Roth's Paper Bags

Roth's has the greatest grocery bags this season.  They have gingerbread people painted on them and we are having the best time cutting them out.  If you shop at Roth's and are given one of these bags, please send it to school with your child for various projects to coincide with our writing. Thank you so much!!

Gingerbread houses

We will be making Gingerbread houses on Friday of this week.  If you have some candy you would be willing to send to school with your child for this project, I would sure appreciate it.  Also I will be needing come graham crackers for this project as well.  Many thanks!!

Surprise Boxes!!

The Surprise Room Boxes are due in TEN DAYS!!  I sent home several shoe boxes with children and am out.  Please send any extra boxes you may have with your child so that those who are having trouble locating one will have one to decorate.  Thank you!!

Keep in mind that your child needs to practice reading his/her write-up about the room to the class.  It is important that he/she is comfortable with the writings BEFORE they present his/her box.

Gingerbread Skeletons

On Friday your child will bring home a Gingerbread skeleton to be decorated at home.  You may decorate the gingerbread boy or girl any way your child pleases and they will need to send it back to school on Monday, December 6.  We are beginning a study of different versions of the story, The Gingerbread Man and combining it with math problems and language building activities.  Thank you so much for all your attention to your child's projects!! 

Dictation/Spelling City

During the week at school the children are taught handwriting in context to sentences that incorporate their spelling lists.  I am working at increasing their memory by dictating sentences several times and having them write them down as best as they can in order to improve their spelling, memory and handwriting skills.  I then go back and demonstrate on the overhead in order for them to compare their writing, spacing and punctuation to their own work.   The children revise accordingly.

Spelling city is another great way for the kids to play games and practice their spelling words.  I am helping them "chunk" the words in oder to break down the spelling into sections that are more attainable.  This will help in their reading decoding as well.  Refer to older posts on the blog for access to spelling city.

Conference Make-ups

If you did not have a chance to meet with me during conference week, please email or call me to schedule another time to meet and discuss your child's progress.  I am so proud of each one of your children.  They truly are making great strides in their learning!  Lee is a great place to learn!!!

Homework: Nov. 29-Dec. 3

It's time to get back into the swing of homework.  Here is what would be helpful:

Read, read, read.  The average time for first grade age is about 10-20 minutes a night.  Please log your reading time by filling out the blue reading logs (November reading logs are due on Wednesday), so it will count for the special prizes from the library.  Be acurate, please.  Follow the logs and try not to wait until the last day to fill them out.  December reading logs will be sent home in this Friday's envelopes.  This is a great time to slow down, snuggle up with your child and listen to him/her read.  Reading to your child also counts for time and pages documented on the reading log.

Math/Writing:  Please be working on the "Surprise Boxes" at your home that incorporates math, writing and art.  Your child's imagination is the limit--have fun.  Remember, please have him/her practice, practice, practice and practice reading their reports prior to their day of presentation.  The kids will present on Thursday and Friday, December 16-17.  If you did not receive the handout at conferences, please email me.

Civil War Day, Friday, December 3

Hey Sports Fans!  Here at Lee we have a Civil War Day where the kids do a variety of games and activities that show their pride for his/her favorite team:  The Ducks or The Beavers.  Please have your child wear colors that represent the team of choice and we'll have a great time.  We'll be doing some fun activities that day so watch for them coming home.  (Go Ducks!! - oops, that just slipped out!)

Shoebox Project - "A Surprise Room"

We are going to be creating a fun, imagination -filled holiday surprise room.  You'll need one shoebox that you tilt the bottom portion of the box and have it rest on the lid creating a space.  The object is to incorporate as many mathematical principles as possible.  A sample will be displayed at conference time.
I will look for the following Math Standards in the written portion of the project to match the visual display:

On the floor of your shoebox room, compose and decompose shapes (e.g., cut a square into two right triangles or put two squares together to make a rectangle.)  In other words, create an interesting floor pattern that repeats and be able to describe the pattern.  Math Standard 1.3.3

Use number words in your description of your space.  Example:  I have three tables and only four people can enter the room at a time.  How many toys would there be and how many pieces of furniture?
How tall would the ceilings be when using your imagination?

Describe the walls, ceiling height and how big the room would be in your description.  Use addition problems in your written description perhaps adding up the gifts in the room and how many of them might go to whom. Some students in my past have made the room for a sick child or a poor child from another country, or yes, for themselves.  Think about using the concept of commutative (4+2=2+4) when talking with your child.  Also use identity (0+3=3) properties of addition to solve problems involving basic facts.  Using them in a real setting helps to make math make sense.  Math Standard 1.2.4

Describe the attributes of the shapes in your space.  Are there round objects or how many corners does one of the shapes and how many sides does it have?  Also describe how the shapes are alike and how they are different. Math Standard 1.3.1

Possible two demensional shapes to include:  circle, square, rhombus, hexagon, rectangle, triangle, oval
Possible three demensional shapes to include:  cylinder, cube,  cone,  retangular prism, triangular prism, sphere, pyramid. Math Standard 1.3.4

Again, I will have a sample room to view at conference time.  This should be a fun way to begin applying and learning about shapes and how math is used in creative ways.

Project will be due on December 16 and 17.  We will have presentations where the kids will read their written description of their room. 

Please use ordinary things and objects that are found around your home.  The sample is made from little toys and objects laying in the corners of boxes at my house.  Most of all, have fun!!

Classroom Needs

We are out of snack at school.  If you are out and about and are able to pick up some nutritious snack for the children it would be helpful.

We need old game pieces.  Any markers that go to incomplete games including scrabble would be great.
Many thanks!

Envelopes Are Coming In

The self addressed, stamped envelopes that the kids are writing are beginning to trickle into my hands.  Thank you to all of you who make this a fun and exciting time to receive letters through the US Mail.

Remember, the kids need to do the writing and this exercise will hopefully make them a life long letter writer.  Thank all of you once again and don't forget the stamp! :o)

Conference Slips Due

Thank you in advance to all of you who return the conference slips back as soon as possible.  Please know that I did all I could to give you your preferred time and if I received a returned preference slip last Wednesday as the kids were going out the door for the four day weekend, I was not able to rewrite your slip.  If the paper that went home was not good for you, please call the school and I will do what I can to accomidate your schedule.

Spelling City

I have several weeks posted on Spelling City for you and your family to look ahead for the next few weeks.  Please remember that our password is:

kxgghyb8

Candy at School

Mrs. Casebeer, our school Principal, is urging families to send only two pieces of candy to school a day instead of a whole handful.  I'm sure you can identify with the concern of children filling up on candy instead of eating a nutricious lunch and having brain power to funtion at school.  Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Names and Addresses

Please practice writing with your child as if addressing an envelope.  In fact, if you send a stamped envelope addressed in your child's handwriting, I will send a letter home to your child from me.  You may do this as often as you wish and I will gladly send notes to your child to receive in the mail.  It is so much fun to get mail and I know it will help your child with address writing and envelope adressing as well.  Thank you for your help with this.

Great Job B-11

I am so proud of the children and all of the effort that went into the animal reports.  The kids learned a great deal and their confidence soared.  A big thank you to all of the family support you gave your child.  You help make learning meaningful when you are involved and care about what goes on at school.  Thank you again.  We will probably do at least two more reports later on in January and again in the spring.  Great job!!

Pioneer Living on November 5

I'm so thrilled that we have the great opportunity to have our class participate in pioneer activities.  The kids will have a chance to pan for gold, play with pioneer toys, make toys, card wool, grind wheat into flour and other fun things.  I will be talking to the kids about this event after Halloween is over next week and anything you can do to discuss these things at home would be great reinforcement.  We will have wonderful time!  Lee School is such a great place!

Friday - Halloween Celebration

This Friday, we will be having a little celebration at school.  We won't be wearing costumes but it would be fun to have a treat and play some games.  If you are interested in helping, please let me know.  I am thinking of letting the kids play some games and having popcorn mixed with halloween candy corn, mallowcreams, and maybe even bob for apples.  Talk to me and let's plan some fun!  The difficult part will be our interruption of P.E. at 2:00-2:30 that day.  We'll begin at 1:30 or so.

Fall Family Festival Night - Thursday October 28, 6-8 pm

I hope to see you at the Family Fun Night on Thursday night here at the school.  It should be a great time.

Reports Begin This Week

Please refer down to the other posts to see the times that your child is to present his/her report.  I am excited to hear them and what they have learned.

******STUDENT SPOTLIGHT*******

Matthew Rugg


Favorite Food:  Chicken Patty Sandwich


Favorite Animal:  Cat


Favorite Toy:  Legos


Pet:  Posey the cat


Matthew was born in Salem and his dad was deployed when he was born so they didn't meet until he was two months old.  He then moved with his famiy to San Diego where he lived until May of 2010.  Matthew visited lots of neat places like Legoland and Seaworld.  He moved to Evertt, Washington where his dad is stationed on the Abrahom Lincoln.  He lived in Everett until August and moved to Salem to be closer to family.  Matthew's dad is currently deployed and won't be home until March or so.


Emma Cordero


Favorite Food:  Strawberries, Sloppy Joes, Pizza,  Grapes


Favorite Animals:  Horses, Cats, Dogs, Zebras


Pets:  Star is our Dog


Cathy is my Mom and Billy is my Dad.  Will is my brother , he is nine.  Lincoln is my brother,  he is three.  I have a Nana and a Pappa and Mimi.  We like to go to the beach and the pool and go camping with our friends.

Report Presentation Schedule

We will begin the report presentations next week.  Here is the schedule in case you wish to come and take some pictures.

12:30 pm, Tuesday, October 26:  Cadence, Toby, Emma, Addison, Madison, Kaden

8:45 am,Wednesday, October 27:  Victoria, Makaelyn, Elise, Justin, Dallon

8:45 am, Thursday, October 28:  Colin, Olivia, Kaitlyn, Tanner, Trevor, Josh

1:00 pm, Friday, October 29:  Matthew, Connor, Logan, Tristin, Leah


Take a look back to see what I will be looking for in the presentation.  The kids are used to sharing their writing during class and do an amazing job of using their "teacher voice" to speak where everyone can hear them.

Report Encouragement

I've had a few calls about their kids being overwhelmed doing the reports and frustration setting in.  Please be assured that your child should do a little at a time.  Take tiny bites and it is less overwhelming.  Have plenty of time to practice giving the presentation holding the written paper low enough for the audience to see eyes.

A few reminders:  If you child can write more than one page, then go ahead and learn more about your endangered animal.  If one page is your child's maximum effort, no problem.  You know when enough is enough.  Some kids have more stamina at this age and drive to do more.

Sickness

Several of our class members have been or are getting sick.  A big thank you to those of you who keep your child home rather than expose the remaining children to illness.  Get Well, Kids!  I miss you!!  Our Class Family is just not the same without every single one of you!

HOMEWORK

I had a good question today regarding homework.  Take at look at the list and pick one item a day or every other day.  Spelling city is a great source for homework and reading should be done every night.  You should turn in about 2-4 pieces of homework per week since the other things take time to complete and your child may become too tired.

This week, add to the choices by simply adding some real life experiences done around the house.  For example, use numbers and words to describe a number sentence.  For example:  Four shoes and four shoelaces makes eight.  AND 4 + 4 = 8.


Begin your work on your presentation for the animal report.  Please, please don't wait until the last minute!!

Practice writing numbers.

Count coins together naming them as you go. 

Count by 5's, 10's, and 2's.

Extension:  Count by 10's on a random number such as 13 - 23.  Help them see the pattern so we can add dimes to random coin collections.  We are doing this in class so the kids should be somewhat familiar with the concept.

********STUDENT SPOTLIGHT*********

Toby Bus

Favorite Foods:  pancakes, waffles, curly fries and sausage

Favorite Animal:  horse

Pets:  Daisy (dog), and Stella (cat)

About Our Family:  We eat dinner together most of the time.  We play together.
                               We went to the Enchanted Forest.  I have two sisters.
                                WE LOVE THE DUCKS!!

Kaitlyn Perkins

Favorite Foods:  Spaghetti, Chocolate, Pizza

Animal Reports

I hope that all of you received the Animal Report paper, research and posterboard for the reports.  We will present the last full week of October so it would benefit you to have it done by the end of October 24.  That way you can spend the next week practicing in front of family, the mirror and the family dog!

If you have questions, please email me to clarify the project.

Thank you,

carey_suzanne@salkeiz.k12.or.us

Animal Reports!

As promised, I will be sending home the endangered animal,  writing paper, poster board and research paper we printed off in the computer lab.  Be looking for this to be sent home on WEDNESDAY of this week.  Please see the posting from last week that details the assignment.  We will be doing the reports the last week of October.  I will post the presentation schedule in a few weeks.

******STUDENT SPOTLIGHT*******

CONNER SIMMONS

Favorites:  Riding his quad on the dunes, going fishing with his uncle and grandpa, watching his uncle surf, playing with his dog.

Pets:  Harley, the 5 year old Border Collie
          Roxy the 4 year old cat

Favorite foods and drinks: crab, Nemo (fish), pizza, salsa and chips, tacos, bug juice, water

Favorite shows:  Ice Road Truckers, Deadliest Catch, Axemen, Dunefest movies,

Best Memory:  Meeting and hanging out with Cap. Sig Hanson and Caps. Jonathon and Andy Hillstrand from Deadliest Catch.

Siblings:  Katarina 18 years old, Triston 12 years old


MAKAELYN IVIE

Favorite Food:  Macaroni and cheese, Mommy's Potato Soup, cookies

Favorite Animals:  Kangaroos, Horses, Goats

Pets:  Two dogs, Marley a cockapoo and Gracie is my dads dog.  Our cat's name is "Princess Ava".

Family:  Branden is my daddy's name, Melissa is my mommy's name.  My little brother is Dominic and
              he's three years old. My Grandma and Grandpa take me to the carousel, and my Nanny, and my                  
              great grandpa and grandma too.  I like to play with my cousins, Isabelle and Lizzie who live in  
              Olympia, Wa..  My Aunt C and Kylie came to visit and we all went to the beach for three days.

Family Writing

During class this week, we will begin to discuss aspects of our family.  Be talking with your child about things that make your family special.  We will be writing stories about our families that include who the members are and writing things about each family member that he/she likes.  Please talk over these things over with your child and help them think of ideas.

It's Apple Week!

We are going to do a variety of apple activities and we can use two apples brought by your child this week.  Please bring them to school as soon as you can.  We will make apple sauce, count, sort, measure the circumference of apples, measure the weight and make sauce on Thursday.  It's be a hit for sure!

Hey Math Lovers!

It's time to show me your stuff!  I would love to see your amazing numeral writing!  Most of you do a great job with your numerals however when you can see your numbers written backwards and sideways, it's time to review the basics.

 Please work at forming each number according to the workplace station papers.  (The kids know all about what I am talking about.  For example, when forming an eight, start by making an "S" and closing it up.  Also, when making a "0", begin the oval from the top and drawing the numeral counter clock wise around and back to the top.)  Always begin your numbers from the top -- and show the parents what  a good job you do!.

*****STUDENT SPOTLIGHT******

TREVOR ROJAS

Favorite Foods:  Hot dogs, dill pickles, pepperoni pizza, ice cream
Favorite Animal:  Tiger
Pets:  Dog - Mocha, Cats - Taz, Gracie, Leo
My Family: I live with my Dad, Mom and older brother.
Grandma and Grandpa live next door!
Great Grandpa lives in the other house next door.
Great Mama lives in Keizer.

"I love my family.  I like to give them hugs sometimes."
"I have lots of Aunts and Uncles and Cousins that I love."

TRISTIN SMITH

Favorite Foods;  biscuits, butter, peanut butter and jelly, tacos
Favorite Animal:  pot belly pigs, chicks/chickens, ponies, dolphins, monkeys
No Pets
My Family is adopted.  We adopted each other!  My sister's names are Taghen and Sasha.  Taghen is in the 4th grade and Sasha is in Kindergaten.  My brother Ayden is 2 and is in the potty trainers class at his school.  My mom's name is Sheryl.  She is a teacher for children who can't see.

Tristin and her sisters love dance!  Tristin considers herself a ballerina.  She is also learning tap to join in dance with her sisters.

REPORTS ARE COMING!!

B11 students are known for doing reports and doing them well!  It's time to get that started this year! Our Fall Animal Reports will be assigned next week.  I will have a list of animals for your child to choose and the list will not include dogs or cats.  I want your child to expand to other perhaps not as familiar animals.

Your child will have TWO weeks to write at least a one page report and make a poster to present.  A day will be assigned to present his/her report and you are welcome to come and watch!

I strongly urge you to plan your time wisely.  Many students last year waited until the day before to BEGIN their reports and therefore made the experience very stressful.  Your last few days should be used for practicing in front of a mirror and family members making it as natural as possible.

My responsibility as your child's teacher:
1.  Help your child research his/her animal during our computer lab time.
2.  Send home poster board, a copy of their research, and paper to write their report.

Your responsibility as parents:
1.  Help your child decide what to write from the research.
2.  Allow time each day in the beginning to add a sentence or two in order to have at least one page done (ideally the first week). Don't copy the research word for word, please.
3.  Give time to practice so confidence is instilled.
4.  Help create a poster that gives a visual image of the animal assigned.
5.  If you wish, come and watch your child succeed!  It's wonderful and they are fabulous!!

Here are things that I will look for:


Eye contact
Does your child stop and look up at the audience occasionally? Does he/she hold the paper up in front of of his/her face or lower it where the audience can see eyes.  Some kids even memorize their report.

Organization
Is the report organized in a logical manner?

Speaking voice
Can your child's voice be heard in the back of the room?  (I call it their "teacher voice")

Expression
Does your child read in a manner that is interesting to the listener.  In other words, it's so fun to hear a report that is spoken like the writer is excited about what he/she is writing.

Please make sure that your child does the poster and their own writing.  SORRY, THIS IS NOT YOUR REPORT, Mom.  I know, I know we all want our kid's work to be beautiful and I understand how tempting it is to do too much for your child--believe me! Please, please allow your first grader to do first grade work. Each child's work is far more precious than our's can ever be - trust me on this one!

WARNING:  REPORT WRITING IS INFECTIOUS AND WILL BE SOMETHING YOUR CHILD WILL LOOK FORWARD TO AS THE YEAR PROGRESSES!!  WE WILL DO MORE.........

email me with questions:  carey_suzanne@salkeiz.k12.or.us

Homework: September 27 - Oct. 2

COINS, COINS, COINS!!
Please be able to know the identity and value of a penny, nickel, dime and quarter by Thursday of this week.  We will be testing on Thursday!

FALL:
Make a list of the signs of Fall outside.

WRITING NUMERALS:
Practice writing numerals checking for backwards up to 30 with a finger space in between each numeral.

BUG HUNT:
Make a list of all the bugs you can find outside.  Bring some in if you can.

TELLING TIME:
Practice telling time to the hour and half hour.  If you want more, practice to the quarter hour.

READ EVERY NIGHT!
Just 10 - 15 minutes a night will greatly help your child succeed in creating great learning habits.  I used to spend the time reading to my child for two of our nights a week.  Books are amazing and quality reading is a must for successful students!

WRTIE IT DOWN!
If your child had a great time this weekend, jot it down for writing a story about it during school.  How about a really great dinner, write it down. I try to keep a list of tiny ideas that will spark my writing since undoubtedly I would forget otherwise.

DINNER TIME CONVERSATIONS:
Dinner time with the family is getting more and more challenging with all of the activities offered to choose from.  Protect it if at all possible.  Our kids usually open up so much more during the dinner hour than just in passing.  Try having your child come to the table telling the best, worst and funniest thing of the day!  Jot down some of the ones your child would like to write about tomorrow during writing time.

Our Class Climate

We are a "Class Family" so......
-we care for one another.
-we work together.
-we make sure everyone feels important.
-we help each other learn.
-we share with each other.
-we encourage each other.
-we say please and thank you.
-we smile at one another.
-we are kind and friendly.
-we follow the Lee Way: Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible