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!!