Remember that this Thursday, January 27 at 6:00 is our school-wide Curriculum and Multicultural Night. Please be here right at 6:00 in our classroom so that we can perform our Water Cycle Reader's Theater. We have been working hard on this and the kids are excited to perform it for you. I want to do it right at 6:00 so that you can visit other classrooms and also participate in the Multicultural exhibits in the gym and lunchroom.
Today I included a 100-day Celebration note with your child's spelling words, Dolch words, and decodeable books. Please read this note and help your child complete the assignment by Monday, January 31. The brown paper bag is to put your bottle in and the envelope can be used for the clues. This is a homework project, but if you have any questions about it please let me know. I have several fun things planned for our 100th day of school, but I think this will be the highlight so please help your child.
I will be sending home report cards and a grade printout of the second quarter on Tuesday. You may have some confusion about the DIBELS test score report. I will try and explain the scoring now, but if you have any questions about it please again don't hesitate to contact me. The students were given a list of nonsense words so the first score (phoneme segmentation) is how many sounds they were able to generate correctly. The second score (nonsense words) is how many whole nonsense words they read accurately. The third score (oral reading) is how many words they could read in one minute. The students were given three passages and timed for one-minute each. An average was then taken to give them an oral reading score. At this time, they should be reading 23 words per minute to be considered at benchmark or grade level. The score at the bottom of the oral reading was their accuracy rate when reading those passages.
Valentine's Day is fast approaching. We will be decorating a can to put our Valentines in. If you have anything that could help decorate these cans please send them with your child anytime before February 12. Things you could bring would be: stickers, foam hearts, doilies, old Valentine cards etc. Thanks so much! I will contact those who signed up to help with our class party shortly.
I look forward to Curriculum Night and getting to visit with you and your child.
Calender items:
January 24-28: Dallas is "Star of the Week"
January 27: Curriculum and Multicultural Night at 6:00 p.m. Reader's Theater Performance!!
January 28: Flag Ceremony Assembly at 2:00 and James' Birthday
January 31-February 4: Exmer is "Star of the Week"
Monday, January 24, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Newsletter January 18-21
I hope you all had a nice Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. One of my smart first graders said last week that "we are Martin Luther King's dream"! I thought that was so wonderful!
Look for new spelling words, Dolch words, decodeable books and a new poem in your child's backpack. Also, if you haven't seen your child's Reader's Theater part please look for that and help them memorize their part. It would also be helpful to cue them as to when they speak--say the part before theirs so that they know when to come in. We are practicing this daily in class, but any help at home would be great. Remember that we will be performing this for Curriculum Night on Thursday, January 27th at promptly 6:00.
In math this week we will be starting a "classroom store". If you have any empty boxes, empty cans, or plastic containers please send them to school with your child by THIS FRIDAY, January 21. Suggestions for this would be empty cereal boxes, empty vegetable or fruit cans, empty two-liter soda containers etc.
Some of my students have been finishing the homework side of the math worksheet in class. I encourage this if they are quick to finish the first side, but I have noticed that a lot of them do not do it correctly or leave things out. I am going to have these students (those that "finish" the homework side in class) bring it home so that you can check over it.
Most of my students have completed the DIBELS test, I am still doing a bit of assessing in class so that I can get report cards out. Expect a report card and grade print out early next week. Please continue to read with your child nightly and help them complete their math homework, as this is a big part of their grade and more importantly the one-on-one attention is invaluable.
I am so enjoying this spring-like weather. I am especially enjoying teaching my great first graders about the Water Cycle. They are so smart! I keep telling them that they could be in a "college" science class. Ask them what they have learned.
Thanks for all of your help. I could still use some more reading helpers in the morning from 9:00-10:30. If you can help I am sure your child would love it. Let me know if you can volunteer your time.
One last thing, I am extending the deadline for our January book order to this Friday, January 21. Extra books would be helpful when we start our 100 Book Challenge. You can even find books that are just $1.00.
Calendar items:
January 18-24: Jesse is "Star of the Week"
January 19: Skylar's 1/2 Birthday
January 24-28: Dallas is "Star of the Week"
January 27: Curriculum Night 6:00 p.m. Reader's Theater Performance
January 28: Assembly at 2:00 and Celebrate James' Birthday
Look for new spelling words, Dolch words, decodeable books and a new poem in your child's backpack. Also, if you haven't seen your child's Reader's Theater part please look for that and help them memorize their part. It would also be helpful to cue them as to when they speak--say the part before theirs so that they know when to come in. We are practicing this daily in class, but any help at home would be great. Remember that we will be performing this for Curriculum Night on Thursday, January 27th at promptly 6:00.
In math this week we will be starting a "classroom store". If you have any empty boxes, empty cans, or plastic containers please send them to school with your child by THIS FRIDAY, January 21. Suggestions for this would be empty cereal boxes, empty vegetable or fruit cans, empty two-liter soda containers etc.
Some of my students have been finishing the homework side of the math worksheet in class. I encourage this if they are quick to finish the first side, but I have noticed that a lot of them do not do it correctly or leave things out. I am going to have these students (those that "finish" the homework side in class) bring it home so that you can check over it.
Most of my students have completed the DIBELS test, I am still doing a bit of assessing in class so that I can get report cards out. Expect a report card and grade print out early next week. Please continue to read with your child nightly and help them complete their math homework, as this is a big part of their grade and more importantly the one-on-one attention is invaluable.
I am so enjoying this spring-like weather. I am especially enjoying teaching my great first graders about the Water Cycle. They are so smart! I keep telling them that they could be in a "college" science class. Ask them what they have learned.
Thanks for all of your help. I could still use some more reading helpers in the morning from 9:00-10:30. If you can help I am sure your child would love it. Let me know if you can volunteer your time.
One last thing, I am extending the deadline for our January book order to this Friday, January 21. Extra books would be helpful when we start our 100 Book Challenge. You can even find books that are just $1.00.
Calendar items:
January 18-24: Jesse is "Star of the Week"
January 19: Skylar's 1/2 Birthday
January 24-28: Dallas is "Star of the Week"
January 27: Curriculum Night 6:00 p.m. Reader's Theater Performance
January 28: Assembly at 2:00 and Celebrate James' Birthday
Monday, January 10, 2011
Newsletter January 10-14
This Friday is the end of our second quarter. I can't believe that we are half-way through the school year already. I have noticed some significant improvement with my students and their reading abilities. I am excited to see the growth that they will make throughout the remainder of the year.
Today in your child's backpack, please look for new spelling words, Dolch words, three decodeable books, a new poem in their poetry journal, and Scholastic book orders. I included three books this time because our spelling pattern this week is "r-controlled" vowels. These sounds are the same, but sometimes it is /ir/, /er/, or /ur/ that makes the sound. Reading these books will help your child to remember which combination to use in their spelling. Please practice the spelling words with your child. You could have them write them a few times, spell them orally, and especially use them in a sentence. I will continue to include a sentence as part of their spelling test, eventually I will include two or three. The book orders will be due Wednesday, January 19.
Curriculum Night will be Thursday, January 27 at 6:00 p.m. This is a night where we showcase some of the curriculum that we are learning in class. We have started learning about the Water Cycle in science and for Curriculum Night our class will be performing a Reader's Theater about the Water Cycle. We will perform our Reader's Theater at promptly 6:00. I will send home your child's part next week so that you can help them memorize it (it will be a one sentence line). Watch also next week for a note about our 100 Books Challenge!
I have had only about 1/3 of my class turn in their December Reading Record. Remember that this is now worth 100 points. I hope this is because you have just forgotten. If you have lost the Reading Record you can just send me a note letting me know how much your child read over December. I give a certificate with a free mini-pizza coupon attached to it and your child gets to pick out of my treat bucket.
If any of you would like to come and help with reading in the morning I would greatly appreciate it. We have reading groups everyday from 9:00-10:30, except for Wednesday. Let me know or just drop in and I'll put you to work!
Remember to have your child read the new poem in their journals so that they will be prepared to perform it on Friday. Last week, I had a few children who could not perform because they forgot their journal and could not recall which new poem they had. Remember also that we have library on Thursday.
I am so lucky to have such a great group of first graders. They keep me smiling! Scroll down and check out some photographs of our December fun.
Calendar Items:
January 10-14: Jonny is "Star of the Week"
January 11: Ballet West at 10:30 a.m.
January 13: DIBELS test
January 14: End of 2nd Quarter
January 17: MLK Day Holiday
January 18-21: Jesse is "Star of the Week"
January 19: Book orders due and celebrate Skylar's 1/2 Birthday
January 24-28: Dallas is "Star of the Week"
January 27: Curriculum Night at 6:00 p.m.
January 28: Flag Ceremony at 2:00 and celebrate James' Birthday
Today in your child's backpack, please look for new spelling words, Dolch words, three decodeable books, a new poem in their poetry journal, and Scholastic book orders. I included three books this time because our spelling pattern this week is "r-controlled" vowels. These sounds are the same, but sometimes it is /ir/, /er/, or /ur/ that makes the sound. Reading these books will help your child to remember which combination to use in their spelling. Please practice the spelling words with your child. You could have them write them a few times, spell them orally, and especially use them in a sentence. I will continue to include a sentence as part of their spelling test, eventually I will include two or three. The book orders will be due Wednesday, January 19.
Curriculum Night will be Thursday, January 27 at 6:00 p.m. This is a night where we showcase some of the curriculum that we are learning in class. We have started learning about the Water Cycle in science and for Curriculum Night our class will be performing a Reader's Theater about the Water Cycle. We will perform our Reader's Theater at promptly 6:00. I will send home your child's part next week so that you can help them memorize it (it will be a one sentence line). Watch also next week for a note about our 100 Books Challenge!
I have had only about 1/3 of my class turn in their December Reading Record. Remember that this is now worth 100 points. I hope this is because you have just forgotten. If you have lost the Reading Record you can just send me a note letting me know how much your child read over December. I give a certificate with a free mini-pizza coupon attached to it and your child gets to pick out of my treat bucket.
If any of you would like to come and help with reading in the morning I would greatly appreciate it. We have reading groups everyday from 9:00-10:30, except for Wednesday. Let me know or just drop in and I'll put you to work!
Remember to have your child read the new poem in their journals so that they will be prepared to perform it on Friday. Last week, I had a few children who could not perform because they forgot their journal and could not recall which new poem they had. Remember also that we have library on Thursday.
I am so lucky to have such a great group of first graders. They keep me smiling! Scroll down and check out some photographs of our December fun.
Calendar Items:
January 10-14: Jonny is "Star of the Week"
January 11: Ballet West at 10:30 a.m.
January 13: DIBELS test
January 14: End of 2nd Quarter
January 17: MLK Day Holiday
January 18-21: Jesse is "Star of the Week"
January 19: Book orders due and celebrate Skylar's 1/2 Birthday
January 24-28: Dallas is "Star of the Week"
January 27: Curriculum Night at 6:00 p.m.
January 28: Flag Ceremony at 2:00 and celebrate James' Birthday
Sunday, January 9, 2011
December Fun!
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| Creating Gingerbread masterpieces! |
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| More Gingerbread creations! |
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| Poetry Performances! |
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| Santa's visit to our class! |
Monday, January 3, 2011
Newsletter January 3-7
It was nice to see my first graders after a long, wonderful break. We had a great day! Thanks for all of the nice Christmas gifts that I received. I hope you are all ready to get back to work!
Today I sent home the January reading record, new spelling words, Dolch words, two decodeable books that reinforce our spelling pattern, and January's Golden Sneaker calendar. December's reading record is now due. Remember that starting in December the home reading record will be worth 100 points. This Friday, the spelling test will now have an added sentence. We have been practicing sentences for weeks and the added points were bonus points. I will now be including the sentence as part of the test. In order to get 100% on a spelling test, your child must spell the list of ten words correctly and have the sentence correct also. The elements that I will be looking for in the sentence are: capital letter at the beginning, correct punctuation at the end (usually a period), and correct spelling of the specific spelling words that I choose from the list. Have your child write a sentence as part of their study. I will still include challenge words that will be extra points.
On January 13, all of the first graders will be given the second Dibels test. This determines your child's reading level. Please continue to read with your child everyday. It is especially important to have your child read out loud to you as an oral reading component has now been added to this test. I will send home the results of this test along with a report card for the second quarter by the end of the month. Watch for our 100 Books Challenge that will help encourage your child to read even more.
Remember to send your child's poetry journal back every Friday for our performances. Please practice these poems with your child so that they can read them fluently. I still encourage memorizing the poem for those that want to go the extra mile.
It is cold outside, and we do go outside. Send coats, gloves, hats, and/or boots with your child. Those items will make recess a lot more enjoyable for your child.
As always, thanks for all that you do. Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns. Check back soon because I am going to post some pictures of our December fun!
Calendar items:
January 3: Celebrate Akaisha's birthday (Dec. 27)
January 7: Celebrate Raimee's 1/2 (sort of) birthday
Jan.10-14: Jonny Hyde is "Star of the Week"
January 13: Dibels Test
January 14: End of 2nd Quarter
January 17: MLK Day Holiday
January 19: Celebrate Skylar's 1/2 birthday
Jan. 17-24: Jesse is "Star of the Week"
Jan. 24-28: Dallas is "Star of the Week"
Janaury 28: Celebrate James' Birthday
Today I sent home the January reading record, new spelling words, Dolch words, two decodeable books that reinforce our spelling pattern, and January's Golden Sneaker calendar. December's reading record is now due. Remember that starting in December the home reading record will be worth 100 points. This Friday, the spelling test will now have an added sentence. We have been practicing sentences for weeks and the added points were bonus points. I will now be including the sentence as part of the test. In order to get 100% on a spelling test, your child must spell the list of ten words correctly and have the sentence correct also. The elements that I will be looking for in the sentence are: capital letter at the beginning, correct punctuation at the end (usually a period), and correct spelling of the specific spelling words that I choose from the list. Have your child write a sentence as part of their study. I will still include challenge words that will be extra points.
On January 13, all of the first graders will be given the second Dibels test. This determines your child's reading level. Please continue to read with your child everyday. It is especially important to have your child read out loud to you as an oral reading component has now been added to this test. I will send home the results of this test along with a report card for the second quarter by the end of the month. Watch for our 100 Books Challenge that will help encourage your child to read even more.
Remember to send your child's poetry journal back every Friday for our performances. Please practice these poems with your child so that they can read them fluently. I still encourage memorizing the poem for those that want to go the extra mile.
It is cold outside, and we do go outside. Send coats, gloves, hats, and/or boots with your child. Those items will make recess a lot more enjoyable for your child.
As always, thanks for all that you do. Please feel free to contact me with questions or concerns. Check back soon because I am going to post some pictures of our December fun!
Calendar items:
January 3: Celebrate Akaisha's birthday (Dec. 27)
January 7: Celebrate Raimee's 1/2 (sort of) birthday
Jan.10-14: Jonny Hyde is "Star of the Week"
January 13: Dibels Test
January 14: End of 2nd Quarter
January 17: MLK Day Holiday
January 19: Celebrate Skylar's 1/2 birthday
Jan. 17-24: Jesse is "Star of the Week"
Jan. 24-28: Dallas is "Star of the Week"
Janaury 28: Celebrate James' Birthday
Monday, December 13, 2010
Newsletter December 13-17
This will be my last newsletter until 2011. Have a wonderful Christmas break! If you are wondering what to tell Santa to bring your child in their stockings, school supplies would be wonderful! We especially need glue sticks, pencils, and little erasers for pencils.
I sent home a printout of your child's grades today. They are in their folder or backpack. Please check over their grades and let me know if you have any concerns. I printed out both quarters accidentally, so mostly look over the grades on the second page, starting mid-October. I can't stress enough the importance of reading nightly and helping your child with their math homework. Our math is getting harder and some students need that extra one-on-one attention that homework provides. Please read over the holiday! When we come back from the break the children will be given the Dibels test and it will really help if you continue reading at home with your child. Take-home books will be given through Wednesday only of this week and will resume when we start up again on January 3.
I sent home another Christmas poem today. Please practice this nightly, and return the journal on Friday. Last week, I had several students again forget to bring their poetry journal back on Friday, and some I could tell, did not practice their poems at all. These performances really help with fluency like I mentioned last week. If your child does not bring their poetry journal, and cannot remember the poem that they should have practiced they may have to sit out on a performance.
We are still in need of graham crackers and candy to decorate our Gingerbread houses. We will be creating our Gingerbread houses on Thursday morning (Dec. 16) at 10:30. If you could please donate something I would so appreciate it.
Thanks so much for those who have helped out in my classroom. I appreciate your help and reliability. Have a very Merry Christmas!
Calendar items:
December 15: Celebrate JC's half birthday/ Christmas sing at 1:00
December 16: Celebrate Bridger's half birthday/Gingerbread houses
December 17: Christmas movie 9:00 am/ Class Christmas party in the afternoon
Dec. 17-Jan. 2: Christmas Break!
I sent home a printout of your child's grades today. They are in their folder or backpack. Please check over their grades and let me know if you have any concerns. I printed out both quarters accidentally, so mostly look over the grades on the second page, starting mid-October. I can't stress enough the importance of reading nightly and helping your child with their math homework. Our math is getting harder and some students need that extra one-on-one attention that homework provides. Please read over the holiday! When we come back from the break the children will be given the Dibels test and it will really help if you continue reading at home with your child. Take-home books will be given through Wednesday only of this week and will resume when we start up again on January 3.
I sent home another Christmas poem today. Please practice this nightly, and return the journal on Friday. Last week, I had several students again forget to bring their poetry journal back on Friday, and some I could tell, did not practice their poems at all. These performances really help with fluency like I mentioned last week. If your child does not bring their poetry journal, and cannot remember the poem that they should have practiced they may have to sit out on a performance.
We are still in need of graham crackers and candy to decorate our Gingerbread houses. We will be creating our Gingerbread houses on Thursday morning (Dec. 16) at 10:30. If you could please donate something I would so appreciate it.
Thanks so much for those who have helped out in my classroom. I appreciate your help and reliability. Have a very Merry Christmas!
Calendar items:
December 15: Celebrate JC's half birthday/ Christmas sing at 1:00
December 16: Celebrate Bridger's half birthday/Gingerbread houses
December 17: Christmas movie 9:00 am/ Class Christmas party in the afternoon
Dec. 17-Jan. 2: Christmas Break!
Monday, December 6, 2010
Newsletter December 6-10
The weather was beautiful today! I can't believe it is December with weather like this!
I was so pleased with our spelling test results last week! I think this is the best that my class has performed, as a whole, on a spelling test. I can tell that you are practicing these words with your child at home. Please continue to do this. On Wednesday, I will print out your child's grades for this quarter. Look over these grades, and if you have any questions please let me know. If you want me to send home any missing work, I can do that also.
I sent home a new poem with your child today. Please have them practice this nightly so that they become fluent. Fluency has to do with rate and expression. Encourage your child to read these poems with expression and to "read like they talk." I noticed last week during our performances, that some of my students did not practice their poems much. Remember to have your child bring these poetry journals back each Friday. I also sent home new spelling words, Dolch words, and two decodable books. If your child reads the poem nightly, the decodable books, and their take-home library books it should be easy to get 20 minutes each night.
We are doing some fun projects this month. Remember that JÇ's grandma is coming to help us with Gingerbread houses on December 16th. I am still in need of candy (anything to decorate a house with), graham crackers, or stick pretzels. Please have your child bring these items by December 14th. Thanks!!
Unless your child is sick, please have them here at school, if they miss these fun projects, it will be hard to have them make them up, if not impossible.
I have great kids! I am so glad that I can teach your child.
Calendar items:
Dec. 6-10: Dallas is "Star of the Week"
Dec. 15: Celebrate JC's 1/2 birthday
Dec. 16: Celebrate Bridger's 1/2 birthday--Gingerbread houses and Christmas Sing
Dec. 17: Christmas movie
Dec. 17-Jan. 2: Christmas break--Have a fun and safe Holiday
I was so pleased with our spelling test results last week! I think this is the best that my class has performed, as a whole, on a spelling test. I can tell that you are practicing these words with your child at home. Please continue to do this. On Wednesday, I will print out your child's grades for this quarter. Look over these grades, and if you have any questions please let me know. If you want me to send home any missing work, I can do that also.
I sent home a new poem with your child today. Please have them practice this nightly so that they become fluent. Fluency has to do with rate and expression. Encourage your child to read these poems with expression and to "read like they talk." I noticed last week during our performances, that some of my students did not practice their poems much. Remember to have your child bring these poetry journals back each Friday. I also sent home new spelling words, Dolch words, and two decodable books. If your child reads the poem nightly, the decodable books, and their take-home library books it should be easy to get 20 minutes each night.
We are doing some fun projects this month. Remember that JÇ's grandma is coming to help us with Gingerbread houses on December 16th. I am still in need of candy (anything to decorate a house with), graham crackers, or stick pretzels. Please have your child bring these items by December 14th. Thanks!!
Unless your child is sick, please have them here at school, if they miss these fun projects, it will be hard to have them make them up, if not impossible.
I have great kids! I am so glad that I can teach your child.
Calendar items:
Dec. 6-10: Dallas is "Star of the Week"
Dec. 15: Celebrate JC's 1/2 birthday
Dec. 16: Celebrate Bridger's 1/2 birthday--Gingerbread houses and Christmas Sing
Dec. 17: Christmas movie
Dec. 17-Jan. 2: Christmas break--Have a fun and safe Holiday
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