August 31 - September 4, 2009

We have already been in first grade for three weeks! We are continuing to practice our rules, routines, and procedures. The children are doing a great job of learning the awesome responsibility of becoming a First Grader! It is EXTREMELY important that our rules, routines, and procedures become second nature to the children, this will help create a calm, predictable and organized environment where lots of learning and fun can take place.

SMALL GROUP READING AND WORK STATIONS
We began our small groups in reading today. The class did really well moving to different work stations. Two of the four work stations allow the children several choices so every child is expected to be "on task" during this time. I sent home a detailed letter explaining our rotations today.

READING HOMEWORK
The only reading homework your child will have this year is to read to/with or independently for a minimum of 20 minutes each night and to also read the Read Well Homework Stories that were given to you at open house. (in the blue notebook) These stories will be familiar text since we have read them in class, so reading and rereading these stories will help build fluency and accuracy.

ACCELERATED READER
Some children began taking AR tests last week. Please remember if your child is ready to take an AR test, send a sticky note on the book saying they are ready to test. Also, if you are new to AR and have questions I will be glad to answer them. Also don't forget to refer to the Parent's Guide To Accelerated Reader sent home on the first day of school.

MATH
We will test tomorrow on Chapter 3 and begin Chapter 4. Look for the Parent Involvement Letter to come home tomorrow giving you an overview of Chapter 4. I think that the chart for Math homework in their take home notebooks is going to be a little to much, so therefore I am taking it out. I am going to simply let you know the chapter we are studying by sending home the Parent Involovement Letter. At the top of every page in the yellow practice workbook is a number that corresponds with the daily lessons from the chapter. For example, 1.1 means Chapter 1 Lesson 1, 2.3 means Chapter 2 Lesson 3, etc. So, simply work on the chapter we are working on during the week. Tonight you may want to go back and review the pages from Chapter 3since our test is tomorrow. Beginning tomorrow you will want to do the pages from Chapter 4. If you are not clear on this do not hesitate to ask me any questions.

LANGUAGE
We have covered Grammar Rules 1,2,3,5, and 6. (Skipping 4 for now.) These rules can be located in your child's take home notebook. This week we are introducing Rule 6, the names of people and pets begin with capital letters.

A FEW NOTES AND REMINDERS.........

~ Math Test on Chapter 3 tomorrow
~ LIBRARY DAY tomorrow, Tuesday, September 1, 2009
~ PTA Meeting Tuesday, September 1, 2009 - 6:30 in the cafeteria
~ Word Wall Test - This will be on the first three weeks of words. Refer to the words located in your child's take home binder.
~ Friday, September 4th last day to order SCHOLASTIC books
~ Monday, September 7th LABOR DAY, NO SCHOOL:)!
~ If you haven't joined PTA, please do so!! We want our class to reach the 150% goal, only 8 more members and we are there! Remember that aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends are welcome to join!
~ There are still a few children who haven't paid for their First Grade T-Shirt, please send in the order form and money to me as soon as possible.

Thought for the day~
Even the smallest stars shine brightly!

Have a super week!