December 5 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

December 5, 2014

Review of our week:

         We have been doing some fun Christmas things.  In math we took our Chapter 4 test and introduced Chapter 5.  We learned about common and proper nouns.    For writing we wrote letters to Santa and filled out an application to be an elf.  We also worked really hard and get another little party.  We have a new student in our class.  We are so happy to have Elea in our class now.

Homework:

         I know this time of year is very busy.  Remember to have your child keep reading.  Please encourage your child to fill out a tree right after they are finished reading, so you don’t have to try and remember at the end of the month how many days they read. Over the break please take the time to review the words we have had so far with your child.  Some are still having a hard time reading some of them. We will not have spelling words when we come back.  I want to take that week to really review our words.

         I am sending home a couple of math worksheet for homework.  They are due back by next Friday.

         We are doing a reading program with SUU.  If your child meets the reading goal in December and January, they can earn 2 tickets to either Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball or Gymnastics.  They will also get a free hotdog and drink.  This will be a really neat prize to earn.  Please, help your child to earn it.  I am sending home a paper about it.  It also talks about the Thunderkid’s Club.  You don’t need to worry about the goal, I will do that part.

FYI:

* I only have 2 moms coming in to help with the Gingerbread Houses.  If you would like to come, we could use the help.  Also, if you would like to donate something, please have it here by Thursday the 11^th. 

        

Upcoming Events:

* Thursday, December 11 – Celebrate Phoebe’s ½ B-Day

         * Friday, December 12 – Celebrate James’ ½ Birthday

         * Friday, December 12 – Make Gingerbread houses

         * Friday, December 19 – Christmas Party

         * December 22- January 4 – Christmas Break

         * Monday, January 5 – School Resumes

         * Friday, January 9 – End of 2^nd Quarter

         * Friday, January 9 – Family Fun Day

November 21 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

November 21, 2014

Review of our week:

         This week in Math we have been working on counting back and using addition to help us subtract.  We have also be learning about the day time and night time sky.  I am starting to do some benchmarking, where will be moving reading groups around.  I can really tell those students who are doing their reading every night.  If your child has lost their take home book, please take sometime and help them find it.  If you can’t find it, you can send $5 and they will get a new one.   

Homework:

         I know this time of year is very busy. Please encourage your child to fill out their reading record right after they are finished reading, so you don’t have to try and remember at the end of the month how many days they read.

         There are several students who are not bringing their take home books back every day.  This is a great resource and some are not taking advantage of it.  Please make sure your child reads their book every night and brings it back, so they can get a new one the next day. 

         I have included 2 math homework sheets.  Your child needs to ask 10 different people what their favorite Thanksgiving food is and make a table with the information.  I would really like them to do the Brainwork activity.  Please make sure your child reads over the Thanksgiving Break.  We will not have spelling words next week.  I am going to review all of the words we have done so far.  The spelling words I am sending home, are for the week after Thanksgiving.

Gingerbread Houses:

         We are going to be making gingerbread houses on Friday, December 12 at 2:00.  If you could donate a small bag of candy or a container of white frosting, I would really appreciate it.  The candy can be M&M’s, small candy canes, peppermints or anything else you think would look nice on a gingerbread house.  I also need 4-5 parents to come in and help with the gingerbread houses.  If you would like to help please let me know.  If you can donate something please have it here by Thursday, December 11, so I will know how much candy and frosting I will need to get.

        

Book Orders:

         I will be sending home the December Book Orders the Monday after Thanksgiving. There are some really fun books.  If you would like to order some for Christmas, please let me know and I will keep them for you.  The orders are due by Thursday, December 4.  You can also order online. If your child has a birthday or half birthday in December, or had one already I am sending the paper to get a book from me.

FYI’S

·      Now that it is getting cold, please make sure your child is wearing a coat to school.  We will be going out to recess unless it is snowing.  When there is snow on the ground, only the students who have snow boots on can be out in the snow, otherwise they have to stay where it has been plowed. 

·      If you would like to do a Family Fun Day, in the next couple of months just let me know.

Upcoming Events:

·      Friday, November 21 – Family Fun Day

*  November 26-28 – No School (Thanksgiving Break)

         * Wednesday, December 3 – Celebrate Gage’s ½ Birthday

         * Friday, December 5 – Family Fun Day

         * Thursday, December 11 – Celebrate Phoebe’s ½ B-Day

         * Friday, December 12 – Celebrate James’ ½ Birthday

         * Friday, December 12 – Make Gingerbread houses

         * Friday, December 19 – Christmas Party

         * December 22- January 4 – Christmas Break

         * Monday, January 5 – School Resumes

         * Friday, January 9 – End of 2^nd Quarter

         * Friday, January 9 – Family Fun Day

November 14 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

November 14, 2014

Review of our week:

         We have done a lot this week.  In math we took our Chapter 3 Test and started on Chapter 4. I sent home a copy of some addition flashcards, please take some time to help your child practice these. You can also purchase a set from Walmart for just a few dollars.  I will be sending home the subtraction ones in a week or two.  In writing we learned how to write notes, so if your child writes you a note please try and write back to them.  We also wrote about what we were thankful for.

         Thank you for those of you who sent information about your veterans.  We learned some really neat things.  If you have not sent the information in, you can still do it next week.

        

Homework:

         I can’t stress to you enough how important it is that your child is reading every night.  Your child should be reading the full 20 minutes by now.  They are doing it in class, so I know they can do it at home also.  I also have several students who are not practicing their sight words.  This really holds them back from advancing in their reading.

         I am sending home a fluency paper for homework. In January when we do Dibels, one of the assessments is reading fluency.  The benchmark goal is 23 words per minute.  I do talk to my class about how reading fluently is more than reading fast.

Box Tops:

         As you are doing your baking and cooking for the Holidays, make sure you are keeping your Box Tops.

Upcoming Events:

·      Friday, November 21 – Family Fun Day

*  November 26-28 – No School (Thanksgiving Break)

         * Wednesday, December 3 – Celebrate Gage’s ½ Birthday

      * Friday, December 5 – Family Fun Day

      * Thursday, December 11 – Celebrate Phoebe’s ½ B-Day

      * Friday, December 12 – Celebrate James’ ½ Birthday

      * Friday, December 12 – Make Gingerbread houses

      * Tuesday, December 16 – Celebrate Anna C’s ½ B-Day

      * Friday, December 19 – Christmas Party

      * December 22- January 4 – Christmas Break

      * Monday, January 5 – School Resumes

      * Friday, January 9 – End of 2^nd Quarter

      * Friday, January 9 – Family Fun Day

November 7 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

November 7, 2014

Review of our week:

In Math we have been learning to add doubles, doubles plus 1, adding 3 numbers and other strategies.  I have made a copy of flashcards.  I would really like you to take the time to practice these with your child.   I have only had a couple of students bring information about a Veteran.  If you still have some you have not sent, you can do it next week.  We also had Smokey Bear come for an assembly.

Papers in Your Child’s Folders:

*When we did our Alphabet Review at the beginning of the year, we learned sign language for the letters.  When we practice our spelling words, we sign them.  I am sending home a paper with the signs on.  Your child can use it to practice their spelling words.  They don’t have to do it, it is just an extra resource.

* I am also sending home a copy of some chant charts to help your child practice different chunks we have in words.  This will help with their spelling and reading.

F.Y.I’s:

*Please make sure your child is brining at least a jacket if not a coat everyday, as it starts to get cold.  You never know from 1 day to the next what it will be like when we go out.  We go out to recess 3 times a day.  They need something to keep them warm.

* Library is on Thursday for our class.  The last couple of weeks several in our class has not brought their books back.  The reason we go to library is to get new books to read at home.  Please make sure your child has their books back on Thursday.

* If your child is absent you need to call the office and excuse them.  If the school has not heard from you by 10:00, somebody will be calling you.  Please take the time to call or send an email.  If you send a note to me, please let the office know as well.  I don’t always get notes in time.

Upcoming Events:

·      Monday, November 10 – BTS Arts Night 6:00-7:00

·      Friday, November 14 – Family Fun Day

·      Friday, November 21 – Family Fun Day

*  November 26-28 – No School (Thanksgiving Break)

         * Wednesday, December 3 – Celebrate Gage’s ½ Birthday

      * Friday, December 5 – Family Fun Day

      * Thursday, December 11 – Celebrate Phoebe’s ½ B-Day

      * Friday, December 12 – Celebrate James’ ½ Birthday

      * Friday, December 12 – Make Gingerbread houses

      * Tuesday, December 16 – Celebrate Anna C’s ½ B-Day

      * Friday, December 19 – Christmas Party

      * December 22- January 4 – Christmas Break

      * Monday, January 5 – School Resumes

      * Friday, January 9 – End of 2^nd Quarter

      * Friday, January 9 – Family Fun Day

Happy Halloween