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!