I hope that you all had a nice rainy weekend. I still marvel at this wonderful class that I have this year. I am a lucky teacher!
Today I sent home your child's new spelling list. Remember that I will test each Friday. I will send home last week's tests tomorrow. All of my students did very well! I do not count letter reversals as an error, if I can tell which letter they meant. If they reverse the letters b or d then I orally ask them to spell the word. If they can spell the word orally correctly, I give them credit. I will continue to test this way for three more weeks, and then I will start adding a spelling sentence to the list.
I hope you are spending 20 minutes with your child each night reading and practicing their sight words and/or spelling words. I will test on the first sight word list on Wednesday, September 4th. The August reading record (paper with the suns on it) will be due the day after Labor Day, on Tuesday, September 2. The August reading record will be worth 50 points, but after that the reading records will be worth 100 points. I also give each child that returns their reading record a certificate and a little treat. Please be honest and diligent.
If you are in need of books at home, I just sent home a Scholastic book order. The best way to order is to use the online code found on the note with the fliers, or you can click on the link on this blog. These orders will be due on Friday, September 13th. There are always wonderful titles available and every month $1.00 books are available. This month Hi Fly Guy is available for $1.00--a favorite series of 1st graders.
I sent home a t-shirt design contest note and a blank piece of paper for you child's artwork. This is an optional activity, but if your child wants to participate please have the artwork returned by September 3rd.
Right now my students are practicing their handwriting and we are emphasizing correct formation. Today I sent home a sheet with each letter of the alphabet on it and the numbers through 10. I sent it home so that you can reinforce this handwriting at home. It will help you to know what I am saying as they form their letters. Please emphasize that they should always start from the top of the line, not bottom up.
Our math books finally arrived! I will start with Unit 1 tomorrow. Your child will now have math homework almost nightly. This week I only assigned homework on Wednesday and Friday. I will post the math homework on this blog every week. Sometimes that might change, and if that happens I will send out a quick e-mail to let you know that we will not have math homework. Use this as part of your child's reading time. Have them help you read the directions. These will be due the next day, but I will accept late work. They will be worth 5 points each.
Remember that next Monday is Labor Day. Have a wonderful long weekend.
Happy Reading!
Monday, August 26, 2013
Monday, August 19, 2013
Newsletter August 19 - 23
We have had a great first few days in first grade. As I stated at Back to School night, this is going to be a good year and is a great group of students. They are smart, well-behaved, and ready to learn. That makes my job extra exciting!!
We have been reviewing procedures and rules in our classroom and have been talking about "jitters" during the first days of school. We made "Jitter Juice" to help drive the jitters away that even the teacher might be feeling. We've read several books about the first day of school and how they might be feeling.
Today was our first day of PE and Music and we also went to our first day of Theater class. Mr. Seeley is incorporating science in the class and today the students created "pictures" with their bodies to help show the seasons, and then we danced showing a thunderstorm. I think this will be a great addition to our curriculum.
I sent home three things today in your child's homework folder (remember to send that back everyday with your child). I sent home this week's spelling words. We started working on them today in class and we will have a test this Friday. I also sent home our first sight word list and our August reading record (has suns on it). Please start reading tonight with your child for 20 minutes 5 days per week. If your child practices their sight words include that as part of the 20 minutes of reading. Remember right now it's o.k. for you to snuggle up with your child and help them read, but as the year progresses I want the reading to be done by the student. I sent home a permission slip to use our Take-home library. This is a great way to get books into your home that are on your child's independent reading level. Please make sure you sign that and get it back to me so that your child can begin receiving books from our Take-home library. After you read with your child for 20 minutes please have your child color in one sun on their reading record. I would suggest attaching the reading record to your fridge or someplace that is seen commonly so that you will not lose it and will remember the importance of reading with your child every night.
Our math books still have not arrived so your child will not have math homework until they come. I will let you know when they arrive. Right now we are reviewing some math concepts from kindergarten.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. The best way is to contact me through e-mail, but you are welcome to call the school and leave a message or send a note with your child. This is going to be a wonderful year!
Happy Reading!!
We have been reviewing procedures and rules in our classroom and have been talking about "jitters" during the first days of school. We made "Jitter Juice" to help drive the jitters away that even the teacher might be feeling. We've read several books about the first day of school and how they might be feeling.
Today was our first day of PE and Music and we also went to our first day of Theater class. Mr. Seeley is incorporating science in the class and today the students created "pictures" with their bodies to help show the seasons, and then we danced showing a thunderstorm. I think this will be a great addition to our curriculum.
I sent home three things today in your child's homework folder (remember to send that back everyday with your child). I sent home this week's spelling words. We started working on them today in class and we will have a test this Friday. I also sent home our first sight word list and our August reading record (has suns on it). Please start reading tonight with your child for 20 minutes 5 days per week. If your child practices their sight words include that as part of the 20 minutes of reading. Remember right now it's o.k. for you to snuggle up with your child and help them read, but as the year progresses I want the reading to be done by the student. I sent home a permission slip to use our Take-home library. This is a great way to get books into your home that are on your child's independent reading level. Please make sure you sign that and get it back to me so that your child can begin receiving books from our Take-home library. After you read with your child for 20 minutes please have your child color in one sun on their reading record. I would suggest attaching the reading record to your fridge or someplace that is seen commonly so that you will not lose it and will remember the importance of reading with your child every night.
Our math books still have not arrived so your child will not have math homework until they come. I will let you know when they arrive. Right now we are reviewing some math concepts from kindergarten.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. The best way is to contact me through e-mail, but you are welcome to call the school and leave a message or send a note with your child. This is going to be a wonderful year!
Happy Reading!!
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Back to School
Welcome back first graders! School will begin on Thursday, August 15 at 8:55.
Back to School Night will be Tuesday, August 13, at 6:00 p.m. here in our classroom (Room #7). Followed by a General PTA meeting at 6:30 in the gym.
I am excited for a new year and for new learning adventures!!
Back to School Night will be Tuesday, August 13, at 6:00 p.m. here in our classroom (Room #7). Followed by a General PTA meeting at 6:30 in the gym.
I am excited for a new year and for new learning adventures!!
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Newsletter May 20 - 24
This will be my final newsletter of the year. I can't believe that we have almost completed 180 days of first grade together. It has been my privilege to teach YOUR wonderful child. I consider these students as my "kids" now, and most of the time I refer to them as "my kids" not my students. They will forever be a part of me. I love teaching first grade, with such innocent, inquisitive children. Thank you for all of your support this year!
I sent home your child's portfolio today. I hope you noticed their growth this year, especially notice the writing at the beginning of their portfolio and the writing at the end. I had my students write about their summer activities the very first week of school. I did not give them any assistance, but told them to write for 20 minutes. I did the same this this week. It's amazing how some children's writing went from a string of letters, to words, and spaces, and organization. Your children are now readers and writers. Please continue reading with your child over the summer!
I will send home 4th quarter grades, DIBELS results, and your child's 2nd grade placement on Friday. I included two papers with DIBELS results so, hopefully you will be able to interpret the results. If you have any questions about those results please don't hesitate to contact me. I check my e-mail everyday.
On Monday, the students that read 100 books launched their balloons with notes on them and their picture will be in the Iron County Today paper on May 29th. I am hoping that I get everyone that read 100 books together tomorrow so that everyone can be included. Congratulations again to Jacob, Dalton, Kaden, McKenlee, Reese, Justin, Ruby, Kody, Alec, and Cason for reading 100 books this year. I will post a picture of the balloon launching at the end of this newsletter.
Friday is the last day of school. Remember that school dismisses at 2:30 that day!! Have a beautiful summer and Happy Reading!
I sent home your child's portfolio today. I hope you noticed their growth this year, especially notice the writing at the beginning of their portfolio and the writing at the end. I had my students write about their summer activities the very first week of school. I did not give them any assistance, but told them to write for 20 minutes. I did the same this this week. It's amazing how some children's writing went from a string of letters, to words, and spaces, and organization. Your children are now readers and writers. Please continue reading with your child over the summer!
I will send home 4th quarter grades, DIBELS results, and your child's 2nd grade placement on Friday. I included two papers with DIBELS results so, hopefully you will be able to interpret the results. If you have any questions about those results please don't hesitate to contact me. I check my e-mail everyday.
On Monday, the students that read 100 books launched their balloons with notes on them and their picture will be in the Iron County Today paper on May 29th. I am hoping that I get everyone that read 100 books together tomorrow so that everyone can be included. Congratulations again to Jacob, Dalton, Kaden, McKenlee, Reese, Justin, Ruby, Kody, Alec, and Cason for reading 100 books this year. I will post a picture of the balloon launching at the end of this newsletter.
Friday is the last day of school. Remember that school dismisses at 2:30 that day!! Have a beautiful summer and Happy Reading!
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Newsletter May 13 - 17
This is our last week of spelling words and homework. All work will be due this Friday, May 17th including the May reading record. I assigned math homework three times this week, including Thursday, so make sure that you child completes that homework and turns it on on Friday.
Friday the 17th is also the last day to turn in lists towards our 100-book challenge. These wonderful readers have all read 100 books--Amilia, Justin, Alec, McKenlee, Dalton, Reese, Jacob, Kaden, Cason and Ruby. I will call the newspaper this week and let you know in my next newsletter when these (and possibly a few others) students will be pictured in the newspaper.
We are going swimming tomorrow. With Three Peaks joining us I so appreciate those parents that have volunteered to come with us swimming. Thursday is the Walk-a-thon from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. All students will walk even if they do not submit pledges. On Friday, we are walking up to the Canyon Park to walk on the trail and play on the playground for Field Day. We will have water bottles for each student supplied by our wonderful PTA. After Field day in the morning, it is tradition here at East Elementary to have a school-wide BBQ lunch. If you child normally brings a home lunch, but you would like them to have a school lunch that day, please make sure that your child's lunch account has money in it.
The take-home library is closed. If your child has lost their take-home library book please send the $5.00 replacement cost. I will send home notices to those children who owe $5.00. This Friday, is our library day and all library books are due that day. If you child's books are turned in that day they will be able to pick out a free book to take home. Please look for lost library books or pay the fee to replace the lost item.
Yesterday we had pancakes and DIBELS (long name for our reading test). I will send home the results of that test along with your child's grades and teacher assignment for next year hopefully by next Wednesday. If the class assignments are not ready then it may be that I send that information home on Thursday or Friday. Remember that the last day of school is Friday, May 24 and we dismiss at 2:30 that day!
Go and read with your child in his beautiful warm weather and remember that all work is due this Friday!!
Friday the 17th is also the last day to turn in lists towards our 100-book challenge. These wonderful readers have all read 100 books--Amilia, Justin, Alec, McKenlee, Dalton, Reese, Jacob, Kaden, Cason and Ruby. I will call the newspaper this week and let you know in my next newsletter when these (and possibly a few others) students will be pictured in the newspaper.
We are going swimming tomorrow. With Three Peaks joining us I so appreciate those parents that have volunteered to come with us swimming. Thursday is the Walk-a-thon from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. All students will walk even if they do not submit pledges. On Friday, we are walking up to the Canyon Park to walk on the trail and play on the playground for Field Day. We will have water bottles for each student supplied by our wonderful PTA. After Field day in the morning, it is tradition here at East Elementary to have a school-wide BBQ lunch. If you child normally brings a home lunch, but you would like them to have a school lunch that day, please make sure that your child's lunch account has money in it.
The take-home library is closed. If your child has lost their take-home library book please send the $5.00 replacement cost. I will send home notices to those children who owe $5.00. This Friday, is our library day and all library books are due that day. If you child's books are turned in that day they will be able to pick out a free book to take home. Please look for lost library books or pay the fee to replace the lost item.
Yesterday we had pancakes and DIBELS (long name for our reading test). I will send home the results of that test along with your child's grades and teacher assignment for next year hopefully by next Wednesday. If the class assignments are not ready then it may be that I send that information home on Thursday or Friday. Remember that the last day of school is Friday, May 24 and we dismiss at 2:30 that day!
Go and read with your child in his beautiful warm weather and remember that all work is due this Friday!!
Monday, May 6, 2013
Newsletter May 6 - 10
I did not send home the May reading record until today. That reading record will be due on Friday, May 17th and will be worth 50 points this month. Friday, May 17th is a big day because I will not accept any late work after that date. I will have spelling tests and math homework the next two weeks. We will not have any more required reading or math homework after that date. Thanks for continuing to read with your children. We have several more children that have read 100 books. They are Kaden, Justin and Dalton! You have until May 17th to help your child complete that task.
I did not send home a grade report either, last Wednesday the district shut down the power school site for maintenance of some sort. I was planning on entering grades and printing them out that day. I will do that this Wednesday, and send the grade print out on Thursday, May 9th. Please look over your child's grades and send any missing work back for credit.
May Scholastic book orders are due today. If you would like to order please use the online code and submit your order tonight. I will place the order tomorrow so that any books ordered can make it back by the end of the school year.
Remember that our DIBELS test is next Monday, May 13th. Please have your child here that day, well rested. I will make them pancakes prior to the test. Thank you to those that have donated syrup or apple juice!
We are going swimming next Wednesday, May 15th. I sent the permission slip home last week. I have had four parents volunteer to come with us. I still need 1 or 2 brave souls to come with us (I would take more than that if I get more volunteers). Please let me know if you can help out that day. On the swimming day, please have your child come with their swimming suit on underneath their clothes. They will also need to bring a towel, and a dry pair of underpants in a plastic "Wal-mart" type bag. I have had some kids ask if they can bring goggles and yes, that would be all right. If your child has a swimming pass they can bring that for admission instead of the $2.00 donation.
I am reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to the class and during the last week of school I will show the movie of that book. It will be the "old" version that is rated G. If any of you do not want you child to view this movie please contact me.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful children with me this year.
Happy Reading!
I did not send home a grade report either, last Wednesday the district shut down the power school site for maintenance of some sort. I was planning on entering grades and printing them out that day. I will do that this Wednesday, and send the grade print out on Thursday, May 9th. Please look over your child's grades and send any missing work back for credit.
May Scholastic book orders are due today. If you would like to order please use the online code and submit your order tonight. I will place the order tomorrow so that any books ordered can make it back by the end of the school year.
Remember that our DIBELS test is next Monday, May 13th. Please have your child here that day, well rested. I will make them pancakes prior to the test. Thank you to those that have donated syrup or apple juice!
We are going swimming next Wednesday, May 15th. I sent the permission slip home last week. I have had four parents volunteer to come with us. I still need 1 or 2 brave souls to come with us (I would take more than that if I get more volunteers). Please let me know if you can help out that day. On the swimming day, please have your child come with their swimming suit on underneath their clothes. They will also need to bring a towel, and a dry pair of underpants in a plastic "Wal-mart" type bag. I have had some kids ask if they can bring goggles and yes, that would be all right. If your child has a swimming pass they can bring that for admission instead of the $2.00 donation.
I am reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to the class and during the last week of school I will show the movie of that book. It will be the "old" version that is rated G. If any of you do not want you child to view this movie please contact me.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful children with me this year.
Happy Reading!
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Newsletter April 29 - May 3
I can't believe it will be May tomorrow! Because of that I will be giving you a lot of information as our year is winding down.
First, April reading records are due May 1! Please return these by May 2nd at the latest, because that is the day that the SUU student will be picking them up. The class who reads the most minutes will receive a pizza party. I will send home a May reading record on May 1st. I will only require reading until Friday, May 17th. May's reading record will be due then, May 17th!!
The last day to check out library books will be May 10th. Those books will need to be returned by Friday, May 17th. All students who return their books by May 17th will receive a free book to take home. Please look for lost books or pay the fine associated with the lost book. If your child returns the book after May 17th, they will not receive the free book incentive. The Take-home library books will also stop the week of May 6 -10. Please return those books too, or pay the $5.00 to replace the lost Take-home book.
On Monday, May 13th we will take our end of year reading test. As I mentioned before, I am going to make pancakes for my students that morning before the test. If you would like to donate a bottle of syrup or some apple juice please let me know. Thanks to Cason's mom for already donating one bottle of syrup! Please have your child here that day, well-rested and ready to go!
We are going swimming on Wednesday, May 15th with all of the first grade classes. The cost for this field trip is a $2.00 donation. For this field trip to occur, we need 5 or 6 parent volunteers from each classroom. So far, I have two fathers who are willing to come swimming with us (yes, that means put on a suit and get in the water). I still need at least 3 more volunteers. If you can help us out that morning from 9:45 to 11:30 please send me a note or e-mail. Watch for a permission slip for this field trip on Thursday.
On Thursday, May 16th, the PTA is sponsoring a Walk-A-Thon. It is a fundraiser for our school. I will send home information for this fun fundraiser tomorrow. All children will walk this day even if they do not collect pledges.
Our school field day will be Friday, May 17th. The first grade classes have decided to walk up to Canyon Park and walk the canyon trail and then play on the playground equipment for field day. We will leave the school that morning at 9:30 and return before lunch. Lunch that day will be a BBQ. We all get lunch and eat outside on the east fields. If your child usually brings a home lunch, but would like to have a school lunch that day please make sure that they have money in their lunch account.
I will still have spelling tests for the next three weeks, and send home math homework most days until May 17th. Please have all work turned in by Friday, May 17th so that I can get the final grades put in the computer and printed out.
Phoenix's and McKenlee's Flat Stanley's have traveled to Lehi and Price Utah, respectively and they were excited to share their experiences with the class. Remember that when your child's Flat Stanley returns send it back with your child so that they can share his experiences with us. My students love this activity!
We have three more students that have reached the 100-book milestone! Congratulations to Reese, Mckenlee and Amilia!! This challenge will stop on Friday, May 17th and those that reach it will have their picture submitted to the Iron County Today newspaper and will be able to release a balloon in celebration. The best part though, is those that have participated in this challenge have become better readers!
Congratulations also to Kaden Stucki! He is our April Catch-the-Vision winner. He is an awesome student!
If you have any questions about anything that we will be doing during May, or any concerns about your child please don't hesitate to contact me.
Scroll down and enjoy some pictures from our recent Field Trip to Bard's Birthday Bash.
Happy Reading!!
First, April reading records are due May 1! Please return these by May 2nd at the latest, because that is the day that the SUU student will be picking them up. The class who reads the most minutes will receive a pizza party. I will send home a May reading record on May 1st. I will only require reading until Friday, May 17th. May's reading record will be due then, May 17th!!
The last day to check out library books will be May 10th. Those books will need to be returned by Friday, May 17th. All students who return their books by May 17th will receive a free book to take home. Please look for lost books or pay the fine associated with the lost book. If your child returns the book after May 17th, they will not receive the free book incentive. The Take-home library books will also stop the week of May 6 -10. Please return those books too, or pay the $5.00 to replace the lost Take-home book.
On Monday, May 13th we will take our end of year reading test. As I mentioned before, I am going to make pancakes for my students that morning before the test. If you would like to donate a bottle of syrup or some apple juice please let me know. Thanks to Cason's mom for already donating one bottle of syrup! Please have your child here that day, well-rested and ready to go!
We are going swimming on Wednesday, May 15th with all of the first grade classes. The cost for this field trip is a $2.00 donation. For this field trip to occur, we need 5 or 6 parent volunteers from each classroom. So far, I have two fathers who are willing to come swimming with us (yes, that means put on a suit and get in the water). I still need at least 3 more volunteers. If you can help us out that morning from 9:45 to 11:30 please send me a note or e-mail. Watch for a permission slip for this field trip on Thursday.
On Thursday, May 16th, the PTA is sponsoring a Walk-A-Thon. It is a fundraiser for our school. I will send home information for this fun fundraiser tomorrow. All children will walk this day even if they do not collect pledges.
Our school field day will be Friday, May 17th. The first grade classes have decided to walk up to Canyon Park and walk the canyon trail and then play on the playground equipment for field day. We will leave the school that morning at 9:30 and return before lunch. Lunch that day will be a BBQ. We all get lunch and eat outside on the east fields. If your child usually brings a home lunch, but would like to have a school lunch that day please make sure that they have money in their lunch account.
I will still have spelling tests for the next three weeks, and send home math homework most days until May 17th. Please have all work turned in by Friday, May 17th so that I can get the final grades put in the computer and printed out.
Phoenix's and McKenlee's Flat Stanley's have traveled to Lehi and Price Utah, respectively and they were excited to share their experiences with the class. Remember that when your child's Flat Stanley returns send it back with your child so that they can share his experiences with us. My students love this activity!
We have three more students that have reached the 100-book milestone! Congratulations to Reese, Mckenlee and Amilia!! This challenge will stop on Friday, May 17th and those that reach it will have their picture submitted to the Iron County Today newspaper and will be able to release a balloon in celebration. The best part though, is those that have participated in this challenge have become better readers!
Congratulations also to Kaden Stucki! He is our April Catch-the-Vision winner. He is an awesome student!
If you have any questions about anything that we will be doing during May, or any concerns about your child please don't hesitate to contact me.
Scroll down and enjoy some pictures from our recent Field Trip to Bard's Birthday Bash.
Happy Reading!!
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| Reese has read 100 books! |
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| Congratulations McKenlee--100 books read! |
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| Amilia has read 100 books too! |
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