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

Week of December 3, 2018

Dear Families,

It was fun seeing many of you at Family Science Night – last night.  A big thank you to Gabby and Alecia’s dads for helping out last night.

We have been enjoying the Grandparent (Older person) interviews.  It’s interesting to learn how some of the favorite snacks and games are the same ones for some of our current first graders.

This week is Computer Science Week.  We will be taking part in the Hour of Code by doing some activities with our Big Buddies as well as some time working on Code.org.

We will be working on a project in the maker space on Monday.  WE NEED toilet paper rolls, if you have any – for Monday. Thank you!!

The first grade classes have been working together and practicing holiday songs for our Holiday Sing coming up.  Save the date: Monday, December 10th, the show will begin at 2:00 in the cafeteria.

Thank you to all our classroom helpers this week in and out of the classroom!

Please remember your library books for Monday.  We will have library at 11:00 on 12/3.

I hope you and your family will have a great weekend.

Important Dates:

Wednesday, 12/5, Art Vistas, 9:30

Wednesday, 12/5, Star Gazing at Alta Vista, 6:30-8:30

Thursday, 12/6. Clay glazing, 1:00

Monday, 12/10, 2:00: 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: Sequence of a story, writing a friendly letter.  Continuing to review short vowel “i” in Phonics. We are also working with nouns (common, proper, and possessive), verbs (present, past, and future), and adjectives.

Math: We are starting Module 2 this week.  Module 2 incorporates place value through addition and subtraction within 20.

Writing: learning about informative writing.

Social Studies: Community Workers

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

Sharing Assignment: Something that reminds you of Winter

Special Person of The Week: Madison