December 16- December 20

Important reminders for the week:

Wednesday morning we will be having the Christmas program dress rehearsal at St. Patrick's Church. Your child must be dropped off at the church by 7:50AM.  I will be there at 7:30 if You need to drop them off earlier.  I'll be watching for my students.  When the rehearsal is over, parent volunteer drivers will be driving them back to the school.  

Wednesday night your child will need to be at St. Patrick's Church by 6:15 PM.  The first graders will be singing from the choir loft ( on the right side of the alter).  Please walk them over where I will be waiting for them.  You should sit near the choir loft so you can watch the first graders sing.  When the show is over, you will need to come over to get your child.  I will Not dismiss your child/ children until you come to get them, thank you for your support.  

Clothing for the program:  Your child must wear their best clothes.  Girls should be in dresses or skirt outfits and nice shoes.  Boys should be in dress pants and collared shirts or sweaters and nice shoes. Please no jeans or shorts! Thank you :-)

Vocabulary for the week

try

hard

rest

play

sing

please

thank

word

first

second

third

Spelling for the week

twigs

went

of

bend

still

fresh

dish

planted

going

spelling

**** last week we started sentence dictation as the challenge part of the test.  They need to have all the words spelled correctly, as well as proper punctuation to get the sentence correct.  Practice with them at home- remind them that a sentence always starts with a capital letter and ends with end punctuation.  We have been practicing this at school quite a bit; this is not a new concept- they need to work on listening and remembering to check their work.  :-)

Friday we will be having our class Christmas party.  The room mothers are organizing pizza, snacks, and a treat.  We will be having lunch and playing games.  This is sure to be a great party!!!!!  The party will begin around 11:00.  If you would like to help in some way, please give Mrs. McParland a call , 

Thanks to all my wonderful parents who have chipped in one way or another this year !! You truly are a blessing to me and my students!! Thanks again for all your love and support you have given, or continue to give !  May God bless you !! Thanks !!!!!

December9 - December 13

Vocabulary this week

return

should

old

pair

clothes

cook

knight

small

bring

Spelling this week 

for

they

shed

have

help

pet

sled

jet

test

net

******Starting this week the spelling test will now include dictation sentences as the challenge portion to the test.  The sentences will start off as simple sentences with words they have had, and/ or words they can sound out.  They need to begin with a capital letter and end with punctuation.  

1.  A permission slip went home for next Wednesday 12/18.  We will be having a dress rehearsal for the Christmas program at St. Patrick's Church that morning.  Please drop your child/ children off at the church by 7:50 AM.  We will rehearse for the program and then go to school when we are done- we will head back to school around 9:45 AM.  We will need parents to volunteer to drive my students back to school after we rehearse.  Please sign the permission slip and send it back to school, please note whether or not you will be able to transport students back to school.  Thank You :-). You MUST have fingerprints done and in the office and have taken the safe environment class.  

*****A note with other important details will be sent home by Friday concerning the times and information concerning what the students should wear that night to the program - remember this is a formal event and students should be dressed accordingly .

Thanks again!

11/18 to 11/22

This week:

Vocabulary words:

forget

show

smart

pencil

best

read

school

time

being

place

sometimes

goes

Spelling words-short e sound:

red

bed

fed

led

wed

ten

men

hen

nest

tent

** practice test Thursday, final test Friday 

Wednesday is our Thanksgiving Feast with kindergarten .  There is a sign up at the classroom door for the items we need for that day.  

Other events to come:  we are in the Christmas program this year!!! This is such a wonderful event.  They will need to wear nice clothes , maybe a Christmas outfit?  No jeans or shorts please.  Girls should wear a dress and boys should be in dress pants and a collared shirt.  We will be starting the program practices this week.  First graders will be singing 4 songs.  I will be sending the song sheets home for your child to practice over the break.  They need to learn the words for these songs.  

Friday - progress reports will go home this day.  They must be signed and returned the Monday we return from Thanksgiving Break.  Please do not lose them :)

November 11 to November 15

Hope everyone is enjoying the 3 day weekend!!! It's been relaxing for sure. :)

It's a short week, but very full.

*****Reminder- shoebox items need to be in by this Thursday, November 14, 2013.  We will be packaging the items with our Faith Families this Friday.  

 Another reminder,  we have had many students who have been late to school.  I realize that getting children up and ready is a big task, especially when there's more than 1. However, the beginning of the day is very important.  Students use this time to get organized and ready for the day.  Planners are filled out,  lunch & roll is taken, and bags are unloaded.  When your child is late, they start the day in a frenzy.  When students are on time, this time is valuable and gives the child time to get settled so we can start the days lessons without delay.  I really appreciate your support and understanding on this matter.

Another important issue of concern is about absences.  Unless your child is running a fever or really coughing, please make sure child comes to school.  First grade is so important- there is much to learn.  

There are many new concepts introduced each day.  Even when the work is sent home to complete, they are missing the lesson or the review of a concept.  Please remember that school/ academics should be the priority.  And not only that, I miss them when they are out :). Please remember that your child's best interests are always my number one concern! Thanks again for the support :)

This is some of what we will be learning:

Reading / phonics

~ review if digraphs- ch, th, sh, wh. Please review these sounds with your child.  Go over beginning and ending sounds. chop, with, shop, wish for example.

~ review of short vowels: a, i, o

~ words endings - ing, s,es,ed

~ r blends: tree, brick, crab for example

*****There will be no new vocabulary this week.  There will still be spelling words .  These

 are the words:

branch

think

wasn't

trash

block

trick

print

stamp

spill

shock

Math

~review place value: ones, tens.  

~One less, one more, and numbers in between.

~ greater than, less than, equal to

~ numbers 1-100, number words

Religion

~ forgiveness and sin

Science

~ types of animals- mammals, reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish

Social studies

~Native Americans, early settlers to America 

Upcoming events:

Thanksgiving feast with kindergarten. Wednesday, November 20, 2013.  First graders will be dressed as Pilgrams.  It should be lots of fun.  We will be having a snack together starting at 10 am.  If you would like to join us, please do! Mrs. McParland is in charge of organizing the snack for that day.  There will be more info to follow next week.

First week of November ! Feel the chill outside!!

Along with this beautiful , but cold and crisp weather, comes the dreaded cold and flu season.  Please remind your child about washing their hands after they sneeze or blow their nose.  They can raise their hand to leave their seat to get a Kleenex and then they may either use our sink to wash their hands with soap or use the antibacterial lotion. I will provide the soap and antibacterial lotion for them to use.  My goal is to keep everyone as healthy as I can. We will also wipe our desks down often too.  Please remind them about these healthy hygiene habits.  I'll remind them at school :-) Thank you !  Remember that shorts are no longer allowed until May.

This week we will start meeting with our 8th grade reading buddies.  This is another way for them to listen to good reading skills and to practice their reading fluency skills too.  My students are so looking forward to this, So are the 8th graders!

Timed math facts tests- we will start taking addition tests of sums to 12.  Start practicing subtraction facts of ten and lower ex 10-7 =  or  6-5=.  We will start those after Thanksgiving break.  

Vocabulary this week:

pond

count

called

silly

morning

beautiful

put

tomorrow 

today

book

belongs

Spelling this week

wasn't 

block

saw

moth

didn't

chop

spot

with

cloth

frogs

We have two events coming up to help those less fortunate:  

Catholic Charities food drive 

First graders are being asked to bring 2 cans of cranberry sauce each- this needs to be brought in any time before Friday, November 15.  

Operation shoebox

First graders are asked to bring in miscellaneous items such as t- shirts, socks, ball, cap, sunglasses, hair clips , toy jewelry, watches, flashlights ( with extra batteries) etc...  Please check the family envelope for the flyer that went home to see what age range your faith family is buying for.  We will write the faith family number in your child' s planner this week.  These items also need to be brought in anytime before Friday , November 15.  

This is just another way we can get our children involved in becoming an Active Faith-Filled Citizen!!!!

This Friday we will be hosting a Veteran's Day Assembly @ 8:30.   If you are a veteran or you know someone who is - this event is for you !!! Please extend this invite to friends, family , or neighbors who you know are veterans .  This is a wonderful event!! 

Last week of October ! October 28- November 1

I really enjoyed seeing many of you last night in your costumes!  It really was a fun night!  I wanted to thank those of you who helped out last night - especially Mrs. Zambelli and Mrs. McParland.  It was definitely a Job Well Done -BRAVO!

This is a very busy week; it is red ribbon week and Halloween !  Here is a list of the days events:

Monday - with their faith families they will be coloring red ribbons and decorating the school.

Tuesday- red and white free dress -  please be in those colors it's school spirit!

Wednesday- crazy socks day - we will be having a sock hop in the afternoon.

Thursday- wear your Halloween costume!  We will be having a school costume contest, also there is a pumpkin carving contest- if you bring in your carved pumpkin you could win !  We will also be having a party in the afternoon starting at 1:30.  The room parents are in charge of this.

Friday- All school Mass - for All Saints.  Students must be in full school uniform. Shorts are no longer allowed until May.  We will be also be visiting the saint wax museum put on by the 8th grade some time that morning. Don't forget it's a 12:30 dismissal day!

Yes, it will be a fun- filled week.  However, students must behave or they may not be able to attend the fun activities if they don't.  Please talk to them about following rules and making good choices.  Thank you for your support!

We will still be having a practice spelling test Thursday and a final spelling test on Friday.  These are their spelling words:

was

you

soft

crop

clock

and

drop

pops

socks

shop

Here are the vocabulary words this week:

any

animals

trouble

kind

gave

there

thing

nice

thought

answered

belongs

asked

I enjoyed meeting and talking with each of you last week about your child. With open communication and support , your child will have a successful first grade year!  Thanks for all the support to me and your child ! 

October 21,2013- October 25, 2013

It's conference week and our Book Fair! I look forward to meeting with you to discuss how wonderful your child or children are :). It's a good time to discuss the goals we have for your child this year.  

Tuesday, October 22 is PINK free dress.  Your child must wear pink.  At 6 PM is the Mother Daughter volleyball game!  That should be a fun game to come watch!

This Wednesday, October 23 is our trip to the Pumpkin Patch!!! Things to remember:  please be at school With your child's booster seat on time- 7:50 AM. (At the first bell).  This will give us time to take roll and get organized before morning prayer.  After prayer, we will organize the children, with their booster seats, into their groups/ cars and leave by 8:30.  Snack will be provided after we have participated in the organized activities and after they have picked their pumpkins.  We will then return to school when we are done.  Your child will be at school before the school day ends at 12:30.  If you are driving, you must have the required insurance and registration info turned in before Wednesday morning.  Remember this information must be turned in each year to be eligible to drive.  You must also have completed safe environment training and have had fingerprints done.  We will check with the office to confirm.  If you don't meet any of these requirements, you will NOT, be able to drive and/ or attend this trip.  These are the rules of the diocese.  Thank you.

Saturday, October 26 Is our annual Halloween Carnival from 5- to  - 8PM.  You must purchase a bracelet for $10 .  No tickets are sold for the games.  Food will also be for sale. It's a really fun and safe night for kids of all ages.  Hope to see all of you there! 

These are some of the things we will be covering and can be reinforced or practiced at home:

-Contractions & compound words

-Short a, i, o vowel words

-Addition and subtraction concepts

-6 parts of an ecosystem- sun, nonliving things, herbivores, carnivores, plants, recyclers / cleaner-uppers.

-Plains Indians 

-Saints

-The Rosary

-of course vocabulary words from each week should be reviewed continuously .  I can tell a few of the students are not doing this.  It shows in their daily reading. 

Vocabulary this week: 

knows

warm

goes

brothers

sister

about

together

ears

eyes

legs

body

nose

Spelling words this week will be short o vowels ( practice test Thursday - if your child gets all the words plus the challenge words correct, they will not have to take the final test on Friday ) 

They are :

not

pot

hot

cot

dot 

on

box

pop

top

stop

Friday is our turn to bring in a St. Vincent lunch to be distributed to the homeless.  Please have your child help with this; it's a great opportunity to discuss the many things we are thankful for :). We will decorate a bag on Thursday to take home that night to fill with a great lunch.  Please send it in with your child when they come in the morning. Thank you :)

October 14-October 18

We have made it through the first quarter ! My students know the rules and procedures of my classroom.  They understand the planners and that it must be signed 5 days a week.  Homework is getting done and being returned the next day when it is assigned.  I have already seen growth in many of them.  I am so proud of my students !!!

Report cards go home this Friday.  They must be signed and returned by Monday so we can discuss them at conferences.  Thank you.

Just a reminder:  we do not have show and tell.  Please do not let your child bring in things to show the class unless I have specifically assigned it.  I will have them write it in their planner if I'd like something brought in.  Thank you. 

Next week is the Pumpkin Patch field trip. Wednesday , October 23 please send in your child's booster seat.  We will leave first thing in the morning.  Your child will not be able to go if a booster seat isn't brought in. It's the law!  Please mark their seat with their name please.  If you are driving, you Must have all the registration, insurance, and drivers license information into the office BY THIS WEDNESDAY!  If your info is not in and up -to -date for this new school year , you will not be able to drive for this trip.  It is very difficult to change car groups at the last minute because of this.  We appreciate your support in this matter. Thank you.  There will be more info on next week's blog.

Vocabulary this week:

then

never

many

always

soup

lunch

whose

was

baby

father

everything

Spelling this week :

big

and

did

map

the

fin

ran

jig

had

it

Just a note........ I so appreciate all the help and support I have received this year.  I have taught for 15 years, but teaching first grade is a whole new world!  I love my students, and always have their best interest at heart :-) Thanks again for your patience!!!

Wrong dates!

I posted this week that next week is conference week, 12:30 dismissal, and the book fair.  These events are not until the following week of October 23- to October 27th.  I am very sorry for the mistake!  Thanks for your understanding :)

October 7- October 10

This is a short week.  We are off because the teachers attend a religious conference in Visalia on 

Friday .  Due to the short week , we will not have a practice spelling test on Thursday.  We will just have a final test Thursday.  

Next week is conference week. It is also the book fair! It will be 12:30 dismissal all week.

Spelling words this week still follow the short i sound:

big

wig

hit

pig

dig

sit

fig

jig

swim

him

Vocabulary this week:

some

May

more

mother

tell

when

again

long

he

she

surprise

was

grow

Math. We are still doing addition math facts tests up to the sum of ten. Start practicing subtraction facts subtracting from 10 and lower.

9/30 - 10/4 2013

Vocabulary this week:

your

where

make

fly

needs

be

tail

work

kite

day

by

that

down

Please practice vocabulary every night.  You should be practicing all vocabulary words so far this year.  The more words they know will help improve their overall reading.  I know many of you have busy lives, but learning to read is the foundation for all learning.  Put them on cards, and then take them with you in the car.  This makes good use of time spent on the go.  Just a tip!

Spelling this week:

A note about spelling tests-  for now all students will continue taking both the practice and final spellings every week , even if they get 100% on the practice test.  This is good practice!  

**** This Friday, October 4, 2013 is Mass and Blessing of the Animals.  Please be sure your child is in full uniform.  Shorts are not allowed.  Also Friday is a minimum day 12:30 dismissal .  

Behavior in the classroom:

Many students have really figured out what they need to be doing.  I have many, though, that continue to talk, and distract the people around them.  This not only affects the learning of others, but they are affecting their learning as well.  Please discuss with them these few points:

They should not be talking when the teacher is talking-ever.  When we are transitioning to a new task, they need to be quiet so they can hear the directions- this has been the biggest problem in this class.  Also lining up or standing in line, they should not be talking either.  When I continue to have to remind them , it takes away from teaching time.  Please talk to your child about these points please.  Thanks for your support !

September 23-September 27, 2013

We survived ITBS testing!  The 1st graders worked very hard last week.  Now we are off to the rest of 1st quarter !  I was very pleased with their progress report grades, and I am looking forward to seeing them continue to make great strides in their learning.  

Just a heads up:  we will be taking a field trip to the Bear Creek Pumpkin Patch on Wednesday, Septmber 23, 2013.  If you would like to drive and chaperone, you must have taken safe environment this year or last year , and have your fingerprints on file in our school office.  There will be more information to follow!

Vocabulary words for this week:

boy

girl

how

with

very

much

I'm

can't

I'll

it's

they

bet

lift

As you can see we will begin working on contractions. We will also be working on parts of a sentence.  

Spelling words this week:

bat

cat

cap

fan

rat

the

has

had

and

ran

Math: 

We will continue with basic addition facts this week.  Please continue to work on basic facts to the sum of 10.  Timed tests will continue this week.  Next week we will begin working on basic subtraction facts with differences from 12 down.  We will continue with addition timed tests for a while. 

Science

We have been working on living and nonliving things.  We will continue to work on parts of a plant and what plants need to survive.  

Social studies

We have been working on where we live - continent, country, state, city.  We have also been learning about maps, the compass rose, and the directions north, south, east, and west.

Religion

We have been learning about creation, and how God created us to be like him.  We are to praise God and to be thankful for his many gifts.  

ITBS Testing Week 2013

I hope everyone had a great weekend!  This is a very important week for OLM. It's testing week. This test helps to guide our curriculum and planning for the year. This test also gives us the opportunity to see each student's areas of strengths and weaknesses. Please have your child go to bed early each night and eat a good breakfast each morning.  We will be taking tests everyday.  Please do not make appointments or take a trip this week, thank you for your support. Also a healthy snack will be provided each day .  Thank you to the parents who have volunteered to help out :-)

Vocabulary for this week:

clean

all

of

why

up

would

this

but

take

because

find

circle

animal

turtle

Spelling:  students will be taking both the practice and final spelling tests week.  Sorry for the confusion. These are this week's words:

nap

tap

lap

map

cap

has

and

had 

There will be nightly work, either practicing vocab, studying for spelling, or maybe a math page.  Please continue to practice basic addition facts up to sum of ten. They are doing well with this.  I can tell my students are practicing!  Great work, students and parents :-)

This Friday 1st and 2nd grades bring a St. Vincent lunch for the homeless.  We will decorate a bag on Thursday and send it home that night for your child to fill with a lunch. Please have your child help to make the lunch. It is a very powerful experience for them to be a part of. Thanks for help!

Week 5: September 9- September 13

Vocabulary words:  a reminder about vocabulary words-  students should be reviewing vocab words from past weeks.  The reading program builds on the words from previous weeks.  Some students are struggling on the board work which also builds on the previous vocabulary words.  Please make sure to revisit previous vocabulary word lists.

Vocabulary words this week:

is

my

from

run

jump

walk

think

fun

play

home

friend

like

Spelling begins this week.  The spelling word list goes home Tuesday.  Students must be able to read and spell these words.  Along with these words on the test, I give two challenge words.  These words follow the same vowel sound, or spelling pattern of the words given that week.  These words are counted in the test score.  I give a practice test on Thursday.  If your child spells all the words correctly ,along with the challenge words ,  he/she does not have to take the test on Friday!  The challenge words for Friday's test are not the same words from Thursday's test.  

This week's spelling words:

at

cat

sat

mat

hat

rat

man

can

Math:  we have started taking basic math facts tests and they are going well.  You should be practicing these basic facts at home.  I can tell that some students have not been practicing at home.  Make this a routine- 10 minutes several times a week would really benefit your child.  We have started chapter 2 in our math books.  This chapter is on basic addition.  A parent page went home last week reviewing the vocabulary used in the math lessons.  Please review this page with your child.  That page can stay at home.

Phonics:  we have been working on short vowel a, and blends such as fl, bl, cl, st, cr, br, fr, etc.  Other sounds that we have been working on are th, ch, sh.  Reviewing these sounds would be helpful as well.

Progress reports:

Progress reports will be going home next week.  My students have been working very hard, and I have begun to see improvement and growth in many areas.  Please remember that these are "Progress" reports.  They show progress so far this year.

Centers:  

We will start centers this week.  Centers will every Wednesday.  We will be doing small group activities to reinforce the basic skills that we have been working on so far this year.  Thank you to Mrs. McParland, Mrs. Diaz, and Mrs. Zambelli for volunteering to help out.  If you would like to help on Wednesdays from 9-10am please let me know.  Thank you .

The first graders are really working hard.  Many have really fallen into the daily routine very well.  Some still need reminding of the basic rules and procedures of the classroom.  Please continue to encourage them daily on things such as using the restroom before school and on their breaks.  This is still an issue.  Also, remind them to raise their hand to talk and to leave their seat.  Thanks for support!

Thank you to Dr. McFadden for coming in on Wednesdays to read to the class.  The students are really enjoying this, as am I.  If you would like to help out in any way- doing a project or activity with class let me know.

This Friday is a spirit free dress.  Your child should be in navy blue and white. Thank you

Next week is ITBS testing. Please make sure your child gets a good nights sleep each night and has a healthy breakfast each morning.  We ask that if you need to make any appointments, please make sure to make them for after school or for the following week. We appreciate your support in this matter.  

Week 4 : 9/3- 9/6

Dear parents 

My students have begun to settle in to the first grade schedule.  They are beginning to follow proper rules and procedures very well.  I am pleased to see them get their planners signed nightly as well as getting homework completed and turned in when it is assigned.  Some students still need to be reminded not to leave their seats without raising their hand or that talking isn't allowed unless they are called upon.  This too takes time.  Please continue to remind them of these rules daily before school.  Also please discuss with them whether or not they are to order hot lunch and/or milk that day.  Thank you for your support in this matter.  Another thing they need to be reminded of is using the restroom when they have breaks. So many are asking to use the restroom during class. When they leave class they are missing important teaching time. I will let them use the restroom if it is an emergency, but they lose 5 minutes of their recess.  Please remind them to use the restroom during recess and lunch , and I will continue to do the same.  It might be helpful to discuss using the restroom in the auditorium before school.  Some students are asking to use the restroom right after prayer.  This delays our morning lessons .  Thank your for your help!  

$ brought to school:

When you send in money for various events, like game day , raffle tickets, free dress etc, please send it in a ziplock and label it with what it is for.  Thank you.  

Math facts :

We will begin taking timed math facts tests this week.  We will begin with basic addition with sums up to ten.  It will be helpful if you practice this at home with flash cards. I realize they don't necessarily enjoy it, but it is crucial that they learn the basic math facts early on.  We really see the benefits of this in the higher grades.  Math will be a struggle in the higher grades when they are learning more advanced concepts, and they still don't have the basics down.  

Friday, September 6, 2013

We will be having an all school mass.  Please remember that students need to be in full uniform- boys in their pants, and girls in their jumpers.  This is also a 12:30 dismissal day.  Please note this on your calendar .  Thank you. 

Supplies:

Some students do not have all their school supplies.  They need to have two folders- one is a home folder( for homework or important papers that need to be taken home and/ or returned etc) the other is a school folder where they keep unfinished work to be completed later.  They also need markers and watercolor paints to be used on art projects.  Some students haven't brought in extra pencils either.  These things are very important and need to be provided for your child. If you haven't sent in all the supplies please do so ASAP.  Thank you

********Class donations needed:  if you would like to provide items for the class , we are in need of pencils.  Thank you.********

Vocabulary for this week:

1 found

2 going

3 am

4 for

5 under

6 across

7 bad

8 good

9 so

10 draw

11 are

12 look

HELPERS in the classroom:

I would like to start centers next week. This is when we will do small group activities on a variety of areas to reinforce the basic skills in reading and/ or math.  We will doing centers every  Wednesday from 9-10.  You will need to have completed your safe environment and fingerprints.  The office keeps a list in the office.  If you would like to help, please send in a note with dates you can help. If you can help every week let me know that as well.  If we have a lot of volunteers, I will do a schedule.  I will send home a schedule so you know when you will be working.  This is a great way to get parent volunteer hours.  

I have really appreciated the the positive support I have received from many of the parents.  Changing grade levels is a challenge , and your understanding is greatly appreciated.  I truly have your child's best interests in mind.  With your support and understanding, this will be a positive year for your child! 

Week 8/26 to 8/30- week three

The year is off to a great start so far!  My students are beginning to follow a structured routine.  Many are not having to be reminded of the classroom rules or the playground rules.  However, some students need to be reminded to raise their hand before they leave their seat or to talk.  Please continue to remind them in the morning to follow these rules.  Also, please discuss with them whether or not they have a cold lunch or if they will be ordering a hot lunch each day.  This would be a great help so we can take less time on taking the count in the morning and have more time for our morning lessons.  I really would appreciate your support with this.  Thank you.

We will begin going to the library and to computer classes this week.  My students are so excited about this. Please remind them that they need to follow the same rules in the library and computer lab as they do in the classroom.  

I really appreciate that most of the parents are reading the planner and signing it .  Also, most students are doing the homework that has been written in the planner each day.  This will teach them responsibility.

Please remember to read the blog.  I post important information and reminders for the week's upcoming events.  I also try to post things that need to be discussed with your child.  This is a great way to prepare for the week ahead.  I really appreciate those of you who take the time to read it!

This week we will begin sending the weekly reading book home on Thursdays.  Please have them read the story.  A great way to build comprehension skills is to ask them questions about the story.  For example ask

* what is the story about?

* what happened in the beginning, middle , or at the end?

* who is the story about?

They should be able to read you the story.  The vocabulary words for the week's story go home the previous week, so they are given time to practice them before they are asked to read the story.  This helps them to read more fluently so they are able to concentrate on what the story is about rather than just what the words are.  It is important to review past and present vocabulary words because the stories build on the vocabulary from previous weeks.  Thank you for reviewing and practicing vocabulary daily with your child.  I see a big difference with the children who practice vocabulary and those who do not.  This is very important in building their reading vocabulary and reading fluency. 

Please talk to your child about doing their best work.  Some of the students are rushing to get their work done, and it shows in the quality of work turned in.  They are given plenty of time to complete their work, so remind them to take their time and do their best.  

We will continue to review the consonant sounds this week. Soon we will begin learning the short vowels sounds.  

We will continue working on numbers- writing the numbers and the number words.  Some students are writing their numbers backwards.  Practicing writing their numbers at home would be helpful.

Spelling lists will begin going home in two weeks. 

 We will begin basic addition timed tests next week.  Please practice basic facts up to the sums of ten.  

Vocabulary this week:

over

out

said

and

little

copy

far

away

come

here

new

in

want

bear

I apologize for the error last week regarding the vocabulary word sunken.  It was supposed to be sun.  I appreciated the heads up on this.  Thank you for letting me know and being understanding that people make mistakes.  

I look forward to another great week with your child!  

Week two! 8/19- 8/23

Week one of first grade has gone very well.  My students are beginning to learn a routine as am I.  A few reminders come to mind:  please remind your child to use the restroom and get a drink on their break times.  Many come in first thing in the morning having to use the restroom.  Please remind them before leaving the house to use the restroom or when they get to school use the restroom in the auditorium.  Also I have 5 rules that should be followed in the classroom:

1.  Follow directions quickly and quietly

2.  Raise your hand to talk

3.  Raise your hand to leave your seat

4.  Make smart choices-  thinking before they do things is something they will learn

5.  Make your dear teacher happy-  following rules will do this 

Please review these rules at home. 

Hot lunch service begins this week.  If your child is getting hot lunch be sure to buy lunch tickets and milk tickets if needed.  We will let you know when your child is in need of more cards. ( 1 lunch card is $10 and is good for 5 lunches, 1 milk card is $2.50 and is good for 5 milks). We do not offer milk at snack time so you are responsible for providing a drink( if they want one )  and a snack for morning recess.  A small snack is all that is needed for morning recess.  Some students are coming with lunch sized snacks.  This is taking them so long to eat that they don't get much of a recess by the time they are done.  

Important events happening this week:

Tuesday night 8/20 is a safe environment meeting at 6 pm in the auditorium.  If you did not take the class last year, you will need to go to the meeting ( now its every 3 years) if you want to attend and drive for any trip or to help in the classroom.  Many parents like to participate in this capacity so this is required before you can help out.  

Sunday 8/25 from 11-1 is Open House at school.  I hope you can stop by to see some of things we have been up to !

Vocabulary words this week: 

Rain

Sunken

White

It

Get

To 

Color

Do 

Have

*****remember these are not the spelling words. Students should just be able to read them.  We won't be doing spelling for a few weeks.

We will begin reading our first reader this week.  They will be bringing the book home Thursday night for homework.  Please have them read it to you.  

So far things are going well.  Students should continue practicing the kindergarten sight words as well as color and number words.  I can tell some of you have been doing this because they are really able to read what they are given at this point.  Please understand that knowing and practicing these sight words and the weekly vocabulary words is crucial for what they will be reading in class.  Thank you for your extra support in this matter.

Other things to note:  you should have begun practicing basic addition facts with your child. Please practice the basic facts up to the sum of ten.  We will begin taking timed tests in a couple of weeks.  I want them to be ready for the challenge, thank you for your support in this matter .  

Remember I am always available if you have any questions or concerns.  Please feel free to come by after school or you can make an appointment if you can't be there after school.  My door is always open.  

I am sure your child has been talking about our sock monkey friends.  These monkeys are travelers who will be going home with the students at some point.  It has been a really good motivational tool to remind them to work hard and to follow the rules in and out of the classroom.  Please remind them that when they work hard and follow the rules, they will get to take a monkey home.  ( I am keeping track so that each child will get the chance to take one home.  However, when they misbehave or have to sit out for behavior or for not doing / returning homework the monkey can not go home). Hopefully this will help them to remember the rules and become responsible learners at school and at home!  

Week one. 8/12/13

Welcome to the first grade!  I am so excited and blessed to have your child in my class.  This year will be one of great growth.  It is very important that we communicate and work together in the education of your child.  With this collaboration, your child will succeed in the first grade.  This year your child will work very hard each day.  It is very important that your child gets to bed early to get a good night's sleep.  Also, make sure he/ she eats a good breakfast.  This helps to keep your child focused and ready to learn.  Thank you for your support in this matter.  Just a reminder- please don't hesitate to come in or call if you have any questions, comments, or concerns when they arise.  This way we can make their transition from kindergarten to first grade a smooth one.  Thanks and see you soon!

Here are a few reminders for the start of the year:

-Please review the Big Five Rules

-Check my teacher blog on Sunday night to prepare you and your child for the week ahead.

-Check the planners each day and sign it- do any work it asks your child to do.

-Check the Home folder everyday for homework or handouts being sent home.

-Remember to pack a snack each day for your child to be eaten at the 10:00 recess.

Things to be done at home:

-Review kindergarten sight words

-Review weekly vocabulary sent home.  Make sure they know what it means and how to read them.  

    These are not the spelling words.  Those will be sent home on Tuesdays beginning in a few weeks.

-Start practicing basic addition facts up to the sum of 10 only. Timed tests will start in a few weeks.

- Please complete any homework or reading when it is sent home.

This week beginning on Monday , August 12, 2013:

-The first day is a 12:30 dismissal , there is no extended care on this day.

-We will be having mass the first day starting at 8:30, and Thursday, August 15, 2013 at 8:15.  Please

    Make sure your child is in full uniform-girls in their  jumpers and boys in their navy blue corduroy

    pants.

-There is no hot lunch service offered this first week.  Please make sure to pack your child a cold lunch for Tuesday thru Friday .  If your child will be eating hot lunches starting the second week of school, make sure to buy lunch tickets this week so they are ready for next Monday .  This will save a lot of time and confusion next week.  

-We will be reviewing many kindergarten concepts the first few weeks of school.  We will review sight words, color words, and number words.  We will also be reviewing the alphabet and letter sounds right away.    Please review theses things at home as well.

Here are this week's vocabulary words:

Go

Can

We

See

Will

Not

What

Saw

The

Went

You

Help

Did

Looking

Walking

As you can see they are review or ones they have learned already. They will need to know how to read each word.  They will be used in next week's story.  Please practice them each night.  Putting them on 3 X 5 cards is very helpful.  

On another note please make sure your child has all the supplies and planner ASAP.  We will need these things starting the first day.  Thank you for your support with this!  I look forward to seeing you and your child Monday ! 

God bless you,

Mrs. M 

                     We can't wait to see you in class !!!!!!!