During the month of December we will conclude our work on
the short vowel sounds in spelling. By the end of the month
we will begin the long vowel sounds! When we begin the long
vowel sounds in spelling, the format for the weekly spelling
tests will change. The spelling tests will be sentence dictation.
I will say a sentence and your child will write the complete
sentence. It is important that capitalization and punctuation
are used correctly, too. There will be a grade given for spelling
and language. Remember to practice the lists in the blue spelling
notebook.
It is also very important that the students continue to
practice the reading sight words that are sent home on flash
cards every Friday. Also, remember to reinforce the meanings
of the robust vocabulary words. Learning to read takes a lot
of practice and reinforcement. Practicing the black reading
notebook is essential to your child's success in first grade. I
also have PowerPoint presentations with the reading vocabulary
and robust vocabulary words on the website that you can use
for extra reinforcement.
The students will continue to write stories using the Four
Square Writing Method. The students will learn to begin a story
with a main idea. Then include supporting details which relate
to the main idea. Finally, end their story with a conclusion.
In December we will learn ways to subtract numbers to 12.
I will be sending home subtraction flash cards throughout the
month so that these basic facts can be learned. Please cut
out the flash cards and write the answers on the back of each
one. Practice a little at a time until they are all learned...
it is very important. (It would be great if you make your own
flash cards on index cards. That's what I did for my own
children when they were in first grade and it really made a
difference.) Please save the math flash cards and keep them
in a safe place. You can separate them into two piles -
the facts that have been memorized and the facts that still
need to be practiced. It is very important to keep practicing
the addition sums to 12 too! The addition facts are easily
forgotten when they are not reinforced.
In social studies we will be learning about the different
holidays people celebrate in December. In science we will
learn about the three states of matter - solids, liquids, and
gases.
I would also like to take this opportunity to wish you and
your family a joyous holiday. Thank you very much for your
continued support and cooperation during the past few months.
Together we can help your child succeed this school year!