Announcements

 
Question of the week for students: Can you name one need and one want?  
Whisper the answer to me in the morning for a star student slip! 
Bonus: Did Clemson beat South Carolina on Saturday to become bowl eligible? 
(Sorry Barnette family!)Make sure to check out our photos page! 
 
                       Mrs. Cecil's First Grade Newsletter
                                December 5, 2008

Dear Parents,
	I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.  It sounds like the 
children had fun with their families.  Thank you to everyone who sent in 
items for our Thanksgiving feast.  It was a huge success!  Make sure to 
check out the pictures on our website.

	I am so excited about our community outreach project.  The students 
have been introduced to the concept behind the Ronald McDonald House and are 
ready to help support this worthy cause.  You received information about our 
annual craft festival that will take place on December 11th from 2:45-
4:00pm.  The candy cane gram sale is Tuesday and Wednesday, December 9th and 
10th from 7:30-8:00am.  For only $.25 your child can send a note attached to 
a candy cane to any friends or teachers at either Sarah Smith campus.  
Please contact Jane Zoellick if you are interested in volunteering for the 
craft festival or selling candy canes. Her e-mail address is 
jane@zoellick.net. We need at least 14 volunteers so thank you in advance 
for supporting our efforts!

	In language arts, we focused on putting words in alphabetical order, 
reading for meaning and editing our writing.  I am encouraging the students 
to write more descriptive sentences on a topic.  Please remember that once 
the children have been tested on the spelling words, I expect them to be 
spelled correctly in their writing.  In phonics, we are constantly reviewing 
the sounds we have introduced and I am reminding students to apply their 
phonetic knowledge when reading and writing unknown words. I have included a 
list of all sounds introduced so far and the red words. I hope this will be 
helpful when working with your child at home.

	In math we are focusing on place value, telling time to the quarter 
hour, and becoming quicker with basic addition facts recollection.  Continue 
to drill your child on basic math facts with flashcards or orally.  The 
extra repetition really helps. To help with place value, give your child a 
number such as 86 and see if they can tell you that it has 8 tens and 6 ones.

	
	In your childˇ¦s Friday folder he/she has an invitation to come to a 
class holiday gathering at my house to watch the movie, The Polar Express.  
Parents will not need to stay and I am sorry to say, neither can siblings.  
Please let me know if your child will be able to attend. I am looking 
forward to having them on December 17th from 3:30 to 5:30.

Congratulations to our new star student: Ansley Sikes.  Ansley shows great 
enthusiasm for all we do in first grade.  I am proud of her!


Reminders
„«	Field trip to the Fox- Monday, December 8th- Sack lunch
„«	Candy Cane Gram Sale- December 9th and 10th   
„«	Craft Festival- December 11th 2:45-4:00
„«	Book Exchange book due- Tuesday, December 16th
„«	Movie day at Mrs. Cecil's House-December 17th 3:30-5:30
„«	Class Party-December 18th from 1:15-2:00