Newsletter August 27 - August 31

I'm just going to get right to it. 

Here are this week's notes and happenings:

• Today I sent home a note about Sight Word Soldiers.  Please take a moment to read that note and get your children excited about the program. The more words students know automatically the better readers they will become.  I won't get stuck on words like "the" as they read.  Adam's mom will be helping the students pass of these sight word lists.  She will come every Wednesday at 9:00.  It would be great if you child's first list was returned by THIS Wednesday and a new list was passed off every week.  
• If you want to order from the Scholastic book club please submit those orders by this Wednesday, August 29.  
• I didn't get a few "student information" sheets back so I sent home another one in your child's folder if you haven't turned it in yet.  These are helpful if I need to contact you and I also use them to update the school e-mail group.  Mr. Moyle, the PTA and other e-mails come home and if you haven't given me an e-mail that I can't add you to the group and you'll be missing important information.
• Remember that Friday is Spirit Friday.  Have your child wear their East elementary t-shirt or any "very blue" t-shirt, just not a spot of blue.
• We are having an issue with shoes being untied and students not being able to tie their own shoes.  I must have been asked 15 times today to "tie my shoes".  It's very distracting during class not only to stop and have to tie shoes, but if students try themselves and they can't do it it becomes distracting as others around them try to assist or they "play" with their untied laces.  Shoes with velcro are great or could you please spend some time teaching your child to tie their shoes and practice with them if they already know how.  Thank you! 👟
• Tomorrow we will take our DIBELS (reading) test.  These results will help us better place students into small reading groups.  These groups will not start for a couple of weeks and I will let you know if you child will be going to a reading intervention group.
• In our learning this week we will continue to work on addition concepts.  Today we talked about numbers being a "whole" number or "part" of a number.  We modeled word problems using a bar model.  We took the parts we knew and combined them to make a "whole" or counted up from the "one part" to the "whole" to find the missing part. We will continue with this modeling tomorrow and then review and then move onto adding zero to a number and adding in any order (3 + 4 = 7 so 4 + 3 = 7).  In reading we just finished our last Fable and will move onto Folktales from around the world tomorrow.  With our first folktale being Medio Pollito from Spain.  Through these fables and folktales students are learning about story elements (characters, plot, setting, problem and solution, cause and effect, morals). We are also focusing on short vowel sounds and writing complete sentences. 
• I sent home one more thing today.  The PTA is running a fundraiser selling Starving Student Cards.  Each student came home with a Starving Student card today.  These are $25.00  It is optional to purchase one.  You either send back $25 dollars and/or the order form back  in the envelope provided and keep the card or just send back the Starving student card back (in the envelope).  Don't keep the card without payment.  Don't send your child around to sell these cards just sell to those you know. 
• I hope you are forming the habit of nightly reading with your child for 10 minutes.  This is the only homework I will require. We have one more week in August and I will send home another reading calendar after Labor Day.  Shortly, our take-home library (book in a bag) program will start and you will have an easier time finding a book every night because one will come home daily.  
• If you are reading this on your phone make sure that you scroll down to the bottom of the page and hit "web version".  That way you will be able to see everything available on this blog.

Have a nice three-day weekend!  and
Happy Reading!! 📕📗📘📙😊

Newsletter August 20 - August 24

We had a nice first week of school.  We are still working on "first grade behavior" and treating others the way you want to be treated and procedures within our classroom and the school. I am excited for this year though and connecting and learning with my 18 delightful students.

Here are this week's happenings:

• Tonight is the PTA Luau from 5:00-7:00.  Most of the games are free, but if you want food or specialty items like balloon items that will cost extra.  I hope to see you there!
• Today I sent home our first reading calendar.  This is the ONLY homework that I will expect for first grade.  That is to read with your child (child does the reading) for 10 minutes each school night.  Those calendars will be due on the first of next month so the day after Labor Day, Tuesday September 4 they will be due for a little treat and certificate.
• I also sent home a scholastic book order.  These of course are optional, but it's a good way to get inexpensive books added to your home library.  Usually there are several books that are only $1.00.  Please order online and use our classroom code.  Those orders will be due next Wednesday, August 29.
• Thanks to those of you that have signed up for "Remind".  I sent home notes to those today that haven't signed up for this.  Please take a few seconds literally and sign up using the directions on the back of the note.  
• Thanks to those that have sent snacks for hungry tummies in the morning.  I really think it helps my first graders transition to a full day of school.  If you didn't sign up and would like to send a snack you can just send one with your child and I will have your child help hand it out on a day that is free.  We have 18 students in our class right now.  I won't do this all year, just for the first few weeks.
• Each Friday the PTA sponsors "Spirit Friday".  🦅 Have your child show their school spirit by wearing an East Elementary t-shirt or anything "blue".  Needs to be intentionally blue, not just "I have a tiny blue spot on this shirt".  The class with the highest percentage of students wearing blue will be able to showcase a trophy all week in their classroom. 
• Thanks for helping your child return their homework folder EVERYDAY!  This is so helpful for you and I to stay on top of notes and work from school, but also for your child as it teaches  valuable organizational skills.  Make a point to check their folder everyday--some days there won't be anything in it, but don't stop looking. 😊This past week nearly 100% have turned in their homework folders daily.
•  As far as curriculum goes we have started both our reading and math units.  In reading we are mostly reviewing vowel and consonant sounds and how to spell them.  We are blending (putting together sounds) and segmenting (taking apart words into specific sounds).  We are also learning about nouns. We have also started our small group reading instruction very early this week with a "reading boot camp".  Today I sent several students out to the reading center for small group reading instruction based on their end-of-the-year kindergarten scores.  This boot camp will continue until September 6. After that date we will continue reading intervention groups, but they will be based on our beginning of the year reading scores on a test called DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills).  If your child would benefit from a reading intervention group I will send you a private e-mail and let you know.  In math, we are starting our unit on addition concepts.  Today we used pictures to help us add.  In the next few days we will use hands-on objects such as "linking cubes" and counters to help us show addition.  
• If you signed up to volunteer in our classroom, I will contact you through e-mail when I want you to start.  Thanks for those that have signed up to help.
• If you are not saving "Box Tops" please start now--every little bit adds up.  The PTA usually has some sort of competition for classes who turn in the most box tops.  
  

I think that's about it for the week.  Again, I look forward to this year.  Please don't ever hesitate to contact me with questions or concerns.

Happy Reading!
Mrs. Armstrong 😊

Last Newsletter May 21 - May 23

I honestly can't believe that I am writing our last newsletter of the year--it will be brief, but I wanted to again say what  wonderful class this has been this year.  We have learned many things, laughed a lot, and have made a lot of wonderful memories.  I will never forget this group of students. 

Reading is the big emphasis in first grade and many of my students made huge progress in reading.  Please try and read with your child over the summer to prevent a "summer slide".  Go to the library--read outside together--encourage your child to write stories or letters or to write and create their own books.

Our 100-book challenge picture will be in the May 30 edition of the Iron County Today newspaper.  Check this Wednesday's paper just in case (May 23), but the editor said that edition was quite full and he wasn't sure if he could get it in that one, but for sure the May 30th edition.  Congrats to Stephan, Phoenix, Wes, Piper and Brinley.  These students worked hard and at least read 100 books!!!

Tomorrow we will be heading to the St. George Children's museum.  If your child signed up to bring a lunch from home, please don't forget that.  They will need a drink also.  Today we had a blast at the Aquatic Center.  I will end with posting a few pictures from our time at the pool.

Have a wonderful summer and Happy Reading!! 

Newsletter May 14 - May 18

This is our last full week of school--we have many deadlines this week so I will get right into it!

Here are this (last week's happenings):

• I decided NOT to send home the last list of spelling words.  They are a bit difficult (words like brainstorm and classmate) and I feel like we could spend our time with more productive pursuits.  You're welcome :)
• The 100-book challenge concludes this Wednesday, May 16.  I will not accept lists after that date.  So far we have Phoenix, Brinley, Piper and Wes that have completed the challenge with a few kids very close.  All students that reach the 100 book goal will have pizza with me for lunch on Thursday, May 17 in our classroom.  I will also take their picture and submit it to the paper--I will let you know the publication date when I know.
• All work--including May reading calendars and any late or missing work that was sent home as homework is due this WEDNESDAY, MAY !  Just like the 100-book challenge I will not accept late work after that date. 
• The 4th quarter student awards will be tomorrow, Tuesday, May 15 in the cafeteria at 3:00.  I will send an e-mail out right after I publish this blog to those parents whose child will receive an award that day.  These awards are for excellent and perfect attendance and our Catch the Vision winners as well as Most improved.  
• We will have many take-home books and library books that have not been returned.  Please, please do what you can to find those books or pay the replacement fee.  We can't maintain a library without those books being returned each year.  Both the regular library and take-home library will suffer.  If you child does not have their books turned in or the replacement fee paid and/or owes lunch money they will not be given their second grade promotion card and teacher placement at the end of the year.  
• This Friday is our field day.  Remember that we will be walking on the Canyon trail and playing at the park as well as having a BBQ lunch afterwards.  The drinking fountains are often not working at the park so send your child with a water bottle. That afternoon we will be watching Charlotte's Web in our classroom.  We are almost done with the novel. Next week, we have our swimming and St. George Children's Museum field trips.  I will send home an actual note reminding you of the details of these three trips this Thursday and what your child needs to bring.  But, just a reminder that the cost of these field trips is $2.25 ($1.00 for museum and $1.25 for swimming).  Thanks to those that have volunteered to come with us.  If any of you would like to come and haven't let me know--I'd love to have you.  Just send me an e-mail.  
• We are still working and learning up until the end as I've mentioned before.  We will have reading groups through tomorrow. We are finishing our last reader in class called Kay and Martez (follows two friends on their adventures at home and in Mexico). We will also be learning about writing clear, concise instructions and finishing our final math chapter on two-dimensional geometry on Thursday.  I will give the final test (chapter 12) on Thursday.  We just need to learn about equal and unequal parts and halves and fourths and we'll be set.  

Have a great Monday!!
Happy Reading!
Remember all work and 100-book challenge lists are due this Wednesday!!

Newsletter May 7 - May 11

Happy Mother's Day week to you!  We are winding down but will still be working and learning up until almost the very end.

Here are this week's happenings:

• If you haven't turned in your lunch request for our field trip to the St. George museum on Tuesday, May 22 please do so ASAP so that I can get a count to the lunchroom.  If your child receives free or reduced lunch that price will still apply to the sack lunch. I think I have enough volunteers for these field trips, but if you'd still like to accompany us please let me know.  I think the "more the merrier" applies to these two trips. The cost for these two field trips is a $2.25 donation ($1.25 for pool and $1.00 for museum).
• Tomorrow we will be having our Math test on three-dimensional shapes--I told you that we needed to get through the last two units quickly.  We will start our next unit on Wednesday which will be two-dimensional geometry.
• Our spelling test will be this Wednesday--new words will come home on Thursday and we will have our final spelling test next Wednesday May 16.
• This Thursday will be the PTA's final reading awards in our classroom at 3:00.   I will inform you if your child will be receiving an award.  A note will be put into their folders or I will send an e-mail.
• Our final 4th quarter first grade awards will be on Tuesday, May 15 at 3:00 in the cafeteria.  I will inform you via e-mail if your child will be receiving an award at that ceremony.
• It's getting close to our 100-book challenge end date.  I will not accept lists after May 16--the following day we will have our pizza picnic in our classroom. 
• Our DIBELS test was last week--I will send those results home in an end-of-the-year packet.  I was pleased with most of my students progress.  Please continue to read with your child over the summer, especially if their scores were not in the "green" range. 
• Our final two Sight word soldier pass of days will be this Friday, May 11 and the following Monday May 13.  Thanks to Phoenix's mom for taking this on for our class! 
• Library books are due this this--we go on Wednesday!!! Kids that have turned in all of their books and/or paid the replacement fee will receive a free book. Take-home books are now due.  A few of you have not returned those books--I sent an e-mail to those that haven't turned those in yet.  Please do that ASAP or pay the $5.00 replacement fee. If every year we had several books from each class not returned or replaced imagine how our library would look.  Please help keep our library fully stocked!

We walked to the park today for our "behavior reward".  It was a beautiful day and the kids deserved it!! We will have two more weeks where I will send home behavior charts home on Friday, please continue to be diligent in asking about these and checking them over.

Thanks for helping to make this year a great one!  I can't believe we are so close to the end.  Have a great night--and Happy Reading!!

Newsletter April 30 - May 4

Here we go into the last month of school. 

Here are this week's happenings:

• This is our big testing week for first grade.  We only take one reading test called DIBELS on Thursday.  Please help your child the night before by getting a good night of sleep and if they are sick they can take it another day.  I am excited to see the progress my students have made.
• The Scholastic book order is due tomorrow, but if you want to use the free book coupon I attached to the fliers then you will need to order by today--April 30 as that expires today.  This will be the last book order obviously and the books will be here before school dismisses (again obviously). 
• With the end of school we will be going on a couple of field trips that last week of school--we will be going to the Aquatic Center on Monday, May 21 and the St. George Children's Museum on Tuesday, May 22.  I will send home a note tomorrow giving more details about these field trips and asking for volunteers. We also have Field Day on Friday, May 18th that I will detail in that note.   Please look for that and return the lunch note ASAP. 
• Take-home book late notices will be sent home tomorrow.  Please help your child find their book and return it by May 11 or pay the $5.00 fine to the office.  Library books are also due the second week of May.  Our library day will be Wednesday, May 9.  All students that turn in their books or pay the replacement fee will receive a free book of their choice.   
• I have doubled up on math and our Math test for Chapter 10 (graphing) will be tomorrow.  I will then do the same thing the next couple of weeks with Chapters 11 and 12.  These chapters deal with three-dimensional shapes, and equal and unequal parts (halves, fourths etc.). 
• Our spelling test will be on Wednesday--I think I might have stated in last week's newsletter that the test will be on Tuesday, but on the list of words that were sent home last week it has the correct date.  A new list will come home on Thursday with that test being next Wednesday.  
• April reading calendars are due tomorrow--May 1.  I will send home May calendars and those will be due on Wednesday, May 16 since take-home books will stop on May 11. All work will need to be turned in by Friday, May 18 at the latest (missed morning work, reading calendars etc.)
• We will have three more opportunities for Sight Word Soldiers.  Phoenix's mom will pass off students this Friday, May 4, next Friday May 11 and the following THURSDAY May 17. 
• Remember the last day for the 100-book challenge is Wednesday, May 16.  The Reading pizza picnic will be in my room  the following day, Thursday May 17 and I will submit the recipients picture to the newspaper after that date. I'm so impressed by those that have persevered through this challenge and it's showing in their reading. 

Please feel free to contact me anytime with any question or concern.

Happy Reading!!

Newsletter April 23 - April 27

Our class has changed by two students.  Reese moved to Orem on Friday and today Aspen moved to LaVerkin.  It's hard to see my kids go.  They will be missed.

Here are this week's happenings:

• Tomorrow is our field trip to SUU for BARD's birthday bash.  We will leave East at 12:20 and return by 3:00. Thank you to Lilly's and Phoenix's moms for joining us on our trip.  Please make sure that your child is wearing comfortable walking shoes.
• Today I sent home both April and May Scholastic reading fliers.  These will be the last fliers that I send home this year.  I included a coupon for a free book (buy one get one free).  Those coupons expire on April 30, so if you are interested please place your order by April 30.  I put May 1 as the deadline on the fliers before I noticed the expiration date on the coupon.
• I will send home a Power school printout tomorrow with current 4th quarter grades.  If your child misses school I always send home the morning work that they missed. I always accept late work so if you child is missing an assignment you can help them finish it at home and return it for full credit.
• Yearbook order forms were sent home last week.  If you want to order a yearbook for your child please send back the order form and money in the envelope provided.  I know that the PTA has spent hours making sure that everyone's picture is in the yearbook.  It's a fun way to remember the year.
• Today we started two new units--one in math and one in reading.  In math, we are now working on graphs and representing data.  This math unit is fairly short.  We will have a test on this material next Thursday, May 3 (what?!  it can't be May already). Today we learned about picture graphs.  In reading, we have moved from animal habitats to Fairy Tales.  Today we read Sleeping Beauty.  
• New spelling words will be sent home on Wednesday, with the test on Tuesday, May 1. 
• I have included some end of the school year calendar items on this blog.  I will send home a tangible note about the end-of-the year field trips to the Aquatic Center, the St. George Children's museum and field day the first part of May.  
• May 11 is the last day for take-home books.  Our take home librarian said that she will not be sending new books home with students that haven't turned one in for a long time.  Please make sure that you find those books and return them or pay the $5.00 replacement fee.  The same goes for library books. 
• Our final DIBELS (reading test) will be next Thursday, May 3 in the morning.  Please help by making sure your child has a good night's sleep the night before and something healthy to eat in the morning.   If your child is sick they can take the test on an alternative day.

Happy Reading--look for grade print outs tomorrow and ask about your child's behavior (ask were you on green today?).