Newsletter January 29 - February 2

We continue to sail through the third quarter of school.  Today I sent home SEP appointment times (bright yellow paper).  Please look over those and send the bottom portion back ASAP.  If you cannot make the time I scheduled please note another day and time that would work better for your schedule and I will try and accommodate that request.

Here are this week's happenings in first grade:

• I sent home a list of spelling words today.  The test will be this Friday, Feb. 2.  The words are pretty straightforward, but may take a bit of study time to ease with test anxiety.  But, as always I would much prefer reading take-home books over studying spelling words.
• The January reading calendar will be due this Thursday, February 1.  I will send home the February calendar that day. I have changed some students' reading levels (take-home books level A-Z).  Let me know if you feel that the level your child is currently bringing home is appropriate.  This should be the student's independent level.  They should be able to basically open up the book and read it to you without missing many words.  If they are struggling with every word, it's too difficult, if they breeze right through it then it's too easy.  We want a "good fit" for each student. 
• Today we started two new Units--both in our CKLA reading program.  We began Unit 5 in the skills portion and in the Listening and Learning portion we began our unit on Astronomy.  My students already seem to have a good background about "outer space" so this unit will be especially fun.  In the skills portion, we will continue to learn spelling patterns.  We will especially concentrate on word endings.  Today we learned about root words and suffixes and when to double the ending consonant when adding an ending to a root word (for example; stop becomes stopping or stopped).  The rules are if it's a one syllable root word, with a short vowel followed by one consonant then you double the last consonant before adding the ending. We will review this throughout this unit. We will also begin a new fiction book called Kate's Book.  It will follow Kate and her grandma on many adventures. We will  continue our writing of paragraphs using opening and closing sentences and a middle full of supporting sentences. 
• In math, my plan is to test on our place value unit this Friday.  We are on course for that to happen.  I will let you know if we need an extra review day and instead take the test on the following Monday. Today we showed two-digits numbers two different ways (example 64 = 6 tens and 4 ones and 64 = 5 tens and 14 ones).  This will set the stage for regrouping in second grade. 
• I plan on having a Valentine's Day party in my classroom on Wednesday, February 14.  I will send home a note about that in the next couple of days.  It will have  a list of students in our classroom so that your child can hand out Valentines if they want to.  We have 22 students in our class right now if you wanted to get Valentine's before I send the note home :)
• We will again have library tomorrow, Tuesday, instead of our regular Wednesday time as our librarian is again away for a family emergency.  
• Thursday is our "Toy day" in PE.  Please talk to your child about leaving their toys in their backpacks except for their PE time.  Also, toys any other days really should be left home--that includes fancy notebooks, pencils that make noises or become toys, old phones etc.  They really are a distraction in a school setting in and out of the classroom. An exception for this might be for Show and Tell on Friday :)  I do though encourage "learning" show and tell though so things like shells, or rocks, or a special family picture something like that would be very appropriate to show. 
• I hope that you read the note about our 100-Book challenge. I know that you have a lot of things to sign when it comes to reading (calendar, PTA bookmarks etc.) and now another thing.  If I could figure out a better way to keep track of the books read for the 100-book challenge I would do it.  This is very achievable if your child continues to read their take-home book every night.  Don't leave it until the end because then it's frustration for all involved.  This is an optional activity, but I would encourage positive reinforcement and participation.  

Happy Reading and don't forget to sign the SEP note!

Newsletter January 22 - January 26

We had a wonderful 100 days of school on Friday.  We managed to have a "regular morning" of literacy and reading groups and then in the afternoon we moved to our 100-day project (thanks for helping with that) and an art and writing activity and a special 100 day "mystery" treat.  I know my students are 100 days smarter.  It's amazing the growth that can occur during the first grade year. If you follow Cedar East Elementary PTA on facebook we even had our picture on that page.

Here are this week's happenings:

• Our librarian is out this week for a family emergency and our library time has been rescheduled to tomorrow--TUESDAY instead of Wednesday.  Please help you child find their books to return them.
• Take-home books will not come home on Wednesday as  our take-home librarian will be out that day. They will come home on Tuesday and then again on Thursday.  Thanks for being consistent with those books!  
• If you want to order Scholastic books for this month please do so by today--January 22.  
• Watch for information about our 100-book challenge to come home hopefully on Wednesday, but by Thursday for sure.  
• Phoenix's mom has volunteered to help with Sight word soldiers in mid-February.  She will be coming on Friday morning rather than Wednesday morning.  I will let you know when that change will occur.
•  I will send home SEP appointment times next Monday.  Please help me by signing and returning the bottom portion of that paper ASAP.  If you can't make your scheduled time please note a time and day and would work for you when you return the paper.  Spring conferences are (well I should say winter)  February 5-9. School dismisses at 2:30 that entire week including Wednesday.
• Our curriculum hasn't changed much--in math we are working on place value.  Today we showed two-digit numbers in three ways (ex. 1 ten and 2 ones = 10 + 2 = 12).  We learned about the Incan runners today and the honor they brought to their families and in reading we read about Sandhill Cranes and Spoonbills and continued to work on our descriptive paragraph about marshmellows. We again don't have any spelling words this week:)

Happy Reading!

Newsletter January 16 - January 19

I hope that you had a nice MLK holiday.  Today we invited two more students in our classroom--Jenna and Lupita.  They both have been at East already and are now attending our classroom.  As always, my class were kind and inviting and helpful to these two new students.  I'm going to be brief and get to the point quickly this week so.....

Here are this week's happenings:

• We took our spelling test today.  I will send those results home shortly.  We will not have a new list of words this week (I think I might have just heard some cheering).
• The 100th day of school is this Friday.  I sent home a packet of notes about this day.  Students can dress up like they are 100 years old and there is a little 100 day project.  Those are due this Friday--it's optional, but students that don't participate usually feel badly that they didn't bring one.  Friday we will also be having a Life skills assembly at 2:00. Watch for a new challenge our 100-book challenge to come home early next week. 
• Box Tops are due for the next incentive also on Friday--if you have any at home please send them with your child for a chance to win a doughnut party.
• I am in need of another parent volunteer that can help out with our Sight Word Soldiers program.  Thank you to Mrs. Harris for helping out consistently every Wednesday morning.  She will be having a baby and will need to discontinue that mid-February.  If you could help with this please let me know.  I prefer Wednesday, but it doesn't have to be on Wednesday morning so we can work around your schedule. 
• SEP conferences are the first week of February.  I will be reviewing your child's recent reading scores then and talk about their progress academically discuss any concerns I may have.  I really want to have 100% attendance.  I will send home appointment times (they will be the same time that I scheduled you in the Fall) the last week in January.  Please send those back when you receive them--I am happy to reschedule times, stay late, come early whatever to meet with you.
• In math we are going to pause and review 10 more (5,15,25, 35 etc.).  My students understand the basic counting by 10, but when you start at a given number many have struggled with that concept.  In reading, we are especially going to concentrate on descriptive writing.  We will describe grapes tomorrow and then move onto writing about animals from our book The Green Fern Zoo.  We will learn about especially using descriptive language using all of our five senses.  We are just started learning about the Incas today.  We learned about their massive empire and how they built many road systems that are still present today throughout that region.  
• Scholastic Book orders came home today.  Those orders will be due next Monday, January 22.  They always have $1.00 books this time one of them is "Snowmen All Year" which seems to be a favorite among many of my students. Order online using our classroom code which is the easiest way! 
• If you didn't receive a "red" PTA bookmark for a free movie ticket please let me know and I will send one home with your child.

Happy Reading!

Newsletter January 8 - January 15

Yesterday was our spelling test.  I have those graded, but neglected to send them home with your child today.  I will put them in their mailboxes for tomorrow.  A new list of words came home today for our test next week.  The test will be on Tuesday, January 16.  As a reminder studying at home is helpful, but reading is priority :)

Here are this week's happenings:

• The PTA reading awards are actually this Thursday at 3:00 in our classroom. I sent home a notice with your child (it's just a little slip of paper) if they will be receiving an award.  You are welcome to attend.  If you are new I will send home a PTA bookmark with your child.  Just keep track of the minutes that your child reads at home and send the completed bookmark back for another one.  Each bookmark gives the student an award or certificate.  The culminating award for 11 completed bookmarks is the "Gold Eagle". Students will receive a t-shirt!  Today I just received some special bookmarks in my box--they are red and if those are turned in students will receive in addition to the leveled award that they are on a ticket to Fiddlers Theater for a "free movie".  Just one more way to give your child an incentive to read :)
• Next Tuesday, January 16 at 3:00 in the cafeteria we will be having our First Grade attendance and Catch the Vision awards.  I will contact you through e-mail if you child will be receiving an award that day.  Perfect attendance is just that--perfect.  Excellent attendance is just one absence or tardy and Catch the Vision is for a exemplary student both academically and behaviorally.  
• The PTA is having another Box Tops challenge.  If you have Box Tops at home please send them with your child by Friday, January 19.  Please consider reading the PTA newsletter and signing up at Smith's and Lin's for their incentives--every little bit counts!
• We took our math test today rather than yesterday as I stated last week.  I will send those results home by the end of the week.  We will start Unit 6 "Counting and Modeling Numbers" (think place value).  We will start by using a 100's chart and count by ones and tens using that chart.  Students will then be able to determine how many tens and ones are in a given two digit number (23 = 2 tens and 3 ones or 20 + 3). 
• We have switched with learning about the Mayan's to learning about the Aztecs.  We have learned about an Aztec legend, floating gardens (Chinampas), and today we learned about an Aztec Emperor, Moctezuma.  My students were intrigued by the fact that nobody could look the emperor in the face and that they had to take their shoes off in his presence and that they only used their bed sheets once. 
• In reading we are concentrating on past-tense verbs.  We have learned about the "past tense" marker 'ed' and the three different sounds it makes (/t/, /d/, and /ed/ ex. park becomes parked in past tense).  If you notice all of our spelling words this week except the "tricky word" have the past tense marker 'ed'.  We have read about many different animals--yesterday we read about Groundhogs and tomorrow we will read about reptiles.  Ask your child daily about what they are learning and reading about. 

Next Monday is our MLK holiday.  We will not have school that day.  I hope that you all have  wonderful three day weekend.

Happy Reading!

January 2 - January 5

Welcome back after our Christmas holiday. Please make sure that you are asking your child about their behavior (remember their charts come home every Friday).  Today we needed some reminding about appropriate first grade behavior that was possibly "forgotten" over the break :)   Today was the start of our third quarter of school.  I will send home 2nd quarter final Power School grades by the end of the week. 

Here are this week's happenings:

• New spelling words were sent home today.  These words are a bit harder as most are two-syllable words with different spellings that we have learned (ex. perfume--we have learned 'er' and also 'u-e')  Students will have to put two syllables together and remember multiple spellings.  These words may take some extra effort at home.  As I've said before though, I would much prefer that you spend your ten minutes of reading time each night actually listening to your child read not practicing spelling words.  Practice a bit, but reading is priority! Remember that I don't expect any longer than 10 minutes each night :) The test will be next Monday, January 8 and the words are listed on the sidebar of this blog.
• December reading calendars are now due.  I will give a certificate and treat for those turned in by this Friday.  After that date, I will still accept them, but students will not receive the little "treat incentive". I sent home January reading calendars home today.
• Tomorrow is Sight Word Soldiers pass off day.  The last Wednesday before our break I sent home lists to those that haven't passed one off recently.  Please work on those and help your child fill their little brains with words that they can read automatically.  
• The PTA is having another awards presentation in our class this Thursday, at 3:00 in our classroom.  I will send home a reminder if your child is receiving an award.  With the last award ceremony the week before we had a break I don't anticipate a large amount of recipients.  Don't forget to fill those out also as your child reads every night.
• Today new reading intervention groups were started.  Most students that received reading intervention are still receiving that extra support, but I have a few that will be staying in class with me based on our recent DIBELS results.  I will e-mail or talk to you individually if your child falls in that category.  I thought that I could send home the DIBELS results to you as I obviously have the results now, but the reading specialist reminded me that we need to hand out those results "in person" or have them mailed directly to the student (parents).  I will save those to hand out to your directly the first week of February during our 2nd SEP conferences.  If I was concerned about your child's results I would have sent you an e-mail (I would be concerned if your child regressed at all).  If you would like to see those results earlier than our next set of conferences please let me know and we can arrange a time to meet. 
• In math we will finish up our chapter on Addition and Subtraction Relationships and I will test on that chapter next Monday, January 8.  Tomorrow our study will focus on word problems and Thursday we will be reviewing basic facts through 20.  We will review on Friday and Monday before the test.
• In reading we are continuing with decoding two-syllable words.  Students know that a syllable is made up of one vowel sound.  We have learned to chunk the word by reading the first syllable, then the second syllable and then putting those together (ex. bath-tub, lad-der).  We will start putting our sentences together into paragraph form in the next few weeks as we continue to read about animals in our book the Green Fern Zoo.  Students will choose an animal from the book and write a paragraph about that animal.  We will learn about an opening sentence, 3 details or facts, and a closing sentence. We will work on this skill for the remainder of the year.
• Our study of the Maya people continued today as we learned about the Mayans fascination with the night sky and the Mayan calendar.  We will next move into study of the Aztecs. 

With the New Year upon us and goals being made maybe it would be a nice time to recommit yourself to reading with your child if that hasn't been a habit at your house.  This is just a friendly suggestion, but I can attest that it helps your child especially if your child is struggling.  I know sometimes it's a struggle with work and other family responsibilities but the connection it provides it priceless :)  I just received notes from the take-home librarian.  I will be sending those home tomorrow if you child didn't turn in their book before the holiday they will receive a notice.  We have library tomorrow also so please send books back tomorrow, if they weren't turned in before Christmas.

Happy Reading!