FIRST GRADE FOOTNOTES



Dear First Grade Families: 9/11/09

Welcome to First Grade! I am happy to report we all made it through our first week of school and had fun learning too! Here’s an overview of what we covered:

Math: the calendar and attendance routines were introduced; we learned about the number line , tally marks, and how to use some popular Math tools; we practiced writing numbers and skip counting; we also played some fun Math games -- Monster Squeeze and Penny-Dice game – which are part of the Everyday Math curriculum. The students didn’t even realize they were doing Math!

Language Arts: we previewed our new text book and the helpful information it contains; the students completed a beginning-of-the-year Reading and Language Skills Assessment which will provide an overview of where their strengths and weaknesses are right now; we will begin our first story next week (as well as the Phonics, Grammar, and Spelling that goes along with each story).
Spelling: Next week’s words are: short /a/ words – at, hat, cat, can, cap, tap, map, mad, a, the; Test will be on Friday.

Handwriting: the students have been practicing handwriting and journal writing every day; they’ve shared their stories and are getting used to writing their first and last name and date on every paper.

Science and Social Studies: we’ve just begun our study of our 5 senses in Science and introduced the Maps and Globes booklet for Social Studies; we’ll spend more time on these subjects next week.

What you can do to help your first grader:
• Help them establish good homework/study habits
• Go through all their papers with them daily; ask questions about their work
• Read to and with them every night – even if only for a few minutes
• Help them realize first grade is very different than Kindergarten. Becoming a responsible and independent student is a process they will go through in first grade.
• Build their confidence – let them know you and their teacher believe they can do it and will help them be successful
• Communicate with me as often as needed (email: dmahoney@elmerschool.com or write notes in their folders which are checked each morning)
• If your child is sick, please keep them home; we’ll catch them up when they return or send work home during extended illnesses

Upcoming Dates:
9/16 – Picture Day (order envelope sent home this week)
9/21 – Scholastic Book orders due
9/29 – Back to School Night – 7 pm
10/2 – School-wide Grandparents Day (more info to follow)

Parent Volunteers for Art Projects:
We are looking for artsy, crafty parents (or grandparents) who are willing and able to share their time and talents on the following Wednesdays from 2:10 – 2:45: September 23rd, October 7th, October 21st, December 2nd, December 9th; December 16th. Thanks to all who volunteered so far. You come up with the craft idea, we’ll supply the students!

Snacks:
Please send in a small, healthy snack for your child each day. It can be packed along with their lunches. In case you forget to send a snack, we do have back-up snacks available.

We look forward to a fun, learning-packed first grade year! Enjoy your weekend!

Mrs. Mahoney/Mrs. Johnson