February 21 NEwsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

February 21, 2014

Review Of Our Week:

         This week in math we have been working fact families or related facts.  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.  We have had fun with Green Ribbon Week and learning how to keep our bodies and minds healthy and strong.

Reading Records and Homework:

         Reading records are due every 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 week 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 am also getting some homework with the wrong answers. 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.  

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, February 28.  If your child has a birthday in the next month or so, I will send home the paper for them to pick a book for their birthday.  If your child has not turned theirs in, please help them do this. You can also order online.

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.

Upcoming Events:

·      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

·      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

February 14 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

February 14, 2014

Review of our week:

         The weeks just seem to go faster and faster.  We had a very good week. In math we have been working on fact families. In writing we are still working on sentence structure.  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.

        

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 every Friday.  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

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

        

Upcoming Events:

·      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

100th Day Of School

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

Jauary 31 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

January 31, 2014

Review of our week:

         We did a lot of fun activities for the 100^th day of school.  I will try and put them on the blog.  I feel like we are playing catch up from when I was gone.  We are finishing up our nest chapter in math and will have a test on Monday.  I am sending home a few pages for homework.  It would be a good review for your child to do them this weekend.  In writing we are finishing 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.  Today we cut out some comprehension cards.  I would like your child to keep them in their take home bag and use them after they have read a story. 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 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, 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 4th.  I will be doing it that morning.  If you have any questions just let me know.  If still have the other coupon from last month, you can go ahead and use the other one this month.

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 26 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.

Fluency Passages:

         I finally got this put together.  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 have included instructions on the record sheet.  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 during the week of February 10-13.

* 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 7 – Family Fun Day

·      Friday, February 7 – Celebrate Josh’s Birthday

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

·      Friday, February 14 – Family Fun Day

·      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

·      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