Newsletter December 16 - December 20

It's our last newsletter before the Christmas break and the last newsletter of 2019.  Today the district administrators stopped by to visit.  I appreciate the support we receive from the superintendent's office.  I told you last week that I needed to show you the DIBELS results, but our reading specialist said we now can just send the results home with our students.  I sent those results home with your child today (it's in their homework folder).  If you have any questions about those results please let me know.  I was VERY pleased with the results.  We looked at all of the results and rearranged reading intervention groups.  Many students in my class will either be changed or not be attending reading intervention groups starting in January.  When we get those finalized I will let you know via e-mail where your child will be during reading group time. 

Here are this week's happenings:

• Tomorrow Tuesday, December 17 at 3:00 in the cafeteria is our First grade awards ceremony.  I sent out e-mails this morning to those that will be receiving an award at this ceremony.  
• This Friday, is our Pajama and Grinch day.  I sent home a note about it on Friday.  Please let me know if you have any concerns about that day.  Students can wear their pajamas all day to school.  If they want to bring a blanket or pillow that would fit into their backpack they are welcome to do that too. We will also have a "special Christmas visitor" on Friday morning.
• Thanks for those that have volunteered to help with Gingerbread houses and for sending supplies.  Remember that we will be constructing those houses on Thursday after lunch at 1:00.  
• We are almost done with our "secret gifts".  Students will bring them home on Wednesday.  Thanks for helping your child "earn" $1.00 for that gift.  I think it's a valuable lesson as they learn to "give".  
• This week we are cramming in our Representing Data unit in math.  Today we read and made picture graphs.  Tomorrow we will do the same with bar graphs.  On Wednesday and Thursday we will read and make tally charts and on Friday morning we will finish off with problem solving using graphs.  Think of things like: "Jake has 4 more trains cars than Ed.  Ed has 3 train cars.  Ben has  2 fewer train cars then Ed.  How many trains cars does Jake have?" Students will make a graph with the data and then figure out the answer using the graph. 
• This week in reading we are continuing to read about animals from the Green Fern Zoo.  We will read Mandrills again, Things With Wings, and Big Cats.  At least that's the plan,  with Christmas activities sometimes things change. We will write about "How to make the Grinch happy" and read more versions of the Gingerbread Man.  

I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday break.  Teaching first grade really is the BEST GIFT!  

Happy Holiday Reading,

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter December 9 - December 11

Sorry this is a day late.  Yesterday I had a physical therapy session right after school.  Today we all took the middle of the year DIBELS assessment.  I was VERY pleased with the results.  I told you last week that I would get your those results as soon as I receive them.  I have received them but the reading specialist told me that by law they need to either be sent or delivered by hand.  She said to hand the results to you all during our next SEP conferences, but that isn't until the first of February.  If you would like to know those results before then please send me an e-mail and I can share them that way.  I am really convinced that the amount of support at home is really helping my students this year especially as they improve in reading.

Here are this week's happenings:

• I sent home a note today about our Gingerbread houses and earning $1.00 for a "secret gift".  We have started working on and will finish that "secret gift" this week.  
• I sent home a notice for the PTA reading awards in your child's folder yesterday if they will be receiving an award.  The awards will be this Thursday, at 3:00 in my classroom.  Your are welcome to attend and you can take your child home afterwards if desired.
• In math we have started and will finish our unit on measurement and time this week.  We have been practicing tell time daily with our math wall so this is a review for most of my students.  We will continue to reinforce telling time to the hour and half hour throughout the year.  Next week we will work on graphs (picture graphs, bar graphs, tally charts and solving problems using graphs).  
• In reading we are continuing to work with r-controlled vowels.  We learned /or/ today.  We have learned  many facts about reindeer this week and will be writing sentences about reindeer at the end of the week.  This is an assessment that will be put on mastery connect.  I have  a lot more information on mastery connect or meaning a lot more data on mastery connect than when I showed it during Fall SEP's so you might want to take a look at it.  If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact me.  Also in reading we just finished our third version of Little Red Riding Hood and African tale called Tselane.  Next week, I will continue with this theme and read several versions of the Gingerbread Boy. 

Happy Reading!

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter December 3 - December 6

I hope you all have a nice Thanksgiving Break!  I enjoyed the time at home with all of my kids together which was especially nice.

Here are this week's happenings:

• The November reading calendar is now due.  I told my class that if they turn it in by this Friday, Dec. 5 they will get a treat and pizza coupon.  December calendars were sent home on Monday.
• I got one more December Scholastic book order.  I will send that home tomorrow and it will be a quick turn around.  The orders will be due on Friday.  That way it will be back for Christmas if you want it to be.  
• Next week will be our middle of the year DIBELS assessment.  I will let you know those results as soon as I get them--in the past reading results were sent home by our reading specialist.  I will let you know how to look for those results.  
• In December we have some fun first grade activities.  One is Gingerbread house construction day.  I plan on doing that on Thursday, December 19 from 1:00-2:00.  I will send home a note with suggested items to send with your child.  I will use the money our class received from the fundraiser for things like paper plates, big bags to put over the gingerbread houses when they are done etc., so I'll ask for donations like graham crackers or a bag of candy.  If you see something that you think would work that I didn't include on the list then please feel free to send that too.  Every year I find something new to use for our houses that I didn't think of beforehand. We will also be making a "secret gift".  For this gift, I will talk to my students about helping to earn $1.00 to help with the cost.  It would be nice if they could do a special chore to earn the money to help pay for their "secret gift".  Like I said, I will send home a note about both of these activities to remind you and ask for donations.
• We have started a new unit in reading.  This is the unit where r-controlled vowels will be taught.  This first one read learned it 'er'.  We started a new book called The Green Fern Zoo.  My students are excited about it as it's non-fiction book about a trip through the zoo with Vern. We will be writing multiple complete sentences about reindeer this month after we learn facts and about them.  This will be a precursor to writing descriptive paragraphs after the holiday.  
• In math we have just finished up our unit about three-dimensional shapes and will start our unit on measurement and time this week. In first grade, we learn to tell time to the hour and half-hour.  The test for the three-dimensional shapes chapter will be this Thursday.

We wrote letters to Santa yesterday.  Christmas is such an exciting time for first graders!  I am pretty lucky to be surrounded by such great kids at this time of the year.  They really show me all of the time the best part of the season! Thanks for continuing to read with your kids every night even during this hectic time of year.

Mrs. Armstrong

November 18 - November 22

I am just going to get right to it this week.

Here we go:

• The PTA pajama dance party (reward for reaching our fundraising school goal) will be this Friday, November 22 from 11:05-11:25.  This will be the time slot for K and 1st grades.  Students can wear their pajamas to school all day.  Thanks for helping us reach our school AND classroom goal.
• We have been having trouble with toys being brought to school.  Toys are not allowed at school with the exception of an occasional toy for show and tell on Friday (remember I like show and TEACH).  A note was sent home about this from Mrs. Carter and I . Please help your child remember this new rule.
• Next week on Tuesday, we will have our little Thanksgiving party from 1:00-2:00.  I will contact you if you volunteered to help. If you didn't volunteer at back to school night and would still like to help just send me a message and I can give you something to bring. I could also use an extra set of hands during the party if anyone can help that way.
• This week we will write about Pilgrims and make a Pilgrim to go with it.  Our turkeys from last week turned out great!  Did you know that only Tom turkeys say 'gobble gobble'?  We learned that and other facts about turkeys and my students wrote great sentences using that knowledge.
• In math this week we will finish our chapter on two-dimensional shapes.  Today we learned about halves and tomorrow we will learn about quarters/fourths.  We will then review and take a test on Friday.  Our interventions this week will be on basic addition and subtraction facts.  
• In reading we have learned all the vowel combinations in this unit and will be finishing that up this week too.  We just learned /aw/.  That's a hard one for first graders to use correctly in spelling (they can't differentiate between that and a short o sound, but it will come with time). We mostly want them to say that sound correctly when reading unknown words.  Today we read the fable The Fox and the Grapes and tomorrow we'll read about another fox in  The Fox and the Hen.  
• We have read three versions of Cinderella and today we compared and contrasted those stories using a Venn diagram.  We read the first of our next three stories, Tom Thumb.  We will read two more versions of that main story, one is Thumbelina and the other a story from Japan called Issun Boshi.   

I think that's it for this week--I am rushing because I have an appointment at 4:30 and it's almost that time!  If I forget anything I will send out a Remind.  Thanks for you incredible and consistent help at home.  This truly is a phenomenal class!

Happy Reading!

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter November 11 - November 15

We had a nice assembly today for Veteran's Day.  I think my students understood and had reverence for those who have served our country. We read the book The Wall by Eve Bunting that shares information about the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC and were given special dog tags from Mr. Quarnberg a member of the Utah National Guard and fifth grade teacher.  In addition to our assembly here are this week's happenings:

• Our next PTA reading awards will be this Thursday, November 14 at 3:00 in our classroom.  I sent home notes today with those students that will be receiving an award that day. You are welcome to attend!
• The Scholastic book orders are due this Wednesday.  If you would like me to hide the order for Christmas gifts let me know and I can get them to you or leave them in the office for you to pick up.
• The Pajama dance party is Friday November 22.  I haven't heard much more than that.  Your child can wear their pajamas to school that day.
• We will have a little Thanksgiving party on November 26 from 1:00-2:00 right before computers and PE.  We will make a Thanksgiving bracelet that will have beads that represent different parts of Thanksgiving and we will make some turkey cookies.  If you signed up to help I will contact you via e-mail.  
• This week we will be adding the /ou/ and /oi/ sound and spelling to our repertoire.  Our book Fables is filled with these new patterns.  Tomorrow we will read the Bag of Coins a fable about being honest.  
• Tomorrow we are going to draw turkeys and use watercolors to finish them. Then on Wednesday we will write complete sentences about our turkeys.  
• In math we are working with two-dimensional shapes.  Last week we sorted and described the shapes according to defining attributes.  This week we are combining shapes, making "new" shapes and finding shapes in shapes and will start learning about equal and unequal parts. 
• We have finished our unit on The Human Body and will now move to a unit called Different Lands, Similar Stories this is where we will hear different versions or works of fiction.  We will start with different versions of Cinderella.  We will learn how to compare and contrast and will be reminded of story elements throughout this unit. 

Happy Monday Reading!

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter November 4 - November 8

It is strange that with the extra sleep this weekend that I don't feel rested, but I hope you enjoyed your extra hour and your weekend. Halloween was great!  Thanks to those that helped by sending in a healthy snack that day.

Here are this week's happenings:

• October reading calendars are due by Wednesday, November 6 for a certificate and little treat.
• I was mistaken about the PTA reading awards this Thursday they will be the following Thursday.  PTA bookmarks will be picked up this Friday for those awards. I will send home notices to those that will be receiving awards next week.
• We earned well over the $12,000 goal for our school for the PTA fundraiser (spirit run).  The pajama dance party will be Friday, November 22. I will give you more information when I hear about it. 
• Scholastic book orders will be sent home this week and will be due November 13.  I am sending home both October and November issues since we had the book fair in October I thought that was enough :) Many of the books in the November issue and the Holiday issue would be fun Christmas gifts (hint hint books are great gifts).  If you want to do this I can "hide" them here until you can pick them up.  Just let me know and if your order is for Christmas and I won't send it home with your child when it arrives. 
• Library will be on Wednesday this week instead of our normal Monday time.  
• In our learning we have switched gears in math.  We are now working with geometry concepts.  This unit deals with two-dimensional shapes.  Today we sorted shapes by attributes and learned what vertices are.  This week we will also combine shapes to make new shapes and describe shapes by their attributes.  
• Today we learned about our last body system--the nervous system and completed our body systems booklet.  We will now move onto keeping our bodies healthy.  We'll learn about the food pyramid later this week.
• In reading, we have learned the two sounds for the 'oo' spelling (i.e. soon and book).  In this unit we will also learn to read and spell words with the vowel combinations of 'oi', 'ou', and 'aw' as well as continue to write complete sentences and write narratives. Our next "official" reading test (DIBELS for the middle of the year) will be on December 9.  That is just around the corner.  I'm still overly impressed by how many students return their take home books daily.  The take-home librarian even sent me an e-mail today about that.  THANK YOU!!

Happy Autumn Reading,

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter October 28 - November 1

This will be brief today but I think I'll answer any questions you might have and fill you in on this week in first grade.

Here we go:

• Halloween is Thursday!! Remember that students can come dressed in their costumes, but no masks, blood, gore or weapons.  The Halloween Sing will be at 2:20 followed by the parade.  The best place to view that parade is from the cafeteria.  We will have a regular morning and in the afternoon after WIN time we will finish our apple head witches and have a healthy snack before heading down to computers, the sing and then the parade.
• I sent home spelling words yesterday.  This will be the only time I will do that.  We as a team decided to NOT give the traditional spelling tests from the CKLA program that we use.  We have spelling "tests" after we teach each phonics pattern and input those scores onto mastery connect, but we feel that the tests from the CKLA program are not a reasonable assessment.  Research tells us not to give lists of words that students will later forget, but rather embed spelling into our curriculum which we are doing.  Like I said, we will still "test" our students on specific patterns like a_e, but it will be right after the teaching and the list will be words that they would use frequently.  In later spelling lists from CKLA students are asked to spell words like perfume--though it's nice to know how to spell that how often will they use that word.  We would rather have them spell words they will use frequently and that will not be frustrating to our students.  We feel that we will be better able to gauge if a student is mastering a certain spelling pattern by giving them assessments of our own design. 
• This week we are finishing up on our addition strategies unit.  Starting in November we will move to geometry and time and measurement rather than dig deeper into the meaty addition and subtraction chapters. We did this last year and it worked out beautifully.  During the busy, sometimes hectic months of November and December we worked on those chapters at the end of the book and then in January we will resume with addition and subtraction relationships until the end of the year. 
• I am so impressed by all of the take home books that are coming back EVERY day!  I really think we have a 90-95% return rate on those books.  I don't know for sure but I am so appreciative that you take the time to read with your child every night.  The PTA book marks will be collected this week for the awards program the second Thursday in November.  I will send home notices to those students who will be receiving an award.  Please get those PTA bookmarks in by this Friday.  
• We had our silly string party last Friday.  I hope that you saw the picture I sent home.  Thanks to those that registered for the fundraiser and helped us reach our goal.  Our class will receive 10% of the profits and I will use that for Christmas gingerbread houses and other Christmas projects.  I will still need donations around that time, but that extra 10% will be less money out of my pocket and I appreciate that! 

Please make sure that you send your child with warm clothes.  It's freezing right now in my room as they turn the heat off or down right at 3:30.  It's supposed to be getting colder.  I would make a recommendation to put your child's name on their coat or jacket somewhere.  We have so many coats or jackets that get misplaces and never claimed from the lost and found and then donated.  If your child's name is on the coat then we do our best to find the owner without a name we can't do that.

Happy Halloween week!!!

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter October 22 - October 25

I hope you all had a nice three-day weekend.  We hopped right back into things today and had a nice time at the pumpkin patch.  Thank you to all the volunteers that came with us today.  I love all the help I am receiving from home from this class.  It's really extraordinary.

Here are this week's happenings:

• We will not have library this week since we missed Monday but you can send back your child's books anytime.  We have a bin in your classroom to put library books.  
• I realized I haven't really told you about Halloween at East Elementary and Halloween is next week.  Students can come to school on Halloween dressed in their costumes (I love that we get to do this).  Please no blood, weapons, gore, or masks that cover the entire face. If you child has a hat or helmet, or crown those can be worn during the parade.  If they have a mask like the Incredibles mask that can also be worn during the parade only, but masks that cover the whole face cannot be worn even during the parade.  We will have a fairly regular morning that day with reading groups and math.  In the afternoon we will go to a Halloween sing in the gym.  This is just for students as it's VERY crowded with the whole school in there.  After the sing we will have a costume parade. Parents are welcome to come and watch the costume parade.  The best place to sit and watch the parade is in the cafeteria.  Our calendar says that parade will start at 3:00 but I kind of feel like it will start a bit earlier than 3:00 so if I were you and wanted to attend I would be in the cafeteria around 2:45ish.  I just don't think the Halloween sing will last for 40 minutes.  We will have a little Halloween movie with healthy treats in the afternoon before the sing and parade.  If you signed up to help with the Halloween party I will contact you to help with a healthy snack. 
• This week we are wrapping up our reading unit and taking long vowel reading and spelling tests.  We are finishing up the stories in our book Gran and will be writing complete sentences about our field trip today.  
• In math we just finished learning about making a ten to add and on Thursday we will start learning about adding 3 numbers (3 + 4 + 2 = 9) .  Students will learn to group together addends that will be advantageous (i.e 5 + 2 + 2 = 10 grouping 5 + 5 first then adding 2 more).  Some students have a hard time with that concept (which numbers to group together) so we will also learn to just group the first two numbers in the series together and then add the third.  
• Don't forget that it's Sight Word Soldiers tomorrow!
• Picture retakes will be this Friday, October 25.  If you want your child to get retakes please let me know otherwise I will not have your child get a second picture taken.  If you ordered a picture packet and want retakes please send back the first packet of pictures. 
• Friday we had a nice time at the SUMA and Frehner museums.  I especially liked the art museum.  My students brought home a pinch pot and a fossil.  We were pretty tired after a field trip and the Spirit Run but James told me on Friday "that was the BEST day ever!"  
• We are super close to receiving a Silly String Party for the fundraising part of the Spirit Run.  There is still time for students to register if they haven't already (students who just register receive a free lanyard).  Donations and registrations can occur until midnight this Friday October 25.  

Happy Reading,

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter October 14 - October 18

Welcome to the second quarter of school and first grade!  Without further adieu.....

Here are this week's happenings:

• Tomorrow, October 15 at 3:00 in the cafeteria is the First Grade awards ceremony.  The awards for this ceremony are attendance awards, two Catch the Vision awards (all-around awesome student) and one most improved award.  I have sent e-mails to those students who are receiving an award tomorrow.  You are welcome to attend, but it's brief so be on time.  You are welcome to take your child home with you afterwards if you would like to. 
• On Friday we will be walking (weather permitting) to SUU for the SUMA and Frehner museums field trip.  We will leave here at 9:10 am and return right before lunch.  Thanks to those that have volunteered to walk with us.  I never limit the amount of volunteers that attend field trips with us.  If you would like to come and haven't informed me just send me a remind text or an e-mail.  The more the merrier!
• On Tuesday, after our break we are going to the Pumpkin Patch. That field trip is in the afternoon.  We will leave East Elementary at 12:40 and return by 2:00 . Remember that the cost for this field trip is $1.00 to cover the cost of the pumpkin.  Please send the $1.00 by Friday. 
• Thanks to those that are supporting the Eagle Spirit Run Fundraiser.  The Spirit run will be this Friday October 18 at 2:15.  It will help if your child is wearing comfortable shoes that they can walk or run in.  I sent the link to register this weekend.  It's free to register. 
• We are continuing to learn about addition strategies.  This week we will add ten and more (10+5=15) and make a ten to add (9 + 5 = 14 with make a ten to add students will take one from 5 to "make a ten" and then do the 'easier' problem of 10+ 4 = 14 to find the sum).  In reading we have added o_e to our spelling knowledge and will next add u_e.  We have learned that nouns not only name a person, place or thing, but that some nouns are proper nouns and some are common nouns. 

Have a nice long three-day weekend!  Thanks for all that you do to support me.

Happy Reading,

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter October 7 - October 11

We are back to normal after our SEP week.  Thank you so much for making time to visit.  I had 100% attendance and many with both parents.  That shows me how much you value your child's education.  I am grateful for the parental support I have with this class this year!

Here are this week's happenings:

• We had our Spirit Run kickoff assembly last Friday and I just sent the information sheet home about that fundraising event.  I didn't want to send it home Friday since the assembly was at the end of the day and I was afraid my students wouldn't get it home in their folders.  Please take a minute to read over the information.  A few things to note about this:  Registration is free and all students who register will receive a lanyard.  If our class reaches our goal then we personally receive 10% of the profits.  That would help with things like our Gingerbread houses in December. This is optional and we don't encourage students to go door to door.  
• I only have about half of the apples we need for our Halloween witch craft that we will be making tomorrow.  Please send an apple tomorrow with your child.  If this is a problem for any of you please don't hesitate to let me know.  I just need to know how many extra I will need so that all of the students will be able to participate.  
• We have two field trips coming up in October.  One was just scheduled for October 18.  We will be walking to SUU (weather permitting) and going to both the SUMA and Frehner museums.  I need some volunteers to go with us (walk from East to SUU and back).  We will leave here at 9:10 and return around 11:30 (right before lunch).  The next field trip is to the Robinson Family Pumpkin Patch on Tuesday, October 22.  We will leave by bus from East right after lunch around 12:40 and return by 2:00 just in time for computers and PE.  This cost for the Pumpkin Patch is $1.00.  If you would like to help with either or both field trips just send me an e-mail.  I will send home a regular note about these field trips just to make sure everyone receive the information.  The entire first grade will go to the Pumpkin Patch, but just our class and Mrs. Carter's class will be going to SUU on October 18. 
• In math we are again working on addition.  We are learning different strategies to help with addition.  The first one and the one we concentrate on most is "counting on".  This strategy is used if you have an addend of 1, 2, or 3 added to the other addend.  For example 8 + 3 = 11.  Students start on the larger number (8) and count on 3 (9, 10, 11) for the sum.  Today we learned about doubles facts ( 3 + 3 = 6 or 5 + 5 = 10 for example).  We will use our knowledge of doubles facts for the next strategy of doubles plus 1 and doubles minus 1.  Students will take addition facts with numbers right next to each other and first compute the doubles fact and then either add or subtract one from the doubles. (7 + 8 = 15, the doubles facts is 7 + 7 = 14 so students take 14 + 1 =15 because 8 is just one more than 7 or double the 8's for 8  + 8 = 16 and minus 1 from 16 because 7 is one less than 16).  This double plus one and doubles minus one strategy is tough for little minds because right now most of the doubles facts are not automatic.  That is why we feel that the counting on strategy is the one to spend our time on. Our math intervention on Wednesday will be spent on remediating or enriching with counting on.
• In reading we are now learning about long vowel sounds.  We have learned that 'ee' is a way to spell the /e/ sound.  We have also learned about a_e and today i_e to spell the long /a/ and long /i/ sounds.  We are reading a new book called Gran where we go on adventures with Josh and Jen and their fun Gran.  The spelling rules or phonics that we are learning are highlighted in these books.  That means students see many words with the 'ee', a_e, or i_e spellings.  All of the words in these books the students have been taught how to "sound out" or know the "tricky words" because we have introduced those. These books are called decodeable because nothing is surprising in these books and the students have learned about all of the sounds and spellings. 
• This is the last week of the first quarter--I know crazy right?!  This week we will have our second PTA reading awards on Thursday, October 10 at 3:00 in my classroom.  I sent home notices to those that will be receiving an award that day.  You are more than welcome to attend.  Next Tuesday, October 15 we will have our first grade awards in the cafeteria.  These awards are for perfect attendance and the Catch the Vision award or Most improved award.  I will let you know via e-mail if you child will be receiving an award at this ceremony. 
• Harvest Holiday is Monday, October 21 (no school).  We have a three-day weekend to look forward to.
• I just got an e-mail from the take-home librarian telling me that several of my students have moved up a level in their reading.  That's because they have read the whole list on a certain level.  This makes me happy because it shows how many students are reading every night!  I can't emphasize this enough (and I'll say it a lot during the year) that practicing reading at home helps your child's reading abilities so much!!! Please let me know how you feel about your child's level.  If it doesn't feel "just right" it's not.  It shouldn't be too easy or too hard. These books should be read by your student to you--not the other way around.  Keep up the good work!

Happy Monday and Happy Reading,

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter September 23 - September 27

I'm just going to get right to it....

Here are this week's happenings:

• I will send home SEP notices tomorrow.  I just got them filled out.  Please look for them in your child's homework folder.  Please send back the bottom portion ASAP so we can rearrange the date or time if necessary.  I look forward to meeting with all of you next week.  We will discuss how your child is doing in school and acquaint you with standards based grading and it will be a time to connect and ask questions.  School is dismiss EVERY day including Wednesday at 2:30 next week.
• I have sent home a couple of things from the PTA recently--one was sent home last week about pizza with Dads and an introduction to the Watch Dogs program.  The other was sent home today for a Grandparents breakfast which will be held next Tuesday, October 1 from 8:00-8:40.  I would suggest coming earlier than later for this breakfast as there is usually a line up.  Next week the PTA will also be sponsoring a Book Fair in the library.  That's a nice thing to do after SEP conferences (just a suggestion).
• In your child's folder today there was a note from Raven Photography.  It has an access code on it and you can look at your child's pictures as well as order online if you would like to do that.  Picture retakes will be October 25 for those interested. 
• This week we are finishing up our unit on subtraction from 10 or less.  Today we learned about subtracting all or zero from a number.  Tomorrow we will take apart numbers (ex. 5 - 1 = 4, 5 - 2 = 3, 5 - 3 = 2 and so forth).  We will review and the test will be on Friday.  
• We will also finish up our first unit in reading this week where we mostly reviewed short vowel sounds, digraphs (sh, ch, th) and double consonant spellings. We have been writing sentences and learning the difference between a statement and a question.   We will also take a test on these skills this week.  Students will be asked to spell words with all of the short vowel sounds as well as read words with digraphs, double consonants and short vowel.  Our next unit we will start diving into long vowel sounds.  We will have a new book to read with the unit and will be writing multiple sentences on a topic in preparation for simple paragraphs.  We have small reading groups everyday except Wednesday and are still holding WIN (What I Need) groups daily for both remediation and extension on reading and writing skills.  
• We had our vision and dental screenings last week.  If you child needs further evaluation a note or phone call will come home from the school nurse.  Dental notes came home last Friday or Thursday--I can't remember the exact day but it was last week.  

Remember to look for your SEP appointment time and send back the bottom portion of the note.  If you can't make the time or day please write down a time or day that will work better for you on the note.  Don't forget that Sight Word Soldiers is every Wednesday!!

Happy Reading,

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter September 16 - September 20

Sorry about not getting this out yesterday--today I'm rushing to get a root canal after school (I know you are jealous 😂) but thankfully right now we have computers and PE so I can get this done!

Here are this week's happenings:

• First of all check on the sidebar of this blog for new calendar items that I put up.  If you can't see that on your phone scroll down to the bottom of the page and click web version and you should be able to see it.
• This Friday is picture day.  I put picture packets in your child's folder today.  We are using a new company for some reason, maybe we are trying out a new company for the district? Anyway, I skimmed through the packet and couldn't see an option for online purchase, but maybe I missed it.  If you want pictures printed then you need to send that envelope back with the form filled out  the amount of the package by Friday.  All students will get their pictures taken even if you don't want to pay for a package.  It's spirit Friday also, but I would imagine that the PTA will not count that Friday so you can let you child wear whatever they would like to for pictures.  Last week though, EVERY single student in our class wore either blue or an East Elementary t-shirt!!!
• SEP or parent teacher conferences are coming up the first week of October (Sept. 30-Oct. 4).  I will send home an appointment time next Monday.  Please send that back stating whether you can make the appointed time.  These conferences are for both parent (s) and students.  If you know of day and time that would work best for you send me an e-mail and I will give you that date and time.   If you can't make the scheduled timed I'm more than happy to work with your schedules. 
• In our learning we are in the middle of our subtraction unit.  We have learned how to use pictures to help us with subtraction.  Students draw a quick pictures, usually circles then cross of the amount that is taken away.  They use these models to write subtraction sentences.  Today we modeled subtraction where the key words "the rest" was in the problem.  For example:  Jeff has 5 apples.  3 of the apples are red and the rest are yellow.  How many apples are yellow?  We then used pictures to help us.  Students draw 5 apples, cross off the amount we know (3 red) and the rest is the difference.  Tomorrow we will work with problems that involve comparing.  
• In reading we are almost finished with our first until.  We have started reviewing sentences that are questions and what words help us know that the sentence is a question (what, where which for example).  We learned that our voices go up a little at the end of question in comparison to a statement that ends in a period.  We now know that nouns name a person, place or thing and can identify nouns in our reading.  Today we read the story The Bus Stop.  Ask your child your child to retell that story to you.  We worked on sequencing today with that story.  Ask them also what a "thrush" is. (I hope they remember).  
• We have finished up our Fables and Folktales unit.  We just have one more culminating activity with that where students with a partner create a poster representing the fable of folktale of their choice.  Those posters will then be shared with the class.  We will start our Human Body unit next week.  In that unit we will learn about all of the important body systems (digestive, circulatory for example) and learn about healthy lifestyles.  
• Don't forget that tomorrow is Sight Word Soldiers day!  
• Remember too that if you child's take-home book takes them over ten minutes to read it just once then that counts.  Still turn in the little blue note.  I have noticed that this might apply to some students sometimes, use your judgment.  If it takes 40 minutes to read the book 3 times then that's too long (unless your child is encouraging that).  I only ask for 10 minutes of reading each night and most books are the appropriate length for rereading.

Happy Reading!!

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter September 9 - September 13

Here are this week's happenings:

• I sent home Scholastic book orders today.  Those are optional of course, but a nice way to get some inexpensive or sought after books to add to your child's collection.  Some first grade favorites are Piggie and Elephant books and Pete the Cat books which both have collections in the catalogues I sent home and If you Give a Mouse a Brownie is just $1.00.  Please use the class code and order online--you can still send a check in with your order, but it's so much easier on both ends to order online.  Those orders will be due this Friday, September 13.  
• This Thursday at 3:00 in our classroom is the first PTA reading awards (bookmarks sent home at the beginning of the year).  Usually the PTA will send home notices to those that will be receiving an award.  I haven't received those yet, but will make sure you are informed of the awards if you'd like to attend.  We will be joining with Mrs. Carter's class for those awards.
• I just got an e-mail about Spirit Friday.  In a nutshell, if you child wears an East Elementary shirt or just "wears blue" on Friday then they will be able to put their name on a ticket for a monthly drawing.  Every Friday is a new ticket and the last Friday of the month a ticket is drawn from each classroom for a prize.  
• As far as learning goes.... in math we are finishing up our chapter on Addition. We will take the test on this chapter tomorrow and start subtraction concepts on Thursday.  We will start with using pictures to take from and then modeling "taking from".  We have started our WIN groups for reading and writing.  It's a bit confusing for the students at first, but I think they are getting the hang of where to go.  We just read about Bud the Cat today in our reader.  We have been learning about nouns.  So far we know that nouns are words the name "people and things" (we'll add "places" later).  We are learning about double consonants (ll, ss, zz etc and about the spelling 'ck" for the /k/ sound).  We finished our folktale  Medio Pollito and just started a Jewish tale called The Crowded Noise House and later on in the week we'll hear Peter Rabbit.
• Thanks for doing a great job sending back your child's take-home book because that means your child read a book on their level the night before.  Please keep in touch with me about the level I sent home.  If you think it's too hard or too easy we don't want that.  We want a "just right" fit.
• Yesterday we had a discussion about keeping our hands to ourselves and it led to a discussion about "private parts" along that vein.  I wanted to tell you what we discussed in case your child brings it up to you.  We talked like I said about keeping our hands to ourselves and that it's not funny to hit someone in their private part.  I told them private parts are where a swimming suit covers your body.  We talked about how our bodies are special and deserve to be treated that way.  We also discussed what to do if that ever happens to them--tell an adult immediately!  If you have any concerns please contact me.  

Happy Reading!

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter September 3 - September 6

I hope that your long weekend was enjoyed with family and friends! 

Today we started back and had our first "WIN" (What I Need) time with our students in writing.  Students were grouped according to our recent DIBELS scores and will receive instruction on their level on writing and reading skills every day except on Wednesday.  Wednesday if you recall is our math WIN time.  Monday and Friday WIN is devoted to reading skills and Tuesday and Thursday is devoted to writing.  Students will stay with their particular teacher for a few weeks, and then after we finish a unit, groups will be realigned according to need. 

Here are this week's happenings: (if you ever have questions please don't hesitate to contact me)

• August Reading calendars are now due.  I sent home September reading calendars in your child's folder today.  Those calendars that are turned in by Friday (Sept. 6) will receive a small certificate and treat and pizza hut coupon for a free mini-pizza.  
• Take-home books were sent home today for the first time.  I put a yellow note in each bag describing what I expect with those books. This is such a great way to have books on your child's independent reading level to read each night.  These books are to be read by the student to an adult three times each.  Please note that if your child has a longer book and it takes them ten minutes to just read it once than once is enough.  If they can read it three times in ten minutes please do that.  They can read it to you once, then a sibling, grandparent etc.  It doesn't need to be read to the same person and in the same sitting. 
• Remember tomorrow that we have our Sight Word Soldiers pass off.  Send those notes back so that Mrs. Robinson knows that your child is ready to pass off their list.  
• This week on Thursday we will have a hearing screening.  You will be contacted if they find anything of suspicion.  Actually my cute daughter who just started the nursing program at SUU will be helping that day so I'll be happy for her to briefly meet my students. 
• Next Monday, reading groups will start.  I will contact you if you child needs "reading intervention".  This year some students will be receiving  reading enrichment in a small group setting outside of my classroom and I will let you know if that's your child also.  If you don't receive an e-mail from me assume that your child is staying here with me in my classroom to receive small reading group instruction.  
• This week in math we are learning about different ways to make 5, to make 9 and most importantly to make 10.  We will also be reviewing just simple addition through 10 this week before we review and test on our first chapter next Tuesday.  On Wednesday, our interventions or enrichment will be on adding in any order.  
• In reading we have reviewed the digraphs sh, ch, and th.  Tomorrow we will start with our first book or "reader" in this unit called Snap Shots.  These readers reinforce the concepts we have learned in class.  They are called "decodable" because all of the words in the books are words that students should either be able to sound out because the sounds and spelling have been taught or the sight words (also called tricky words) have been introduced.  This book follows two friends Beth and Nat and their adventures together through the UK. In our fables and folktales unit I hope to read Medio Pollito (Little Half-chick) in the next couple of days.  We continue to run out of time, but students love this folktale from Spain of how the first weather vane occurred.  

Have a nice Tuesday and Happy Reading (take-home books)!

Mrs Armstrong

Newsletter August 26 - August 30

Sorry this is a bit late today.  I stayed to help with the luau after school.  When I left around 6:00 it was still going strong.  We have a great PTA at East Elementary.  It was nice seeing a couple of you tonight.

Here are this week's happenings:

• I hope that you looked at your child's Behavior Charts that were sent home last Friday.  I usually have a "key" of the colors printed on the back but got a bunch of extra copies from a different teacher and she didn't have that on the back.  So if your child is "green" or in the blue/purple" range they are where they need to be.  Need to be for their learning and for the learning of others.  If they have any yellow, orange or red then they need some guidance with their behavior at school.  Honestly, this class has been one where we have had to stop and practice behaviors a lot.  Today we made some commitments and promises they are: 1.  We will share.  2.  We will keep our hands to ourselves.  3.  We will use nice words.  4.  We will listen.  5.  We will try our BEST.  We (not all) need to especially work on listening and keeping our hands to ourselves.  Please help by looking at your child's behavior chart every Friday and talking to them about respectful school behavior (which really is respectful life behavior).
• Today we had library and students were able to check out two books.  They were excited about their choices.  Those books would be great to get out and read for their 10 minutes of reading each school night.  Please keep track of these books and return them to school by next Monday so that your student can check out more books.
• Don't forget to help your child remember to turn in their "sight word soldier" pass off note by Wednesday! 
• If you signed up to volunteer in my classroom I will start needing you (except sight word soldier volunteer--thanks Mrs. Robinson) the week after Labor Day.  I will contact you personally!  If you'd like to help and didn't sign up send me an e-mail and we can arrange a time.
• In our learning we are still reviewing sounds and spellings for those sounds.  We are practicing our handwriting and learning about nouns (right now we know that nouns name a person).  This first unit is a big review.  In math today we learned about adding zero to a number.  We learned that when you add zero to a number that the sum is always the other number or addend.  Tomorrow we will learn about adding in any order ( 3 + 2 = 5 so 2 + 3 = 5)  On Wednesday we will have our first math intervention groups where we will be working on our first skill of using pictures to add.  Today we read the fable "The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing" and we will next read the Fox and the Grapes.  We are talking about the characters, setting and plot as well as the  moral of each fable we read.  Today we learned about "personification"in fables where animals act like a "person".  
• Notes about the Take-home library and books were sent home today.  Please read that and sign and return the bottom portion. I anticipate that those books will start coming home the week after Labor Day but I haven't heard a definitive answer yet.  

I hope that you all have a nice 3-day weekend!  Enjoy the last remaining days of summer with your family and friends!

Happy Reading,

Mrs. Armstrong

August 19 - August 23

Welcome to my first blog post of the 2019-2020 school year!  It's a bit later than normal because lucky me had to get a partial root canal right after school today.  I have to get is finished in a few week. That was a lovely start to a new year.  Enough about poor me..... This blog is my newsletter.  It will give you an overview of what we are doing in first grade and give you upcoming events, announcements, concerns or celebrations.  If you are using your phone it's nice to scroll to the bottom click "web version" that way you can see the right side bar that has information like "spelling words", "schedule", etc.

Here are this week's happenings:

• I sent our first August reading calendar home last week.  Remember that the only "homework" I expect is ten minutes of nightly reading each school night.  Please mark on the calendar how many minutes your child reads each night.  At the end of the month, sign the calendar (don't forget your child's name) and return to school for a small treat and certificate.  Right now reading can be from whatever books you can find at home.  You can read to your child or they can read to you, but when the take home books start to come home I would like that reading to come from those books.  Your child reading their take home book TO you not you reading to them.  More information will come home after students are tested.  Speaking of testing, we are starting our state mandated reading test tomorrow.  It's called DIBELS and is administered 3 times per year.  This test is diagnostic and helps us place our students into appropriate reading groups based on the results.  It will also help his determine which reading level your child is on so that the take-home books will be an appropriate level for your child.  The results of this test will be sent home in the next couple of weeks. 
• Our sight word soldier will begin this Wednesday.  A note a sight word list will come home with your child that day.  This is a great way to motivate students to practice reading high-frequency words automatically.  Watch for that on Wednesday. 
• Today in your child's folder you will find a Starving Student Card.  This is a fundraiser through our PTA.  I buy one every year and it pays for itself after I've enjoyed Costa Vida a couple of times.  This is optional, but this year they are having a contest for returning the most cards or money by class.  The first class that gets either their cards or money for the card returned will receive a pizza party.  We are competing with the other first grades and kindergarten.  If you want the card, keep it and send the $ back with the order form in the envelope provided.  If you don't want the card return the card as is again in the envelope provided.  If you want more cards please stipulate that on the order form and send the extra money and then cards will be distributed.  
• Another PTA fundraiser/party is the school Luau which will be held next Monday, August 26 from 5:00-7:00.  Most of the games are FREE and tickets can be bought for food or games that are a bit of extra money.   I think each year we've had this it's gotten bigger and better and it's fun for the students to come back to school and see their friends and teachers in an informal setting.  
• We have started all of our curriculum.  In reading we are reviewing vowel and consonant sounds.  We have learned that vowel sounds are those where our mouth is open and air is unimpeded and consonant sounds have a part of our mouth that touches as we make them.  We are practicing writing the letters that make those sounds and we will start learning about nouns and what makes a sentence this week.  In our listening and learning portion we have starting hearing fables.  Fables are short works of fiction that teach a lesson or moral.  We heard The Boy Who Cried Wolf, and today heard The Maid and the Milk Pail.  Ask your child the lesson of each of these fables. As we hear these fables and stories we will learn about characters, the setting and the plot.  We will discover multi-meaning words such as "company" and explore new vocabulary words in each lesson.  Today we "balanced" our books on our heads just like Peggy the Milk maid did in the fable.  
•  In math we just took a pretest on our first unit which is addition to 10. We will learn that adding is joining two numbers together to get a sum.  We will learn about different ways to make ten (2 + 7 or 5 + 5 etc).  We will learn about the commutative property of addition (3 + 1 = 4 so 1 + 3 = 4).  We'll also use the terms addends and sum when referring to the numbers that are added together (addends)  or the answer (sum).  Students will be placed in WIN ("what I need) groups for Wednesday groups starting next week.  Students that need more support will receive it, students who need more practice will receive it and students that need to be challenged will be.  We are excited for this Wednesday math WIN time.  Students will rotate and may have a different teacher during WIN time.  
• Today we learned the last of our four classroom rules.  Students came home with a little booklet that outline our rules.  Please go over these with your child.  We also started our behavior "clip chart".  Students will come home with a Behavior chart every Friday.  Please look over those charts each week and talk with your child about their behavior.  Many students are struggling still to show appropriate behavior based on our four rules.  Please encourage your child to show appropriate behavior at school and the importance acting appropriately and respectfully which is a key to success in life and in the academic setting.  We have talked many times about what their job is as a student (to learn) and if they are talking while I'm trying to teach, or can't keep their hands to themselves or not following instructions they can't learn or they are impeding the learning of others. Unfortunately if students can't behave appropriately some of their privileges may be taken away like library, PE or computers.  If your child is "red" at the end of the day on the clip chart I will call or text and let you know.  Please follow up on that so that we can be a team not only with academics but with appropriate behavior too!  
• Thanks to those that have supplied snacks for the first few days or school.  That helps with the all-day transition to first grade.  Thanks also for sending school supplies.  As noted, some of those supplies are to be shared in our class.  Some students didn't know that and didn't understand that we are sharing pencil erasers or dry erase markers.  It's a distraction if students want to keep all of "their" pencil erasers in their own desks.  

I hope that you feel free to contact me anytime with questions or concerns.  Send an e-mail or a text through REMIND for the fastest response.  You are also welcome to call the school and leave a message and I can call you back.  Like I said at Back to School Night I love teaching first grade and I know how much you love your kids and I will do my best to help them feel safe and happy while at school.

Happy Reading,

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter May 13 - May 17

I hope you all had a nice Mother's Day weekend.  I hope you enjoyed your letters from your kids--they wrote the sweetest, heartfelt notes!

Here are this week's happenings:

• This Friday, May 17 will be the last day to hand in any missing work (mostly missing morning work that is sent home).  May reading calendars are now due and will be accepted for a treat, pizza coupon and certificate until Friday.  I will send home a 4th quarter grade printout the last day of school.
• DIBELS results were sent home in the mail.  If you have any questions about those please don't hesitate to contact me.
• I sent home a reminder note about our upcoming field trips.  Please read that and send the $3.00 donation by this Friday.  
• The 100-book challenge will culminate this Wednesday.  I will send home an e-mail on Wednesday to those students that achieved it and remind you of the pizza lunch on Thursday.  If your child receives the award they don't need to bring a lunch that day we will be eating in my room.  I will take a picture of the kids then too and submit it to the newspaper and let you know the publishing date via e-mail. CONGRATS to those that went the extra mile with this challenge.
• Friday will be field day.  I failed to mention on the note that if your child wants to bring a water bottle for the walk and park that would be encouraged as I am not sure if the drinking fountains are turned on at the park yet.  REMEMBER GOLD EAGLE winners to wear your shirt that day for an ice cream sandwich.  I got an e-mail about possible food allergies for this (ice cream treat).  I am not aware of any allergies in this class, but if you don't want your child to have the ice cream please let me know (a sugar free alternative it available). 
• This week will be fairly routine (I and my students tend to thrive with consistency).  😀 We will be finishing our book Kay and Martez and working on two kinds of graphs, bar graphs and tally charts.  We are still learning about Our American Independence" and we will all complete a poster with the theme "Happy Birthday America" or "What America Means to me".  Students will receive a flag pin on the last day of school for completing these posters. 
• This week we will  be celebrating our summer birthdays.  It works perfectly as we have a birthday a day to celebrate this week.  If your child has a summer birthday and you want to send a treat that's fine.  We usually enjoy those treats during our first break at 10:30.  Today we celebrated HartLee, Tuesday will be Justin, Wednesday will be Ryder, Thursday will be Brooklynn and Friday is Zeke's birthday. 
• Yearbooks will be on sale starting this Friday.  I sent home a flyer about this last week.  
• Make sure all library books and take-home books are returned or the replacement fee paid before the end of the year.  I cannot send home promotion cards (will have your child's teacher for next year printed on it) without those books back. 

I will encourage your to read during the summer in these final two newsletters.  It really does help ALL readers!!

Happy Reading,

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter May 6 - May 10

This is a week of "lasts".  This is the last week for take-home books.  Please have all take-home books returned by this Friday, May 10.  This is also the last week to return library books.  Our library day is Thursday, remember so please help your child return those books by Thursday, May 9 for a "free book" from the library. If you can't find the books, please pay the appropriate replacement price in the office.  The last last is...... this is the last week for reading groups.  We took our DIBELS test last week and I am pleased with most of the progress I have seen in reading.  I love it now that my students read the posters in the school as we head down for lunch or recess (something most couldn't do at the beginning of the year).  It's important to help keep what they have gained so use this summer to read with your child--take them to the library and participate in the summer reading program or just continue to read at home!!!

Here are this week's happenings:

• If you haven't turned in your child's lunch request for our two field trips at the end of the month (swimming and museum) please do so ASAP so that we can give the lunchroom a count.  I have 3 volunteers for the museum and 3 volunteers for swimming I need at least one more for each field trip.  Please let me know if you could help us out one of those days (I sent home a detailed note about all these field trips last week).
• Our spelling test will be this Friday instead of tomorrow as we haven't had enough time to practice those words this week.  
• The PTA reading awards will be this Thursday, at 2:45 in our classroom.  I note was sent home today in your child's folder if they will be receiving an award.  Remember if you child has received the Gold eagle to have them wear their shirt on Friday, may 17 (field day) for an ice cream sandwich.
• If you didn't order a yearbook online those will be sold until gone starting Friday, May 17 - May 22.  The PTA will have a table set up outside of the office or lunchroom.  
• I have five students that will be joining me for our 100-book challenge pizza party next Thursday, May 16.  I have a couple of students that are VERY close to reaching the 100 mark.  If you want to know the count I have for your child please e-mail me and I will let you know.  Remember the last day to turn in lists for this challenge is Wednesday, May 15.  This challenge was "easy" if your child read their take-home books every night starting in January!!  I am proud of my excellent readers and their commitment to reading 100 books!!!
• This week we will finish up our unit on two-digit addition and subtraction in math.  We will test on Friday and have interventions next Wednesday on that chapter.  Next week we will start and finish up on our graphing unit--students will graph using picture graphs, bar graphs and tally charts.  
• Today in our reading about Our American independence we learned more about General George Washington.  We will finish that unit up before school ends as well as finish our reading unit with the book Kay and Martez.  Today we started learning about "how to" writing and the importance of giving step by step detailed instructions for our readers.  We will all write a recipe using detailed instructions (that is what I hope will happen).

As this year is winding down, I wanted to express how much I have grown to love your children.  This has truly been one of my "best" classes since I started teaching full-time nine years ago.  They are funny, inquisitive, kind and I will miss them this summer!  Thanks for sharing your children with me!  Thanks also for the nice gifts I have received for Teacher Appreciation week this week--I have a cute poster outside my door and a beautiful pink geranium that I will happily plant in my backyard.

Happy Reading!!

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter April 29 - May 3

Our year is nearing an end, but we are still working hard.

Here are this week's happenings:

• Our DIBELS testing day has been changed from tomorrow, April 30 to THURSDAY, MAY 2.  It will still be in the morning and it still applies that if your child is sick that day it's better to keep them home and have them tested another day.  Please help by getting your child to bed on time and providing them with a healthy breakfast.
• This will be our LAST WEEK to check out LIBRARY BOOKS.  The last day to turn them in for a "free book" incentive will be next Friday, May 10.  We go to library though on Thursday so if you need to find a book by then I would suggest getting it turned in by May 9th.  If you need to pay for a book please do so before that date also and your child will be eligible for a free book. Please help keep our library stocked by finding lost books for paying for the replacement.  Every year we lose so many books and for a first grade teacher that makes me sad to see all of those great titles that can't be replaced.  
• In addition to library books, that last day for Take-home books will be May 9.  So new take-home books will not come home after that date.  Since that's the case, I will just expect that May reading calendar through May 10.  Of course, you can read other books after May 9 but I will make the May reading calendars due on May 10.  Those calendars will come home on Thursday and the April calendars for a certificate, free pizza coupon and little treat will be this Friday May 3. 
• The last time students can turn in a PTA bookmark is THIS FRIDAY MAY 3!!! I sent home notes and extra bookmarks to those students who read nightly and are close to getting their Gold Eagle.  The last awards ceremony for that will be Thursday, May 9 at 2:45 in our classroom.  Notes will come home after Friday informing of you of the award your child will be receiving.  Another incentive of getting the "Gold Eagle" is those students who wear their Gold Eagle t-shirts on field day (May 17) will get a free ice cream sandwich.  If you have questions about how close your child is to receiving their Gold Eagle please e-mail me.
• The 100-book challenge is winding down and we have students that are really close!  The last day to turn in lists of books for that challenge is May 15.  We will have our Pizza "picnic" the very next day on May 16 for those that have reached that challenge.  I will also take and submit their picture for the newspaper that day.  I will let you know when that picture will be published after I submit it. 
• Our next spelling test will be this Wednesday, with a new list coming home on Thursday.  That next list will be our last spelling list of the year!
• We are still learning even though we are winding down.  We are learning in math how to add two digit numbers (43 +5 or 61 + 30) at the end of the week we will concentrate on subtracting two digit numbers.  Our test on this unit will be next Friday, May 10. We are also learning about time to the hour and half hour and will be learning graphs and representing data in the following weeks before we dismiss.  When you are out and about have your children help you tell the time (remember though that we've only learned time to the hour and half hour).  
• In reading and writing we are learning about how to make our sentences better by using conjunctions (and, but, or) and learning how to use commas in a series of words within a sentence.  We are reading about Kay and Martez and their adventures.  I have also starting reading Charlotte's Web to my students.  We will watch the movie at the end of the year to "celebrate" finishing this book.  
• Remember I told you about several field trips in May--I will send home a note about those trips by the end of this week.  I just need to finalize a couple of details before I send those home.  Included with that note will be a note that will need to be returned specifying what your child wants to do for lunch (either school sack lunch or bring one from home).  Please watch for those and return the lunch note ASAP so we can let the lunchroom know a count. 
• We were just informed that on the last day of school, May 22 that dismissal time will be at noon rather than 1:30.  Students will still have lunch that day it will just be earlier.  Buses will still run that day also, your child will just be home earlier than our regular 1:30 dismissal time. 

Whew!! That was a lot of information.  Please contact me if you have any questions!

Happy Reading!!

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter April 22 - April 26

Welcome back after Spring Break!! We had a great time at our Easter Egg Hunt today--thank goodness the rain stayed away.  Thanks to those that helped by donating eggs and thanks to Oliver's grandma for taking the eggs to the park and helping to hide them for our arrival.

Here are this week's happenings:

• If you would like to order Scholastic books please do so by today--this will be the last time this year that I send home Scholastic order forms.  
• This week's spelling test will be on Wednesday (words are on this blog and lists were sent home before spring break). A new list of words will be sent home on Thursday.   We will also have Sight Word soldiers on Wednesday.  The last day for Sight Word soldiers will be Wednesday, May 15. 
• Our EOY DIBELS test will be next Tuesday, April 30 in the morning.  Please help your child by getting them to bed in time the night before and providing a healthy breakfast.  If your child doesn't feel well that day they will be tested on another day.  It's better to keep them home if they are sick and have them test on another day :)
• Tomorrow we are walking to SUU for Bard's Birthday Bash.  Thanks to Joey's mom for volunteering to walk with us tomorrow.  In May, we will be having a few more field trips.  I will send home a note about those field trips next week.  We will be going to St. George to the Children's museum, to the Aquatic Center and have Field Day and a possible trip to the library and park.  I will need some volunteers for those field trips so please consider helping out if possible.
• In math we are continuing to double up a bit in math.  We are learning about adding and subtracting tens and ones as well as learning about telling time to the hour and half hour.  This week we will use a hundred chart to help us add (23 + 5 = and 23 + 30 = for example).  Students will either count on by rows or count on by columns depending on if they are adding ones or tens to a number.  
• In reading and writing this week we will be reviewing nouns and verbs (common vs. proper nouns, singular vs. plural nouns and noun/verb agreement).  We will also be reading more from our new book "Kay and Martez".  In writing, we will write a narrative about our Easter Egg Hunt.  Students will learn how to use the words first, next, then, and finally to show sequence in their writing.  
• In our American Independence unit we will read about the Boston Tea Party, learn about the "Shot Heard Round the World" and "Declaring Independence".  
• Take-home books were sent home today!  Keep reading those.  We only have 4 1/2 weeks left of school and I bet for half of that books won't be sent home.  I haven't heard the official date of when those books will stop coming home, but will let you know when I do.

Have a nice Monday and Happy Reading!

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter April 8 - April 12

I'm making this quick because it's nearly 6:00 and...... (needs no excuse).

Here are this week's happenings:

• Easter Egg Hunt is this Friday, April 12, at the Canyon Park from 1:00-2:00.  Please help supply plastic filled eggs for this activity (I already sent a note home about this).  I need some parents to help take the eggs and hide them at the park.  Please let me know if you could help with this.  I would need your help at 12:30.  There really isn't another way to do this since I can't leave my class to hide the eggs :)
• This Thursday is our PTA reading awards.  Notes were sent home on Friday if you child will be receiving an award.
• When we get back from Spring break we will have a Field Trip to SUU for BARD's birthday bash.  We will walk to SUU arriving around 1:00 and returning by 3:00.  I NEED a volunteer to walk over to SUU with us and back.  Please let me know if you could help.  I will send home a formal note about this field trip.  
• Our math test for Chapter 7 will be tomorrow.  We are doubling up a bit on math from now until the end of the year.  We will be starting our new unit on adding and subtracting two-digit numbers but I'll be doubling up with telling time to the hour and half hour and measurement this month.
• We just finished our Fairy Tales unit and will be starting an American history unit.  We'll learning about The Boston Tea Party, The Legend of Betsy Ross, and about American symbols among other points in our early history. 
• We will start our final unit in reading this week also.  We will be learning new ways to spell long vowels (ai, ay, oa) and reading out of a new book called Kay and Martez.  Our final reading test (DIBELS) will be on April 30--keep working at home--we can do this!!  
• Today I sent home two grade print outs.  One is for the 3rd quarter (final grades) and one is for the 4th quarter up until now.  If you have any questions about these please either send me an e-mail or send back the printout with your questions on them.  These are yours to keep.
• I hope that you all have a nice Spring break.  Remember that we are off of school all next week.  School will resume on Monday, April 22.  Watch the weather this week please as it's been super warm today, but it's supposed to cool off considerably by Wednesday again so send your child with jackets if necessary.  That reminds me the lost and found items have been placed on the stairs in the lunchroom.  If your child is missing a coat, jacket, gloves etc. please have them look for them this week as all items left will be donated.  You wouldn't believe the amount of coats/jackets etc. that get left here at the school.  

Happy Reading!

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter April 1 - April 5

Happy April--here are this week's happenings:

• We had our spelling test today.  We will not have new spelling words this week as we are approaching the end of a unit.  We will have Sight Word Soldiers though tomorrow (Wednesday) like always.
• On April 12, we are having a First grade Easter Egg hunt with Mrs. Carter's class.  We need your help with this by sending 1 dozen plastic candy filled eggs by Thursday, April 11.  I will send home a note tomorrow with more details about this activity before Spring break.
• I neglected to send home April reading calendars today.  I will send those home tomorrow.  March calendars are now due.  I will give students until Friday, April 5 to turn those in for a certificate, pizza coupon and little treat.
• In math we are starting to double up a bit on lessons as we are a bit "behind".  Today we worked on comparing numbers with word problems and then we also hit on order lengths (shortest to longest and longest to shortest).  We will continue to do "double math" twice a week until the end of the school year.  This week in math for interventions we will be working on using symbols to compare numbers (>, <, = ).  We will finish this chapter on Friday with ten more and ten less (ex. for 33 ten more is 43 and ten less is 23).  We will review on Monday and test on Tuesday.  We will then move to Chapter 8 where students will start adding and subtracting with two digit numbers without regrouping (93 - 50 = or 43 + 40 = ).
• In reading as I mentioned above we are wrapping up this unit next week also.  We are now reviewing past, present and future tense verbs, reviewing when to double the consonant of a root word when adding an ending (run = running or jump = jumping).  We are reading a story daily from Grace and tomorrow we will finish our paragraphs about animal habitats.  
• In our fairy tales unit we just finished reading Jack and the Beanstalk which is our final fairy tale of the unit.  Students will now work on poster presentations with partners using one of the fairy tales we have read.  We will then move to our "American Independence"unit.

Happy Reading!

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter March 25 - March 29

Ok--I'm not going to promise a day for a Power School print out.  I hope you are o.k. with "you'll get it when you get it".  I take my massive pile of grading home almost nightly and then something comes up in my personal life that takes precedence.  I'm so glad though that I see continued reading every night by most of my students--keep it up!!!

Here are this week's happenings:

• Our next spelling test is tomorrow, Tuesday, March 26.  Lists were sent home last week and words are on this blog (view web version if on your phone to see the list).
• I failed to mention that we got a new student a couple of weeks ago.  Daisy came to us from Three Peaks Elementary.  My students have welcomed her with open arms. Our Zeke also came back last Friday from Enoch.  It's nice to have him back in our class!
• The PTA representative over the reading program (bookmarks) gave me a list of students and where they are in relation to getting their "Gold Eagle" at the end of the year.  I am going to send home notes about that information along with bookmarks so that if you just neglected to have your child fill one of those out you can do that.  I will send home notes to those students that are nightly readers and are close to the Gold eagle and also who are nightly readers who are not close.  Watch for those by Wednesday (yes, I'm making a promise).  I am sorry about all of the ways you are expected to account for your child's reading--I really need to ponder and figure out how to streamline this (calendars, 100-book challenge, PTA bookmarks, blue notes etc.) I will include on the note about the PTA bookmarks how many books your child has read towards our 100-book challenge.  Right now we have 10 students who have turned in 100-book lists for our challenge.  Students have until May 15 to complete this!
• Sight Word Soldiers is still every Wednesday--thanks again to Adam's mom for helping us carry out this program. 
• In math we just took our Chapter 6 test.  This test focused on counting forward from a given number, counting by tens from a given number, recognizing tens and ones in a two digit number and understanding that 10 tens = 100 and then adding more to that (103, 109 etc.).  I will send home those tests in the next couple of days.  If students miss problems on the test our math aide, Mrs. Mackey helps them make corrections and then I retest on the missing problems.  We will also have interventions or enrichments this Wednesday based on that math test.  We will start Chapter 7 tomorrow.  This is a short chapter that deals with comparing numbers (think: greater than, less than and equal to).  Students will use their knowledge of tens and ones to compare numbers and learn to use the symbols >,<, and =. 
• In reading we are continuing to learn about pronouns to replace common or proper nouns.  We just learned the 'kn' spelling for the /n/ (sound) and are in the process of writing paragraphs about animal habitats.  
• We have started our Fairy Tales unit.  We have read:  Sleeping Beauty, Rumpelstiltskin, Rapunzel and the first part of the Frog Prince.  It's fun because these stories are the original versions, not the versions that most have seen on TV or on the movie screen so we can talk about similarities and differences between these versions. My students are very engaged with this timeless tales and are learning about difference elements of fairy tales as well as learning new vocabulary.  Today we learned about "deny" vs. "admit".  

I hope you enjoy this beautiful Spring weather today.  A good dose of vitamin D is always good for the soul!

Happy Reading!!

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter March 18 - March 22

I haven't managed to catch up on third quarter grades yet so I didn't get a Power School printout sent home last week like I mentioned in my last newsletter.  I will do my best to get those out by this Friday.  I hope that since we are just in first grade you aren't waiting on pins and needles for your child's grade printout :)

Here are this week's happenings:

• Tomorrow, March 19 at 3:00 in the cafeteria is our first grade awards ceremony.  I just sent e-mails to those students who will be receiving awards during that ceremony. The awards presented at that ceremony are attendance awards, Catch the Vision and Most Improved Student along with Lexia certificates.  The PTA reading awards are giving out monthly (second Thursday of the month).  Students have two more months to finish this PTA reading program for the Gold Eagle reader.  The last day to turn in bookmarks for the PTA awards is May 3.  
• Our 100-book challenge is heading in the right direction!  I have a couple of kids who are very close to the 100 book mark where they will join Kash.  Remember the last day to hand in lists for the 100 book challenge with be May 15.  We will have our Pizza lunch the following day on May 16 for those that meet the challenge.  
• Our next spelling test will be tomorrow (list with sun, kiss etc.).  I sent home lists last week.  New words will come home on Wednesday with the test the following Tuesday, March 26.
• In math we are wrapping up our unit on place value or counting and modeling numbers this week.  Today we modeled and wrote numbers from 100-110 and tomorrow we will do the same with numbers from 110-120.  We especially concentrated on the fact that 10 tens = 100 and tomorrow we will show 11 tens = 110 and then we add "more" to those numbers (ex. 10 tens and 8 more = 108 or 11 tens and 8 more = 118).  Our test for this unit will be this Friday.  On Wednesday we will have interventions or extensions on tens and ones to prepare for this test.
• In reading, we are just getting into our new book Grace.  We are learning about pronouns, how to make our sentences better using adjective and propositions and learning alternative spellings for consonant sounds.  We will begin a graphic organizer for writing a descriptive paragraph on an animal habitat of the student's choice and complete those paragraphs by the end of the week.  
• Our Animal habitat unit just concluded today (that's why we are ready to write paragraphs).  Today we learned about endangered habitats and how we can help or have contributed to endangering habitats.  Tomorrow we will start our new unit on Fairy Tales.  I think my students will like this unit (maybe not as much as animals habitats--they loved that one), but they enjoyed an earlier unit on Fables and Folktales and I think they will like going back to some fiction tales.  Students will learn about the elements of fairy tales that distinguish them from other types of fiction.  They will also learn that fairy tales have elements of character, plat, and setting that are found in other types of fiction while also enjoying the stories.  
• St. Patricks Day got away from me, but tomorrow we will read a book called "The Leprechaun Who Lost his Rainbow" and do a writing/art activity based on that book.  
• With the end of the year around the corner please continue to work hard and finish strong with your child especially reading every night!  Those students that do this regularly really do make greater improvements throughout the year. 

It's nice having a birthday, even when you maybe want to forget at my age in first grade because my students made today such a nice day for me.  They were so excited and told me many times "Happy Birthday"!  I have such sweet students.

Happy Reading!!

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter March 4 - March 8

This week is the last week of the third quarter.  I will work on grades and send home a Power School printout next week.  Remember that next week we have Monday and Tuesday off (March 11 and 12).  Enjoy your short week!

Here are this week's happenings:

• I hope that you saw the note I sent home about two upcoming field trips.  I won't go into detail here but please try and send the $2.00 by this Friday and if you can help walk with us please send me an e-mail.
• Spelling words were sent home today.  The test will be this Friday, March 8.
• We just started a new unit in reading today where we will continue working on alternative spellings for consonant sounds and start writing narratives.  Today we learned about spellings for /s/ (s, ss, c, ce, and se).  These "new" alternative spellings will be in the reader "Grace" where we will follow Grace and her family on their farm and all of their adventures.
• In math we are learning how to model numbers using tens and ones.  The last couple of days we have modeled 1 ten and ones (example 15 = 1 ten and 5 ones or 10 + 5 = 15).  We will have our intervention Wednesday on counting on by tens (38,48,58, 68 etc.).  Some students will extend that knowledge and others we will slow down and practice counting by tens. 
• We are continuing our study of animal habitats.  Today we learned about the Tropical Rainforest habitat.  In the next few days we will learn about the freshwater and saltwater habitats.  Students will at the conclusion of this study write a descriptive paragraph about their habitat of choice.  This week we are writing out about favorite season (opinion paragraphs).  I am really pleased at the progress my students are making in writing.  I hope that you saw the last journal that was sent home.  
• Our 100-book challenge is going strong.  I have a lot of motivated readers!  Kash today was our first student to reach the 100 book mark!! Congratulations to Kash!  He read a lot of Pete the Cat books :)
• Don't forget to send back sight word lists for Sight word soldier this Wednesday.  
• We will not have library this week as our librarian is out of the country.  We will have library the following Thursday, March 14.  I will try and send a "remind" message about our library day.  Many students are not bringing their books back to exchange on Thursdays.
• Tonight is the PTA talent show at 6:00.  We do not have an participants from our class that I am aware of but you are welcome to attend.  We have a phenomenal PTA they spend countless hours on the behalf of our school! 

Happy Reading!

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter February 25 - March 1

I'm finally back after being sick all week--that one was a doozy!  It was nice to be back with my class--I missed them very much. 

Here are this week's happenings:

• This week is the PTA "Read Across America" week.  I sent home another reminder flyer today of dress up opportunities and activities during the week.  Especially note "Parents and Pastries" on Wednesday morning from 7:45-8:45 in the cafeteria.  Please note though that teachers are not expected to be in the building until 8:20 so please make sure that you child is accompanied by an adult before sending them to their classrooms. 
• Our spelling test will be this Thursday, your child should have received a new list of words last week.  If you didn't see one let me know or you can always look on the sidebar of this blog (if you are using your phone make sure you are in "web-version" to see all of the blog). 
• We started a new unit in math today.  This will focus on counting and modeling numbers.  Today we worked on counting by ones starting at a given number and tomorrow we will work on counting by tens. We will model numbers using tens and ones to 120 to prepare us to add and subtract two digit numbers without regrouping in our next unit (ex. 53 - 30=23 or 33 + 60 = 93)
• In reading and writing we are still learning about different ways to spell consonant sounds and today we started learning about opinion paragraphs vs. descriptive paragraphs.  Our first opinion paragraph will be "My favorite season".  Students will still follow with basic outline of a paragraph (opening sentence, details or reasons, and closing sentence).  But, instead of describing something they will first state their opinion.  
• Since I was gone last week we reviewed the Animal habitats that we presented--so far we have learned about the Arctic, the Sonoran Desert and the African Savanna.  This has been a favorite unit of my students and is proving the same with this group.  We will use our knowledge and write paragraphs about the many habitats we learn about.  
• Don't forget our Sight word soldier pass off day is Wednesday!  I'm excited about all of those that are reading towards our 100-book challenge.  So far Adam, Avery, HartLee, Kash, Kimberlin, Liam, Rayne and Ryder have returned lists.  I told my students today that I gave all parents information about this challenge and that you could help them with this.  If you have lost your information please let me know and I will send home more.  It's easy to do if you start early, but much harder if you wait until the last minute.  

Happy Reading!!

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter February 11- February 15

Happy Valentine's Day Week!

Here are this week's happenings:

• I still haven't had a volunteer to help with the Valentine's Day party which will be this Thursday from 1:00-2:00.  I would love to have a volunteer that could donate unfrosted heart-shaped sugar cookies (you buy them at Lin's) and/or a mom, dad, grandma, just an adult volunteer that can help with the decorating of those cookies.  These volunteers do not need to be the same person.  I could split up the cookie donations also.  I have plenty of icing leftover from the gingerbread houses and sprinkles from last year.  Please let me know if you could help with either of these two items.  If I don't get the donation(s) and volunteer to help we will just play Valentine's Day Bingo and deliver our cards. I sent home a note last week with a list of our class so that we can deliver Valentines that day.  This is an optional activity, but I have known students who feel left out if they don't bring cards to deliver to their classmates.  Let me know if this is an issue for you and I can see how I can help.  Students can deliver cards and/or treats but they need to have one for everyone in the class.  
• New spelling words will be sent home tomorrow.  They emphasize the spellings for the /j/ (sound).  We have learned that you can spell /j/ with 'j', 'g' or 'ge'.  This unit in reading heavily concentrates on alternative spellings for consonant sounds.  Tomorrow we will learn about the /t/ (spellings are 't'. 'tt', 'ed' (like in looked).  We are also concentrating on statements vs. questions and will continue our work on paragraph writing.  We will especially concentrate on descriptive paragraphs, but in this unit we will also learn about opinion paragraphs. 
• We are finishing up our unit in math on addition and subtraction concepts.  We will finish up the lessons this week and review early next week with our test next Thursday.  I think my students for the most part really are understanding the relationship between addition and subtractions after this unit.  
• I will actually be gone a couple of days next week --I have had so many professional development opportunities this year that I have mostly been required to attend.  Next week is no exception, on Tuesday our entire school will be training/learning about behavior protocol and the next day, Wednesday (Feb. 20).  I have been asked to be on a committee to help formulate "common guaranteed standards" for all of the first grades in the district.  So, long story short I will be gone next Tuesday, and Wednesday after President's Day.  I will still plan on the spelling test and math review on those days.  
• Thanks again for visiting with me during SEP week.  I have been excited to see most of our take-home books coming back now daily.  I hope that trend continues.  
• Our 100-book challenge is underway.  We have a few students on the board now--Kash, Rayne, HartLee, Kimberlin and Avery have all started reading books towards the challenge.  Remember if your child reads their take-home book this will be an EASY challenge to complete and you can back track from January 17.  I love the smiles and congratulations as my students read books for this challenge.
• The PTA reading awards will be on Valentine's day at 2:45 in our room.  If your child is going to receive an award I sent home a note yesterday about it (it's on a small piece of white paper and the award they are receiving is marked). 

Have a nice three-day weekend!  I love this class.

Happy Reading!

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter February 4 - February 8

This will be short and sweet this week.  Thanks to all of those who have made it a priority to visit with me during this SEP week.  Especially those today who trudged out in the snow.

Here are this week's happenings:

• Spelling test will be tomorrow (Wednesday) instead of today as scheduled because I had so many kids absent today from the snow and sicknesses.  
• A new list will come home tomorrow and that test will be next Tuesday, February 12.  
• I hope that you saw the Valentine's day note that came home yesterday.  I told you that we will make Valentine's bags in class and that donations of decorations would be helpful, but I found a cute little thing to do with those bags that just uses things we have at the school already so if you can send the $1.00 for me to buy the bags then we will just use supplies here at school to decorate them.  I hope that his helps by making them at school. We will have a Valentine's day party next Thursday at 1:00--that's when students can deliver Valentine cards and/or treats to all of their classmates.  A list of students was on that note I sent home.
• Most of you have now heard about the 100-book challenge ( if you have been to an SEP conference).  This is an optional activity, but one that is easy to achieve if your child is already reading their take-home book nightly.  I told you in the note that you can back track to January 17.  That would be 12 or 13 school days, depending on when you came to SEP conference that you can already add to your first list.  
• We will have library this week because the PTA chose not to have a book fair during SEP conferences.  Please find and return any over due books.
• In math and reading we are moving through our unit on Addition and subtraction relationships, the History of the Earth and have started a new book called Kate's book and we are learning about when to double the final consonant when adding a suffix to a root word (hop becomes hopped and jump becomes jumped for example).

Thanks for all you do! 

Happy Reading!

Mrs. Armstrong