Obviously we didn't have spelling words with the two short weeks we just had. I sent home a new list of spelling words today. For the last two spelling tests, the dictation sentence was counted at bonus points. This week it will count as regular points (hopefully that makes sense).
I hope that you saw the note I sent home about Halloween costumes and the costume parade on Halloween afternoon. I will not elaborate more here, but if you have questions please don't hesitate to contact me. We will finish our apple head witches for a little Halloween party. We will do that Halloween morning.
The PTA sent home an information sheet about their new reading program (3,000,000 minutes). They sent home little papers for you to put your child's weekly reading minutes on. Since most of the teachers if not all require reading minutes in their classrooms, we have decided to make it easier on parents and just use our classroom reading calendars and tally up the minutes that way. You do not need to fill out the PTA reading minutes anymore. Just continue to read with your child for 20 minutes each day and color in the icon (ghosts this month) and I will turn in the reading minutes for our class at the end of the month.
We just finished our Math Test #2 a couple of weeks ago. I wanted to remind you that I have a high school helper who helps make corrections on those tests. So if your child has missed some points, but you look over the test and see that everything is correct, then corrections have been made. I do this so that my student's will understand why they missed the problem and have immediate feedback (well, as "immediate" as I can get it).
I can't stress the importance of sight word practice and having those be words that are automatically read. If your child is not working on at least List #3, then they are behind with their sight words. I will test all students on List #3 starting on November 3.
Remember that picture retakes are tomorrow. Only those that send their picture packets back or send money or have requested retakes will be sent down for pictures.
I will have grades for the first quarter by the end of this week. The October Scholastic book order that I sent home last week will be due this Friday, October 31 and the take-home librarian was absent today so your child will not have a take-home book today.
Congratulations to Dane and Brennan. They were our classroom Catch the Vision winners for October. They are both wonderful deserving students.
Happy Reading!
Monday, October 27, 2014
Monday, October 6, 2014
Newsletter October 6 - 10
I am finally on track with my blog. It was so nice to meet with most of you last week during our SEP conferences. I hope you understood through those conferences how much I love YOUR child and that I have an open door for questions, comments or concerns. Please feel free to contact me any time (e-mail is always the best option).
This week we will start our Take-home library program (book in a bag). Please take advantage of this program. Have your child read those books every night and return them regularly. Rereading the same book is such a great way to increase reading fluency so please encourage your child to reread the same text so that their reading flows and they become more confidant.
On Wednesday, we will be going to the Bus garage for a field trip. We will leave the school at 9:15 and return by 10:15. I will not send home a field trip permission slip because you have all checked the registration form allowing your child to attend field trips. As always though, if you would like your child not to participate in a certain field trip let me know and we can make other arrangements here at the school during the field trip time.
Thank you for sending apples with your child for our Halloween witch art project. I was planning on doing that this Wednesday, but with the unexpected field trip I will do it on Thursday instead. Please send an apple with your child by this Wednesday. Speaking of Halloween, I hope all of you got Mr. Moyle's message about allowing Halloween costumes this year. I am so excited about this, as I remember fondly Halloween costume parades as a child. I hope that all goes well with it this year so that we can continue this tradition. I will send home more information about it as I receive it.
I will send home an October Scholastic book order this week. Those orders will be due on Wednesday, October 15 (the day before we leave for our big break). The easiest way to order is to use our classroom online code.
Pictures retakes have been rescheduled for October 28. If you want to have your child's picture retaken you just need to send back the picture packet (which we haven't received yet) and they can have their picture retaken that day.
The PTA is launching a new reading program here at East Elementary. In the past we have participated in the AR (Accelerated Reader) program. The cost has increased dramatically and we weighed the cost vs. the amount of students that actually participate in the program. The PTA will be having a kick-off to explain our new reading incentive program on October 10. They have asked that each classroom have a "room helper" for this program. They did not specify what that would include, but I do not believe it would be a big in class commitment if an in class commitment at all. If that is something you might like to do for our class let me know and I can let the PTA know.
This week we are starting a computer reading program called Waterford. We will participate in that program four times a week for thirty minutes each time. In math, we will finish up our unit on subtraction and start Unit 3. In science, we will start an integrated writing project about their favorite season. We will write an opinion piece about favorite seasons. We will learn about how to open an opinion piece, then give reasons to back up our opinion and then close it properly. Our reading groups are going well. That's my favorite part of the day!! Remember that the September reading records are now due. They are worth 100 points. Please keep up with sight word practice. Your child should at least have passed off Lists #1 and #2 by now. I will test all students on List #2 this week (if they haven't already passed it off).
I hope that you are enjoying this beautiful fall weather.
Happy Reading!!
This week we will start our Take-home library program (book in a bag). Please take advantage of this program. Have your child read those books every night and return them regularly. Rereading the same book is such a great way to increase reading fluency so please encourage your child to reread the same text so that their reading flows and they become more confidant.
On Wednesday, we will be going to the Bus garage for a field trip. We will leave the school at 9:15 and return by 10:15. I will not send home a field trip permission slip because you have all checked the registration form allowing your child to attend field trips. As always though, if you would like your child not to participate in a certain field trip let me know and we can make other arrangements here at the school during the field trip time.
Thank you for sending apples with your child for our Halloween witch art project. I was planning on doing that this Wednesday, but with the unexpected field trip I will do it on Thursday instead. Please send an apple with your child by this Wednesday. Speaking of Halloween, I hope all of you got Mr. Moyle's message about allowing Halloween costumes this year. I am so excited about this, as I remember fondly Halloween costume parades as a child. I hope that all goes well with it this year so that we can continue this tradition. I will send home more information about it as I receive it.
I will send home an October Scholastic book order this week. Those orders will be due on Wednesday, October 15 (the day before we leave for our big break). The easiest way to order is to use our classroom online code.
Pictures retakes have been rescheduled for October 28. If you want to have your child's picture retaken you just need to send back the picture packet (which we haven't received yet) and they can have their picture retaken that day.
The PTA is launching a new reading program here at East Elementary. In the past we have participated in the AR (Accelerated Reader) program. The cost has increased dramatically and we weighed the cost vs. the amount of students that actually participate in the program. The PTA will be having a kick-off to explain our new reading incentive program on October 10. They have asked that each classroom have a "room helper" for this program. They did not specify what that would include, but I do not believe it would be a big in class commitment if an in class commitment at all. If that is something you might like to do for our class let me know and I can let the PTA know.
This week we are starting a computer reading program called Waterford. We will participate in that program four times a week for thirty minutes each time. In math, we will finish up our unit on subtraction and start Unit 3. In science, we will start an integrated writing project about their favorite season. We will write an opinion piece about favorite seasons. We will learn about how to open an opinion piece, then give reasons to back up our opinion and then close it properly. Our reading groups are going well. That's my favorite part of the day!! Remember that the September reading records are now due. They are worth 100 points. Please keep up with sight word practice. Your child should at least have passed off Lists #1 and #2 by now. I will test all students on List #2 this week (if they haven't already passed it off).
I hope that you are enjoying this beautiful fall weather.
Happy Reading!!
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Newsletter September 15 - 19
It's been a little hectic this week as I have been home not feeling well. I think the students were in good hands with the two subs that I had.
I have sent home math homework still--thank you for doing that. Please make sure that you help your child remember to put their name on that homework. It is nearly impossible for me to decifer numbers in handwriting. If there is a no name I just give the grade of 0.
If you child is absent I will send home their morning work, and another other work that they miss. I will write HW on top of it and date so you you will be aware that it is homework. I still hope you are practicing sight words with your child and reading every night. Our new and improved Take home library will start next week. Please send back the portion of the Take home library letter so that I can start your child (coral paper).
Next week our reading groups will start. I will inform you at SEP conferences if you child will be attending a reading intervention group. Some of my students will also have additional help in math, and I will let you know if you child will receive that extra intervention as well. I am going to try a new format with math and would love some volunteers as I get it off the ground or help all year would be great. If you could help starting next Tuesday, Thursday or Friday at 1:00-2:15 I would appreciate it. Send me an e-mail if you would like to. I will let you know about reading volunteer opportunities soon. My guess is that I will start using reading volunteers in October. Remember that time is from 9:00-10:30 every day except for Wednesday.
It is picture day this Friday. If you would like to purchase pictures please send back the picture form.
I have sent home math homework still--thank you for doing that. Please make sure that you help your child remember to put their name on that homework. It is nearly impossible for me to decifer numbers in handwriting. If there is a no name I just give the grade of 0.
If you child is absent I will send home their morning work, and another other work that they miss. I will write HW on top of it and date so you you will be aware that it is homework. I still hope you are practicing sight words with your child and reading every night. Our new and improved Take home library will start next week. Please send back the portion of the Take home library letter so that I can start your child (coral paper).
Next week our reading groups will start. I will inform you at SEP conferences if you child will be attending a reading intervention group. Some of my students will also have additional help in math, and I will let you know if you child will receive that extra intervention as well. I am going to try a new format with math and would love some volunteers as I get it off the ground or help all year would be great. If you could help starting next Tuesday, Thursday or Friday at 1:00-2:15 I would appreciate it. Send me an e-mail if you would like to. I will let you know about reading volunteer opportunities soon. My guess is that I will start using reading volunteers in October. Remember that time is from 9:00-10:30 every day except for Wednesday.
It is picture day this Friday. If you would like to purchase pictures please send back the picture form.
Monday, September 8, 2014
September 8 - 12
We have done two lessons from our Go Math program and I will now be sending home math homework most days. It is nearly impossible to complete it all in class during our allotted time. My hesitation with sending home math homework and the reason that I really didn't want to send it home this year, is that many will only do the math homework and not include reading as part of their nightly routine. I surely don't want your child to have homework bombarding them nightly, I know they are kids and need their "play time". Please try to stick to 30 minutes total homework a night. Include reading practice with their math homework. Have your child help read the instructions. The math homework will be due the next day, but I do understand we have busy lives so if you child turns it in late, I will not deduct any points. Thank you for this help. The one-on-one math help that they will receive with homework will be very beneficial. I have put the lessons that we will be working on on the left sidebar of this blog. That way you can anticipate which math homework will be coming home.
Now that I have returned two spelling tests, I wanted to let you know how I grade them. If I can't read the word, I mark it wrong. I do not mark reversals wrong if I can tell what letter it should be. B and D reversals are different. If your child reverses the B or D I will verbally ask them how to spell the word and if they can spell it orally I will mark it correct as well as pointing out to the child that they have reversed the letter. Letter reversals are still very common in first grade. Do not be overly concerned if you child is reversing some letters or numbers. We start becoming concerned if reversals are still happening regularly in third grade.
The Scholastic book order that I sent home last week is due this Wednesday, Sept. 10. The easiest way to order is online using our classroom code.
Tomorrow all students will be given health screenings. They will have their eyes checked as well as a quick oral screening from a dentist. The hearing screening will be done on a different date. If something was noteworthy from those exams, the school nurse will contact you.
This week we are going to start our unit on punctuation. This is a fun unit where I introduce correct punctuation with "Punctuation People". Our first punctuation person will be "Period Pete". We have been working on an "All About Me" writing and in science we are working on a little weather book especially concentrating on weather words.
I really love my sweet first graders. I am a lucky teacher.
Happy Reading!
Now that I have returned two spelling tests, I wanted to let you know how I grade them. If I can't read the word, I mark it wrong. I do not mark reversals wrong if I can tell what letter it should be. B and D reversals are different. If your child reverses the B or D I will verbally ask them how to spell the word and if they can spell it orally I will mark it correct as well as pointing out to the child that they have reversed the letter. Letter reversals are still very common in first grade. Do not be overly concerned if you child is reversing some letters or numbers. We start becoming concerned if reversals are still happening regularly in third grade.
The Scholastic book order that I sent home last week is due this Wednesday, Sept. 10. The easiest way to order is online using our classroom code.
Tomorrow all students will be given health screenings. They will have their eyes checked as well as a quick oral screening from a dentist. The hearing screening will be done on a different date. If something was noteworthy from those exams, the school nurse will contact you.
This week we are going to start our unit on punctuation. This is a fun unit where I introduce correct punctuation with "Punctuation People". Our first punctuation person will be "Period Pete". We have been working on an "All About Me" writing and in science we are working on a little weather book especially concentrating on weather words.
I really love my sweet first graders. I am a lucky teacher.
Happy Reading!
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Newsletter September 1 - 5
I hope that you all had a nice Labor Day weekend. We are buckling down again and getting back to work.
If you child has not passed of Sight Word List #1 then please help them with this list at home. Your child should have at least passed off that list by now and be working on List #2. Remember that they can pass these words off as quickly as they can.
The August reading record is due today! I sent home a new September reading record today (paper with apples on it). This is to record the number of times your child has read in the month of September. Color each apple for 20 minutes of reading time (can include sight word, and spelling practice). I also sent home this week's list of spelling words and a Scholastic book order. Just like last week, I will test on the list of spelling words on Friday. The Scholastic book order is due, Wednesday, September 10. The easiest way to order is to use the code and to order online, but you can still send the order back with a check. You only need to write out one check, and make it out to Scholastic. With each order our classroom earns points for free books!
We will start with our Go Math program this week. We will be learning about addition. I really hope that we can do our homework in class. I think that this week will be a good gauge to see if we can accomplish that. I have put the lessons that we will be working on on the left side bar of this blog. Next week I will let you know if I will be sending home a math homework sheet most nights.
We have started talking a little bit about the seasons and weather in science. We will continue with that unit of study throughout September.
This Friday, our class will have a reading test (RLA). This will put your child on a "grade level" for reading. Next week, the students will take the DIBELS test. This is also an indicator to find out about your child's reading abilities right now and where to start instruction. After those tests are complete we will start small reading groups in our classroom. Some students will get the extra privilege of attending another reading intervention group with our qualified reading aides. I will let you know if your child will be attending a reading intervention group. We plan on starting those groups on Monday, September 22.
Happy Reading!
If you child has not passed of Sight Word List #1 then please help them with this list at home. Your child should have at least passed off that list by now and be working on List #2. Remember that they can pass these words off as quickly as they can.
The August reading record is due today! I sent home a new September reading record today (paper with apples on it). This is to record the number of times your child has read in the month of September. Color each apple for 20 minutes of reading time (can include sight word, and spelling practice). I also sent home this week's list of spelling words and a Scholastic book order. Just like last week, I will test on the list of spelling words on Friday. The Scholastic book order is due, Wednesday, September 10. The easiest way to order is to use the code and to order online, but you can still send the order back with a check. You only need to write out one check, and make it out to Scholastic. With each order our classroom earns points for free books!
We will start with our Go Math program this week. We will be learning about addition. I really hope that we can do our homework in class. I think that this week will be a good gauge to see if we can accomplish that. I have put the lessons that we will be working on on the left side bar of this blog. Next week I will let you know if I will be sending home a math homework sheet most nights.
We have started talking a little bit about the seasons and weather in science. We will continue with that unit of study throughout September.
This Friday, our class will have a reading test (RLA). This will put your child on a "grade level" for reading. Next week, the students will take the DIBELS test. This is also an indicator to find out about your child's reading abilities right now and where to start instruction. After those tests are complete we will start small reading groups in our classroom. Some students will get the extra privilege of attending another reading intervention group with our qualified reading aides. I will let you know if your child will be attending a reading intervention group. We plan on starting those groups on Monday, September 22.
Happy Reading!
Monday, August 25, 2014
Newsletter August 25 - 29
Today your child will have our first list of spelling words in their backpacks. We will work on these words in class, but please help your child with these words at home. You can count spelling word practice as part of your child's 20 minutes of reading. The spelling test will be this Friday.
Mrs. Neil, helped me today with those students that have returned their Sight Word Lists #1. She sent home Sight Word List #2 home with your child if they "passed off" List #1. If List #1 was returned to your child, they weren't quite there yet. Please help your child with these sight words. I will have her test all students this Friday on Sight Word List #1 even if you haven't returned the List. These will be scored and entered into your child's grades. Sight word aromaticity is so important! Please practice these nightly with your child.
In math we are concentrating on number words and number recognition as well as tally marks and number patterns. I have also realized as we've been working that we need to work on right and left and we'll work on that this week also. I will test on number word knowledge at the end of this week. We will start our Go Math lessons the day after Labor Day. I'm still hoping that we can complete the homework portion in class, but watch for math homework to possibly start coming home after Labor Day.
We have had a couple of birthdays in class already. Remember that you can send in a birthday treat with your child on their birthday. If your child's birthday falls on the weekend we will celebrate their birthday the following Monday. We have 23 students in our class right now. If your child's birthday falls in the summer months, I will have a day in May that we celebrate all summer birthdays.
We had our first library day last Friday. We did not check out books yet. Your child will be allowed to check out two books this Friday. Watch for those to come home and take advantage of reading books to your child that they picked out. Please make sure that your child returns those books by the following Friday.
Remember that next Monday is Labor Day. Have a wonderful holiday!
Happy Reading!!
Mrs. Neil, helped me today with those students that have returned their Sight Word Lists #1. She sent home Sight Word List #2 home with your child if they "passed off" List #1. If List #1 was returned to your child, they weren't quite there yet. Please help your child with these sight words. I will have her test all students this Friday on Sight Word List #1 even if you haven't returned the List. These will be scored and entered into your child's grades. Sight word aromaticity is so important! Please practice these nightly with your child.
In math we are concentrating on number words and number recognition as well as tally marks and number patterns. I have also realized as we've been working that we need to work on right and left and we'll work on that this week also. I will test on number word knowledge at the end of this week. We will start our Go Math lessons the day after Labor Day. I'm still hoping that we can complete the homework portion in class, but watch for math homework to possibly start coming home after Labor Day.
We have had a couple of birthdays in class already. Remember that you can send in a birthday treat with your child on their birthday. If your child's birthday falls on the weekend we will celebrate their birthday the following Monday. We have 23 students in our class right now. If your child's birthday falls in the summer months, I will have a day in May that we celebrate all summer birthdays.
We had our first library day last Friday. We did not check out books yet. Your child will be allowed to check out two books this Friday. Watch for those to come home and take advantage of reading books to your child that they picked out. Please make sure that your child returns those books by the following Friday.
Remember that next Monday is Labor Day. Have a wonderful holiday!
Happy Reading!!
Monday, August 18, 2014
Newsletter August 18 - 22
Our first three days of first grade have flown by. It's amazing how I love my students from day one! We are going to have a wonderful year!
We are still busy learning about classroom and school rules and procedures. One of the issues that we have discussed at length as a faculty is safety for our students. We have many doors here at East Elementary, and many drop-off spots. The four main drop off spot doors will be open until 9:00 a.m. (main entrance by office, flagpole, kindergarten area, and bus drop off). After 9:00 a.m. those doors will be locked and all students and parents will have to enter through the main entrance. We have been asked not to open those doors for "knocking students". All of the doors have signs indicating that they will be locked during the school day.
We have an opportunity for a field trip early in the year this Friday, August 22. We will leave the school at 9:30 a.m. and return by lunch. The cost for this field trip is a $1.00 donation. I sent home a permission slip this time because I will not be able to look at all of my student's registration forms before Friday. Remember that I told you that the registration form is the only permission that you will need, but this time I will need you to sign the green paper that I sent home today in your child's homework folder.
Today I sent home August's reading record (paper with suns on it), and the first list of sight words and sight word phrases. Remember that I want you to read with your child for 20 minutes five times per week and that I encourage sight word practice as part of that 20 minutes. After your child has read for 20 minutes they can color in one sun (one sun = 20 minutes). When you child is ready to pass off the sight words send back the little yellow paper signed and I will send them the same list back if I think they need more practice or send them with a new list. Thank you so much for being diligent in sending back your child's homework for daily!
Remember the PTA Luau this Saturday, from 10:00-2:00 here at the school. This activity should be very fun and is a fundraiser for our school. I hope to see you there!
On your child's supply list, I suggested colored pencil and markers as optional and I still suggest it as optional, but if you child doesn't have these then when they are given the chance to color they will only have crayons. If they would like colored pencils and/or markers they will be able to use those also, and will keep them in their desks.
Thank you for signing up for snacks, sending in extra supplies, and volunteering to help in our classroom. I really am looking forward to a wonderful year!
We are still busy learning about classroom and school rules and procedures. One of the issues that we have discussed at length as a faculty is safety for our students. We have many doors here at East Elementary, and many drop-off spots. The four main drop off spot doors will be open until 9:00 a.m. (main entrance by office, flagpole, kindergarten area, and bus drop off). After 9:00 a.m. those doors will be locked and all students and parents will have to enter through the main entrance. We have been asked not to open those doors for "knocking students". All of the doors have signs indicating that they will be locked during the school day.
We have an opportunity for a field trip early in the year this Friday, August 22. We will leave the school at 9:30 a.m. and return by lunch. The cost for this field trip is a $1.00 donation. I sent home a permission slip this time because I will not be able to look at all of my student's registration forms before Friday. Remember that I told you that the registration form is the only permission that you will need, but this time I will need you to sign the green paper that I sent home today in your child's homework folder.
Today I sent home August's reading record (paper with suns on it), and the first list of sight words and sight word phrases. Remember that I want you to read with your child for 20 minutes five times per week and that I encourage sight word practice as part of that 20 minutes. After your child has read for 20 minutes they can color in one sun (one sun = 20 minutes). When you child is ready to pass off the sight words send back the little yellow paper signed and I will send them the same list back if I think they need more practice or send them with a new list. Thank you so much for being diligent in sending back your child's homework for daily!
Remember the PTA Luau this Saturday, from 10:00-2:00 here at the school. This activity should be very fun and is a fundraiser for our school. I hope to see you there!
On your child's supply list, I suggested colored pencil and markers as optional and I still suggest it as optional, but if you child doesn't have these then when they are given the chance to color they will only have crayons. If they would like colored pencils and/or markers they will be able to use those also, and will keep them in their desks.
Thank you for signing up for snacks, sending in extra supplies, and volunteering to help in our classroom. I really am looking forward to a wonderful year!
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