September 12 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

September 12, 2014

Review of our week:

         We are almost finished with our alphabet review.  Each day we interview the leader and I am really seeing some improvement in our writing.  We have also been working on sentence structure.  In math we have been working on ways to make 10 and adding addends in any order.  We will be having a test on Monday.  We did the chapter review today, please review this with your child this weekend.  I have included a couple of pages of math homework, that will help them review for the test.

         I have seen a huge improvement in our listen and behavior this week.  Thanks for all of your help and support.

Homework:

         You and your child need to be reading for 20 minutes every night. We will start the Take Home Library on Monday.  These books are on your child’s reading level, they should be reading them to you.  They may seem easy and that is because they are or they should be.  They are one level lower than where I have them instructionally.   I would like your child to read the book 2 or 3 times.  After they have read the book have them tell you what happened in the book and ask them some questions about the book for comprehension.  I did the assessments over the last couple of weeks to find their reading level.  By the time we start in our guided reading groups, some of them will be ready to move up.  Please, be patient with their take home book level until we start guided reading groups.  If your child is on a higher reading level, they won’t move through the levels as fast.

         Remember their reading record is due back by the day listed.  Even if your child does not fill in every apple I really want them to turn in what they did.  They can only fill in one apple every day.  I try to explain to them the importance of being honest when they fill in their apples.  Please help them keep track of their reading record.  I would like you to help your child to find a place to keep their reading record, where it won’t get lost or ruined.

         If you have not picked a place that your child can their community report on, please do that this weekend.  I have several students who have gone somewhere and are working on their reports to share with the class.  I sent home a paper last week explain all about his.  I also sent home a paper with some questions, so help with the report.  I can’t wait to see where everybody goes!

Sight Words:

         I have gone through the sight word lists I have and placed your child on a list they need to work on.  They may only have 1 or 2 they need to work on.  When they have practiced and can read them with mastery, which is being able to read each word in a second (see it, say it) please sign the paper I have attached and return it.  I will have them pass the list off and get the new list.  We will also be working on phrases and stories.

Reading Volunteers: 

         I would like to start this in a week, I think I told some of you next week.  I am going to do something different this year and still need to finish putting it together.  I am so excited that I have some many of you who are able to come in and help.

T-Day-

         Tuesday is “T” Day, please have your child wear their favorite T-shirt to school this day. 

Reminders & FYI:

* Please make sure your child is here on time.  We cover a          lot of very important math concepts in our opening.  We are also doing bell work or finishing up from the day before.  I would really appreciate it if you had your child here on time.

     

* Remember to keep saving your Box Tops.   

* Remember Library books on Thursday. I have asked my     class to keep their backpacks in their backpacks, so they are here every week.  Thanks

* Don’t forget to link your Smith’s Card to our school.  Ask grandparents and neighbors to do it also.  The school really makes a lot of money with this. 

Leaders for next week:

September 15    -S- Casey Morley 

September 16    -T- Brynn Garfield

September 17    -U- Colt Ruston

September 18    -V- Claire Marchant

September 19    -W- Davin Hamlin     

Family Fun Day:

         I attached a copy of the paper on Family Fun Day to my email last week.  Usually they will be on Fridays, but if that does not work let me know and we can set up another day. I have dates listed in the upcoming events.  If there is one of those dates you would like, let me know.  If you have any questions please let me know.

Upcoming Events:

·      Monday, September 15 – Vision & Dental Screenings

·      Friday, September 19 – Family Fun Day

·      Tuesday, September 23 – Celebrate Taige’s Birthday

·      Friday, September 26 – Family Fun Day

·      September 29-October 3 – SEP Week (School gets out at 2:30 everyday.)

·      Friday, October 10 – Family Fun Day

·      Wednesday, October 15 – End of 1^st Quarter

·      October 16-17 – No School (Fall Recess)

·      Monday, October 20 – No School (Harvest Recess)

·      October 21-22 – No School (Professional Development for Teachers.)

·      Thursday, October 23 – Celebrate Adele’s Birthday

·      Friday, October 24 – Celebrate Casey’s Birthday

·      Friday, October 24 – Family Fun Day