Newsletter October 9 - October 13

Thanks for making the effort to come and see me last week during SEP conferences.  I hope that you found it valuable. If you ever have questions or concerns I am willing to meet anytime or to communicate through e-mail or a phone call.  I have a sweet little class this year and I feel lucky to be their teacher.  We gained another new student today--Phoenix Barnes from Mrs. Carter's class has joined our bunch.  He was warmly received.

Here are this week's happenings:

• This week we have a few PTA sponsored activities--on Thursday, October 12 at 3:00, in my classroom, those that have been earned Eagle awards (reading awards) will be presented.  If you child is receiving an award I gave you the invitation during SEP conferences.
• Friday October 13 is the Walk-a-Thon.  I sent home information about how you can donate for that event last week.  Donations are not necessary all will and can participate.  The Walk-a-thon will be in the afternoon from 2:00-3:00.  
• The October Scholastic book order will be due this Friday.  The easiest way to order is to use the online code, but you can always send back the fliers marked with your selections and check made out to Scholastic.
• Today we started our new math unit.  We are again back to Addition strategies, but with sums through 20 now.  Today we again reviewed the commutative property of addition (8 + 7 = 15 so 7 + 8 = 15).  We learned to use our number line to help us add two numbers together.  Students start on the "bigger" number and then "hop forward" the remaining number.  For example 6 + 9 = 15, students start on 9 and "hop forward" 6 to arrive at the sum 15.  This is just another strategy to help with addition. 
• We started a new Reading unit also--Different Lands--Similar stories.  We will hear several different versions of familiar stories.  Today we started with Cinderella from France and tomorrow we will hear a version The Girl with the Red Slipper from Egypt.  
• Our reading groups are well underway.  Everyday except Wednesday all students are instructed in a small group setting on their reading level.  I hope that you have noticed some improvements in your child's reading.  In first grade those improvements can be pretty dramatic sometimes.  It's amazing to witness. Please help with those "dramatic improvements" by having your child read their take home books every night and practicing their sight word.  Remember that Wednesday is our Sight Word pass off day.
• We are hoping for a field trip next week to the Robinson Family pumpkin patch.  We are just waiting on a bus confirmation.  We planned on this happening next Wednesday, October 18 in the morning.  I will let you know as soon as I get the go ahead from the bus garage.  
• Lastly, instead of starting our "apple head" witches tomorrow (Tuesday) we will start the creation on Wednesday.  With PE and computers on Tuesday our time will be a bit limited, so I thought it would be better to do those on Wednesday after lunch.  If you have already sent an apple with your child thank you--if not, please help by sending one in by Wednesday.

Happy Reading!!