Week of December 9 ~ 13

A big thanks to Autumn and Katelyn’s mom for taking the children to lunch while I enjoyed Teacher Treat Day in the library!!!

Please remember to send in $5 cash for the Christmas party scheduled for Thursday, December 19 from 1:30-2:15.  The children may also wear green that day and we will watch the movie How The Grinch Stole Christmas before our party.

Friday, December 13, the children may wear their pajamas to school and we will watch The Polar Express.  I will have a sweet treat for them to enjoy during the movie!

Reading ~ Unit 2 Week 1          Story:  A Big Fish for Max          Genre:  Animal Fantasy

Amazing Words ~ chore, cooperation, commute, downtown, household, rule, subway, display

Word Wall Words ~ catch, put, good, said, no, want

***A new spelling chart will be added to your child’s take home folder for Unit 2.

Vowel Sound in ball:  a, al                     Consonant Digraphs sh, th

Spelling Words ~ fish, with, shop, ship, then, rush, trash, shut, shell, thin

Language ~ We will focus on Common Nouns {a word that names a person, place, animal, or thing}.  Common nouns start with a lowercase letter unless they are at the beginning of a sentence.  Girl (person), classroom (place), dog (animal), and pencil (thing) are common nouns.  They are singular nouns that name one person, one place, one animal, and one thing.

Math ~ We will continue through Ch 6.  Please make sure you are reinforcing the lessons being taught in class using their practice workbook sent home at the beginning of the year.  Please refer to the yellow chart for the current lesson taught.  A review sheet will come home the night before the test. 

Reminders:

12/9 ~ Nancy’s Italian Ice $1.00

12/10 ~ Library lesson with Mrs. Morris

12/12 ~ Signed Papers

12/14 ~ Spirit Day at Tish’s Cupcakes

12/20 ~ Box Top Collecction

12/23 – 1/3 ~ Winter Break {NO SCHOOL}

1/6 ~ Children return to school

Please email me with any questions or concerns.  Have a great week ~ Kristin :)

It’s Beginning to look a lot like Christmas….

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family, friends, food and fun!  December is here and we have three weeks to hang in there until we get another nice break!!!

  On Friday, we will return to Dream Field Farms  for a celebration of Christmas in the 17th century.  Students may wear a Blount spirit shirt/sweatshirt and jeans.  We will be outside so check the weather.  You may want to send extra warm clothing for your little one.  The check-out procedure will be the same.  If you plan to take your child with you from the farm I will have a sign-out sheet.  Children that check out will not need to come to school that day with their book bag, lunch or a snack!

Our Christmas party is scheduled for Thursday, December 19th from 1:45-2:15.  Please look for a note to come home this week explaining our party fun! 

We will be having a Polar Express movie and pajama party on Friday, December 13th.  Students may wear their pajamas to school.  We will have chocolate milk and a sweet treat!  If anyone is interested in sending in either item, please let me know!  :)

WE HAVE COMPLETED OUR FIRST UNIT IN OUR NEW READING PROGRAM.  WHEW!  THIS ENTIRE WEEK WILL BE SPENT REVIEWING WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED SO FAR.  STUDENTS WILL TAKE A BENCHMARK TEST ON PAPER, NO COMPUTER OVER THE COURSE OF THE WEEK.  THERE WILL NOT BE A NEW STORY, NO NEW SPELLING WORDS, NO NEW WORD WALL WORDS, NO NEW DAILY FIX-IT SENTENCES, AND NO NEW LANGUAGE SKILLS.  THIS IS A GREAT TIME TO GO BACK AND REVIEW ALL OF THE ABOVE WITH YOUR CHILD.  RESEARCH TELLS US THAT THE BEST WAY FOR A CHILD TO ACHIEVE MASTERY IS TO EXPOSE THEM TO IT OVER AND OVER AND OVER.  :)

  MATH ~ We will begin Ch 6, Count and Model Numbers.  Please make sure you are using your workbook at home to reinforce all skills taught at school.  And remember, a review sheet will come home in your child’s take-home folder the night before the test.  :)

OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS/EVENTS

12/2 ~ Nancy’s Italian Ice 1.00

12/3 ~ Library Lesson with Mrs. Morris

12/5 ~ Teacher Treat Day

12/6 ~ Field trip to Dream Field Farms

12/13 ~ Polar Express Movie and Pajama Party

12/19 ~ Christmas Party 1:45-2:15

12/20 ~ Last day of school!  Woohoo!

Please contact me with any questions or concerns.  Have a great week!

1/6 ~ Students return from holidays!

Happy Thanksgiving Ya’ll!

Thanksgiving….already?  I hope you are getting ready to enjoy thankful times with friends and family.  We are trying out a new tradition in room 121, Sharing Soup.  Each student was given an ingredient to bring no later than TUESDAY, Nov. 19.  :)

The Book Fair will continue through Thursday, Nov. 21.  If you send $$ please make sure it is labeled and sealed in a baggie or envelope. 

REMEMBER THERE IS NO SCHOOL THE WEEK OF NOVEMBER 25TH.  I WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING FRESH FACES ON DECEMBER 2ND.

Reading Unit 1 Week 6 ~ The phonics focus will be the short /u/ vowel sound like in “umbrella” and final consonant blends:  first and stick.  Please make sure you are listening to your child read the sentences and words in their take home folder each night.  I cannot stress to you how important this is put “miles on their tongues.” 

Genre ~ Literary Nonfiction                        Story ~ Animal Park

Comprehension ~ Character, plot, setting, main idea/supporting details, and cause/effect.

Amazing Words ~ desert, forest, world, chatter, silent, snort, medicine and poisonous. 

Word Wall Words ~ home, into, them, many

Spelling Words can be found in your child’s take home folder {Week 6}  A new list will come home when they return in December.

Language ~ We will continue reviewing nouns, verbs, adjectives, complete sentences, subjects/predicates of a sentence, declarative {statements} and interrogative {questions} sentences.  This week they will be introduced to an exclamatory sentence which has an exclamation point at the end:   I cannot wait until we get out for Thanksgiving!

Math ~ We will not take a formal math test for Ch. 5.  I have picked out the important skills {related facts and fact families} to focus on so I will take a major grade using those skills only. 

Have a great week! Please contact me with any questions or concerns. ~ Kristin

 

What are you thankful for?

I cannot believe November is already here! 

Scholastic Book Orders are due on tomorrow.  {Monday, November 4} 

Our field trip to the Pumpkin Patch is finally here!  Children need to wear jeans and tennis shoes and I will send an e-mail letting your know what color shirt they will need to wear.  If you plan to be a chaperone and want to take your child with you after the field trip, I will have a sign-up sheet for you.  :)

Thanks so much Wendy Cayer for putting together a class directory.  A new policy does not allow for party invitations to be handed out at school, even if the entire class is invited so please use this to mail out any birthday invitations!

IMPORTANT READING INFORMATION: PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

I will be sending home usernames and passwords this week for you to access www.pearsonsuccess.net at home.  You will press login and enter your child’s username and password.  We have begun our weekly Friday testing on the computer.  The computer automatically gives them a score and targets the skills they missed by assigning them activities that can be done at home.  We do not have enough time nor do we have enough computers so please take advantage of this at home to help reinforce any skills being missed in class.

Everyone is taking the test on the computer.  However, we realize this is a learned and practiced skill, so anyone who scores below an A will be given an opportunity to take the same test on paper.  The higher score is taken and entered into INOW for their final major grade.  In signed papers, if your child made an A on the computer test you will receive a slip of paper with your child’s score written on it.  If your child had to take the test again on paper, you will receive the paper test with their grade at the top like normal.  I hope this makes sense.  Believe me, this is sooo very new for us too and we are trying our best to make this simple and fair without overwhelming you or your child while keeping you informed!!!

Reading ~ This weeks story is A Fox and A Kit.  It focuses on ending ~s and ~ing.  Please use the homework sheet in your child’s folder to review the story {10 sentences on the front} and the decodable words on the back for fluency. 

Genre ~ Literary Fiction

Comprehension ~ character, plot {beginning, middle, end}, setting, main idea and important details

Amazing Words ~ observe, parent, wild, canopy, screech, million, reserve, and native

Word Wall Words ~ eat, five, four, her, too

Spelling Words ~ sit, sits, win, wins, fit, fits, hit, hits, nap, naps, her, too

The spelling test this Friday will count as a major grade.

Language ~ We will continue reviewing nouns, verbs, adjectives, complete sentences, and identifying subjects and predicates in sentences.  This week the children will be introduced to declarative sentences.  A declarative sentence is a statement and ends with a period.   The daily fix-it sentences for this Friday will count as a major language grade.

Math ~ We will begin Ch. 5 this week.  Children will learn how addition and subtraction facts are related.  Please look in your child’s folder for math homework to help reinforce the taught skills at home.  :)

IMPORTANT DATES:

11/5 ~ Nancy’s Italian Ice $1.00

11/6 ~ PTA meeting at 6:00

11/7 ~ Field Trip/Signed Papers

11/11 ~ Veteran’s Day {No School}

11/13 ~ Spirit Night at Zaxby’s

11/14 ~ Progress Reports

11/25 – 11/29 ~ Thanksgiving Holidays {No School}

Please contact me with any questions or concerns! ~ Kristin

October 28 ~ November 1

Nancy’s Italian Ice every Monday for $1.00.  Thanks so much for sending it sealed and labeled.  Saves me a lot of time in the morning!!!

I am sending home Scholastic Book Club order forms!  Please look over them and consider ordering a book or two for your child to add to their library at home.  Orders are due Friday, November 1st. {orders can now be made online}

The 4th and 5th grade students are collecting school supplies for Family Promise as their community spirit project.  There is a big yellow barrel outside the office if your family would like to donate school supplies.  Items will be collected through Friday, November 1st.

If you have not already sent in your permission slip and money for our exciting field trip to Dream Fields Pumpkin Patch, please do so this week.  Thank so much!  :)

Reading Unit 1 Week 3 ~ We will focus on short /o/, consonant /s/ and plural –s this week.  A review sheet will continue to come home each week with 10 sentences that come from the main selection on the front and a list of decodable words your child should be able to read within 3 seconds on the back.  Please practice both each night for FLUENCY!

Genre ~ Animal Fantasy

Comprehension ~ Character, Plot and Setting

Amazing Words ~ past, present, produce, transportation, danger, serve, snuggle, enormous, and powerful

Word Wall Words ~ blue, help, from, little, get, use

Spelling~ Children will take a spelling test each Friday.  Two of the grades will count as major and the rest will be minor.  One major will be given before Progress Reports and the other will be before Report Cards.  This weeks spelling test will count as a major!  A list of the words can be found in your child’s take home folder.  :)

Language ~ We will continue to focus on nouns, verbs, and adjectives.  What is a sentence?  A sentence  is a group of words that tells a complete idea.  It begins with a capital letter and ends with a period.  We learned that the subject of a sentence tells us who or what the sentence is about.  This week we will learn about predicates.  It tell us who or what the subject does.  Please remember to review your child’s DOL sentences that come home each day.  I take a daily grade each Friday of all the Daily Fix-Its for the week. 

Math ~ We will begin Ch. 5, Addition and Subtraction Relationships.  A review sheet will come home the night before the test. 

Please contact me with any questions or concerns ~ Kristin

In your child’s take home notebook you will find the Spelling List for Unit 1.  There are six weeks in each unit.  You will find it in a page protector.  Make sure to leave it in their notebook for the full six weeks.  Each week focuses on words that have specific sounds that the students are learning for the week in their story.  Week 1 focuses on the short /a/ sound and the /ck/ ending sound.  We will have a spelling test each Friday that will count towards their Reading grade.  Please make sure your child can spell these words for the test.  At the end of the unit {in six weeks} I will add the new Spelling List and we will begin the process all over again.  :)

You will also notice a homework reading sheet that has sentences on the front and isolated words on the back.  Please have your child read these sentences to you and the words each night.  This will be very important as it will reinforce the sounds for the week and help them with fluency.  The words are decodable and your child should be able to use the appropriate skills to decode them.  :)  Each week a new homework sheet will be added for practice. 

We have completed our first nine weeks of school!  What a great group of smart kiddos!  They are soaking up everything like little sponges.  I hope they are filling your ears with new and exciting things!  :)

The students are now allowed and encouraged to check out two books instead of one.  So get ready to READ READ READ there two library books.  They also will be allowed to test on both books as long as you feel confident they are comprehending each story separately. 

Thursday is a big day!  Report Cards will come home and it’s our exciting Fall Festival that PTA has worked very hard to put together.  It is such a fun time for friends and family!  I hope you make plans to attend. 

Have a great week and contact me with any questions or concerns!  Kristin :)

Fall is Finally Here!

Sorry for the delay, but enjoy all of the first graders in room 121!

Nancy’s Italian Ice is every Monday for $1.00 {keep labeling with a name}

Library is every Tuesday from 2:00-2:30 {keep those library books coming everyday}

Fall Picture Day is Tuesday, October 8.  Your child may dress out of uniform but must still adhere to the MPS dress code {no open toe sandals, flip flops, clogs, no spaghetti strap shirts or dresses and all clothing must be the appropriate length}

Thursday, Oct. 10 is the deadline to get “early bird wristbands” for the Fall Festival.  Wristbands are $10 for children ages 3 and up and $1 for adults.  Children 2 and under are FREE!  If you miss the deadline, please still make plans to attend.  Prices at the gate will be $15 for children and $2 for adults. 

Reading ~ This week is a Review week.  We will review all our word wall words for the past six weeks along with all of the stories we have read.  Students will take a cumulative test of all material they have been exposed to up to this point in the school year. 

Language ~ We will review nouns, verbs, adjectives, statements, questions and complete sentences.  We will also review our Daily Fix It sentences each morning as part of our DOL.

Math ~ We will continue through Ch.2, Subtraction Concepts.  Don’t forget that a review sheet will come home the night before the test and it will also be noted in their homework page located in their take home notebook.  Please continue reviewing math facts and doubles.  We are beginning to make the connection that addition and subtraction facts are related. 

Other Important Dates:

10/10 ~ Teacher Treat Day and Signed Papers

10/11 ~ End of the First Nine Weeks

10/14 ~ Columbus Day/No School!

10/17 ~ Fall Festival 4:30-7:30 and Report Cards

10/21 ~ Spirit Night at Texas Roadhouse

10/24 ~ Signed Papers

10/25 ~ Box Top Collection

11/2 ~ Spirit Night at East Chase Cookie Company

11/7 ~ Fieldtrip to Pumpkin Patch and Signed Papers/Progress Reports

*We are planning to arrive at Dream Field Farms Pumpkin Patch between 9:30-9:45 and leave around 1:00.  The cost will be around $20.00.  This will include entry to the pumpkin patch, lunch, and the bus.  Lunch will be hot dogs, chips, fruit roll up and juice.  This is a great fieldtrip to attend with your child because this is the ONLY fieldtrip that will be open to ALL parents.  Our remaining scheduled fieldtrips will be limited on who can attend.  The cost for parents will be $5 plus lunch if you choose to eat there.  Parents will meet us at the pumpkin patch and also pay at the gate when they arrive.  Another letter will be sent home with the exact amount for students in the next couple of weeks!  So go ahead and mark your calendar.  The other two scheduled fieldtrips will be on Jan. 30 and Feb. 21.  We will be attending plays! 

Thanks so much for all you do for our school!  Please contact me with any questions or concerns.  We are already learning so much!!!

kristin.thomas@mps.k12.al.us

Week of September 16-20

A HUGE THANKS TO PTA FOR PROVIDING US WITH AN UNEXPECTED APPRECIATION LUNCH FROM CHAPPY’S.  WE LOVE OUR PTA AND COULD NOT SURVIVE WITHOUT IT!!!

I have a lot of housekeeping to go over so please make sure to read everything carefully!

We have some changes in our day to accommodate our new first grade teacher.  Our specialist is now everyday from 12:30-1:00.  The children are going to Mr. Darby for Art. 

Monday ~ Nancy’s Italian Ice {please make sure to send your child’s money in a baggie or envelope with their name and what it is for.  Thanks so much! :)

Tuesday is our library day from 2:00-2:30 so your child should be bringing a new library book home.  Also, library books should be brought to school each day as the children are always given multiple times throughout the day to look over it.  I will be sending a note home with information pertaining to Accelerated Reader along with a log the students will keep in their take home notebook so be on the look out for that this week. 

Please make sure your child knows their lunch number.  Numbers were sent home the first week of school.  Please let me know if you do not have one for your child so I can resend it.  Lunch numbers are also used to take Accelerated Reader {AR} tests and Math Facts In A Flash.

Are you wondering what I did with your child’s “All About Me” project.  I have placed them in a notebook that will start going home with each child this week.  Please look over it with your child the night it comes home and return it the very next day.  I hope you enjoy getting to know all your child’s first grade friends!  :)

Signed papers were sent home last Thursday.  The grading scale can be found in the Blount handbook but I always write the numerical and letter grade at the top of each papers.

Thanks for being patient with us as we transition to a smaller class and learn our new reading program.  I will try my  best to answer any and all questions pertaining to the new reading program.  I must say this has been the most challenging start to a new school year in my nine years of teaching. 

READING ~ Oops!  I forgot to send home the “Family Times” newsletter about this weeks Reading story.  I will REMEMBER to send it home tomorrow, promise!  Reading tests are given every Friday morning during Reading.  These tests cannot be studied at home except for knowing their high frequency words.  Every other skill on the test is taught in class.  A quick “good luck” and a dose of some “SMART” breakfast is just what they will need to confidently pass each test!  :)

WORD WALL WORDS ~ {are that they have too}  Please make sure your child can recall these words within a minimum of 3 seconds.  They will be assessed on knowing these words each nine weeks as a daily Reading grade.  I will place a “word wall list” for the entire year in your child’s take home notebook on tomorrow.  Please DO NOT REMOVE this.  It will need to stay in their notebook all year as a reference.  The first word wall check will be given on Friday, September 20.  The students will simply look at a list of these words and recall them to me.  They will receive a (+) for words read correctly and a (-) for words read incorrectly.  They will only be responsible for knowing the words wall words up to that date.  Hope this makes sense!

AMAZING WORDS ~ Students are introduced to amazing words each day.  Students will not be assessed on these words.  The purpose is for the words to increase oral vocabulary.  By the end of the year your child will have been exposed to… drum roll… 281 amazing words!!!  This weeks words are amusing, neighbor, trouble, porch, introduce, corner, deliver,  and squirrel.

LANGUAGE ~ Students have been introduced to several new language skills so far.  They have learned about nouns {words that name people, places, things, animals} verbs {action words} and ABC order.  This week we will continue to focus on simple sentences {capital letter at the beginning and period or question mark at the end} 

DAILY ORAL LANGUAGE {DOL}  ~ Part of your child’s morning work is copying and editing sentences.  Each day your child is introduced to a “daily fix-it” sentence that they are given the opportunity to fix and write correctly.  This sentence should come home everyday for you to look over and praise or re-visit.  Each Friday, the students will be expected to fix each of the sentences for a daily language grade.  Remember, the sentences should not be unfamiliar to them since we have practiced them together in class.  Here is an example of a  sentence for this week:     Incorrect ~ Dot gat the doll        Correct ~ Dot got the doll.

MATH ~ Ch. 3 continues with Addition Strategies.  We will learn to count on, doubles, and doubles plus one.  Please check their yellow Math Practice page in their take home notebook to know what lesson to reinforce each night at home.  A review sheet will continue to come home the night before the test.  I cannot express to you how important it is for your child to memorize their addition facts.  MPS has provided us with goals per nine weeks that students are encouraged to reach.  For the first nine weeks students will be encouraged to know their addition facts 0 through 5.  We will begin practicing this daily as well as using Math Facts In A Flash {computer based program associated with AR} to help us learn our basic facts.  Please practice these at home on flashcards!  What a difference this will make down the road!!! 

Important Dates:

9/17 ~ Spirit Night at Chappy’s

9/27 ~ Box Top Collection Day

10/2 ~ All $$$ for Discount Cards is due!

10/8 ~ Fall Picture Day

10/14 ~ No School! {teacher professional development day}

10/17 ~ Blount Fall Festival

Enjoy your week and contact me with any questions or concerns.   Kristin :)

Happy September!!!

I hope everyone’s football team played well this weekend! 

Lunch is everyday from 11:10-11:35.  You may wait for us by the front office!

Please make sure to label ALL money with your child’s name and what it is for.  Place it in their zipper pouch of their take home notebook.

I hope you are checking your child’s take home notebook daily and taking out all papers on the “keep at home” side.  Please make this a habit!!!

Signed papers will come home Thursday in a manila envelope.  Please review the papers, sign the envelope, and return the papers with the envelope the next day.  Do not keep the papers.  We keep these on file at school!

We finally have library books!  What a great way to start fluency as you read the story each night.  Please make sure your child is bringing their book back everyday.  There are several times throughout the day children are encouraged to look at it.  We are hoping to STAR test this week, which will allow me to assign reading levels for each child.  Once this takes place your child will be able to start checking out the appropriate books!  :)

Reading ~ Each Friday, a paper called “Family Times” will be sent home to inform you about each weekly reading story and skills.  On the back you will find optional homework to reinforce what is being taught at school.  We will read different genres this year and will focus on Realistic Fiction until mid October. 

High Frequency Words ~ Each week students will be responsible for learning basic sight words.  This week the words are:  like, one, the,  we.  Students will be assessed on recalling these words every other week so please make sure they can recall each word within three seconds.  I encourage you to put these on flashcards and review each night.  If your child can already read the words then practice spelling them! 

Amazing Words ~ Each week students will also learn amazing words.  These are not words students will be expected to read or spell, but what a way to challenge them!!!  These words will be used to increase oral vocabulary.  This weeks words are:  adult, depend, gallery, scurry, childhood, portrait, entertain.

Language ~ Nouns are words that name people, places, things, and animals.  Students are learning how to sort nouns, identify nouns, and write them correctly in sentences.  Students are writing sentences daily as they learn that each sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with a punctuation mark.  Are your children bringing home correctly written sentences?  I hope so!  This means they are paying attention in class and taking pride in their work. 

Math~ We are still working through Ch.1, Addition.  Test will probably be next week.  Please look for a review sheet to come home the night before a test.  I hope you are taking advantage of the workbook that was sent home last week.  Remember, this homework does not need to come back to me and please keep up with the workbook.  I do not have extra!!!

Important Dates

9/10 ~ PTA meeting

9/17 ~ Spirit Night at Chappy’s

9/27~ Box Tops Due

10/3 ~ Teacher Treat Day

10/8 ~ Fall Pictures

10/14 ~ Columbus Day/NO SCHOOL!

10/17 ~ Fall Festival/Report Cards

Please contact me through email with any questions or concerns!

Have a great week ~ Kristin :)

‘Twas the Night Before School Started

‘Twas the night before school started,

when all through the town,

The parents were cheering.

It was a riotous sound!

By eight, kids were washed

And tucked into bed…

when memories of homework

Filled them with dread.

New pencils, new folders, new notebooks, too!

New teachers, new friends…

Their anxiety grew!

The parents just giggled when

They learned of this fright

And shouted upstairs -

“Go to bed!  It’s a school night!”

Water Day Fun!

Good Bye Sweet First Graders!

Really?  Four more days!  I can hardly believe it but I have been reminded daily by all the excited voices in my classroom that SUMMER if finally here!!!  Bitter sweet…

HOW TO SURVIVE THE LAST WEEK OF FIRST GRADE:

On Monday, we will have our Honor’s Program in the lunchroom from 9:00-9:30.  Students need to wear their usual Blount attire and every child will receive a certificate.  Please go straight to the lunchroom when you arrive so that you can get good seats.  It will fill up quickly!  Afterwards, you may have a few moments to take pictures but we will need to exit pretty quickly as second grade’s program will begin shortly after ours.  Please send your child with their book bag to school on Monday so that I can send everything home with them.  They will not need their book bags the remainder of the week. :)

On Wednesday, I will be out all day traveling with my family to Mobile to watch my nephew graduate Kindergarten.  Stacey Dickinson will be our sub.  The kids love her!!!  I will return to give hugs and say good bye to the children on Thursday. 

On Thursday, report cards will be issued at dismissal, not a minute earlier!  If you know that your child will be absent or checking out early on Thursday, please send a self addressed and stamped envelope for their report card to be mailed.  Otherwise, you may pick it up in the office on Friday or during our summer hours. {you will need to check the website for those exact hours}

Finally, a GREAT BIG THANKS for a wonderful Teacher Appreciation Week!  I was overwhelmed by all the cards, candy, Diet Cokes, flowers and gifts.  A GREAT BIG THANKS to Brooke Nyberg for coming on Friday to take the kids to lunch and entertaining them for a whole hour while I enjoyed a wonderful lunch in the library with all my friends that Andi Graydon put together.  We are truly blessed at Blount Elementary with a wonderful group of students, parents, and PTA that show continued support of education!!!

April Showers Bring May Flowers

This week is an important week for the school as our 3-5 grade students will be taking standardized tests.  We will not be testing but we will be supporting the older grades.  Our job is to be very quiet in the school.  Our schedule will be frozen each day until testing is over, which means we will not be allowed to have volunteers or visitors.  Please DO NOT join us for lunch on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday of this week.  Please try your very best to be on time each day so that the testing can begin promptly!  Thank you for supporting our school in having a smooth testing week.

In Reading, we will focus on the letter “x” as in “fox.”  We will also spend this week talking about plants, plant life cycle and all the things that plants need to survive.

Word Wall Words: while, place, under, always, father

In Language, we are still talking about rule 15 ~ Synonyms are words that have similar meanings.

In Math, we are reviewing Place Value.  I will not give a test on this, just daily grades will be given.  If your child’s math workbook has come home you are free to go back and work on pages that were left or you can toss!  Same goes with their workbook that was sent home at the beginning of the year for homework practice. 

Please send in your money for Water Day by Wednesday, May 8.  The cost to help cover this fun day is $15.00  Water Day is scheduled for Wednesday, May 15 from 11:00-2:00.  We will eat lunch that day before Water Day begins.  Children may still purchase lunch from the lunchroom on that day.  We will need popsicles on that day to help cool us off so please let me know if you are interested in donating some. 

Friday, May 10th will be the last day to check out books from our library.  However, I encourage you to take your child to a public library and continue checking out books as I will continue encouraging the children to take AR tests during the remaining weeks of school.  You may even have books at home that are AR and the children are welcome to bring them to school and test on.  Click on the Accelerated Reader Book Find to see what books can be tested on. 

The lunchroom is no longer accepting checks so please only send cash to replenish accounts.

The last day of school for students will be Thursday, May 23rd.  Report Cards will be handed out at the end of the day {3:10} and no sooner.  If you know that your child will not be there to receive their report card you may send in an envelope already addressed with a stamp and the office will mail them the next day ~ OR ~ you may come by the office during summer hours to pick them up.

5/6 ~ Nancy’s Italian Ice $1.00

5/10 ~ Last day to check out books

5/15 ~ Water Day 12:00-2:00

5/16 ~ Signed Papers

5/17 ~ Teacher Luncheon 11:30-12:30

5/20 ~ First Grade Honor’s Day 9-9:30

5/23 ~ Last day of school

Please contact me with any questions of concerns!  Have a great week ~ Kristin :)

 

And the countdown begins…

Field Day was a blast!  Coach Grant did a fabulous job organizing our event.  We had new games, which the children loved and plenty of smiling volunteers.  Thanks parents and specialists for making this day one to remember!!!  Enjoy the pictures. :)

In Reading, we will focus on the letter “j” as in “jaguar.” 

Word Wall Words are:  went, mother, goes, around, though

In Language, we will begin Rule 15 ~ Synonyms are words that have similar meanings.  Some examples include:  big/large/gigantic/huge     small/little/tiny   happy/glad/excited

In Math, we have finished with our GO MATH series.  I will be sending home their consumable workbooks for you to keep or toss!  We will spend the rest of May reviewing addition and subtraction facts, word problems and graphing. 

The Book Fair will continue through Thursday of this week.  Please remember that any money your child brings to school needs to be in an envelope labeled.  Students who bring money may shop the Book Fair from 12:30-1:00 unless accompanied by an adult. 

I will be out of the class on Wednesday, traveling to Tuscaloosa to help pack my sister up for the summer.  Mrs. Allen {Mr. Darby’s intern} will be taking care of the children. 

Important Dates/Reminders:

4/29 ~ Nancy’s Italian Ice $1.00

5/2 ~ Signed Papers

5/15 ~ First Grade Water Day {look for a note soon}

5/20 ~ First Grade Honor’s Day {9-9:30}

5/23 ~ Last day for students

 

Doughnuts and Click Clack Moo!

Doughnuts for Dads will be Tuesday for last names A-L and Wednesday for last names M-Z.  It will begin each morning at 7:30 in the lunchroom.  The doughnuts are free compliments of the awesome Blount PTA.  Hope you make plans to attend!

Our field trip to the Davis Theater to see Click Clack Moo is Wednesday.  Please allow your child to wear their “First Grade Rocks” t-shirt on Wednesday.  We will leave school at 9:00 and return approximately around 11:45.  We will eat lunch as soon as we return to school.  I will send an email to the chaperones detailing the procedures for our field trip.  This will be a fun day!!!

In Reading, we will focus on the letter “v” as in “volcano.”  We will also incorporate some fun farm learning to help get us ready for our play.  As we are getting closer to the mid-nine weeks I strongly encourage you to continue reading homework stories as part of their twenty minutes of reading each night.  I hope you have seen the tremendous changes I have in recognition and fluency.

Word Wall Words are right, back, came, away, and our.

In Language, we will continue talking about rule 14 ~ Antonyms are words with opposite meanings. 

In Math, we will finish up with Ch 12 this week and test.  Look for a review sheet to come home the night before the test.

Important Reminders/Events:

4/15 ~ Nancy’s Italian Ice $1.00

4/16 and 4/17 ~ Doughnuts for Dads

4/17 ~ Field trip to Davis Theater

4/18 ~ Progress Reports

4/22 ~ Purple Shirt Day in honor of Military Child Day

Please contact me with any questions or concerns! 

Last week, we brainstormed our favorite things to do in the Spring.  Some of our answers included flying a kite, taking a walk, taking our dog for a walk, picking flowers for our mom and sister, eating ice cream, playing golf, playing soccer, playing baseball.  Oh, the answers were endless.  I have such a smart group of first graders!

In Reading, we will focus on the letter “p” as in “pig.”  We will learn all about pigs and how they roll around in the mud to stay cool!  Sounds like something my little one would love to do!  Please remember to read homework stories as well as any additional practice reading passages you have that go along with Read Well.  I know our schedules have us living at the ballpark, but please find time to read to your little one and have them read to you!  :) 

Word Wall Words:  best, never, begin, does, again

In Language, we will focus on a new rule.  Antonyms are words with opposite meanings.  I hope you were able to look over our new DOL that came home each day last week.  Also, on Friday I modeled how the daily grade will look each week and allowed them to take it home to share with you.  This will continue to be the format for the remainder of the year. 

In Math, we are halfway through Ch 12.  In this chapter, we are talking about 2-D shapes and their characteristics (number of sides and vertices).  Be sure to look for a review sheet to come home the night before the test.

Classroom Needs:  paper towels

Upcoming Reminders/Events:

4/8 ~ Nancy’s Italian Ice and PTA meeting @ 6:00 pm

4/9 ~ Library with Mrs. Morris

4/16 and 4/17 ~ Doughnuts for Dads at 7:30 am

4/17 ~ Fieldtrip to Davis Theater

4/18 ~ Signed Paper and Progress Reports

4/22 ~ Wear a purple shirt in honor of Military Child Day

Please contact me with any questions or concerns and have a great week!  Kristin

Spring has Sprung!

I hope everyone had a fun-filled Spring Break and I hope my friends are ready to come back and finish out their first grade year!  We still have so much to learn and what a challenge it will be with “Spring Fever” in the air.  :)

In Reading, we will focus on the letter “y” as in “yarn".”  We will begin to talk about Spring and all the fun activities that go along with it like flying kites, riding bikes, playing baseball and softball.  Please make sure you are reading each night for a minimum of twenty minutes.  I know how busy Spring gets but make reading a priority each night!

Word Wall Words for this week are easy, next, soon, often, such

In Language, we will finish up with rule 13 ~ Homonyms are words that sound the same but mean something different.  I know I speak for the kids when I say that we are burned out on DOL sentences so I am going to change up DOL each morning.  We will continue to learn the same skills but it will be in a “mixed review format.”  I will do lots of modeling this week so know that their DOL that comes home daily will look different.  I will still take a daily grade on Friday of all skills learned that week.  I will send home our “practice one” on Friday for you to look over.  This will be a simple change!

In Math, we will begin Ch. 12, Two Dimensional Geometry.  This is a long chapter full of lots of information.  Please make sure you are reinforcing each lesson at home.  This shows your children you care about what they are learning in school and that school is important!

Please remember to send in your child’s money to see the exciting play, Click Clack Moo.  The cost is $12.00.  The play is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17.  Our chaperone tickets have been filled. 

Other Reminders and Upcoming Events:

4/1 ~ Nancy’s Italian Ice $1.00

4/2 ~ Library Lesson with Mrs. Morris

4/4 ~ Signed Papers

4/9 ~ PTA Meeting @ 6:00

4/16 & 4/17 ~ Doughnuts for Dads @ 7:30 am

4/17 ~ Fieldtrip to Davis Theater

Please contact me with any questions or concerns!  Have a great week!  ~ Kristin

Goodbye third nine weeks, Hello LAST nine weeks!

I hope you enjoyed a nice weekend outdoors.  I saw lots of crowded baseball fields so I know how busy it is about to get.  The weather was perfect and is getting us ready for some Spring Fever and baseball!

In Reading, we will focus on the letter “u” as in “umbrella.”  We will talk some about the rain forest and all the animals that live in the rain forest.  We will also squeeze in some St. Patrick’s Day fun for all!!!

Word Wall Words:  said, here, three, much, take

In Language, we will continue rule 12 ~ A contraction is a short way to write two words.   We will continue to underline contractions in our DOL sentences each morning.

In Math, we have begun Ch. 11, Three-Dimensional Geometry.   I continue to be blown away with the facts they already know and have remembered from Kindergarten.  The shapes they were introduced to on Friday were sphere, cone, cylinder, rectangular prism, and cube.  Be sure to ask them to name a real life object for each one.  They have some really great answers.  Math test will be sometime next week!  A review sheet will come home the night before.

The Math store opens again on Tuesday for all to spend their Blount bucks which are earned through Math Facts In A Flash, test scores and report card scores.  All prizes bought from the Math Store will need to stay at home!!! 

I got a little confused with dates and Brain Awareness Week is this week and our very own QUEST students at Blount have put together a presentation for us.  We will learn some interesting facts about the brain on Thursday afternoon from 2-2:30.

Blount Yearbook Order Forms went home last week.  Deadline for orders is Friday, March 22. 

First grade has planned an exciting Easter Egg Hunt for Wednesday, March 20.  We will send home a more detailed letter this week. 

We are nearing the end of busy, busy school year.  The last nine weeks is full of fun times and long-lasting memories.  Please continue to encourage your children the importance of appropriate behavior and the importance of working hard!  Thanks so much for your continued support for our room.  It is vital for a successful classroom!!!

*We are running low on paper towels so any donations would be greatly appreciated!

Upcoming Reminders/Events;

3/11 ~ Nancy’s Italian Ice

3/12 ~ Math Store/Library lesson with Mrs.  Morris

3/14 ~ Report Cards/QUEST presentation

3/20 ~ Easter Egg Hunt

3/21 ~ Teacher Treat Day

3/25 – 3/29 ~ Spring Break

Have a great week and contact me with any questions or concerns ~ Kristin

Hello March!!!

I have had some computer issues that are almost resolved so I apologize for being behind in the blogging world.  I hope to have all issues resolved by the end of this week and I will get pictures up and running by next weekend.  I have lots of catch up to do!!!

In Reading, we will focus on the letter “f” as in “frog.”  We will talk about frog facts and even learn all about the life cycle of a frog.  Be sure to ask your children to recall some frog facts for you.  They always have interesting facts that I sure didn’t know! :)

Word Wall Words:  called, just, where, more, know {The students will have a word wall test on Friday of this week.  They will need to recall all words for this nine weeks.  Words can be found in their take home folder.

In Language, we will focus on rule 12 ~ A contraction is a short way to write two words.  Some examples are:  he’s = he is, she’s = she is, it’s = it is  We will continue identifying contractions in our DOL sentences by underlining them. 

In Math, we are in the middle of Ch 10, Graphing.  We will test this week so look for a review sheet to come home the night before the test.  We only have two more chapters to go before we finish GO Math, so hang in there parents!  The students have done well with a new curriculum that I have had to adjust to myself.  FYI ~ I will be attending a short meeting tomorrow with other Blount math teachers to observe a demo lesson given by a GO Math Representative.  I should arrive back at the school by 10:00 but a sub has been secured for the short time I will be away.  No worries!

Important Reminders

3/4 ~ Italian Ice $1.00

3/5 ~ Library with Mrs. Morris

3/7 ~ Presentation about the Brain given by QUEST students

3/14 ~ Report Cards

3/21 ~ Teacher Treat Day

3/25 – 3/29 ~ SPRING BREAK ~ WOOHOO!

Please contact me with any questions or concerns ~ Have a GREAT week! Kristin :)

Happy President’s Day!

Finally, a normal week of school where routine can take place again!

We will spend much of this week talking about two historical presidents ~ George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.  We will also learn about a few National Symbols!

In Reading, we will focus on the letter “b” as in “bat.”  Word Wall Words are way, find, use, may, water.  Please make sure that your child can recall these on flashcards and in sentences.  They also need to know how to spell them.

In Language, we are moving onto rule 11 ~ Some words tell what is happening of already happened.  {verbs}  We will be identifying verbs this week and next in our DOL sentences by underlining them.

In Math, we will finish Ch. 9, Measurement and Time.  Be on the lookout for a review sheet to come home the night before the test.

Signed Papers were scheduled to be sent home on last Thursday, Feb. 14.  However, due to the craziness of party day and President’s Day Weekend I decided to wait and will send them home on Monday, Feb. 18. 

Upcoming Events:

2/18 ~ Nancy’s Italian Ice $1.00

2/19 ~ Library with Mrs,. Morris ~ Spirit Night @ Mugshots

2/19 & 2/20 ~ Treats with Mom 7:30-8:00

Read Across America Week 2/25 – 3/1

Activities have been planned for each day of the week.  On Wednesday, I will need a volunteer to come read a favorite Dr. Seuss book to the class.  If you are interested, please contact me.  On Thursday, the students may wear a silly hat in honor of Dr. Seuss.  Please make note that we will be having a Character Parade on Friday, March 1st at 9:30.  Students will come to school dressed as a favorite character in a favorite picture book.  All students will participate in this {dressed or not.}  Parents are welcome to attend but will be asked to go to the lunchroom.

PTA did not meet their goal for the Just Give Campaign.  An optional fundraiser has been planned for the Spring.  You can go to www.mixedbagdesigns.com to check out the products that will be offered.  Look for information about this to come home soon.  Thank you for supporting our school.

Have a great week and contact me with any questions or concerns. ~ Kristin :)

V-Day Party Pics will be posted soon!

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

The Valentine’s Day party is this week!  It will be the last class party for the 2012-2013 school year!  Please join us if you can.  We will celebrate with ice cream sundaes ~ yum, yum, yum!  The party will begin promptly at 1:30 and end at 2:15.  Check out procedures will be the same as they were in December :  find the table by the office to fill out the necessary paperwork that will allow me to release your child to you at the end of the party!  I will be collecting the little slips of paper as you arrive at the party.

Also, be sure to start sending in your child’s valentines and don’t forget to double check to make sure all friends will receive one.

In Reading, we will learn all about the letter “o” as in “otter.”  Ask your child to recall to you some of the facts they learned this week about otters.  Word Wall Words for this week are made, over, did, down, only.  Be sure your child can say these within three seconds and also it is very important that they know how to spell them.  Let’s start now preparing them for second grade spelling tests.  Also, make sure you are spending a minimum of twenty minutes each night listening to your child read.  Fluency will only take place when they are reading and re-reading familiar passages.

In Language, we will continue learning about rule 10 ~ Some words describe. {adjectives}  Remember, when you are going over your child’s DOL sentences they have been underlining the adjectives in each sentence.

In Math, we are steadily moving through Ch. 9, Measurement and Time.  We have had an opportunity to get hands-on with some of our measuring lessons and the children have really enjoyed using nonstandard units of measurement {connecting cubes and paper clips }to explore the concept of length.  This week we will learn about clocks {analog and digital} and how to tell time, always a fun skill to learn.

Friday, Feb. 15 is our final Early Dismissal Day.  Blount will dismiss at 1:10!

2/11 ~  Nancy’s Italian Ice $1.00

2/14 ~ Class Party {1:30-2:15} and Signed Papers

2/15 ~ Early Dismissal Day {1:10}

February 25-March 1 ~ “Grab your Hat and Read with the Cat”  More information to follow!

Contact me with any questions or concerns ~ Kristin

Longer Winter or Early Spring?

On Friday afternoon, we decided to predict what Phil would say on Saturday morning when he finally woke up from his long winter’s nap.  13 children in our class said that he would not see his shadow and we would have an early spring.  5 children said he would see his shadow and we would have 6 more weeks of winter!  Looks like we have some good predictors in room 121.  :)

 

 

Look who earned Math Blount Bucks to spend at the Math Store.  Thanks PTA!!!

In Language we will learn rule 10 ~ Some words describe. {adjectives}  Please be sure to look over their DOL sentences that come home each day.  We will be underlining our adjectives in our sentences.  On Monday, have your child fill up a small bag with some of their favorite toys.  Pull one out each night and have them tell you words that describe their toy.

Ex.  teddy bear ~ soft, fluffy, furry, big or small, brown

In Reading we will learn all about the letter “l” as in “letter/lion.”  Be sure to ask your child what they learned about lions this week.  Word Wall Words for this week ~ been, its, who, now, people.  Remember to keep reading for at least 20 minutes each night.

In Math we are ready to begin Ch. 9, Measurement.  This chapter will focus on length and time.  We have moved away from addition and subtraction facts but continue to review those on flashcards or with Math Facts In A Flash. 

A reminder to send in your already addressed Valentine’s Cards by next Thursday, Feb. 14 and please make sure to use the class list that was sent home so that every child receives one.  Mark your calendar and plan to attend our Valentine’s Class Party on Feb. 14 from 1:30-2:15.

PTA is hosting their annual Blount Multicultural Night this Monday, Feb. 4 at 6pm.  Please make plans to attend and get ready to taste and learn a little about each country our school represents.  :)

Upcoming Events

2/4 ~ Nancy’s Italian Ice $1.00

2/5 ~ Library with Mrs. Morris

2/7 ~ Progress Reports

2/15 ~ Early Dismissal Day begins at 1:00

   

 

Fun Friday Slideshow!

Have a great week and contact me with any questions or concerns! Kristin :)

Hip Hip Hooray, It’s the 100th Day!!!

Can you believe we have been in first grade for almost 100 days? 

We have a short week but lots to do. 

In Reading, we will talk about the letter “e” as in “engine.”  We will finish talking about Martin Luther King and his dream for our country.  We will also spend some time talking about penguins.  Don’t forget to ask your child something interesting they learned about penguins.

In Language, we will begin rule 9 {The names of days of the week and months of the year begin with capital letters.}  We will use a crayon to underline these in our sentences each morning.  Be sure to review this skill to help prepare your child for Friday’s daily grade.

In Math, we will continue working through Ch 8.  I strongly encourage you to begin flash cards each night with basic addition and subtraction facts or log onto Math Facts In A Flash from home to begin these.  It takes no time at all! 

Blount’s 6th Annual Multicultural Festival & Taste of the World PTA Meeting will be held on Monday, February 4th @ 6pm.  Please disregard the date on the flyer that was sent home on Friday. 

Blount Elementary’s community service project this month is a food drive for the Montgomery Area Food Bank.  Collection of food will begin Tuesday, Jan 22 and end Friday, Feb 1.  Students may bring items to school or parents may drop items off in the barrel by the front office.  Some items to donate include boxed foods, canned vegetables, and/or paper products {paper towels, toilet paper}.

Reminders:

1/22 ~ Library with Mrs. Morris

1/24 ~ Box Top Collection, 100th Day of School

1/25 ~ Spirit Night @ Flip’s

1/31 ~ Class Picture {students will wear uniform}, Signed Papers

Have a great week and contact me with any questions or concerns! ~ Kristin :)

Hot Chocolate or Water?

Is everyone as confused about the weather as I am?  Not sure if I am ready to pull out the flip-flops and shorts but that is what the weather is feeling like!!!  Can’t wait to find out what the groundhog predicts.  :)

In Reading, we will focus on “wh” as in “whale” and learn some interesting whale facts.  Be sure to ask your child to tell you where a whale lives, what a whale eats, and what a baby whale is called.  Word wall words your child needs to have mastered by Friday are read, run, sit, say, and funny.

In Language, we will finish talking about rule 8 ~ Some words take the place of nouns. {pronouns} ~ he/him/his, she/her, they, we, us, them, I, it are a few examples we have covered in class.

In Math, we will begin Ch. 8 {Two-Digit Addition and Subtraction}  Not only will children learn a new concept with adding and subtracting two digits, but they will need to pay very close attention to the sign for each problem since they will be mixed!  ***After reviewing Friday’s test scores I have decided to count this grade as a minor grade.  I think there were to many greater than/less than skills involved in one assessment. 

Math Facts In A Flash~We will begin this on a regular basis as it will not only help students to memorize their basic facts but they will be given the opportunity to earn money for our Math Store that our PTA is in the process of setting up for our school.  Students can practice this at home.   Letters were sent home earlier in the year about how to log on through Renaissance Place but if you need a refresher, please let me know so I can have one printed out for you. 

Upcoming Dates:

4/15 ~ Library with Mrs. Morris and Counseling with Mrs. Moore {busy busy day}

4/17 ~ Signed Papers

4/21 ~ MLK Holiday {No School!}

4/24 ~ Box Tops Due

4/25 ~ Spirit Night @ Flip’s

4/31 ~ Class Picture Day {students wear uniform}, Signed Papers

Have a great week and please contact me with any questions or concerns you might have!

Kristin :)

Happy New Year!

What a fun time we had at the Christmas party and of course, my pictures do it no justice.  Thanks parents for making this a fun time for our children!!! :)

It was certainly nice to have two short days to come back to but we are ready for a full week and a regular routine to go along with it!!!  Second semester is here and guess what comes along with it?  “getting ready for second grade!”  I will be using this phrase a lot.  The big change right now for us is notebook paper.  Woo-hoo!  Your child has been introduced to wide ruled notebook paper and will no longer be writing on tablet paper.  I will inform you of other changes along the way.

In Reading, our focus will be the letter blend “ar” as in “shark.”  Word wall words for this week are:  ran, sat, want, open, boy.  Please remember to practice these at home.  These words should not be sounded out and  should be read quickly.

In Language, our focus will be on rule 8 ~ Some words take the place of nouns. {pronouns; ex. he, she, him, her, we, they, it}

In Math, we have begun Ch. 7 ~ Comparing Numbers using the terms greater than and less than.  This is a short chapter so if everything goes accordingly we will test on Friday of this week.  Look for a review sheet to come home Thursday night.

Here is a reminder about which outfit your child can wear on which day:                                   

Monday ~ regular uniform

Tuesday ~ grade level t-shirt and jeans

Wednesday ~ regular uniform

Thursday ~ regular uniform

Friday ~ spirit t-shirt and jeans

More Reminders and Upcoming Events

Monday, Jan. 7 ~ Nancy’s Italian Ice $1.00

Tuesday, Jan. 8 ~ Library with Mrs. Morris

Thursday ~ Report Cards and Spirit Night at Chappy’s

*Have a great week and contact me with any questions or concerns. ~ Kristin :)