Weekly Newsletter

January 4, 2009

Welcome back!  I hope that everyone enjoyed the winter break.  Remember - There is NO SCHOOL on Monday, Jan. 4 due to teacher inservice.  Please make sure that your child's supplies have been replenished.  Before Christmas several of them were out of glue and had lost their scissors. 

It's that time of year...time for snow!  Please make sure that you have a plan for your child in case we are dismissed early due to snow.  Be sure that your child knows what to do.  If it is something different than they normally do, please let me know so that I can make sure they get to the right place.  

Scientist of the Week:   We will resume this on Jan. 15.

Mrs. Wright has challenged ALL students to learn the states and capitals.  When your child is able to say them from memory, they may go to the office and say them to her.  Their name will be put up on the wall of fame, and, later on, they will receive a t-shirt! 
CONGRATULATIONS TO LUKE!! HE SAID ALL THE STATES AND CAPITALS ON NOVEMBER 9.

This week we will be learning the following things:

Reading - Our story is ON THE WAY TO THE POND.  Your child will bring home his/her books on THURSDAY to read the story.  Please be sure to study the vocabulary words in the folder for this story.  Your child should be able to read them without hesitation.  Since we are halfway through first grade, I will begin to let the students read their reading tests independently. So, it is more important than ever to study your vocabulary words. 
Vocabulary words:  
find: to locate
follow: to go or come last
found: opposite of lost
four: number before five
full: holding all that is possible
these: specific things
way: certain directions
were: used to be



AR:   All students need to be working on their new A.R. goal for this nine weeks.  The library will be open for AR testing from 7:00 - 7:45 a.m. on Monday and Thursday mornings and on Saturdays from 9:00 - 12:00.  You must enter through the kindergarten hallway on Saturdays.
The following students are on the 20 pt. wall:  Jaylee, Sammy, Aidan
The following students are on the 10 pt. wall:  Trip, Luke
I am so proud of my great readers!!!

Spelling -  Our next spelling test will be on FRIDAY, JANUARY 8.
White list:  sir, dirt, bird, burn, fur, her, quit, when, work, grew. 
Pink list:  None this week

Math:  
-Dividing a square into halves
-Subtracting 2
-Tally marks
-Counting by 5's

Math Homework:
On Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, students will have 2 sheets for math homework.
 Please initial the homework at the top so that I will know you saw it and went over it with your child.  Please return the homework the next day.  Also, please jot me a note on the homework if your child struggles with any particular skill.

Writing/Grammar - Proper Nouns, "dah-ling"  We are learning to capitalize the names of special places like Cookeville, Tennessee.
You may have noticed that I have also started counting off points for capitalization and punctuation on the students' work.  I remind them of this every time, but some are still forgetting.

Social Studies:  We will be learning about the island nation of Japan.

SPECIAL CLASSES FOR January 4:  (There is a pattern:  P.E, Computer Lab, Music.  It is best to either always wear tennis shoes or bring them in your backpack b/c P.E. is on different days each week.  Library will always be on Monday.)
MONDAY -  No school
TUESDAY -  Computer Lab
WEDNESDAY - Music
THURSDAY -  P.E.
FRIDAY - Computer Lab/Guidance
**Lunch is from 11:50 - 12:20 every day.**