It's been a little hectic this week as I have been home not feeling well. I think the students were in good hands with the two subs that I had.
I have sent home math homework still--thank you for doing that. Please make sure that you help your child remember to put their name on that homework. It is nearly impossible for me to decifer numbers in handwriting. If there is a no name I just give the grade of 0.
If you child is absent I will send home their morning work, and another other work that they miss. I will write HW on top of it and date so you you will be aware that it is homework. I still hope you are practicing sight words with your child and reading every night. Our new and improved Take home library will start next week. Please send back the portion of the Take home library letter so that I can start your child (coral paper).
Next week our reading groups will start. I will inform you at SEP conferences if you child will be attending a reading intervention group. Some of my students will also have additional help in math, and I will let you know if you child will receive that extra intervention as well. I am going to try a new format with math and would love some volunteers as I get it off the ground or help all year would be great. If you could help starting next Tuesday, Thursday or Friday at 1:00-2:15 I would appreciate it. Send me an e-mail if you would like to. I will let you know about reading volunteer opportunities soon. My guess is that I will start using reading volunteers in October. Remember that time is from 9:00-10:30 every day except for Wednesday.
It is picture day this Friday. If you would like to purchase pictures please send back the picture form.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Monday, September 8, 2014
September 8 - 12
We have done two lessons from our Go Math program and I will now be sending home math homework most days. It is nearly impossible to complete it all in class during our allotted time. My hesitation with sending home math homework and the reason that I really didn't want to send it home this year, is that many will only do the math homework and not include reading as part of their nightly routine. I surely don't want your child to have homework bombarding them nightly, I know they are kids and need their "play time". Please try to stick to 30 minutes total homework a night. Include reading practice with their math homework. Have your child help read the instructions. The math homework will be due the next day, but I do understand we have busy lives so if you child turns it in late, I will not deduct any points. Thank you for this help. The one-on-one math help that they will receive with homework will be very beneficial. I have put the lessons that we will be working on on the left sidebar of this blog. That way you can anticipate which math homework will be coming home.
Now that I have returned two spelling tests, I wanted to let you know how I grade them. If I can't read the word, I mark it wrong. I do not mark reversals wrong if I can tell what letter it should be. B and D reversals are different. If your child reverses the B or D I will verbally ask them how to spell the word and if they can spell it orally I will mark it correct as well as pointing out to the child that they have reversed the letter. Letter reversals are still very common in first grade. Do not be overly concerned if you child is reversing some letters or numbers. We start becoming concerned if reversals are still happening regularly in third grade.
The Scholastic book order that I sent home last week is due this Wednesday, Sept. 10. The easiest way to order is online using our classroom code.
Tomorrow all students will be given health screenings. They will have their eyes checked as well as a quick oral screening from a dentist. The hearing screening will be done on a different date. If something was noteworthy from those exams, the school nurse will contact you.
This week we are going to start our unit on punctuation. This is a fun unit where I introduce correct punctuation with "Punctuation People". Our first punctuation person will be "Period Pete". We have been working on an "All About Me" writing and in science we are working on a little weather book especially concentrating on weather words.
I really love my sweet first graders. I am a lucky teacher.
Happy Reading!
Now that I have returned two spelling tests, I wanted to let you know how I grade them. If I can't read the word, I mark it wrong. I do not mark reversals wrong if I can tell what letter it should be. B and D reversals are different. If your child reverses the B or D I will verbally ask them how to spell the word and if they can spell it orally I will mark it correct as well as pointing out to the child that they have reversed the letter. Letter reversals are still very common in first grade. Do not be overly concerned if you child is reversing some letters or numbers. We start becoming concerned if reversals are still happening regularly in third grade.
The Scholastic book order that I sent home last week is due this Wednesday, Sept. 10. The easiest way to order is online using our classroom code.
Tomorrow all students will be given health screenings. They will have their eyes checked as well as a quick oral screening from a dentist. The hearing screening will be done on a different date. If something was noteworthy from those exams, the school nurse will contact you.
This week we are going to start our unit on punctuation. This is a fun unit where I introduce correct punctuation with "Punctuation People". Our first punctuation person will be "Period Pete". We have been working on an "All About Me" writing and in science we are working on a little weather book especially concentrating on weather words.
I really love my sweet first graders. I am a lucky teacher.
Happy Reading!
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
Newsletter September 1 - 5
I hope that you all had a nice Labor Day weekend. We are buckling down again and getting back to work.
If you child has not passed of Sight Word List #1 then please help them with this list at home. Your child should have at least passed off that list by now and be working on List #2. Remember that they can pass these words off as quickly as they can.
The August reading record is due today! I sent home a new September reading record today (paper with apples on it). This is to record the number of times your child has read in the month of September. Color each apple for 20 minutes of reading time (can include sight word, and spelling practice). I also sent home this week's list of spelling words and a Scholastic book order. Just like last week, I will test on the list of spelling words on Friday. The Scholastic book order is due, Wednesday, September 10. The easiest way to order is to use the code and to order online, but you can still send the order back with a check. You only need to write out one check, and make it out to Scholastic. With each order our classroom earns points for free books!
We will start with our Go Math program this week. We will be learning about addition. I really hope that we can do our homework in class. I think that this week will be a good gauge to see if we can accomplish that. I have put the lessons that we will be working on on the left side bar of this blog. Next week I will let you know if I will be sending home a math homework sheet most nights.
We have started talking a little bit about the seasons and weather in science. We will continue with that unit of study throughout September.
This Friday, our class will have a reading test (RLA). This will put your child on a "grade level" for reading. Next week, the students will take the DIBELS test. This is also an indicator to find out about your child's reading abilities right now and where to start instruction. After those tests are complete we will start small reading groups in our classroom. Some students will get the extra privilege of attending another reading intervention group with our qualified reading aides. I will let you know if your child will be attending a reading intervention group. We plan on starting those groups on Monday, September 22.
Happy Reading!
If you child has not passed of Sight Word List #1 then please help them with this list at home. Your child should have at least passed off that list by now and be working on List #2. Remember that they can pass these words off as quickly as they can.
The August reading record is due today! I sent home a new September reading record today (paper with apples on it). This is to record the number of times your child has read in the month of September. Color each apple for 20 minutes of reading time (can include sight word, and spelling practice). I also sent home this week's list of spelling words and a Scholastic book order. Just like last week, I will test on the list of spelling words on Friday. The Scholastic book order is due, Wednesday, September 10. The easiest way to order is to use the code and to order online, but you can still send the order back with a check. You only need to write out one check, and make it out to Scholastic. With each order our classroom earns points for free books!
We will start with our Go Math program this week. We will be learning about addition. I really hope that we can do our homework in class. I think that this week will be a good gauge to see if we can accomplish that. I have put the lessons that we will be working on on the left side bar of this blog. Next week I will let you know if I will be sending home a math homework sheet most nights.
We have started talking a little bit about the seasons and weather in science. We will continue with that unit of study throughout September.
This Friday, our class will have a reading test (RLA). This will put your child on a "grade level" for reading. Next week, the students will take the DIBELS test. This is also an indicator to find out about your child's reading abilities right now and where to start instruction. After those tests are complete we will start small reading groups in our classroom. Some students will get the extra privilege of attending another reading intervention group with our qualified reading aides. I will let you know if your child will be attending a reading intervention group. We plan on starting those groups on Monday, September 22.
Happy Reading!
Monday, August 25, 2014
Newsletter August 25 - 29
Today your child will have our first list of spelling words in their backpacks. We will work on these words in class, but please help your child with these words at home. You can count spelling word practice as part of your child's 20 minutes of reading. The spelling test will be this Friday.
Mrs. Neil, helped me today with those students that have returned their Sight Word Lists #1. She sent home Sight Word List #2 home with your child if they "passed off" List #1. If List #1 was returned to your child, they weren't quite there yet. Please help your child with these sight words. I will have her test all students this Friday on Sight Word List #1 even if you haven't returned the List. These will be scored and entered into your child's grades. Sight word aromaticity is so important! Please practice these nightly with your child.
In math we are concentrating on number words and number recognition as well as tally marks and number patterns. I have also realized as we've been working that we need to work on right and left and we'll work on that this week also. I will test on number word knowledge at the end of this week. We will start our Go Math lessons the day after Labor Day. I'm still hoping that we can complete the homework portion in class, but watch for math homework to possibly start coming home after Labor Day.
We have had a couple of birthdays in class already. Remember that you can send in a birthday treat with your child on their birthday. If your child's birthday falls on the weekend we will celebrate their birthday the following Monday. We have 23 students in our class right now. If your child's birthday falls in the summer months, I will have a day in May that we celebrate all summer birthdays.
We had our first library day last Friday. We did not check out books yet. Your child will be allowed to check out two books this Friday. Watch for those to come home and take advantage of reading books to your child that they picked out. Please make sure that your child returns those books by the following Friday.
Remember that next Monday is Labor Day. Have a wonderful holiday!
Happy Reading!!
Mrs. Neil, helped me today with those students that have returned their Sight Word Lists #1. She sent home Sight Word List #2 home with your child if they "passed off" List #1. If List #1 was returned to your child, they weren't quite there yet. Please help your child with these sight words. I will have her test all students this Friday on Sight Word List #1 even if you haven't returned the List. These will be scored and entered into your child's grades. Sight word aromaticity is so important! Please practice these nightly with your child.
In math we are concentrating on number words and number recognition as well as tally marks and number patterns. I have also realized as we've been working that we need to work on right and left and we'll work on that this week also. I will test on number word knowledge at the end of this week. We will start our Go Math lessons the day after Labor Day. I'm still hoping that we can complete the homework portion in class, but watch for math homework to possibly start coming home after Labor Day.
We have had a couple of birthdays in class already. Remember that you can send in a birthday treat with your child on their birthday. If your child's birthday falls on the weekend we will celebrate their birthday the following Monday. We have 23 students in our class right now. If your child's birthday falls in the summer months, I will have a day in May that we celebrate all summer birthdays.
We had our first library day last Friday. We did not check out books yet. Your child will be allowed to check out two books this Friday. Watch for those to come home and take advantage of reading books to your child that they picked out. Please make sure that your child returns those books by the following Friday.
Remember that next Monday is Labor Day. Have a wonderful holiday!
Happy Reading!!
Monday, August 18, 2014
Newsletter August 18 - 22
Our first three days of first grade have flown by. It's amazing how I love my students from day one! We are going to have a wonderful year!
We are still busy learning about classroom and school rules and procedures. One of the issues that we have discussed at length as a faculty is safety for our students. We have many doors here at East Elementary, and many drop-off spots. The four main drop off spot doors will be open until 9:00 a.m. (main entrance by office, flagpole, kindergarten area, and bus drop off). After 9:00 a.m. those doors will be locked and all students and parents will have to enter through the main entrance. We have been asked not to open those doors for "knocking students". All of the doors have signs indicating that they will be locked during the school day.
We have an opportunity for a field trip early in the year this Friday, August 22. We will leave the school at 9:30 a.m. and return by lunch. The cost for this field trip is a $1.00 donation. I sent home a permission slip this time because I will not be able to look at all of my student's registration forms before Friday. Remember that I told you that the registration form is the only permission that you will need, but this time I will need you to sign the green paper that I sent home today in your child's homework folder.
Today I sent home August's reading record (paper with suns on it), and the first list of sight words and sight word phrases. Remember that I want you to read with your child for 20 minutes five times per week and that I encourage sight word practice as part of that 20 minutes. After your child has read for 20 minutes they can color in one sun (one sun = 20 minutes). When you child is ready to pass off the sight words send back the little yellow paper signed and I will send them the same list back if I think they need more practice or send them with a new list. Thank you so much for being diligent in sending back your child's homework for daily!
Remember the PTA Luau this Saturday, from 10:00-2:00 here at the school. This activity should be very fun and is a fundraiser for our school. I hope to see you there!
On your child's supply list, I suggested colored pencil and markers as optional and I still suggest it as optional, but if you child doesn't have these then when they are given the chance to color they will only have crayons. If they would like colored pencils and/or markers they will be able to use those also, and will keep them in their desks.
Thank you for signing up for snacks, sending in extra supplies, and volunteering to help in our classroom. I really am looking forward to a wonderful year!
We are still busy learning about classroom and school rules and procedures. One of the issues that we have discussed at length as a faculty is safety for our students. We have many doors here at East Elementary, and many drop-off spots. The four main drop off spot doors will be open until 9:00 a.m. (main entrance by office, flagpole, kindergarten area, and bus drop off). After 9:00 a.m. those doors will be locked and all students and parents will have to enter through the main entrance. We have been asked not to open those doors for "knocking students". All of the doors have signs indicating that they will be locked during the school day.
We have an opportunity for a field trip early in the year this Friday, August 22. We will leave the school at 9:30 a.m. and return by lunch. The cost for this field trip is a $1.00 donation. I sent home a permission slip this time because I will not be able to look at all of my student's registration forms before Friday. Remember that I told you that the registration form is the only permission that you will need, but this time I will need you to sign the green paper that I sent home today in your child's homework folder.
Today I sent home August's reading record (paper with suns on it), and the first list of sight words and sight word phrases. Remember that I want you to read with your child for 20 minutes five times per week and that I encourage sight word practice as part of that 20 minutes. After your child has read for 20 minutes they can color in one sun (one sun = 20 minutes). When you child is ready to pass off the sight words send back the little yellow paper signed and I will send them the same list back if I think they need more practice or send them with a new list. Thank you so much for being diligent in sending back your child's homework for daily!
Remember the PTA Luau this Saturday, from 10:00-2:00 here at the school. This activity should be very fun and is a fundraiser for our school. I hope to see you there!
On your child's supply list, I suggested colored pencil and markers as optional and I still suggest it as optional, but if you child doesn't have these then when they are given the chance to color they will only have crayons. If they would like colored pencils and/or markers they will be able to use those also, and will keep them in their desks.
Thank you for signing up for snacks, sending in extra supplies, and volunteering to help in our classroom. I really am looking forward to a wonderful year!
Monday, May 19, 2014
Newsletter May 19 - 23
It's the last week of school. I honestly can't believe it! I've said that before, but this year has gone by so quickly. I love all of these wonderful students that have become "my kids". Thank you for sharing them with me, and helping them with their education at home. I hope that you all have a wonderful summer.
If your child has not returned their library books or Take-home library books yet, please search for those and return them before the end of the school year. We lose so many books, and with tightened budgets it difficult to replace those lost books.
We will not have spelling words this week, and today we took our final math test. I will get grade out, along with reading test results, and hopefully 2nd grade classroom placements by this Thursday.
For the last day of school, I would like to have some ice cream bars or sandwiches after lunch. If you could help send a box of ice cream sandwiches or your child's favorite ice cream bars please send those by Thursday, May 22. School dismisses at 2:30 on Friday! I could also use donated Clorox wipes to help in our Friday cleaning efforts. If you could help by sending clorox wipes that would be greatly appreciated also.
Our 100-book challenge recipients are: Brendan, Kate, Kean, Angela and Jentri. I plan on submitting their picture to the Iron County Today newspaper. I will e-mail you when I get a response on when they will be in the paper. Congratulations to these wonderful hard-working readers!
I hope that you will continue to read with your child over the summer. Take advantage of the summer reading program at the library. Giving your child the head start they need for 2nd grade is invaluable.
See you next year and Happy Reading!
If your child has not returned their library books or Take-home library books yet, please search for those and return them before the end of the school year. We lose so many books, and with tightened budgets it difficult to replace those lost books.
We will not have spelling words this week, and today we took our final math test. I will get grade out, along with reading test results, and hopefully 2nd grade classroom placements by this Thursday.
For the last day of school, I would like to have some ice cream bars or sandwiches after lunch. If you could help send a box of ice cream sandwiches or your child's favorite ice cream bars please send those by Thursday, May 22. School dismisses at 2:30 on Friday! I could also use donated Clorox wipes to help in our Friday cleaning efforts. If you could help by sending clorox wipes that would be greatly appreciated also.
Our 100-book challenge recipients are: Brendan, Kate, Kean, Angela and Jentri. I plan on submitting their picture to the Iron County Today newspaper. I will e-mail you when I get a response on when they will be in the paper. Congratulations to these wonderful hard-working readers!
I hope that you will continue to read with your child over the summer. Take advantage of the summer reading program at the library. Giving your child the head start they need for 2nd grade is invaluable.
See you next year and Happy Reading!
Monday, May 12, 2014
Newsletter May 12 - 16
What a crazy weather weekend! When I arrived here this morning, our trusty custodians were busily taking care of the many fallen branches from our large trees. By the time lunch break rolled around they were cleared up and the kids were safely playing outside.
This is the last week that I will accept late work. All work, including the May reading record will be due this Friday, May 16. I will come in this weekend and work on grades, and also print out our reading test results. I will send home grades and those test scores next Monday or Tuesday. This Friday is also our last day to turn in 100-book challenge lists. So far, I have had four stalwart, wonderful readers reach that mark--Jentri, Angela, Kean, and Brendan. We will celebrate with them next Monday and I will call the newspaper and let you know next week when they will be featured in the paper!
Our take-home library is now complete. No more books (in bag) will be sent home. If your child has lost their book, please send $5.00 to replace that book. All library books need to returned this week too. Our library day is Friday, and all students that have both of their books returned on that date will be able to pick out a free book to take home.
I sent home a Field Day permission slip today. All of the first grade classes will be going up to Canyon Park to walk on the trail, and play on the playground. We will then return to school that day and have a school-wide BBQ for lunch. Please sign and return that permission slip before Friday. It's supposed to be warming up by then, so we of course will have water for the students as they walk up the trail.
Our PTA Walk-A-Thon will be this Thursday, at 9:30 a.m. I sent home donation information last week. All students who turn in donations will be given a coupon for a FREE shaved ice from the Tiki Shack.
Don't forget to turn in all work by this Friday! I will test on the final Sight Word List #11 this Friday also.
As we only have 9 more days left of school, I wanted to let all of you know how much I've appreciated YOUR CHILD in my class this year. I have thoroughly enjoyed each child, and have loved this class. They are delightful students and will forever be imprinted in my heart!
Happy Reading!
This is the last week that I will accept late work. All work, including the May reading record will be due this Friday, May 16. I will come in this weekend and work on grades, and also print out our reading test results. I will send home grades and those test scores next Monday or Tuesday. This Friday is also our last day to turn in 100-book challenge lists. So far, I have had four stalwart, wonderful readers reach that mark--Jentri, Angela, Kean, and Brendan. We will celebrate with them next Monday and I will call the newspaper and let you know next week when they will be featured in the paper!
Our take-home library is now complete. No more books (in bag) will be sent home. If your child has lost their book, please send $5.00 to replace that book. All library books need to returned this week too. Our library day is Friday, and all students that have both of their books returned on that date will be able to pick out a free book to take home.
I sent home a Field Day permission slip today. All of the first grade classes will be going up to Canyon Park to walk on the trail, and play on the playground. We will then return to school that day and have a school-wide BBQ for lunch. Please sign and return that permission slip before Friday. It's supposed to be warming up by then, so we of course will have water for the students as they walk up the trail.
Our PTA Walk-A-Thon will be this Thursday, at 9:30 a.m. I sent home donation information last week. All students who turn in donations will be given a coupon for a FREE shaved ice from the Tiki Shack.
Don't forget to turn in all work by this Friday! I will test on the final Sight Word List #11 this Friday also.
As we only have 9 more days left of school, I wanted to let all of you know how much I've appreciated YOUR CHILD in my class this year. I have thoroughly enjoyed each child, and have loved this class. They are delightful students and will forever be imprinted in my heart!
Happy Reading!
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