Soon to be October :) 9/29 to 10/3

This week's spelling words :)

Short vowel i sound:  id "chunk"

win

hid

kid

did

is

slid

rid

lid

with

fin

I apologize for the mix up with the spelling words last week :/. I was out sick and my substitute (mrs. costa- also my mom) collected the list after the activity they did with list.  I was SO impressed how connected the parents are that they got the words and got them sent out to almost everyone - I love that there's a Facebook page that got them listed for parents!! AWESOME JOB PARENTS!!!! 

Vocabulary words this week:

your

where

make

fly

needs

be

tail

work

kite

day

by

that

down

*** I will begin vocabulary assessments. This assessment will include the first 6 weeks of vocabulary. As I suggested, if you kept reviewing all words along with the new ones each week- your child will do well.  If you haven't please review them.  If it looks like your child will need more review, I will write a note in their planner.  Thank you. 

MATH MASTERS!!!! 

I'm sure your child has mentioned that we are doing a math facts challenge in the classroom.  I have a chart, and when they pass each of the different levels of addition tests, they get a sticker on the chart. In order to move on, they must pass each level.  When we get through with the addition levels, and your child has passed each level, they will get a treat to be announced at a later date.  If your child is struggling, please work with them at home :). Flash cards are the best way to learn the facts. I really want each child to pass the challenge!  It may take extra work from you at home to help them learn them!! Remember we want your child to learn/ memorize the facts. With practice, this is possible.  You can have them start with the 1's then move to the 2's and so on.  Have them write the facts out 1+1=2 and so on.  All these strategies are very helpful in teaching them "how"to memorize- a skill they will need in subsequent grades to study for tests.  It's never too early to start learning this skill.  So far most of my students are doing very well!!!! Go first graders!!!!!

Here is a revised list for centers:

1st and 3rd Wednesdays:

Tina Roberts

Lori Gallo

Melissa Pareira

Mrs. Weber- Emma's grandma

Mrs. Buendia

2nd and 4th Wednesdays:

Lori Gallo

Tina Roberts

Janie Schuesler

Mrs. Buendia 

****** I am in need of another volunteer for the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays.  If you would like to volunteer in the classroom and earn hours, please, please let me know :). If you can't do both, and would like one of the days, please let me know!! Thank you so much !! Your support is always appreciated!! ******

A word about illnesses ....... Please, if you know your child is sick( coughing 

a lot, fever , etc) please keep them home. Children this age catch EVERYTHING, so if you can, please keep them home.  When you send them, and tell them " if you don't feel well, have the school call home" , it is all they think about.  They are very distracted and don't get their work done.  It's a lose/ lose situation.  We all need to be responsible in keeping all students well.  Thank you for being supportive. 

I was so proud to see so many of my students at 9:00 Mass on Sunday!! Go Lancers :)

Don't forget, this Friday is the BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS Mass.  Mass begins at 11:00 on the front lawn in front of preschool. If you are bringing a pet, you will keep the pet with you during the mass.  Your child will go to you after the mass, for the blessing.  Please remember to walk your child back TO THE CLASSROOM after the mass.  I will have already taken the rest of the class back.  We will need to account for everyone before I can dismiss the class.  Also, it is a 12:30 dismissal day.  Please be there at that time to pick up your child.  Thank you :). If you can, please let me know before Friday,  if you will be bringing your pet.  This helps with organizing them after mass. It's good to know who will be staying with a parent for the blessing, and who will be walking back with me.  Thank you again. 

September 22-September 26

Upcoming dates to remember:

This Friday 9-26 is spirit free dress- students need to be in navy blue and white- or OLM t-shirt that can be purchased in the office. 

Sunday, September 28 at 9 am- OLM School Mass at St. Patrick's Church.  Please join us for mass as a school family, students should wear their OLM School uniform- Let's show our parish that we are proud of our school :)!!!

October 3rd-  is our Blessing of the Animals Mass.  Mass begins at 11:00 AM on the lawn in front of preschool. If you bring your pet, there will be a section for parents and their pets.  Students will sit with the class, and then when it's time for the animals to get blessed, they can join you and their pet.  School will dismiss at 12:30 for minimum day.  Students must come back to the classroom after their pet is blessed to get their backpack and be dismissed for the day.  This way all students are accounted for.  It can be a little stressful because the students who don't have pets walk back to the classroom with me after mass, and your child is with you and their pet.  Please bring your child back to the classroom when you are done.  THANK YOU for your understanding in this matter!

CENTERS

We will begin centers this week. Thank you to these parent who have volunteered to help in the classroom on Wednesdays from 8:45 to 10:00 AM. During this time, students rotate through various language arts enrichment activities.  Here is the volunteer list:

1st and 3rd Wednesdays each month:
Mrs. Weber ( Emma's Grandma )

Lori Gallo

Amy Bunce

Melissa Pareira

2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month:

Janie Schuesler

Lori Gallo

Amy Bunce

Melissa Pariera 

*** all volunteers have been fingerprinted and have taken safe environment training***

Thank you so much for volunteering to help!!!

I SO APPRECIATED ALL THE HELP WITH SNACKS DURING TESTING WEEK!! My students and I ate well!!!!

Week of September 15th

It's ITBS testing week!!  
Please make sure your child gets plenty of sleep and eats a healthy breakfast this week.
Please do not schedule appointments until after lunch this week.
Please encourage you child to do their very BEST :)

Thank you to all the parents who volunteered to bring in a healthy snack each day this week.  We want to make sure they get a snack that will keep their bodies fueled up during the tests!

******** PLEASE BE SURE TO SIGN AND RETURN YOUR CHILD'S PROGRESS REPORT TOMORROW- MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15TH---- THANK YOU!!*********      


The only thing they will have to do as homework is practice their vocabulary, and new spelling words.  I want them to relax at home.  They need a break because testing can sometimes be stressful for some :)

Vocab this week:

clean
all
of'why
up
would
this
but
take
because
find
circle
animal
turtle

Spelling list this week:

nap
tap
lap
map
cap
has
and
had

Let's have a GREAT WEEK!!!
GOD BLESS :)
 

HAPPY SEPTEMBER!!

We have a busy, full week! 

We will start addition timed tests and spelling tests!  Usually the math facts timed tests are given 3 to 4 times a week at the beginning of the math period.  They are 25 problems, and I begin by giving them 5 min. to finish.  If they don't finish, it's ok....... I would rather see them complete some of the problems accurately then complete the test with many errors.  It is a work in progress, with practice at home and at school, their scores will improve.  This is a school-wide goal.  Learning these basic facts will help with their overall math success!

Spelling tests begin this week.  The words are given out on Tuesdays( but if you check the blog, you'll have the words Sunday nights :) ) Hint, Hint...... Check the Blog every week.  The list contains 8-10 words to learn.  I also give 2 challenge words on each test.  They will follow a concept that we have practiced in class.  For example, this weeks words are short vowel "a" words.  So challenge words may follow that. We have also been going over "th" and "ch" words, and they may be words with those patterns.  Just remember that practicing each night with your child is very helpful!

PARENT HELPERS NEEDED!!!!!!!!!  
******Remember you must have fingerprints completed and have attended safe environment training to work with the students!!!!!

Next week I would like to start centers.  Centers with go from 8:45 to 10:00 every Wednesday.  If you can help please let me know as soon as you can, so I can set up a schedule.  If you can help every week, or only on particular dates,  let me know that too.  This way I can give everyone a chance to come in.  Remember, this is a fun way to earn those parent hours, and it is a great way to see what we are learning in first grade.  Write me a note or send me an email as soon as you can, thanks in advance, for your support :)

PROGRESS REPORTS GO HOME THIS FRIDAY!    
They will go home on Friday, and MUST come back signed on the following Monday! 

Just a note:
They are a PROGRESS report.  They are grades that show progress thus far.  They can be improved for the report card.  If you have questions or concerns, please come talk to me.  My students are doing well so far this year!  I am very proud of the efforts so far !! :)


Heads UP!

We will very taking a trip to the Hunter's Pumpkin patch October 15th.  If you want to help drive and chaperone- you must have fingerprints done, and have completed the safe environment training here at school in order to attend and help us with the trip.  ALSO, IN ORDER TO DRIVE, YOU MUST HAVE ALL REQUIRED INSURANCE INFORMATION TURNED INTO THE OFFICE.  Please talk to Carnation to get the paperwork you with need to fill out and what you'll need to turn in to the office.  Thanks 

******Next safe environment training will be THIS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 IN THE SCHOOL AUDITORIUM AT 6:00 P.M.!!!  I'm not sure there will be another one before this trip, so if you haven't attended you need to attend !!! 

This week's vocabulary: Please continue to review past words as well as the new words!

is
my
from
run
jump
walk
think
fun
play
home
friend
like

This week's spelling words: Practice test Thursdays- Final test Friday

at
cat
sat
mat
hat
rat
man
can



I want to thank all the wonderful parents who continue to be a great support to me and to the students in my class.  It's this partnership that will make this year a true success!!!!!!  God Bless You!!!!

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

Week of August 25-29

It was so wonderful to see so many of you at Open House!! I enjoyed seeing each of you and your children. I was thrilled to see some of the sock monkeys too!! We are off to an EXCELLENT start to the year. My students are settling in to the high standards in my classroom :). They are working very hard, and have shown responsibility with doing their best in the classroom as well as completing the work that is assigned each night.  Thank you parents for doing your part as well.  It's our partnership that will help your child be a success this year!!

This week:

Wednesday, August 27- will be our picture day

Friday, August 29-

---Free Dress for $1 to be donated to the SPCA.

---First grade is responsible for bring in a St Vincent lunch for the homeless in our community.

---Summer birthday celebration. If you would like, please sign up if your child's birthday was in the summer. I will have a sign up sheet in front of the classroom Monday. 

Vocabulary this week:

1 over

2 out

3 said

4 and

5 little

6 copy

7 far

8 away

9 come 

10 here

11 new

12 in

13 want

14 bear

Please be sure to check and sign your child's planner everyday, including Fridays. 

Thank you and God Bless :)

Week 8/18

WECOME BACK TO THE SECOND WEEK OF FIRST GRADE!!!!!!!!!!

We are off to a successful start to the school year :). Everyone seems to be settling in to the class rules and procedures. Again please make sure to remind your child to bring home his/her planner and "Home" folder EACH night. This is important because usually there will be homework and / or important info that goes home each night.  Also you must check and sign the planner EVERY night including Fridays. If the planner isn't signed or homework isn't done or returned, your child will lose some of his/her recess.  Thank you for your support in this matter. 

So far most students have been following this procedure each day!! Yeah, GO FIRST GRADERS!!

7:50 am ----is when your child should be at school EACH day. This is very important because they need to get unpacked before the 8:00 bell. We also start filling out the planner in this time. This helps them get ready for the day.... Rushing to get ready creates unneeded stress on your child :). I would appreciate your help on this. Thank you. 

Unpacking---- please allow your child to unpack and get ready on there own. This builds needed independance that they need in the first grade. They learn listening skills , also a must, this year.  When you allow them to be responsible for tasks like this, you will see the independance and responsibility, at home :). 

Upcoming info :

Sunday, August, 24 11:00-1:00 is Open House 

Please come by and visit your child's classroom and buy a delicious Tri-tip/ rigatoni lunch!! Hope to see everyone there!

Vocabulary words this week: 

1 rain

2 sun

3 on

4 white

5 it

6 get

7 to

8 color

9 do

10 have

***** you should be practicing vocabulary words each night!

***** Also, please practice addition facts with your child. Math apps or flash cards are a great way to learn them. Our ultimate goal is that your child leard these basic facts without using their fingers. We will begin taking timed math facts tests in a couple of weeks. Start with the facts with sums up to ten - example 7+3=10, 6+4= 10 etc. 

Please feel free to come to me, if you have concerns or questions if/when they arise. I'm always open to listen and help you.  Remember we are a TEAM :)

God Bless!