Yay! We made it through the first 2 days!

Oh my!  We finished the first two days of school!  I cannot believe that this is my 4th year teaching 1st Grade!  I also cannot believe that I have a 3rd Grader!  He's so excited about having a science book this year and his assignment book!  I am so excited about the start of our year!  Here's some information from the newsletter that went home yesterday and some important dates (I have added more dates to the facebook page and blog)!  I will be posting pictures starting next week but I cannot do this until I have received all of the permission slips from each of you!  I have a bunch of cute pictures of the firsties!!

Here's what we plan on learning throughout the week next week:

Math: 

We will begin learning about how to be mathematicians!  Your child will participate in 4 math rotations each day.  The rotations are new concept and this is taught by me, guided practice with another push-in teacher, fact practice with another teacher and a computer/mimio rotation.  During the new concept rotation your child will learn a new skill with me.  The guided practice rotation consists of our push-in teacher guiding your child in a practice with a worksheet.  They will complete side A and side B will come home for homework.  The fact practice rotation will have another teacher that will guide the students in either a fact practice game or a fact worksheet.  The final rotation is the computer rotation.  They will participate in either Moby Max or Starfall.  Your child will get a chance to play a fun game on the Mimio once a week.  I have printed out our letters for Moby Max but they will not go home until each student has completed their pre-test at school.  Be on the lookout for this letter.     

Reading: 

I like to start the year off developing the love for reading in each of my kids.  In order to have an effective reading education each child must develop their love for reading to become amazing readers.  Our class participates in the Daily Five reading approach.  So, we will start off learning the 3 ways to read a book:  look at the pictures, read the words and retell the story.  I will use various books to model how to do all 3 ways of reading.  After this we will start with Read-to-Self rotation and how to do this.  We will begin with 3 minutes and build our stamina throughout the next few weeks until we have reached 12 minutes.  We will graph our stamina in our Data binders each day if we reach the goal!

Phonics: 

I sent out the Unit 3 Fundations packet because we do not start with unit 1 or 2.  We take a pre-test over those units to determine what your child knows.  Please be sure to read through the letter of the Unit 3 Packet in order to understand how you can help your child each week. 

Trick Words:  as, has, to

Your child will participate in a post-test at the end of the week over how to spell the words.  You can do all kinds of activities to help your child learn how to spell and read the trick words.  You can do rainbow spelling, make the words with play dough, painting the words, magnetic letters, draw in sand and many more ideas! 

Important Information:

*If you have transportation changes, call the school and email Sarah Wickham and myself.

*I will be sending home a Friday sheet starting next week.  Please return those signed the following Monday.

*Your child can bring water bottles and a snack during Math time each day.  The water bottle must have a lid.  Please read the letter that was sent home yesterday regarding both.

*Remember the front doors lock from 8-3:00.  You will have to ring the doorbell to get into the building.

*REMEMBER TO SEND THE PERMISSION SLIP BACK TO SCHOOL FOR OUR CLASSROOM BLOG AND FACEBOOK PAGE!

*AND remember I'm always either a phone call or email away.  If you have any concerns or questions please call or email me.  I will always take the time to respond!

Specials Schedule:

Monday-Art

Tuesday-Music

Wednesday-PE-remember tennis shoes

Thursday-Library-remember books

Friday-Computers

Important Dates:

*August 31-PTO Meeting at 6:00

*September 1-Fundraiser Assembly

*September 2-Picture Day

*September 7-No School-Labor Day

*September 8-No School-Professional Development Day

*September 12-PTO Golf Tournament-flyer went home yesterday!

My Promise

Transportation Form!

Please check your emails for a transportation form that was sent out today.  It should take about 5 minutes to fill out.  If you have any issues, please email me at danielle.morrow@californiak12.org
Thank you so much!!!

Supply List for 1st Grade

12  Pencils  #2,  Ticonderoga

Crayons - 2 boxes of  24

1 Pkg Eraser Tops

4  Elmer’s Glue, 4oz. White, Washable

Scissors 5” (Fiskars pointed) no plastic

10 Black Pens

2 Red Pens

3 Plastic Folders with Pockets – 1 Blue, 1 Red, 1 Green

2 School Boxes (plastic--regular size)

1 - 3  Ring Binder – 1” White w/Plastic Sleeve

1 Package Sheet Protective 

1 Black Composition Notebook

Expo Marker – Dry Erase, 2 pack, low odor

1 Hand Sanitizer - 8 oz

1 Disinfectant Wipes

Facial Tissue - 2 Large Boxes

Backpack

If last name begins with letters A-L: 1 Box Sandwich Size Ziplock Bags

If last name begins with letters M-Z: 1 Box Gallon Size Ziplock Bags

Class Lists Are Posted!

Class lists are posted on the doors next to the multipurpose room!  Cannot wait to see what this year brings!  We are going to have a blast learning and growing every day!  Open House is August 18 from 5-7 at night!  Make sure you bring your supplies with your names already written on them!  Have a great rest of the Summer and see you soon!!

Friendship Day!

Remember your store bought snack to make our friendship snack today!!

Important Movie Day Note

Be sure to read the movie night that went home today!!  Thank you!