Classroom Updates!

     We have had such a great few weeks of school.  We are doing such a great job building a classroom community full of learners! It is such a blessing to be greeted with such smiling faces and big hugs each morning and afternoon.  I truly love working with my students!
     There are a few updates that I want to make you aware of and would like you to keep in mind as we partner together to make sure that your child is successful while in first grade.

• Spelling and High Frequency Words- Each week we read a different story that is centered around a certain phonic sound. This week I started calling students back to the Guided Reading table and testing them on their spelling words and sight words to see if they could read and identify them.  The words that can't be identified from the sound are then logged on my "reteach" list. I will begin sending home the list and you will see that the words that your child could not identify will be circled. Please work with your child during the week to help them be able to identify the words that are circled because we would have gone on to a different sound in class.  This will help them not become behind on multiple sounds.  The quicker we identify the holes and fill them in the better chance we will have in making sure they don't become behind in reading.  
• Spelling Tests- We take practice spelling tests every Friday. They do not count for a grade at this point. However, they will during the second 9 weeks of school. 
• Handwriting- I am a firm believer that students should strive for neat handwriting. I understand that we live in the age of technology however, decent handwriting is still needed. We are working in our handwriting books diligently. I ask as you see your child complete homework that you encourage them to do their work in their neatest handwriting.  It is my experience that if we don't have a high expectation in this area, often times students may not rise to the occasion. Neatness is very important when it represents them.  This is what I want them to understand. 
• Circle 7 and Spelling Sentences- This will begin during the second 9 weeks.

WISH LIST

• We need index cards!
• Expo Markers
• Paper Towels 

Our First Week Went Great!

We had an awesome first week of school. We have spent the week reviewing concepts from Kindergarten and are well on our way to beginning curriculum on next week.  I would like to encourage you to continue to read with and to your child at home.  Yes, they should read to you because this is great practice but you should also read to them.  This allows them to hear fluent reading wtih expression! Our first newsletter went home on today.  I also emailed it to you as well. If you have provided me with an email address this will be your last hard copy of the newsletter. Please expect all others to come by way of email so we can save trees. :) Please make note of the following reminders:

1. Please send in $3.75 for the handwriting book.
2. Our Weekly Reader subscription is $4.29 per student. Please send in cash or checks written to Weekly Reader.
3. Our class shirts are $9.00.  If writing a check, please write it to MES and include a phone number on the check.
4. Homework is due on Friday. Please have your child color in their reading time. This is an important visual for them and at times gives them an incentive to read longer.

WELCOME TO FIRST GRADE

I am so excited about this year!  It was so great to meet all of you at the Orientation. The smiling faces and cute children ready and eager to learn really warmed my heart.  This "Learning Spot" will quickly become our go to place for communication.  This will be the place where I place all updates and announcements for our class.  I would suggest checking it each weekend before calling it a night on Sunday. However, I will also send an email reminder each Friday along with the newsletter that will contain a link to the blog!