September News #1

  We've been busy in our first grade classroom. Within this newsletter, I'd like to share with you some of the things that have been happening.

Butterfly Unit: We read some neat books. I introduced the four stages of the life cycle, and we reviewed and went  over them several times. We also created a life cycle booklet. You may recall seeing this in your child's book bag. Check to see if your child can name the four stages of the life cycle. On Labor Day, I found a "monarch caterpillar" on a milkweed in a ditch near our home. I was so excited for this will make the whole process more realistic to the kids. He was very tiny when I found him and now as he continues to munch on milkweed leaves he is getting bigger every day. Hopefully, he will survive the four stages and we will have a butterfly to release.

Math: We just completed chapter 1 on addition concepts. On Friday last week, we took the test over this chapter and I was very impressed with how well they did. The following "math" vocabulary has been reinforced throughout the chapter: addends, sum, addition, addition sentence, and adding to. Check to see if your child can tell you what the addends and the sum are in a given addition sentence. These two words were especially used daily with our lessons. When adding on independent work, they are starting to know some facts by recall, they are sometimes drawing a simple picture to solve, they may use unifix cubes and even their fingers. At calendar, we are focusing on "greater" and "less" and using numbers to determine if a given number is greater than or less than the other. We also work on counting sequences and explore different patterns while counting. For example: 2, 4, 6, 8, ___, ___, ___ and even 20, 40, 60, ___, ___, ___. Check to see if your child can fill in the blanks. We use the hundred chart to help us with challenging patterns. The concept of equality is also a part of our math routines. We have discussed the position of the =, and we have explored equations such as 12=12, 5+4=9, and 10=4+6. We are even working on solving story problems.

"Wow" I have been impressed with how well the 1st graders are doing with writing their letters on lined paper. It's been "great" to see such nice papers and I especially like how hard they are trying to do their very best. Good Job 1st Graders!!!

Making Words: These lessons will take place 3-4 times a week. After 4 lessons, a review lesson takes place and key words are chosen to be placed on our classroom word wall. These key words are also written in their word books. The word books are like a personal dictionary. I will encourage them to use the word books to practice reading words in isolation, as well as using it for help with spelling when writing. The kids have done a "great" job with returning their homework. This promotes responsibility. I also wanted to mention it's o.k. to help your child come up with words. The process of working together promotes success.

Literature/Writing: After reading "Mary Wore her Red Dress" we did a fun pocket chart retell activity. We also created a class book with each student contributing their own page. We will be creating a variety of books this year, and they will be placed in the reading center for the students to enjoy.

We've been working hard on following directions, being good listeners, and avoiding extra talking. These are three very important work habits and ones to be a successful student.

Good Behavior System: My goal is for each student to be responsible for their actions. All classroom rules, as well as rules for playground, lunchroom, restrooms, locker area, and hallways have been discussed. Listed are the basic rules we all need to remember: Be kind to everyone, follow directions, keep your hands and feet to yourself, and raise your hand if you have a question or response. I do give reminders if these rules are not followed. If several reminders are given they are to stay in for part of a recess and may even have to write a behavior note to be sent home and signed. I feel recess is very important, therefore, I usually don't take the entire recess away. If a behavior is consistent and taking recess away or writing a behavior note isn't helping, a phone call home will be made. Let's work together to promote responsibility. Each student has a sticker chart for making good choices. These will come home monthly.

Address and phone number: Once your child is able to say these to either a volunteer or to me they will earn a certificate and stickers. Many students have earned this already. If you haven't seen the certificate/stickers come home yet, help them practice saying it. Thanks!

Sunny D Labels: If our class collects 20 of these by November 19th we will receive a set of 20 books free. Therefore, send them if you have them!!!

I will be attending a workshop in Des Moines Monday-Wednesday with Mrs. Ruch and several other teachers from Fairview. Part of the workshop/training is on a new assessment called "FAST" which will replace Dibels. Mrs. Middendorf who retired from kindergarten last spring will be the sub in my room on those days.