NURSING HOME READING

Friday, September 28 the First Graders will read at the Nursing Home. We will leave around 8:50 a.m. and arrive back to school by 10:00 a.m. Please remind your child to bring books to share. We'll take along our books from school, but books from home are always nice!

TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

Be sure and help your child at home check out these websites. One of our LIFT groups is working on CVC patterns.(consonant-vowel-consonant) The reading site reinforces using short vowel sounds. Another LIFT group is working on digraphs. (sh,ch,th,wh) In math the children are using pictures or hands on counters to solve addition problems. The math web games have great visual pictures to use in counting. Wishing you all a wonderful FALL kind of day!

READING
http://www.softschools.com/language_arts/phonics/missing_vowel.jsp
http://www.softschools.com/language_arts/phonics/games/ch_sh_wh_th_sounds.jsp

MATH
http://www.softschools.com/math/addition/learning_addition_for_kids/
http://www.ixl.com/math/kindergarten/addition-sentences-sums-up-to-10

LIFT

LIFT is short for.....Learning is Fun Together! Today the children will be starting new learning groups. LIFT is a time where students will work in small groups on reading skills in concentrated lessons. Groups are mixed with students from grades K-2. Students will remain with the same group until our next PLC Day on October 26. Each child has been evaluated and placed according to their needs. The students will be pre and post tested during their LIFT time to monitor their progress. There are 6 staff members working with groups during our LIFT time. Groups vary from Letter sounds, Consonant Vowel Consonant patterns, Silent E, Blends, Digraphs, and advanced skills such as R-Controlled Vowels and Consonant Clusters, Silent Consonants and Consonant Digraphs. I will be supervising a group that is working on consonant digraphs. At parent teacher conferences I will share more information on MTSS and the strategies we are using to improve our reading program.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

Last year when the Book Fair date was changed somehow our Open House date was deleted from the school calendar. The opportunity to discuss my Classroom Expectations did not happen. I thought I'd share what my expectations are to help you understand how things work in the Hive.

CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

RESPONSIBILITY

1. Return HOMEWORK on time!

2. Consequence - If a child has a Homework Violation this equals
A TOTAL OF ONE RED CARD.

WHAT IS HOMEWORK?
Homework involves – Watch Me Read slip, Word Package, Homework paper, Friday Fun Day Book. The student would only receive ONE RED CARD for any of these violations. NOT ONE for each violation. This violation is automatic. I expect these things to be returned every day!


BEHAVIOR

1. Follow rules that have been established.

2. Expectations - When asked to correct a behavior a YELLOW CARD - WARNING will be given. If the behavior is not corrected then a RED CARD is pulled. There are times when a behavior moves directly to RED. Mrs. Serier will determine when this is necessary. The children who do not receive any RED CARDS earn a STAR at the end of the day and a THUMBS UP on their thumb. When they collect 5 STARS they may trade the STARS in for a prize!

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES?
One Red Card = 5 min.
Two Red Cards = 10 min.
Three Red Cards = 15 min. and a phone call to parents
Four Red Cards = Visit with Mr. Wagner and a phone call to parents

HOMEWORK

Homework is our school to home connection. Parents are encouraged to work with your child as they complete their assignments at home. I would ask that you look the paper over. If you see any corrections help your child correct their mistakes. Homework is sent home 3 times a week. On Mondays the children practice the phonics skill we are focusing on. Wednesdays are Grammar days. You'll be amazed at the the children will learn this year! Fridays are Math days. Homework is worth 5 points. If the assignment is returned on time with no corrections the student earns 5 points! This should be an easy goal to meet! One point is docked for being late. One point is docked if there any any corrections. Zero points are given if the assignment is not returned. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

JAIDEN - STUDENT OF THE WEEK

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TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

We're on our way to the computer lab this week to practice new games. In reading the children will play a sight word Bingo game. Beware this site comes with sound...adjust the volume! The math website uses a ten frame to help reinforce addition. Happy Tech Thursday to all!
READING
http://www.abcya.com/dolch_sight_word_bingo.htm
MATH
http://illuminations.nctm.org/activitydetail.aspx?id=75
JUST FOR FUN
http://www.surfnetkids.com/games/pirates-cb.htm

TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY

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NATIONAL CONSTITUTION DAY

September 17 is National Constitution Day! 225 years ago our United States Constitution was signed by thirty-nine brave men on September 17, 1787 recognizing all who, are born in the U.S. or by naturalization, have become citizens. Constitution Day commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution. Here are a few websites that you may help your child learn more about this very important day in History!

http://www.constitutionday.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30OyU4O80i4

ASHLYNNE - STUDENT OF THE WEEK

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TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

Here it is again....already time for Technology Thursday! We will explore these websites for reading and math in the lab this week. The Bees and Honey game is pretty simple but it prompts control of using a mouse and tracking using their finger as the bees are counted. There are 3 different levels of this game. In the game of Number Track the children will review counting order. Quite simple but they enjoy dragging the numbers to their correct places. In the explore option the children may create their own number track! Starfall.com is one of my most favorite reading sites. The games are wonderful for sound blending! Have a wonderful Thursday!
MATH
http://www.tvokids.com/games/beesandhoney
http://www.crickweb.co.uk/ks2numeracy-properties-and-ordering.html#ntrack
READING
http://www.starfall.com/n/level-a/learn-to-read/load.htm?f

CHRYSANTHEMUM

Enjoy the story CHRYSANTHEMUM by Kevin Henkes. The children learned how unkind words can put wrinkles in hearts. Teasing and name calling can hurt feelings. Mrs. Twinkle helped the children see that Chrysantehemum's name was in every way just perfect! Thank you for sharing why your child's name is so special!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kxMlxbgYvLI

WATCH ME READ

The children are now bringing home a "Watch Me Read" book every day. Please take a few minutes to listen to your child read their book. Sign the reading slip and remind your child to return to school the next day. Their books are in very nice bags. I would like the children to take good care of the bags. The PTO purchased them for the First Graders last year at Christmas. They make for a nice way for books to travel home and back! HaPpY Reading!

EARLY RELEASE

A reminder that school will be dismissed on Friday, Sept. 14 at 1:00 p.m. Our staff will be attending inservice meetings. Please make arrangements for your child to be picked up at 1:00 p.m. Buses will run the routes as usual...just a bit earlier. Thank you!

HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY

On Sunday, September 9th we honor our grandparents! Grandparents are our heritage and are essential members of our families and communities. That is why this special day, National Grandparent's Day, is set aside every year. Take the opportunity to spend some time with your grandparent, give them a call and let them know how special they are! HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY!

BUCKET FILLERS

We're learning how to be "Bucket Fillers". Through kind acts, being nice, helping others, and when we smile...we fill buckets! Are you a Bucket Filler? Enjoy listening to one of our favorite class songs!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaddbqEQ1NE

TECHNOLOGY THURSDAY

Time for Technology Thursday! This week in the lab the first graders will work with Spelling City. I spoke about this website in an earlier post. It is a favorite for spelling practice. Today we previewed the games of Unscramble and Hang Mouse. The children have been working on their first list of spelling words. The final test is Friday. The Spelling City website offers a variety of word spelling games. Good Luck First Graders!
SPELLING:
http://www.spellingcity.com/

FAMILY TIMES

The children will be bringing home each week a message called "Family Times". On the front is a rhyme that we are using to reinforce letter sounds. In the middle is a game board with directions on how to play the game. On the back is 5 days of activities the children may complete at home. I hope that you will take time to be involved and help your child to complete some of the activities. They don't have to do all 5. Trying one or two each week will help your child move along the road of success. Send back any activities that your child completes. They may earn a sticker or treat for showing the extra effort. Have fun together playing the board game in the middle each week. This week the game is titled, "FAST DRAW". This game looks like a lot of fun! Enjoy your family time!

MATH INVESTIGATIONS

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Today we began Core Math starting with a unit called "Mathematical Thinking at Grade 1." The children moved from station to station investigating mathematical concepts. Here is a short picture story of the children exploring numbers using our math tools.

WORDS, WORDS, WORDS

Ready...Set...Go...we're ready for words!

The First Graders will be taking their first spelling word test this Friday! Words to study were sent home today. Think of fun ways for your child to review the words at home. Try using magnet letters to practice at home. If they have markers they may practice writing their words using markers. Spray some shaving cream on a cookie sheet and let them write the words in the shaving cream. Computer word programs are also a good way to practice words as they type each word 3x. The following website is an excellent online spelling game. You will need to type in the words to practice.
http://www.spellingcity.com/

Vocabulary words were introduced today for our stories this week. The children brought their words home in a yellow envelope. Please help them review (read words) tonight and sign the back of the packet. Remind your child to bring their yellow packet back tomorrow in the Homework folder. If your child knows the word you may place a star in the corner. When your child earns 5 stars they have mastered this word. At the end of each unit all words will be tested and a final grade given. It is very beneficial if your child keeps up each week with mastering the weekly words. To add a variety in practice as time progresses you may ask your child to place 5 words in ABC Order. They may also write sentences using their words. Send back any extra work your child does at home and I will recognize them in the classroom! Our class rules say....Rule #5 - Keep your dear teacher HaPpY!

LABOR DAY FUN

I hope the children had a nice 3 day break! We took our RV out to Farnum Creek and went camping, fishing and kayaking. It was relaxing to sit around the campfire at night. I'm looking forward to the children sharing about their weekend adventures.