Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Jan. 21 newsletter


A peek at our week
This week, we are continuing to predict what will happen next in stories..  We also learned about the parts of a letter and wrote letters to classmates. We will be writing letters and mailing them.  We will also be writing an on demand writing piece.  In math, we are using our knowledge of addition to solve subtraction problems.  We have begun timed addition tests.  The students have 5 minutes to complete addition facts.  If they complete one set in the allotted time, they can go on to the next set.  I hope this is a fun, motivating way to learn addition facts.  Also, in second grade they will have weekly timed math fact tests and I hope the practice in first grade prepares them for this.  In science, we are studying matter.  We are learning about solids, liquids and gases.

Specials Schedule  **this schedule was made on Thursday Jan. 20 and assumes that there are not any snow days.
Jan. 24
computer

Jan. 25
Music,
library

Jan. 26
11:45 dismissal; no specials
Jan. 27
gym
Jan. 28
art

Upcoming Events
February 21 – Make up snow day (school will be in session)
January 24 – return report cards to school

Help Wanted
We are running low on the following classroom supplies.  If you can send something in, we would really appreciate it!  Thanks for all the extra supplies that have already been donated.  You are the best!

Pencils, glue sticks, Kleenex, white board markers





Spring Fling Information
Spring Fling is coming up in March.  Spring Fling is so much fun! There will be games, food, and fun for all.   More information about Spring Fling will be coming soon.  For now, we would like to start thinking about our classroom basket.  Each classroom will collect items to be auctioned off at the Spring Fling.  It is a great fundraiser for our PTO!  Our classroom theme is “Date Night.”  Many businesses will donate gift cards or items if you ask them.  Think about any connections you have to businesses that would be willing to donate.  Of course, you can send something in if you would like.  Here is a list of ideas for our basket, but do not feel limited by these suggestions. 
Babysitter money, restaurant gift cards, chocolate, recipe cards, cake mix, candle, blanket, dvd, gift card to blockbuster or other movie rental place, nail gift certificate, hair gift certificate, popcorn, popcorn box

Highlights
There is another Highlights order form in your child’s folder.  We get points toward free stuff if we have “no” marked and your signature.  In the fall, we received magnetic bookmarks for each child with our points.  If you could take a minute to sign and return, that would be helpful.  Of course, if you want to order that is great, too.

Cereal Boxes
We will be decorating empty cereal boxes to put our valentines in.  Please send in any empty cereal boxes you can.  Don’t worry if your family doesn’t eat cereal, we can usually collect enough to go around. 
Conversation Hearts
We will be doing lots of activities with conversation hearts around Valentine’s Day.  If you could send in a bag of hearts, that would be very helpful.



Friday, January 14, 2011

Jan. 14 newsletter


 
A peek at our week
What a snowy winter we have had!  This week at school, we worked on predicting what will come next in a story.  We also learned about the parts of a letter and wrote letters to classmates. We will be writing letters and mailing them next week.  In math, we are using our knowledge of addition to solve subtraction problems.  We have also begun a unit on matter.  We are learning about solids, liquids and gases.

Specials Schedule 
Jan. 17
No School
Jan. 18
gym
Jan. 19
art
Jan. 20
library
Jan. 21
Spanish

Upcoming Events
February 21 – Make up snow day (school will be in session)
January 24 – return report cards to school

Report Cards
Your child’s report card is coming home today.  Some teachers are sending home report cards on Monday, so don’t worry if another child does not have their report card.  Please look over the report card and let me know if you have any questions.  Please sign and return the envelope and also return the peach report card.  Please return all report cards to school by Monday, January 24.  If you need extra time to get to the bank, please write me a note.

SMART winners
Congratulations to our classroom SMART winners:  Kaylen and Gabe

Help Wanted
We are running low on the following classroom supplies.  If you can send something in, we would really appreciate it!

Pencils, glue sticks, Kleenex, white board makers

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

January 7 newsletter


A peek at our week
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.  It is nice to be settling into a routine at school.  This week, we have read stories about shadows.  We traced our shadows in the morning and at noon and the children were amazed at how they had changed.  We are also working on finding the main idea and details in the stories we are reading.  In writing, we are working on adding details to our writing.  In math, we are working on subtraction and using addition to help us solve subtraction problems. 

Specials Schedule 
Monday
Spanish
Tuesday
computer
Wednesday
Music, library
Thursday
gym
Friday
art

Upcoming Events
January 17 – No school
Febrary 21 – Make up snow day (school will be in session)

Christmas Party
Thanks for all your help making our Christmas party a success.  Thanks to all our parent volunteers who helped with the party and all those who sent in food. 

Homework
Don’t forget to send in two addressed, stamped envelopes to school by Wednesday so that we can practice writing letters.

Don’t forget to check www.wilmorefirstgrade.blogspot.com for class information when we have snow days.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

snow day update

I am planning on having our Christmas party on Wednesday at 9:50.  Don't forget to have your student wear their pajamas!

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

December 3 Newsletter


A peek at our week
In reading, we are working on predicting what will happen next in a story.  We have been learning that predicting means we think about the pictures, the title, what we have read so far and we already know.  We can change our predictions when we learn more about the story.  In word work (spelling), we have been learning about a_e words, such as cake.  The magic e makes the vowel say its names.  In writing, we have taken a break from our personal narratives to write an on demand writing piece.  We are writing a letter to Santa telling him one thing we want for Christmas and why it would be a good present.  Our letters will be published in the Jessamine Journal December 16!  I am keeping a copy of the letter for your child’s writing portfolio and sending a copy of the letter home.  In math, we are learning to identify the tens and ones place in a number.  For example, 54 is 5 tens and 4 ones.  This is an easy skill to practice in the car.  Ask your child what number 2 tens and 5 ones is.  Or, you can ask them to tell you about the number 67 is in tens and ones.

Specials Schedule 
Monday -- computer
Tuesday – music and gym and library
Wednesday – gym and music
Thursday -- Art
Friday  -- library


Upcoming Events
December 3 – Wilmore spirit Friday (wear your Wilmore shirt!)
December 8 – tentative Christmas party
December 17 – Team spirit day (wear you favorite team shirt, ie UK, WJHS, Asbury, etc)
December 20-January 2  -- No school

Christmas Party
Our Christmas party is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, December 15.   Parents are welcome to attend!

Board Game
We have filled up yet another SMART chart!  Way to go!  For this SMART chart, we have earned a board game day.  Please send in a board game on Tuesday, December 7.    We will use them during in addition to our regular indoor recess game.  Please send a game your child knows how to play.