May 21, 2012
There are only 5 more days of first grade! This time will be a happy one as we celebrate a successful year, a sad one as we say our good-byes.
This has been such an amazing year! I really enjoyed watching your children grow into confident “almost” second graders! They came to school each day enthusiastic and ready to learn. This excitement really made for a fun and interesting year! Enjoy your summer and please come visit anytime!
SCHOOL NEWS:
Please return all library books if you have not done so already as they are being inventoried so they can close out the year! If you have lost a library book, please take a moment to pay for it so that your child can receive his/her report card on the last day of school.
CLASS NEWS: HIGHLIGHTS AND REMINDERS:
1. Special Star Readers continue this week so please check the sharing schedule so your child will be ready to read their favorite story to the class. Please keep in mind there is a 10 minute time limit so we can allow enough time for everyone to share. Listening to the first graders read is such fun! They really enjoy “turning the tables” and sitting in the “teacher chair”!
2. Beginning last week and continuing this week the first graders have been participating in a desert unit. This unit is different from other activities because students select the activities in which they are interested and then work at their own pace. When the unit was introduced, the students discovered they were stranded in the desert after their bus crashed during a field trip. Luckily, a map was found to help guide them to an oasis where they could find much needed water. Each map consists of 14 desert-related centers. The objective is for the students to complete 7 tasks within this 2-week period. At the completion of each mission (task) they receive a letter. Once all letters are obtained, the students are responsible for unscrambling the mystery word. At the end of the week we will celebrate our desert learning by visiting the oasis. At the oasis a much needed treat will be enjoyed. At the end of the week you will find most of the activities your child completed on his/her desert journey. This is a very enjoyable way for the students to learn more about desert animals, plants, and landforms!
3. On the last day of school, your child will be carrying home a lot of first grade supplies and work. Please plan on helping your child carry his/her belongings. Thanks!
4. On Thursday, May 24 your child may bring a small pillow, stuffed animal, and a few books from home for our afternoon read-a-thon. Please write your child’s name in the books that s/he brings to school. Also the books must fit inside a Ziploc baggie. Thanks for helping them prepare for an afternoon of reading!
5. On the last day, the first graders will have a “Bye-Bye Breakfast” to end the year. If you will be attending please arrive at 9:20. If you can help set up please be here around 8:50. Thanks in advance!
6. Fourth quarter report cards go home on the last day of school.
THANK YOU!
Many thanks to Cory Vessa and Tami Sebastian, who have been our fantastic room moms! Without them, there would not have been those great celebrations! Next time you see either of these ladies, please let her know how much you appreciate all her efforts this year.
I would also like to thank all of you for your contributions to our classroom: whether you provided your time by helping at school or at home, or provided materials for some of our special projects, or for accompanying us on field trips, you helped make a difference!
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE…
MATH:
*review telling time to the hour and half hour
*review counting money
*introduction to second grade math: 2 digit addition and subtraction (without borrowing)
WRITING:
*writing fictional stories
*handwriting practice
*journal writing
*memory book
READING:
*star readers
*read to visiting kindergartners
*read-a-thon
SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:
*We will continue our desert unit where the students are stranded in the desert and depart on a journey to find the oasis. While on their trip they must complete 7 missions (activities) before the oasis will miraculously appear. The students will visit the Oasis.
*animal adaptations for living in the desert
*plant adaptations for living in the desert
HOMEWORK:
1. Read 10 minutes every evening.
2. Prepare for Special Star Readers.
3. Please continue to assist your children academically over the summer. It is essential that they continue practicing important skills so that they are ready for second grade in August.
4. Please check the “Summer Suggestions” and “Preparing for 2nd Grade” sections of our website for ways to support your child over the next few months. I will keep them posted for you to use as a summer resource.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THESE SUMMER BIRTHDAY CHILDREN:
Mason on May 27
Jay on July 7
Kelvin on July 18
Juhi on July 22
Anthony on July 23
SUMMER READING:
It is very important that children choose their own books to read so that they learn how to select books that are at their reading level and to discover all the different types of books that are available. Parental advice is acceptable, but in order to create a nation of readers, children need to explore the different types of books and authors. I hope you and your child take the time this summer to visit the public library, or a friend’s home library, or bookstore to find some great summer reading.
You can visit this website from the New York Public Library to learn about “100 Picture Books Everyone Should Know":
http://kids.nypl.org/reading/recommended2.cfm?ListID=61
You can also find other reading lists for children as well as adults at the New York Public Library’s website.
The Canyon Creek Elementary Library web page has additional reading lists, so check them out, too!
http://schools.roundrockisd.org/canyoncreek/Library/ReadingLists.htm
Have a terrific summer! Stay safe! I look forward to seeing a lot of second grade faces in August!!
Fondly,
Kim Flott