FIRST GRADE FOOTNOTES


Dear First Grade Families: 10/2/09

It was great seeing a lot of you during Back to School Night! Thanks for taking such an interest in your child’s education.

ROUTINES: Please check your child’s agenda for nightly assignments and notes, look through the blue folder for homework, and review and sign the Daily Behavior Chart. They really do need your help with these new routines and responsibilities!

MATH: Home Link FAMILY LETTER – These letters are sent out as we complete a section in Math and are an overview about what will be covered in the next section. It also includes an answer key for the upcoming homework. Use this answer key to help check over your child’s work.

This week we’ve been working on number stories, counting by 2s and 5s, using tally marks and number grids, and continuing to practice writing numbers. The students completed their first assessment which shows where we need to do more practice. Continue to help them practice their number writing.

LANGUAGE ARTS: Our story this week was “Ants”. The students enjoyed learning about the life of an ant and discussing the similarities and differences to our lives. The students are excited to share their reading skills with the class and plenty of practice is offered in story reading, echo reading, and the reading of Practice Book page directions. Keep up the good reading habits at home!

SPELLING: The students are working hard sounding out their words! Next week’s words are /k/ck/: pick, pack, tack, back, sack, sick, big, is, they, walk. Bonus words: help, now, play, too, want. Test will be on Friday.

HANDWRITING: We continue to practice our letters, focusing on shape, size, slant, and spacing of letters. I have seen a great deal of improvement in writing this week! Ask your child about our chant: “Name and Date. First Graders are really great!” It’s gets them writing every time!

ART: We were fortunate again to have Madison’s Mom and Sophia’s Dad who helped the kids do a Fall craft with leaves. Thanks Mrs. Holtz and Mr. Riccio! We have a fun-filled schedule of art projects ahead of us! Thanks to all the parents who signed up to help with Art.


UPCOMING DATES:
10/2-10/9 – Mrs. Mahoney out/Mrs. Hummel in**
10/5-10/9 – Fire Prevention Week
10/12 – School Closed – Columbus Day
10/19 - 10/23 – Red Ribbon Week (details to follow)
10/20 – Board Meeting – 7 pm
10/21 – PTA Ice Cream Social – 7:30 pm
10/26 – School Closed – County In-Service
10/28 – Very Important Parent Day – 1st grade
10/30 – Halloween Parade (details to follow; help will be needed)

**As many of you know – I will be on a preplanned family vacation (with 12 other family members) the week of October 2-9. Please rest assured your children are in good hands with Mrs. Sue Hummel (a former Elmer School Basic Skills teacher) and of course, Mrs. Johnson.**

I look forward to this long awaited trip with my family, but will miss my Elmer School First Grade “family”. Enjoy your weekend!

Mrs. Mahoney/Mrs. Johnson