Newsletter for the week of October 31st

Happy Halloween!!!!!!

Miss Bethel’s class

Weekly Newsletter- Volume 12

October 31, 2011

In math, we started a new unit working the counting by 10’s and adding on the extra ones.  We have been working on making 10 sticks, which is doing a straight line for each ten and then drawing circles for the ones place.  For example if we had the number 37, we would do 3 ten sticks (straight lines) and then do 5 circles on top and 2 underneath it.  We do 5 and 2, so we can quickly add 5+2 to give us 7.  Doing the ten stick saves a lot of time, so we don’t have to count up 10 each time, but instead can count by ten.

In writing, we have had so many fun things happening, like our Fun Run, our field trip, and Pumpkin day! So we have been working on writing stories about each of these things. We are working on being specific about where and when the event took place and making sure to include lots of specific details so our reader understands what we did and can picture it in their head.

In Wilson Fundations, we have been working on double bonus letters and the glued sounds /all/, /am/, and /an/. With the double bonus letters, these are letters that we double and these letters come at the end of each quadrant. They are f, l, s, and sometimes z. We do not tap out this sound, but we do have to double it up when a short vowel comes before that letter. For example, if we had the word mess, we would only tap out /m/, /e/, and the first /s/. For the glued sounds, these are sounds that we tap out together. For example, if we had the word fall, it would only have two sounds to tap out /f/ and then /all/. So when we tap out a glued sound, it looks like a wolf pack with the middle and ring finger together to tap out.

Pumpkin Day- We had a great time doing lots of activities with the pumpkins.  We first made great observations by touching, listening, smelling, and watching the pumpkins. Then we made estimations about the weight of them, then found the circumference around the pumpkin, found out if they sink or float, and then counted the seeds.  The Cinderella pumpkin weighed 30 pounds, but only had 34seeds! Wow! Then in the afternoon, we go to try lots of food made from pumpkins.  We loved pumpkin day!

Important Information:

-      THANK YOU PARENTS! - Thank you parents for all that you have done this year.  A special thank you to our volunteers that came in to help with Pumpkin Day! Also, thank you so much for your willingness to donate items for our Pumpkin Day.  It was such a huge success and we had so much fun! Thank you again!

Homework for the week of October 31st

Math	Complete attached Math Expressions pages: 4-2 (Homework- front and Remembering - back) 4-4 (Homework- front and Remembering - back)
Spelling	Sight Words this Week: were      her       put      had     here *As the year progresses, we will be creating a list of sight word activities that your child can choose from each week. Your child needs to choose 2 of the 6 activities listed.  In addition, they should also read the sight words to a parent each night. Pick 2 of the choices below: *Write each sight word 3x each. *Use each sight word in a sentence. *Rainbow write your words in 2 colors for each word. *Write your sight words in ABC order. *Write each word neatly. Trace over all the vowels in each word with a blue crayon. *Write a story and use each of your sight words. Underline each word as you use it in the story.
Reading	Read your “Book in a Bag” to Mom or Dad and parents complete the Parent Participation Sheet.  Take time to really work through the questions with your child.  Eventually they will be able to answer most of the questions without much prompting.  Your child should continue to read their “Book in a Bag” several times throughout the week. Please make sure the “Parent Participation sheet” is filled out and returned on Friday, with the book.
Wilson Fundations	Complete the Wilson Fundations sheet.  We have been working with the “glued sounds /an/ and /am/. Read the directions and complete the sheet. *Please make sure this sheet is turned in on Friday with all of the other homework.

Reminder:  Please return your assignments completed, including name on all of the homework, in your Homework Folder on Friday morning!  J

Fire Safety Day with Fire Fighter Olmeda

Andrew's Dad, Mr. Olmeda, is a fire fighter for the City of Raleigh and he came to our classroom and taught us some very important things about fire safety.  We had a great time and he even made Miss Bethel put on all of the fire figther's gear!

Homework for the week of October 24th

Math	Complete attached Math Expressions pages: 3-13 (Homework- front and Targeted Practice - back) 3-14 (Homework- front and Remembering - back)
Spelling	Sight Words this Week:                                                                                              from      or       have      eat     got *As the year progresses, we will be creating a list of sight word activities that your child can choose from each week. Your child needs to choose 2 of the 6 activities listed.  In addition, they should also read the sight words to a parent each night. Pick 2 of the choices below: *Write each sight word 3x each. *Use each sight word in a sentence. *Rainbow write your words in 2 colors for each word. *Write your sight words in ABC order. *Write each word neatly. Trace over all the vowels in each word with a blue crayon. *Write a story and use each of your sight words. Underline each word as you use it in the story.
Reading	Read your “Book in a Bag” to Mom or Dad and parents complete the Parent Participation Sheet.  Take time to really work through the questions with your child.  Eventually they will be able to answer most of the questions without much prompting.  Your child should continue to read their “Book in a Bag” several times throughout the week. Please make sure the “Parent Participation sheet” is filled out and returned on Friday, with the book.
Wilson Fundations	Complete the Wilson Fundations sheet.  We have been working with “Double Bonus Letters.” They are f, l, s, and sometimes z. Read the directions and complete the sheet. *Please make sure this sheet is turned in on Friday with all of the other homework.

Homework for the week of October 17th

Math	Complete attached Math Expressions pages: 3-9 (Homework- front and Targeted Practice - back) 3-12 (Homework- front and Remembering - back)
Spelling	Sight Words this Week:                                                                                              they      one     said      did     dog *As the year progresses, we will be creating a list of sight word activities that your child can choose from each week. Your child needs to choose 2 of the 6 activities listed.  In addition, they should also read the sight words to a parent each night. Pick 2 of the choices below: *Write each sight word 3x each. *Use each sight word in a sentence. *Rainbow write your words in 2 colors for each word. *Write your sight words in ABC order. *Write each word neatly. Trace over all the vowels in each word with a blue crayon. *Write a story and use each of your sight words. Underline each word as you use it in the story.
Reading	Read your “Book in a Bag” to Mom or Dad and parents complete the Parent Participation Sheet.  Take time to really work through the questions with your child.  Eventually they will be able to answer most of the questions without much prompting.  Your child should continue to read their “Book in a Bag” several times throughout the week. Please make sure the “Parent Participation sheet” is filled out and returned on Friday, with the book.
Wilson Fundations	Complete the Wilson Fundations sheet.  (If you have been keeping the cut apart letters, add the diagraphs, the double bonus letters (f,l,s), and the glued sound “all” to your letters.) *Please make sure this sheet is turned in on Friday with all of the other homework.

Reminder:  Please return your assignments completed, including name on all of the homework, in your Homework Folder on Friday morning!  J

Newsletter for the week of October 17th

In math, we concentrated on “Math Mountains” where we work on plugging numbers in to help us figure out story problems and make an equation.  At the top of the mountain is the total amount.  We know this is the biggest number. The two numbers at the bottom of the mountain are the “partners” when added together give us the total.  For example if I have the problem, “I had 9 marbles.  Five were green and the rest were orange.  How many are orange?” I would use the math mountain to put 9, the total, at the top and 5 at the bottom of the mountain, since I know that is already one of the partners.  I would put a box for the other partner since it is the “unknown partner.”  Then I would count on from 5 and say 6, 7, 8, and 9 and hold a finger up for every number.  Since I said 4 numbers, (6, 7, 8, and 9) my answer would be 4.  So I could make an equation of 5+4=9.

In reading, we really focused on making a connection to our lives after we have read a book.  For example, we read the book “Bear Feels Sick.” I made the connection to my life, because when I had the chicken pox, my brother took care of me.  Then when I was feeling better, my brother then got the chicken pox, just like in the book when Bear was sick and all of his friends took care of him.  Then when he was better, all of his friends were then sick. It’s also a great idea for students to make a connection to another story.

In writing, we wrote about a Small Moment Story that happened to each student during Track out. We made sure to include lots of great details, like specifically when the Small Moment happened, who was there with them, and where it took place.

Fire Safety- Last week we talked a lot about Fire Safety, since it was Fire Safety week.  We read several books about Fire Fighters and how Fire Fighters and safety requirements have changed from hundreds of years ago to now.  Have your child share some of the things they learned last week.

Important Information:

-        Field Trips- Our field trip taking place next week on the 25^th will be here at school.  We will be doing lots of hands-on science activities. We will be having lunch at school like normal, so there is not a lunch order form for this trip.  But there will be one for our field trip in May.

-        Scholastic book order-. If you are interested, check and order form will be due to me by Wednesday, October 19^th. If you would like to order online, our class activation code is: G229M.  You can access that at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs.

-        Do you buy items that have Boxtops on them?  If so, our school could earn 10 cents for each one you cut off and turn in.  Once you have a nice collection going, all you have to do is put them in a bag and write my name, first grade, track 1, and the amount in the bag.  We get money for the school and you didn’t have to spend any money!

Newsletter for the week of October 3rd

Welcome back!  I trust everyone had a wonderful track out and is ready to get back into the swing of things.

I really enjoyed meeting with everyone last week for conferences. It really is amazing how involved all of you are in your child’s lives. They are lucky to have such wonderful parents.  Thank you for all of the support you give them and me! * We will meet again in the 3^rd quarter or beginning of 4^th quarter, but please let me know if you ever have questions, concerns, and/or comments and we can most certainly meet when needed!

For the next three weeks, from October 3^rd to October 21^st, our specials will be as followed:  Monday is Music, Tuesday is Art, Wednesday is PE, and Thursday and Friday are both Technology.

Important Information:

-        Field Trips- Information about our two Field Trips is coming home in Folders tomorrow.  Take a look at the blue sheet explaining our 2 trips and write the dates on your calendar.  The cost for both trips is $18.00 and is due as soon as possible.  See the pink sheet on how you can pay for this easily online.  Make sure you return the permission slip with both the front and back filled out.

-        Scholastic book order- October Scholastic book orders will be coming home Thursday this week. This of course is completely optional, but it is a great opportunity to order some books for your child. If you are interested, check and order form will be due to me by Wednesday, October 19^th. If you would like to order online, our class activation code is: G229M.  You can access that at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs.

-        Team time- On Tuesday, October 4^th we will begin a school-wide Team Time.  This intense, focused instructional time will be used to provide support for every student through remediation or enrichment activities based on students’ needs.  Team Time will take place from 9:20-9:50 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays’ each week. With Team Time starting our schedule has changed.  The new schedule is on the back.  Lunch is now 12:10 to 12:40 and specials are from 9:55 to 10:35.

-Fun Run- This Thursday is our Fun Run. This is the biggest money raiser for our school.  Our class will be running from 10:20 to 11:05. Please have your child wear a yellow t-shirt since that will be our color for the class.  Hope to see you out there!

Homework for the week

Math	Complete attached Math Expressions pages: 3-2 (Homework- front and Remembering - back) 3-3 (Homework- front and Targeted Practice - back)
Spelling	Sight Words this Week:                                                                                              as      his     has     will     an *As the year progresses, we will be creating a list of sight word activities that your child can choose from each week. Your child needs to choose 2 of the 5 activities listed.  In addition, they should also read the sight words to a parent each night. Pick 2 of the choices below: *Write each sight word 3x each. *Use each sight word in a sentence. *Rainbow write your words in 2 colors for each word. *Write your sight words in ABC order. *Write each word neatly. Trace over all the vowels in each word with a blue crayon. *Write a story and use each of your sight words. Underline each word as you use it in the story.
Reading	Read for at least 10 minutes each night.  Write the titles and minutes on the Reading Log on the back of this assignment sheet.
Wilson Fundations	Complete the Wilson Fundations sheet.  (If you have been keeping the cut apart letters, add the diagraphs to your letters.) *Please make sure this sheet is turned in on Friday with all of the other homework.

Reminder:  Please return your assignments completed, including name on all of the homework, in your Homework Folder on Friday morning!  J

Homework for the week

Math	Complete attached Math Expressions pages: 2-14 (Homework- front and Remembering - back) 2-16 (Homework- front and Remembering - back)
Spelling	Sight Words this Week:                                                                                              is      he     for     too     went 1.     Practice writing each word 5 times in your best handwriting. (Use the blue handwriting sheet in the back of the homework folder to make sure lines are being used correctly.) 2.      Write each word in a sentence.  Remember to start your sentence with a capital letter, put spaces between your words, and end your sentence with a period (telling sentence) or question mark (asking sentence). Please underline the word you are using in a sentence . 3.     An example of a good first grade sentence using the word “go”: is: I go to the store with my family.
Reading	Read for at least 10 minutes each night.  Write the titles and minutes on the Reading Log on the back of this assignment sheet.
Wilson Fundations	Complete the Wilson Fundations sheet.  (If you have been keeping the cut apart letters, add the diagraphs to your letters.)

Newsletter for the week of September 6th

In social studies, we have been sharing our family history projects.  The kids have had a great time sharing information they learned about their family and we can’t wait to hear the rest of the projects this week.

In math, we worked on writing addition and subtraction equations in vertical and horizontal forms. We are used to writing equations going from left to right, which is horizontal, but we focused on stacking them up.  We learned we have to stack the tens and ones correctly and put the addition or subtraction sign to the left of our second number.  Our equal sign now becomes a long line underneath the 2^nd number.  We found out that we use the same numbers for the horizontal equation as we do the vertical equation.

In Wilson Fundations, we started Unit 3 working with digraphs.  Digraphs are two consonants that together make one sound and they only get one tap. We focus on 5 digraphs and they are as followed: “sh, th, wh, ch, and ck”. We know that the digraph “ck” is special because it can only go at the end of the word.

In reading, we focused on the words to, a, was, then, and this. Once we have gone over the words, they are expected to spell these words correctly in their writing and be able to read them.

Important information:

-          Conferences- I will be holding conferences next Monday and Tuesday and then on Thursday, September 29^th.  I have sent conference confirmations to everyone.  If something comes up and you are unable to keep your conference time, please email me at cbethel@wcpss.net or call the school at 890-7333 as soon as possible and we can reschedule. Please make sure to be on time, since conferences are schedule back to back.

-          Apple Day- Next Tuesday, we will be having an apple day.  It will be a day where everything has apple related activities. I will need materials and volunteers in order to make this day a huge success.  See the “Sign up Genius” coming through email today to sign up.  Thanks so much for your help with this!

-          Stuffed Animal Day- The students got the class pom pom jar filled and they voted to bring their favorite stuffed animal to school. We will do this next Monday, September 12^th.  Each student is allowed to bring one animal to school and it must be able to fit in their book bag.

-          Track Out Packet- Not sure what to work on during Track Out? I will be sending home a Track Out packet for students to work on during Track Out. This is completely optional, but will keep skills fresh during our time out.  

-          Picture Retakes- RETAKE Picture Day for Track 1 is Tuesday, Sept. 13th. This is for anyone who was absent, forgot picture money on the original day, didn't like original pictures (must bring packet of pictures back).

Homework for the week

Math	Complete attached Math Expressions pages: 2-11 (Homework- front and Remembering - back) 2-12 (Homework- front and Remembering - back)
Spelling	Sight Words this Week:                                                                                              to     a     was     then     this 1.     Practice writing each word 5 times in your best handwriting. (Use the blue handwriting sheet in the back of the homework folder to make sure lines are being used correctly.) 2.      Write each word in a sentence.  Remember to start your sentence with a capital letter, put spaces between your words, and end your sentence with a period (telling sentence) or question mark (asking sentence). Please underline the word you are using in a sentence . 3.     An example of a good first grade sentence using the word “go”: is: I go to the store with my family.
Reading	Read your “Book in a Bag” to Mom or Dad and parents complete the Parent Participation Sheet.  Take time to really work through the questions with your child.  Eventually they will be able to answer most of the questions without much prompting.  Your child should continue to read their “Book in a Bag” several times throughout the week. Please make sure the “Parent Participation sheet” is filled out and returned on Friday, with the book.
Wilson’s Fundations	Complete the Wilson’s Fundations sheet.  Parents, read over the direction at the top- we have been working on this a lot in class, so this process is quite familiar to your child.

Reminder:  Please return your assignments completed, including the “Book in a Bag”, in your Homework Folder on Friday morning!  J