I hope you all enjoyed the long weekend. The kids were extremely excited to bring home their Friday Folders. If your child returned the writing task from the homework, he or she received an award. I like to recognize effort and/or achieving academic goals at random times. You will also see awards come home frequently from Lexia Core5 as your child increases the levels of mastery. Please celebrate each of these successes knowing there is a lot of hard work being accomplished.
This week we will be working on new word families "it" and "ig". The kids would really benefit from rhyming words within these families with you at home nightly. We rhyme throughout the day but I'm seeing a general weakness overall in the class when it comes to producing rhyming words. We continue to practice complete sentences with capitals and periods and space between our words. In math, we are talking about and showing parts, wholes, and addition. Get those math flashcards on the ready! Tomorrow morning is Coffee Talk with Mrs. Morton at 7:45. She invites parents to coffee the first Wednesday of each month to hear about what's happening at THE Leadership Academy. The first PTA meeting is also around the corner. IT'S TONIGHT AT 6PM IN THE TEACHERS LOUNGE. I invite you all to come and see what PTA is about. Today the students began Wheeling. The First Grade wheels each Wednesday. During Wheeling, the students rotate through STEM Lab, Environmental Lab, Performing Arts, Character Education, and Research/Inquiry Library. Our Wheel is from 11:45-2:00.
Thank you to the families who have returned the Green Photo Release paper. I am waiting for 7 more to return so that I can turn in my class set. If you cannot find yours, please let me know and I'll send a new form immediately. Today was our first science experiment. The kids were amazed. Ask them about the following:
*What happens to water balloons when they go in the freexer? *What happens when you put food coloring on ice? *What happens when you add salt to ice? This week we are reading a story called The Mat. We will continue reading "at" family words while introducing the "am" family. During math time we are working on estimating and actual measurements of objects along with writing, reading, and counting numbers 1-10. Reading groups started today and the kids are loving the non-fiction selections I chose. We will go back and forth with non-fiction and fiction texts throughout the school year during our small group time. This year's Charleston Fundraiser began today. Items can be sold until the order forms are due on September 10. My class has won participation awards for the last two years. I would love to add another stuffy to our collection! Picture Day is this Friday. We are scheduled to go before recess. Wahoo! We'll see the day of what time we get in there though. Here's to hoping. The Friday Folders are not due until Friday. However, I do need the GREEN PHOTO RELEASE papers back immediately. Practice those flashcards daily! Lexia Core 5, Raz Kids, Spelling City, iReady Math, iReady Reading are all live and ready for use at home, if you choose. Thank you for such an incredible turnout for Back to School Night last night. Your support and energy is so appreciated! I have decided to make a change to our Class Dojo in the interest of less disruption to our class in the moment. At the end of the day, You will see Excellent Day (your child was engaged and on task), Good Day (your child needed a reminder), Moved My Clip (your child had to be redirected often). Thanks for your flexibility.
The Friday Folders went home today. Please do not return them until next Friday. If you received a bright green photo release, I do need that signed and returned by Monday for the office please. The homework folder includes: * your child's individualized Fry Word Flashcards * a list of the Fry Words we will learn this year * a writing task * your child is expected to read daily, but I do not include a reading log. Reading logs and bedtime routines don't really go hand in hand. RAZ-KIDS on the computer is up and running. You can use the link on the links page to access it. The kids learned how to use it today. the usename is mrspence. Then they find their name and the password is abc1. Give it a try this weekend. Each week a student will get the opportunity to be the Leader of the Week. Each child is invited to bring in a poster and one or two special trinkets/awards/memorabilia to share with the class on the Monday of his or her Leader Week. I also invite you to write a letter to your child about why he or she is a leader in your eyes. You are invited to come visit while your child presents his or her poster. Then you can read your letter aloud to the class. I can read it if you are unable to attend. The kids love this opportunity to show and tell. Here are the assigned dates so you can mark your calendars!
August 27 - Jasmine September 10 - Damian September 17 - Mila September 24 - Amari October 1 - Yexalen October 8 - Gavin October 15 - Kim October 22 - Justin October 29 - Jazlynn November 5 - Adam November 26 - Chloe December 3 - Byron December 10 - Charlotte January 14 - Savion January 28 - Ryan February 4 - Jonathan A. February 11 -Maggie February 25 - Jonathan R. March 4 - Kieana March 11 - Wyatt March 18 - Eli April 1 - Everardo April 8 - Zane April 15 - Alexander Back to School Night is this Thursday from 6:00-6:30pm in Room 123. I will go over all of the information for us to be a successful team this school year. I also look forward to meeting you all again. The first day is always so full of new faces, it's hard to remember everyone.
If you need to contact me, please use my email [email protected]. I do not get messages or emails from the Remind App or Class Dojo. They are only used to send information TO you. Each Monday I'll write a short note here about what we'll be reading as a whole class and focusing on in math so that you can use them to help with discussions about your child's day.
Our story is The Cat Sat and we will be reading "at" family words. We will also be reading and using the first 10 Fry Sight Words - the, of, and, they, to, is, in, you, that, it. In math, we begin with Topic 12 using estimation and reasoning. I sent an orange math note from the publisher with information that you can use at home. This Thursday is Back to School Night from 6:00-6:30 in Room 123. I hope you can all make it! What a busy day! I bet everyone is going to sleep well tonight! Please send in a folder, not binder, tomorrow morning. As I said, I prefer to hit the ground running, so I am ready to send homework tomorrow. I send it every Friday and expect the folder to be returned the next Friday. Homework will not be overwhelming or time consuming but it is ESSENTIAL to you child's success. Each Friday you will see:
* a new small set of Sight Word Flashcards each week tailored specifically for your child. (5 minutes daily) * a short writing task * the expectation that your child is reading every day for 10 minutes. It is my hope that your child practices the flashcards and read books 7 days a week. Wow! Thank you to everyone who donated so much to start our classroom off with style. I was able to throw all our old markers away and replenish our baskets. All of the glue sticks, in particular, are so greatly appreciated. You have already gone above and beyond as teammates in your child's first grade experience.
The kids were all smiles, enjoyed volunteering, and have already completed two writing assignments. Everyone was hungry an hour before lunch but no one asked when it was time to go home so that's a win in my book. I sent an important paper home with your child. If you didn't receive it, please email me and I'll send another copy. I use Class Dojo for parent communication about your child's behavior that day. The paper I sent home gave you an access code to join the website. I'll speak about it at Back to School night, but you'll see I like to hit the ground running with my students. Your child will need a folder (not three ring binder) to bring paperwork back and forth. Please send one in by this Friday or I'll get one for your child. Kids usually like to pick out their own though. Other than that, I encourage you to send your child with a snack for our snack/recess at 9:40. They will appreciate it! We have a fabulous First Grade ahead of us! Want to get a head start this summer?? Take a look at the LINKS and WORDS pages of this website. You can play games all summer AND practice your sight words. All first graders will be reading the first 100 words on the WORDS pages by the end of the year and many will show off their second 100 skills by April! While you're getting ready for learning, don't forget to practice counting and adding up to groups of 10. Also important, do some writing over the summer. Get out with the chalk on the pavement, paint some words on paper, and have some writing fun with markers.
Speaking of markers, we use community supplies in our classroom. I am very grateful for any donations of new Twistable crayons, markers, glue sticks, folders, paper towels, cleaning wipes, facial tissue, etc. Please send a set of headphones (not earbuds) for your child to use with the iPad. I'm excited to see you all and get started in August! Tuesday: Wear your RED Jogathon shirt. Live Well San Diego will be profiling our school and it's incredible running efforts on Tuesday.
Wednesday: Tic-Tac-Toe Day Thursday: Uniform Day Friday: Video Day A look ahead to next week- Thursday, June 7 Pizza with Mrs. Pence 11:00-11:45 then First Grade Music Performance 12:00. NEW PERFORMANCE TIME is 12:00 !!! Not 12:30.
I will be celebrating the last day of school by having lunch with the kids. I will be providing pizza and water for the kids. I would love to have families join us. If you are attending, please bring a potluck side to share (fruit, chips, veggies). Lunch is 11:00-11:45 with the performance immediately following at 12:00. This Friday first grade will be visited by a local Beekeeper for a Beekeeping Assembly.
Monday - I is Ice Pop Day Tuesday - J is Joke Day - Bring your favorite joke on a note to share Wednesday - K is Kick off your shoes Day - don't forget to wear socks Thursday - L is Lollipop Day Friday - M is Minute to Win It Game Day Monday - Pajama Day - Wear your pajamas and school shoes
Tuesday - Eric Carle Day - Bring any Eric Carle Books or just read mine. Wednesday- Fruit Day - Bring a piece of fruit or dried fruit for snack Thursday - Choose your seat day Friday - Hat Day - Wear your favorite hat This week we are doing something special each day that aligns with the alphabet.
Thursday is Beach Day - bring a towel to sit on and sunglasses to wear. Friday is Career Day - Dress up like your future career Monday is Dark Day - Wear your pajamas to school like it's the middle of the night. April 24 - Positive Parenting Class 6-8pm
April 26 - Peter Pan Play at Avo. Those parents going were already notified. May 4 - Music on the Green - First Grade has been assigned a Superhero Themed Basket. Please send in any donations for the basket asap. June 7 - First Grade Performance - 12:30 MPR I hope you are all enjoying the books that came home on Friday. Along with the homework today came two important notes.
* Music on the Green - May 4 5:00pm-8:00pm First Grade is collecting donations for a silent auction basket themed "Superhero". We will be collecting donations until April 25. * Positive Parenting Program April 24, May 1 and May 8 6:00pm-8:00pm Please RSVP if you plan to attend these free parenting workshops. I sent home LOTS of books to add to your child's library today. Please have your children keep them and read and read and read them over the summer. Feel free to color in them, act them out, or put them in a song! Enjoy!
Tonight is the Leadership Academy Open House. Please visit our school from 6:00pm - 7:00pm.
We are so excited to show off our classwork this Thursday at Open House from 6:00-7:00pm. During the morning on Thursday, we will also be participating in our Annual Leadership Day. Teachers, Administrators, and Community Members from all over San Diego County will be touring T.H.E. Leadership Academy and seeing how our Leadership Program works. Our classroom will be a First Grade Leader Room and your kids will be singing our Leadership Song at the opening ceremony. We are excited to show you families our work later in the evening.
PLEASE REMIND YOUR CHILD TO WEAR HIS OR HER RED JOGATHON SHIRT ON THURSDAY. We have so many incredible things to show off next week at Open House! The Animal Habitats that you are working on at home are due on Monday. We completed the written portion of the project in class this week. Thanks for the fantastic, detailed notes you sent in.
We will be serving up pancakes for your first grade piggies tomorrow morning at 8:00am. You are welcome to come and visit. Just sign in at the office. Please remind your child that it is Pajama Day - no toys!
The Animal Project will be worked on for the next three weeks in class and at home. A packet was sent home today in their homework folder. There is a list of animals they can choose from in the packet or you can note a different (real life) animal on the portion you return to me. Please choose an animal with your child and tear off/return the signed portion of the packet by Friday.
Over the next two weeks your child will be completing the home portion. This week and next week they are to gather information from 2 sources to complete the written notes portion stapled into the packet. The written notes are due on Monday, April 2nd. We will use them for our class portion of the animal report. I have updated the LINKS page of the website to help you use Pebble Go and Discovery and MyOn. Your child will also complete a home activity to be brought in on Monday, April 9. We will show off our displays at the Leadership Day / Open House. There are 4 choices listed in the packet for your child to choose from. Have fun! If you stayed at Legoland on Friday, you will receive your child's progress report card in his or her homework folder today.
This week we have some special days planned. * This Wednesday is Teddy Bear Day. Please bring your favorite (small) stuffed animal. We will be reading to our "friends" that morning. * Leprechaun Traps are due this Friday. Please do not bring them early. T.H.E. Leadership Academy PTA is looking for new board member for the next school year - 2018-2019. Interested? Please send a note to me and I'll put you in contact with the PTA for more information. I served on my kids' PTA board for two years and just volunteer my time now. It's been a great experience.
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June 2019
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