December 16th Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This week there will not be a new spelling list.  We are going to be working on holiday activities with reading, spelling, and writing.  We will be writing about the holidays and what we plan to do over winter break.  The first graders are also going to be completing holiday projects throughout the week.

In math, we are going to continue working on addition and developing “fact power.”  Having fact power is like being a good reader.  It is more enjoyable if you recognize words automatically.  The same is true of number facts.  Solving problems is easier if you automatically know the answer.  Keep practicing addition facts with your child at home so they can develop fact power.  Practice at home by playing math games, using flash cards, or playing online math games.  Great online math activities are located on the Thorson webpage (go to online resources, then click on math).  Look for Home Links 4.9 and 4.12 to come home this week.

We are looking forward to our holiday party on Friday.  Thank you in advance to our room moms for all of the preparation and to all of the parents who are donating items.  The children are already looking forward to it!

Special Points of Interest

• The kids have been having so much fun blogging and reading comments from their family and friends!  I appreciate the time you are taking to view the blogs and comment on their posts.  We have a new post about Christmas!  Please feel free to visit http://kidblog.org/MrsMajinskisFirstGradeClass/ and leave a comment or two.
• To help promote the upcoming science fair, the children explored magnet experiments last week.
• The science fair is quickly approaching!  It is on January 16th.  Start helping your child think of science experiments!

Joshua is this week's star of the week!

Spelling, Challenge, and Vocabulary Words

children

here

have

what

where

Challenge Words

outline

observe

Vocabulary Words

light

would

again

our

your

December 9th Newsletter

This week in reading we are going to be looking at the main idea and details of different stories.  We are going to be focusing on comprehension and working on asking ourselves questions throughout the story to make sure that we fully understand what we are reading.  We are focusing on the ch and wh sounds, which will be our chunks of the week this week.

In math, we are going to continue exploring measurement.  This week the students will be using a tape measure in order to measure objects that are not flat.  The students will be measuring different parts of their own bodies, such as their wrist, elbow, and head.  Additionally, we will be
learning how to tell time to the quarter-hour and introducing timelines.  Look for Home Links 4.5, 4.7 and a subtraction practice sheet to come home this week.

We are continuing to work on our Neighborhoods Unit in Social Studies.  The children have been learning how to read a map.  Ask your child if they can locate Wisconsin on a map of the United States.  They may even want to locate other states they've traveled to.

Special Points of Interest

• Scholastic Book Orders are due this Friday, December 13th. www.scholastic.com/bookclubs Online Code:  JBVLK
• We have an early release this Friday, December 13th at 11:35 a.m.
• Our classroom elf friend Jingle is watching our class to see who is "naughty or nice."  The kids are having fun finding our classroom elf each day.
• Please feel free to visit the children's blogs and make a comment on their first post!  Visit http://kidblog.org/MrsMajinskisFirstGradeClass/

 

Lily is this week's Star of the Week!

The kids are blogging!

Today was our first day blogging on our very own blogs!  The kids had a lot of fun typing about their favorite thing to do in the winter.  Please feel free to visit their blogs and make a comment on their first post!  Click on the link below then click on your child's name to see their post and leave a comment.  I have to approve all comments before they are published on the blog, so it may take a little while for you to see your comment appear.  Enjoy! :)

http://kidblog.org/MrsMajinskisFirstGradeClass/

Spelling, Challenge, and Vocabulary Words

do

but

not

want

snake

Challenge Words

culture

custom

Vocabulary Words

together

people

water

boy

girl

when

care

December 2nd Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

In math, the children will practice measuring and comparing lengths using nonstandard units, such as paper clips.  We will also be introducing the inch and how to use a ruler.  The children will learn to estimate and measure the length of objects in inches.  Look for Home Links 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 to come home this week.

This week in reading we are going to be working on comparing and contrasting ideas in the stories that we read.  We will be reading about how different cultures and customs are alike and different.  In addition, we are going to be focusing on s blends.  Examples of words with s blends include: spell, swim, and skip.  Our chunk of the week this week will be –ake as in cake.  

In writing, we will be working on our letters to Santa.  They will be going to the North Pole on Friday and we will be getting our responses right before Christmas!

Your child needs to know the name of their street by Friday for a lesson in our neighborhoods unit.  Please practice writing it with your child.

Special Points of Interest

• Mom's Night Out is this Friday, December 6th 6:00-9:00.  Please check the Thursday folders for more information.
• Scholastic Book Orders are due next Friday, December 13th.  I did not receive the December book flyers from Scholastic yet, but I will send them home as soon as I get them!  Sorry for this inconvenience.  You can view the flyers online and order books by going to www.scholastic.com/bookclubs and using the online code:  JBVLK
• We have an early release next Friday, December 13th at 11:35 a.m.
• I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!!

Scholastic Book Order

                                 

Shop Online: scholastic.com/readingclub
One-Time Class Activation Code: JBVLX

Dear Families,

Please remember to place your Reading Club orders by this Friday, December 13th!  This will be our last book order of 2013!

You can shop and submit your order online or return the printed order form with payment directly to me. No matter how you order, every purchase you make earns FREE Books and educational supplies for our classroom.

The arrival of the book box is always a highlight-thanks for making it happen!

Happy reading,

Mrs. Majinski

Ordering online is fast and easy:

• REGISTER at scholastic.com/readingclub
• ENTER the Class Activation Code at the top of this letter
• CHOOSE from thousands of print titles, value packs, and Storia eBooks
• SUBMIT the order to me by the due date at the top of this letter
• EARN FREE Books for our classroom too!

November 25th Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This week we will be doing Thanksgiving reading and writing activities.  The students will be writing about people and items that they are thankful for.  Additionally, the students will continue to work on sequencing the events in a story and retelling the stories that they read.

This week we will begin unit 4 in math. Your child will be learning how to read a thermometer.  Please practice counting by 2’s to help them read a thermometer.  As you help your child with homework, please guide them with directions as necessary.  The Family Letters we send home for each unit have all of the answers listed and will help you assist your child with their homework.

We will continue working on our Neighborhoods unit in social studies.

Due to the short week, we will not be having new spelling words or a star of the week.

Special Points of Interest

• Early Release at 11:35 a.m. this Wednesday
• No school on November 28th and 29th

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Spelling, Challenge, and Vocabulary Words

as

make

skate

me

same

Challenge Words

friendship

relationship

Vocabulary Words

hello

pull

all

oh

walk

could

November 18th Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This week in reading we are going to be working on making predictions.  The students will be trying to predict what is going to happen next in the stories they read, based on what they have already read.  When reading with your child at home, pause in the middle of the story and have your child predict what they think is going to happen next.

We are also going to be working on the long a sound, as in the word bake.  Our chunk of the week this week is –ate as in skate.  Remember to have your child practice their spelling words at home every night.  Also, have your child practice using their spelling words in sentences.

This week in math we will be practicing finding the values of collections of pennies, nickels, and dimes.  We will continue to explore domino/dot patterns to provide practice for basic addition facts.  This week’s homework will include Home Link 3.12 and an addition practice sheet.

This week we will begin our new social studies unit on neighborhoods and our community.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to come to parent-teacher conferences.  If you have any additional questions or concerns please feel free to email me.

Special Points of Interest

• Winter is quickly approaching.  Now is the time to start thinking about packing an extra pair of socks, pants and mittens in your child’s backpack.
• Please continue to remind your children to bring their take-home books back to school.
• Early Release at 11:35 a.m. next Wednesday

 

Emily is this week's Star of the Week!

Scholastic Book Orders

                                 

Shop Online: scholastic.com/readingclub
One-Time Class Activation Code: JBVLX

Dear Families,

Please remember to place your Reading Club orders by this Friday, November 15!

You can shop and submit your order online or return the printed order form with payment directly to me. No matter how you order, every purchase you make earns FREE Books and educational supplies for our classroom.

The arrival of the book box is always a highlight-thanks for making it happen!

Happy reading,

Mrs. Majinski

Ordering online is fast and easy:

• REGISTER at scholastic.com/readingclub
• ENTER the Class Activation Code at the top of this letter
• CHOOSE from thousands of print titles, value packs, and Storia eBooks
• SUBMIT the order to me by the due date at the top of this letter
• EARN FREE Books for our classroom too!

Spelling, Vocabulary, and Challenge Words

                               

black

boy

probably

glad

said

Challenge Words

humorous

amuse

Vocabulary Words

way

late

today

away

why

school

November 11th Newsletter

This week in reading will be working on sequencing events in a story.  The children will be practicing retelling stories in sequential order.  We are continuing to work on proper nouns and we will be concentrating on days of the week, months of the year, and holidays.  The children will continue to work on short vowel sounds.  This week we will be working on the l blends, an example is bl as in blanket.  Our chunk of the week this week will be -op as in top.

This week in math we will be introducing dimes and adding combinations of pennies, nickels, and dimes.   We will review graphing by creating our own class graphs.  The children will be exploring dot patterns on
dominoes to find the sum of the two parts.  Remember to keep
practicing addition and subtraction facts at home.  This quarter, we will be working on addition and subtraction facts to 10.

This week we will be finishing our science unit on Land and Water.  We will be learning about different land forms and the water cycle.  We will also finish reading, learning and writing about African animals.  Our class will be creating a book of their favorite African animals.

Special Points of Interest

• Parent/Teacher Conferences will be this week on Tuesday evening and Thursday afternoon and evening
• Early Release at 11:35 a.m. this Thursday for Parent/Teacher Conferences
• Scholastic Book Orders are due this Friday, November 15th.
  Go to:  www.scholastic.com/bookclubs  Online Code: JBVLK

                        

This week Zack will be the Star of the Week!

First Grade Parent Reading Workshop

First Grade Parent Reading Workshop

A friendly reminder that a workshop will be held Tuesday, November 5th from 5:00 to 6:00 PM in Mrs. George's classroom.  Linda Foote and Gretchen DeRosa will be presenting ideas and strategies that you can use at home to help your children read.  Also, they will show how to support your child's reading and how to help them comprehend the stories that they read.  Materials will be available for you to take home.  They hope to see many first grade parents at the workshop!

Spelling, Vocabulary, and Challenge Words

run

us

up

jump

jumping

Challenge Words

perform

entertain

Vocabulary Words

want

put

under

show

three

make

November 4th Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This week in reading we will be working on reading for understanding.  The children will be practicing retelling the stories that they read in their own words.  We will be working on reading fluently in our guided reading groups.  Additionally, we will be introducing proper nouns.  The children have been working on the short vowel sounds.  This week’s short vowel sound is u as in nut.  Our chunk of the week this week is –ug as in bug.  We will continue learning and writing about many different animals that are found in Africa.

In math, we will continue to practice counting up and back on the number line in order to understand addition and subtraction.  We are working on
problem solving skills using the hundreds chart and our number lines.  We will also be learning how to tell time to the half hour.  Look for Home Links 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, and 3.8 to come home this week.

Thank you for all of the help and donations for our Halloween Classroom Party!  The kids had a blast!

Special Points of Interest

• Parent/Teacher Conferences will be coming up next week
• Veteran's Day Assembly will be on Monday, November 11th
• Remember to dress your child for the cold weather.  They will be going outside for every recess unless it rains.
• Scholastic Book Orders are due next Friday, November 15th.  Go to:  www.scholastic.com/bookclubs  Online Code: JBVLK

                               

This week Courtney will be the Star of the Week.  We will learn more about her throughout the week.

End of the Week Updates

As I'm sure you have heard, we have a new friend in our classroom named Allie.  The first graders have been so wonderful including her at recess and during partner activities.  They have also been helping her learn our routines.  We are so happy and excited to have a new friend join our class!

With that being said, we now have 21 students in our class.  Please be sure to send in 21 treats or other things you might send to school.

Please remember to send your child's costume in a bag with them tomorrow morning.  The children will be changing into their costumes around 2:30.

Thank you for all you do!  :-)

Reading Information Night

Mrs. Foote and Mrs. DeRosa (our reading teachers) will be having a special reading information night for first grade parents.  The meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 5th from 5:00-6:00 in Mrs. George's classroom.  Her classroom is room C, which is right next to our classroom.  The reading teachers will be sharing reading strategies that you can use to help your child at home, as well as other information.

Spelling, Vocabulary and Challenge Words

old

he

she

things

this

Vocabulary Words

into

many

live

out

Challenge Words

habitat

survive

Due to the short week, we will not have a Star of the Week this week.

October 28th Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This week in reading will be focusing on main ideas and finding details to support them in the stories we read.  We will also be learning about proper nouns.  The sounds we will be focusing on this week are the sh and th sounds in both the beginning and ending position of a word.  Remember to practice the Unit 2 vocabulary/high frequency words that were sent home earlier this month.

We will be starting a new unit in math this week.  Please look for the parent letter for Unit 3 to come home this week.  We will be working on pattering skills, odd and even numbers, and reviewing basic number line concepts.  Your child should be able to add and subtract using a number line.  Look for Home Links 3.2, 3.3, and 3.4.  Ask your child to sing the “Doubles” song we’ve been learning, too!

In science, we have been working on our Land and Water unit.  Your child has been learning about natural resources and their uses in the environment.  We will also be investigating the properties of rocks.

Special Points of Interest

• Remember to bring in your pumpkin for Pumpkin Days!
• Halloween parties will begin at 2:30 on Thursday, please send your child's costume in a bag.  The children will be changing right before the party.
• No school this Friday, November 1st.  It is teacher progress report writing day.
• Have a Happy Halloween on Thursday, October 31st!

Scholastic Book Orders

Shop Online: scholastic.com/readingclub
One-Time Class Activation Code: JBVLX

Dear Families,

Please remember to place your Reading Club orders by this Friday, October 25!

You can shop and submit your order online or return the printed order form with payment directly to me. No matter how you order, every purchase you make earns FREE Books and educational supplies for our classroom.

The arrival of the book box is always a highlight-thanks for making it happen!

Happy reading,

Mrs. Majinski

Ordering online is fast and easy:

• REGISTER at scholastic.com/readingclub
• ENTER the Class Activation Code at the top of this letter
• CHOOSE from thousands of print titles, value packs, and Storia eBooks
• SUBMIT the order to me by the due date at the top of this letter
• EARN FREE Books for our classroom too!

Spelling Words and Star of the Week

                             

big

biggest

end

kittens

pet

Vocabulary Words

who

of

some

no

eat

This week Henry will be the Star of the Week.  We will learn more about him throughout the week.

October 21st Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This week in reading we will concentrate on retelling and summarizing stories in order to check for comprehension.  Your child will be asked to identify characters and settings in a story.  We have been working on identifying nouns in sentences.  We will also learn about plural nouns this week.  We will continue to work on writing in complete sentences.  Our chunk of the week this week is –ed  as in bed.

In math this week, we will continue to explore counting combinations of nickels and pennies.  Children will learn to exchange pennies for nickels.  We will also be working on subtraction number models and number stories.  Look for Home Links numbers 2.12, 2.13, and an addition practice sheet to come home this week.  Please continue practicing skip counting by 2’s and 5’s, counting combinations of nickels and pennies and memorizing addition and subtraction facts.

In science, we have been working on our Land and Water unit.  Your child has been learning about natural resources and their uses in the environment.  We've also been investigating the properties of rocks.

Special Points of Interest:

• If you haven't sent in five nickels, please send them to school in a zip lock bag with your child's name on it.
• Pumpkin Days are October 28-31 - Bring a decorated pumpkin to school to be displayed in the IMC

Field Trip

Last minute reminder that we will be going to Riveredge Nature Center tomorrow afternoon.  Please send a cold lunch and dress for the weather.  We will be outside almost the entire time!

Wear Blue Tomorrow

Thorson 5th Grade students ask that we wear blue tomorrow, Monday, October 21st to honor Grant Schoen

A Girl With a Cape

Today we were so lucky to have a wonderful author named Amy Logan come to Thorson to talk to us about kindness.  She is the author of a book called A Girl With a Cape.  Today each child will be bringing home a "Kindness Card."  Please feel free to have your child write a special note, draw a picture, or anything else they'd like to do and attach it to the card.  Then, you can leave the card in a grocery cart, give it to someone special, or give it to a complete stranger.  This is just one way we can leave a trail of random acts of kindness everywhere we go.  For more information, feel free to visit her website at www.gotyourcape.com.  We are really working hard in our classroom to show how kind we can be to our classmates!

More Updates!

• This week is our Box Tops for Education and labels contest!  Please send in all of your Box Tops and labels this week!  Thank you in advance!
• Tomorrow is stuffed animal day for Red Ribbon Week.  Please feel free to have your child bring in their favorite stuffed animal.  Please make sure the animal can fit into your child's backpack.
• If you are able to donate to family sharing, food will be collected throughout the week.
• Remember to send in your signed pledges to make positive choices.  The PTO will be collecting them through Wednesday and a drawing from the pledges will be help on Thursday morning.

Spelling, Vocabulary and Star of the Week

                              

land

water

soil

animal

home

Vocabulary Words

erosion

mineral

rocks

ocean

lake

Due to the short week, we will not have a Star of the Week this week.

October 14th Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Due to the short week, we will not be doing our regular spelling.  Instead, we will be focusing on animals and their habitats.  We will be integrating our science unit Land and Water into our Communication Arts block.  Our spelling words this week will reflect our study of animals, land, and water.  Our spelling test will be on Thursday and it will not be given in sentence form.  The kids will be tested only on the list of words. 

This week in math we will be learning about counting up and back on a number grid, comparing quantities of pennies and nickels, and counting by 2’s and 5’s.  We will be reviewing time and working on story problems.  Look for Home Links numbers 2.8, 2.10, and 2.11.  Please practice counting combinations of nickels and pennies, telling time to the hour, and practicing subtraction facts to six.

Special Points of Interest

• No school this Friday, October 18th due to professional development for teachers
• If you haven't turned in the field trip permission slip for Riveredge, please send it in ASAP
• This week is Red Ribbon Week.  Please check out last weeks Thursday folder for more information.
• Take-home books should be coming home this week.
• Due to the short week, we will not have a Star of the Week this week.