Week of February 4, 2019

Dear Families,

I enjoyed seeing all of the One Hundred Day Posters.  It was fun to see all the creative ways the students decorated them.  I will send home their 100 words spelling test next week. They deserve big hugs for all their efforts!  :)

Thank you for the 100 Day snack donations!

We had a great Art Vistas lesson on texture.  The students enjoyed creating their own collage art.

We also had a Cornerstone lesson based on the story, Being Frank (By Donna Earnhardt).  In the story, the main character Frank discovers that being honest is not always kind, but also how he can find something nice to say about all of his friends and acquaintances.

Today, we had a video conference with a Santa Cruz State Park Ranger and learned about mammals.

We have an exciting week ahead!

On Monday, Mrs. Beadle will be our sub, while I work on some reading assessments with the students.

On Tuesday, we will have an author visit for 1st and 2nd grades with Oliver Chin.

The Global Play Day is on Wednesday, February 6th.  Students will have time to play and learn new games with their classmates. Your child is welcome to bring in a board game or puzzle to share that day.  I also have many puzzles and board games in the classroom.

Thursday is our field trip to the DeAnza Planetarium.  Students should wear their class t-shirts and will need to bring a lunch from home as the cafeteria will not be open when we eat lunch.  We will eat lunch at school before we leave, when we return we will have time for a snack and recess.

Please remember your library books for Monday.

A Big Thank you to our parent volunteers this week!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Important Dates:

Tuesday, 2/5, Author Visit (Oliver Chin)

Wednesday, 2/6, Global Play Day (Students may bring in a board game or puzzle to share)

Thursday, 2/7, Field Trip to The DeAnza Planetarium

Friday, 2/8, AV Family Dance at 6:30

Thursday, 2/14, Clay at 1:00

Thursday, 2/14, Valentine’s Day - Card Exchange

What We’re Doing in Class this Week:

Language Arts:  long vowel ‘a’ in Phonics. We continue to practice nouns (common, proper, and possessive), verbs (present, past, and future), and adjectives.

Math: Module 2 incorporates place value through addition and subtraction within 20.  We are working on writing a statement answer for our word problems.

Writing: learning about informative and opinion writing

Science: Light and Sound, Sun and Moon

Technology: Seesaw, Lexia, RazKids, Reflex Math, Zearn, Codespark, Prodigy, Epic!

Sharing Assignment: Something that you love

Special Person of The Week: Kyla

Week of January 28, 2019

Dear Families,

The 100th Day is on Thursday!

The poster is due on Monday, January 28.  Please let me know if you have any questions or if you need more time.

We will take a spelling test on the 100 sight words.  We will work on 25 each day, Monday-Thursday.

We still have a few spots left on our 100th day snack list.  Here is the sign up, if you wish to contribute.  Thank you.

Next week is also the Great Kindness Challenge.  We’ve already talked about it in class about how it’s something that we should aim for everyday of the year.  

On Monday I will send home a copy of our class list for Valentine cards.  We will have a card exchange on Thursday, February 14th (not a party).  If your child would like to attach a piece of candy to their cards that’s okay too (please no candies with nuts).

Thank you to all the baby wipes and tissue donations!  We are good now! :)

I hope you have a great weekend!

Important Dates:

Wednesday, 1/30, Art Vistas at 9:30

Thursday, 2/7, Field Trip to The DeAnza Planetarium

Thursday, 2/14, Clay at 1:00

Thursday, 2/14, Valentine’s Day - Card Exchange

What We’re Doing in Class this Week:

Language Arts:  long vowel ‘a’ in Phonics. We continue to practice nouns (common, proper, and possessive), verbs (present, past, and future), and adjectives.

Math: Module 2 incorporates place value through addition and subtraction within 20.  We are working on writing a statement answer for our word problems.

Writing: learning about informative and opinion writing

Science: Light and Sound

Technology: Seesaw, Lexia, RazKids, Reflex Math, Zearn, Codespark, Prodigy, Epic!

Sharing Assignment: ONE HUNDRED poster

Special Person of The Week: Kylie

Week of January 21, 2019

Dear Families,

I hope you are enjoying the weekend.  

Our science guests this week from YSI were a Stink Beetle, Madagascar Hissing Cockroach, Tarantula, and Mealworms.  We learned more about metamorphosis, larva, pupa, and adult stages and adaptations.

Last Thursday the class went to the Makerspace to work on Marble Mazes.  They will come home tomorrow.

We will not be visiting the library this week because Monday is the MLK holiday, so your child may keep their checked book for the remainder of the week.

Coming around the corner, is the 100th Day of School on January 31st!   During this week (1/28) we will not have our regular homework.  I sent home information on Thursday. The 100 Day poster will come home tomorrow.

The other part of the homework for the week of 100th day is to study the 100 Sight Word List.  We will have a spelling test, using 25 words each day.  Don’t worry, I sound the words out! :)

On the 100th day, I was hoping to make a 100th day snack with 100 items for each student.  If you’re interested in helping out with a donation, please see the items we need here.

Our classroom would appreciate some baby wipes and soft tissue donations.   

Important Dates:

Wednesday, 1/30, Art Vistas at 9:30

Thursday, 2/7, Field Trip to The DeAnza Planetarium

Thursday, 2/14, Clay at 1:00

What We’re Doing in Class this Week:

Language Arts:  long vowel ‘a’ in Phonics. We continue to practice nouns (common, proper, and possessive), verbs (present, past, and future), and adjectives.

Math: Module 2 incorporates place value through addition and subtraction within 20.  We are working on writing a statement answer for our word problems.

Writing: learning about informative writing.

Science: Light and Sound

Technology: Seesaw, Lexia, RazKids, Reflex Math, Zearn, Codespark, Prodigy

Sharing Assignment: Share about a time someone was kind to you. (picture or sentence)

Special Person of The Week: Kylie (week of 1/28)

Week of January 14, 2019

Dear Parents,

We have had a great week back to school, starting with the Smart Start Day and getting back to our routines.

Three classmates lost a tooth today!!  I guess the Tooth Fairy will be busy tonight.

Today, I sent home homework packet #16.  I gave the students some time to work on the last page.

Tuesday, we will have a YSI (Youth Science Institute) presentation on Insects and Arthropods.

Thursday, we will have a substitute, Mrs. Threet.

Friday, 1/18 there is no school for the Staff Work Day.

Just as a reminder there is no school on Monday 1/21 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day.)

I hope you have a great weekend!

Important Dates:

Tuesday, 1/15, YSI (Youth Science Institute) visits our class (Insects & Arthropods)

Friday, 1/18, No School for Students, Staff Day

Monday, 1/21, No School, MLK Day

Wednesday, 1/30, Art Vistas at 9:30

Thursday, 2/14, Clay at 1:00

What We’re Doing in Class this Week:

Language Arts:  long vowel ‘a’ in Phonics. We continue to practice nouns (common, proper, and possessive), verbs (present, past, and future), and adjectives.

Math: Module 2 incorporates place value through addition and subtraction within 20.  We are working on writing a statement answer for our word problems.

Writing: learning about informative writing.

Science: Light and Sound

Technology: Seesaw, Lexia, RazKids, Reflex Math, Zearn, Codespark, Prodigy

Sharing Assignment: Free Choice

Special Person of The Week: Landon

Week of January 7, 2019

Dear Families,

Happy New Year!  I hope you had a great holiday and were able to enjoy some time with your children.  I’m looking forward to learning about your child's Winter Break memories.

Thank you to Mrs. Thomas, Mrs. Hayes, and Mrs. Brandt for organizing a fun holiday party before the break!  Thank you to all our parent helpers running the crafts and Limbo dance! The children loved the Limbo!

Thank you for all the gifts!  My Bears (and families) are very generous and thoughtful!  Nordstrom is one of my favorite stores!

On Monday, January 7th, we will have a fun day back to school with Smart Start.  Students will rotate through all four first grade classes and participate in different crafts or activities.

Because of Smart Start we will not have our regular scheduled Library Time.

Monday is also a Family Night!

I look forward to seeing you on Monday!

Important Dates:

Monday, 1/7, Smart Start

Friday, 1/18, No School for Students, Staff Day

Monday, 1/21, No School, MLK Day

Wednesday, 1/30, Art Vistas at 9:30

What We’re Doing in Class this Week:

Language Arts:  long vowel ‘a’ in Phonics. We continue to practice nouns (common, proper, and possessive), verbs (present, past, and future), and adjectives.

Math: Module 2 incorporates place value through addition and subtraction within 20.  We are working on writing a statement answer for our word problems.

Writing: learning about informative writing.

Science: Light and Sound

Technology: Seesaw, Lexia, RazKids, Reflex Math, Zearn, Codespark

Sharing Assignment: Tell the class about your break.

Special Person of The Week: Landon (week of Jan. 14)

Week of December 17, 2018

Dear Families,

Thank you for taking time out of your schedules and coming to our First Grade Winter Sing!  The students did an excellent job singing and reciting their lines! Can you tell that they love Rudolph (with the “surprises”)?  

Thursday is our class Holiday Party!  The party will run from 9:00-10:30.

On Thursday Students can wear their pajamas to school, but please make sure they are wearing regular shoes for recess and PE.  They can also bring one small stuffed animal.

We will have a sub, Mrs. Threet Thursday afternoon, so I can watch my daughter’s kindergarten Nutcracker performance.

There is no homework or Spelling for next week and over the Winter Break.   I will send home the next homework packet in January 2019!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Important Dates:

Monday, 12/17, Cornerstone

Thursday, 12/20, Class Holiday Party 9:00-10:30

12/21-1/4: Winter Break

What We’re Doing in Class this Week:

Language Arts:  Finishing up the review of short vowels in Phonics. We are also working with nouns (common, proper, and possessive), verbs (present, past, and future), and adjectives.

Math: Module 2 incorporates place value through addition and subtraction within 20.  We are working on writing a statement answer for our word problems.

Writing: learning about informative writing.

Social Studies: Winter holidays

Technology: Seesaw, Lexia, RazKids, Reflex Math, Zearn, Codespark

Sharing Assignment: A favorite book

Special Person of The Week: Lily

Week of December 10, 2018

Dear Families,

We had some great lessons this past week!  It Art Vistas we learned about the Color Wheel. We also discussed the different groups of colors: primary, secondary, complementary, warm and cool.  We also glazed our fall clay projects. We made two trips to the Makerspace this week. On Monday, we worked with Mrs. Hammer's 5th grade class on the constellations and the solar system.  Today we worked with our 4th grade buddies on Coding Osmos and the CodeSpark app for The Hour of Code.

Monday, December 10th, the first graders will sing as a gift to you.  The show will begin at 2:10 prompt in the cafeteria. Students may wear their holiday outfit for the performance.  If your child wishes, they may wear a Santa hat. Please no reindeer antlers, bells, or hats that would obstruct the view of another child.  I hope you can make it!

Thursday, December 13th, we will have our Be Seen and Be Heard Assembly.

I hope you enjoy a great weekend!

Important Dates:

Monday, 12/10, 2:10: 1st Grade Holiday Sing

Thursday, Dec. 13: Be Seen and Be Heard Assembly

Thursday, 12/20, Class Holiday Party

12/21-1/4: Winter Break

What We’re Doing in Class this Week:

Language Arts:  Finishing up the review of short vowels in Phonics. We are also working with nouns (common, proper, and possessive), verbs (present, past, and future), and adjectives.

Math: Module 2 incorporates place value through addition and subtraction within 20.  We are working on writing a statement answer for our word problems.

Writing: learning about informative writing.

Social Studies: Community Workers, winter holidays

Technology: Seesaw, Lexia, RazKids, Reflex Math, Zearn

Sharing Assignment: Something that makes you happy!

Special Person of The Week: Lily