Week of October 2, 2017

We have had an exciting week!  We had our first clay project, handed out our awesome class t-shirts, and fun with PE! Thank you to all our parent helpers this week!

This will be our first week of "Cougar Time," RtI – instructional reading groups.  Monday will be a practice and “Be Getting to know” the students day.  Cougar Time will be Mondays-Thursdays, 8:30-9:30.  I will tell the students which teacher they will be working with on Monday morning.  Here is more information about RtI on our website.

In regards to Cougar Time, the teachers do not discuss with the class which reading level their group is at, we know that can cause some hurt feelings.  We do discuss that all of the teachers are so excited to be teaching reading and working with some new friends.  I also let the class know that they will have a chance to work with each first-grade teacher throughout the year when we start Science Rotations.

Soon our class will be visiting the Maker's Space Lab with Miss Pugliese. We will be participating in a special event, The Global Cardboard Challenge. Children are invited to build anything they can dream up using cardboard, recycled materials, and their imagination. This event is inspired by the short film, Caine’s Arcade. In this film, a young boy creates a game arcade using cardboard and other recycled materials. I will be showing this film to the class this week. For this event, we will need lots of cardboard. Please start saving any type of cardboard, (cereal, tissue boxes, oatmeal cereal boxes, paper towel/toilet paper rolls, large boxes, etc.) I would appreciate it if you could collect these items at home and send to school next week.(the week of Oct. 2nd) In addition to cardboard, if you have any other items to donate that you think could be useful, please feel free to do so. Please do not purchase any items. I would love to have parent volunteers to help with cutting, using a glue gun, etc. I will let you know that date and time early next week.

Don’t forget to register for the Alta Vista Walkathon.  Even if you can’t make it that day, your child will receive a t-shirt with a $40.00 donation.  The t-shirts are usually passed out in class on the Friday before the event.  So far we have 15 friends from room 1 signed up!  www.altavistawalkathon.org

Please remember library books for Monday.

Week of September 25, 2017

We had our first SPARK PE today, thank you to Peyton’s mom! 

We will have a new student joining us on Monday.  Her name is Anita.  Please join me in welcoming Anita and her family to our class and Alta Vista.

On Monday, we will have a substitute, however, I will be here assessing students on reading and word lists. 

We visit the library on Mondays from 9:30-10:00.  Students can check out 1 book each week.  If your child forgets their book the following week, they cannot check out a new book. 

If you have any questions or concerns about the homework or if your child is spending more than 20 minutes a day on the packet, please let me know.  If you would like help with the Eureka Math please see these homework help videos.  We saved the link to our First Grade Information Page.

Currently, we are in Module 1 (First Grade) of Eureka Math.  The Lesson is located at the top of the page.  I will also post a couple pictures with examples on our blog this weekend.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Week of September 18, 2017

Our author visit with Eric Litwin was fantastic, the students and teachers really enjoyed his presentation. 

Today we had an Assembly about the Walk-a-thon, more information will come home on Wednesday.

Today was International Dot Day based on the story, The Dot by Peter Reynolds.  

On Tuesday, September 20th, I will be in a Guided Reading Training at the District Office.  We will have a sub that day.  I will remind the students about my absence on Monday. 

I hope to see you at Movie Night tonight.  Concessions star

t at 6:00 and the movie starts at 7:30.  Have a wonderful weekend.

Week of September 11, 2017

This week we will start Bear Share (sharing).  Please see our class website for your child’s share date and assignment.  Your child should be prepared with 3 simple clues describing their item.  In turn, they will get to choose 3 students to guess before revealing their share.

To get to our class website, go to altavista.unionsd.org, then Classrooms Tab, then 1st Grade, then under Staff, click on Mrs. Bergman.

Monday is Patriot's Day and a School Spirit Day!  Wear your red, white, and blue!

Monday also is the start of Safe Routes to School Week.

Tuesday afternoon, we will have our Author Visit with Eric Litwin.  I'm really looking forward to that.

Please check your emails from Ann Marie H, to join our Shutterfly Shares page. This way families can easily share information in our class (contacts, volunteering, pictures and more).  Thank you, Ann Marie, for setting this up for our class!

If you are interested in purchasing books through Scholastic online, please do so by September 22.  You can click here to place your order https://orders.scholastic.com/GV6GL If you shop by the Flyer Tab, I recommend the Seesaw choices for first grade.

If your child would like to buy lunch from the cafeteria, it is $3.50.  Each student in our school has an account and if you’d like to add money to his or her account online, you will need your child’s student ID.  If you need that number, send me a quick email and I’ll be happy to get it for you.

On Friday, September 15th, the AVHSC will host Back To School Movie Night!  Located on the large field.  Featuring, The Secret Life Of Pets.  Admission is free and the whole family is welcome (no dogs please.) Feel free to bring a picnic dinner and there will also be some concessions opening at 6pm.  The movie starts at 7:30pm.  *No Bikes or Scooters Allowed. 

Have a wonderful weekend.