I can't believe that March is almost over with! This year seriously has flown by for me. I love this little class of mine--the truly are a phenomenal bunch of first graders.
Next week, we will only have school for two days. I will not post a blog newsletter for that short week, and we will not have spelling words next week. I sent home new spelling words today. I realized I got the last two weeks mixed up, but I think with this list of spelling words it will be ok :)
I sent home math homework today, and attached a paper clip to it. We are learning to measure with non-standard units and the homework requires measuring with a paper clip. Tomorrow will start learning about time to the hour and half-hour, though we have been doing this within our "math wall" for weeks now, so I think the telling time lessons will come easily to most of my students. We should finish up all of the lessons in Unit 9 by next Tuesday. I will then review when school resumes after the holiday and test either Tuesday, April 7 or Wednesday, April 8.
Tomorrow I will be sending home a note about our first grade easter egg hunt. We will have that next Tuesday, March 31 at 2:00. We plan on going to the east side of the canyon park. If you could help out by sending one dozen candy-filled eggs by Monday, March 30 that would be great. I also need a couple of parents that are willing to take the eggs to the park that day (around 1:30) and "hide" them for us. If you would be willing to help please send me an e-mail.
Some of my students are getting close to the 100-book mark for our challenge. Thank you for reading with you child.
Congratulations to Kaitlee and Duane--they were our Catch the Vision winners for the 3rd quarter.
On April 8, we will be going to a Playmakers production of the play "Honk". We will be walking to SUU to the auditorium theater. This cost for this field trip is $1.00. I will send home a permission slip for this field trip because of the donation (it will remind you). On April 24, we will also be walking to SUU for Bard's Birthday Bash. That field trip does not require a donation so I will not send home a permission slip for that one, since you all gave permission for field trips at the beginning of the year. Of course, if you ever want to opt out of a field trip just let me know, and I can make other arrangements for your child.
I will send home 3rd quarter grades by this Thursday. We had training last Wednesday, I and I didn't have time to print off the reports.
Happy Reading!
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Monday, March 16, 2015
Newsletter March 16 - 20
Today starts our 4th quarter of school. I will print off 3rd quarter grades and send them home by Thursday, March 19. All work should have been turned in by Friday, March 13th, but I haven't put all of the assignments in power school yet, so you have an extra day. I will not accept late work for third quarter after Tuesday, March 17.
Tomorrow I will test on Unit 8 in math so please help your child with the Chapter Review homework tonight so that will help them with their test tomorrow. I will start Unit 9 (measurement and time) on Wednesday.
I am excited for all of those that are participating in our 100-book challenge. I can see that this is motivating for most of my students. Since, I feel that rereading is so important for fluency, I will allow you to write down the same title of book twice (that is if your child has read the book twice). I encourage rereading, and hopefully this will encourage your child to reread their books. Remember that the take-home library books come home every night so it is not impossible to read 100 books by May 15 (if your child started the challenge when it was initially given).
I plan on having our traditional first grade Easter Egg hunt on Tuesday, March 31, before we leave for Spring break. If you could help out with this by sending one dozen candy filled eggs I would appreciate it. Of course, sending eggs is optional, and your child can participate regardless. I have noticed recently that you can buy pre-filled eggs , which makes it easier, but you can also fill them yourself, but please make sure that the candy is wrapped. I could use some help that day "hiding" the eggs at the park, if you would be willing to help hide our eggs please let me know. Right now my tentative plan is to go to the park after computers so that would be around 1:30 on Tuesday, March 31.
I sent home information today about our PTA sponsored Talent Show. If your child would like to participate please send back registration form by next Monday, March 30.
Happy Reading!
Tomorrow I will test on Unit 8 in math so please help your child with the Chapter Review homework tonight so that will help them with their test tomorrow. I will start Unit 9 (measurement and time) on Wednesday.
I am excited for all of those that are participating in our 100-book challenge. I can see that this is motivating for most of my students. Since, I feel that rereading is so important for fluency, I will allow you to write down the same title of book twice (that is if your child has read the book twice). I encourage rereading, and hopefully this will encourage your child to reread their books. Remember that the take-home library books come home every night so it is not impossible to read 100 books by May 15 (if your child started the challenge when it was initially given).
I plan on having our traditional first grade Easter Egg hunt on Tuesday, March 31, before we leave for Spring break. If you could help out with this by sending one dozen candy filled eggs I would appreciate it. Of course, sending eggs is optional, and your child can participate regardless. I have noticed recently that you can buy pre-filled eggs , which makes it easier, but you can also fill them yourself, but please make sure that the candy is wrapped. I could use some help that day "hiding" the eggs at the park, if you would be willing to help hide our eggs please let me know. Right now my tentative plan is to go to the park after computers so that would be around 1:30 on Tuesday, March 31.
I sent home information today about our PTA sponsored Talent Show. If your child would like to participate please send back registration form by next Monday, March 30.
Happy Reading!
Monday, March 9, 2015
March 9 - 13
Thanks again for coming to SEP conferences last week--I had 100% attendance! That shows the support that you give your child in all aspects of their education.
Spring pictures will be taken this Friday, March 13. I will only send students that return the order with money. Not all of the students will get pictures taken like they do in the Fall. If you need another order form let me know, I think I have a couple of extra copies.
The March Scholastic book order that I sent home last week is due this Wednesday, March 11. I have a link on this blog that can get you right to the website, or you can send me a check (made out to Scholastic) and I can order them for you. The easiest way to order is online using our class code.
This week we will finish up on Unit 8 in math (two-digit addition and subtraction). I will test next Monday. Please help your child with their homework to help prepare them for the test.
This week I am starting a rereading program for fluency. I received help from an "America Reads" volunteer and plan to start this program on Thursday, March 12. I would love more helpers during this time. I plan on doing this twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30 - 2:15). If you could help out on one of those days or both let me know. If I get more volunteers I would consider doing it more than twice a week. I will count books read during that time towards our 100-book challenge.
This Friday, is the end of the quarter. If your child needs to turn in any missing homework, please help them remember to turn it in by Friday. I will not accept late work after that date (that includes the February home reading record).
Have a great week and Happy Reading!
Spring pictures will be taken this Friday, March 13. I will only send students that return the order with money. Not all of the students will get pictures taken like they do in the Fall. If you need another order form let me know, I think I have a couple of extra copies.
The March Scholastic book order that I sent home last week is due this Wednesday, March 11. I have a link on this blog that can get you right to the website, or you can send me a check (made out to Scholastic) and I can order them for you. The easiest way to order is online using our class code.
This week we will finish up on Unit 8 in math (two-digit addition and subtraction). I will test next Monday. Please help your child with their homework to help prepare them for the test.
This week I am starting a rereading program for fluency. I received help from an "America Reads" volunteer and plan to start this program on Thursday, March 12. I would love more helpers during this time. I plan on doing this twice a week (Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30 - 2:15). If you could help out on one of those days or both let me know. If I get more volunteers I would consider doing it more than twice a week. I will count books read during that time towards our 100-book challenge.
This Friday, is the end of the quarter. If your child needs to turn in any missing homework, please help them remember to turn it in by Friday. I will not accept late work after that date (that includes the February home reading record).
Have a great week and Happy Reading!
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
March 2 - 6
Just a quick post this week. Thank you very much for coming out in this snow and visiting with me for SEP conferences. I enjoy this busy week--meeting with parents and students together.
This week we will mostly concentrate on math and reading groups as we get out at 2:30 everyday. We will continue working on Unit 8 in math. The past couple of days we have worked on adding "ones" or "tens" to a two-digit number using a 100-chart. I have taught the students that if they add ones to a number that they "count on" on the "row" (46 + 3 =) and if they add "tens" to a two-digit number the count down the column on the 100-chart (53 + 40 =).
I hope you are monitoring your child's reading towards our 100-book challenge. If you are reading the take-home books, I will allow you to use books that have already been read before the challenge started. You can use the list inside the ziploc bag as a reference. Remember that rereading the same text is essential for improving reading fluency. Encourage your child to reread the same text and practice sight words if your child has not passed off all 11 lists yet. I will test on Lists #7 and #8 at the end of the month.
The February reading record is due now. I sent home a new March reading record yesterday.
Parent teacher conferences (SEP's) are not the only time that we can meet and discuss your child's progress or concerns that you may have. Please note that I am willing to talk with you anytime about your child.
Happy Reading!
This week we will mostly concentrate on math and reading groups as we get out at 2:30 everyday. We will continue working on Unit 8 in math. The past couple of days we have worked on adding "ones" or "tens" to a two-digit number using a 100-chart. I have taught the students that if they add ones to a number that they "count on" on the "row" (46 + 3 =) and if they add "tens" to a two-digit number the count down the column on the 100-chart (53 + 40 =).
I hope you are monitoring your child's reading towards our 100-book challenge. If you are reading the take-home books, I will allow you to use books that have already been read before the challenge started. You can use the list inside the ziploc bag as a reference. Remember that rereading the same text is essential for improving reading fluency. Encourage your child to reread the same text and practice sight words if your child has not passed off all 11 lists yet. I will test on Lists #7 and #8 at the end of the month.
The February reading record is due now. I sent home a new March reading record yesterday.
Parent teacher conferences (SEP's) are not the only time that we can meet and discuss your child's progress or concerns that you may have. Please note that I am willing to talk with you anytime about your child.
Happy Reading!
Monday, February 23, 2015
Newsletter February 23 - 27
I guess we are finally getting the six weeks more of winter that Punxatawny Phil predicted on February 2. First graders always see the best in everything--they are so excited about this snow. They want to "eat all of it" and are begging to go outside for break.
Today I sent home your child's SEP appointment time home. It is on bright yellow paper. Please sign that and return it as soon as possible. If you can't make your scheduled time please e-mail me and we can arrange another time to meet or you can write a day and time that will work for you on the bottom of the sheet, but I will most likely e-mail you back to arrange it. I look forward to meeting with you all next week. School will dismiss at 2:30 everyday next week including Wednesday (I know it's confusing for me too).
Our 100-book challenge is in full swing. Nash has already read 25 books towards his 100 book goal. As I stated in the note, this is optional, but should be easy to accomplish if you are reading every night with your child like I hope you are anyway. Most nights if you just read one book your child can reach that goal by May 15. As you read with you child every night I highly recommend rereading of the same text. It helps your child's fluency rate tremendously to reread the same text as well as practicing sight words. As you are reading , point out sight words in the text. If your child is struggling to decode a word help them, but don't give them the word too quickly. Give them clues say, "What's the first sound" or chunk up the word, especially if the word has an ending. For example; the word "hunted"--if you have your child cover up the ending /ed/ they can decode /hunt/ and then add the ending ( you can do this with compound words, or words with other ending sounds like /s/, /es/, or /ing/ etc.) If you have any questions about the 100-book challenge please don't hesitate to contact me.
Our school had a spelling bee last week. Our three spellers were Nash, Kaden, and Chace. I was so proud of their effort and bravery. Kaden came back afterwards and said, "that wasn't bad at all!"
This week I am going to start a unit on Penguins. It will culminate with a book that each student will make about Penguins. They will learn so much about penguins along the way and they love it. This unit will integrate, reading, writing, science and art. It should take the rest of February and most of March to complete.
Today I will test on Unit 7 in math. We will start right in on Unit 8 tomorrow. Thank you again for helping your child with their math homework. I would encourage you to have your child read the directions and/or story problems themselves and have them tell you what they need to do.
Today we will also have a dental health presentation presented by our capable school nurse, Mrs. Baumgartner. Your child will come home with a new toothbrush and hopefully a desire for better dental hygiene :)
Happy Reading on this cold snowy day!!
Today I sent home your child's SEP appointment time home. It is on bright yellow paper. Please sign that and return it as soon as possible. If you can't make your scheduled time please e-mail me and we can arrange another time to meet or you can write a day and time that will work for you on the bottom of the sheet, but I will most likely e-mail you back to arrange it. I look forward to meeting with you all next week. School will dismiss at 2:30 everyday next week including Wednesday (I know it's confusing for me too).
Our 100-book challenge is in full swing. Nash has already read 25 books towards his 100 book goal. As I stated in the note, this is optional, but should be easy to accomplish if you are reading every night with your child like I hope you are anyway. Most nights if you just read one book your child can reach that goal by May 15. As you read with you child every night I highly recommend rereading of the same text. It helps your child's fluency rate tremendously to reread the same text as well as practicing sight words. As you are reading , point out sight words in the text. If your child is struggling to decode a word help them, but don't give them the word too quickly. Give them clues say, "What's the first sound" or chunk up the word, especially if the word has an ending. For example; the word "hunted"--if you have your child cover up the ending /ed/ they can decode /hunt/ and then add the ending ( you can do this with compound words, or words with other ending sounds like /s/, /es/, or /ing/ etc.) If you have any questions about the 100-book challenge please don't hesitate to contact me.
Our school had a spelling bee last week. Our three spellers were Nash, Kaden, and Chace. I was so proud of their effort and bravery. Kaden came back afterwards and said, "that wasn't bad at all!"
This week I am going to start a unit on Penguins. It will culminate with a book that each student will make about Penguins. They will learn so much about penguins along the way and they love it. This unit will integrate, reading, writing, science and art. It should take the rest of February and most of March to complete.
Today I will test on Unit 7 in math. We will start right in on Unit 8 tomorrow. Thank you again for helping your child with their math homework. I would encourage you to have your child read the directions and/or story problems themselves and have them tell you what they need to do.
Today we will also have a dental health presentation presented by our capable school nurse, Mrs. Baumgartner. Your child will come home with a new toothbrush and hopefully a desire for better dental hygiene :)
Happy Reading on this cold snowy day!!
Monday, February 9, 2015
Newsletter February 9 - 13
I will be gone tomorrow afternoon. I have been asked to be on the committee that will help choose a new reading program for the district. Andria Williams, my student teacher in the Fall will be substituting for me so my students will be in wonderful hands. She will administer Math Test #6 tomorrow, so please help your child with their homework tonight as this will ultimately help them with their test tomorrow.
Thanks to Dante and Dane for sending some items to help decorate our Valentine's cans. Remember that I will provide the container, but would love some help with items to decorate them with (stickers, ribbon, etc. anything really would work). I also have had some volunteers to help with our Valentine's day party on Friday, February 13 at 2:30. We will make frosting heart-shaped cookies and delivering our Valentines. I sent home a note with a list of classmates. If you would like to send Valentines and/or little treats with your child you are welcome to. Please make sure that all of the students receive a Valentine or treat.
We are still studying the Water Cycle. Today we will have an ice melting contest, and then write about what happened, using transitional words: first, next, then and last. We learned a lot of about Groundhogs last week. Ask your child about them, they might surprise you with what they know about groundhogs and their burrows.
Power school has been down today and I was going to get my huge stack of work put into the system. I have two weeks worth and thus two spelling tests that haven't been handed back yet. I am pleased with the progress on our spelling tests, especially the sentence dictation portion. Thank you for motivating your child at home by practicing these words with them if necessary.
On Wednesday, I will send home a letter explaining my 100-book challenge. Look for that! Have a nice long weekend--I hope that the weather stays nice for it.
Happy Reading!!
Thanks to Dante and Dane for sending some items to help decorate our Valentine's cans. Remember that I will provide the container, but would love some help with items to decorate them with (stickers, ribbon, etc. anything really would work). I also have had some volunteers to help with our Valentine's day party on Friday, February 13 at 2:30. We will make frosting heart-shaped cookies and delivering our Valentines. I sent home a note with a list of classmates. If you would like to send Valentines and/or little treats with your child you are welcome to. Please make sure that all of the students receive a Valentine or treat.
We are still studying the Water Cycle. Today we will have an ice melting contest, and then write about what happened, using transitional words: first, next, then and last. We learned a lot of about Groundhogs last week. Ask your child about them, they might surprise you with what they know about groundhogs and their burrows.
Power school has been down today and I was going to get my huge stack of work put into the system. I have two weeks worth and thus two spelling tests that haven't been handed back yet. I am pleased with the progress on our spelling tests, especially the sentence dictation portion. Thank you for motivating your child at home by practicing these words with them if necessary.
On Wednesday, I will send home a letter explaining my 100-book challenge. Look for that! Have a nice long weekend--I hope that the weather stays nice for it.
Happy Reading!!
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Newsletter February 2 - 6
It was nice to see so many of you at Curriculum Night. We have such a wonderful school community and it really showed that evening. Here are a few points of interest:
- Dads and Donuts is this Friday, February 6 at 8:00 a.m. Dads/uncles/ big brothers please come and enjoy a donut with your child before school starts that morning.
- I sent home a February Scholastic Reading record if you would like to order books those will be due also on February 6.
- I sent home a Valentine's Day Party letter today. It had a list of all of the students in our classroom. If you can send items to help with our "Valentine can" decorations or for our little party I would so appreciate the help :) You do not need to make your own Valentine's box, w will make them in class (Valentine's cans)
- Today we didn't finish our math lesson entirely, but I still sent home math homework. You can choose to help your child with the homework tonight, or tomorrow after we have finished the lesson. I will test on Unit 6 of math next week, probably on Wednesday.
- The January reading record is now due. I sent home a February reading record yesterday. Please continue to practice sight words with your child nightly, especially if they haven't passed off through List #6 yet.
- Congratulations to Nash and Mariah! They were our Catch the Vision winners for this quarter. Also, we had three students with perfect attendance--Edgar, Jordan, and Kelsie--that is an accomplishment too and I am happy to see all of my cute little first graders everyday!
Happy Reading!
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