December 15th 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 4.10 to come home this week.

We are looking forward to our holiday party on Friday.  Thank you in advance to all of the parents who are donating items, preparing games/activities, and volunteering during the party.  The children are already looking forward to it!

I hope you have a fun and relaxing break with your children!  Happy Holidays!

Toy Drive

                                        

Thorson Student Council News

Tomorrow is the last day to bring in an unwrapped toy for the Toy Drive

Kids2Kids Toy Drive Events: Donate $1.00 to the Toy Drive tomorrow and you can wear a hat in school

Wear red to school tomorrow!

December 8th 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 Thursday, December 11th. We will receive the orders before winter break!  Go to: www.scholastic.com/bookclubs Online Code:  JBVLK
• Our classroom elf friend Snowflake is watching our class to see who is "naughty or nice."  The kids are having fun finding our classroom elf each day.

Missing Lunch Bag

                                   

A student in our class lost her Vera Bradley lunch bag, which is pictured above.  If your child accidentally brought it home, please send it back to school.  Our classmate will greatly appreciate it!

Have a great weekend! :-)

December 1st 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.  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 break!

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.

Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to come to parent-teacher conferences.  It was great to meet with you and talk about your wonderful children.  As always, if you have any additional questions or concerns please feel free to email me.

Special Points of Interest

• Scholastic Book Orders are due next Friday, December 11th.  The orders will be here before December 19th!  You can view the flyers online and order books by going to www.scholastic.com/bookclubs and using the online code:  JBVLK
• Kapco's Kids 2 Kids toy drive starts today and will last through Friday, December 12th.
• I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family!!