First week of September 2014

We have four new monkeys that have joined our first grade family :). I think they heard how much fun they will be able to have!! They love kids and can't wait to travel home with my students!!!!

Things to add to your calendar for the month:

If you'd like to work in the classroom or take field trips with the class, you must be fingerprinted and have attended the safe environment training. If you are new to the school, you will need to get your fingerprints done and attend the safe environment training- this training will be this Tuesday night 9-2-14, at 6 PM in the school's auditorium.  Remember you will not be able to work in the classroom or attend any trips with the class unless you complete both your fingerprints and safe environment training.  Our first trip will be to the pumpkin patch on October 15th!

ITBS TESTING will begin the week of September 15 and continue all week.  Please DO NOT schedule appts for your child unless it's during the afternoon that week.  This is one of the tools we use to identify your child's strengths and weaknesses. I find these scores helpful in planning curriculum in my classroom. I thank you for your support :). I encourage you to make sure your child gets plenty of rest and has a good breakfast each morning. I plan, with my room parents , to provide my students with a healthy snack each day of testing, as well as a treat for the end of the week!! Please talk to your child about doing the best job they can on these tests. Thanks again !

This week I will begin giving timed math tests. I will begin with the basic addition facts up to the sum of 10. The tests are 25 problems, and they will be given 5 minutes. They are not used for a grade. But to provide them practice to learn these basic facts quickly and accurately. This is essential in building a strong foundation in mathematics. All concepts are built on the foundation of the basic facts. 

Please continue to practice these basic facts. We will move to sums of 18, then move on to subtraction facts.  

Vocabulary this week:

found

going

am

for

under

across

bad

good

so

draw

are

look

I want to thank the parents who provided for our first birthday celebration for summer birthdays!  My students loved all the treats and goodie bags. Your sincere generosity was so appreciated ! :). Each of the birthday students felt special! Our September birthday celebration will be Friday, September 26, 2014. 

Just a note-

Each week a packet of graded work goes home.  Please go through these packets to see your child's progress on a variety of subjects. Go over the mistakes with your child to help them better understand the concepts being taught.  This is another great way to foster the importance of education. Also, please remember to come see me if you have any concerns.  I'm here to help you educate your child :). Open communication is crucial to the success of your child this year!  

Love,

Mrs. M