Newsletter volume 3

In math, we have been working on odd and even numbers. We have also been working on finding equal partners for even numbers.  For example, 8 can have equal partners because it can have the partners of 4 and 4.  But 7 and 9 cannot have equal partners. We have also been working on finding 1 more, 2 more, 1 less, and 2 less than a number between 0 and 20.

In Daily 5, we began building our stamina for read to self and work on writing. We made an “I-chart” for each of these rotations and have talked about what the expectations are for students and for the teacher during this time. We started with 3 minutes for each of these rotations and have built our stamina up to 10 minutes so far. Our overall goal is to be able to work independently for 20 minutes.

In writing, we have been focusing on stretching out words and writing down the sounds they hear.  This is a great tool to use for homework too.  As the year goes on, we will learn more about phonemic rules and our spelling will improve, but this is a great tool to always use.  The last thing I want a student to do is stay stuck on a word.

We started a phonics based program called “Letterland”. Last week, we learned the letters a, b, c, d, f, h, l, m, n, p, r, s, and t. We learned the “character” that goes with each letter and the motion for each letter. Ask your child about these letters and their characters name and their motion.

Important information:

- Checking Out-If parents need to check students out of school early for an appointment, the student must be checked out in the office by 3:00 p.m. The office will be closed at 3:00 p.m. each day for student check out. The reason for this procedure is student safety. In case of an emergency, parents may call the office at 890-7333.  A staff member will return your call if necessary. We discourage early check outs and late arrivals but understand that they may happen a few times each year.

- Lunch Time Visitors Information Parents are always welcome at Banks Road Elementary to enjoy lunch with their children. While visiting at lunchtime, we ask that all visitors observe the following guidelines:

1.              Sign-in at the office and wear your Visitor’s Badge in a prominent and visible location;

2.              Meet your child in the cafeteria when he/she arrives with his/her class, please do not walk to the classroom;

3.              Sit at the Visitor’s Table with your child only (for safety and security, students are not permitted to invite friends to eat with them);

4.              Allow your child to return to class when his/her teacher arrives to pick up the class; and

5.              Check-out at the office after lunch, remove badge, and place in trash before exiting the office.

Banks Road Elementary and Child Nutrition Services encourage healthy lifestyles and healthy food choices. Parents may bring in outside food and drink for their child, but may not bring lunch for another child.

-Please continue to bring bus tags back.  Students need to bring those back for 10 more school day.  Thanks!

- It is hot outside!!!! It might be a good idea to send a reusable water bottle to school with your child so they can take it out to recess with them.

Homework for the week of July 22nd

                     Homework for the week of July 22^nd – July 26^th  

Reading: (DAILY)

• Learning to read and improving your reading skills are some of the most important things your child will learn in first grade.  For that reason, I would like your child to begin reading nightly for about ten minutes.  Once your child has completed their time, initial below to show that they have read each night.     

Monday: 10 minutes	Tuesday: 10 minutes	Wednesday: 10 minutes	Thursday: 10 minutes

Letterland: (Daily Activities)

See Step by Step Worksheet for more detailed directions!

• Monday  – Read circled words and sentences
• Tuesday – Look Say and cover Activity
• Wednesday – Write 5 sentences
• Thursday – Practice Spelling Test

Math: (due Friday)

• “Comparing Names in my Family” Journal Prompt
• “Comparing Numbers” Journal Prompt

Newsletter volume 2

Thank you to all of the parents who turned in the “Student Information sheet”. I enjoyed learning more about your child and will work very hard to ensure their first grade experience is a wonderful one!

This week in Social Studies, we worked on coming up with our class rules. And they are as followed: 1. Use your best behavior, 2. Keep hands and feet to yourself., 3. Use appropriate voice level., 4. Listen to the teacher the first time, 5.Use your manners., 6. Come every day ready to do your best., and 7. Be respectful when others are working. Together as a class we also came up with rewards and consequences and talked about how we can be good classroom citizens. That is someone who is a role model to others in our classroom and school.

In math, we have started our daily work with the money flip chart, the secret code cards, number flashes with our fingers, the number path, and number splash. Have your child tell you what we do with each of these items daily.

In reading, we have been discussing how important it is to read as much as possible, because “the more we read, the better we read!”  This can be books, signs, video games, things on television, the comics, or anything else they can find.

In writing, we have been focusing on using correct spaces in our story and adding more to our story because “When we are done, we have just begun.” It’s important to go back and add more to our picture, more to our writing, and then starting another piece.

Important information:

- I would first like to thank all of the parents for bringing in so many wonderful supplies for the beginning of the year.

- We went to the library last week and had a chance to check out 2 library books each.  I will allow students to go the library and check out new books in the morning before the bell rings and any free time throughout the day.

- Bus riders are required by Wake County to wear their bus tags for the first 20 days of school.  Please make sure your child returns their bus tag each day! We want to make sure they are getting off at the appropriate stop.

- Homework will always be due on Friday.  I will have students pull out their homework on Friday mornings, so it should stay in the folder till Friday.  I will not pull it out before then.

-Please keep the “Home-School Connection” in the homework folder.  I will collect those on Monday and keep for my records. Thanks for your understanding.

Homework for the week of July 15, 2013

Math	Complete attached Math Expressions pages: 1-7 (Homework- front and Targeted Practice- back) 1-8 (Homework- front and Remembering- back)
Writing	Writing workshop is a very important part of first grade.  We often ask our students to write about things that relate to them.  I would like for you to sit down with your child and make a collage.  The collage can consist of pictures that you have taken of family, friends, trips, sports/activities your child participates in, pets, etc…  It can also be pictures cut out of magazines that your child likes if pictures are not available to you.  When you glue the pictures on the cardstock for the collage, please use only one side and make sure the pictures fit on the cardstock.  We will use the other side for something else.  The students will be allowed to use this collage during writing workshop time to help with the writing/story telling process and refer back to it during the school year.
Reading	Read for at least 10 minutes each night.  Write the title on this sheet. Monday _________________________________________ Tuesday__________________________________________ Wednesday_______________________________________ Thursday ________________________________________

First and second homework assignment

My First Homework Assignment

Learning to read and improving reading skills are some of the most important things your child will learn in first grade.  I’m sure you have already begun this journey by reading to your child at home.  Your child’s first homework assignment is to bring one of their favorite books to school tomorrow or by Wednesday at the latest.  Talk to your child about his/her memories of you reading to him/her.  Talk about books or magazines that cover a favorite topic your child is interested in.  Talk to your child about any books he/she reads, pretends to read or ones you have read to him/her.  Then have your child pick one book to bring to school to share with the class.  It is not necessary that your child is able to read the book on his/her own, but he/she should be familiar with the book.  I would like to keep these books for a week or two while we have discussions about our favorite books and how to cherish them.  I promise we will take good care of them while they are here.  Please put your child’s name on the book.  If it is a library book, put your child’s name on a post-it note inside the front cover.  Thank you so much for your participation! 

  My Second Homework Assignment

Each week your child will have reading homework.  It is important for you and your child to consider where in your home is the best place to read.  Does your child need to read in a cozy spot or in an upright chair?   Do they need it to be in a quiet place or do they perform better with the “buzz” of family noise?  Have your child sketch a picture of the best place in their homes for them to read.  Then have your child label the picture.  Don’t forget to have your child put his/her name on his/her drawing.  This assignment is due on Friday. 

Welcome to Miss Bethel's class!!!!! Newsletter volume 1

Welcome to First Grade! We had a very successful first day of school!  We settled into the classroom and all the boys and girls were such great listeners as we discussed the many routines and procedures that will be a part of each school day.  This week will be coming up with our class rules and appropriate rewards and consequences for our actions.

Communication

-      Student homework for the week, will go home today, the 8^th.  There are two assignments, the first will be due Wednesday, which is their favorite book, and the second is a drawing of where in the house they will do their weekly reading homework. That will be due on Friday.  There is a yellow sheet with more information pertaining to this week’s homework coming home in the green homework folder today.

-      Each week there will be a new Home-School Connection that stays in the green Homework folders.  I will write any comments, praises, or concerns on that days box.  So make sure you check it daily and initial the box. Please leave that sheet in the folder.  I will take them out on the following Monday when the new sheet goes in.

-      There will be a monthly behavior calendar that will stay in the left hand side of the homework folder. Please see the calendar for daily behavior updates and initial the box every day. I will take this out after the month is over. 

-      In an effort to save paper and copies this year, I will be sending home many newsletters and weekly updates via the class blog.  It can be found at: http://missbethelsfirstgradeclassroom.blogspot.com/ and also on the magnet that came home on Meet the Teacher.  If I do not have your email please send it to school with your child or in an email to cbethel@wcpss.net so I can add you to the list.  If you do not have access to a computer please let me know and I will send hard copies home in the Homework folder. I will always send homework in folders and post on the blog as well.

Important information and clarifications:

-      We will have lunch from 11:05 to 11:30 for the entire school year. (Early Release lunch time will be at the same time.) Recess will be from 1:00 to 1:30.  Our specials for the year are as followed: Monday is Media/Technology, Tuesday is Art, Wednesday is PE, Thursday is Music, and Friday is Media/Technology.  Media will be on Mondays and Fridays the 1^st and 3^rd quarter and Technology will be on Monday and Fridays the 2^nd and 4^th quarters (for the first 3 weeks of the quarter). Then the last 6 weeks of the quarter will be Media on Mondays and Technology on Fridays.

-      Each day, students will have the opportunity to have a snack time. I will not provide snacks. If you so wish, please provide a healthy snack and drink for your child daily. We will not have snack time on Early Release days.

-      Volunteering- I will love to have volunteers come and help out in the classroom.  I just ask that you give us the first few weeks of school to get our procedures and routines learned and kinks worked out.  I will be sending sheets home about things you would be interested to volunteer to do in the classroom.  Be on the lookout for this sheet soon!