February 7 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

February 7,2014

Review of our week:

         In math we started a new chapter.  In writing we have been working on nouns, verbs and adjectives.  February is dental health month, so our school nurse put together a program for us about keeping our teeth healthy.  The wonderful PTA bought toothbrushes for all of the kids.   

Homework:

         This is a short month, so you need to make sure your child is doing their reading every night.  I have also sent home some other homework and I have not received it back from everybody.  Please check your child’s folder and go over the papers your child is bringing home.

         I am very happy with the progress that is being made in reading.  I can tell that most of them have been reading on a regular basis.  I would really like you to have your child retell the story to you when they are finished reading their book.  This will really help with their comprehension.  Try to ask them some questions to further their understanding.  I have many students who are reading really well, but are having a hard time remembering the story.  We cut out comprehension cards last week.  They should be in your child’s take home bag. I have a few students who are only bringing back their take home book a couple of times a week.  They really need to do this everyday. 

         In Social Studies we are doing a unit on Finances.  We are talking about: goods, services, wants, needs, consumers and producers.  I would like you to help your child come up with a goods or a service they could sale and make a poster to advertise it.  I have included a paper for the poster.  On the poster they need to include what they are selling, how much it is and an illustration.  This obviously is not for real, so they can do anything they would like.  They can even make something up.  I hope they have fun with it.  When we decorate our Valentine Cans, I am going to give them fake money that they have to purchase their decorations with.  I think/hope they will have fun with this.

         On the reading fluency homework, if they can’t get the words in 3 seconds, you can tell them and count it as a mistake.  I hope you all understood what to do with that.  If you have any questions, please let me know.

        

Reading Levels:

         I just wanted to give you some information about reading levels.  If your child is reading on a higher level like (I) or higher, they won’t be moving through the levels as fast.  Once they get to these levels I want them working more on comprehension and fluency. If your child’s take home book is a level (J) or higher I will usually have them finish the level before moving them on the next level.  There are a lot of really good books on these levels for them to read.  If you would like to get your child other books from the library to read that would be great as well.  If you have any questions please let me know.

        

Valentine’s Day:

         If your child has their valentines ready before Friday, you can go ahead and send them. 

Family Fun Days:

         If you would like to do a Family Fun Day, I have put all the dates on the here through the end of April. If there is a date you would like, please let me know.

Science Fair:

         I am sending home the Science Fair Registration paper.  They are due back by Friday, February 14.  NO LATE REGISTRATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED.  The Science Fair will be March 21.

Field Trip:

         We are going on a field trip to the bus garage on Tuesday afternoon.  I am sending home a permission slip.  Please sign it and return on Monday.  Thanks

FYI’s:

* Thank you so much for all of the help and support you give.  It may not seem like a lot to you, but it really means a lot to me.  It makes my job easier and it makes it so I can spend more time with my family.

Upcoming Events:

·      Friday, February 14 – Valentine’s Party (1:00)

·      Friday, February 14 – Family Fun Day (Malie Family)

·      Monday, February 17 – No School (President’s Day)

·      Friday, February 21 – Family Fun Day (Thorley Family)

·      Friday, February 28 – Spelling Bee 2:00

·      March 3-7 – SEP Week (School gets out at 2:30.)

·      Monday March 3 – Celebrate Addy’s Birthday

·      Friday, March 7 – Celebrate Denym’s Birthday

·      Monday, March 10 – Spring Pictures

·      Friday, March 14 – Celebrate William’s Birthday

·      Friday, March 14 – Family Fun Day

·      Friday, March 14 – End of 3^rd Quarter

·      Monday, March 17 – Art’s Night @ 6:30

·      Wednesday, March 19 – Celebrate Izi’s Birthday

·      Thursday, March 20 – Celebrate Emma’s Birthday

·      Friday, March 21 – Family Fun Day

·      Wednesday, March 26 – Celebrate Ashlyn’s Birthday

·      Friday, March 28 – Family Fun Day

·      Wednesday, April 2 – Celebrate Matthew’s Birthday

·      Wednesday, April 2 – Kindergarten Registration

·      Friday, April 4 – Family Fun Day

·      Monday, April 7 – Celebrate Shelby’s Birthday

·      Friday, April 11 – Family Fun Day

·      April 16-18 – No School (Easter Break)

·      Friday, April 25 – Family Fun Day