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no
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Wednesday, February 2, 2011
We've been busy...
I can't believe that it is already February! We've been so busy lately, that I've hardly had time to keep up. So much to do, and so little time. There's so much to share, so bare with me.
We recently started a new writing program called Step Up to Writing. We've really been working on building sentences, and have had a huge focus on what makes a complete sentence. The kids should be able to tell you that all sentences must have a WHO and an ACTION. We can add details to our sentences, including a WHAT, WHEN and a WHERE. The kids have really done such a great job at learning how to write proper sentences, and are including capitals, periods and finger spaces. We are now working on transferring this ability when working on their own writing, rather then just when practicing making sentences. I can't wait to watch the growth the rest of the year!
We have just wrapped up a unit on penguins. We learned about where penguins live, what they eat, who their predators are, and many interesting facts about them. We also did some great activites on Martin Luther King Jr. The kids really understand what he is such an important man in history. We even did an egg comparison activity where we compared a brown egg to a white egg. The only difference was of course the color of the egg, and when we broke them apart, you couldn't even tell the difference. The kids loved it, and they really understood that the color of our skin isn't important. We are all special and united because we are all people. It was really great to watch!
This next month we will be learning about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln for Presidents Day, and of course we have all sorts of stuff planned for Valentines Day. Please make sure you send in an empty cereal box by Monday. We still need about 14 more.
In Math we have begun our unit on subtraction. I can not stress enough how important it is for the kids to be practicing their facts on IXL. We will be getting on the computers as a class, but while we wait for our portable lab to be ready, please have the kids practicing at home. Repetition and practice is vital when learning math facts. The computer is such a better tool that constantly running off copies to put in front of the kids. We have all sorts of games that we'll be learning, and we will work on many fact families too. If you need your child's username and password, please let me know immediately. Click HERE for the link to IXL.
A few reminders:
We recently started a new writing program called Step Up to Writing. We've really been working on building sentences, and have had a huge focus on what makes a complete sentence. The kids should be able to tell you that all sentences must have a WHO and an ACTION. We can add details to our sentences, including a WHAT, WHEN and a WHERE. The kids have really done such a great job at learning how to write proper sentences, and are including capitals, periods and finger spaces. We are now working on transferring this ability when working on their own writing, rather then just when practicing making sentences. I can't wait to watch the growth the rest of the year!
We have just wrapped up a unit on penguins. We learned about where penguins live, what they eat, who their predators are, and many interesting facts about them. We also did some great activites on Martin Luther King Jr. The kids really understand what he is such an important man in history. We even did an egg comparison activity where we compared a brown egg to a white egg. The only difference was of course the color of the egg, and when we broke them apart, you couldn't even tell the difference. The kids loved it, and they really understood that the color of our skin isn't important. We are all special and united because we are all people. It was really great to watch!
This next month we will be learning about George Washington and Abraham Lincoln for Presidents Day, and of course we have all sorts of stuff planned for Valentines Day. Please make sure you send in an empty cereal box by Monday. We still need about 14 more.
In Math we have begun our unit on subtraction. I can not stress enough how important it is for the kids to be practicing their facts on IXL. We will be getting on the computers as a class, but while we wait for our portable lab to be ready, please have the kids practicing at home. Repetition and practice is vital when learning math facts. The computer is such a better tool that constantly running off copies to put in front of the kids. We have all sorts of games that we'll be learning, and we will work on many fact families too. If you need your child's username and password, please let me know immediately. Click HERE for the link to IXL.
A few reminders:
- Please make sure to send in your BOXTOPS.
- February Book Order came home, so please return it by Feb. 11th.
- Our Valentine Party is Monday Feb. 14th at 2:15. Let me know if you'd like to help out.
- Please make sure to check backpacks nightly. Don't forget to sign the Monday envelope, and check out what's in in. Most information will come home in this.
- Conferences are coming up in about a month, so be watching for conference schedules in the next few weeks. Please return them asap so we can make adjustments as needed.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Muffins With Mom
Thank you to all of the moms that came out this morning to have muffins with their kiddos! We had a great turnout! Watch the blog and the newsletter for Doughnuts with Dad that will happen on January 25th.
Snack
Please don't forget that we don't provide snack to the first graders. Most of the kids have hungry little tummies by the afternoon, so I'm sure they'd appreciate a snack in their backpacks. Kids seem to do way better in school when they are happy and fed. Have a great day!
Saturday, January 8, 2011
IXL at home
This year our Title 1 Department has purchased a great tool for practicing math skills. We will start doing this at school, but luckily for you the kids can access it at home as well. Please read the following information about IXL. If you need usernames or passwords, please contact me.
Your son or daughter has access to IXL at home. IXL is a math website that offers engaging problems, detailed explanations and unlimited practice. This will help your child potentially master thousands of math skills. IXL also offers cool virtual prizes for meeting math challenges, which encourages your child to spend more time practicing math.
1. Go to the website www.ixl.com
2. Enter your username and password.
3. Click on the appropriate grade level to view relevant practice skills.
4. Click on a skill to start practicing it.
5. Answer each problem. You will get immediate feedback.
6. Continuing practicing the skill until you get a mastery score of 100.
7. Click on the awards tab to view each skill that is mastered.
Your son or daughter has access to IXL at home. IXL is a math website that offers engaging problems, detailed explanations and unlimited practice. This will help your child potentially master thousands of math skills. IXL also offers cool virtual prizes for meeting math challenges, which encourages your child to spend more time practicing math.
1. Go to the website www.ixl.com
2. Enter your username and password.
3. Click on the appropriate grade level to view relevant practice skills.
4. Click on a skill to start practicing it.
5. Answer each problem. You will get immediate feedback.
6. Continuing practicing the skill until you get a mastery score of 100.
7. Click on the awards tab to view each skill that is mastered.
Happy New Year!
Welcome to 2011! I hope that everyone had as wonderful of a holiday as I did! It was great to see the kids back this week, ready to get started. I missed their little faces so much! We did a lot of reviewing expectations and procedures the last few days, so I think we are off to a great start. Here are a few announcements and reminders:
- Congratulations to Hailey and Jacob! They were Decembers Good Citizens.
- Yesterday I sent home the IXL log-in and passwords. Please make sure your child is getting on and practicing their math skills a few times a week. In the next few weeks, this will become homework. If their is a computer issue at home, please make sure to take advantage of the computers at the public library.
- I do have a few volunteer projects that can be taken home, so please let me know if you'd like to help.
- We will be doing a project in February and each child will need a cereal box. Please send in an empty box with your child.
- PTC is sponsoring "Muffins with Mom" next Wednesday January 12th from 8:35-9:00am. Hope to see all of our moms there! "Doughnuts with Dad" will follow on Tuesday January 25th.
- Please continue to check your child's Monday envelope, sign and return it. Thanks for your help!
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