Week of October 4-8

Can you believe it's October already?!
On Monday we will welcome our therapy dogs to our classroom. They will visit us many times during the school year. The dogs are very well trained and love to listen to the children read. Each child will get a turn to read with the dogs each time they visit. Ask your child all about it on Monday!
The students have new seats in the classroom to start the new month. We also have a new author of the month ~ Eric Carle! We will be studying the format of his books and perhaps creating some of our own in writing workshop.
This week we will be learning about fire safety. We will be discussing escape plans and hazardous materials. Please practice your fire escape plan at home and check your smoke alarm.
In math, we will be studying nickels. Each student should bring in ten nickels to use for counting money and for playing exchange games. We will also be learning about change to more and change to less number stories.
Thank you for practicing shoe tying! We have seven children in our class who have passed the shoe tying test!

Week of September 27-October 1

We begin the week with Picture Day! Our pictures will be taken on Monday between 11:10 and 11:30. Dress your best! Please remember to send in the envelope. Students can bring sneakers to change into for physical education.
Speaking of sneakers, our "I Can Tie My Shoes" caterpillar will be going up in the hallway. When students learn how to tie their shoes, they show me. I give them a certificate and they get to put their name on the caterpillar for everyone to see. Please work with your child to teach them how to tie their shoes. I look forward to seeing everyone's name on the caterpillar!
On Thursday we will have a writing workshop celebration! We have worked on adding details to our writing, using capitalization at the beginning of sentences and for names, and writing complete stories. We will share our published pieces and have cookies and punch to celebrate our accomplishments. The published pieces will go on the bulletin board. The students will be bringing writing work home for you to see and respond to. Look for it on Thursday. Please send the response sheet back to school. The writings can stay home.
In math this week we will be using rulers, calculators, clocks, and pennies to learn more about the uses of numbers. Thanks for keeping up with the homework!
Have a great week!

Week of September 20-24

This week we will welcome a new student to our class on Monday. In Writing Workshop, we will learn when to use capital letters and practice writing friendly letters. We will meet our 8th grade Reading Buddies this week. Five eighth graders will come to read with five first graders every afternoon for about 15 minutes. This is a great program which helps our first graders become better readers and helps our eighth graders learn how to work with children.
We will have Library for the first time on Wednesday afternoon. Students will be able to take home one book. Please return it by the following Wednesday.
We have also started using the Computer Lab. We are working on mouse control by trying to stay in the lines when we color a picture on the computer.
In Math, we have finished Unit 1. We will have an assessment on Tuesday. Our new chapter is about Everyday Uses of Numbers. We will learn how numbers are used to tell time and count money. Look for HomeLinks to come home for homework.
Please remember that we are always in need of baby wipes and Clorox wipes.

Week of September 13-17

Thank you parents for doing such a great job last week with homework and book in a bag returns! The students are off to a wonderful start and already showing progress. There is such excitement about learning every day in the classroom. Thanks for all the penny donations. Keep them coming! Students should also bring a clean, white, tube sock to keep at school as an eraser for our slates. We use these almost everyday.
This week we will begin our first author study. We will read stories by Kevin Henkes and explore how he develops his characters. The students will enjoy relating as the characters go through situations similar to ones they have experienced.
Don't forget about Back to School Night on Tuesday at 6:00 pm. I look forward to meeting each of you then.
Friday we will learn about the Constitution as we acknowledge Constitution Day.
Look for the homework packet to come home again on Monday!

Welcome to First Grade!

Greetings to all new first grade parents! I hope the school year has gotten off to a smooth start. The students are doing a wonderful job adjusting to the new classroom and routines. Next week we will already begin guided reading groups and writing workshop! We will also work at centers, do Project READ lessons, and have an apple tasting. Please send in an apple on Friday. I also need donations of paper plates, napkins, peanut butter, and caramel. We will need pennies for math activities. If you have any pennies to donate, please send them in with your child.
I look forward to meeting everyone on Back To School Night, which is September 14 from 6:00-8:00 pm.