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!!