I realize it has been a while since I have had a formal update on the blog. My apologies for this. While it is no excuse, the stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas sure does fly! This post should cover what we have been up to lately, as well as what is coming up.
Spirit Days:
- Monday, December 19: Winter Wonderland Spirit Day (wear anything that reminds you of winter: snowflakes, snowmen, winter sports, silver, white and light blue, etc.)
- Tuesday, December 20: Festive Holiday Spirit Day (wear anything Christmasy, red and green, Christmas socks, shirts, etc. The more festive the better!)
- Wednesday, December 21: Christmas Morning -wear pajamas to school (no slippers and be sure to pack plenty of warm gear for outside).
Other Important Dates:
- Tuesday, December 20: 9:00am - Christmas Party, adults welcome to join us!
- Thursday, December 22 - Monday, January 2: Winter Break
- Tuesday, January 3 - Friday, January 6: Mrs. Bradley Subs
- Friday, January 13: Early Release Day
- Friday, February 3: Early Release Day
- Monday, February 6: No School, Mid-Winter Break
News and Notes:
- January 3-6: My family will be traveling for two weeks over the winter break, and beyond. We will first head to Washington DC, then we will be going on a Disney Cruise. We booked the vacation before Hudsonville released their calendar. My children are off of school the first week of January, so we decided to go then. The trip was already booked when the calendar was released. As a result, I will not be here the first week back in January. The class knows about this. They've had fun sharing in my excitement! I am thrilled to have an amazing sub that week - Melissa Bradley. Melissa has subbed for me for years, and is one of the best around. She knows the curriculum well, knows my style, and has subbed for my already this year. I will have limited, if any, access to my email that week. If you need anything, please email Mrs. Opple if it is about pickups, and Mrs. Bradley if it is specific to the classroom. Her email is: missylcj@yahoo.com. While things are different when there is a substitute, I feel such peace knowing she will be here with our kiddos. If you have any questions, please let me know.
- Snow: Winter is in full swing! Thank you for sending your child with appropriate gear each day. It sometimes can be hard to remember to put shoes in backpacks, especially on Mondays after they have been used over the weekend. If you would like your child to leave his/her shoes at school rather than transporting back and forth, that is not a problem!
- If you have not labeled all of your child's items yet, please do so this weekend. We have lost a few items already!
- Reading: We will be wrapping up our unit study of characters next week. After the break we will dive into non-fiction. This is always a fun unit for students! Continue to have your child read with kidsa-z over break if possible. Your child will bring home several WEB books next Wednesday. These should be read at different times throughout break. If your child reads on kidsa-z, feel free to mark that day on his/her calendar as well. Next Wednesday I hope to add the January to books bags so that your child has both for break.
- Writing: We have been busy writing opinion letters about changes we think need to occur. Students are learning the parts of a letter, how to write an opinion, how to state reasons for their opinion, and how to give a solution. This unit will continue after break. We will then move into writing "how to" stories.
- Math: Unit 4 began this week. We are studying place value and learning about tens and ones. Continue to practice xtramath at home! This is a great, easy way to practice over break!
- Social Studies: We are wrapping up our economics unit next week. So far we have learned about needs and wants (Christmas makes a great time to study this!), goods and services, producers and consumers, and scarcity. We will begin a history unit after break.
- Whiteboard Practice: This week we learned about 5 different ways that the /a/ sound (like in day) is made - ai, a, ay, eigh, ey. Have your child write these headings on the top of their board. Then have them read a page from their WEB book (or any book). If they notice a word with the /a/ sound, have them record it in the correct column. If it does not fit in any of the columns, like in the word break, write it on the bottom. This is the /a/ sound, not the letter a. The word have, for example, should not be recording because it does not make that sound. Your child practiced this in reading workshop this week, so it should be familiar to them. They could follow up by writing a sentence with one of the words, remembering to say as they write!
- Finally, I just have to add - your kids are blowing me away!! I hope you take some time over break to really look at the growth your child is making in 1st grade. As readers, writers, mathematicians, you name it! I am so proud of this group!
