Homework for the week of January 31st

Math	Complete attached Math Expressions pages: 6-5 (Homework- front and Remembering- back) 6-7 (Homework- front and Remembering- back)
Spelling and Writing	Sight Words this Week: brother      old       again       girl      favorite 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 a short story using all of the sight words for the week.  Make sure the story makes sense and has complete thoughts, in addition to capitals and periods. (Please underline the sight words in the story.) *Please make sure your child is taking their time and using their neatest handwriting.  I want them to take pride in their work!
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.

Word of the week

Since Ground Hog's Day is on Wednesday, our word of the week is: shadow. 

Valentine's Day!

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and we have a fun family activity for your child to complete at home. Working with your child, you can take a simple shoe box (with the lid included) or a white paper bag and let you imagination run wild!  You can cover the shoe box with construction or tissue paper and decorate with crayons, markers, and stickers. Boxes and Valentines can start arriving on Monday, February 7^th. 

Please make sure your child’s name is clearly labeled on the shoe box or bag.  This will make it much easier when it comes time for the kids to pass out the Valentines.  If you need any supplies like construction paper, a shoe box, or a paper bag, please let me know and I will send materials home with your child. 

Book-It!

January Book-It! is due tomorrow or Monday, the 31st. Next week I will be sending home Book-It! for the month of February.  We will continue our goal of reading 45 minutes a week.  February Book-It! will be due on Monday, February 28th.

March will be the last month we will do Book-It!, but that doesn't mean to stop reading!!! I will pass out the paper for March before we track out and it will be due on Monday, April 4th when we track back in.

Keep up the great reading! Remember only 45 minutes a week gets you a free personal pan pizza at Pizza Hut!

Word of the week

We have been talking about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. So our word of the week is....Segregation. Have your child write this word down on their Home-School Connection and they get a special treat!

Newsletter for January 18th

Miss Bethel’s class

Bi-Weekly Newsletter- Volume 16

January 18, 2011

Reading- Since track in, we have really been focusing on non-fiction text, specifically animals.  We have been working on completing KWL charts with the information we already know (K), what we want to find out (W), and then finally what we learned (L) after we were done reading.  Since we have been talking a lot about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. we have also completed a KWL chart with information about his very important life.

Writing- This week we made an “I have a Dream” quilt.  We studied Martin Luther King Jr. this week and last and discussed how inspirational he was.  So the student each made a dream and discussed how they were going to achieve that dream.  Our banner will be in the hallway for everyone to see.

Peanut Butter Bird Feeders- The day we tracked in we read the book, “The After Christmas Tree.” With this story, we were able to do an interactive writing for a “How to make a peanut butter bird feeder”. Last week, we followed our very specific steps and each made a bird feeder.  We found that we are pretty good at giving directions on how to make this unique bird feeder.  I hope everyone’s feeder made it through the ice and is still standing strong!

Math- Last week we worked on addition and subtraction equations and worked on the “Make a Ten” strategy to find the answer.  For example, if we have the equation 8+__=13, we could say 8+2 gives us 10, and then we add the remaining 3 (from the 13).  So 2+3, gives us 5. We finished up Unit 5 and the kids did a great job on their assessment. This test will be coming home on Friday.  See what objectives your child has not mastered and continue working on those. 

Science- Since Track in, we have started our Balance and Motion Kit.  We have been discussing and observing how objects can balance having a counterweight and how the arch and triangle can balance using the counterweights which have to be below the balance point. See the science letter that is attached to this for more information about this unit.

Team Time- In our first grade PLT (which takes place every Wednesday before school) we work hard to develop interventions for our kids who need more support and are not meeting grade level bench marks as well as meeting the needs of our kids who are working above grade level. Afternoons at 3:10, we divide the students up into several groups based on your child’s understanding of retelling, phonic skills, word families, and rhyming words, etc.  Each teacher will teach a different lesson and challenge the group of students based on their level of understanding. We hope that this added time for differentiated instruction will allow all students to be challenged in reading and help with retelling and other areas your child could use extra assistance in.  If you have any further questions about our PLT interventions please let me know!

Important Information:

- Thank you to all of the parents who donated items for our Peanut butter bird seed feeders. They turned out great and I hope the birds and squirrels enjoyed their winter snack!

- Accidents Happen!  They happen all the time, in many different places throughout the day.  Please make sure your child has an extra change of clothes in their book bag.  Make sure these clothes are appropriate for the winter weather and not the same ones from the beginning of the year in the summer time.  Thanks for helping out!

- 100^th day of school is this Thursday!  Make sure to bring in your 100 objects so we can practice grouping and counting by 10’s, 5’s, and 2’s.  BE CREATIVE with your 100 objects!

- Book Fair- Banks will be having a book fair in the library. It starts on February 7^th and ends on the 18^th. We will be having a Book Fair Family Night and families are welcome to attend on February 17^th from 6:00-8:00. If you are not able to make book fair night at Banks, your child will have to opportunity to buy books during the school day.

- Jump Rope for Heart- Information for this year’s Jump Rope for Heart is coming home this Friday.  Last year Banks Road was awarded a certificate of raising the most money for a school in its first year! Way to go! This year Mrs. Williford is asking for y'all to do another fabulous job and to raise even more money.  All money will need to be turned in by Friday, February 25^th and cash is not allowed. If you have any questions, I can direct those to Mrs. Williford.

Important dates for your calendar:

- Wednesday, January 19^th- January Scholastic due

- Thursday, January 20^th- 100^th day of school (Track 1)

- Friday, January 21^st- Early Release- School is dismissed at 1:15

- Monday, January 31^st- Abbey’s Birthday

- Monday, January 31^st- January Book-It! due

- Wednesday, February 2^nd- Groundhog’s Day

- Monday, February 14^th- Valentine’s Day

- Thursday, February 17^th- Book Fair Family Night from 6 to 8 pm

- Friday, February 25^th- Field Trip to Poe Health Center

- Monday, February 28^th- Jump Rope for Heart (Tracks 1 and 3)

Wish List

-      Lysol Spray

-      Clorox Wipes

-      Items for the Treasure Chest

-      Glue Sticks

100th Day of School Homework

Our 100^th day of school is Thursday, January 20th.  I would like for your child to find 100 of something and bring it to school in a paper bag with their name on it.  We will practice grouping and counting it by 10’s, 5’s, and 2’s. Be as creative as you would like.  The possibilities are endless!

*This assignment is due Thursday, since that is our 100^th day of school!

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