Here are this week's happenings:
- Tonight is the PTA Luau from 5:00-7:00. Most of the games are free, but if you want food or specialty items like balloon items that will cost extra. I hope to see you there!
- Today I sent home our first reading calendar. This is the ONLY homework that I will expect for first grade. That is to read with your child (child does the reading) for 10 minutes each school night. Those calendars will be due on the first of next month so the day after Labor Day, Tuesday September 4 they will be due for a little treat and certificate.
- I also sent home a scholastic book order. These of course are optional, but it's a good way to get inexpensive books added to your home library. Usually there are several books that are only $1.00. Please order online and use our classroom code. Those orders will be due next Wednesday, August 29.
- Thanks to those of you that have signed up for "Remind". I sent home notes to those today that haven't signed up for this. Please take a few seconds literally and sign up using the directions on the back of the note.
- Thanks to those that have sent snacks for hungry tummies in the morning. I really think it helps my first graders transition to a full day of school. If you didn't sign up and would like to send a snack you can just send one with your child and I will have your child help hand it out on a day that is free. We have 18 students in our class right now. I won't do this all year, just for the first few weeks.
- Each Friday the PTA sponsors "Spirit Friday". 🦅 Have your child show their school spirit by wearing an East Elementary t-shirt or anything "blue". Needs to be intentionally blue, not just "I have a tiny blue spot on this shirt". The class with the highest percentage of students wearing blue will be able to showcase a trophy all week in their classroom.
- Thanks for helping your child return their homework folder EVERYDAY! This is so helpful for you and I to stay on top of notes and work from school, but also for your child as it teaches valuable organizational skills. Make a point to check their folder everyday--some days there won't be anything in it, but don't stop looking. 😊This past week nearly 100% have turned in their homework folders daily.
- As far as curriculum goes we have started both our reading and math units. In reading we are mostly reviewing vowel and consonant sounds and how to spell them. We are blending (putting together sounds) and segmenting (taking apart words into specific sounds). We are also learning about nouns. We have also started our small group reading instruction very early this week with a "reading boot camp". Today I sent several students out to the reading center for small group reading instruction based on their end-of-the-year kindergarten scores. This boot camp will continue until September 6. After that date we will continue reading intervention groups, but they will be based on our beginning of the year reading scores on a test called DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills). If your child would benefit from a reading intervention group I will send you a private e-mail and let you know. In math, we are starting our unit on addition concepts. Today we used pictures to help us add. In the next few days we will use hands-on objects such as "linking cubes" and counters to help us show addition.
- If you signed up to volunteer in our classroom, I will contact you through e-mail when I want you to start. Thanks for those that have signed up to help.
- If you are not saving "Box Tops" please start now--every little bit adds up. The PTA usually has some sort of competition for classes who turn in the most box tops.
Happy Reading!
Mrs. Armstrong 😊
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