This is and will continue to be a week full of assessments. We are assessing using our new reading program to accurately place students in the program. The reading aides are also testing the students using two tests, DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) and ERI (Early Reading Inventory). These assessments will help to place students in reading groups that are appropriate for every child's level. I will send the results of these tests home after we have taken them all. We take the ERI this Thursday, and the DIBELS next Tuesday. I am assessing all students in my classroom using the assessments provided with our new reading program.
Today I sent home the first Reading calendar. It is pink and it will count for our classroom home reading minutes as well as for PTA incentives. I would ask that you read with your child for 15 minutes 5 times per week. Please record the minutes read on the calendar and return on October 1. I will count home reading as part of your child's grade. It will count as 100 points per month (5 pts. each day read). Our take-home library should be starting in a couple of weeks, until then please choose books that you have at home or visit the public library for books to read.
You should be working on math practice sheets with your child most nights. We usually get through on lesson a day except for Wednesdays. Today we worked on lesson 1.4 (which is pretty tricky). It's a hard concept for most first graders to understand the "missing part". The homework packet will be due on September 14. I would recommend that you don't go ahead if possible because you and your child may be frustrated as the concepts haven't been taught in class yet, and also don't get behind so that you are rushing through the assignments the day before they are due.
Most of the literacy "homework" pages do not need to be returned, but I really hope you are taking advantage of those activities. You can count those activities as part of your child's 15 minutes of reading if you are helping them (sight words, building words etc.).
I am working on getting all of your e-mails to Mr. Moyle. That is the way he contacts parents for school-wide information. If you are not receiving information from the school through Mr. Moyle please let me know and I will make sure he has your correct e-mail address.
School pictures are this Friday, September 4. All students will get their pictures taken, but you do not need to pay for a package. If you would like prints you can send the envelope back with a check made out to Lifetouch, or as I mentioned before pay online using the code found on the brochure.
If you haven't signed up for text notifications please do that soon (now would be great). I sent home a note today (on yellow paper) with the information you will need to sign up for text notifications.
I appreciate all that you do to help your child as he or she progresses through first grade. I hope that they are telling you about what they are learning. Maybe ask them about the fables they have heard recently and the lessons we have learned from them.
It was nice to see some of you at the PTA luau last night. We have a great school environment, wonderful teachers and students. Thank you for sending snacks for our morning recess. I have a few open slots so if you haven't sent a snack or want to send another one let me know and I can give you another date or you can just send another snack with your child and that can fill in on a date that hasn't been taken yet. Have a wonderful week!
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