February 1 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

February 1, 2013

Review of our week:

         In math this week we have been working on adding 3 numbers and graphing.  We did a lot of fun activities for the 100^th day of school.  In writing we have really been working on sentence structure. We have done some really fun writing activities.

Homework:

         After your child reads their take home book to you, have them retell you the story and ask them some questions.  This will really help with their comprehension.  I can’t stress enough to you, how important it is that your child is reading every night. It’s just like anything else, you have to practice to get better. I am very happy with the progress we have been making this year in reading. Thank you for taking the time to read with your child. 

I have attached another math homework sheet and a comprehension sheet.  I really need you to sit down and do this with your child.  As I checked the Sam story this week for comprehension I only had 3 students get the punctuation marks all correct.  I really need you to be helping your child with this.  If you have any questions, please let me know.

Book Orders:

         I am sending out the February book orders, so if you want books for Valentines they will be back. If you would like to order books they are due back by Tuesday, February 5th.  I will be doing it that morning.  If you have any questions just let me know.  If you would like to order online the code is L9GWX.  I just wanted to remind you, if you order online, you receive a $5 coupon to use on your next book order.

Lions Kite Flight for Reading & Sight:

         The Lion’s Club sponsors this reading program every year.  All your child has to do is their reading homework and keep track of the minutes.  For First grade they need to read 60 minutes a week, which is less than what their homework requires.  They need to keep track of their minutes on the sheet I am sending home and then on April 27 go to Cedar Middle School and turn their reading record in.  Your child will receive a kit and a chance to win some other cool prizes.  The Lion’s Club actually donates money to our school for every child who participates.  This is a really easy fundraiser for our school.  I really encourage you to help your child do this.   

Valentine’s Day:

         We will be exchanging Valentines in our class.  If your child would like to bring Valentine cards please make sure there is enough for each child in the class.  I have attached a list of all the students in our class to the email.  If you would like to send your child’s Valentines early I will just keep them in my office.  If you have any questions please let me know.

FYI’s:

* Keep saving your Box Tops.       

* Thanks for everything you do. I really want to thank all of you who come in and read in the mornings and those of you who do things at home. Thanks again for everything. 

* Please let me know if your child would like to participate in the Spelling Bee.

* If you would like to do a Family Fun Day, please look at the dates that are available and let me know which one you would like. 

Upcoming Events:

·      Friday, February 8 – Family Fun Day

·      Thursday, February 14 – Valentine’s Party 1:30

·      Friday, February 15 – Family Fun Day

·      Monday, February 18 – No School (President’s Day)

·      Friday, February 22 – Family Fun Day

·      Monday, February 25 – Spelling Bee 2:00

·      Friday, March 1 – Celebrate Amanda’s Birthday

·      March 4-8 – SEP Week (School gets out at 2:30)

·      Friday, March 8 – Celebrate Tyler’s Birthday

·      Monday, March 11 – Spring Pictures

·      Friday, March 15 – Family Fun Day

·      Friday, March 15 – End of 3^rd Quarter

·      Monday, March 18 – Celebrate Rachel’s Birthday

·      Wednesday, March 20 – Kindergarten Registration

·      Friday, March 22 – Science Fair

·      Friday, March 22 – Family Fun Day

·      March 27-29 – No School (Spring Break)

·      Thursday, April 4 – Celebrate Dontay’s Birthday

·      Friday, April 5 – Family Fun Day

·      Friday, April 12 – Family Fun Day

·      Friday, April 19 – Celebrate Alex’s Birthday

·      Friday, April 19 – Family Fun Day

·      Monday, April 22 – Celebrate Jonas’ Birthday

·      Friday, April 26 – Family Fun Day

January 25 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

January 25, 2013

Review of our week:

         In math this week we have been working on adding 3 numbers and turn around facts.  We are working on some really fun snowman stories.  We have also been learning about maps. We had fun at the play.  It was so much fun to see Brooklyn in it.  We also had our store today for the end of the quarter.

100^th Day of School:

         Monday, January 28 is the 100^th day of school.  We will be doing some really fun things to celebrate.  I need every student to bring a collection of 100 things.  I would like you to sit down with your child and come up with something they can bring.  BE CREATIVE!!!  We will be counting them and using them or different activities, so make sure it is something your child can sort and count.

Homework:

         I will be sending a math and a comprehension worksheet home every week for homework.  This week I did a mapping page also.  The math page has 2 sides.  I have some students who are not doing their homework.  I would like you to make sure your child is doing them correct. On the comprehension sheet please read the note at the top to the parents explaining what concept your child should be working on.

Spelling Bee:

         If your child is interested in participating, please make sure they are practicing.

Upcoming Events:      

·      Friday, February 1 – Celebrate Rae’s Birthday

·      Friday, February 1 – Family Fun Day

·      Friday, February 8 – Family Fun Day

·      Thursday, February 14 – Valentine’s Party

·      Friday, February 15 – Family Fun Day

·      Monday, February 18 – No School (President’s Day)

·      Friday, February 22 – Family Fun Day

·      Monday, February 25 – Spelling Bee 2:00

·      Friday, March 1 – Celebrate Amanda’s Birthday

·      March 4-8 – SEP Week (School gets out at 2:30)

·      Friday, March 8 – Celebrate Tyler’s Birthday

·      Monday, March 11 – Spring Pictures

·      Friday, March 15 – Family Fun Day

·      Friday, March 15 – End of 3^rd Quarter

·      Monday, March 18 – Celebrate Rachel’s Birthday

·      Wednesday, March 20 – Kindergarten Registration

·      Friday, March 22 – Family Fun Day

·      Friday, March 22 – Science Fair

·      March 27-29 – No School (Spring Break)

        

          

        

January 18 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

January 18, 2013

Review of our week:

         This week I have spent some time assessing and doing some reviewing where we needed it. I wanted to assess a few more things, so I will send progress reports on Tuesday.  In math we worked on adding 3 numbers, 1 more and 1 less. We have been working on nouns, verbs and adjectives, so we can write a snowman story.  We will start a unit on maps next week.

We will also have our store next week.  I have some students who have earned more than $2 to spend.  I had some who had less than $.20.  When they turn their reading records, homework and take home books in, I keep track and give them money every week.  If your child didn’t earn very much this last quarter, please help them earn more for next quarter.  I think this is a very good life lesson.  When you work hard and do your work, you will receive rewards for it.

Homework:

         The most important homework your child should be doing everyday is reading for 20 minutes every night.  We are getting close to the end of the month, so please make sure your child is doing their reading and filling in their mittens.  I am sending home some worksheets; they are due back by Friday.  

         After your child has finished reading their book, I would like you to have them tell you what happened in the book and also ask them some questions to clarify.  Most of them are getting to the point where they can decode very well, now we need to start working on comprehension.  I am sending home another comprehension worksheet with a story and a few questions.  Please sit down with your child and help them with this.  You need to sign it and return it by Friday.

Progress Reports:

         I am sending home progress reports. I hope that you all have a chance to look over them.  Please look at how many days your child has missed or has been late this quarter.  They are missing a lot of things when they are gone or late.  Also, there might be things I didn’t have a chance to assess with your child because they were gone.  If you check out our blog you can see which students had 100% attendance this last quarter. On time we have only worked on telling time to the hour at this point.  I have some students who still need to work on counting.  If you have any questions please let me know.  I need you to look over your child’s progress report, sign the bottom and return it on Monday. 

DIBELS:

         We just did our mid-year Dibels assessment.  I am including your child’s scores with their progress report.  I wanted to explain a few things.  The nonsense word fluency is the same as what I explained during SEP’s in October.  The benchmark has just gone up.  This time they did oral reading fluency.  Each child had 3 different stories to read for 1 minute each.  They counted how many words they read correctly which is the first score.  Then there is an accuracy percentage.  So, if your child read 23 words and had an accuracy percentage of 92% your child was able to read 23 words a minute and there were just a couple they either got wrong or skipped.  If the percentage is lower, your child has more words they were not able to read or they are skipping.  I know this is kind of confusing, please let me know if you have any questions about your child’s scores.  We have made a lot of progress from the beginning of the year.

100^th Day of School:

         Monday, January 28^th is the 100^th day of school.  We will be doing some really fun things to celebrate.  I need every student to bring a collection of 100 things.  They can find them now and keep them in their backpacks, so they don’t forget for that Monday. I would like you to sit down with your child and come up with something they can bring.  BE CREATIVE!!!  We will be counting them and using them or different activities, so make sure it is something your child can sort and count.  We are going to have a 100^th day snack.  Other years we have had a snack of 100 things.  I saw a fun thing where they took doughnuts at a pretzel stick to make the number 100.  I decided to do that this year.  If would be willing to send a box or a small package of the small doughnuts, I would appreciate it. Each child would need 2, so we would need around 50 doughnuts. We also need a package of stick pretzels.  Will you please let me know if you would be willing to send some, so I will know how many extras I will need to buy?  Thank you.

FYI’s:

* Keep saving your Box Tops. 

* Thanks for everything you have done. I really want to                      thank all of you who come in and read in the mornings.  I no longer have a parent reading on Mondays.  If you would be interested in coming in and reading with the class, just let me know.  If another day works better, let me know.

* Tristan moved last week. He still lives in Cedar, but not in our boundaries.  His mom gave me their phone numbers if any of your child would like it to keep in touch with Tristan, please let me know.  He was really sad about leaving his friends in our class.       

* If your child has not turned in their permission slip or their $1, please send it on Tuesday.  Thanks

Upcoming Events:

·      Monday, January 21 – No School (MLK)

* Thursday, January 24 – Field Trip (Annie Play)

·      Friday, January 25 – Celebrate Katie’s ½ Birthday

·      Friday, January 25 – Family Fun Day (Pratt Family) 

·      Friday, February 1 – Celebrate Rae’s Birthday

·      Friday, February 1 – Family Fun Day

·      Friday, February 8 – Family Fun Day

·      Thursday, February 14 – Valentine’s Party

·      Friday, February 15 – Family Fun Day

·      Monday, February 18 – No School (President’s Day)

·      Friday, February 22 – Family Fun Day

·      Monday, February 25 – Spelling Bee 2:00

·      Friday, March 1 – Celebrate Amanda’s Birthday

·      March 4-8 – SEP Week (School gets out at 2:30)

·      Friday, March 8 – Celebrate Tyler’s Birthday

·      Monday, March 11 – Spring Pictures

·      Friday, March 15 – Family Fun Day

·      Friday, March 15 – End of 3^rd Quarter

·      Monday, March 18 – Celebrate Rachel’s Birthday

·      Wednesday, March 20 – Kindergarten Registration

·      Friday, March 22 – Family Fun Day

·      Friday, March 22 – Science Fair

·      March 27-29 – No School (Spring Break)

        

January 11 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

January 11, 2012

Review of our week:

         We have been reviewing and getting back into our routine.  In math we have been reviewing addition, subtraction and time.  I will send copy of subtraction flash cards home next week. Please work with your child on these math facts. Your child needs to know their math facts up to 20.

         In reading I have been doing a lot of assessing, trying to get every child on their appropriate reading level.  It is so important your child is reading for 20 minutes EVERY night.

Homework:

         I am sending home a math worksheet as well as a comprehension worksheet.  The story in the comprehension worksheet should be easy for your child to read, I really want you to work with them the comprehension strategy it teaches.         

         I know it was hard to do the reading homework in the month of December, thank you for those of you who took the time to read with your child.  There are still some who never turned in their reading records.  I would like those returned with your signature every week even if they are not all filled in.  I really need to know how much your child is reading.

         I am also sending home a paper with a packet of hot chocolate.  I would like you to help your child make it, let  them drink it and then they need to fill out the paper with it.  They need to use their 5 senses and come up with 3 adjectives to describe the hot chocolate for each of the senses.  So, they will need to come up with 3 adjectives that describes how it looks and so on.  I have told them how to do this.

Book Orders:

         I am sending home the January Book Orders.  If you would like to order books, please return your order by Thursday, January 17.  You can also order online.  The code for our class is L9GWX.

Field Trip:

         We are going on a Field Trip on Thursday, January 24.  We are going to watch the play Annie.  I am sending home the permission slip.  If you can, I need every child to bring $1 to pay for their ticket.  Please make sure they are here on time that day and that they have a good coat and walking shoes.

Parents:

         From now on, when you come to the school for anything you will need to check in at the office and get a pass.  If you don’t have your pass, I am suppose to ask you to go back to the office and check in.  So, please do it on your way in.  You don’t have to if you are just dropping your child off.

F.Y.I’s:

* Remember to save your Box Tops and send them with your child.

* Next Friday in P.E. they are having a toy day. They can bring a toy that fits in their backpack.

* Now that the holidays are over, if you are interested in doing a Family Fun Day, please let me know.  I have included the available dates for the next couple of months.

* The Spelling Bee is in February.  If your child is interested, they need to be practicing those words.

*The science fair will be coming up in March.  I will be sending home more information when it gets closer. 

* It is the end of the quarter today.  I will be sending home progress reports next week.  With the progress report I will be sending home a paper showing you what homework and reading records your child as turned in for this quarter and last quarter.

* The office has asked us to ask you to make arrangements with your child of how they are going to get home before they come to school.  I know sometimes things change and that’s ok, but if you know before hand, please let them know.

* I have several students who are coming late.  I really need you to make sure they are here on time.

* Remember, that if your child is not going to be at school, you need to call and excuse them.  If the office has not heard from you by 10:00, they will be calling. It would really help Mrs. Smith out if you could call and let her know.

Upcoming Events:

·      Monday, January 21 – No School (MLK)

* Thursday, January 24 – Field Trip (Annie Play)

·      Friday, January 25 – Celebrate Katie’s ½ Birthday

·      Friday, January 25 – Family Fun Day (Pratt Family) 

·      Friday, February 1 – Celebrate Rae’s Birthday

·      Friday, February 1 – Family Fun Day

·      Friday, February 8 – Family Fun Day

·      Thursday, February 14 – Valentine’s Party

·      Friday, February 15 – Family Fun Day

·      Monday, February 18 – No School (President’s Day)

·      Friday, February 22 – Family Fun Day

·      Monday, February 25 – Spelling Bee 2:00

·      Friday, March 1 – Celebrate Amanda’s Birthday

·      March 4-8 – SEP Week (School gets out at 2:30)

·      Friday, March 8 – Celebrate Tyler’s Birthday

·      Monday, March 11 – Spring Pictures

·      Friday, March 15 – Family Fun Day

·      Friday, March 15 – End of 3^rd Quarter

·      Monday, March 18 – Celebrate Rachel’s Birthday

·      Wednesday, March 20 – Kindergarten Registration

·      Friday, March 22 – Family Fun Day

·      Friday, March 22 – Science Fair

·      March 27-29 – No School (Spring Break)