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 :)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

Sorry for the lack of pictures on this fun day!  My battery died…go figure.

In Reading, we will focus on the sound “oo” as in “moon.”  But mostly, we will celebrate our last week of school before the Christmas holidays and talk about Santa Claus and his little elf helpers.

In Language, we will wrap up December with rule 7 {Words that name on thing are singular.  Words that name more than one thing are plural.}  Students will continue identifying nouns in their DOL sentences by circling them.  We are working really hard on checking our own paper.  As I explicitly go over each word in each sentence that should be capitalized and what punctuation mark belongs at the end, the children are expected to follow along and correct their own papers as needed. 

In Math, finally we will take our test on Tuesday!  We will begin Ch. 7 when we return to school in January.

Don’t forget that Thursday will be a busy busy day for us!  We will celebrate a “Green Grinch Day” and would like for the students to wear something green that day.  It is also our party day and what a fun afternoon it will be with pizza, cookie cake, BINGO, treat bags, and a present to unwrap from ME!  You do not want to miss!  The party will begin at 1:30 and end at 2:15.  If you plan to check your child out after the party, please remember to follow the procedures listed below for a smooth checkout:

~ Stop by the office to sign your child out and wait to receive a check out slip from the office staff.  I will collect all check out slips as soon as you get to the party.  If I do not receive a check out slip from you then I cannot allow you to take your child!

Friday is a regular school day, but if you know that you will not be sending your child that day, please let me know so that I can have all crafts we have done for Christmas ready to send home with them on Thursday.  Otherwise, I will have them ready on Friday.

Other Important News

All students have taken their second STAR test, which gives them a ZPD level, which helps me to determine “good fit books” for them to check out in the library.  I will be working on new library cards and will have those ready for them in January when they return.

Also, DIBELS scores have been sent home with a detailed letter explaining the purpose of each test.  If you have any questions, please feel free to e-mail me.  These do not have to be signed and returned.

Dec 17 ~ Nancy’s Italian Ice $1.00

Dec 18 ~ Library Day with Mrs. Morris

Dec 19 ~ Signed Papers

Dec 20 ~ Green Grinch Day and Christmas Party

Dec 21 ~ Last day for students

Jan 3 ~ Students return from holidays

From the bottom of my heart, my family wishes your family a Very Merry Christmas!  We hope that you enjoy your time with friends and family and have safe travels.  Cannot wait to see everyone in 2013!

Christmas Blessings ~ Kristin