Please continue to send in your soda can tabs!  By collecting soda can tabs we are supporting the Shriners Children's Hospital.  All the tabs collected are used to raise funds to help the hospital.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

Thank You!
Thank you to Elaine for coming to read to our class yesterday.  We enjoyed the books and the sweet treat.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! We will be having our party on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 from 1:45pm-2:30pm. We will be exchanging valentine cards on that day. If you plan on sending cards, please make sure there is one for each child in the class. It would be a great idea to have your child print his/her friend’s names on the cards personally.  I sent home a class list on January 23rd.  There is also a class list in your child's take home binder from the start of the year.  Please let me know if you have misplaced either list and I would be happy to replace it for you.  Thank you for encouraging your child to be independent

Spelling Test
Spelling tests were sent home for you to look at and sign. Please return to school by Monday, February 13, 2012.

The Following Donations Are Needed.  Thank You! 
*Kleenex
*100 Clear sheet protectors - Thank you Rylee and Lori for 20. 
*Notebook paper - Thank you James and Elaine.
*22 Boxes of conversational hearts for a math activity - Thank you Rylee and Lori.

Save This Date

The Sommer PTA is proud to announce that we will be having a Barnes & Noble Book Fair, school spirit event on Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 11 am-3 pm. The Book Fair will take place at the Barnes and Noble book store located in the La Frontera Shopping Center, 2701 Parker Road, Building A, Round Rock, Texas 78681. When you attend the school book fair, 10% of your total sales will be donated to Sommer Elementary, PTA. When you are making a purchase, please present the Barnes & Noble voucher that is attached to the gold form being sent home today, or mention Sommer Elementary book fair and give our assigned schoolvoucher #10574929to the sales associate. Also, if you cannot find an item in the store, or if you have family members that live out of town and want to help your child’s school, Barnes & Nobel will also give our school 5 days of on-line sales, starting Sunday, February 12th through Thursday, February 16^th. 

I have prepared a wish list for books that I would love to add to our classroom library. A table in the children’s department will be set up to display many of these books. A binder with these titles will also be available for you to review. If you would like to purchase a book to donate to our classroom, please select from the list. There will also be someone available to assist you with this if you need help on February 11^th. Thank you for considering a new book to donate for our classroom. Happy Reading!

Sommer eBackpack

I have posted an icon on our website for the Sommer eBackpack. Here you will find all fliers, reminders, and content that would be in a Thursday folder. We have made this available to insure that parents can have anywhere/anytime access to all materials going home. You can check here every Thursday to receive updated information.

Thursday, February 9, 2012
Library is tomorrow at 2:00. Please help your child remember to bring their books.

Spelling tests tomorrow.  Please make sure you review with your child their words on their spelling list.  

Thank you Rylee and Lori for your book donations for our classroom library.  We are excited to read these new editions. 

The following donations are needed in our classroom:
*Kleenex
*Clear sheet protectors
*Notebook paper
*22 Boxes of conversational hearts for a math activity

Congratulations to Minyoung for being our Spotlight Stallion for this week.

Author Lisa Wheeler will be visiting Patsy Sommer on Friday, February 10, 2012 at 9:30-10:15 in the cafeteria.  She is the author of one of my favorite books,Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum.  The class is very excited and look forward to meeting a real author.

We have been working very hard at school on memorizing our double facts.  Please continue to work with your child at home by practicing these facts.  Thank you!
0+0=0
1+1=2
2+2=4
3+3=6
4+4=8
5+5=10
6+6=12
7+7=14
8+8=16
9+9=18
10+10=20

We have been singing some fun math songs in class.  Our class is really enjoying them and I would like to share these song with parents.  The songs are on YouTube.
*Doubles! Doubles! (I can add doubles) Song
*Whatcha 'Gonna Do? (counting by 2s, 5s, and 10s)
*Hip Hop Around the Clock
*Money Money Money!  by Rhonda Crigger
*Show Me the Money- (children's coin song by Jack Hartmann)

Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Thank you Kai for your donation of Goldfish crackers for our community snack.

Donations Needed - Our class is in need of the following items:
*Notebook Paper
 *22 Boxes of Conversation Hearts
Please let me know if you are able to donate any of these items. Thank you.

Smile – Class Pictures Tomorrow at 9:55 am

Lifetouch picture form has been placed in your child’s take home binder. Pictures are scheduled forWednesday February 8, 2012. If you would like to order pictures please fill out this form and return to class by picture day. You do not need to send in any money at this time. You will receive a portrait package for review. 

Author Lisa Wheeler will be visiting Patsy Sommer on Friday, February 10, 2012 at 9:30-10:15 in the cafeteria.  She is the author of one of my favorite books, Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum.  The class is very excited and look forward to meeting a real author. 

Save This Date

The Sommer PTA is proud to announce that we will be having a Barnes & Noble Book Fair, school spirit event onSaturday, February 11, 2012 from 11 am-3 pm. The Book Fair will take place at the Barnes and Noble book store located in the La Frontera Shopping Center, 2701 Parker Road, Building A, Round Rock, Texas 78681. When you attend the school book fair, 10% of your total sales will be donated to Sommer Elementary, PTA. When you are making a purchase, please present the Barnes & Noble voucher that is attached to the gold form being sent home today, or mention Sommer Elementary book fair and give our assigned schoolvoucher #10574929to the sales associate. Also, if you cannot find an item in the store, or if you have family members that live out of town and want to help your child’s school, Barnes & Nobel will also give our school 5 days of on-line sales, starting Sunday, February 12th through Thursday, February 16^th. 

I have prepared a wish list for books that I would love to add to our classroom library. A table in the children’s department will be set up to display many of these books. A binder with these titles will also be available for you to review. If you would like to purchase a book to donate to our classroom, please select from the list. There will also be someone available to assist you with this if you need help on February 11^th. Thank you for considering a new book to donate for our classroom. Happy Reading!

Friday, February 3, 2012

Newsflash for February 6-10 has been posted.

Thank you to all the parents who met up with our class at the Bob Bullock Museum today.  Volunteering your time to help our class was very thoughtful of you.  The class really enjoyed learning about all the exhibits and the 3D movie was GREAT!  Please take a few minutes to ask your child what was one fact they learned today and what was their favorite part of the field trip.  

The Math Money Assessment is in your child’s take home binder.  Please look over this test with your child and sign and return by Monday, February 6, 2012. 

Tiernan celebrated his birthday in December.  Happy belated birthday!  Thank you for sharing chocolate chip cookies with the class on Thursday.  

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Groundhog Day

Happy Groundhog Day! Please ask your child what this special day means for us in terms of the weather. Bundle up. J

Field Trip Reminders

The first grade field trip will be on Friday February 3, 2012.  We will be going to the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Texas.  We will have a picnic lunch at the Outdoor Plaza at the Stephen F. Austin building located on 18th Street across from the museum.  

For the field trip here are a few reminders for everyone:

- All students should wear their red class field trip t-shirt.
- If you are a new student and do not have a red class field trip t-shirt, please wear red or a Sommer Elementary t-shirt.
- Walking shoes (please no flip flops)
- All students must ride the bus to the field trip.
-Your child may leave with you after the museum tour by sending in a written letter or an email byThursday February 2nd at 3:15 pm. ***If you forgot to send me an email or written letter and want to take your child home after this field trip, you may still send in written permission by tomorrow morning. Thank you. 
-We are not going into the gift shop so please do not have your child bring any money with them.
- Sack lunch & drink must be disposable

Parents will not be able to ride the bus with their child. They will need to meet us at the museum or follow the bus. We will be leaving the school by 9:15 am. We will arrive at the museum by 10:00 am and return to the school around 2:00pm.

***Thank you Val and Deborah for volunteering to bring ice chests to hold our drinks and food on our field trip. 

Six Flags Reading Logs

Six Flags reading log will be in ebackpack again this week for those who may have misplaced this form. Please remember these are due back to me by Friday February 24, 2012.

Picture Time

Lifetouch picture form has been placed in your child’s take home binder. Pictures are scheduled for Wednesday February 8, 2012. If you would like to order pictures please fill out this form and return to class by picture day. You do not need to send in any money at this time. You will receive a portrait package for review. 

Save This Date

The Sommer PTA is proud to announce that we will be having a Barnes & Noble Book Fair, school spirit event on Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 11 am-3 pm. The Book Fair will take place at the Barnes and Noble book store located in the La Frontera Shopping Center, 2701 Parker Road, Building A, Round Rock, Texas 78681. When you attend the school book fair, 10% of your total sales will be donated to Sommer Elementary, PTA. When you are making a purchase, please present the Barnes & Noble voucher that is attached to the gold form being sent home today, or mention Sommer Elementary book fair and give our assigned schoolvoucher #10574929to the sales associate. Also, if you cannot find an item in the store, or if you have family members that live out of town and want to help your child’s school, Barnes & Nobel will also give our school 5 days of on-line sales, starting Sunday, February 12th through Thursday, February 16^th. 

I have prepared a wish list for books that I would love to add to our classroom library. A table in the children’s department will be set up to display many of these books. A binder with these titles will also be available for you to review. If you would like to purchase a book to donate to our classroom, please select from the list. There will also be someone available to assist you with this if you need help on February 11^th. Thank you for considering a new book to donate for our classroom. Happy Reading!

Spelling tests have been graded and have been sent home for you to look at and sign. 

The Math Money Assessment was given today. I will grade these and return to students tomorrow for you to look over during the weekend. Please sign and return to school by Monday, February 6, 2012.

Wednesday February 1, 2012

Your child’s behavior chart will be sent home tomorrow for the month of February.

The first grade field trip will be on Friday February 3, 2012.  We will be going to the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Texas.  We will have a picnic lunch at the Outdoor Plaza at the Stephen F. Austin building located on 18th Street across from the museum.  

For the field trip here are a few reminders for everyone:

- All students should wear their class field trip t-shirt
- If you are a new student and do not have a class field trip t-shirt, please wear your class’ color or a Sommer Elementary t-shirt
- Walking shoes (please no flip flops)
- All students must ride the bus to the field trip
- Your child may leave with you after the museum tour by sending in a written letter or an email by Thursday February 2nd at 3:15 pm.
- We are not going into the gift shop so please do not have your child bring any money with them.
- Sack lunch & drink must be disposable

Parents will not be able to ride the bus with their child. They will need to meet us at the museum or follow the bus. We will be leaving the school by 9:15 am. We will arrive at the museum by 10:00 am and return to the school around 2:00pm.

Six Flags reading log will be in ebackpack again this week for those who may have misplaced this form. Please remember these are due back to me by Friday February 24, 2012.

As the year moves forward I would like for parents to take a few minutes to review Sommer Expectations with your child. Your child should be able to recite the 5 expectations we support at our school and in our classroom. Please review with your child what it means to have acceptable and non-acceptable behavior. This is also an opportunity to review what it means to be respectful to both other students and your child’s teacher. Having both parents and teachers communicate the expectations for your child at school will provide an engaging and safe learning environment.

Assessments will be given on Thursday February 2, 2012 for both Spelling and Money. Please make sure your child studies for both subjects so that they are prepared for tomorrow.

Wednesday February 1, 2012 (8:00 am)

Early Release schedule:
Specials - 8:40-9:15
Lunch - 11:10-11:40
Recess - 12:15
Dismissal - 12:45

Thank you for all the 100th day snacks sent in this morning.  We can't wait to celebrate this afternoon.

Thank you Holt and Val for your donation of books for our classroom library.  Also, thank you for the treasure chest items.  

It is Minyoung's birthday today.  Happy Birthday!

Tuesday January 31, 2012

 100^thDay Celebration!

On Wednesday February 1, 2012 we will be celebrating the 100^thday of school. We are so excited about this and need your help to make this day even more fun. Please help your child count out 100 of an item that they can eat. Some examples would be M&M's, marshmallows, cereal, and crackers. This is a wonderful way to practice counting by 2's, 5's, and 10's. We will combine all items brought to make a mix for us all to eat. 

Please remember we have peanut allergies in our class and can not have any items that may have peanuts in them.  Thank you again for all you do!

Early Release on Wednesday February 1, 2012 at 12:45 pm.

Thank you Ananya for donating Goldfish crackers for our daily class snack. Yummy!!!

Thank you Jake and Jennifer for your donation of glue sticks for our class. 

February is American Heart Month! Wear Red Day is this Friday February 3rd!

Heart Disease is the No. 1 killer of women. Because Heart Disease can be prevented, the American Heart Association’s "Go Red For Women" and our latest bilingual initiative, "Go Red Por Tu Corazon", urge women to Make It Their Mission to reduce their personal risk. To take the Go Red Heart Check Up and receive a 10 year risk assessment and personalized action plan, visit GoRedForWomen.org or call 1-888-MY-HEART.

Thank you Brandon and Deidre for your donation of glue sticks for our class. 

Monday, January 30, 2012 

We are in need of glue sticks for our class.  Your donation would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you. 

Field Trip Reminder - The first grade field trip will be on Friday, February 3, 2012.   We will be going to the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, Texas.   We will have a picnic lunch at the Outdoor Plaza at the Stephen F. Austin building located on 18^th Street across from the museum.  

For the field trip here are a few reminders for everyone:

-        All students should wear their red class field trip t-shirt

-       If you are a new student and do not have a class field trip t-shirt, please wear red or a Sommer Elementary t-shirt

-        Walking shoes (please no flip flops)

-        All students must ride the bus to the field trip

-        We are not going into the gift shop so please do not have your child bring any money with them.  

-        Sack lunch & drink must be disposable

Parents will not be able to ride the bus with their child.  They will need to meet us at the museum or follow the bus.  We will be leaving the school by 9:15 am.  We will arrive at the museum by 10:00 am and return to the school around 2:00pm.

Poetry notebooks have been sent home today. Please help your child reread a few of their poems and sign their poetry spiral.   

Spelling folders have been sent home today for you to sign.  Please remember that your child will be tested on Thursday instead of Friday for this week. 

Thank you Minyound and Euna for your donation of Goldfish snacks for our class field trip.  Yummy!!! 

Minyoung will be celebrating her birthday on Wednesday February 1, 2012.  Happy Birthday! 

Friday, January 27, 2012

"What Are We Learning?" has been posted for the week of January 30-February 3, 2012.

Spelling tests were sent home today.  Please look over your child’s test and sign and return to school by Monday January 30, 2012.  Please remember that if your child does not have their spelling folder in class on Mondays they will not be given a pre-test and will be tested on list “A” on Friday of that week.  

***Friday spelling test for this upcoming week has changed to Thursday February 2, 2012 due to our field trip taking place all day on Friday, February 3, 2012. 

We will continue our review over money next week.  I sent home a money flipbook with your child today for you to use as an additional resource while studying this math concept. Please help your child complete the exchange part of this activity at home. Example: “How many pennies make a quarter?” This is also a great time for you to have your child manipulate real money while becoming proficient with this skill. The more your child handles real money the better they will grasp this concept. Please remember they need to identify the coins and tell you each value and be able to describe relations between coins.

I posted a Money Review on the 2^nd page of “What Are We Learning?” page on my website. Your child will take their math assessment on Thursday February 2, 2012. Please review these skills with your child to make sure they are prepared for the test.

100^th day of school will be Wednesday February 1, 2012.

Our Library time will change for this upcoming week due to our field trip. We have rescheduled for Thursday February 2, 2012 at 9:00 am. Please make sure your child brings their library books on this day so they may check out new books for the week.  

Thursday, January 26, 2012

The author Lisa Wheeler will be visiting Patsy Sommer on February 10, 2012 from 9:30-10:15.  Your child is bringing home a pre-order book form with a list of books Lisa Wheeler has written.  One of my favorites is "Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum".  If you would like to order any of her books, please make sure you return this form by February 2, 2012.  Please make checks payable to Sommer Elementary and include your current address, phone number, and driver’s license number.  Happy Reading!

The Sommer PTA presents a Barnes & Noble Bookfair on Saturday, February 11, 2012 from 11-3 pm in the La Frontera shopping center.  A percentage of your Barnes & Noble purchases will benefit our school/organization.  For questions, please contact Michelle Warner, Sommer PTA Spirit Events Chair –mwarner@austin.rr.com.

A copy of the State of Texas 2010-11 School Report Card for Sommer Elementary is in your child’s take home binder for you to review.  You may contact Mark Pratz if you have any questions concerning this report card.  Thank you for your continued support of Sommer Elementary.

Spelling tests are tomorrow.  Please make sure you review your child’s spelling list with them tonight so they are prepared.  

Science Fair Night is tonight.  Our science fair project is displayed in the cafeteria.  Our class decided our experiment would be, “What Happens When You Drop Mentos Into A Diet Coke?”  We had so much fun!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Yay!!! Book donations arrived today from Cole. We are so excited to read the new editions to our class library. Thank you.

Please look in your child’s take home binder for a handout giving you additional information for our Valentine’s Day Party from our homeroom moms. Thank you Val and Deborah for organizing this for our class.

Congratulations to Madhumita and Riley K. for being our spotlight stallions for this week. 

Please remember to send in a healthy snack for your child daily. Examples of snacks to pack for your child would be: raisins, Goldfish crackers, fruit, granola bars, etc… If you would like to donate towards our class snack jar of Goldfish crackers that would be GREAT. We are running low and probably will have enough for one more day. Thank you for all your donations towards our snack jar throughout the year. 

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Thank you Julie and Cole for volunteering to send in white paper plates for our Valentine activity. Our class appreciates your donation. 

Thank you Deborah for picking up Mentos for our class science project experiment this morning. We really had fun! Make sure you ask your child, “What happens when you mix Diet Coke with Mentos?”

Six Flags Reading Logs are due on Friday, February 24, 2012.

Jump Rope For Heart forms are due by Friday, February 10, 2012.

School pictures will be on Wednesday, February 8, 2012. Smile Big!

Thank you Deborah for helping staple our heart Valentine baskets. We can’t wait to hang them up and fill them with Valentine cards. 

During our Math block your child is learning about money. Your child is required to be able to identify individual coins by name and value and describe relationships among them. Please practice with your child these required TEKS at home. Questions to ask your child are: How much is a dime, penny, quarter, and nickel worth? Which president is on a quarter? Which president is on a penny? How many pennies make up a quarter? How many dimes make up a dollar? How many nickels make up 25 cents?

Please remember to work on connections with your child before, during, and after they read their stories to you. Making text-to-text, text-to-self, and text-to-world connections will help your child build their comprehension skills and help them better relate and understand their stories. 

Our class is still in need of donations for our class treasure chest. Thank you!

Monday, January 23, 2012

Thank you Euna and Minyoung for volunteering to send in Goldfish crackers for our field trip snack.  Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! We will be having our party on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 from 1:45-2:30. We will be exchanging valentine cards on that day. If you plan on sending cards, please make sure there is one for each child in the class. It would be a great idea to have your child print his/her friend’s names on the cards personally. I am including a list of all the children in our class in your child’s take home binder today. Thank you for encouraging your child to be independent!

Our class is asking for a donation of 60 white paper plates for a Valentine’s Day class project. If you would like to donate these to our class please send me an email or write a note in your child’s take home binder. We will need these paper plates sent in to class by Friday, January 27, 2012. Thank you!

Poetry spirals will be coming home today. Please read a few poems with your child and sign their poetry spiral and return to school by Tuesday, January 24, 2012. Please remember the more practice your child has over re-reading familiar text the stronger their fluency rate will become. 

Monday Pre-Test for spelling will be coming home today. Please look over the list your child will be tested on for Friday, initial, and return to school on Tuesday, January 24, 2012.

Math 2D/3D Assessment will be coming home today for you to look over and sign. Please return to school by Wednesday, January 25, 2012. 

Sunday, January 22, 2012

"What Are We Learning?" has been posted for January 23-27.

A donation of 22 Goldfish cracker bags are needed for our field trip snack.  We would greatly appreciate having these snacks donated.  Please email me or send me a note.  These snacks will need to be brought to school by Monday, January 30, 2012.  Thank you!

We are in need of 50 white paper plates for a Valentine activity.  Please send me an email message or a note in your child's binder letting me know if you would be able to donate the plates.  Thank you!

Please remember to help your child bring their spelling folder signed back to school on Monday.  Your child will have their Monday Pre-Test in the morning.  If your child does not bring their spelling folder they will not take their test and will be tested on Friday with list "A" words.  Thank you for helping your child become more responsible for their learning.

Friday, January 20, 2012

A note from the school nurse is being sent home with your child today to remind you that we do have a child in our classroom with a life-threatening allergy to peanuts/tree nuts. Understanding that many children bring lunches that contain these items, we would like to enlist your help to make the classroom as safe as possible. Peanuts and nut products may be hidden in the ingredients of many foods. Children by nature are very caring, therefore sharing comes naturally. In this case, however, it could be very dangerous.Please take a few minutes to explain to your child that it is very important not to share his/her food with others.

In the event of a class party or celebration, please do not send or bring any items for sharing that contain peanuts or peanut butter.The children will be encouraged to wash their hands before and after eating at school to prevent the possibility of any cross contamination and also because it is an excellent ‘good health’ routine for their own safety.

Thank you Deborah for reading "If You Give a Cat a Cupcake" to our class today. We loved the story you shared and the mini cupcakes were YUMMY!

Thank you Brandon for all the books you donated to our class library. Our class is very excited to read the new editions to our library. Yay!!!

Please remember that spelling tests occur on Mondays and Fridays. It is very important that your child brings his or her spelling folder to school on test days. If your child forgets their spelling folder they will not be tested due to not having the correct materials to take their test. Please help your child remember to keep their spelling folder in their take home binder and bring it to school daily. Thank you for your support.

I have received all parent permission forms for our field trip to the Bob Bullock Museum. We have 10 parents volunteering to help during our field trip. We do need a donation of 22 individual Goldfish snack bags. These snacks need to be brought to school by Monday, January 30, 2012.  If you would like to volunteer to provide these snacks for our class please let me know through a note or vis email. Thank you so much!!!

Students were given their Math Assessment on 2D/3D Shapes today. I will grade these this weekend and will send them home on Monday for you to review and sign.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Spelling Tests will be given tomorrow.  Please make sure you are reviewing either list "A" or list "B" with your child.  All words for this week have "Ch" in them.

Your child will be taking a Math Assessment on 2D and 3D shapes tomorrow.  Please refer to the "What Are We Learning" link on my webpage to print a copy of a practice test to review with your child tonight to make sure they are prepared.

Library is tomorrow from 2:00-2:30.  Please make sure your child brings his or her books so they are able to check out two new books. Happy Reading!

Information for the Great American Fundraiser is coming home today with your child.  If you would like your child to participate in this fundraiser all information is included in the packet.  The money raised from selling magazines will benifit towards our school. We are kicking off our Reading Rally today and will end on Friday, February 3, 2012.
If your child sells...
1 magazine-earn 1 frog
3 magazines-earn 6 frogs
4 magazines-earn 8 frogs
5 magazines-earn 10 frogs
6 magazines-earn the whole collection of frogs

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Field Trip Reminder
Please make sure you send in your child's permission form by Thursday, January 19, 2012. 
If you would like to be a volunteer on this field trip please make sure you complete the following steps:
1.  Go to the Patsy Sommer Website
2.  Click on PTA
3. Click on Volunteer
4.  Click on "How to Volunteer"
5.  Complete or Update an Online Volunteer Application and Criminal Record Check Form
*** You must complete this form by Friday, January 20, 2012 in order to help volunteer on our field trip.  Please make sure you let me know when you have completed this form.  Thank you!

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Thank you Enzo for your donation of manila folders.  These were greatly needed. 
The following items are still needed in our classroom:
*Treasure chest items
*Gently used books for our classroom library

Chicken Pox Case in 1st Grade
Round Rock ISD has a policy that states that all parents of first graders are notified if a case of chicken pox occurs.  We do have a case in 1st grade so information has been sent home with your child today.  Please read over this information to help inform you of how it looks, how it can spread, how to prevent it from spreading, and what cautions to take. 

Spelling
I sent home your child's spelling folder today with their pre-test.  Your child will have words that contain the "ch" digraph in them.  Please look over their new list for this week.  Please sign and return to school by Wednesday, January 18, 2012. 

Happy Birthday to Holt today!!!

Field Trip Information
Please make sure you send in your child's permission form by Thursday, January 19, 2012. 
If you would like to be a volunteer on this field trip please make sure you complete the following steps:
1.  Go to the Patsy Sommer Website
2.  Click on PTA
3. Click on Volunteer
4.  Click on "How to Volunteer"
5.  Complete or Update an Online Volunteer Application and Criminal Record Check Form
*** You must complete this form by Friday, January 20, 2012 in order to help volunteer on our field trip.  Please make sure you let me know when you have completed this form.  Thank you!

Poetry
I sent home your child's poetry spiral home today.  Please remember the more your child practices reading familiar text the smoother they will sound and their fluency rates will raise. 

Saturday, January 14, 2012

No School/MLK Holiday on Monday, January 16, 2012.

"What Are We Learning?" is posted with the skills that will be covered for the following week.  I have also included a math review on the 2nd page for you to use as additional practice with your child.  Your child will be tested on 2D and 3D shapes on Friday, January 20, 2012.

Spelling tests went home on Friday.  Please sign and send back on Tuesday, January 17, 2012.  

Your child will be given their Monday Pre-Test on Tuesday since it is MLK holiday on Monday, January 16, 2012.  

If you haven't returned your child's report card signed on the 2nd grading period, please do so by Tuesday, January 17, 2012.

Field trip information went home last Thursday.  Your child has two forms for you to look at and sign and return.  Please return both forms by Thursday, January 19, 2012.  We are very excited about our field trip to the Bob Bullock Museum.  We will be entering the IMAX theater to see Ocean Wonderland 3D at 10:30-11:15.  We will have our lunch at the outdoor plaza at the Stephen F. Austin building across from the Bob Bullock parking garage.  We will tour the museum from 12:00-1:00.  

***Note - Parents when you order your tickets for the museum please remember to let the museum know you are with Patsy Sommer.  Your cost to attend will be $14.  

Read to Succeed begins on January 12th and lasts through February 28th!  You are welcome to retrieve all of the information from the eBackpack link on my website.  The reading logs and other information are provided to get you started.  Please make sure you turn them in by February 28th. 

We are still in need of the following items for our class:

*manila folders

*treasure chest items

*gently used books for our classroom library

Thank you so much for all the donations our class has received. 

Thank you Mrs. Avery for reading to our class on Friday.  We really enjoyed hearing the story, The Bad Case of the Stripes.

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Our class Valentine's Party is scheduled for Tuesday, February 14, 2012 from 1:45-2:30.  Please contact Val Avery or Deborah Leone if you would like to help or volunteer to send in any items for the party. 

Thank you James and Cole for sending in Kleenex boxes for our class.  With the weather getting colder we really needed them.

Congratulations to Kai and Jessica for being nominated as our Spotlight Stallions for this week. 

Please remember to help your child study their spelling words from either list "A" or "B" tonight.  I will test your child tomorrow morning and grade and send home for you to initial and return on Tuesday.

Report cards went home today.  Please look over all grades and sign the front of the manila folder and return to school by Friday, January 13th.  Thank you!

Field trip information came home today.  Your child has two forms for you to look at and sign and return.  Please return both forms by Thursday, January 19, 2012.  We are very excited about our field trip to the Bob Bullock Museum.  We will be entering the IMAX theater at 10:30-11:15.  We will have our lunch at the outdoor plaza at the Stephen F. Austin building across from the Bob Bullock parking garage.  We will tour the museum from 12:00-1:00. 

Please continue to review 3D shapes.  Your child needs to be able to identify a cone, sphere, rectangular prism, cylinder, and cube.  Your child will need to be able to identify the following 2D shapes: a square, circle, rectangle and triangle.  They will also need to be able to write how many angles(corner) and sides each 2D shape has.  The Math Assessment test on 2D and 3D shapes will be given on Friday, January 20, 2012.

We are still in need of the following items for our class:
*treasure chest items
*gently used books for our classroom library
Thank you so much for all the donations our class has received. 

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

First grade will be going on a field trip on Friday, February 3, 2012.  We will be going to the Bob Bullock Museum and the IMAX theater.  More information will be sent home on Thursday, January 12, 2012.

Thank you Jake for bringing in glue sticks for our class.

Thank you Anya for bringing in Goldfish crackers for snack.  

Math homework for 3D shapes was sent home today.  Each student is asked to bring a geometric shape of their choice from home that can fit inside their backpack.  The shapes they are choosing from are: cone, cylinder, sphere, cube, and rectangular prism.  We will sort these shapes on Thursday, January 12, 2012 in class.

Read to Succeed begins on January 12th and lasts through February 28th!  You are welcome to retrieve all of the information from the eBackpack link on my website.  The reading logs and other information are provided to get you started.  Please make sure you turn them in by February 28th. 

Monday, January 9, 2012

Please look over your child's Spelling Pre-Test and sign and return to school by Tuesday, January 10, 2012.  Your child's Pre-Test will be highlighted letting you know which test they will be taking on Friday.  Additional activities to practice at home are found on the spelling link on my website.

Poetry spirals have been sent home today.  Your child is to read at least 3 poems to you.  Please sign and return by Tuesday, January 10, 2012.  

We are still in need of the following donations for our class.  Thank you!

*Manila folders

*Glue sticks

*Kleenex boxes

*Treasure chest items

*Gently used children books

"What are you learning...?" has been posted for the week of January 9-13.  

Lucas Miller will be at Patsy Sommer on Thursday, January 12, 2012 from 9:00am-9:45am. A flyer went home providing information on how to order a few of his books and CD's.  You have until Thursday to send in these order forms.  

We start Spelling on Monday, January 9, 2012.  I sent a letter with an explanation of the process that will take place with this new component to our curriculum on Friday, January 6th.  In case you missed it, I have posted the letter on the Spelling page of my website.  I have also listed some spelling activities you can do with your child for additional practice.

Read to Succeed begins on January 12th and lasts through February 28th!  You are welcome to retrieve all of the information from the eBackpack link on my website.  The reading logs and other information are provided to get you started.  Please make sure you turn them in by February 28th.  Thank you.

Thank you Holt for your donations for Goldfish crackers for our class.  Yummy!

We are still in need of the following donations for our class.  Thank you!

*Glue sticks

*Kleenex boxes

*21 clipboards

*Treasure chest items

*Gently used children books

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Please look over your child's math test and sign and return by Friday, January 6, 2012.  

We are visiting the library tomorrow.  Please make sure your child brings their library books so he/she has the opportunity to check out two new books.

Your child is bringing home a noun and verb game inside their take home binder.  Please help your child sort words under the correct category.  Review what makes a word a noun and what makes it a verb.  Your child may also choose one noun and one verb from the words provided and make a sentence with them.  

Another game to play with your child at home is to ask them to point to 5 nouns in your house and tell you whether they are a person, place, or thing.  Then have your child act out 5 verbs for fun.

Lucas Miller will be at Patsy Sommer on Thursday, January 12, 2012 from 9:00-9:45.  

Six Flags Reading Program will start on Thursday, January 12, 2012.  Additional information will be posted on Sommer eBackpack. 

We are still in need of the following donations for our class.  Thank you!

*Goldfish crackers

*Glue sticks

*Kleenex boxes

*21 clipboards

*Treasure chest items

*Gently used children books

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Behavior Charts
I am sending home a behavior chart with each child to track how they are doing in class.  I am asking that parents initial each box daily.  This will help inform you of how your child's behavior is and will give your child the opportunity to graph their behavior monthly.  Thank you for your support.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Important Dates
Wednesday, December 7th - Early Release at 12:45
Thursday, December 8th - Winter Meal for 1st grade
Friday, December 9th - Winter Class Party at 12:40
Saturday, December 10th - Pancake Breakfast by PTA
Tuesday, December 13th - Heritage Project Due!
Wednesday, December 14th - Heritage Project Presentations

Math Test
Please return math test with your signature and date by Wednesday, December 7, 2011.  Thank you!

Brown Santa Toy Drive
PTA will be collecting toys for BSTD this year.  If you would like to make a donation, you can send an unused toy with child to place in the designated box  outside our classroom.  The drive will be going on until December 9th.

Wish List
Kleenex Boxes
Clipboards
Mo Willems Books - Elephant and Piggie Series

Tuesday, November 8, 2011