May 27th Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This week in reading we will be doing an author study.  We will be reading Arthur books written by Marc Brown.  The students will be completing comprehension sheets and writing before and after reading some of the stories.  We will not have new spelling words this week, but we will be reviewing our old spelling words by using the word wall.  We are also going to begin creating a first grade memories book.  This memory book will include some of our favorite things about first grade.
 

For the duration of the school year we will be doing many math activities for review.  This will help to reinforce all of the skills students have learned and better prepare them for second grade.

 

As a way to say “Thank You!” to all of our wonderful PTO and parent volunteers, Thorson and our PTO are holding a Lunch on the Lawn celebration on May 30th.  Bring your favorite bagged lunch and lawn chairs or a nice big blanket.  No hot lunch will be available.  Feel free to bring a book to read with your child during lunch as well.  You are more than welcome to come early and enjoy recess on the playground with your children before lunch!  Our recess is from 11:55-12:15 and our lunch is from 12:15-12:35.  Please see the Thursday folders for additional information.  We hope to see you there!

Thursday, May 29th will be the last day the take-home reading books will be assigned.  We'd appreciate having all books returned by Monday, June 2nd so that we can catalog our collection and finalize our records.  Thank you!

Read-A-Thon Kick Off - Lisa Moser will speak in an all school assembly this morning.  She will be talking about how reading affected her and how it tied into her decision to become a teacher and an author.
 

 

Special Points of Interest

• Please remember to return IMC books this week.
• On Friday Mrs. Hagen will be reading to our first grade classes for the Read-A-Thon. Thanks Mrs. Hagen!
• Arts and Interest Day is Thursday, June 5th - No hot lunch will be available on this day; a bag lunch will be available for students to pre-order and purchase.  Please see the Thursday folders for the order form and additional information.  Orders must be received no later than May 28th.
• If your child has a summer birthday, they should have brought home a note last week with information and a date that we will be celebrating their birthday.  If you did not get this note, please let me know.
• Field Day is June 11th - Please look for information in the Thursday folder.

Spelling, Challenge, and Vocabulary Words

because

all

was

saw

walk

Challenge Words

newborn

mature
 

Vocabulary Words
enough

air

across

eyes

learn

cub

wild

May 19th Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

 

This week in reading we will be revisiting comparing and contrasting.  We will also be taking a look at how animals are alike and different throughout their life cycle.  Additionally, we are going to be looking at the sounds aw and au as in the words crawl and taught.  We will be continuing our animal reports and integrating our science unit into our reading and writing.

 

In math, we are going to answer simple questions related to data using tally charts and bar graphs.  We will also continue to calculate and compare coins up to one dollar.  Additionally, we will be reviewing place value and number grid puzzles.  Look for Home Link 10.7 and a practice sheet on graphing to come home this week.

 

We have been observing our caterpillars change into their chrysalis state.  We are hoping to have butterflies by the end of the week!  Our sunflower, corn, and bean seeds have began growing!  We reviewed words such as germinating, seedling, and sapling and we have observed and will continue observing these different stages.  We have also been using SMART Board lessons to enhance our study of classifying animal families.

Special Points of Interest

• Our final IMC check out date is this week!
• Our final Junior Achievement lesson was last Friday.  A BIG thank you to Mrs. Stowers for being a wonderful JA teacher!  The kids had a lot of fun!
• Check the Thursday Folder for information about Arts and Interest Day.  The children will be signing up for their workshops this week.

Spelling, Challenge, and Vocabulary Words

good

like

look

we

them

 

Challenge Words

profession

equipment
 

Vocabulary Words
interesting

only

ordinary

ever

laugh

goes

May 12th Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This week we will be reading books about animals.  We will be concentrating on the animals characteristics and special adaptations.  Additionally, we will begin our animal report writing.  Your child has chosen an animal to use for their report.  Please ask them what they know about their animal.  They will be using a book as well as an article to help them research important information about their animals.

 

In math, we are going to work on two digit addition without regrouping and making change up to one dollar.  We will also be revisiting how to read a thermometer and comparing temperatures.  Additionally, we will be doing a short geometry review.  Look for Home Link 10.5, 10.6 and a two digit addition practice sheet to come home this week.

 

This week in science we will be focusing on parts of a plant and the life cycle of plants.  We will also continue studying animal groups.

 

Special Points of Interest

• We will be taking our Math MAPS test this week on Monday and Tuesday.
• We hope you enjoyed the Spring Music Program!  The kids had a lot of fun preparing for it.  Many thank to Mrs. Plaster!
• Thank you to the Dad's Club for inviting the teachers to a delicious pancake breakfast!
• THANK YOU again for all of the wonderful and thoughtful gifts.  I felt very appreciated!

Animal Reports

 

Our class is currently learning about animals in Science.  The students will be writing animal reports on a wild animal of their choice.  Please allow your child to bring in any non-fiction animal book they are able to read to share in class next week.  I have plenty to choose from here if they don't have one to bring in.  I also told the children they could bring in one stuffed animal to help us talk about animal attributes and adaptations.

Thank you for your help!

Spelling, Challenge, and Vocabulary Words

when

too

that

zoo

new

Challenge Words

expedition

spacecraft

Vocabulary Words

fooling

table

helmet

space

birds

guess

bear

Earth

May 5th Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

 

This week in reading we are going to focus on making predictions by reflecting on life experiences to help us predict what we think is going to happen next in the stories that we read.  We will also be focusing on the sounds oo as in foot and -ight as in night.  The kids have been enjoying creating and sharing their original writer’s workshop stories/projects in class.

 

In math we will be working on solving number stories dealing with money.  Additionally, we will contiue to work on making change for amounts up to one dollar.  Example:  Have your child draw their favorite snack.  Tell them it costs any amount under one dollar and have them draw the coins they would need to buy the snack.  Next, tell your child that they have one dollar to spend on their snack.  Ask them how much change they would get back.  We are teaching them to count up from the amount they spend to a dollar.  Counting with real money is encouraged.  Look for Home Links 10.3, 10.4 and a problem solving money sheet to come home this week.

 

This week in science we will be studying animal groups.  We are raising painted lady caterpillars in class to help children understand the life cycle of a butterfly.  The kids are having fun watching the caterpillars grow!

 

Special Points of Interest

• First grade music program is this Friday, May 9th in the Thorson gym starting at 2:45
• We will be taking our Reading MAPS test this week on Wednesday and Thursday.
• Scholastic Book Orders are due this Friday, May 9th. Shop Online: scholastic.com/readingclub Class Activation Code: JBVLX
• THIS week is Media Awareness Week, look for more information in the Thursday folder - sorry for the mistake in the newsletter last week.

 

Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful mothers!

First Grade Music Program

Just a reminder that the first grade music program is next Friday, May 9, starting at 2:45 in the Thorson gym.  More information will be sent home soon!