Friday Note - 1/26/18

Events of the Week:  

• Math—We continued working with number bonds.  We practiced using the numbers 6, 7, and 8 and breaking the numbers into different parts.  A math homework paper is coming home today.  Be sure to sit with your child and help him/her complete the page together.  Please return the page on Monday.  

• Language Workshop— We started our research project on penguins.  We read a variety of books and used many resources to help us find facts (PebbleGO, Kids World Book Online, National Geographic Kids, various websites, etc.).  As we gathered information on penguins, we wrote a list of facts about them.  Next week, we’ll use these facts to write an informational paper as a class about penguins.
• Writing Workshop— We continued working on writing complete sentences.  We practiced writing sentences and then cutting those sentences into separate words and then gluing them back into the correct order again.  We differentiated a word from a sentence and then worked on making one word into a sentence (ex. if a child is given the word “house”, he/she may write “I live in a tan house.”).  Your child should be able to tell you the components of a good sentence:  It is a complete thought, begins with a capital letter, ends with a punctuation mark, includes finger spacing between words, and unknown words are “stretched out” (spelled phonetically.  For example, “boat” = “bot”).
• Reading Workshop—Students are working daily in Literacy Centers.  While students are working independently, I am meeting with small groups to focus on different reading skills.  During independent reading time, students are practicing the skills they are learning during small groups and using their reading strategies.  I hope that you are able to see them using these reading strategies when they are reading with you at home.
• Word Study— We focused on syllable segmenting and blending this week.  We practiced by counting the number of syllables in our names, food items from the kitchen center, and by using different cards to complete sorts in our pocket chart.  We also practiced blending the syllables to make a word (ex. /jel/ /ly/ /fish/).  Also, I sent home your child’s rhyming assessment yesterday.  If they did not score proficient, please continue to practice rhyming at home.  

Important Dates:

• Jan. 29:  100th Day of School (dress like a 100 year-old)
• Jan. 30:  101st Day of School (dress in black & white)
• Feb. 9:  Valentine Party (be watching for more details)
• Feb. 15:  Jump Rope for Heart form and money due
• Feb. 22:  Jump Rope for Heart (during our P.E. time)

Sight Words—Keep practicing!

I   is   like   see   my   a   the   be   it   he   she

  to   can   with   go   we   me   you   and   have

Book Bags

Keep reading and returning the book bags every Friday.  Also, please encourage your child to read these books several times before returning them.  It would be best if you are reading the books each night.  Please take care of these books while they are at your house.     

 

Reading Journey

I hope you and your child are finding a special time each night to work on our reading journey.  Remember, our goal is to complete twenty reading activities!  This reading journey will end on March 8th.   

Valentine Party Information was sent home this week.  Remember, please let your child write the Valentine’s.

Have fun creating the box together!

Library Books:  Remember to take care of the library books while they are at your house!  A good idea is to keep the library book in your child’s backpack when it is not being read.  Library books are due back each Monday, so your child can check out a new book.

NWEA Scores:  Your child’s NWEA scores from our winter testing are coming home today in your child’s daily folder.  A letter explaining the testing is attached.  As always, if you have any questions, please let me know.

Next Week:

• We will continue our class research project about penguins.
• We will continue to work on number bonds and begin addition.
• Our sight word will be “are”.
• We will learn about segmenting the sounds in words and blending sounds together to form words.
• We will celebrate the 100th and 101st days of school!!!

Have a great weekend!!

Mrs. Vestal   

100th and 101st Days of School!

The 100th day will NOT be this Wednesday.  Due to the snow days, it will be next Monday, January 29th.  We will dress up as 100 year olds and celebrate next Monday. 

Next Tuesday, we will dress in black and white and celebrate the 101st day.

Please send your child's 100 items to school by this Thursday.  Thank you!

Tooth Truck

Friday Note - 1/12/18

NO SCHOOL ON MONDAY!

This Week:  We completed our winter NWEA testing session.  

Math: We continued working on composing and decomposing numbers within 5 using a number bond.    

Language Workshop: We read two informational texts about winter.  We reviewed the characteristics of informational texts (table of contents, glossary and index).  We made a list of winter words and added key details from each text to our Reading Logs.

Reading Workshop: We started guided reading groups.  During this time, students are working in literacy centers while I work in small groups with our focus on the appropriate leveled book and word study skills within the reading group.  

Word Study:  We completed several rhyming activities.  IXL is a great way to practice our word study skills we are focusing on in the classroom.  Our sight word was “and”.  

Important Dates:

• Jan. 12:  Little Cheer Clinic Performance
• Jan. 15:  No School
• Jan. 18:  Cox Care Mobile
• Jan. 24:  100th Day of School!  
• Jan. 25:  101st Day of School!

Library Books:  Your child will begin bringing home a library book each Monday (starting in 2 weeks).  Remember to take care of the library books while they are at your house!  A good idea is to keep the library book in your child’s backpack when it is not being read.  Library books are due back each Monday, so your child can check out a new book.

Sight Words—Keep practicing!

I    is    like    see    my    a    the   be    it   he    she   to  can   with  go  we  me  you  and

BOOK BAGS!  

Thank you for returning your child’s book bag today.  The bag, books, and signed log need returned every Friday!! Please only log the books once and only log the books from the bag.  Also, please encourage your child to read these books several times before returning them.  It would be best if you are reading the books each night.  Please take care of these books while they are at your house.  

Reading Challenge

Please find a time to read with your child daily and make it fun!   You can include the books your child brings home in his/her book bag.  The goal is to complete twenty activities.  Reading logs are due March 8th.  

Next Week:

• We will begin a research project on penguins.
• We will continue to work with number bonds in math.
• Our sight word will be “have”.
• We will learn about syllables.

Have a great weekend!!

Mrs. Vestal

Friday Note - 1/5/18

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and were

able to spend a lot of time with your families.

This Week:  

Math: We started learning to join groups within five, which lays the foundation for addition. We introduced number bonds.  We use these to show a picture of the parts and the total.

Language Workshop: We started our winter theme.  We read several winter fiction books.    

Writing Workshop: We worked on writing complete sentences.  We learned that a sentence is a complete thought that includes correct capitalization, spacing, and an ending mark.  Please encourage your child to work on writing at home.   

Reading Workshop: We spent time reviewing expectations during literacy centers and introduced new activities. Next week, we will begin guided reading groups, and I will be focusing on the appropriate leveled book and word study skills within each reading group.  

Word Study: Our sight word was “you”.  We practiced writing our sight words on whiteboards.  

Important Dates:

• Jan. 8-11:  NWEA Testing (We will test from 1:45 - 2:30 each day.)
• Jan. 12:  Little Cheer Performance at the high school basketball game
• Jan. 15:  No School
• Jan. 18:  Cox Care Mobile (call the nurse to schedule an appointment)

** 2nd Quarter Progress Reports are coming home today.  Please look over it and work with your child on the skills they have not mastered yet.  This is your copy to keep.  Let me know if you have any questions.  **

NWEA Testing Information:                

NWEA is a computer-based assessment program.  It is designed to assess each student’s individual ability and to track the student’s progress over multiple years.  To the students, the test is similar to a computer game.  The students wear headphones and the questions are read to them.  NWEA is called an adaptive test.  This means that the test questions are determined by the student's answer to the previous item.  An incorrect answer prompts an easier follow-up question.  Correct answers prompt the test questions to increase in difficulty.  The resulting score shows the student's unique academic level.  Please talk to your child about the importance of taking his/her time when testing next week.  We will be testing on Chromebooks in our classroom.  

3rd Quarter Reading Challenge!

Our 3rd quarter Reading Challenge has begun!  Your child brought home the new log on Wednesday.  Please find a time to read with your child daily and make it fun!  The goal is to complete twenty activities.  Reading logs are due March 8th.

 

Sight Words—Keep practicing!

I    is    like    see    my    a    the   be    it   he    she   to  can   with  go  we  me  you

IXL

A parent letter came home before break explaining this online program.  IXL  allows your child  to have extra practice at home on our current math and reading skills.  I want to encourage you to login with your child and check it out.  There are several highlighted skills for your child to complete.  Please let me know if you have any questions.   

BOOK BAGS!  

Your child is bringing his/her book bag home for the first time today.  There are papers in the book bag.  Please read these carefully.  They include important information regarding your child’s book bag and ways to help your child become a better reader. The bag, books, and signed log need returned every Friday!! Please only log the books once and only log the books from the bag. Thanks!  

Next Week:

• We will continue our theme on winter.  We will focus on nonfiction books.
• We will continue working on joining groups.
• Our sight word will be “and”.

Have a great weekend!!

Mrs. Vestal

Mrs. Ramey's Monthly Newsletter

January 4, 2018

Clever Families,

Happy New Year! I hope your family had a wonderful holiday break and is keeping warm during these chilly winter days! It was great to see all of the smiles return yesterday and listen to students share about their favorite gifts, places they traveled, and time spent with family while they were out of school.

With that said, learning picked up right where we left off. This time of year, we begin to see progression and levels of growth in learning. The week of Dec. 11th-14th and Jan. 8th-11th, students took or will take their second NWEA District Assessment. This data will be used to drive instruction in the classroom and will be shared with you. In addition, report cards will be sent home on Friday, Jan. 5th, so be on the lookout for those to come home. Teachers worked hard to report your child’s strengths and areas of focus to communicate specific academic feedback for you. After reading these, please reach out to your child’s teacher if you have any concerns.

Along with grade cards, 2nd quarter attendance recognition awards will be going home with students who missed one day or less of school this quarter. Students will also be receiving a candy bar to recognize their efforts in coming to school each day. Our average overall attendance for 1st semester in K-4 is approximately 96.25%. Way to go!

January brings cold temperatures. Students will be going outside briefly if the wind chill and temperature is 25 degrees or higher, so please make sure they come to school with heavy coats, mittens and hats to keep them warm. In addition to recess, students going home in circle drive will need to be bundled up!

I look forward to the learning that will take place this second semester and am proud of the hard work and dedication shown by students each day!

Your partner in education,

Mrs. Renee Ramey

PK-4 Principal

rameyr@cleverbluejays.org

Inspiring and Empowering Every Learner