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 :)