Newsletter April 12 - April 16

 Welcome back after a glorious spring break.  It always seems like such a long time apart until we get back together and then it seems like we never had a break.  We have 32 more days of school--let's finish strong. Take home books came home today--please read those with your child Monday through Wednesday. I would love reading every night but take advantage of those leveled books for the remainder of the year.  

Here are this week's happenings:

• This Friday at 2:00 we will be having our East Elementary's Birthday Bash and time capsule opening. Unfortunately this is not an event open to families and the public (except for invited guests and retired employees).  We will be outside on the playground and will sing our school song, have a cupcake or cookie and listen to a few words.  I also believe that the school board and district leaders have been invited as well as local media.  We have a rich heritage here at East Elementary and will be celebrating 70 years!
• Spring pictures will be Monday, April 26.  I sent home a note today with information about how to order pictures.  This company is new, but I believe it will be same as in the past--pictures will only be taken for students who request it.  The whole class will not get their pictures taken.  Let me know if you want your child to get their picture taken by either sending in the form and fee or if you pay online let me know so I will for sure send your child down on that date.
• Our End of the Year (EOY) reading test has been scheduled for Thursday, May 6.  First grade is such a time of growth--if you child has been in the "red" at risk area for most of the year and is again when the results come back at the end-of-the-year please let's talk so that I can give you some advice on how to work with your child over the summer.  
• We just finished up our unit on Astronomy and will be writing an informative paragraph about outer space this week along with a little astronaut art to go along with it.  We will start our unit on the History of the Earth next week.  Think more geology type information with that unit (layers of the earth, types of rocks, fossils and dinosaurs etc.).  We will also learn about life cycles through the month of May. 
• In reading we are in the middle of our second to last unit and reader.  We are learning about using pronouns in place of nouns and my students get that concept very easily.  I think that is due to the fact that oral language precedes reading and they have learned to correctly substitute pronouns in speech before they need to replace a noun with a pronoun in writing.  This unit is heavy with different ways to spell consonant sounds--we have recently learned about the 'kn' spelling for /n/ and have learned several ways to spell /s/ (c, ce, ss, se).  We will conclude with learning the 'wh' spelling for /w/.  The last unit will be back to vowel combinations such as 'oa' for example.  
• Our sight word soldier program is still going strong.  I have a couple of students whose necklaces are brimming with beads.  That is exciting and honestly it shows in their reading.  Sight word lists or fry phrases are tested everyday except Wednesday. 
• We will have our unit 7 math test this Thursday.  We have learned mostly about two digit numbers--tens and ones, comparing two digit numbers, and ten more and ten less than a number.  We are going to practice ten more and ten less for a couple more days and then test on Thursday.  The next unit will be adding and subtracting "tens" from a number (i.e. 35 + 30 or 85 - 50).  Then we will move to two digit addition and subtraction without regrouping.  Remember I said let's "finish strong"--this is what I meant--we have some big concepts still to learn this year! 
• Just another plea for clorox or disinfectant wipes if you ever see any and could donate some to our classroom.  We clean off our desks at least weekly with this wipes and at the end of the year will use some to throughly clean our desks and chairs before putting them out into the hall for the summer. 

Happy Reading!

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter March 29 - April 2

 It's been a minute since I have made an official blog post--we have one week and then it's Spring Break (April 5 -9). Here are are what's happening in our class:

• STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) night this Wednesday, March 31 from 6:30-7:30 on the grass area near the SUU Geoscience building.  This is a free event for parents and students.  These are a great opportunity for extra learning and fun--I have seen the other schools STEAM events that they seem to be "not to be missed" activity. 
• Kindergarten registration closes on March 31--if you have a kindergarten student please make sure they are registered by that date.  That early registration really helps with classes for next year. 
• On April 16 our school will be having a Time Capsule celebration on Friday April 16.  Please have your child wear their East Elementary t-shirt that day.  We will have cupcakes or a cookie, open the time capsule that was placed 20 years ago and celebrate 70 years of EAST elementary's existence!  We'll also be doing some activities before hand  like learning the school song and making a tile about "why East is great" for an art display.
• Scholastic book orders will come home tomorrow--They will be due Friday April 2 before we leave for Spring break.  Please use the online code and order that way if desired.
• Thanks to those that have sent extra masks after my pleas of making sure your child still has a mask for school.  Those have helped and I have already probably handed out 10 of those masks since they came in last week.  We can stick it out!! Thanks so much for your help there and encouraging wearing masks in school.  That's how we have been able to stay open :)
• If you are out and about and could donate some clorox or disinfecting wipes I'd appreciate that.  At the beginning of the year when I asked for that donation they were hard to find.  I am noticing that when I go to the store now they are usually stocked on the shelves.  If you could donate some for our class that would be helpful as we use those a lot (even on non-COVID years). 
• In our learning in math we learning about comparing numbers.  We first compared by finding the number that was "greater than" then we compared and found the number "less than" and now we are comparing numbers using symbols (>,<,=).  We learned that when we compare numbers we first look at the tens and then if necessary we look at the ones place.  
• In reading we started Unit 6 and are learning more ways to spell sounds.  We have learned about the "tricky" spelling and sound 'g' and /j/ and 'c' and /s/.  We have learned that these sounds both have a soft and hard sound and that when we are reading we try the "hard" sound first and then if the word does not make sense we switch to the soft sound (ex. gem --first try /g/ as in goat and when that doesn't make sense switch to the /j/  sound).  We will be writing another descriptive paragraph starting this week after we finish our Unit on Astronomy.  Students will describe "outer space".  We have also started a new reader called "Grace" and have read the first three stories.  These stories follow Grace and her family on their farm. 

I think that's it--if I have forgotten something I will send a REMIND.

I hope that you all have a nice, relaxing Spring Break!

Happy Reading,

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter March 8 - March 12

Groundhog art and paragraphs

 Sorry I missed last week with a newsletter--I am glad for REMIND so that I can send announcements that way in the absence of a newsletter.  I was very occupied with my son's state basketball tournament last week :). We are still super excited that we took STATE!

Here are this week's happenings:

• I still can't stress enough to put an extra mask in your child's backpack. Today I gave out 4 masks, thanks to Ethen's parents for providing a package of masks--otherwise I would have to send your child to the office to call home for one.
• Don't forget to read and return your child's take home books weekly--I try to remember to remind you on Wednesday night to return the books on Thursday, but again with the state tournament last week I did not get that reminder out.  We had several this week who did not get a new set of books.  This is such a great way to help with your child's reading fluency. I just read a quote where the jist of it said, "read with your child it helps them associate reading with love, connection and affection".  I believe that to be true.
• This is our final week of the third quarter.  I can't believe it honestly--this time last year we were shutting down schools.  I am so happy we have continued in school all year and it seems that we will continue all the way through the 4th quarter.  We have next Monday and Tuesday off (March 15 and 16) before we start the fourth quarter.  So in case you didn't get that--NO SCHOOL next Monday and Tuesday March 15 and 16!  Spring break will be the first week of April--April 5-9!
• In our learning we just started a unit on Astronomy.  Today we learned about the earth in relation to the sun.  We learned about the earth both rotating and revolving around the sun and learned a little bit about gravity. 
• In math we are modeling two digit numbers using tens and ones.  This knowledge will propel us to learning about comparing numbers using greater than, less than or equal to.... and then we will start adding and subtracting two digit numbers without regrouping.  
• In reading we have been reviewing different spellings for consonant sounds for example we can spell /j/ (sound) with j, g, or ge.  Today we learned the difference between an opinion and fact so that we can start writing opinion as well as descriptive paragraphs. We are reading about Kate, Nan, Jack and Max and their adventures out West in our reader "Kate's Book".  
• I sent home a scholastic reader (February).  The date has expired to order from my note attached, but I will take online orders for those until this Wednesday March 10.  I will send home March orders next week.  

Happy Reading, 

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter February 22 - February 26

 Here's my mid-week newsletter.  I guess Wednesday is better than never.  

Here's what's happening:

• We have a large accumulation of clothing items in our lost and found.  This Friday those will be donated.  If your child is missing something (coat, jacket, hat etc.) please have them look for them before Friday.  If they ask my I will let them go before school or at a convenient time during the day to look for the missing item.
• On Tuesday, March 2 we (along with the rest of the school) will be having a pajama day for "Read Across America"--Dr. Seuss's birthday celebration.  You child can wear their pajamas all day next Tuesday, March 2.  
• I will send home scholastic book orders this Friday.  Disregard the order deadline--I will extend that to Wednesday March 2.  Please use the classroom code and order online (that's the best way)--I can take a regular order too.  It's nice as you have the choice to either have the books sent here to school or last month if you ordered a specific amount the books could be sent directly to your house (I guess that's one nice thing about COVID).  
• This week I have again had several students say "I forgot my mask".  Please put an extra mask in your child's backpack.  This is especially helpful too if one mask gets misplaced during lunch break.
• Don't forget to return both library and take home books tomorrow--THURSDAY.  I was excited to hear that next week we will be having our library experience back in the library so students will be able to have a greater variety of books to check out each week.  
• In learning we have learned a lot about groundhogs and today we used a graphic organizer (hand print) to begin formulating a descriptive paragraph about groundhogs.  Ask your child to share some things they have learned about groundhogs.  I told them today they could be groundhog scientists! We have starting reading a new book called Kate's book and are concentrating on determining if a sentence is a statement or question. 
• In math we started a new chapter, "Count and model numbers".  This is the chapter where we begin place value.  Students have been counting on by one from any given number using a 120 chart and tomorrow we will count on by 10's from any number using a 120-chart (i.e. 38, 48, 58 etc.). This chapter we will model tens and ones which will help us then be able to add and subtract two digit numbers. 

Happy Reading,

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter February 16 - February 19

 Welcome back after a nice three day weekend.  I hope you enjoyed your break.  I'm going to be brief but here are this week's happenings:

• Please put an extra mask in your child's backpack.  We have had several students lose their masks especially during lunch break.  I always remind them to have it when they come in but we've had several get lost.  That causes two issues-- one interrupted instruction time for the student to go back outside and try and find it or if not found they have to go to Eagle support and a parent is called to bring a new one.  I have gone through boxes of masks as well as the office.  An extra one would be very helpful.  
• Governor Cox is visiting ICSD next Monday, February 22 and specifically will be visiting East Elementary before lunch.  I think that is quite an honor to have a visit from the governor.  He will be observing a dual immersion classroom as well as our Eagle Support or Wellness Center. 
• Take home books were sent home today.  This week only two were sent home.  They will as usual be due back on Thursday (Friday at the latest) for new books next Monday.  Library will be this Thursday.  It's been a couple of weeks since we have had library.
• This week we will learn more about groundhogs so that we can begin the process of writing a descriptive paragraph about Groundhogs.  We have also started a new unit in reading and today learned about plural nouns and the rules for doubling consonants when adding endings to a root word (ex. stop, stopping or stopped vs. jump, jumping or jumped).  We are still learning about animal habitats and will finish that unit learning about the freshwater and ocean habitats.  
• In math we are wrapping up our unit on the relationship between addition and subtraction. The last couple of days we have learned about equal or not equal equations (4  + 3 = 9 - 2 or 5 + 5 = 4 + 4. The first being equal of course and the second not equal).  Today we worked on mixed addition and subtraction problems.  I had to remind my students many times to look at the sign before adding or subtracting.  That might be something you emphasize at home working with both addition and subtraction problems. 
• Last Wednesday we had our first WIN groups. We all (first grade teachers) were reminded at what a great thing grouping students with the parameters of WHAT I NEED.  We are excited to again have those groups tomorrow.  We will have those groups every Wednesday after lunch for the remainder of the year.  Those groups are fluid as we look at data and move students around based what they need for each standard.  

Have a nice Tuesday and Happy Reading,

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter February 8 - February 12

 It has been nice to be back after my 10 day quarantine.  We are still  working on correcting behavior and I would appreciate your support at home with this.  Please ask your child about how they did on their behavior chart DAILY.  Work with them about respecting those around them, working hard and being kind.  Today there was a sub in PE and several students just left he PE room and I could tell she was frazzled afterwards.  From now on if students are disruptive, not following the rules, leaving the room without permission or being unkind in PE they will go to Eagle Support rather than participate with our class for PE the following week.   

Thanks for making the time to visit with me last week for SEP's.  It really is important to support your child's education and meeting with me shows them that support. 

We celebrated our 100th Day just a bit late after my return.  We have now been in school 104 day.  I consider that a victory especially this year! 

Here is what's happening this week:

• Valentine's NEED to be sent tomorrow.  Remember that we will fill them out here in class, but they need to quarantine for 72 hours before delivery on Friday.  Just send the box with your child's name on it.  Valentine's with a candy treat included are just fine too--just again make sure they come tomorrow and write your child's name on the box.  I have bought a few boxes for those that cannot send them, but honestly can't do that for the whole class.  So far I have only had a handful of students bring them.  Please let me know if this is an issue for you.  
• This Thursday our school nurse will present a Dental Health lesson to our class.  
• Along with the behavior issues I previously mentioned, I have removed supplies from student desks.  So far I think that is helping as much of the issues centered around students playing with and/or breaking supplies.  When I came this weekend to get that ready I noticed several sticky desks as students were squishing their glue sticks on the inside of their desks.  Pencil boxes and optional supplies sent at the beginning of the year will be sent home. 
• We are catching up on our learning--in math we are revisiting related facts or fact families.  We will continue with variations on this concept all week.  Today, for example, we started with a problem like 14 - 8 = where students had  to figure out the missing part (6) and then plug that into other equations (8 + 6 = 14, 6 + 8 = 14 or 14 - 6 = 8).  
• In reading and writing we will be working on paragraph writing for a while--well the remainder of the year actually.  Today we started describing marshmallows using adjectives and our five senses.  We will use those ideas to write great marshmallow sentences (Marshmallows are white and feel sticky., for example).  We will then use those sentences to write a descriptive paragraph about marshmallows. We will then learn more about Groundhogs and write a descriptive paragraph about Groundhogs and then move onto writing descriptive paragraphs about animal habitats.  
• Take-home books were sent home today.  We are getting less and less returning and sending those back.  I know it's not as easy to remember this year since they don't come home daily and return daily, but please try and use these as it's the only "homework" I ask is for nightly reading.  Remember take home books come home every Monday (three books) and need to be returned on Thursday (if you get them back Friday it will work too).  If you miss the Monday fill up then you miss out on a whole week of books essentially.  
• On Wednesday we will start having WIN groups.  These are "What I Need" groups.  We will only have them once a week due to COVID issues, but we have been given the green light to start these.  These groups will be made up from all of the first grade students.  They are essentially groups to give the students "what they need" in language arts (we chose this since we are limited this year).  Students are placed in groups and are given extra support in reading and writing, given more practice on the skills we are learning right now, or given extension.  If you child tells you they went to a different class on Wednesday they did!  We will make sure that when students go to a different classroom that sanitization measures are taken (that's the reason for only once a week).  These groups are very helpful for all students and we are excited to starting implementing them again. 
• Library will resume this Thursday as we did not have library due to SEP's last week.  
• Don't forget we have next Monday, February 15 off due to President's Day.  I was just reminded of that today--so yay for a 3-day weekend! 

Don't forget to send those Valentines TOMORROW and Happy Reading!

Mrs. Armstrong

Newsletter January 11 - January 15

 Hi--I apologize for not getting a new newsletter out since returning from Christmas--it seems that I have had one incident after another, or unexpected meetings or...... well you name it.  I am making myself sit down and get one done albeit quickly today.  I hope that you all had a wonderful break and are reading for another long weekend!  Martin Luther King holiday is next Monday, January 18.  

Here are these week's (and well other weeks) happenings:

• SEP always sneaks up on me--it will be the first week in February (Feb. 1 - 5).  School will get out at 2:30 everyday that week (including Wednesday).  I will find the sign up sheet that we used in the fall and resend that out.  I will plan on the same times and format (mostly ZOOM) that we had in the fall.  When I send that out just let me know or change it on the doc if you cannot meet at that time.  Honestly I was happy with how our ZOOM conferences went last time even though face to face conferences are preferred ZOOM was a nice alternative.
• Don't forget to send back take home books and library EVERY Thursday!!!  Reading at home is our ONLY homework and research shows it's one of the best ways to help students improve in reading.  I hope you are taking advantage of our leveled library and reading those books more than once.  I'll discuss your child's reading progress during SEP conferences.
• Just a heads up about Valentine's Day--due to COVID issues we will NOT be able to hand out valentines and treats on that day this year.  I will do some other Valentine activities in my classroom but we will not do the typical Valentine card exchange (or treats). 
• Scholastic book orders will come home tomorrow.  They will be "due" next Wednesday January 20.  Order now over $25 can be sent directly to your home (please still use my online code).  Orders can still be sent here to the school where I distribute them as soon as they arrive.  
• Now for our learning..... Since returning from our Christmas break we have started a new unit in Reading.  We have learned about the r-controlled vowel patterns or 'er', 'ar', and 'or'.  We are learning about two-syllable words (syllables always have one vowel sound).  We have learned about compound words and root words with endings (cupcake or fishing for example).  We have started a new reading called "The Green Fern Zoo". We have met the narrator Vern in "Meet Vern" and have read about "Things that Swim" and "Chimps"
• In math we have turned out attention to subtraction.  We have learned to "count back" to subtract using a number line and this week we are learning about the relationship of subtraction to addition by writing fact family number sentences (5 + 4 = 9, 4 + 5 = 9, 9 - 5 = 4, 9 - 4 = 5)
• In science/social studies (CKLA domain) we started learning about Animal Habitats.  So far we have learned about the Arctic and Desert habitats.  We will continue this through January and we will begin to write factual sentences and paragraphs using our knowledge from the Green Fern Zoo book and from our Animal Habitats unit. 
• The 100th day of school is February 2.  I will send home more information about our little celebration closer to that date.  If your child wants to dress up like they are 100 years old they can do that on February 2.  I will also send home a little "homework" project to be returned by that date.  
• We've been better this week but please make sure you child has a mask everyday.  The first couple of days back I had to scrounge up a couple of masks to give to students rather than send them to the office and then have to call home to get one.  I literally do not have any more now :). Some students have an extra one already in their backpacks which is a great idea because sometimes they even get lost out at lunch break. 

Happy Wednesday and Happy Reading,

Mrs. Armstrong