Thursday, November 20, 2008

Field Trip Tomorrow!

We will be going to see Cinderella in the morning! The children may wear their First Grade T-Shirts with blue jeans. We are looking forward to a wonderful time together!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

November 12, 2008

Next week our whole group reading sound will be /sh/ as in sheep. The Read Well story for Unit 14 is about a sheep who shows acts of kindness. So our writing jobs will be related to sheep and we will be discussing ways to show kindness to others. We will also spend some time talking about Thanksgiving for the next two weeks.

I didn't send an AR prinout due to the fact that children weren't able to get books to read. Now that the Book Fair is over the library will be open again for book check out. Several children read books from our class library and tested on those.

Please continue to read, in addition to library books, the last 2 or 3 units of Read Well homework stories. Because this familiar text uses words that the children have learned in small groups in weeks past, smooth fluency should be expected, not stopping every other word or so to sound out. If this is happening make a note of those words to practice.

We are discussing place value in Math.

N E W S

November 16-22 is American Education Weeek. The following is a list of activities planned for that week. You may want to begin brainstorming ideas about what your child will do for Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

Monday-We'll do an author study and make a display outside our class.

Tuesday-Students may come to school dressed in the career of their choice.

Wednesday-In class we will write and illustrate, "What I Like Best About My School." We will display these in the class.

Thursday-A guest reader to come a read to the class.

Friday-Children can bring in their all time favorite book to share.

All Cinderella permission slips and money were due Monday. Our field trip will be Friday, November 21st. We will wear our First Grade t-shirts with khaki pants or skirts to the performance.

The Auburn Raptors are coming to talk to the first graders on Thursday. We are looking forward to seeing all the different raptors they are bringing to share with us.

Recently I became a consultant for Usborne books. These are wonderful books at great prices. I had a show for the teachers in my classroom and the children were able to look at all the books I had on display. I enjoyed watching them to see who picked what books. If you would like to purchase any books for your child or Christmas gifts, I have a catalog and would be glad to send you the information. Also, if you have some friends or would like to have a book show at your home let me know. It is a wonderful way to share these great books with others while at the same time earning free books for you own family. Since I am a new consultant anyone who has a show earns double free books! I decided to mention it to everyone because the children were all so excited! Feel free to call or e-mail me if you have any questions. As always, there is NO obligation at all!

Have a great week!

Monday, November 3, 2008

November 3-7, 2008

I can't believe it is already November! What a busy month October was!

This week our focus in whole group reading will be /r/ as in rabbit and /ea/ as in eagle. Some of our writing jobs will related to rabbits. I hope that you enjoyed seeing the writing jobs for the month of October. Don't forget to send those notebooks back tomorrow. Please contine to listen to your child read the Read Well homework stories each night, just the last 2 or 3 units. These should be read fluently and with expression.

We are still reviewing the rules of language by copying and correcting sentences from the overhead. I introduced Rule 11, a noun is a word that names a person, place, thing or place. We will continue to discuss nouns this week and ABC order.

In math we are learning about graphs and tables. We will be testing on this chapter at the end of the week. Look for the end of chapter review.

Just a few reminders:

The Book Fair will be here until November 7th. Only children with money can go to the library to buy books. Because of the Book Fair children aren't allowed to check out books. They are allowed to borrow any of my books and if you have books at home that you think may be AR you can look them up at arbookfind.com. AR testing may go slow this week.

Spirit of Giving PTA Meeting Thursday, November 6 at 6:00 p.m.

Progress Reports and Signed Papers will go home Thursday, November 6th.

School holiday November 11th.

Manners of the Heart Workshop for parents in the library on Wednesday, November 12 from 8:30 - 10:30. Anne Shoemaker will be the presenter, she is wonderful!! I hope you can attend.

Field Trip coming up!! On Friday, November 21 we will take a field trip to the Montgomery Performing Arts Centre to see Cinderella performed by the Alabama Dance Theatre. Watch for more information to come home this Wedensday.

Many children are in need of another journal, markers and/or glue sticks. Please check with your child and see if they need to replinish any supplies.