Hope everyone enjoyed their extra day this weekend...it always goes by way too fast for me!

READING
The letter this week is "b" as in 'bat."
The word wall words are: black, by, little, does and first. Make sure your child can read all the word wall words up to this point within three seconds. We will be having a daily reading grade on these at the end of the week.
LANGUAGE
We will continue talking about rule 14, but last week students were introduced to rule 17 ~ Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. This was not planned, but it seemed to come up alot last week in some of our books and activities so I went ahead and introduced it. I love how kids are just as flexible as we teachers need them to be and always ready to learn something new, even when it wasn't planned. :)
MATH
We will finish up Ch. 12 this week and take our test. Look for the review sheet to come home the night before. Last Thursday the students were taken to preview the Math Store where they can spend their Blount Bucks they earn through passing levels on Math Facts In A Flash, making "A's" and "B's" on their tests and report cards, etc. I encourage the children to practice their Math Facts In A Flash at home and test each day. They are not limited to how many times they can take them each day so hopefully the Math Store will put a "pep in their step" to help them memorize their facts. We are getting a letter ready to send home with all the information you need to know about the Math Store!

OTHER REMINDERS

The Community Spirit project for the Kindergarten and First Graders this year is the Montgomery Humane Society. A representative from the Humane Society will be here tomorrow for a presentation to kick off our project. Students in all grades are welcomed to donate to this project. We will begin collecting Tuesday February 21 thru March 2. A list of needed items can be found on Blount PTA’s website (www.blountpta.org). Thanks so much for helping out with our Community Spirit project.

No Nancy Italian Ice this week due to President's Day!

Muffins For Mom ~ Tuesday, Feb. 21 from 7:15-8:00 (last names A-L)

Wednesday, Feb. 22 from 7:15-8:00 (last names M-Z)

Spirit Night @ Burger King ~ Tuesday, Feb. 21

Let's Pretend Hospital ~ Monday, Feb. 27 (permission slip on it's way)

Spirit Night @ Nancy's Italian Ice ~ Wednesday, Feb. 29

Read Across America Week ~ Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss!!!

Monday ~ We will complete a decoration for our class door.

Tuesday ~ DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) for thirty minutes.

Wednesday ~ We would love for a volunteer(s) to come and read a Dr. Seuss book at anytime during the week, not just on Wednesday. If you are interested just send me an e-mail or note.

Thursday ~ Silly Hat Day ~ Students may wear a silly hat in honor of Dr. Seuss

Friday ~ Character Parade @ 9:30. Parents are welcome to join us in the cafeteria as we walk across the stage "strutting our stuff." Your child will need a sign with the character name and book!

Have a super short rest of the week! As always, e-mail me with any questions!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Remember, our Valentine's Party is Tuesday from 1:30-2:15. Thanks to everyone who has sent in items to make our Ice Cream Sundaes a hit! Items can still be brought in Tuesday morning. Please do not forget to send your Valentine's with your child and remember, we have a new friend, Emmanuel. Hope you can make it to our fun afternoon. Check out procedures will be the same as it was for our Christmas party.

READING

Our letter this week will be "o" as in "otter." We will read nonfiction books and learn lots of fun facts about otters. Word wall words are not, on, well, they, and before. We are moving right along in our reading groups, I am so very impressed with how well everyone is reading!

LANGUAGE

Last week students were introduced to Rule 14 ~ Some words tell what is happening or already happened. (Verbs) We will of course continue to review ALL previous rules.

MATH

We have had many interruptions that have not allowed us to consistency start and finish a math chapter, so we will get right back on track this week. We will begin Ch. 12, Number Patterns. Students will learn how to skip count by 2's, 5's, and 10's. A review sheet will come home the night before the test.

Has your child been practicing their Math Facts In A Flash at home? Well, now it is time for them to get paid! Our annual Math Store is ready to open and Blount Bucks are ready to be passed out! Children will earn Blount Bucks for levels passed as well as other activities. For example, making an "A" on a math test. As soon as our first grade team has come up with fair and appropriate goals, we will send a letter home explaining all the ways they can earn their Blount Bucks. We have a preview day Thursday, which will allow the children to see potential items they may purchase with their Blount Bucks as well as get them even more excited and motivated to reach the goals to earn Blount Bucks. A letter from PTA will come home tomorrow briefly explaining the Math Store and a letter from the First Grade Teachers will soon follow explaining our goals for the students. Sorry, kinda wordy, but clarification is on it's way.

OTHER BLOUNT NEWS

We will rotate to computer tomorrow for the next three weeks.

Monday, Feb. 13 - Nancy's Italian Ice - money must be sent before the 8:10 bell.

Tuesday, Feb. 14 - Valentine's Party from 1:30-2:15

Thursday, Feb. 16 - Progress Reports

Monday, Feb. 20 - Presiden't Day (No School!)

Tuesday, Feb. 21 - Humane Speaker to kick off our First Grade Spirit Project

Monday, Feb. 27 - Field Trip to Let's Pretend Hospital - Permission slips will be sent home in the next week or so. Due to limited space at the facility, parents will not be allowed to attend, but we will take lots of pictures for the yearbook!

Have a happy week!