May 26th Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

This week and next 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.  This week will be our last week of new spelling words.  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.

This week in math we will be creating our own graphs and asking questions related to the data.  We will also be taking a closer look at hundreds charts.  The students will be completing number puzzles and creating some of their own.  Look for Home Link 10.7 and a family letter to come home this week.  These will be the final math sheets for the remainder of the school year.

Thursday, May 28th will be the last day the take-home reading books will be assigned.  We'd appreciate having all books returned by Monday, June 1st so that we can catalog our collection and finalize our records.  Thank you!

Special Points of Interest

• Our final check out day in IMC was LAST week (sorry about the mix-up).  Please remember to have your child return their IMC book as soon as possible.
• 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 12th - Please look for information in the Thursday folder.
• THANK YOU to all of the families who donated to the Make-a-Wish foundation.  We raised over $3,000!

May 18th 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 review identifying and classifying shapes.  Additionally, the students will be creating their own graphs.  We will also be revisiting how to read a thermometer and comparing temperatures.  Look for Home Links 10.5 and 10.6 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.  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!

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.

Special Points of Interest

• Our final IMC check out date was last week.  Please make sure your child returns their book if they haven't already.
• We will be finishing our Math MAP test on Tuesday and doing our Reading MAP test on Thursday and Friday
• We hope you enjoyed the Spring Music Program!  The kids had a lot of fun preparing for it.  Many thank to Mrs. Plaster!
• May 25th - No school - Memorial Day

Make-a-Wish Foundation

The second semester Student Council members decided to have the Make-a-Wish Foundation as the beneficiary of their fundraising efforts this spring.  Special events will be taking place throughout the next two weeks.

Events:
1. Friday, May 15 - Buy a Star for $1.  Stars will be placed on the bulletin board outside of Mrs. Kikkert's office.
2.  During the week of May 18-22 - Coin Drive.  The winning grade will be getting an ice cream treat and an extra recess.
3.  Friday, May 22 - Hat day - Students can pay $1 to wear a hat to school on Friday.


THANK YOU for your support of this fundraising project.  We appreciate your help!

May 11th 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 will choose an animal to write their reports on.  They will be using a book as well as online resources 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 fractions.  Additionally, we will be creating our own story problems and solving them in multiple ways.  Look for Home Link 10.4 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, which goes along with our animal reports.

Mrs. Lechter is looking for brown paper grocery bags.  If you have any extras you'd be willing to send to school, she would greatly appreciate it.  She will be sending art projects home with the children soon.

Special Points of Interest

• We will begin taking our Math MAPS test this week on Thursday.
• Our first grade music program is this Friday, May 9th in the Thorson gym starting at 2:45
• Our last Scholastic Book Orders are due this Friday, May 15th. Shop Online: scholastic.com/readingclub Class Activation Code: JBVLX
• THANK YOU again for all of the wonderful and thoughtful gifts last week.  I felt very appreciated!

May 4th 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.  The students will also be learning about the past, present, and future tenses.  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 continue 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 Link 10.3 and a double sided problem solving sheet to come home this week.

This week we will begin a new science unit about plant and animal life cycles.  We will be learning about plants and animals for the remainder of fourth quarter. 

Special Points of Interest

• First grade music program is next Friday, May 15th in the Thorson gym
• Our last Scholastic Book Order is due next Friday, May 15th. Shop Online: scholastic.com/readingclub Class Activation Code: JBVLX
• Early Release this Friday at 11:35 a.m.

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