I am going to discontinue our Poetry performances on Fridays. I have so many children that do not bring their poetry journals back, or that haven't practiced the poems at all that I have decided to discontinue. It takes a lot of time to get the poems leveled, put into sheet protectors etc. and I can see that for more than half of our class it is ineffective because they aren't even participating because they haven't practiced the poem. I will send their poetry journals home with them this week. Use the poems in there already as reading practice at night. Thanks to those that diligently helped their child with the poems.
If you haven't noticed already, I haven't sent home the decodeable books either for the last couple of weeks. I copied off through week 25 this summer and Mr. Burton has asked that we be careful with our copies. I decided that is one area where I can cut back. I find those books on the floor or falling out of backpacks all of the time. It too is very time consuming to copy them, fold them, and staple them. If you were diligently reading those and would like them, I probably have a couple of copies left from last year, and I can gladly send those home. The reason why I sent those home was to reinforce the spelling pattern or rule. As you study the spelling words, reinforce the spelling pattern. This week for example it is the /igh/ sound.
We are going to go on a walking field trip to SUU to see Peter Pan on Thursday, March 29. We will leave in the morning by 9:15 and be back by lunch. I will send home a permission slip tomorrow. Please sign it and return ASAP.
The first grade classes are planning an Easter Egg hunt on Tuesday, April 3. We will go to main street park in the afternoon for the hunt. We are asking as a donation for each child to bring 12-filled plastic easter eggs for the hunt. This is optional, but appreciated! More information will be coming home about this activity shortly.
I will print out and send home grades for the third quarter this Wednesday. Look for them in your child's backpack on Thursday. I can't believe we really only have one more quarter left of school. Each year goes be quicker than the last. Keep reading with your child at home every night. This is a time of tremendous growth in first graders.
Congratulations to Boston!! He has read 100 books for our 100-book challenge! He has been working hard!
Hopefully, spring weather will make an appearance this week.
Happy Reading!
Monday, March 19, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
Newsletter March 12-16
It was nice to visit with all of you last week. If you have any more questions or concerns please don't hesitate to contact me.
This Friday, March 16, is the end of the third quarter. If your child has any homework that hasn't been turned in please turn it in by then. I will print off grades and send them home next Wednesday.
Please continue to read with your child! Here is a great fluency tip--time your child as they read. Get out a timer, or use your watch and see how fast and accurately they can read their book, time them again and see if they can read it faster the second time. Make sure that they are still reading each word and not skipping over any, I don't want accuracy to be affected. This might be a fun way to help increase your child's reading fluency.
We started our mapping unit today. They kids really like this unit. We are half-way through the book Flat Stanley and a "Flat Stanley" will be headed your direction for a fun at home assignment. Watch for the assignment later next week.
I am sending home March Scholastic book orders tomorrow, Tuesday, March 13. If you would like to order any please send the orders in by Friday, March 16. That isn't much time, but with SEP's and the book fair here, I didn't get them out at the beginning of the month like I usually do. Remember that using the online code is the easiest way to order. I really liked the leveled readers flier this time.
The weather is definitely spring-like! Have a wonderful week and Happy Reading!
This Friday, March 16, is the end of the third quarter. If your child has any homework that hasn't been turned in please turn it in by then. I will print off grades and send them home next Wednesday.
Please continue to read with your child! Here is a great fluency tip--time your child as they read. Get out a timer, or use your watch and see how fast and accurately they can read their book, time them again and see if they can read it faster the second time. Make sure that they are still reading each word and not skipping over any, I don't want accuracy to be affected. This might be a fun way to help increase your child's reading fluency.
We started our mapping unit today. They kids really like this unit. We are half-way through the book Flat Stanley and a "Flat Stanley" will be headed your direction for a fun at home assignment. Watch for the assignment later next week.
I am sending home March Scholastic book orders tomorrow, Tuesday, March 13. If you would like to order any please send the orders in by Friday, March 16. That isn't much time, but with SEP's and the book fair here, I didn't get them out at the beginning of the month like I usually do. Remember that using the online code is the easiest way to order. I really liked the leveled readers flier this time.
The weather is definitely spring-like! Have a wonderful week and Happy Reading!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Newsletter March 5-9
It is SEP this week. School will dismiss every day at 2:30 including Wednesday. I look forward to meeting with all of you.
I will not send home a poem this week for our Poetry Performances. With shortened days, and two birthdays, we will not have time to fit them in this week. Keep reading and keeping track of the books that your child reads for our 100-book challenge. Remember that the lists of books need a parents signature for me to count them. February Reading records were due March 1. The March reading record has been sent home. If you haven't sent the January reading record please send that also.
We had a fun time last week celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday. I made, and my students tried green eggs and ham on Friday. I had students standing in line for seconds and thirds! I will post pictures soon!
In science, we will finish up our unit on Force and Motion. We have talked about push and pull. This week we will discuss, write about, and experience the different ways objects can move. We will be doing this using hot wheels. Thanks for those that have sent hot wheels. With so many boys in my class this year, I thought I could find a few to borrow. We will then learn about Newton's 3 Laws of Motion. Like I have said before this class is full of inquisitive, smart scientists. They amaze me!
It is Grandparents lunch this Tuesday, March 6 at 11:30. Your child's grandparent is welcome to eat lunch with your child that day.
I will see you all this week. Don't forget about the Book Fair in the library and Happy Reading!
I will not send home a poem this week for our Poetry Performances. With shortened days, and two birthdays, we will not have time to fit them in this week. Keep reading and keeping track of the books that your child reads for our 100-book challenge. Remember that the lists of books need a parents signature for me to count them. February Reading records were due March 1. The March reading record has been sent home. If you haven't sent the January reading record please send that also.
We had a fun time last week celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday. I made, and my students tried green eggs and ham on Friday. I had students standing in line for seconds and thirds! I will post pictures soon!
In science, we will finish up our unit on Force and Motion. We have talked about push and pull. This week we will discuss, write about, and experience the different ways objects can move. We will be doing this using hot wheels. Thanks for those that have sent hot wheels. With so many boys in my class this year, I thought I could find a few to borrow. We will then learn about Newton's 3 Laws of Motion. Like I have said before this class is full of inquisitive, smart scientists. They amaze me!
It is Grandparents lunch this Tuesday, March 6 at 11:30. Your child's grandparent is welcome to eat lunch with your child that day.
I will see you all this week. Don't forget about the Book Fair in the library and Happy Reading!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Newsletter February 27-March 2
I sent home SEP appointment times today. Please send those back as soon as possible. If you cannot make your scheduled time, please write another day and time that would work for you. I look forward to meeting with all of you. Remember that during SEP week, school dismisses at 2:30 every day, including Wednesday.
I found two spelling and words of the week lists after school. They did not get into someone's backpack. That means a couple of students did not bring home their new spelling words. Check your child's backpack and send me a note if your child did not receive them. I did not get new poems out today either. With CHS basketball all weekend, I didn't get much done. I will have new poems tomorrow, Tuesday, February 28.
This week we are celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday all week with literacy activities. Today we read The Cat in the Hat Comes Again. We will then read The Cat in the Hat and compare and contrast the two stories. We will also enjoy green eggs and ham later this week. We started our Force and Motion science lessons today. I have a bunch of inquisitive scientists in this classroom. It's fun to teach them!
Congratulations to Jazlyn!! She has read over 25 books! She is on her way to reaching the 100-Book goal! Tylan and Preston are working hard at it too. I hope you have seen the note I sent home regarding this challenge. It is a great motivator to help your child want to read. It will not add any more to your nightly schedule.
Yay! for Coy too! He was our classroom's Catch the Vision award winner for February. Coy is such a great student and brings a lot of fun to our classroom!
Have a great day and Happy Reading!
I found two spelling and words of the week lists after school. They did not get into someone's backpack. That means a couple of students did not bring home their new spelling words. Check your child's backpack and send me a note if your child did not receive them. I did not get new poems out today either. With CHS basketball all weekend, I didn't get much done. I will have new poems tomorrow, Tuesday, February 28.
This week we are celebrating Dr. Seuss' birthday all week with literacy activities. Today we read The Cat in the Hat Comes Again. We will then read The Cat in the Hat and compare and contrast the two stories. We will also enjoy green eggs and ham later this week. We started our Force and Motion science lessons today. I have a bunch of inquisitive scientists in this classroom. It's fun to teach them!
Congratulations to Jazlyn!! She has read over 25 books! She is on her way to reaching the 100-Book goal! Tylan and Preston are working hard at it too. I hope you have seen the note I sent home regarding this challenge. It is a great motivator to help your child want to read. It will not add any more to your nightly schedule.
Yay! for Coy too! He was our classroom's Catch the Vision award winner for February. Coy is such a great student and brings a lot of fun to our classroom!
Have a great day and Happy Reading!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Newsletter February 21-24
I hope you all had a nice long weekend. I know I did! An occasional Monday off, sure is nice. I hope that you saw the new spelling words, and sight words that I sent home last Friday. We have one less day this week to practice those words in class so I sent them home early. I sent home a new poem today. Please read these at night as part of your child's 20 minutes of reading.
Speaking of reading, congratulations to Boston!! He is the first student that has read 25 books. He chose a book today and a treat. I hope that you all saw the 100-book challenge information. Remember that this won't add anymore to your nightly schedule, you just need to write the books down that they have read and send it back with your signature.
Today we did a writing assignment in honor of President's Day. We started with "If I were President I would..." I had some great responses. Some wanted to "command the rich to help the poor", others wanted to "stop the war", and on a light-hearted note, one student wanted to "save money and buy Root Beer". It's so fun to teach first grade!!
I sent home information to all of my students about the school Science Fair on March 22. This is an optional assignment, as well as the school Talent Show on March 30. Let me know if you have any questions regarding these two extra-curricular opportunities. For science, in our class, we have finished up our Water Cycle lesson, and will move to Force and Motion for the next 10 days or so. We will then start a Mapping Unit next month.
SEP conferences are coming up, March 5-9. Watch for your scheduled time to come home next Monday. School will dismiss at 2:30 that entire week, including Wednesday.
As always, if you have any concerns or questions please don't hesitate to contact me and Happy Reading!!
Speaking of reading, congratulations to Boston!! He is the first student that has read 25 books. He chose a book today and a treat. I hope that you all saw the 100-book challenge information. Remember that this won't add anymore to your nightly schedule, you just need to write the books down that they have read and send it back with your signature.
Today we did a writing assignment in honor of President's Day. We started with "If I were President I would..." I had some great responses. Some wanted to "command the rich to help the poor", others wanted to "stop the war", and on a light-hearted note, one student wanted to "save money and buy Root Beer". It's so fun to teach first grade!!
I sent home information to all of my students about the school Science Fair on March 22. This is an optional assignment, as well as the school Talent Show on March 30. Let me know if you have any questions regarding these two extra-curricular opportunities. For science, in our class, we have finished up our Water Cycle lesson, and will move to Force and Motion for the next 10 days or so. We will then start a Mapping Unit next month.
SEP conferences are coming up, March 5-9. Watch for your scheduled time to come home next Monday. School will dismiss at 2:30 that entire week, including Wednesday.
As always, if you have any concerns or questions please don't hesitate to contact me and Happy Reading!!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Newsletter February 13-17
It has been one of those days. I totally forgot at lunch to load your child's folder with all of their Monday stuff. I realized too, that I haven't sent home a February reading chart. All of the Monday stuff, including the spelling words, sight words, new poem, and the February reading record will come home tomorrow, Tuesday, February 14.
Today we decorated our Valentine cans. Thank you for donating fun stickers and things to decorate them with. Tomorrow we will have our little Valentine's Day party at 1:15. We will decorate sugar cookies, deliver Valentine's and watch a Charlie Brown Valentine's day DVD. Remember to have your child bring Valentine's for all of the students in my classroom.
On Thursday, watch for our 100-Book challenge to come home. This is a great incentive for your children to read more, but it won't add anything to your nightly homework schedule.
I just love teaching first grade!! I hope you have a nice long weekend. I will, that is if I can remember :), send home spelling words on Friday, since it is a short week.
Happy Reading!
Today we decorated our Valentine cans. Thank you for donating fun stickers and things to decorate them with. Tomorrow we will have our little Valentine's Day party at 1:15. We will decorate sugar cookies, deliver Valentine's and watch a Charlie Brown Valentine's day DVD. Remember to have your child bring Valentine's for all of the students in my classroom.
On Thursday, watch for our 100-Book challenge to come home. This is a great incentive for your children to read more, but it won't add anything to your nightly homework schedule.
I just love teaching first grade!! I hope you have a nice long weekend. I will, that is if I can remember :), send home spelling words on Friday, since it is a short week.
Happy Reading!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Newsletter February 6-10
I did not get a poem sent home today, but will send one home tomorrow (Feb. 7). Our performances were much better last Friday. Thank you for practicing with your child at home.
Valentine's Day is right around the corner. Today I sent home a class list. We will make our Valentine containers in class on Monday, February 13th. You can send Valentine's with your child to deliver on Tuesday, February 14th. Our party will be that afternoon at 1:00. We will frost heart-shaped cookies, and deliver and open cards then. If you choose to have your child bring cards to share, please make sure that everybody in our class receives one. If you could send items to help decorate our "Valentine cans" please send those items by this Friday. You could send items like: foam stickers, regular stickers, ribbon, doilies etc. Thanks for your help!!
I sent home a February book order today also. It will be due Wednesday, February 15. It is easiest to use the online code to order. As always, there are $1.00 books available, and every time a parent orders, we receive a free classroom book.
Mr. Burton asked me to inform you that Dual Immersion enrollment forms are available now for incoming 1st graders (2012-2013 school year). You can access the forms and receive more information through our school website at east.ironk12.org. There is a parent meeting for Dual Immersion this Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 5:30 p.m.
Thank you so much for coming to Curriculum Night on such a snowy evening. I thought my little "water drops", and "the sun", and a "little boy", did very well. It was nice to see you!
Happy Reading!
Valentine's Day is right around the corner. Today I sent home a class list. We will make our Valentine containers in class on Monday, February 13th. You can send Valentine's with your child to deliver on Tuesday, February 14th. Our party will be that afternoon at 1:00. We will frost heart-shaped cookies, and deliver and open cards then. If you choose to have your child bring cards to share, please make sure that everybody in our class receives one. If you could send items to help decorate our "Valentine cans" please send those items by this Friday. You could send items like: foam stickers, regular stickers, ribbon, doilies etc. Thanks for your help!!
I sent home a February book order today also. It will be due Wednesday, February 15. It is easiest to use the online code to order. As always, there are $1.00 books available, and every time a parent orders, we receive a free classroom book.
Mr. Burton asked me to inform you that Dual Immersion enrollment forms are available now for incoming 1st graders (2012-2013 school year). You can access the forms and receive more information through our school website at east.ironk12.org. There is a parent meeting for Dual Immersion this Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 5:30 p.m.
Thank you so much for coming to Curriculum Night on such a snowy evening. I thought my little "water drops", and "the sun", and a "little boy", did very well. It was nice to see you!
Happy Reading!
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