May 21, 2012
This has been such an amazing school year both personally and professionally! I will always remember this group of children for sharing this special time with me. 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:
Special Star Readers began last week and will 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.
Over the last week and into this week all first graders are participating in a desert unit where the 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 on a
field trip. Luckily, a map was found to help guide them to an oasis where
they could find much needed water. Each map consisted of 14 desert-related
centers. The objective was 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 students were responsible
for unscrambling the mystery word. At the end of this week we will celebrate our desert learning by visiting the oasis, where we will enjoy a treat. I hope your child had as much fun on this adventure as I did! Later this week you will find most of the activities your child completed on his/her desert journey. This was a very enjoyable way for the students to learn more about desert animals, plants, and landforms!
HIGHLIGHTS AND REMINDERS
* Listening to the first graders read last week and this week is such fun! They really enjoy “turning the tables” and sitting in the “teacher chair!”
* On the last day of school, your child will be carrying home a lot of first grade work. Please plan on helping your child carry his/her belongings. Thanks!
* On Thursday, May 24th your child may bring a 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.
* 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!
* Thank you Kelly Clark and Stacy Lanier for all of your help this year as our homeroom moms! I appreciate your help organizing all of the classroom events. You have definitely helped make this a wonderful year!
* Parents, I also want to thank you for all of the support you offered at home and at school this year. You have been great! Please check the Tuesday folder for a first grade thank you!
* 4th quarter report cards go home on the last day of school.
THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE
MATH:
*review telling time to the hour and half hour
*review counting money
*Intro. 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 for a minimum of 10 minutes every evening.
2. Prepare for Star Reader.
3. 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.
4. 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.
Have a great last week and a wonderful, safe, and relaxing summer!!
Enjoy your summer break!
Katrine Kohls