6 - 10

I am finally on track with my blog.  It was so nice to meet with most of you last week during our SEP conferences.   I hope you understood through those conferences how much I love YOUR child and that I have an open door for questions, comments or concerns.  Please feel free to contact me any time (e-mail is always the best option).

This week we will start our Take-home library program (book in a bag).  Please take advantage of this program.  Have your child read those books every night and return them regularly.  Rereading the same book is such a great way to increase reading fluency so please encourage your child to reread the same text so that their reading flows and they become more confidant.

On Wednesday, we will be going to the Bus garage for a field trip.  We will leave the school at 9:15 and return by 10:15.  I will not send home a field trip permission slip because you have all checked the registration form allowing your child to attend field trips.  As always though, if you would like your child not to participate in a certain field trip let me know and we can make other arrangements here at the school during the field trip time.

Thank you for sending apples with your child for our Halloween witch art project.  I was planning on doing that this Wednesday, but with the unexpected field trip I will do it on Thursday instead.  Please send an apple with your child by this Wednesday.  Speaking of Halloween, I hope all of you got Mr. Moyle's message about allowing Halloween costumes this year.  I am so excited about this, as I remember fondly Halloween costume parades as a child.  I hope that all goes well with it this year so that we can continue this tradition.  I will send home more information about it as I receive it.

I will send home an October Scholastic book order this week.  Those orders will be due on Wednesday, October 15 (the day before we leave for our big break).  The easiest way to order is to use our classroom online code.

Pictures retakes have been rescheduled for October 28.  If you want to have your child's picture retaken you just need to send back the picture packet (which we haven't received yet) and they can have their picture retaken that day.

The PTA is launching a new reading program here at East Elementary.  In the past we have participated in the AR (Accelerated Reader) program.  The cost has increased dramatically and we weighed the cost vs. the amount of students that actually participate in the program.  The PTA will be having a kick-off to explain our new reading incentive program on October 10.  They have asked that each  classroom have a "room helper" for this program.  They did not specify what that would include, but I do not believe it would be a big in class commitment if an in class commitment at all.  If that is something you might like to do for our class let me know and I can let the PTA know.

This week we are starting a computer reading program called Waterford.  We will participate in that program four times a week for thirty minutes each time.  In math, we will finish up our unit on subtraction and start Unit 3.  In science, we will start an integrated writing project about their favorite season.  We will write an opinion piece about favorite seasons.  We will learn about how to open an opinion piece, then give reasons to back up our opinion and then close it properly. Our reading groups are going well.  That's my favorite part of the day!! Remember that the September reading records are now due.  They are worth 100 points.  Please keep up with sight word practice.  Your child should at least have passed off Lists #1 and #2 by now.  I will test all students on List #2 this week (if they haven't already passed it off).

I hope that you are enjoying this beautiful fall weather.

Happy Reading!!

Newsletter September 15 - 19

It's been a little hectic this week as I have been home not feeling well.  I think the students were in good hands with the two subs that I had. 

I have sent home math homework still--thank you for doing that.  Please make sure that you help your child remember to put their name on that homework.  It is nearly impossible for me to decifer numbers in handwriting.  If there is a no name I just give the grade of 0. 

If you child is absent I will send home their morning work, and another other work that they miss.  I will write HW on top of it and date so you you will be aware that it is homework.  I still hope you are practicing sight words with your child and reading every night.  Our new and improved Take home library will start next week.  Please send back the portion of the Take home library letter so that I can start your child (coral paper).

Next week our reading groups will start.  I will inform you at SEP conferences if you child will be attending a reading intervention group.  Some of my students will also have additional help in math, and I will let you know if you child will receive that extra intervention as well.  I am going to try a new format with math and would love some volunteers as I get it off the ground or help all year would be great.  If you could help starting next Tuesday, Thursday or Friday at 1:00-2:15 I would appreciate it.  Send me an e-mail if you would like to.  I will let you know about reading volunteer opportunities soon.  My guess is that I will start using reading volunteers in October.  Remember that time is from 9:00-10:30 every day except for Wednesday.

It is picture day this Friday.  If you would like to purchase pictures please send back the picture form.

September 8 - 12

We have done two lessons from our Go Math program and I will now be sending home math homework most days.  It is nearly impossible to complete it all in class during our allotted time.  My hesitation with sending home math homework and the reason that I really didn't want to send it home this year, is that many will only do the math homework and not include reading as part of their nightly routine. I surely don't want your child to have homework bombarding them nightly, I know they are kids and need their "play time".  Please try to stick to 30 minutes total homework a night.  Include reading practice with their math homework.  Have your child help read the instructions.  The math homework will be due the next day, but I do understand we have busy lives so if you child turns it in late, I will not deduct any points.  Thank you for this help.  The one-on-one math help that they will receive with homework will be very beneficial. I have put the lessons that we will be working on on the left sidebar of this blog.  That way you can anticipate which math homework will be coming home.

Now that I have returned two spelling tests, I wanted to let you know how I grade them.  If I can't read the word, I mark it wrong.  I do not mark reversals wrong if I can tell what letter it should be.  B and D reversals are different.  If your child reverses the B or D I will verbally ask them how to spell the word and if they can spell it orally I will mark it correct as well as pointing out to the child that they have reversed the letter.  Letter reversals are still very common in first grade.  Do not be overly concerned if you child is reversing some letters or numbers.  We start becoming concerned if reversals are still happening regularly in third grade.

The Scholastic book order that I sent home last week is due this Wednesday, Sept. 10.  The easiest way to order is online using our classroom code.

Tomorrow all students will be given health screenings.  They will have their eyes checked as well as  a quick oral screening from a dentist.  The hearing screening will be done on a different date.  If something was noteworthy from those exams, the school nurse will contact you.

This week we are going to start our unit on punctuation.  This is a fun unit where I introduce correct punctuation with "Punctuation People".  Our first punctuation person will be "Period Pete".  We have been working on an "All About Me" writing and in science we are working on a little weather book especially concentrating on weather words.

I really love my sweet first graders.  I am a lucky teacher.

Happy Reading!

Newsletter September 1 - 5

I hope that you all had a nice Labor Day weekend.  We are buckling down again and getting back to work.

If you child has not passed of Sight Word List #1 then please help them with this list at home.  Your child should have at least passed off that list by now and be working on List #2.  Remember that they can pass these words off as quickly as they can.

The August reading record is due today!  I sent home a new September reading record today (paper with apples on it).  This is to record the number of times your child has read in the month of September.  Color each apple for 20 minutes of reading time (can include sight word, and spelling practice).  I also sent home this week's list of spelling words and a Scholastic book order.  Just like last week, I will test on the list of spelling words on Friday.  The Scholastic book order is due, Wednesday, September 10.  The easiest way to order is to use the code and to order online, but you can still send the order back with a check.  You only need to write out one check, and make it out to Scholastic.  With each order our classroom earns points for free books!

We will start with our Go Math program this week.  We will be learning about addition.  I really hope that we can do our homework in class.  I think that this week will be a good gauge to see if we can accomplish that.  I have put the lessons that we will be working on on the left side bar of this blog.  Next week I will let you know if I will be sending home a math homework sheet most nights.

We have started talking a little bit about the seasons and weather in science.  We will continue with that unit of study throughout September.

This Friday, our class will have a reading  test (RLA).  This will put your child on a "grade level" for reading.  Next week, the students will take the DIBELS test.  This is also an indicator to find out about your child's reading abilities right now and where to start instruction.  After those tests are complete we will start small reading groups in our classroom.  Some students will get the extra privilege of attending another reading intervention group with our qualified reading aides.  I will let you know if your child will be attending a reading intervention group.  We plan on starting those groups on Monday, September 22.  

Happy Reading!

Newsletter August 25 - 29

Today your child will have our first list of spelling words in their backpacks.  We will work on these words in class, but please help your child with these words at home.  You can count spelling word practice as part of your child's 20 minutes of reading. The spelling test will be this Friday. 

Mrs. Neil, helped me today with those students that have returned their Sight Word Lists #1.  She sent home Sight Word List  #2 home with your child if they "passed off" List #1.  If List #1 was returned to your child, they weren't quite there yet.  Please help your child with these sight words.  I will have her test all students this Friday on Sight Word List #1 even if you haven't returned the List.  These will be scored and entered into your child's grades.  Sight word aromaticity is so important!  Please practice these nightly with your child. 

In math we are concentrating on number words and number recognition as well as tally marks and number patterns.  I have also realized as we've been working that we need to work on right and left and we'll work on that this week also. I will test on number word knowledge at the end of this week.  We will start our Go Math lessons the day after Labor Day.  I'm still hoping that we can complete the homework portion in class, but watch for math homework to possibly start coming home after Labor Day. 

We have had a couple of birthdays in class already.  Remember that you can send in a birthday treat with your child on their birthday.  If your child's birthday falls on the weekend we will celebrate their birthday the following Monday.  We have 23 students in our class right now.  If your child's birthday falls in the summer months, I will have a day in May that we celebrate all summer birthdays.

We had our first library day last Friday.  We did not check out books yet.  Your child will be allowed to check out two books this Friday.  Watch for those to come home and take advantage of reading books to your child that they picked out.  Please make sure that your child returns those books by the following Friday.

Remember that next Monday is Labor Day.  Have a wonderful holiday!

Happy Reading!!

Newsletter August 18 - 22

Our first three days of first grade have flown by.  It's amazing how I love my students from day one!  We are going to have a wonderful year!

We are still busy learning about classroom and school rules and procedures.  One of the issues that we have discussed at length as a faculty is safety for our students.  We have many doors here at East Elementary, and many drop-off spots.  The four main drop off spot doors will be open until 9:00 a.m. (main entrance by office, flagpole, kindergarten area, and bus drop off).  After 9:00 a.m. those doors will be locked and all students and parents will have to enter through the main entrance.  We have been asked not to open those doors for "knocking students".  All of the doors have signs indicating that they will be locked during the school day. 

We have an opportunity for a field trip early in the year this Friday, August 22. We will leave the school at 9:30 a.m. and return by lunch.  The cost for this field trip is a $1.00 donation.  I sent home a permission slip this time because I will not be able to look at all of my student's registration forms before Friday.  Remember that I told you that the registration form is the only permission that you will need, but this time I will need you to sign the green paper that I sent home today in your child's homework folder.

Today I sent home August's reading record (paper with suns on it), and the first list of sight words and sight word phrases.  Remember that I want you to read with your child for 20 minutes five times per week and that I encourage sight word practice as part of that 20 minutes.  After your child has read for 20 minutes they can color in one sun (one sun = 20 minutes).  When you child is ready to pass off the sight words send back the little yellow paper signed and I will send them the same list back if I think they need more practice or send them with a new list.  Thank you so much for being diligent in sending back your child's homework for daily!

Remember the PTA Luau this Saturday, from 10:00-2:00 here at the school.  This activity should be very fun and is a fundraiser for our school.  I hope to see you there!

On your child's supply list, I suggested colored pencil and markers as optional and I still suggest it as optional, but if you child doesn't have these then when they are given the chance to color they will only have crayons.  If they would like colored pencils and/or markers they will be able to use those also, and will keep them in their desks. 

Thank you for signing up for snacks, sending in extra supplies, and volunteering to help in our classroom.  I really am looking forward to a wonderful year!

Newsletter May 19 - 23

It's the last week of school.  I honestly can't believe it!  I've said that before, but this year has gone by so quickly.  I love all of these wonderful students that have become "my kids".  Thank you for sharing them with me, and helping them with their education at home.  I hope that you all have a wonderful summer.

If your child has not returned their library books or Take-home library books yet, please search for those and return them before the end of the school year.  We lose so many books, and with tightened budgets it difficult to replace those lost books.

We will not have spelling words this week, and today we took our final math test.  I will get grade out, along with reading test results, and hopefully 2nd grade classroom placements by this Thursday. 

For the last day of school, I would like to have some ice cream bars or sandwiches after lunch.  If you could help send a box of ice cream sandwiches or your child's favorite ice cream bars please send those by Thursday, May 22.  School dismisses at 2:30 on Friday! I could also use donated Clorox wipes to help in our Friday cleaning efforts.  If you could help by sending clorox wipes that would be greatly appreciated also. 

Our 100-book challenge recipients are: Brendan, Kate, Kean, Angela and Jentri.  I plan on submitting their picture to the Iron County Today newspaper.  I will e-mail you when I get a response on when they will be in the paper.  Congratulations to these wonderful hard-working readers!

I hope that you will continue to read with your child over the summer.  Take advantage of the summer reading program at the library.  Giving your child the head start they need for 2nd grade is invaluable. 

See you next year and Happy Reading!

Newsletter May 12 - 16

What a crazy weather weekend!  When I arrived here this morning, our trusty custodians were busily taking care of the many fallen branches from our large trees.  By the time lunch break rolled around they were cleared up and the kids were safely playing outside.

This is  the last week that I will accept late work.  All work, including the May reading record will be due this Friday, May 16.  I will come in this weekend and work on grades, and also print out our reading test results.  I will send home grades and those test scores next Monday or Tuesday.  This Friday is also our last day to turn in 100-book challenge lists.  So far, I have had four stalwart, wonderful readers reach that mark--Jentri, Angela, Kean, and Brendan.  We will celebrate with them next Monday and I will call the newspaper and let you know next week when they will be featured in the paper!

Our take-home library is now complete.  No more books (in bag) will be sent home.  If your child has lost their book, please send $5.00 to replace that book.  All library books need to returned this week too.  Our library day is Friday, and all students that have both of their books returned on that date will be able to pick out a free book to take home.

I sent home a Field Day permission slip today.  All of the first grade classes will be going up to Canyon Park to walk on the trail, and play on the playground.  We will then return to school that day and have a school-wide BBQ for lunch.  Please sign and return that permission slip before Friday.  It's supposed to be warming up by then, so we of course will have water for the students as they walk up the trail.

Our PTA Walk-A-Thon will be this Thursday, at 9:30 a.m.  I sent home donation information last week.  All students who turn in donations will be given a coupon for a FREE shaved ice from the Tiki Shack. 

Don't forget to turn in all work by this Friday!  I will test on the final Sight Word List #11 this Friday also.

As we only have 9 more days left of school, I wanted to let all of you know how much I've appreciated YOUR CHILD in my class this year.  I have thoroughly enjoyed each child, and have loved this class.  They are delightful students and will forever be imprinted in my heart!

Happy Reading!

This has been a hard week for me, and I neglected updating my blog until today.  I apologize.  I did get the new spelling words and sentences on earlier though so I hope you were able to access those if needed.

We had a great time swimming on Tuesday!  Thanks to all those brave souls that put on a swimming suit and swam with our kids.  It was so fun to see so many smiling faces!

Today we had pancakes before our DIBELS test.  I will get you those results as soon as they are available.  Thanks again to Kayzley and Brendan for supplying apple juice for our pancake breakfast.

The April home reading records are now due!  They are worth 100 points.  They are too late now for a treat and certificate, but if you child read in April (I hope they did) then you can still turn it in for credit.  Remember that next Friday, May 16th will be the last day to turn in work.  The May reading record will be due that day.  Also, our 100 book challenge will end that day also.  I am so happy for those kids that accomplished this challenge.  We will have our 100-book reading celebration on the following Monday for those students that read 100 books since January!!

Speaking of books.  The take-home library will end on May 13th.  Please send back your child's book in a bag.  I will send home notices to those that have not returned their books tomorrow.  If you cannot find the book it is a $5.00 replacement fee.  Thanks for helping us to keep our take-home library books intact.  In library, this will be the last week to check our books (May 9).  The following week, May 16th all library books will be due!!  Those students that turn in their library books by that date will be able to pick out a free book to take home.

On May 15th, the PTA is sponsoring a Walk-a-Thon to raise funds for our precious school.  I will send home donation sheets tomorrow.  Please consider helping your child gather donations.  They love walking and trying to compete for the most laps walked. 

As the year is drawing to an end, I am in need of Clorox wipes to help us clean up during the last days of school.  If you could help by donating some clorox wipes, I would greatly appreciate it.  The last day of school is May 23rd and we will dismiss that day at 2:30!

For field day on May 16th, the first graders will walk up to Canyon trail, and walk up the trail, and then play on the playground.  We will then come back to school and have a school lunch BBQ!  

Mrs. Isom, our wonderful secretary, wanted me to pass along two bits of information.  One, is that there are a lot of coats, and jackets in the lost and found. There are also a couple of pairs of glasses in the office.  The coats will be taken to the DI after the school year.  If your child is missing a coat or jacket please encourage them to look for it.  You are welcome to come and look through the lost and found also.  I will also have my students look at it before we leave for the year.  The second is that Miss Iron County is collecting shoes for charity.  If you have some gently worn or new shoes that you could donate, there is a donation box by the office. 

I will be gone Thursday afternoon, and all day Friday.  Thank you to those that have been so kind as you have found out about my father's passing.  I hope that all of you wonderful mothers have a fabulous Mother's Day on Sunday!

Happy Reading!

Newsletter April 28 - May 2

We're definitely on the downhill with four more weeks of school left.  I will still send home spelling words and math homework for the next three weeks.  All assignments will be due, Friday May 16th.  I will not accept late assignments after that date.

If your child has not passed off of the first grade sight word lists (eleven lists), then I have sent home the lists with your child today.  Please work on those with your child!  I will test on List #10 on this Friday, May 2 and List #11 on Friday, May 16th.

I sent home a permission slip for our swimming field trip today.  Please sign it and return it soon.  I also sent home a note on coral paper outlining the day.  I REALLY need 4-5 volunteers to help that morning and get in the pool with the kids.  We can't do it without volunteers! Please let me know soon if you can help out.

I have several new students and some that haven't had a chance to be "Star of the Week"  I am going to be combining several students for the next two weeks, so that all students have their week of glory.  Please watch for instructions to come home this Friday or next Friday concerning Star of the Week expectations.

We just got our incubator filled with five eggs.  I sent home a flier today about the type of chickens that these eggs will produce.  We are really encouraged by the 4-H to sell any hatched chicks.  If you have the mean to care for some new additions to your family (i.e chicks) please let me know.  The cost per chick is $2.00 and you would need to pick them up by this Friday, May 2.

The April reading record is due this Thursday, May 1.  I will send home one more reading record for May.  It will be due May 16, and since it's  a shorter month it will be worth just 50 points for May.  I have had two more students reach the 100 book milestone.  Kean and Jentri both have read over 100 books now.  Such a great accomplishment!

Next week we will be our testing week.  On Wednesday, May 7th we'll have the DIBELS test in the morning.  As you may recall, I will make pancakes for my students before the test.  Thanks to Kayzley for sending in apple juice.  If you would like to help send in syrup or apple juice you are more than welcome to help out!  On Friday, May 9th we'll take another reading test, called the RLA.  This test puts them on a specific reading level (i.e grade level 1.2 etc.)  I will send the results of both of those tests as soon as I can after I receive them.  

We just finished our last lesson in Unit 11 of our Go Math program.  I will review tomorrow for the test on Wednesday.  We will then work on the last unit of the program for the next two weeks.  I will do as I've done before and list the lesson we'll be working on.   Your child may or may not have homework based on how fast we complete the book portion in class.  Please ask though nightly if you child has homework.

Congratulations to Janelle Milliman who was our classroom's Catch the Vision winner for April.  She is the definition of "sweetness" and such a deserving student. 

Happy Reading!

Newsletter April 21 - 25

Welcome back!  I hope that you all have a wonderful Easter break!  We have five more weeks left of school.  I just signed up for our DIBELS testing.  That will be Wednesday, May 7 in the morning.  I will feed my students pancakes that morning before the test.  If you could donate some apple juice for that morning please let me know.

This Thursday, we are going on another walking field trip to SUU to Bard's birthday bash.  It is always a fun occasion, with cake,  a maypole, jousting, and an improv performance.  We will leave East Elementary at 12:40 p.m. and return right before school lets out.  Please sign and return the permission slip that I sent home in your child's homework folder today. 

On May 6th we have reserved the Aquatic Center in the morning for swimming.  We usually like to have that activity later in the month, but there are restrictions on buses for the month of May and when I called to arrange a date, May 6th was our only possibility.  For that field trip/activity, we need 4 to 5 brave parent volunteers who will get in the water and "swim" with the class.  If you would be willing to help that day please let me know.  The cost for the field trip is $2.00, unless your child has a swimming pass.  I will send home more information about that field trip in the next couple of blog newsletters.

We just started on Unit 11 in math.  It deals with three-dimensional shapes.  Like our last unit, I feel that sometimes we will get through the in class portion of the lesson quickly and then we can do the homework in class as well.  I just put the math homework down as a guide, so again if your child tells you that he or she does not have homework, they are telling you the truth :)

We have four more weeks until our 100-book challenge ends.  Angela just reached the 98 book mark today!  She's getting close! 

I will be taking a "personal day" this Friday.  My oldest child, my daughter is getting married, and I am going to go down to St. George and help her as she is getting her bridal photos taken that day.  We are getting our incubator that day for our chick hatching extravaganza.  The eggs will arrive the following Monday, so hopefully we'll have some chicks hatch next week.  That experience helps to reinforce life cycles.  In science during May, our focus is life cycles as well as plants and seeds. If you would like to buy a chick let me know. 

Happy Reading!

Newsletter April 7 - 11

This Thursday we are going on our field to to SUU to watch the Pirates of Penzance play.  I am so sad because I will not be here that day.  East Elementary will be getting a new first grade teacher next year, and Mr. Burton has asked me to sit in on and help with the interviews.  If your child has not sent their permission slip back (yellow paper), please return it by tomorrow!  I don't want my sub to have to worry about missing permission slips.  Please send the $1.00 donation for the play by tomorrow also for the same reason.

Next Tuesday we are having our first grade Easter Egg Hunt.  Thanks to those that have already sent candy-filled eggs for that activity.  Just a reminder that this will occur at the Canyon Park and we've ask for a donation of one dozen candy-filled eggs.  Again, scroll down and read the previous newsletter posts for more information.  I sent home a permission slip for this field trip/activity today.  It is on pink paper.  Please sign that and return it by next Monday.  We need volunteers to help us take the eggs to the park and "hide" them for us (Mrs. Wininger and I).  If you can help that day please let me know.  We would need you by 1:30.

We are finishing up our graphing unit in math this week.  I will test on this unit next Monday or Tuesday before the spring break.  I have put the lessons that we will be doing on the homework section of this blog, but sometimes we may finish the homework in class like we did yesterday.  If your child tells you that they did the homework in class believe them!

We have 30 days of school left!  Spring fever has definitely set in.  Please continue to be diligent with nightly reading with your child.  We will be having our final DIBELS reading assessment the first week in May.  I'm excited as many of my students are moving towards reading 100 books.  Traysen has now reached 40 books!  Many have not turned in their March home reading record.  I will still give your child credit for their reading if you turn it in, but your child will not receive a certificate treat and pizza coupon.  It needs to be turned in the first week of the month for that "reward".

Have a beautiful day and Happy Reading!!

Newsletter March 31 - April 4

Thanks to those that came and watched us sing our little Water Cycle song during the science/AR assembly last Friday.  We had to change our configuration at the last minute, because our "mad scientist" had so much to show us.  I thought our first graders still did a great job despite the last minute changes.  Abbi shared her essay "I like science because..." for our class and Kate Ison was our Catch the Vision winner for March.  My students loved watching Mr. Burton "kiss a pig" for the PTA reading incentive.  Our March reading records are now due!  Turn those in now so that we can be eligible for next months PTA sponsored reading incentive event.  Which is yet to be announced!

I sent home a permission slip for a field trip next week.  We will be walking to SUU to the Pirates of Penzance play.  We will leave here by 9:30 a.m. and return by lunch.  This cost for this field trip is a $1.00 donation.  The SUU playmakers groups always does a fantastic job!

In my last blog, I announced our Easter Egg Hunt.  I will be brief explaining that again.  If you need more information, scroll down and read last week's newsletter.  In summary, we'll be going to Canyon Park on Tuesday, April 15th at 2:00 p.m.  We are asking each child to donate one dozen candy-filled eggs (use scotch tape to hold them together).  Thanks to Damion who has already donated several dozen eggs!!!

I also sent home a Talent Show information and permission slip.  The Talent Show will be held Friday, April 11th.  If your child would like to participate the permission slip is due April 7th.  The show will be presented twice.  Once at 2:00 for parents of the participants, and another time at 2:00 for the study body.

I was pleased with our last math test results.  Remember that if you child misses any problems on the test, that I have SUU students that help with corrections.  Your child will come home with those corrections made, but the original percentage will stand.  We have started our unit on graphing.  So, far I feel like my students have a handle on the picture graphs.  We still need to work on comparing two items on a graph (i.e.  How many more students like blue paint than red paint?)  Before the test, I will reinforce that concept with my students. 

If your child has not passed off Sight Word List #9.  They should pass that list off this month.  Please practice sight words with you child.  Especially if you child's fluency (number of words they can read in a minute) was not where it needed to be last time we tested.  I was excited to see three more students bring lists of 10 books that they have read.  Jentri has now read 80 books, Kate has read 60 and Anna has read 20! 

Happy Reading!

Newsletter March 24 - 28

I really did send your child's third quarter grades home today.  Please let me know if you see any discrepancies on your child's print out.  Notice the amount of absences and tardies your child has accrued.  We start reading groups right at 9:00 and if you child is tardy, they are missing out on valuable small group instruction that cannot be made up during the day.

Today we went down to the gym to practice for our little program that will be held this Friday during the AR assembly at 2:00 and then again at 2:45.  Remember you are welcome to come and watch the first grade sing a song.  I have outlined our program in previous newsletters so I will not do that again today.

We have another new student--Chevelle Mitchell.  She has recently moved here from Grand Junction, Colorado, but her mother told me that her father grew up here in good old Cedar City!  She is a wonderful girl, and again it amazes me how well new students assimilate into my class this year.  I think it's because I have such a wonderful bunch of first graders!

Mr. Burton wanted me to remind you of Kindergarten registration tomorrow. It will be held from 12:00-3:00.  If you have a child that will be entering kindergarten next year or know of someone in our boundaries that will have a child entering kindergarten please register tomorrow.  This helps us get a good estimate on enrollment for next year.

Easter is just around the corner and we've planned our annual first grade Easter Egg hunt.  We will be joining Mrs. Wininger's class for an Easter egg hunt at Canyon Park on Tuesday, April 15 at 2:00 pm.  For the Easter egg hunt, we are asking that if possible that each child donate one dozen plastic candy-filled eggs.  They now have pre-filled plastic eggs at the store which are convenient, but you don't  need to purchase those. Please tape the eggs together with scotch tape, otherwise they pop open.  If you you can help us please send those eggs by Monday, April 14th.  We will combine our eggs with Mrs. Wininger's class and then allow the children to find the same amount of eggs.  I could also use a couple of parent volunteers to help get the eggs to the park and "hide" them for us.  If you could help with that please let me know.

We are busy trying to fit all that we need to fit in before the end of the year.    In math I will test on Unit 9 this Thursday.  Make sure that you help your child with their Unit 9 math homework before that date! We have started our maps unit, and will soon start learning about Force and Motion.  Then we'll finish the year off with plants and life cycles. 

Our 100 book challenge is still ongoing.  Remember your child has 9 more weeks to complete that challenge.  If your child reads for five days a week, and reads 2 books a time they can easily accomplish this wonderful achievement! We started this in early January so we've had plenty of time and opportunity finish this by the end of the year.

Happy Reading!

Newsletter March 17 - 21

We have officially begun the 4th quarter of school!  I will print out your child's grades and send them home by this Thursday, March 20. I love this time of year, it's wonderful to remember where my students started and where they are now.  I love that most of my students will spontaneously read things now.  They'll read the titles of books, the math problems, labels etc.  It's wonderful for a teacher to watch.  Please keep reading nightly with your child!  Help them develop a love for reading!

We are working on time to the hour and the half-hour in math.  Sometimes we will finish the math homework in class, depending on the concept and student behavior.  I have listed the lesson that we will do each day on the sidebar of this blog.  Please ask your child each night if they have math homework.  I really am hoping to give you a little math break this week. :)  If so, use that time to study sight word List #8, if your child hasn't passed it off yet.  I will test on that list on March 31.

This is an exciting week as we are going to the St. George children's museum this Thursday.  We will leave right after the bell rings at 9:00 am so make sure that your child is on time to school that day! All of us will be bring a school provided sack lunch.  Please make sure that your child's lunch account is current.  The museum depends on donations, so if you could help by sending a $1.00 donation with your child we can help keep that museum up and running. I'm excited to go.  I've heard wonderful things about the museum.

I mentioned this last newsletter, but am going to remind you just in case you didn't catch it.  On Friday, March 28 at 2:00 the first grade classes will be "performing" during the AR assembly.  We will sing one song and have one student from each class read an essay titled "Why I like science".  You are welcome to come and watch our performance.  We will also perform at the 2:45 assembly, but 1st grade awards are given during the 2:00 time slot.

If your child hasn't turned in their February reading record yet, please help them to get it turned in.  It's too late, for a free pizza coupon and treat from me, but it's not too late to help our class win the prize of helping Mr. Burton "kiss a pig"! 

Happy Reading!

Newsletter March 10 - 14

It was so nice visiting with most of you last week.  I hope that you know that parent teacher conferences are not the only time that I am willing to discuss you child's progress with you.  I am willing to talk to you anytime in person, through e-mail, or a phone call before or after school.  Thank you for taking the time to come and make your child's education a priority!

Third quarter ends this Friday, March 14th.  I will not accept late, third quarter work after that date.  I will print out grades next Monday, and send them home by Wednesday, March 19th. 

A couple of calendar items that are coming up that I want to make you aware of are on March 27th and 28th.  The first is the Science Fair and Arts Night on Thursday, March 27th at 6:00p.m.  This is a night where you can bring your child to enjoy the science fair exhibits and also view artwork from each class that will decorate the walls in the gym.  On March 28, at 2:00 it is our turn to perform at the AR assembly.  We have invited Mr. Fred Rowley to make a presentation about science and we'll sing one or possibly two songs before he makes his presentation.  We also perform again at the 2:45 assembly, but the first grade awards are given out at the 2:00 time so I would encourage you to attend that assembly if you would like to watch your child.

I just got an e-mail today that if your child still wants to participate in the Science fair they can turn in their science fair form by this Wednesday, March 12th.  The deadline was March 7, but has been extended to the 12th.  This is absolutely the last day to turn those in.

The March Scholastic book order is in your child's homework folder.  Those orders will be due this Friday, March 14th. 

Keep reading with your child and help them reach our 100 book goal by May!  Have a wonderful Monday!

Newsletter March 3 - 7

It was nice to visit with many of you today, and I look forward to visiting with the rest of you this week.  Remember that we get out of school every day at 2:30, including Wednesday for SEP conferences. 

February's reading record is now due.  Today we went outside to wave to Mr. Burton who was on the roof.  Last month the "reward" for the class that turned in the most reading records was to deliver a dessert to Mr. Burton, via a bucket and rope, on the roof.  My kids were excited to see him.  Next month, he'll kiss a pig.  Please turn in your child's reading record so that our class can have a chance to help his smooch the pig.  Please have those reading logs turned in by Friday, March 7 to receive a pizza certificate.

In math we are still working on addition and subtraction with two-digit numbers and place value.  I will finish up with Unit 8 by Wednesday and test on Thursday or Friday.  My plan is to test on Thursday so please make sure that Unit 8 homework is complete so that it will help them on the test.

On Wednesday, we will celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday with green eggs and ham and some Dr. Seuss writing and read alouds. 

If your child wants to participate in the Science fair this year, remember that the completed form is due this Friday, March 7.  Remember that I do not require the science fair, but encourage participation to those that are interested.  If you have any questions about this please don't hesitate to ask.  Science fair boards are on sale in the office for $2.50.

Happy Reading!

Newsletter February 24 - 28

Today I sent home SEP appointment times (bright orange note).  Please sign and return that ASAP so that I can reschedule if necessary.  We can reschedule via e-mail or you can call the school during lunch time or after hours to reschedule.  I look forward to meeting with all of you next week.  Remember that because it's SEP week next week, school will dismiss everyday at 2:30 including Wednesday.

I sent home math homework lesson 8-4 today.  We still didn't finish that lesson in class.  I think I have about 1/3 of my class that really gets the concept of using a 100-chart to help them add ones or tens to a number.  I have taught them that if they add "one" to a number that they count-on on the row of the 100 chart (ex. 46 + 5 = 51--start on number 46 and count-on 5 and the answer is 51).  If they need to add "tens" to a number they count-on (or down) on the columns of the 100-chart (ex. 32 + 40 = 72--start on 32 and count-on 4 "tens" or 40 and the answer or where they land is 72).  We will finish that lesson tomorrow in class and start on lesson 8.5 tomorrow as planned.  You do not need to complete homework 8.4 with your child tonight, but rather can save it until tomorrow. 

If your child misses a day or leaves early and misses math, I am now going to send home the pages from their math book to  complete at home for homework.  It's hard to "catch up" if they miss an entire day of math.   If you see those in your child's homework folder please help them complete the missing days work at home.

I will test on Sight Word List #7 this Friday, February 28th.

The Scholastic book order is due tomorrow.  Ordering online using our classroom code is the easiest way to order books.  There will be a book fair during SEP week in the library that will also have some great options to increase your home library.

I hope that you are reading with your child at home nightly!  I know that most of you are.  If your child does not turn in their reading record during the first week of it's due date, I will not give them a pizza coupon and treat.  For example, the February Reading Record will be due, Monday, March 3rd.  If it is not turned into me by Friday, March 7th, I will not give them the "reward". 

Congrats to Jentri--she's read 50 books!  Kean and Angela have each read 25 books and Brendan is up to 30 books!  I love it!!  They love it too!!

I still haven't had any volunteers for our field trip to the St. George Children's museum on March 20.  If you can help please let me know.  We need to parent volunteers that day to help accompany a group of 5 students through the museum.

Happy Reading!!

February 18 - 21

I hope that you all had a great long President's Day weekend.  This weather is still crazy warm!  We are experiencing "spring fever" a little early this year. 

I put Science Fair packets in your child's homework folder today (coral color).  I do not require the science fair, but encourage any students that would like to participate.  This year they are adding a "collection" component for K - 2 students.  If my first grade child was participating in the fair, I would choose that option.  It is more applicable to their developmental age.  If your child wants to participate the entry form is due March 7th.  The science fair is March 27, and if you child participates they will be able to show their project to judges that day.  On the evening of March 27 at 6:00 any are welcome to come and view the science fair projects as well as the art that will adorn the halls of the school and gym.

SEP is quickly coming upon us.  Those conferences will be held the first week of March.  I will send home appointment notices next week.  I will keep the same time that we had for our fall conferences and will again coordinate with so that you won't have to come to the school multiple times if you child has siblings in the school.

I will send home a Scholastic book order home tomorrow.  It will be due Tuesday, February 25.  The best way to order is online using the code on the letter I send with the order, or by clicking on the link on the sidebar of this blog.

Our bus was approved for our March 20th field trip to the Children's museum in St. George.  I could use two adult volunteers to accompany us that day.  Please let me know if you can or would like to help.  I will order a school lunch for all children, unless you tell me otherwise.

We're starting our new unit in math, so homework will be sent home most days.  I hope you enjoyed your little break last week :)  In science, we just finished a little discovery about Groundhog burrows (which my kids loved), and we'll move into our physics unit (force and motion) in the next couple of weeks. 

I'm thrilled at all of those students that are moving towards our 100-book challenge.  Today Janelle and Kayzley logged their first 10 books, and Kean was our first 25 book reader.  He got a free book, and a little treat. Kate, Brendan and Jentri aren't far behind--they have each read 20 books!  Thanks for helping your child with this.  I love it when they excitedly bring me a list of books they've read.

Please never hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns.  The best way to reach me is through e-mail.  I usually get back to you promptly.

Happy Reading!

February 10 - 14

We got a new student today Bob Dutchie has joined our ranks.  He's a great student and I'm happy to have him in our class.  I sent home a new Valentine's Day letter today, with his name added to the list.  Instead of 20 students we now have 21 students.  Our party will be this Friday, at 1:30.  Your child can bring Valentine cards to share with the class, but please make sure that every student receives a Valentine and/or treat.  Thanks to Taylor's mom for supplying the heart-shaped cookies and icing and to Taryn and Willow for sending sprinkles.  If you want to send other candy items to help decorate our cookies that would be great.  I am especially looking for more items to decorate our Valentine cans on Thursday (stickers, glitter glue, ribbon etc.). 

Today I was just informed that we need to go to the Bus garage for a bus safety lesson.  We will go this Friday morning at 10:45 and will be back before lunch.  I will send home a permission slip tomorrow.  Please sign and return that permission slip before Friday.  Our Valentine's Day will be a full day!

Another field trip we have to look forward to is the St. George Children's Museum on March 20th.  This will be an all day field trip.  I will need two or three volunteers to come with us on that field trip.  If you would like to come please let me know.  For the field trip we will be eating a sack lunch at the park adjacent to the museum.  I am requesting that all of my students eat a school sack lunch, for convenience.  If you adamantly are opposed to having your child eat a school supplied sack lunch that day please contact me and they can bring a lunch from home.  I need to get an order for the lunches in fairly early so I need a count soon.

I have decided to review for another day before I test on Unit 7 in our Go Math program.  I feel that my students still need some practice with 10 more and 10 less than a number.  I am going to do some review activities tomorrow and test on Wednesday and Thursday.  I am going to do half of the test on Wednesday, and the other half on Thursday.  You will have a little bit of a break with math homework this week.  Please use that extra time and read more!  I'm happy the Jentri, Brendan, Angela, and Anna are on their way to reading 100 books.

We have PE on Monday and Wednesdays.  Please make sure that your child is wearing appropriate shoes  on those days.  This especially applies to the girls in my class.  If they aren't wearing the appropriate shoes sometimes they have to sit out during the activity for the day.

Mr. Burton wanted to me inform all parents of a Dual Immersion meeting this Thursday, February 13 at 5:30 p.m., here are the school.  This is for interested parents, especially those parents with kindergarten students.

Thanks for all that you do to help your child.  I love this week in First grade.  Happy Valentine's Day! Remember that next Monday, February 17 is President's Day holiday.

Happy Reading!

February 3-7

Thanks to all those who came to Curriculum Night.  I thought it was a huge success.  My darling students did such a great job!  I was so pleased and impressed with their performance.  Thanks for supporting your child and getting them here during a snowstorm. 

Today we worked on our Math Lesson 7-3.  We didn't finish all of the pages in our math book, but I had already placed the homework in your child's homework folder during lunch.  I still think that your child could do the homework, but you can decide if they complete 7-3 tonight or tomorrow night.  I plan on completing all of the units in Chapter 7 this week, and reviewing both Friday and next Monday before we take the test next Tuesday, February 11th.  I think my students are understanding the concept of greater than, less than, and equal to.

This Friday, February 7 at 8:00 a.m. the PTA is sponsoring Dad and Doughnuts in the gym.  So, Dads you may accompany your child to school that day and enjoy a doughnut and books with your child.  This is open to any significant male role model in your child's life (i.e step-fathers, grandpas, uncles etc.). 

It's now February--the January reading record is now due.  The class that returns the most reading records in January will be able to deliver lunch to Mr. Burton who will be working on the roof.  Please return your child's reading record so that our class can be in the running for this fun event.  I hope that you are keeping track of the books that your child is reading for our 100-book challenge.  Please send lists back as soon as you fill up 10 books so that we can start charting our progress.

Congratulations to sweet Teyha!  She was our Catch the Vision winner for January.  Jentri received her silver eagle, Taylor, Taryn, and Anna received their blue eagles, and Angela reached the pinnacle as she received her Gold eagle.  Remember that they earn these eagles by reading AR books and taking the subsequent AR tests.  This can only be done at school and we have a limited amount of computer space and time to complete those tests.  Some students need more one-on-one adult help than others and some days I do not have adult volunteers in my classroom to assist with these AR tests.  If you would like to come in after school and help your child with these AR tests you are more than welcome to come.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  Please watch for a note to come home in the next couple of days asking for donations to help with our little party, and donations for our Valentine cans that we will decorate in class.  This note will also have a class list so that you can purchase Valentine cards for each member of the class. 

Happy Reading!

Newsletter January 27 - 31

Happy 100th Day of school!  We had a fun time today as we guessed the 100 objects in our 100-day bottles.  We had cotton balls, jelly beans, pinto beans, and metal stamps (linotypes) among other creative items.  If your child did not complete this assignment, they can bring their 100 items tomorrow (January 28th).  I told my students today that Tuesday would be the last day for that assignment (since it really was for our 100 day celebration).  We need to practice for our Curriculum Night reader's theater and continue working in our Go Math book.
 

I sent home your child's DIBELS scores today.  I attached a light purple note to each of the score sheets.  I hope that this note helps to clarify how the test is administered and how you can interpret the scores.  I also spent some time writing a specific note for each student.  These specific notes, will give you ideas on what you can do at home to help your child progress in their reading.  If your child reached all of the "benchmark" scores (where they need to score at this time in the year), please continue to work hard at home since the number of words that each child should read in a minute dramatically increases by the April test date.

In addition to the DIBELS scores, I sent home a note about our 100-book challenge.  This challenge is very achievable.   We have 80 days left in the school year, so if your child reads at least one book each school night (they should be reading every school night),  then they will only need to read 20 more to make this goal.  If you have questions about this challenge please don't hesitate to contact me.

I sent home sight word lists home today with your child if he or she still needs to pass them off.  I will test all students on Sight Word List #6 this Friday. Remember that there are 11 Sight Words lists that 1st graders should pass off by the end of the year.  The faster that they master these words, the better readers they will become.

Curriculum Night is this Thursday, January 30 at 6:00.  My kids are excited to perform our water cycle reader's theater for you that night.  Remember we will perform at 6:00p.m. so that you can go to the Multicultural Fair, and to other classrooms.  Please be here on time!!!

I haven't heard of any students that will not be participating with us during Curriculum Night, so I will see you all this Thursday night!

Happy Reading!

Newsletter January 21 - 24

I hope that you all had a nice three day weekend.  I honestly can't believe how nice the weather has been in January this year, I think we might pay for it in May.

Today I sent home a 100-day homework assignment.  It should be in your child's homework folder or backpack.  I will show my class an example of this assignment tomorrow in class.  This assignment will be due on Monday, January 27th (the 100th day of school).  If you have any questions about this assignment please don't hesitate to contact me.  Look for our 100-book challenge information to come home next week.

We have been practicing our Water Cycle Reader's theater.  The kids are doing a great job.  Remember that we will be performing this during Curriculum Night on January 30, at 6:00 pm. right here in our classroom.  I have not had anyone tell me that their child will be absent that night, please let me know so I can plan accordingly.

Tomorrow we will review for our math test #6.  The students will be tested on Unit 6 this Thursday.  Please make sure that you are caught up with unit 6 homework so that it helps them for the test on Thursday. 

Most of my students have been given the DIBELS reading test.  I will print of their results tomorrow during Early Out and send the results home with your child on Thursday.  If you have questions about these results I would be happy to talk to you about them, through e-mail or in person. 

Happy Reading!

Newsletter January 13 -17

Welcome to the 3rd quarter of school.  We are halfway through the school year.  I can't believe it!

Tomorrow morning right at 9:00 a.m. my class will be given the DIBELS reading test.  Please help your child by getting them to bed early, and offering them a good breakfast.  I will send home those results as soon as I can after the test.

Please look for a blue note in your child's homework folder today.  It has a Reader's theater part attached to it.  We will start working on that reader's theater tomorrow.  Please help them with their part at home.  We will practice many times in class, but any practice at home will be helpful.  Remember that we will perform this reader's theater on Thursday, January 30th at 6:00 p.m. for Curriculum Night.

The Scholastic book orders that I have sent home will be due this Friday, January 17th.

I have printed your child's grades for the second quarter and I will send those home tomorrow.  Please look over those and if you have any questions, please feel free to send me an e-mail or note.

I was very happy with the spelling test results from last week.  Please continue to help your child study the spelling words at home.

Today we had theater class with Mr. Seeley.  The kids were able to improve their communication techniques with puppets.  They LOVED it!  I wish I would have brought my camera to take pictures.  We are lucky to have Mr. Seeley in our school.

We  have two new students, Alayse Johnson joined us today from Three Peaks Elementary, and Preston Williams will join us shortly.  I love how wonderful my students are with new classmates.  They bring them right into our classroom family immediately, through kindness and acceptance.

Happy Reading!

Newsletter January 6 -10

Welcome back! I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday break.  It was so great to see my "kids" this morning.  They were excited and ready to resume learning.  It's great when they can pick up a book in reading groups and read it again as if they hadn't missed a day. 

This Friday is the end of the 2nd quarter.  All work will be due that day.  Math homework through lesson 6-3 will be on this grade print out.  The December reading record is now due.  I sent home the new January reading record (mittens) today.  PLEASE read with your children.  I will send home a letter by Wednesday that will reiterate the importance of daily at home reading.  Watch for that, and hopefully it will reignite your fire to read nightly/daily with your child.

Next week, the second installment of the DIBELS reading test will be administered to all first graders.  I will send home those results as soon as I receive them after the test.  I will make adjustments in reading groups based on those results. Our class will take the test, on Tuesday, January 14th right at 9:00 a.m.  Please have your child here on time that day, well-rested, and well-fed. Actually having your child on time every day and well-rested and well-fed is a great daily practice :)

I sent home spelling words today and I think this list is one of the hardest lists of the year.  Please help your child study these words and the dictation sentences so that they can be more successful on the test this Friday. We will have more time in class to work on this words, since the Christmas rush is over with, but they are still tricky and most students will need extra practice at home.

We will finish up our unit on the Moon in the next couple of weeks with the moon bag.  Thanks to those that return that moon bag the very next day after observing it.  Mrs. Humphrey's will begin teaching about the states of matter and the water cycle, and we will begin a unit on penguins using the reading strategy "close reading".  That is where we dissect a book through numerous readings of the same text.  Through the various readings we will learn about the different features in a non-fiction (informative) book (labels, graphs, table of contents, glossary etc).  

Curriculum Night this year is on Thursday, January 30th at 6:00 p.m.  Our class will be performing a very short "Water Cycle" reader's theater that night.  Please watch for you child's part to come home in the next few days and continue to read this blog for information regarding Curriculum Night.

Happy Reading!