February 27 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

February 27, 2015

Review of our week:

         We have had fun learning about George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and National Symbols.  In math we took our Chapter 7 test and started Chapter 8, Two-Digit Addition and Subtraction. It would really help your child with their math if you could help them learn their math facts.  I sent home addition and subtraction flashcards. We have had fun with Green Ribbon Week and learning how to keep our bodies and minds healthy and strong  

Book Orders:

      I am sending home the March book orders.  There are some really fun new books in there.  If you would like to order books they are due back by Friday, March 6. If your child has not turned their paper for their birthday book in, please help them do this. You can also order online. If you didn’t use your coupon last month and still have it, you can use it this month.  If you don’t order books this month, but still have your coupon, will you please send it and I will give it to somebody else? Thanks

FYI’s:

* I won’t be doing a newsletter next week.  Please, try and remember your SEP appointments.

* Please keep saving those Box Tops.

 * School gets out everyday next week at 2:30, even on Wednesday.

Upcoming Events:

* March 2-6 – SEP Week (School gets out at 2:30)

         * Friday, March 6 – Celebrate Abbey’s Birthday

         * Tuesday, March 10 – Spring Pictures

         * Friday, March 13 – End of 3^rd Quarter

         * Friday, March 13 – Family Fun Day

         * Monday, March 16 – Celebrate Anna C’s Birthday

         * Wednesday, March 18 Kindergarten Registration

         * Friday, March 20 – Celebrate Caleb’s Birthday

         * Friday, March 20 – Family Fun Day

         * Thursday, March 26 – Celebrate Logan’s Birthday

         * Friday, March 27 – Family Fun Day

         * April 1-3 – No School (Spring Break)

         * Thursday, April 9 – Celebrate Claire’s Birthday

         * Friday, April 10 – Family Fun Day (Wittwer Family)

         * Friday, April 17 – Family Fun Day

         * Monday, April 20 – Celebrate Collin’s Birthday

         * Tuesday, April 21 Celebrate Anna B’s Birthday

     

February 20 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

February 20, 2015

Review Of Our Week:

         This week in math we have been working on greater than, less than and equal to.  We have been learning some fun things for President’s Day. I am seeing some really great stories come from our writing center.  Please have your child read their stories to you.

Reading Records and Homework:

         Reading records are due next Friday.  Please encourage your child to fill in their reading record every night when they finish reading.  Also, please help them to find a safe place for it.  I have 2 or 3 each month tell me that they lost or it got thrown away.  After your child has read their take home book please have them retell you what the book was about and ask them some questions about it.  I have many higher readers who need be working on comprehension and fluency.

         Each week I have been sending home a comprehension story and a math sheet.  I have several who have not turned all or any of them in.  Please make sure you are helping your child with this homework. I would like you to check over it with them.

S.E.P’s

         SEP’s are coming up.  I have attached a paper with your scheduled time.  Please try to make your appointment, if you can’t let me know what day or time would work better.  

Family Fun Day:

If you are interested in doing one, please let me know.  We only have 13 weeks of school left.

FYI’s:

*School gets out at 2:30 SEP week, even on Wednesday.

* Remember to remind your child to keep filling in their Reading record for the Lion’s Club.  Remember it isn’t any extra reading, just what they are already doing.

* Green Ribbon week is next week.  I am sending home a paper form the PTA that explains what we are doing next week.

Upcoming Events:

* February 23-27 – Green Ribbon Week

         * Friday, February 27 – Family Fun Day

         * March 2-6 – SEP Week (School gets out at 2:30)

         * Friday, March 6 – Celebrate Abbey’s Birthday

         * Tuesday, March 10 – Spring Pictures

         * Friday, March 13 – End of 3^rd Quarter

         * Friday, March 13 – Family Fun Day

         * Monday, March 16 – Celebrate Anna C’s Birthday

         * Friday, March 20 – Celebrate Caleb’s Birthday

         * Friday, March 20 – Family Fun Day

         * Thursday, March 26 – Celebrate Logan’s Birthday

         * Friday, March 27 – Family Fun Day

         * April 1-3 – No School (Spring Break)

         * Thursday, April 9 – Celebrate Claire’s Birthday

         * Friday, April 10 – Family Fun Day (Wittwer Family)

         * Friday, April 17 – Family Fun Day

         * Monday, April 20 – Celebrate Collin’s Birthday

         * Tuesday, April 21 Celebrate Anna B’s Birthday

February 13 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

February 13, 2015

Review of our week:

         The weeks just seem to go faster and faster.  We had a very good week. In math we started our next chapter on greater than, less than and equal to. We wrote about “What a Friend is…”.  When your child is writing at home, please watch and make sure they are making the letters the correct way.  Most of the time, they are just not taking their time to make it look nice.

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:

         I know there are less days in the month of February, please make sure your child is reading everyday.  Reading records are due back at the end of the month.  Even if your child has not filled in every heart, please have them turn it in.  I would really like to see how much each child is reading at home.  I have several students who have not turned in some or any of their homework I have been sending home.  I also have many students who are not bringing their Take Home Book back.  The Take Home Library is a great resource, please take advantage of it. 

         I just wanted to remind you, that your child needs to be instructional on level J to be on grade level for the end of the year.  To be on track for that your child needs to be an instructional level G going onto H right now.

         We will not have new spelling words next week, because it is a short week.  We will use next week to review the words on our word wall. 

FYI’s:

* Keep saving those Box Tops, this is a great way to earn money for our school.

* Let me know if you are interested in doing a Family Fun Day.

        

Upcoming Events:

* Monday, February 16 – No School (President’s Day)

         * Friday, February 20 – South Spelling Bee (2:00)

      * February 23-27 – Green Ribbon Week

         * Friday, February 27 – Family Fun Day

         * March 2-6 – SEP Week (School gets out at 2:30)

         * Friday, March 6 – Celebrate Abbey’s Birthday

         * Tuesday, March 10 – Spring Pictures

         * Friday, March 13 – End of 3^rd Quarter

         * Friday, March 13 – Family Fun Day

         * Monday, March 16 – Celebrate Anna C’s Birthday

         * Friday, March 20 – Celebrate Caleb’s Birthday

         * Friday, March 20 – Family Fun Day

         * Thursday, March 26 – Celebrate Logan’s Birthday

         * Friday, March 27 – Family Fun Day

         * April 1-3 – No School (Spring Break)

         * Thursday, April 9 – Celebrate Claire’s Birthday

         * Friday, April 10 – Family Fun Day

         * Friday, April 17 – Family Fun Day

         * Monday, April 20 – Celebrate Collin’s Birthday

         * Tuesday, April 21 Celebrate Anna B’s Birthday

         * Friday, April 24 – Family Fun Day

     

     

February 6 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

February 6, 2015

Review of our week:

         In math we are finishing up our chapter on place value.  We will be taking the test on Monday, There is a review page in their homework, please take a few minutes and do this with your child.  In writing we have been working on nouns, verbs and adjectives.

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 this 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. 

         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:

       Due to the fact that the District Science Fair will no longer be held, the science fair at our school has changed.  Kindergarten-3^rd grade will not participate this year.  The 4^th and 5^th grade teachers will require a project.  The younger grades will be able to participate by viewing the older grades projects.       

Upcoming Events:

* Thursday, February 12 – Spelling Test for Spelling Bee

         * Friday, February 13 – Valentine’s Party

         * Monday, February 16 – No School (President’s Day)

         * Friday, February 20 – South Spelling Bee (2:00)

      * February 23-27 – Green Ribbon Week

         * Friday, February 27 – Family Fun Day

         * March 2-6 – SEP Week (School gets out at 2:30)

         * Friday, March 6 – Celebrate Abbey’s Birthday

         * Tuesday, March 10 – Spring Pictures

         * Friday, March 13 – End of 3^rd Quarter

         * Friday, March 13 – Family Fun Day

         * Monday, March 16 – Celebrate Anna C’s Birthday

         * Friday, March 20 – Celebrate Caleb’s Birthday

         * Friday, March 20 – Family Fun Day

         * Thursday, March 26 – Celebrate Logan’s Birthday

         * Friday, March 27 – Family Fun Day

         * April 1-3 – No School (Spring Break)

         * Thursday, April 9 – Celebrate Claire’s Birthday

      * Friday, April 10 – Family Fun Day

      * Friday, April 17 – Family Fun Day

      * Monday, April 20 – Celebrate Collin’s Birthday

      * Tuesday, April 21 Celebrate Anna B’s Birthday

      * Friday, April 24 – Family Fun Day

     

     

          

January 29 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

January 29, 2015

Review of our week:

         We did a lot of fun activities for the 100^th day of school.  I feel like we are playing catch up from when I was gone.  We are working on our place value chapter.  In writing we are still working up our snowman stories.

Homework:

         After your child reads their take home book to you, have them retell you the story and ask them some questions. 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. Thank you for taking the time to read with your child. 

I have attached a couple of math homework sheets and a comprehension sheet.  I really need you to sit down and do this with your child.

Book Orders:

         I am sending out the February book orders.  If you would like to order books, they are due by Thursday, February 5.  If your child has not turned in their paper for a birthday book from me, you can still do that.  If you have any questions just let me know.  I have attached a coupon.

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 70 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 25 go to Cedar Middle School and turn their reading record in.  Your child will receive a kite 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.

Fluency Passages:

         I have included a fluency passage for your child to read each night for 1 minute.  The record sheet will be due back by Friday, with the other homework..  I had some that did not meet the Dibels benchmark go for reading nonsense words.  If your child didn’t meet that goal I am sending home a nonsense word page as well.  Thanks for all of your support.  Learning to read fluently is really an important skill. 

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. 

* If your child is interested in doing the Spelling Bee, they need to be practicing.  I sent home the list of words in the fall.  You can also download them from the PTA website.  I will be giving the test on February 12.

* 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:

* Tuesday, February 3 – Celebrate Lana’s Birthday

         * Friday, February 6 – Celebrate Brooklynn’s ½ Birthday

         * Friday, February 6 – Family Fun Day

         * Thursday, February 12 – Spelling Test for Spelling Bee

         * Friday, February 13 – Valentine’s Party

         * Monday, February 16 – No School (President’s Day)

         * Friday, February 20 – South Spelling Bee (2:00)

      * February 23-27 – Green Ribbon Week

         * Friday, February 27 – Family Fun Day

         * March 2-6 – SEP Week (School gets out at 2:30)

         * Friday, March 6 – Celebrate Abbey’s Birthday

         * Tuesday, March 10 – Spring Pictures

         * Friday, March 13 – End of 3^rd Quarter

         * Friday, March 13 – Family Fun Day

         * Monday, March 16 – Celebrate Anna C’s Birthday

         * Friday, March 20 – Celebrate Caleb’s Birthday

         * Friday, March 20 – Family Fun Day

         * Thursday, March 26 – Celebrate Logan’s Birthday

      * Friday, March 27 – Family Fun Day

      * April 1-3 – No School (Spring Break)

     

January 22 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

January 22, 2015

Review of our week:

         In math this week we started our next chapter and have looking for counting patterns while counting by 1’s and 10’s. We are working on some really fun snowman stories.  We have also been learning about the different seasons.  It has kind of been a crazy week with my son being sick.  Thanks for being patient and understanding.

100^th Day of School:

         Wednesday is the 100^th day of school.  Instead of last week.  Sorry about that.

Homework:

         I will be sending a math, fluency and a comprehension worksheet home every week for homework. 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.

         I wanted to explain the fluency homework a little bit better.  We just did our Winter DIBEL assessment.  I put your child’s scores on their progress report.  Each child should have been able to read 23 WPM on a mid first grade level text.  At the end of the year it needs to 47 WPM.  I am including a note that explains exactly what you need to do.  I have noticed that a lot  of the class was able the entire passage on the first read.  I will be sending home higher passages.  I might be sending some that look different, but you do the same thing on them.  If you have any questions, please let me know.

Stuffed Animal:

         At this time in the year, some students get tired of doing Read To Self in Daily 5, so I have some stuffed animals that they can read with.  If your child would like to bring a stuffed animal to keep in class and share until the end of the year, that would be great.  Please do not send one that is special to them. I will send them home at the end of the year or your child can leave it, if they no longer want it.

Spelling Bee:

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

Upcoming Events:      

* Friday, January 30 – Family Fun Day

         * Tuesday, February 3 – Celebrate Lana’s Birthday

         * Friday, February 6 – Celebrate Brooklynn’s ½ Birthday

         * Friday, February 6 – Family Fun Day

         * Friday, February 13 – Valentine’s Party

         * Monday, February 16 – No School (President’s Day)

         * Friday, February 20 – Family Fun Day

         * Friday, February 27 – Family Fun Day

         * Friday, March 6 – Celebrate Abbey’s Birthday

      * Friday, March 6 – Family Fun Day

      * Tuesday, March 10 – Spring Pictures

      * Friday, March 13 – End of 3^rd Quarter

      * Friday, March 13 – Family Fun Day

      * Monday, March 16 – Celebrate Anna C’s Birthday

      * Friday, March 20 – Celebrate Caleb’s Birthday

      * Friday, March 20 – Family Fun Day

January 16 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

January 16, 2015

Review of our week:

         This week I have spent some time assessing and doing some reviewing where we needed it. In Math we started our next chapter.  I was very happy with the math test we took. We have been working on nouns, verbs and adjectives, so we can write a snowman story.

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.

         I am going to send some a paper each week with some different ideas for your child to practice their spelling words

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.

DIBELS:

         We just did our mid-year Dibels assessment.  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:

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 54 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.  The 100^th day is on Wednesday , January 21.

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.

Upcoming Events:

* Friday, January 19 – No School (MLK Day)

      * Tuesday, January 20 – Celebrate Rykker’s Birthday

      * Friday, January 23 – Family Fun Day

      * Friday, January 30 – Family Fun Day

      * Tuesday, February 3 – Celebrate Lana’s Birthday

      * Friday, February 6 – Celebrate Brooklynn’s ½ Birthday

      * Friday, February 6 – Family Fun Day

      * Friday, February 13 – Valentine’s Party

      * Monday, February 16 – No School (President’s Day)

      * Friday, February 20 – Family Fun Day

      * Friday, February 27 – Family Fun Day