FIRST GRADE FOOTNOTES

Dear First Grade Families: 5/14/10

I hope all of you enjoyed your Mother’s Day and the gifts from the children. They had a good time working on their secret projects. Did you get to see how cute they looked in the Today’s Sunbeam article featuring Dr. B’s retirement?!?!?

Here’s an overview of what’s been going on in First Grade this week:

MATH: As we continued Unit 8 we focused on making change using real-world “school store” examples. We also began to work on fractions – dividing items into equal shares (1/2, 1/3, and 1/4) which will prepare them for second grade.

The students are also learning equivalents for the $1 = 100 pennies, $1 = 10 dimes, $1 = 4 quarters, and $1 = 20 nickels. When we are practicing these examples in class you can really tell which students “help” their parents shop and know coins and making change!

Please continue to reinforce these skills at home by having them add various amounts of coins together. Ask them to show you how to make a certain amount at least two different ways. Many students still need more practice than what a school day can provide.

READING: This week’s nonfiction story, “On the Job with Dr. Martha Smith” was an interview with a veterinarian who works at an animal shelter. The photographs were well done and prompted many discussions about our pets!

Next week’s story is a fantasy story, “Little Bear’s Friend”. This will be the next to last story in our fourth of five reading books. It’s hard to believe we will soon be working on our last book. I am impressed with the great job the students have done working their way through each themed book, decoding words, improving their fluency, and enhancing their comprehension. They are well on their way to becoming confident, Second Grade readers!

BOOK BAGS: Continue to read them at least 2 times over the weekend and return them on Monday. Send a note when you return the books to let me know how they “fit”. Remember the goal is to read independently at Level “I” by the end of First Grade. Many of our students are already at that level or past that level! Keep up the good work!

SPELLING: Next week’s spelling words will be /long i/y, ie words:
my, fly, by, why, sky, try, out, now, any, eight
Bonus (high-frequency) words: again, blue, hello, high, love, opened

ART: This week we created rainbow colored butterflies to hang on our windows. During creation of these butterflies the room looked a wreck but the end result was worth the clean up! We also created robots with our Math stencils and wrote about them.

We’re looking for a few good parent (or grandparent) volunteers to help us finish out our First Grade art schedule. Art is held on Wednesdays from 2-3:00. Please see me to sign up. We can help provide supplies if needed!

UPCOMING DATES:
**5/17 – Talent Show ** - New Date
5/18 – 2 pm - Kite Launching event – PARENTS ARE INVITED!
5/21 – First Grade Class Trip to the Philadelphia Zoo
6/17 – Last full day of school
6/18 – 1:00 dismissal/Field Day
6/21 – 1:00 dismissal
6/22 – 1:00 dismissal/last day of school/whole school picnics

ZOO CHAPERONE INFORMATION: It’s hard to believe it’s almost class trip day! Thanks to all our volunteers! We look forward to a great day at the zoo! The students are excited to see the new animal lego creations and get close to some small animals in our “Five Alive/Five Senses” class at the zoo.

Look for an informational memo coming home shortly with details about next Friday’s trip. Since we have so many parent volunteers, most chaperones will only be responsible for their child and one other student.

FYI: I will be out of school on Friday, May 14th and Monday, May 17th. Unfortunately I will miss the Talent Show on the 17th! Best of luck to all our talented First Graders! I know you’ll shine like the stars you are!!

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

Enjoy your weekend!

Mrs. Mahoney/Mrs. Johnson