Question of the week for students: Can you name 2 types of precipitation?
Whisper the answer to me to earn a star student slip!
Bonus Question for a treat: What team is Clemson playing for the ACC title?
Mrs. Cecil’s First Grade Newsletter
November 13, 2009
Dear Parents,
Our study of weather is going very well. In small groups we worked
on making predictions about weather and what tools we can use. We also
completed an experiment testing the force of wind. We will take our weather
test late next week. We enjoyed eating a thunder cake for fun Friday
today. This edible activity was based on the book, Thundercake, by Patricia
Polacco. We also had a scientist from the High Tech High Touch program join
us today. The students loved the Weather or Not program. Thanks to Seth's
mom for helping!
We are working diligently on becoming better writers. I am
encouraging them to re-read their stories to check for mistakes or to add
details to them. I am also reminding them that I want quality not just
quantity. Having your child respond to literature is a wonderful tool that
encourages good writing. We will take a persuasive writing piece through the
entire writing process between now and Thanksgiving break. When your child
is writing at home please encourage him to check his work for mistakes.
I am pleased with the improvement I am seeing during reading times.
The children are becoming more fluent and expressive. They are beginning to
realize the importance of comprehending what they read. Please continue to
ask specific questions during and after reading a book. I hope the books in
a bag are helpful. Please remember to return them on Monday so that I can
send another one home on Wednesday. The students are having a bit of
trouble grasping the main idea of stories. Try to encourage them to state
the main concept of the story in one to two sentences. We are doing a great
job with the Read a Thon! Thanks to Mrs. Morrisroe for being the best RAT
mom!
In math, we are focusing on measuring objects using inches, using a
thermometer and counting collections of coins. Allow your child to practice
counting real coins at home as often as possible. We continue to work on
making certain amounts in numerous ways. Telling time to the quarter hour
has also been introduced. This is a very difficult concept for first
graders. Please review the packet of math journal pages and review sheet
that came home today for our test on Monday.
I am very excited about an event that all of the first grade classes
will be participating in this holiday season. We will be having a Holiday
Craft Festival. All proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House. I
know the students will learn a lot and will enjoy helping others during the
month of December. We will need several volunteers to help make this
project a success on Thursday, December 10 from 2:45- 4:15. Our class will
also be in charge of baking sugar cookies for the children to decorate and
sell during the festival. It would be great if everyone could bake two
dozen cookies. I will send more information after the Thanksgiving break.
Please mark your calendars now for this special event.
Please remember that it would be wonderful if the students could arrive
at school no later than 7:50am. The children are now responsible for a math
message and other morning work and it causes them to fall behind if they
arrive late.
We have had a few lice outbreaks at school this year. In order to
avoid these critters in our room, I have a suggestion. If possible, I would
like for the children to wear a jacket that can fit in their book bags. By
no means do I want anyone to purchase a new jacket. The problem arises
because we don’t have enough coat hooks for all the book bags and jackets.
Therefore, many of the jackets overlap or lay on top of each other and I
worry that this could spread the lice if we are “hit”. Thanks for your help.
As we discussed at conferences, I have very high expectations for your
children. Our day is jam packed with learning activities. I need your
child to give 100% to listening to the directions and following through on
their work. I try my best to make our classroom environment fun and
meaningful. They have many opportunities to work and visit with their
friends throughout the day. Please remind your child to focus on what I am
teaching and socialize at the appropriate time. Thank you so much for
stressing the importance of good behavior at school!
We will be having a classroom Thanksgiving feast on Tuesday, November
24th. Many of you will be receiving notes next Friday asking for you to
contribute an item for this fun celebration. This will take the place of
our
regular lunch time. Parents are welcome to attend and help serve.
Congratulations to our new star student Syre. I am proud of him for being
committed to displaying the IB traits we are focusing on and I love his
enthusiasm for first grade!
