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Mrs. Mitchell Classroom News
November 6, 2009 Dear Parents, Thank you to Lawson, Kaitlyn, Sophia, and Nicolette and their families for the books they purchased for the classroom at the Scholastic Book Fair! The children are already enjoying these new additions to our classroom library!
We continue with new spelling words this week and surprise, surprise...our bonus word was "apple" this week!
Please remember that your child may use his or her own spelling when writing sentences. If they ask for your help you may write the correct version of the word above or below your child's attempt. Thank-you for helping your child complete this important weekly assignment!
Next week we introduce the short vowel sound of "i" as in pig, dig, and jig. We continue to add Word Wall Words and at this time we have learned 42 new words which we use daily in our writing and of course reading. Please practice these words daily and remember to read with your child as often as possible! We also worked on the concept of "cause and effect" to help children better understand not only "what" happened, but "why" it happened.
In Writers Workshop we will be working on "All About" books in which children write about something they know or love. This is a great opportunity for children to express themselves and write about something they are passionate about!
Our mid-chapter test was a success today! Next week we continue with subtraction as we subtract numbers from 7-12!
Using Venn Diagrams, we were able to compare the characteristics of various apples, noting which characteristics were found in all apples and which characteristics were exclusive to a particular variety. Next we move on to a discussion of the 4 seasons using the apple tree to demonstrate the changes that take place during each season.
Next week we will discuss Veteran's Day and create a project for the hallway to honor those who served and continue to serve our country. Next we focus on the up coming holidays and traditional celebrations including Thanksgiving, and a special unit on Christmas and other seasonal holidays which are celebrated around the world. We learn that many of these traditional celebrations involve the common theme of "light" in its many different forms!
Please remember to check the classroom website for information! The classroom website includes links to computer learning games in all subjects along with an extensive reading list. You can also access weekly homework, the special class schedule, and the Friday Newsletter. You can access the classroom website at: http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/ACastrataroMitchell/
Our second class trip will be a visit to the Nassau County Police Headquarters for the annual open house, which is held outdoors, in May. Children will see various police demonstrations on safety, Special Forces demonstrations on rappelling, along with the police helicopter, boat, and canine and equine units.
Reminder!! Please remember that the children will be going outside at recess each day, if it is not raining or if the temperature is above freezing. With those parameters in mind please dress your child accordingly each day so that they are comfortable during recess. Thank-you!
November 10th-Stokes PTA Meeting-7:00 PM
November 11th-Veteran's Day-No Classes November 12th-School Spirit Day-Pizza compliments of the PTA November 13th- Musical Assembly about the value of friendship
Congratulations to the New York Yankees and Yankee fans everywhere. The series did not end a moment too soon! Now we can all get some sleep! Enjoy the weekend Best regards, Mrs. Mitchell
Room104-Mrs. Mitchell Classroom News September 2009 Welcome to First-Grade in room 104! I hope you enjoyed the summer. I am excited to begin the school year and to get to know your child. This year will be a very productive and rewarding year as we lay the foundation for important skills in reading, writing, and math, which your child will use throughout his or her future. First-grade builds on the knowledge your child acquired in kindergarten as we explore various themes, which incorporate language arts, math, science, and social studies. "Year at a Glance" & Curriculum Overview Language Arts: The language arts program is a comprehensive program designed to meet New York State Standards while incorporating reading and decoding skills, phonics work, and reading comprehension strategies along with the writing process, to help your child master the first-grade requirements.
Reading - This is a primary focus in first grade! This is the year that your child will learn the fundamentals of reading so that they are able to use reading as a tool to obtain information in second grade and the years to follow. We will read each day in a variety of ways including whole class read alouds, individual reading, and guided reading in small groups. I will read to the children at the end of each day in order to nurture a love of reading. The children will be exposed to a variety of genres as well. We will also concentrate on vowel sounds, phonics, and reading comprehension as we introduce decoding and comprehension strategies to help your child understand the information he or she reads. We will learn and practice reading strategies, which help children decode unfamiliar words as we build sight word vocabulary with 5 new Sight Words (Word Card words) each week. This will begin at the end of September or beginning of October.
Word Cards – On Mondays, at the end of September or the beginning of October, your child will write 5 weekly sight words on Word Cards in class. The Word Cards will be sent home in a Word Card Envelope so that your child may practice and recognize these Word Card words in print. I ask that you practice the words on each Word Card with your child by having your child read the word, spell the word while looking at the card, and then use the word in a sentence each day. This helps your child build reading fluency. It is a crucial step in learning to read in first-grade. Once your child is familiar with the word, please sign the Word Card Envelope. This envelope is to remain in your child’s Red Take-Home-Folder, since we will be adding new words each week.
These words are so important!! They will become your child’s reading vocabulary and daily practice is essential!!
Word Card Words will be read in classroom stories each week and they will be added to our classroom Word Wall.
The Word Wall - Located in the back of the classroom, The Word Wall reinforces the sight words the children learn each week and it becomes their classroom tool for writing. They will use the wall to spell sight words correctly in their writing each day.
Spelling - In addition, your child will receive a Spelling List of 10 wordseach week. These words will be written and put into sentences as part of the nightly homework, to help your child memorize the correct spelling of each word. Each Friday there will be a test on these words. There will also be a bonus word each week, which will be taken from something we have discussed in class. Again, this will begin at the end of September or the beginning of October.
Reading with your Child - I ask your support in reading with your child for 15-20 minutes each night. You may read to your child, have your child read to you, or read in combination. Grandparents or other care givers may also read with your child. When you read with your child you reinforce the message that reading is an essential skill. Children benefit from the fluency and expression they hear when reading with established readers. They also have a chance to build decoding and comprehension skills when they read with adults! Many children find reading together an enjoyable experience that may influence them to read more. The more your child reads, the more they will expand their sight word vocabulary. They will also build reading fluency. Once children are fluent readers, reading is no longer a chore; it becomes their most valuable tool!
Reading Logs - Stokes school requires each first-grade student to read 25 books and record the book title, how it was read and with whom it was read in a Reading Log. I will send home blank Reading Logs, which are due back to me at the beginning of June 2008. These reading logs will be included in each child’s Early Literacy Folder. Math - We will explore numbers from 1 to 100 and learn to add and subtract one and two-digit numbers (without regrouping). We will explore patterns and begin telling time and identifying and adding coins of different values. We will investigate capacity and measurement using inches and centimeters. Math homework is given nightly to review and reinforce the skill that was taught during the day.
In addition, beginning in January, children will be given 10 math facts (each week) to write and work with. These addition facts are the building blocks of the first-grade math program. I am requesting your support in helping your child to develop a working knowledge of these facts by writing one group each night for homework. Each Friday (beginning in January) there will be a quiz on these facts.
Science - The science program includes hands-on activities that will explore the weather and the seasons, plants, and the forces around us. The hands-on activities that are part of this program aid your child with self-discovery as they make connections to the scientific world around them.
Social Studies - In social studies we will discuss families and communities. We will investigate citizenship and the roles and responsibilities of a good citizen. We will also explore and celebrate various cultural holidays throughout the year. We will learn about land forms and we will include a very special project to help us read maps and learn about the states in our country and the continents around the world!
Homework - As mentioned above, homework will be given daily with the exception of Friday. A Homework Assignment Sheet will be sent home on Monday of each week. This sheet details the homework for each night of the entire school week. Since homework is a review of the skill taught in class that day, please have your child complete the homework on the night it is assigned, rather than in advance, so that the homework can serve its intended purpose. Homework will also be available on the Classroom Website: http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/ACastrataroMitchell/
Classroom Website - I have set up a classroom website where you can find the special class schedule, reminders about up coming events, and the Class Newsletter. You will also find a Book List and links to other Website that offer help, practice, and fun games for reading, math, science etc. Check it out with your child as the links include fun games that reinforce important reading readiness and math skills!
As mentioned above, the current Homework Assignment Sheet for the entire week may also be found on the website. This may be helpful in the event of a misplaced Homework Assignment sheet! Please check the site each week for news and events!
http://www.myteacherpages.com/webpages/ACastrataroMitchell/ This site may also be accessed from the Stokes School website: www.islandtrees.org
Take-Home –Folder – Each child will have a red Take-Home-Folder. This folder will serve as a daily communication tool between the classroom and home. The weekly Homework Assignment Sheet, daily notices, and notes will be placed in this folder each day. I ask that you thoroughly check this folder each night. If you have notes for me, please place them in the folder and I will check the folder in class each day. Your child’s Word Card Envelope, which contains their Word Cards, should also be kept in this folder.
Your Child’s Belongings - Please label all of your child’s belongings including their backpack, lunch box, coat, and hats, gloves, sweaters and supply box. If you send in money for your child to purchase lunch or snack in the cafeteria, please send it in an envelope or re-sealable plastic bag marked with your child’s name so that we can identify your child’s money in the event it is misplaced in the classroom. Thank-you for your help! Snack - Please refer to the Student Handbook for information regarding classroom snack. Birthdays - Please check the section regarding classroom birthday parties, in the Student Handbook, for information and procedures. Star of the Week- Each child will have a chance to be Star of the Week. They will take home our class mascot for a week and write about their adventures. In addition, they will be able to bring in a special non-breakable toy or object that they would like to share with the class. This is the only time that toys are permitted in class. As you know this is a school rule, since toys are distracting and children often become upset if they are lost or broken.
Classroom Celebrations - We will celebrate various holidays throughout the year including Halloween, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, and St. Patrick’s Day. We will also celebrate Christmas around the world, Hanukkah, Dwali, and Kwanzaa as well. These celebrations are intended to help children experience the cultural significance of each holiday while sharing in a fun social experience. With this idea in mind we will include a craft, game, or music and dancing within each celebration. Classroom celebrations will be coordinated by the class parent who will be selected from a list of volunteers. Additional volunteers wishing to attend or help with the celebration preparation may contact the class parent directly. Class parent contact information will be sent to all families once it is available, along with a list of dates for each celebration. You will find the complete list of classroom celebrations on the classroom web site as well.
D.E.A.R. Day During the last week of June we will celebrate reading for an entire day as we Drop Everything And Read! Children may bring in 10 of their favorite books, a favorite stuffed animal, and a blanket or sleeping bag. We will "Buddy" read, read independently, and listen to books on CD as we celebrate the new skill they acquired during first grade! More information to follow in June!
I hope this information is helpful. Although it may seem overwhelming at first, it is intended to make the transition to first grade easier! This information will remain on the class web site throughout the year for your reference. I will be sending home additional information as we get closer to the activities mentioned above and detailed information will be included in the Class Newsletter and this website throughout the year.
I look forward to partnering with each of you so that your child may reach his or her potential this year. My goal is for each child to have a successful and enjoyable experience in first grade.
My Web Site! Island Trees School District |
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