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

Newsletter for the week of August 29th

In math, we started working on subtraction word problems.  We know we have to start off with the bigger number and listen for key words like “rolled away”, “flew away”, “were eaten”, “gave away” and have to take that many away. So if we have the problem, “there were 6 birds and 2 flew away.  How many birds are left?”  They would start off with 6 circles, and we use circles since they are quick to draw, and cross off 2 and that would leave us with 4 circles.  So we would write the equation 6-2=4.  Then to show understanding we would need to write, “There are 4 birds left.”

In Wilson Fundations, we finished up Unit 2 where we were tapping out the beginning, middle, and ending sound of a word so we can spell and read the word correctly.  We started a new unit this week. See the green sheet coming home on Wednesday for more information about the digraphs we will be learning.

In reading, we focused on the words go, like, no, not, and that. Once we have gone over the words, they are expected to spell these words correctly in their writing and be able to read them.

In writing, we continued working on “Small Moment” stories.  We read the story “A Chair for my Mother” by Vera B. Williams and discussed how she took the small moment of coming home from shopping with her mother to find their apartment on fire.  Vera B. Williams made sure to focus in one moment and included lots of specific details like what type of shoes they just bought and the color of flowers they each liked.

Important information:

-         Important papers- At Open House I passed out Bus Agreement forms. Please sign, even if your child is not usually a bus rider, and return to school as soon as possible.

-         Student Hand Books- Last Friday in the Red Friday Folders, each child got a Student Handbook.  Please look over the handbook and sign and return the first sheet. Thanks for your help!

-         Family History Project- Continue to work on your family history project.  The sheet I passed out was just a few suggestions.  My goal is for your child to learn something about your family they never knew and for it to be fun.  If you would like to help your child share their information, just write a note in the Home-School Connection.  Projects are due by Friday, September 2^nd.

Homework for the week

Math	Complete attached Math Expressions pages: 2-6 (Homework- front and Remembering - back) 2-8 (Homework- front and Remembering - back)
Spelling	Sight Words this Week:                                                                                              go     like     no     not    that 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.  Have your child show you how we do “Elbows up, Let’s Tap” every single time they make a word.  It’s good practice for what we will be doing the rest of the year.  You will be using the letters throughout the year, so it might be a good idea to save them in a safe place at home.

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

Newsletter for the week of August 22nd

In math, we worked on the counting on strategy.  This is where we get the bigger number in our head and count on the lower number.  For example if we have the problem 6+2, we could get 6 in our head and add two more to it, giving us 6: 7 and 8. This is a much easier and quicker strategy than using the counting all strategy where we count every number, like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and then adding two more 7 and 8.

In Wilson’s Fundations, we have continued to work on tapping out the beginning, middle, and ending sounds to a word. We have also learned the trick word: and. We cannot tap out this word, so it has been added to the word wall for us to use. We have also continued to work on sentence dictation, where we count out the number of words in a sentence and tap out the sounds for each of the words, unless it is a trick word.

In reading, we worked on making predictions based on the pictures. We used the book “The Way I Feel” to help us predict how each character was feeling and why they were feeling that.  We also read the book “Pig’s Egg” and took a book walk and discussed our predictions we had about the book before we actually read it.  We discovered that making predictions gives us a great way to understand the book, even before we read it. We also focused on the words and, with, big, get, and up. Once we have gone over the words, they are expected to spell these words correctly in their writing and be able to read them.

In writing, we started working on “Small Moment” stories.  These are stories that have actually happened to us.  To help us understand what a “Small Moment” story is, we read the book “Owl Moon” by Jane Yolen. We then brainstormed ideas to write about.  The writing collage you did for homework a few weeks ago, with help the students when they are writing their “Small Moment” stories.

Important information:

-         Open House- Thank you to everyone who came out last week to our Open House. I know that was a lot of information to take in at once, so I have posted the PowerPoint presentation to my Blackboard site. You can access it from our school website, then click on staff and find my name and then to the right you will be see a chalkboard with “Bb”.  Click on that and look for Ms. Bethel. I have also posted the link on the classroom blog.

-         Open House information- At Open House I passed out Bus Agreement forms. Please sign, even if your child is not usually a bus rider, and return to school as soon as possible. I also had index cards with the link to the First Grade Curriculum.  There you can find the requirements and expectations for First Grade.  The link is http://www.wcpss.net/curriculum-instruction/docs_downloads/connections. It is available in Spanish and English.

-         Specials- Starting this week, we will begin having Guidance with Miss Hibberd on Thursdays until we track out.  Monday will continue to be Music, Tuesday is Art, Wednesday is PE, Thursday is Guidance, and Friday is Library.

-         Family History Project- Continue to work on your family history project.  The sheet I passed out was just a few suggestions.  My goal is for your child to learn something about your family they never knew and for it to be fun.  If you would like to help your child share their information, just write a note in the Home-School Connection.  Projects are due by Friday, September 2^nd.

-         Scholastic News- Continue to bring in your $5.00 for Scholastic News. Money is due this Friday.  Thanks so much!

Word of the week

In math this week we are learning how to count on.  For example, if we have the partners, 6+3, we get the bigger number 6 in our head and then add three more for: seven, eight nine.  So our word of the week is: counting on!

Homework for the week

Math	Complete attached Math Expressions pages: 2-3 (Homework- front and Targeted Practice - back) 2-4 (Homework- front and Remembering - back)
Spelling	Sight Words this Week:                                                                                              and      up      with     big     get 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.
Social Studies	See the sheet explaining the Family History Project.  This is meant to be a fun project for you and your child to do together, so they can discover information about their family.

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

Newsletter for the week of August 15th

This week in Social Studies, we read about different groups.  We found out we each belong to lots of different groups, like our classroom, our neighborhood, soccer teams, gymnastics and dance teams, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, and even our family.  We will be spending more time the next few weeks to learn more about our families.

In math, we began a new unit. We have been working on finding the partners and the total, by counting up all of our circles from our circle drawing and then writing an additional equation.  We talked about how the equal sign goes in the equation to show that the addition number sentence is true. So for example 7+2=9, would be a true addition sentence, since 7 plus 2, does equal 9. 8+1=10, would be not equal, since 8 plus 1 equals 9. 

In Wilson’s Fundations, we have continued to work on tapping out the beginning, middle, and ending sounds to a word. We have also learned two trick words: the and of.  These words we cannot tap out, so they are on the word wall for us to use. We have also worked on sentence dictation, where I say a sentence and they repeat it.  Then we work on tapping out each word and make sure to include a capital at the beginning of the sentence and put a period at the end.

In reading, we worked on a T-chart with expectations for readers in first grade. We found out that Readers can read to a friend, can read independently, can ask for help, and can use strategies to figure out tricky words.  Reader have to sound out words, have to practice, have book, and have strategies.  We also found out readers are always reading, are good listeners, are better writers, and are smart! Each student also made their own reading goals for the year that they are going to work towards.  We will have these goals hanging up in our classroom all year long as a reminder.  We also focused on the words the, on, it, me and of. Once we have gone over the words, they are expected to spell these words correctly in their writing and be able to read them.

In writing, we worked on revising, editing and publishing our first stories for very first writing celebration.  All of the students have worked so hard to become better writers our first 25 days of school. We worked on adding more details to our story and checked it over to make sure we used correct spacing, capitals at beginning of sentences, “I” by itself, and for proper nouns, and had periods at the end of complete thoughts. I will have your child’s first published story to share with you at Open House this Thursday at 5:00.

Important information:

-         Scholastic News- If you have not paid your $5.00 for Scholastic News, please turn it in by Friday.  I will be turning this money in next week and I will need to see how much more money needs to be collected for our class.  Thanks so much with your help with this.

-         Scholastic Book Order- Our first order forms went home last week.  This is a great way to purchase books for your child at a discounted price.  I have now set it up so you can order everything on line if you would prefer.  You go to scholastic.com/bookclubs and our class activation code is G229M. Please let me know if you need help with any of this!

Important dates for your calendar:

- Thursday, August 18^th- Open House Tracks 1 and 3 are 5:00 to 6:00 and Tracks 2 and 4 are 6:00 to 7:00

- Friday, August 19^th- Early Release at 1:15

- Saturday, August 20^th- Kailey Sanchez-Vega’s birthday

- Tuesday, August 23^rd- Scholastic order due

- Monday, September 5^th- Labor Day- NO SCHOOL!

- Tuesday, September 13^th- Track Out till October 3^rd

*Wish List

- Magnetic Tape

- Mr. Clean Dry Erase sponge

-Happy meal toys or any old toys for the Treasure chest

-Magnetic Letters

Word of the week!

This week in social studies, we are talking about families.  We are discussing how there are many different types of families and family responsibilities.  So this week, our word of the week is: families!

Newsletter for the week of August 8th

This week in Social Studies, we read and discussed several books about what it means to be a great friend.  We are so lucky to have such great friends in the classroom that are old friends and friends who are new friends.  We have really focused on how we are one family and how we all have to work together. 

In math, we have been focusing on doubles and odd and even numbers. We know that we can double a number so it has exactly the same on each side.  For example if we double 4 it would give us 8.  Any time we double a number it is even. We can circle partners, which is groups of two.  If there is an “odd man out” the number is odd.  But if everyone has a partner they are “Even Steven.”

In Wilson’s Fundations, we learned how to tap out the sounds in a word to read and also how to tap out the sounds to spell.  For example, if we have the word mat, we tap out the beginning sound /m/, then the middle sound /a/, and finally the ending sound /t/ and then blend it all together.  Have your child show you how we use our fingers to tap out the sounds.

In reading, we worked on our Word Study groups. These are groups differentiated for each student’s need. Monday we cut our words out and sorted them into their respective groups.  Tuesday, we sorted the words and spelled them with Wikki Sticks. Wednesday we sorted the words and made them with magnetic letters. Thursday we sort the words and Rainbow Write them and on Friday we glue the words into our notebook in the correct sorts.  We also focused on the words all, at, but, can, and in. Once we have gone over the words, they are expected to spell these words correctly in their writing and be able to read them.

In writing, we discussed how we hold writing conferences each day.  As students are writing, I will come around and conference with one student at a time.  I will tell them something they are doing great with and something they need to continue to work on. We also practiced putting periods at the end of complete thoughts.  Remember- “Think a thought.  Write a thought. Put a period.”

Important information:

-         Our first Scholastic book order forms are coming home this Tuesday.  Scholastic provides a great way for you to build a great library at home at a very affordable price. If you are interested in buy any books, the order form and check (made out to Scholastic book club) will be due on Tuesday, August 23^rd.

Important dates for your calendar:

- Tuesday, August 9^th- Picture Day for tracks 1 and 2. We will go at 10:10.

- Thursday, August 11^th- Spirit Night at Pelican’s from 3:00 to 10:00

- Thursday, August 18^th- Open House Tracks 1 and 3 are 5:00 to 6:00 and Tracks 2 and 4 are 6:00 to 7:00

- Friday, August 19^th- Early Release at 1:15

- Saturday, August 20^th- Kailey Sanchez-Vega’s birthday

- Tuesday, August 23^rd- Scholastic order due

- Monday, September 5^th- Labor Day- NO SCHOOL!

- Tuesday, September 13^th- Track Out till October 3^rd

*Wish List

- Magnetic Tape

- Mr. Clean Dry Erase sponge

-Happy meal toys or any old toys for the Treasure chest

-Magnetic Letters

Homework for the week

Math	Complete attached Math Expressions pages: 1-16 (Homework- front and Remembering - back) 1-17 (Homework- front and Targeted Practice - back)
Spelling	Sight Words this Week: the     of     it     me     on                                                       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 . 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	See the “Handwriting Homework” sheet for more information. You need to write each letter 5 times using the correct letter formation on the paper provided. You can use the blue paper in the back of your child’s homework folder as a resource.

Newsletter for the week of August 1st

This week in Social Studies, we learned about each of the students when their “Mini Me’s” shared their “All About Me” sheet.  I really enjoyed getting to learn more about each student!

In math, we have continued to work on finding partners for numbers 8, 9, and 10.  We also learned how to count on with the numbers 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10.  For example, if we have the number 7, we can look at the dots and see that the row of 5 is filled and then 2 extra dots, to give us the partners 5+2=7.

In Wilson’s Fundations, we have learned all of our letter sounds. This week we are starting a new unit.  Be on the lookout for the Wilson’s Fundations parent packet coming home this Thursday.

In reading, we continued to work on building stamina during their “read to self” center with their “Baggy books” in their cubby.  They will also complete five word work activities, five writing activities, and meet with me for Guided Reading each day.

In writing, we worked on stretching our story across three pages.  We will continue to talk about that this week.  We practiced doing a quick sketch on each page for our thoughts.  For example on page 1 I could write, “When I wake up every morning, the first thing I do is take a shower and wash my face so I can wake up.” Then on the 2^nd page I would write, “Then I brush my teeth really well.” Then on the 3^rd page, I would write “Then I get dressed and go downstairs so I can eat breakfast and feed Bootsie, and then I’m out the door and on the way to school.”

Important information:

-It has been quite chilly in the classroom and in the school.  If you would like to have your child keep a light coat in the classroom that is fine.

- Specials for the next 3 weeks will be as followed: Monday is Music, Tuesday is Art, Wednesday is PE, Thursday is Curriculum Focus with Mrs. Rutherford, and Friday is now Library.

Important dates for your calendar:

- Tuesday, August 9^th- Picture Day for tracks 1 and 2. We will go at 10:10.

- Thursday, August 11^th- Spirit Night at Pelican’s from 3:00 to 10:00

- Thursday, August 18^th- Open House Tracks 1 and 3 are 5:00 to 6:00 and Tracks 2 and 4 are 6:00 to 7:00

- Friday, August 19^th- Early Release at 1:15

- Saturday, August 20^th- Kailey’s birthday

*Wish List

- Magnetic Tape

- Mr. Clean Dry Eraser