January 12-16, 2009

It was nice getting back to school and in a routine. I loved the excitement of the children, seeing their friends again and sharing stories of their Christmas holiday.We had many friends come back with a few less teeth, I guess the tooth fairy must have been pretty busy this holiday season! However, it didn't take long to settle back into our routine.

Your child brought home their first spelling test attached with a note explaining how first grade spelling test will be. We have been practicing this routine since the very beginning of the year and now we are taking it a spelling grade.
Morning work is now on regular notebook paper-the class is doing a great job adjusting to the smaller lines. The format is a little different but we are covering the skills just the same.

And the big one, Conduct! I'm assuming that the note was pretty clear as to how the second semester system works. It also serves as a good transition to signing the "Conduct Log" in second grade. If you have any questions about the second semester conduct system, please don't hesitate to contact me! I will be glad to clarify for you.

One routine we didn't get back to was going to the library :(.
Mrs. Willingham had system wide training on a new computer program for book check out. Then she had to activate it in our library and train Mrs. Mahoney. It took longer than she anticipated. Then the library was used for picture day Thursday. All of this to say that the library wasn't open for check out the entire week. The children did the best they could with books from home and books from our class library. I didn't even bother printing an AR report since the library was closed. HOPEFULLY, we be able to go next week!!!! The children sure are ready to get new books.

READING
The focus sound for next week will be /-y/ at the end as in fly and sky. We will incorporate stories that teach a lesson such as, Chicken Little, Henny Penny, and The Little Red Hen, during the next two weeks.

LANGUAGE (GRAMMAR RULES)
Remember you will find the Grammar Rules in your child's take home folder. I will introduce Rule 16 on Monday

MATH
Continue chapter 13-strategies for adding and adding three numbers. We are working on memorizing the 4's addition facts. I'll send home the chapter review one day next week for chapter 13 math test.


UPCOMING DATES TO REMEMBER:

One day this - week-STAR TESTING
January 13th - PTA meeting
January 15th - Report cards
January 19th - Holiday MLK Birthday
January 21st - 100th day of school
January 22nd and 23rd - Muffins for Moms

This week I'll send home Scholastic Book order forms. Remember, you can place your order online and pay with a credit card. I have provided a link to Scholastic on this blog.

Look for the latest DIBELS report and hopefully the STAR test results Thursday with report cards. Sign and return the DIBELS report and one copy of the report card-keep the other. The STAR test is part of the AR program-it will give your child their reading range which will help them to check out books at their level of reading. I'll make a new library card for them to use when going to the library.

Thanks to all who sent in new supplies.

Have a great week and contact me with any questions or concerns.

Mrs. Wright