FIRST GRADE FOOTNOTES



Dear First Grade Families: 2/19/10

Snow? Did someone say snow? We’ve sure had our fair share this year! Here’s an overview of what we’ve been doing in First Grade these past 2 crazy weeks:

STAR STUDENTS: Students who rose to the occasion and showed real leadership and were classroom role models were: Harry Raudenbush, Jack Wheaton, Justin Leonetti, and Chloe Gerstenbacher. Ask your student about this and what he or she can do to become the next Star Student!

MUSIC BANNER: FIRST GRADE ROCKS MUSIC CLASS! For the second time this year, 1st grade brought home the music banner for “perfect” score for behavior in Music class. Way to go 1st grade!

LOST TOOTH: Karlee Quenzel lost a tooth on our first day back after the long, snowy break! She was happy that it came out in school and that she made the “Lost Tooth” Chart for the second time!

MATH: This week we moved into Unit 5 and began to learn about cubes, longs, and flats which teach us place value. We also practiced place value with calculators, and solved math problems using greater than, less than and equal to symbols. Continue to work with your child at home on simple addition facts (2+1=3, 3+1=3). Encourage them to use a number line or counters to figure out these problems. As part of our daily routine, the students continue to work on their number scrolls—some are in the 400s now!!

READING: Our fiction story this week was a play entitled, “Did You See Chip?” The students enjoyed taking turns reading and acting out the story parts.

BOOK BAGS: These bags will be come home again on Friday and should be returned on Monday. These books are individualized to your child’s reading level. Please take the time to have them read and REREAD these books to you. They should read each book at least 2 times over the weekend and work up to reading them 4 times each.

SPELLING – Next week’s spelling words are /kw/qu/hw/wh words:

quit, quick, quiz, whiz, which, when, arm, card, who, there

Bonus (high-frequency) words:
about, books, by, family, grew, read, work, writing

FYI: If for some reason your child doesn’t have the list of Spelling words, feel free to check the school website--First Grade class page which lists the weekly spelling words in the copy of this letter.

SUPPLIES: First grade is in need of the following items: snacks (goldfish or animal crackers would be great), large bottles of hand sanitizer, and boxes of soft, non-school-issued tissues! Thanks for making First Grade a clean, comfortable place to learn!

ART:
First graders enjoyed a busy, craft-filled week last week! They completed their elaborate Valentine’s Day cards, under the guidance of Chi Chi Carman and Mrs. Killeen and were treated to a sweet treat at the end. Mrs. Holtz treated the kids to their own individual foam mailboxes which they got to decorate and store their class Valentines in. I must say, many classes admired the mailboxes from afar! Mrs. Hoppe assisted the class in making a Beary special Valentine magnet craft while Mrs. Leonetti organized the treat bag decorating session!

The first graders and I want to say a special thanks to all our parents who helped make Valentine’s Day so special (even if it was a day or two later than planned!). Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Wheaton for organizing the Valentine’s Day party. The students enjoyed all the special treats!

UPCOMING DATES:
2/19 – Jump Rope for Heart – 9:30-10:30
2/22 – PTA Gym Night
2/24 – 100th Day of School (100th day Math project due)
2/24 – Appel Farm Assembly for students
3/16 – PTA Covered Dish Dinner and Program (1st graders presenting on NJ Beaches)

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions/concerns. Feel free to catch me before/after school, send a note in the homework folder, or email me at dmahoney@elmerschool.com.

Enjoy your weekend!

Mrs. Mahoney/Mrs. Johnson