PTA Fundraiser Pick Up

The PTA Fundraiser pick up date will be Thursday, Nov. 2nd in the FEMA.

The parent pickup times will be 3:30-6:00pm. 

Friday Note - 10/27/17

Events of the Week:

Math:  We learned the attributes of shapes. We practiced finding squares, circles, rectangles, triangles, and hexagons around the room. We also learned about some 3-D shapes. We talked about cylinders, cones, cubes, and spheres. We assessed the basic shapes this week, and we will be assessing the 3-D shapes next week.

Language Workshop:  This week we finished our author study on Mercer Mayer.  We read his series of books about finding unusual things in hidden places around the house (There’s a Nightmare in my Closet, There’s Something in my Attic, There’s an Alligator Under my Bed, and There are Monsters Everywhere.)  With each book we discussed story elements (characters, setting, and sequence of events). 

Reading Workshop:  We continued practicing the expectations for Literacy Centers when the teacher is working with small groups.  We also focused on concepts of print (reading left to right, top to bottom, etc.).

Writing Workshop:  Our sight word was “be”.  We practiced it by using it in the predictable chart, “For Halloween, I will be ____.”  The students then used those sentences to make a class book.

Word Study:  We are going through the alphabet a second time. We are focusing on the sound the letter makes and the correct formation. Our goal is for every student to know all 52 letters and their sounds before Christmas break.

Content Workshop:  We read several Halloween books.  On Friday, we carved our pumpkin and had our Halloween Party!  Thanks to everyone who helped make our party a big success! 

Important Dates:

·       Nov. 2 - PTA Fundraiser Pickup in the FEMA shelter (cafeteria)

·       Nov. 9 - Veteran’s Day Assembly (4^th & 5^th grades perform.  All are welcome to attend.)

·       Nov. 20-24 - Thanksgiving Break

·       Nov. 30 -  Picture Retakes

·       Nov. 30 – PTA Skating Party

Sight Words—Keep practicing!

 I   is   a   my   like   see   the   it   he   be   can

Next Week:

·        In Language and Writing Workshops, we will begin our unit on The Little Red Hen.

·        In math, we will begin a unit on measurement. 

·        Our sight word will be “she”.

Have a great weekend!!

Mrs. Vestal

Friday Note - 10/20/17

Events of the Week:

Math:  We finished our unit on numbers 0-10.  Then we started a new unit on shapes.  This week, we began learning about flat shapes (triangle, rectangle, square, circle, and hexagon) and their attributes (curved sides, straight sides, corners, etc.).

Language Workshop: We began a Mercer Mayer author study and focused on many different Little Critter books throughout the week.  We learned about the characters, setting, and major events in stories.  We wrote about these story elements in our reading logs.

Reading Workshop: We are working on staying in our reading spot and reading quietly.  We are finding sight words in our book also.  On Wednesday, we had a lot of fun reading around the room with our stuffed animals!

Writing Workshop: On Monday, we read a Little Critter book called All By Myself.  It is a story about all the things Little Critter can do.  We wrote “I can” sentences about the things we can do on our own.

Word Study: Our sight word for the week was “can” to go along with our writing.  We learned about the letters “Yy” and “Zz”.  We spent some time playing fun games to review all the letters of the alphabet.  We also practiced building sight words with magnetic letters and then writing them.

Important Dates:

• Oct. 24-27:  Red Ribbon Week

             Monday:  Crazy Sock & Crazy Hair

  Tuesday:  Wear favorite jersey or team shirt

  Wednesday:  Pajama Day

          Thursday:  Hat Day

Friday:  Halloween Party Day - Bring your costume to school

• Oct. 27:  Halloween Party 12:00-1:00 (additional info below)
• Nov. 2:  PTA Fundraiser Pickup in the FEMA shelter (cafeteria)

Sight Words—Keep practicing!

I          is              a              like          he

see     the          it              my           can

Halloween Party

Our Halloween Party will be October 27th.  We will eat a sack lunch in our classroom before parents arrive for the party.  After lunch, we will begin changing into costumes at 11:30.  Parents are welcome to help at that time.  Parents may also start setting up for the party at this time.  At 12:00 we will parade through the school in our costumes.  The party will begin after the parade and last until 1:00.  Please remember to send your child’s costume to school that morning!  Do not bring it with you—you never know when you might be delayed unexpectedly. *Special note about costumes—NO weapons of any kind allowed, please keep blood and gore to a minimum!

A big thank you to each family for making time to meet with me at conferences!  Thank you for sharing your child with me each day. Your involvement in school makes a world of difference!

Weather Alert!

With the temperature dropping, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather.  We will make every effort to go outside for recess even on cold days!  

Next Week:

• We will start going through the alphabet again, with a strong emphasis on letter sounds and letter formation.
• We will continue our Mercer Mayer author study.
• In math we will continue learning about shapes.
• Our sight word will be “be”.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mrs. Vestal

PTA Skating Party

Counseling Service Available

We are excited to offer a counseling referral option for K-8 grade students at Clever Schools.  Dr. Raquel Morrow will be in Clever on a weekly basic to offer counseling services to students who need more that what a school counselor can offer.  She is currently accepting Medicaid patients with appointments available during the school day (no transportation is required).  If you are interested in learning more about this option please contact your student's school counselor (Mrs. Twigg) or Dr. Morrow directly at 417-569-9979.

Thursday Note - 10/12/17

NO SCHOOL TOMORROW!!

Events of the Week:

Math:  This week we arranged, analyzed, and practiced counting with numbers 1-10.  We also worked on finding one more and one less with numbers through ten.  

Language Workshop:  We continued talking about fall this week.  We read several fiction books about fall and discussed the difference between fiction and nonfiction books.   

Reading Workshop: This week during IR time I continued reading with students individually checking their understanding of concepts of print.  This week I used the book I Like. I continue to ask your child basic questions such as, “Can you show me where to begin reading?” “How many words are in that sentence?” “Where would you read next?” “Can you point to an ending mark?”.  I’m also looking to see if they are using the picture for clues.  I am also looking to see if they point to each word as they read (one-to-one correspondence) and if they can correctly identify our sight words in text.  

Writing Workshop:  This week we completed a writing scarecrow unit.  As a class, we worked together on the writing.  The first day we labeled our scarecrow.  The second day we added descriptive words, and the third day we wrote sentences about our scarecrow.  We put these sentences together to write a story.  (Be sure to check your child’s daily folder!)  Our class writing will be displayed in the hallway along with the scarecrow your child made during conferences.   

Word Study: Our sight word was “he”.  We learned about the letters “Vv” “Ww” and “Xx”.  Please don’t forget to practice letter and sound identification with your child at home.

Content Workshop: This was Fire Safety Week.  We learned what steps we should take in case there was ever a fire in our homes or at school.  We read different books and talked about how firefighters are our friends.  On Wednesday, the Clever Fire Department came and spoke to us about the importance of fire safety.  We got to see the fire truck up close and crawl through the smokehouse to practice what to do in a real fire!

Important Dates:

• Oct. 13:  NO SCHOOL (Fall Break)     

• Oct. 16-17:  Parent/Teacher Conferences
• Oct. 16-20:  Book Fair in the Library
• Oct. 16-20:  Food Drive
• Oct. 23-27:  Red Ribbon Week
• Oct. 27:  Halloween Party 12:00-1:00  (Parent set-up & costume change beginning at 11:30)

Sight Words – Keep Practicing!

I     the     a     like     is   my    see   it   he

Parent-Teacher Conferences  

Conferences are next week.  I look forward to meeting with you and discussing your child’s progress in kindergarten.  A note explaining how we assess in kindergarten was sent home yesterday.  Please take time to read this before our conference.  By reading this ahead of time, we will have more time at our conference to answer questions and discuss concerns.  

****PLEASE CHECK OUT THE LOST AND FOUND DURING CONFERENCES.  EVERYTHING THAT IS NOT CLAIMED WILL BE DONATED AT THE END OF NEXT WEEK. ****

Book Fair

The book fair will be going on all next week.  It will be open until 7:30 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday during conferences.  We will also visit during our library time on Monday.  You may send money in a sealed envelope if you would like your child to purchase something (write your child’s name and “Book Fair” on the envelope).

Halloween Party

Our Halloween Party will be October 27th.  We will eat a sack lunch in our classroom before parents arrive for the party.  After lunch, we will begin changing into costumes at 11:30. Kindergarten parents are welcome to help at that time to help change into costumes.  We will parade through the school in our costumes.  The party will begin after the parade and last until 1:00.  Please remember to send your child’s costume to school that morning!  Do not bring it with you—you never know when you might be delayed unexpectedly.

*Special note about costumes—NO weapons of any kind allowed, please keep blood and gore to a minimum!

F O O D  D R I V E

Our High School FBLA is having a food drive next week.  They have invited us participate.  FBLA will host a party for the class with the most donations turned in.   All donations will be collected will be given to the food pantry at Clever First Baptist Church.  

Suggested Items to Donate

-Macaroni and Cheese   - Soup, Chili, Beans, etc.  

-Canned Fruits and Vegetables    -Peanut Butter and Jelly   -Pasta and Pasta Sauce

Next Week:

• Our letters for the week will be “Yy and “Zz”.
• Our sight word will be “can”.
• In math we will finish our unit on numbers 1-10 and begin learning about shapes.

Have a great weekend!!

Mrs. Vestal

Lost & Found

When you come to your conference next week, please check the Lost & Found to see if your child is missing anything.  Items will be donated at the end of next week.  Thank you!

Friday Note - 10/6/17

**PTA Fall Festival is tomorrow on the playground from 5:00-7:30 with a movie following. **  

Events of the Week:  

Math:  We continued working with numbers 0-10.  We started working on “1 more” this week.  For example 4 is 1 more than 3.  Your child should be able to identify and write the numbers 0-10 now.  

Language Workshop:  Our theme this week was fall.  We learned about nonfiction books (informational) by reading books called Fall and Exploring Fall.  We noticed that nonfiction books usually have a table of contents, an index, a glossary, and photographs instead of drawings.  After reading these nonfiction books, we made a list of important key details that we learned about fall.  We added this information to our reading logs.  We paid special attention to the changes that are happening all around us.  

Reading Workshop: This week during IR time I continued reading with students individually checking their understanding of concepts of print.  I’m using a level A text with sight words they should know (Ex: I like apples.).  I am asking your child questions such as, “Can you show me where to begin reading?” “How many words are in that sentence?” “Where would you read next?” “Can you point to an ending mark?”.  I’m also looking to see if they are using the picture for clues.  I hope you are having these conversations with your child when reading at home.  I am so impressed with their understanding of concepts of print at this point of the year!  

Writing Workshop:  We made a book called “It is Fall”.  Each day we completed a page in the book using sight words we know and the numbers we have learned to write so far.  Please have your child read this book to you.    

Word Study:  Our sight word was “it”.  We learned about the letters “Rr”, “Ss”, “Tt” & “Uu”.  Don’t forget to practice letter and sound identification with your child at home.  

Content Workshop:  We learned about pumpkins.  Murfins Market in Clever has donated pumpkins for each of our students to decorate to be displayed in the store.  Be watching for these in the upcoming weeks.  We have a class pumpkin that we used for some investigations.  We described the pumpkin, weighed it,  measured how big around it was, and made predictions on whether we thought it would sink or float.  Be sure to ask your child about all our pumpkin activities this week.      

Important Dates:

• Oct. 7 ~ Fall Festival 5:00-7:30 on the playground with movie following festival
• Oct. 11 ~ Reading Challenge Due
• Oct. 12 ~ End of 1st Quarter
• Oct. 12 ~ Cox Care Mobile
• Oct. 13 ~ NO SCHOOL (Fall Break)     
• Oct. 16-17 ~ Parent/Teacher Conferences (see below for details)
• Oct. 23-27 ~ Red Ribbon Week
• Oct. 27 ~ Halloween Party 12:00-1:00  (Parent set-up & costume change beginning at 11:30)

Sight Words – Keep Practicing!

I     the     a     like     is   my    see   it  

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Parent-Teacher conferences will be held October 16th and 17th.   I posted the link on Seesaw last week.  If you still need to sign up, you may sign-up online at  http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a44afa62da02-parentteacher1.

 All parents are expected to schedule a conference time.  I look forward to meeting with you.

Halloween Party

Our Halloween Party will be October 27th.  We will eat a sack lunch in our classroom before parents arrive for the party.  After lunch, we will begin changing into costumes at 11:30. Kindergarten parents are welcome to help at that time to help change into costumes.  We will parade through the school in our costumes.  The party will begin after the parade and last until 1:00.  Please remember to send your child’s costume to school that morning!  Do not bring it with you—you never know when you might be delayed unexpectedly.

*Special note about costumes—NO weapons of any kind allowed, please keep blood and gore to a minimum!

Box Top Challenge!!!

Please turn in your Box Tops, Labels for Education, and Best Choice labels.  The current challenge ends on Oct. 20th.  This is a monthly challenge so continue sending the labels to school.  The class with the most turned in will earn a class party!  Send them in with teacher name and grade and PTA will do the rest.  Thank you!

Reading Challenge

I hope you and your child have enjoyed completing the Reading Challenge.  Please return your child’s reading challenge paper to school by Oct. 11th.  We will celebrate our reading challenge and have a read-a-thon in our classroom on October 12th.  Be looking for details regarding our next reading challenge.   

1st Quarter Assessments

Next week we will finish assessing over 1st Quarter skills.  If your child has already scored “Proficient” in an area, he/she will not be assessed over that skill again this quarter.  Please be sure to practice at home!

Next Week:

• Our theme will be Fall.  We will also learn about Fire Safety.  The Clever Fire Department will come to our school to teach us important fire safety tips.
• We will work on adding details to our writing by writing a fun story about a scarecrow.  
• In math, we will be talking about 1 more and 1 less.
• Our sight word will be “he”.
• Our letters for the week will be “Vv”, “Ww” & “Xx”.

Have a Great Weekend!

Mrs. Vestal