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• practice spelling words and remember we add National Spelling Bee Words for First Grade to each list.
• find the list in the far right hand side of the page.

Math Min.quiz,spelling test ,homework tomorrow

• practice spelling words tonight.Test tomorrow. Use magnets on a cookie sheet or the 'fridge or both to practice if spelling needs reinforcement.
• remember to have your child look at you.It's important to write the words.Reciting them in the car is fine repetition but writing gives the information to the muscles,the mouth as they "self speak"the letters,and the eyes as they say them.
• I ask them to make a up a sentence using the word then underline the word. To raise the anti have them make a poem or rhyme using the words.Write a story or sentence using as many of this week's words as possible.
• handwriting counts. If it's done to be done and not to be right,turn the eraser side to the paper and have your child fix it.
• Letters should touch the top and bottom of the line or half way up if it's lower case.
• Count inappropriate capitals as an error. We should be appropriate at all times.
• Be well. Tomorrow's Minute math quiz counts as a grade
• Ask your child to tell you something about the history of Veteran's Day.
• They each received paper dolls of soldiers with direction to follow using only
• the correct color of uniform for each branch.They must follow the directions(read and process). No pink ,purple or tricolored uniforms are allowed . If your child chooses to do the project,they may attach a straw and have a rod puppet.
• As with our current military,this is a strictly voluntary activity. No one is required to participate. It's merely an extension of the lesson.
• You MAY want to make serveral copies of the uniform page as some very fine motor skills are required for the hats. It might be pleasant to do this together.
• Discuss members of the family and friends who have served our country .
• Thanks.Keep in touch.

Letter grades =number grades...You may want to know

100-90=E(excellent)
89-80=G(good)
79-75=S(satisfactory)
74-70=N(needs improvement)
69 and below U (unsatisfactory)
The letter grade is entered into SOINS.

• You will see the number grade or percent on the paper that is returned. See today's Keep At Home section in the Homework Folder.
• The primary things I'm looking for in Homework is: is it complete (if not,I hand it back to the child in class,immediately on Fridays when homework is checked,and the child completes it in class.),and is it handed in on time.
• It is understood that parent's often help children with the homework. We're using the exercise to establish a pattern for future grades and homework from our actual jobs as well as develop the habit of turning in work on time.The work itself is merely to reinforce what has been taught in class. All homework is always reviewed in class before it is sent home.
• Children are encouraged to ask questions before homework is due if something is not understood. I encourage parents to remind the child to ask in class,as we currently happens. The children are told "if you have a question or don't understand something,often some of your classmates may have the same problem".So,speak up. You're helping your friend. The Torah reminds student to ask questions. It's the teacher''s job to explain and answer until it is understood.

I take that job very seriously.
Be well and keep in touch.
Upcoming Events
Thursday we'll discuss Veteran's Day.
I'll be the one dressed in Military Camaflogue.They'll hear the story of how Armistice Day came to be in history. If you have a relative that was in the military please tell you child about him or her.Even write something,send a photo,etc.
They will be required to name the five branches of the military and work on a little booklet.
Thanks for your help.

spelling list for Nov.8-12

The spelling words will include those from the Houghton-Mifflin Speller plus words from those listed for The First Grade National Spelling Bee. Last week's most frequently missed word will usually appear on the list as well. You'll recognize it.

1. us
2. fun
3. bus
4. sun
5. but
6. run
7. are
8. one
9. there
10. den
11. now
12. ace
13. mug
14. bell
15. here

A copy of the list is often pasted into the far right side of their weekly Agenda.

Math Minute quizzes are given daily. We cirle the ones we missed in crayon to learn those facts as homework for the next day. Often,it's the same one fact repeated throughout the quiz.

Oz wins runoff ,spelling pretest Thurs.& Math Min.

• spelling pretest given just this week,so children experience quiz,(grade not counted).
• remind them that they have a spiral notebook.That's where we'll keep our spelling.
• Math min.will be administered daily. Grade taken on test given last day of that school week.
• run off election today,between the two candidates that tied: Rock and Roll Potato &Ox
• We had two additional election judges to asure honesty in the count. Thank You Mandelbergs.
• The winner by two tally marks was Oz. One vote was disqualifies because it wasn't correctly filled out. One cannot vote for all of the candidates.
• As soon as the buds begin to appear at a level at which we can measure them,we follow the growth.
• We're working on our Invention Convention presentation. We discussed things we'd like to invent that would make our school life easier (within reason).
• Reading about inventors and clever enteprenuers in People and Places,plus a book: Children's Inventions.

What Can I Do ?

• Listen to nightly read aloud.Ask about what was read? Who was the main character? Who else? What happened in the story first,next, after that,finally in the end,etc? Tell beginning ,middle,end. How did child feel about the story? What could be another ending? If the story continued,based on information ,what else could happen to the main character and why was that decision made?
• Reading to your child is valuable(aside from great cuddling),it helps develop vocabulary,expands information from books too difficult or complex for now. Read folklore,find the country on a map,compare with where we are,discuss how life if different or times. Find photos (unless you're doing the Roman Empire,photos are sparse from that period).
• Check today's weather on the news or in the paper. How much cooler was it today than yesterday. Ask them to make a number line to prove it(see homework for number line reference).
• see how many number facts can be correctly answered until the stop light changes. If you wait in front of our school, a lot a problems can be covered.
• ask how many new thing were learned in school today.

spelling tests this Fri.,math h.w.focus on format

• Spelling homework begins this quarter. Handwriting counts as separate grade.
• pretest given before words introduced.
• time will be spent learning what a margin is,how to number a paper,what to do when one runs out of paper but has more to write. Everyone has needs in this area.We're working on it and getting wiser.
• math homework looks obvious but is a review of formatting....where to put the symbols,how to line up the problem vertically and horizontally,counting up instead of starting at one each time we want to add and are unfamiliar with the combination of addends.
• We assembled collected weather data for Oct. Homework is to graph the results.Please, supervise,even have child touch lines to check if information has been filled in .
• A primary goal of first grade is to work indepdently and know that I can depend on myself to find the answer within.Outside input is not always necessary. I can trust myself and my significant adult has enough faith in mean,also believes I have the answer so they let me do it myself.
• Of course, you're there for redirection and cheering on when necessary.
• Spelling tests will require the adult to dictate the words and superise checking or giving hints you find helpful...spacing,letter formation.
• I'll leave the campaign posters in the hall until next week,if you happen to come by on Friday.Election day is tomorrow.
• One child may be out of town. I asked for an absentee ballot to be cast(never miss a chance to teach about democracy and opportunity).
• If(when?) we have a tie,I've lined up a judge to supervise our run-off election.
• Once the Yam Candidate has been named and growth is observed we'll measure size of sprouts weekly in inches and centimeters,predict how much will be next based on gathered evidence.

How To Help Practice For the Spelling Test

1. child numbers paper adding period
2. child looks at you( so can reinforce sounds of letters visually,and you have complete attention)
3. Say the word
4. Follow with brief three or four word sentence
5. repeat the word
6. child says word(aural,oraly and motor reinforcement )
7. child write the word...some need to say each letter as writes it
8. repeats it.

It's important to write the words,though repeating them orally in the car is valuable. Initially,I 'll give a pretest on Thursday for them to discover that they need to practice. Eventually,that will be eliminated.They can do that at home.

The spelling pages from Hougton Miffilin require specific skills to be learned or kinds of questions often asked. Words are simple but frequently misspelling in journal or other writings. As single word in test,it's easy. My tests include a dictation sentence developing short term memory skills,and holding one idea in mind while recalling the spelling.Child add own sentence using spellng word. Eventually,more complex sentences,questions,quotations will be required.

My child's area of strength is not spelling.

A metal cookie sheet and magnetic letters...capital and small helps.

Separate the consonants from the vowels..maybe in separate labeled plastic bags. Let child sorts. You just check.

You say the word. Child repeats word,touches letter, makes on metal sheet. Reinforce..may wish to then put onto "fridge to practice again but in different spatial position.

After done in magnets,write on paper.Support with saying letters before or as write.

As with other subjects,spelling will be leveled. More challenging words in addition to essential words from the Houghton Mifflin series will eventually be given to those who need a little push up to the next step. Everyone should be challenged and have the experience of working for success. The conquest of difficult material provides strength and courage to the conqueror. But difficult is individually defined. We must respect talents and challenges treating them appropriately.

Don't accept sloppy,hurried work. Handwriting,thoughtfulness counts.

math doubles +1,dress for season on Fri.,campaign poster

• On Fri.we'll complete the unit on seasons.Weather data collection and interpreting is ongoing as we note U.S.A. Today weather maps each month,increase our graphing,note patterns and actually follow,via the weather map,the cycle of seasons.
• Children will demonstrate their knowledge of a season,by dressing appropriately for the season on Friday morning. They will bring the change of clothes in a bag wearing the usual Shabbat uniform,until we pose for the season photos. Props may be brought. Let your child be the lead. Visit the closet,find pictures.Reasonable props may be brought along with seasonal clothing. Some have brought sunglasses for summer,a plastic flower for spring etc. Each child will be one season. We drew lots. See the Homework folder for details.
• had a cumulative quiz for unit one in math journal. Assessment was based on competence in math skill. Reading challenges were attended to. Children did well. We'll do a fun prediction and charting task tomorrow then move onto the next unit .
• Copying from the board is a necessary skill in first grade.Everyone is getting better. We'll complete chosen pages in our Handwriting book this week. Spelling begins the second quarter. In a future blog,I'll give you a list of things to be aware of when assessing handwriting: slant,spacing between words,where on the line,etc.
• We're having an election on Nov. 2nd. We'll be voting on the name for out Yam. Children may design campaign posters. The list of candidates are in their Agendas. Remind them that they must write the candidates name on the poster. See the Keep at Home section on their Homework Folders.
• worked on making a book about the library Field Trip. I'm getting less flack about requiring as many sentences as one's age.Only one "and"is allowed sentence.
• Scholastic News discusses animal adaptations.
• We'll read the history of The Statue of Liberty, it's origins,how it was made, the celebration etc.

What Can I Do?

• Listen to your child read to you aloud to you tonight. Say: Tell me everything you remember. Focus on Beginning,Middle and End of story. What happened first? Where did it take place? What does the title of the story tell you about what you are about to read? Is there a topic sentence that tell you about what will be read? Consider reading non-fiction material as well as fiction.
• Do math facts with flash cards. Focus on doubles,then doubles plus one, go back to addition facts of twos,threes,fours..
• This Week
• Review and assess science unit on interdependence of nature...plants,animals,us.
• Thursday: Ms. Colleen,our school councelor,will visit and speak with us at 2:30
• Thursday: We'll celebrate the anniversary of the unveiling of The Statue of Liberty.
• Friday: Dress for the Season

Next Tues. Election day in class...Mon.they receive their Voter Registration Cards.If there's a tie,we'll have a run off election. We'll be reading about voting etc. in our Social Studies book .

test grades count on tomorrow's quiz,pretest today

• Please review doubles .We had a fifteen question math min.quiz on doubles including 11+11 and 12+12. As a pretest, today's answers do not count,but tomorrow's quiz and review quiz of mixed numbers using 1s,2s,3s, and 4s will be for a grade.
• I've cut the questions down to 15 problems to get an accurate picture of knowledge as the children now have had enough time to get the feel of a timed test. Please practice tonight.
• In the homework folders,you'll find a copy of today's test results. The problems circled in crayon are those not completed during the time given. The may be either weak or the ones completed took too long to answer leaving no time left to attack them.
• Look at your child's paper. We're still working on how to take a test,which means not surveying all of the questions after the timer starts,but to begin right away. I did write a note on the page if that is the case and also spoke personally to your child in private. I'll remind the whole class and we'll practice starting right away. They were not just searching for the ones best known but just reviewing questions.
• We will continue to review how to study for a test and how to take one as each issue arises and I note common problems.
• Remember,they don't know how to number a paper for spelling yet. We're all learning.

• As we approach the end of the quarter next week,I will be assessing handwriting.
• Please remind your child that sloppy writing of name and dates unacceptable.. As we begin spelling homework,that should continue to be a reminder.
• Upcoming Week(s)
• We begin spelling homework and spelling tests in the second quarter.
• Next week,we'll begin our election campaign for the Nov.2nd of the our two class candidates (both large Yams). As you go to vote,point out campaign posters and ads that they may choose to make for their candidate. Show them their voter registration cards.They'll be recieving theirs the day before election. If you are able to have them accompany you to the voting booth that would be great.

• We'll also be completing our lessons on Seasons,next week. More info.on Mon.
• We're excited about the field trip. As they get in the car to go home today and tell you about the trip(maybe),ask about the book read called Outside and Inside the Library.Have them tell you different kinds of libraries in the country or something about the book.
• It's available at Cody.
• Be well...keep in touch.

Hebrew and Judaics with Mrs. Kboudi

Shalom, שלום

In Hebrew class we are finising the First book of Ariot ( 1 אריאות) , which contained the letters: Alef, Shin, Bet, Vet, Gimmel, Dallet, and Hay .

After our Dictation Test on the last letter, we will have a little chagiga (party) for completing the first book and the children will be receiving the next book ; Ariot 2 ( 2 אריאות ) .



In Judaics class, we are completing the unit on the Torah and how to dress the Torah. The children made beautiful Torot, all dressed up. We are working on a booklet that culminates the vocabulary and the parts of the Torah. The children heard the story of "Modeh Ani" and discussed the concept of being thankful for what we have.



On Fridays, we learn about the parasha (portion of the week) Vayera, which talks about Avraham's guests. We worked in our Shabbat book and did Tfillot with Mrs. Charles.



Shabbat Shalom to all of you,

Geveret Kboudi and Mrs. Charles

field trip shirt tomorrow,booster chair,pretest math doubles

• regular math lesson in the morning at 10:00. It's Thursday. pretest on doubles ,actual quiz Friday.
• nearly everyone has difficulty quickly retrieving a previous number.What comes before 6?Check to see if your child goes forward and says 7 or simply takes long to count back. This must be automatic. We're learning some math tricks to pick up speed. 9+5=? Try seconds game.How long will it take you to get the right answer. 5 seconds,10 seconds? As they practice,show them how they've improved and are becoming A Master of Math Facts. Flash cards can be extremely useful for math facts. Use three facts cards. Two are quick and known. Keep shuffling the three cards,continuouly pulling up the weakest fact to reinforce it. Then mix it with other facts . The goal is entrenchment.
• You'll thank me when they get to second grade multiplication.

Tomorrow's Trip... about an hour after lunch.

Wendy will be organizing drivers while your little ones are in class.

Dirvers will arrive about 15 to 30 min. earlier,with insurance cards and driver's license presented to office if driving. Children will be divided among drivers who will keep a count and watch over their little brood. I'll have them bathroomed and watered before we line up. Remember,no stopping on the way or back.

It's a ten to twelve min. ride,depending on traffic.

The children met the Children's Librarian,Ms. Sheila,yesterday..so they should be quite comfortable.

If you have a library card or your child has one,please bring it. If you'd like to get a card, bring something verifying your current address,plus a driver's license of something with picture I.D. up to date. A water bill ,phone bill , current yacht registration number ...not sure about the last part.

I've told the children they may check out books but NO d.v.d.s at this time. I really want to encourage reading. Please don't weaken. Be strong.

Thanks. See you tomorrow! If you can't come...don't worry,you should get some nice feedback and a smiley face. There will be pictures on our timeline wall and a book the children make after each trip. Be sure to browse through it at our next Parent Conference.

Listen to them read to you tonight. Do double practice in the car and while you wait for the green arrow on N.W. Military . Ask how many can you get right until you leave the car? Keep repeating the weakest.

speech therapist Wed.,field trip..booster chair needed

• enjoyed children's librarian,Ms. Sheila today
• Speech Therapist coming tomorrow
• field trip..if you have a booster seat,do send it on the day of the trip..with name somewhere on it. Thanks...remember later this school year we'll also be going to:McNay Art Museum for Art and geometry,Wittie Museum for Solids,Liquid,and Gas plus Animal Adaptations,Alon Market-the food pyramid...keep that booster seat handy
• Friday-Min. math quiz- doubles
• ask your child for emergency information tonight...address,phone no.,important numbers,parent first names.
• listen to your child read
• use flash cards for reading and/or math if sent home,suggested or works for you.

Field trip Thurs.,Klezmer Band,math partnering,Monet

• read Venn Diagram and X/Y segments on bar graphs. ..worked as group ,then partners..noisy,but productive noise heard in class
• independent work in math journals
• heard Klezmer Band after I located origins of some music on big world map,explained meaning of word"Klezmer"...from two hebrew words basically meaning "music (song) vessal or that which holds music....brief discussion...
• children bringing home behavior contract for field trip.See Return to School section homework folder.
• read stories: Library Lion,The Library,noted different art techniques,encouraged to write and illustrate own book.We'll do that on Friday,after field trip. Later,will read Inside and Outside the Library....wonderfully illustrated book of various libraries throughout the U.S.
• Ms. Bella,the art teacher absent,great opportunity to show the children a video I own about Claude Monet. Hopefully, they will ask about seeing some of his work when we visit the McNay in Feb. Amazingly, they were enthralled and can't wait to see the last few minutes of this short video.
• Cody's Children's Librarian coming tomorrow
• Scholastic News and science this week discuss: characterisitics and adaptations of organisms...are finishing concept Seasons. Next week, will have final project...Dress For a Season...details in forthcoming Blog.
• Wordly Wise vocabulary words asssessment tomorrow: desert,skeleton, prehistoric,stump, peak,wild, decay, temperature volccano, dusk.
• Wordly Wise upcoming words for this week: thick,utensil, solid,separate,uneven.
• Math Facts focus this week: doubles:(8+8,11+11).

What Can I Do?

• Handwriting: names must be neatly written,capital letters go to the top of the line and touch the bottom.No sinkers,below the line. No floaters, above the line. Letters are close together without being touching.Lower case letters touch the top of the dotted line and the bottom of the blue line. (when homework ready to be handed in..ask to see Name and Date)Date neatly written on right side of page.
• Never assume. Ask your child for your phone number,address,and important info.needed.Everyone appears to know parent first names and their full name.Some were unstable last week,some must still learn the info. Look in Agenda if it's needed.
• Journal requirement for all is to write at least as many lines as one is old. Six years old,six lines etc. A plus is given if more written. Once some begin they can't stop. Great!
• Punctuation important:capitals, periods,proper nouns,including "I".
• when reading to your child or having listening. to your child read to you tonight (ahem)..after a page or the story, ask: Now tell me what you read?.What happened? Where were they? When? How do you know?
• Attend to the sequence of the story or ask them to tell you about something that requires proper sequencing. Making challah,or making ones bed .Important is the concept of :Beginning,Middle ,End.
• Write a letter to a relative or friend. Help organize ideas first with a thought web.What do I want to write about"topic (opening )sentence"? What are some details?
• Write with paper and pencil.Computers at this stage aside from lack of fluidity in printing also do not provide the feedback that writing provided by the hand forming letters on the page. I'll send research on value of handwriting at this stage if one wishes.

A few parents have not yet handed in field trip permission slips. Please sign and return so taht we may have enough transportation. Wendy,Reese's Mom is arranging for drivers.

From Mrs. Bass's Desk-Judaic

The Judaic class is doing great!! We are practicing Hebrew reading With the Kamatz Patach, and Tzereh nikud(vowels). It Tefilah, we are doing the following: Modeh Ani, Netilat Yadaim, Asher Yatzar, Reshit Chochmah, Torah Tzivah,(We are putting on the Talit Kattan and saying the blessing)Mah tovu, Adon Olam Yigdal, Laasok Bedivrei Torah,Eiloo Devarim and more. The students are learning to follow the Siddur and some of them are experts in doing so!!
I'm having such Nachas in looking at them Davening!! you are invited to come and observe them for yourselves.
Mrs. Bass

Notes from the Music Room

During October and November we will be preparing for our annual Thanksgiving Program. Save the date: November 23, 2010 @2:00.

Columbus Day Regatta,addition facts with 4,leaf rubbings

• made flag for Sailboat Regatta on Dishpan Lake
• reviewed science: moving air is wind,wind has power to push our sailboat
• completed ,with maps,stories of Columbus,brief reference to earlier visitors
• Scholastic News topic Columbus
• read math story,quoted A.Einstien." I'll give you the answer.You tell me how I got it".Children suprised to discover Einstien was Jewish...very brief discussion.
• reviewed how to test if a sentence is an actual sentence Can you picture it? Can you say it in one breath?Does it sound right? Discussed varying sentences( not starting each one with "I").
• continue to work on punctuation on abbreviation for dates.How do we make a comma? Remember the period if the word is abbreviated.
• Reviewed and applied use of silent "e"..as in..hope vs.hop,win vs.wine...
• did leaf rubbing,reviewing parts of the leaf...blade,veins,mid-line
• reviewed distinctions between:living/none living...
• read vocabualry words...discussing story about pertrified forest....why petrified trees not living...became very good at acting like petrified trees
• read People and Places,discussing concept of history,travels of Columbus,Taino Indians

Thursday:`10:00

Police visit from S.A.F.E. Unit...will ask children for emergency safety information: full name,address,phone numbers of importance,where will meet as emergency meeting place,full name of major caregivers.

Friday

• math min. and half quiz on math facts family of four
• review emergency information
• homework due
• Upcoming Events
• Tuesday--Children's Librarian from Cody...discuss upcoming library visit on Thurs.

What Can I Do?

• review math facts
• sign permission slip for field trip
• review emergency safety information
• note,while doing nightly oral reading(ahem) the silent /e/ that changes the meaning of the word.
• use big tree poster...go hunting for fallen seeds in the neighborhood..matching them to seeds and trees in the poster.
• We heard "Vivalids's Four Seasons today...find poems or music that relate to the seasons.

From Mrs. Bass's Desk-Judaic

Dear First Grade Parents,

This week we worked on Reading Hebrew. I introduced the following nikud(Hebrew voules): kamatz and patach- Which make the AA sound and we started with Tzereh-which makes the eh sound.

I was hoping that It will be possible of me to start sending home Some reading homework with the students. This homework will not be graded by me. The purpose of the homework is to reinforce what we are learning in class. If you have any objections to this please let me know about it.

Thanks,
Shabbat Shalom

Geveret Kboudi's Hebrew and Judaics

Shalom,
We are finishing the unit on the letter Gimmel .We did a thorough practice in class of the words that will be on the dictation test. I will send the tests on Monday for you to sign and return to me on Tuesday. I hope you all enjoy their Hebrew reading as I do . We are learning new vocabulary words with each letter and practicing their flashcards in the beginning of each class. The children are working on using these words to construct correct sentences in their Hebrew machberet ( notebook).

In Judaics we are completing the Fall Holidays unit and will be starting a unit on the Torah and parts of the Torah. We began the parashat hashavua (portion of the week) and studied the portions: Bereshit and Noach . We learned about the Brachah (blessing) that is said before reading from the Torah. We are continuing to learn tefillot (prayers) weekly and study about Shabbat every Friday.

Tefilla and parasha will be taught by Mrs. Charles who has taught in our school for many years.

Shabbat Shaolm to you all,
Mrs. Kboudi and Mrs. Charles.

Mrs. Markson's Technology Class

First Graders reviewed Fire Safety rules using interactive web pages from Scholastic.com.

If you would like to try some of them with your child, here are the links (we did not view all of these pages in class):

Firefighter Links

Fire Safety with Sparky

Sparky's Wheel of Safety Games

fire safety major review today,Sept. weather graph,

• Fire chief Chiam Farfel visited,called on children asking fire safety questionsLater he explained what qualified him to be a hand and rod puppet.


• listened to stories about fire safety gear,various safety rescue vehicles including:airport,fire,E.M.S.,forest,and Command Center Trucks.


• crawled on floor showing how we would exit burning building,discussed smoke rises,how to feel the door for heat...learned palm of hand more sensitive,use back of hand


• translated weather datat collected during Sept.onto bar and pictographs
  
• learned about a map Key or Legend...found it on two big class maps & on Sept.U.S.A. today weather map.


• noted pattern of temp. going down,reading map key as guide found lowest and highest in U.S.A.


• getting better at finding and making patterns in Math Journal


• new words in Wordily Wise: desert, stump, bend,temperature,National Park,Forest Ranger


• discussed job of forest ranger and Petrified Trees in forest...how that came to be.


• importance of air for fire and for trees,living things

Naturalist scheduled to come this week...will continue discussion on trees, what makes a leaf green,its purpose,why does it change colors,what can red in a leaf signify, where do the creatures go in the winter.What role does the tree,its leaves and bark play in protecting the animals and bugs who rest during the upcoming winter.

• Discussed natures interaction and interdependence with its creatures: big,small,plants,animals.


• The firetruck came today.
• If you come for Kabbalat Shabbat,do look at our Time Line,the history of the First Grade,Class of 2010-2011. This is a great way for the children to get a sense of History,before,between,after,beginning,middle,end....how we got to this point.
• Look for the Parent Permission Slip for our Field Trip to The Cody Library in a few weeks.
• If you'd like to get your child their own library,you'll need to bring some identification. More details later. They will be allowed to check out books,but NO D.V.D.s this visit...sorry.
• I Want To Participate. What Can I Do?

• review math facts with flash cards using only ones,twos,threes. Make up games. How many can you get in 30 seconds? Can you do 5? How about 8? Everytime you get 10 correct in 30 seconds you may take one step forward toward the refrigerator which contains something you like.....or the box on the table which has a game/toy/whatever.
• Have you child and you make up a game ...design a game board...anyway to take the tedium out of memorizing math facts.
• look for patterns in math,poems,around the house,in clothing....
• review safety info. ...meeting place,phone numbers,full name,parents name,addresses, resource people and how to reach them.
• listen to them read aloud to you.We discussed:gn,ti,si,ture,ing today. Point them out when you find those words.
• skip count beginning mid stream...maybe at 15 ...count by 5s,10s,2s to a designated no. up to or beyond 100. Listen for errors at the decade mark.If numbers mastered,count by 3's then 4s...see how that will help with future multiplication....review math doubles(6+6,9+9).
• count backward from 100.
• retell what happened at dinner...in order...First,second,third,...then,after that,finally in the end. Helps organize thoughts....good for story and expository writing.
• Ask one thing they learned today that they didn't know before and that they think you won't know.
• enjoy....they are such a delight.
  

First Grade Art

First grade reviewed how artists have painted portraits throughout art history and then drew their own self portraits. They did an awesome job!

Family meeting place,vocabulary &math min. test

• math minute test tomorrow on speed in ones and twos,then we move on
• I'll show them some math flash card games,but the children love to make up their own,perhaps you can design some together,write down the rules.We'll play it in class.
• math vocabulary quiz includes review words and concepts:columns,rows,diagonal,horizontal,vertical,addend,sum,number sentence,pattern, addition sign
• Next week is Fire Prevention Week.The firetruck will be coming in the middle of the week. We'll do some reinforcement of this fire-safety lesson again later in the spring.
• Homework will request each child to state the family "safe meeting place",in case of a fire.for example(We'll meet by the tree across the street, at the big rock on the corner". It's not a good idea to meet at a neighbor as perhaps no one is at home."
• We may wish to have them check the family fire alarm and fire extinguisher.
• Later,this month,the policemen from The S.A.F.E. Unit will discuss safety. Children will be expected to know : full family name,parent(s) first name, phone numbers, address.
• today,small reading groups met read from Houghto Miffilin reading series
• read math story problem from Big Book
• ate in the sukkah at school and went visited sukkah at: Rodfei Sholom and Temple Beth El,will eat again in the J.C.C. sukkah tomorrow
• A Naturalist will also visit next week as we discuss the science of trees and fall.

due to Sukkot,no paper homework...but wait!

• That means you should please continue to :
• listen to child reading aloud to you nightly
• When you read to your child it increases vocabulary and as one of the children wrote this morning''increases the cuddlies".
• learn the math facts ones and twos....so well that 25 facts can be answered correctly in 60 seconds. Try it with flash cards.
• no written homework this week ,but we are working identifying patterns. Write numbers at least 50 ,color in a pattern(counting by threes,or sevens or whatever). See if they can identify the pattern.Also ask how they knew the answer...Show your headwork.
• We'll be talking about fall. Find some fall poems,notice any leaves turning colors,look at the weather change.
• We'll be looking at the weather map in U.S.A. Today ,comparing it with August.
• We listened to Vivaldi's: Four Seasons.(only Autumn)
• Sukkah Hop tomorrow...we'll be back for math etc. @ 10:15.Try to be on time for the big bus.
• Keep in touch,send news,questions,itechniques you've devised to a teach a concept,variations on the lesson themes.

Whoops!! Sorry about the math missprint.

I'll review this with the children this morning,in case there was a heated discussion last evening about place value.

in 68 ...the 8 is in ones place and the 6 in the tens place.



I apologize for not catching that error,as well as that of the final pronoun.

I guess that's the reason publishers created proofreaders.


Thanks for understanding.

My goal is to get the information to you, sometimes, that makes for typing errors.

tomorrow:Math Min.Quiz,Math Voc. Quiz,

• math facts sample sheet sent home this week,contains all of the math fact questions on tomorrow's Min. Math Quiz. Consider quizzing them for 60 seconds.Have child identify unanswered question and incorrect answers. Then do those questions again.
• handwriting--please remind child to make "one" without the little hood.It's just a line.No.4 is written with an L and then a line. Some have been making it look almost like a 9.
• The math vocabulary words are: addends (the numbers in an addition problem), sum, place value( the ones place or the tens place ..in 68,6 is in the one's place and 8 in the ten's place), numeral,digit,column, row,number sentence(6+4=9).
• We'll do a review of punctuation rules we've learned.No capital letters in the middle of a word or sentence. Capitals for: I, and names. Period at the end of a sentence.
• Thanks. F.Y.I. The first day of Autumn is on Thursday. We'll be having a Natualist to discuss trees on Thursday afternoon,October 7th.
• Chag Samech
• We'll be eating in the Sukkah next Tues. and Wed.
• Sukkah Hop for us,next Tues.first thing in the morning. Did you send in your permission slip and $8.00?
• Ask about the story we read today "Do Unto Otters"..lots of word play and information on polite behavior. Set up a situation at home between you and another family member...comment that the behavior was very "considerate". Note how "polite" someone is when they look you in the eye when you are speaking to it.

homework due Wednesday

• worked on the difficult concept column and row in math.
• reviewing old information and adding "how many more"
• Math Vocabulary was :column and row
• assessed language arts voc.word in Wordly Wise
• reviewed phonogram cards
• wrote in journal
• poem sent home reviewing Wordly Wise words
• Math Min. quiz sent home today....sample of questions with homework. You may wish to make copies or after do flash cards,give a one min. quiz.
• working on staying on topic in writing program: S.M.I.L.E.S.
• remember to keep in touch with me. Life is dynamic.Children are dynamic .We sometimes have to alter make a course correction to reach our goal. Keep me informed and I'll do the same. Be well.

Hebrew and judaics

Shalom,

We are now working on the High Holidays and using our Shanah Tovah books. We are discussing the concepts of forgiveness and the meaning of a fast day. We talked about the Kol Nidrei- the beautiful part of the service of Yom Kippur. The children heard the story that is being read on Yom Kippur : :"Yonah And The People Of Ninivah . We practiced an old ritual called "Kaparot", using a dollar bill and recited the appropriate words.The money will go toward tzdakah. In Hebrew class, we are about to finish the letter Bet. The dictation test will be given next week. Thank you all for signing the homework and for your cooperation. Shanah Tovah and Chatima Tovah. Ayelet Kboudi.

math min.quiz tomorrow, sight word list coming soon.

• for those who ,last night,did not count back from at least 100 , homework tonight will require them to count back from a higher number. This is a necessary skill for subtraction.
• see the Agenda for child specific homework requests.
• Math Minute quiz tomorrow .The last one administered was actually given within a two min.window. Tomorrow's quiz should be easy: adding 1's and 2's (2+8) etc. Facts up to and including twelve are expected.(12+1). You may wish to review these facts tonight.
• any questions with The Bill of Rights (and responsibilities) homework? If you have any questions please ask. Examples and explanation may be found in the Keep an Home Folder.What do you the parent give me ...what are my responsibilities?
• Within the next week or so you will be recieving a copy of The Dolch List and /or other most frequently used words for the early reader. Lists will be child specific.
• We'll practice writing words on flash cards. The goal, increasing reading fluency, is to quickly identify these most frequently used words. Sounding out word is still a useful and encouraged skill also but these should be automatic. Errors often occur at the end of the word,as the child ususally sounds out the first few letters and does a "guessing job" for the rest of it.
• Today's phonograms reviewed the :er sounds and the "ti,ci, " combinations which create the sound of "sh" as in "special","city",or "constitution".
• When reading this evening, see if any of these combinations can be cited.(couldn't resist)
• Ask what some of the vocabulary words were in Wordly Wise. We did some nose touching as the story was re -read.
• When reading tonight,please reinforce the key ideas used in our S.M.I.L.E.S. writing program. Can the child tell : who is in the story, what happened,when did it happen, where did it take place.
• Thanks for all of your work at home. It is greatly appreciated and helps reinforce class lessons.

From Mrs. Bass Desk

This week the first graders are working on making a big book for Yom Kippur. They are doing great and having fun. Please remember to send with your child:
1. A dollar for Kapparot that will take place tomorrow.
2. An apple or a lemon- we are going to decorate it for Yom Kippur.

“Gmar Chatimah Tova” to all!


Mrs. Bass

Bill of Rights,odd or even,capital and small letters

• math homework reviews odd/even,adding doubles,reviews left/right and seasons.
• paste the final product onto the colored paper,for fun,see if someone in the family can read the glyph. Discuss how you would make yours,or a siblings or grandparent. It's good math review. Artists may choose to make or trace the scarecrow and make several.
• review the meaning of: compound word as in" scarecrow". How many more can they think of? If concept appears unstable,give examples: "Butterfly is a compound word. What are the two words? What about rainbow? etc.
• point out compound words in tonight's reading as well as the review of "er" sounds as in:ur-nurse,er-her,or,work. Can you find another example?
• the words in today's vocabulary book,Wordly Wise are: peak liquid,shallow deep, compass, clear , flash , paddle ,.swift and wild.
• Be clever parents and use them in some sentences. They may touch the nose every time the word is said. It's a fun activity that aids in hearing specific words embedded in a sentence...a valuable skill for listening,focusing and attending.See the notice included in your homework packet on the Keep at Home side. The Consititution was sign on Sept. 17....several years ago. Ask if one remembers how many years ago( I did the math) and/or the year it was signed. We briefly discussed The Bill of Rights...how different and lucky we are to be able to vote and choose our leaders,to practice our religion and have some free speech..within reason.
• The homework is to write at least three rights and responsibities that one has at home. We charted some rights and responsibilites in the class and will sign our big Bill of Rights tomorrow (ah,where does the time go,when we're having a good discussion?).
• Tomorrow,I'll read a charming book explaining the "fancy wording" such as"freedom of speech".It's sinmplistic,but one can begin to appreciate our history and how lucky we are to have these freedoms. Some did remember The Redcoats,and who won the Revolutionary War.
• Next month, we celebrate the unveiling of The Statue of Liberty.
• On Sept. 28, we'll have a science lesson from a Naturalist,who will help us learn about parts of the tree (as we learned about parts of the insect,last week....see the Buzzy Bee book,coming home this week)
• review skip counting,making tally marks,and speed in addition using doubles ( 2+2.,8+8). If your child is quick with these,try doubles such as 24 + 24. Remember,we aren't into carrying with the understanding of place value yet. We're just beginning to discuss and apply ones and tens place.
• worked on our S.M.I.L.E.S. writing program,choosing who and what we'd like to write about...tomorrow it's "where" and" when".
• dis some serious work in Handwriting Bbook..reminded all that letters and numbers touch"the ceiling and the floor". Forming the tricky number 8 was finally conquered by most.
• Snowmen 8 are no longer acceptable.
• Keep in touch whenever you feel a need.
• Listen to reading tonight. Mark it down.
• Consider beginning a series or chapter book,to read or have read. Ask "Who is in the story?What happened?" Watch for the correct sequence in retelling: beginning,middle and end.

First Grade Art

The annual student artwork fundraiser is here! Students were very busy cutting and pasting their colorful creations together today.

Notes from the Music Room

Today we continued developing beat/rhythm with a rhyme called "Apples, Peaches, Pears, and Plums." We also began learning the call/response song "Down By the Bay."

Oakes,& Feinberg speak,graph Aug.weather,inventions

• community helpers speakers this week: Ms. Colleen (councelor), Howard Feinberg, Head of Jewish Federation, Mrs. Oakes: of Head of School...lot of talking Heads ( I couldn't resist,sorry)
• sorted and graphed Aug.weather data using pictograph and bar graph,noted highest and lowest temp.
• briefly discussed Wind Power..moving air..turned on fan to show effect of moving air,Beauford Scale measuring wind velocity and labeling it,also put class rain gauge in front of school near entrance.It says,"Save Water".
• applied real life use of phonics rule: /c/ before "e,i, and y" say "s".... otherwise it makes the sound of "k".Noted how word "cyclone" uses both principals....discussed briefly Cyclone,hurricane.found the East Coast of the U.S.,spoke of Hurricane Earl.
• designed and discussed Labor Saving inventions. Children drew labor saving devices they would like to see. Some included: an automatic Breakfast Maker...put in the toast,waffles,eggs..a complete breakfast comes out of the other side. ...A Junk Food Maker, , a Does Everything Machine....you want a toy? It delivers. An Automatic Table-setter,drop in the plates, forks,knives, spoons and napkins...it sets the table, most favored: The Automatic Homework Machine...drop in homework,it comes out completed,graded,dated and with a star!
• In conjunctions with Rosh Hashana: read books from the Science Table about various kinds of bees,body parts,purpose,value in nature...class making a Buzzy Bee Book....hope to bring home next week.
• worked on skip counting,reading simple graph,first experience with two min. timed math quiz...goal to assess skills,focus,attention,motivation,knowledge of math facts.speeed of retrieval...noted lots of finger counting (typical for age)
• worked on correct body position for writing...slant of paper,one hand writes while other holds paper....much use of second hand to hold up head...I assured them that if they used the non-writing hand to hold down the paper I would catch their head if it rolled off due to lack of support....group getting better.
• encouraging capital letter at start of sentence and when naming someone or something.remainder of word gets lower case letter.
• working on self assessment and correction( if you know you make two,three and "b" backward,be aware....fix it but first get your thoughts onto the paper). ...evidence of growing awareness of personal reversals. The message sent was: erasers are a way of saying"Wait,I found a better answer."
• sent nice Thank You notes to speakers.

This is not all inclusive.If you're lucky your child may share more information such as some of the jobs and places that Jewish Federation helps around the world and in the U.S.

Please see some completed papers sent home in the Take Home Folders. Sign,review,some pages require completion. I didn't give grade,only made observations.

• the Job Interviews were great fun to read. I'll put them on the wall outside the room,once they color the front page......hope you enjoyed the interview.

Coming Attractions

• For those compulsive people who like to plan ahead(that's me): solidified Field Trip dates thus far are:
• Oct. 14th @2:30 to 3:30-trip to Cody Library...Yes,it is BookFair week.
• Feb. 2- 2:00 to 2:45 McNay Art Museum(Art and Geometry)
• April- 9:00 -11:45 Wittee Museum--Solids,Liquids and Gas plus Tx.Wildlife..characteristics,defenses,etc. This is scheduled for the day after Siddur Dedication in case a grandparent or visitor would like to go too.

Not yet firm: March 24 @ 2:30 trip to H.E.B. Alon Market Place...Food Pyramid,processed foods vs. natural foods,translating food value labels

One more trip possible but still in the works...

Remember,dates and times can change...more details as trips draw near.Drivers will be needed.

Guest Speakers in Oct. :

Children's Librarian from Cody Tuesday before our trip

Policemen from S.A.F.E. Unit

and Firetruck for Fire Safety ...am working to see if another branch of Fire Safety Unitback in service...

Next Week

• Counselor discusses topic of Bullying on Tues.
• Brief Rosh Hashanah program Wed. morning
• Discussion of life cycle of Apple tree
• Folktale: Johnny Appleseed
• Brief Video: A Trip to an Apple Orchard
• if time: Fluffy Visits an Apple Orchard...and gets into mischief. You should hear the giggles at this narcissistic little guinea pig...all Id ......unbeknownst to the listeners lots of information about apples, orchards,the season are embedded in the chapters.

Have a lovely restful Shabbat,Sunday and Labor Day break...,remember to read to each other,skip count,talk,listen, andtake a walk together....,just the two of you.Savor this time.It's luscious.

From Mrs. Bass desk-Judaic class

This week the first grades practice reading the alef-Beit (א-ב). We went over Kamatz(קמץ) and Patach(פתח) vowels.
Walso learned about Rosh Hashana(חג ראש השנה) holiday and it's customs. If you have time you can ask them the following questions:

What does Rosh means? Head
What is Shanah? Year
What is Machzor? A book that we use for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
What are the Three things we do more When the month of Elul starts? Tfilah ,Tshuvah ,Tzdakkah.
What is Teshuvah?
Who do we need to ask for forgiveness? G-d, Other people we hurt.
Who are we crowning on Rosh Hashanah? G-d How many Types of shofar Blowing are there?four
Tekia(תקיעה)-one blow
shvarim(שברים)-three
Teruah(תרועה)-nine
Tekiah gdolah(תקיעה גדולה)-one long one.
I'm proud of all of the class. I think that they learned so much in a short time.
Since at this time of the year, we are supposed to give more Tzedakkah, I was wondering if you can send with your child a bag with pennies to school which they will give for tzedakkah every day.

I wish you a Shabbat Shalom And a very happy and healthy year!
שנה טובה!

Notes from the Music Room

Tuesday in music, we focused on music with a steady beat, and music that doesn't seem to have a beat at all. Our favorite activity featured a fun rhyme called "Windshield Wipers."

Notes from Computer Lab

First graders explored 20 different options of the paintbrush with the splotch options. We had the opportunity to look at each other's creations.

You would be proud of how well your children listened and followed directions.

job interview,thermometer search,counting by 2s

• continued with gathering data from N.O.A.A. on temp. and atmospheric conditions(cloudy today and 80 degrees). Tomorrow,end of the month we'll organize the data,using a bar graph,and pictograph,temperature range and season. We'll collect this data each month and watch the cycle.
• counted by 2s. Gave a cheer using 2's...with body movements. Ask about it. "zero.2,4,6,8,who do we appreciate? First Grade,First Grade...YEA!" applied use of skip counting knowledge as read large thermometer and one we drew on the board which they colored up to the temperature.
• read from our Social Studies book"People and Places",discussed holidays,identified National Holidays and customs based on pictures in book,focused on Labor Day
• identified jobs of Community Workers on big poster and flannel board,where matched tools to job
• Mr. Terry,school custodian,who describes his job as "technician",discussed what he did,showing us two kinds of thermometers,including the ever amazing"Temperature Gun".We each pointed the little red light to one of the vents in the room and read the temperature. It changed as we moved the gun....guess air must have different temperature in different places.hmmmmm.
• briefly looked at a big new science book....If we're going to see bugs all around,might as well know something about them ... looked at four different kinds of crickets.
• TONIGHT'S HOMEWORK
• due Friday or earlier if they choose
• MATH/SCIENCE: thermometer search...many are convinced there are no thermometers in the house except the one in the living room where we can make the house "hotter or colder". Don't tell them...let them discover! Open the 'fridge,the oven,..find the thermometer,find the one in the car,the one they use when somebody is sick, garden.....
• SOCIAL STUDIES: You or someone child knows,will be interviewed about their job.You may need to write the responses for some of the slow,slow writers(only if you can see that they're getting stressed,intervene).One childr wanted to interview her baby-sitter. Typically, there were several in class who didn't know what their parent did,or could state the job title but didn't know what it entailed. Feel free to make copies of the little book if your child would like to interview more..remember grandparents,uncles,aunts are candidates. ..grandma' or gramps would be thrilled with a long distance interview..retired people count. Have fun!
• Upcoming Events
• Tuesday--tomorrow,school councelor guest speaker,describes job,etc.
• Thursday--Head of Federation..they love to look at the big map of the world and see all of the things we do around the world
• Friday--Mrs. Oakes,what does a principal do...I found some great stickers for her to hand out.

Remember to listen to your child read to you tonight and mark it down in the reading section of The Agenda.It's the last flag.

If you did not look at the returned work from last week,please review and sign the sheet that let's me know you've had a chance to review it. Thanks....some children need to complete last week's homework.

REMINDER: Keep in touch if you have any questions, or feel there's something that you would like me to know. We're both on the same page...help your child be the best that she or he can be...tap into the gifts,develop them,share them with the world.

pictures,careers,maps,temp.

• while some children were having pictures taken those remaining in rm.worked in chosen Centers .Most popular:designing and writing a bk.,reading "365 Science Expeiments",rereading stories read in class
• U.S. weather map from U.S.A. Today,discussed and displayed noted temp.around country..hightest,lowest..looked at globe noting effect of geography on temp.
• throughout yr.each month,about this time,will follow cycle of seasons as it really happens.If you have newspaper,you may wish to find map and see what temp.is...First graders LOVE maps.
• read first issue of weekly Scholastic News.keep at home
• see folders,grader papers enclosed with form to sign and please return.These were assessment pages..no grades given. They have suggestions and give us a picture of where we need to begin to work....
• gave librarian book on Jobs as intro.to Labor Day
• discussed carreers we like to have when we grow up.A few were: Teacher...three applicants but one later changed it to Hall Monitor, three gymnasts, a ballerina, prof.soccer player and one Lion Tamer..I guess the country is safe.
• next week social studies discusses Labor Day...Mon. Mr.Terry,custodian
• Tues. school councelor,Thur.-Pres. of Federation, Fri.-Mrs. Oakes.
• We did so much more in class...ask about The story we read, the pop- up alphabet,Wordly Wise and touching our nose each time we heard a familiar vocabulary word
• Have a restful Shabbat, walk,talk...but mostly listen...and don't forget to read.

Be well...

Dear First Grade Parents,

This week the First graders learned in our Judaic class bout the month of Elul( חדש אלול).
We practiced blowing the Shofar and called out the different names of the blowing. We learned that we do more of the three following in this month:תשובה תפילה וצדקה- Teshuvah(repentance), Tefilah(prayers) and Tzedakah(Charity).

We also practice the recognizing and reading Hebrew. We went over the Patach and Kamats vowels.
Today we discussed the portion of the week and I sent with them a little packet to go over with them. This packet is suppose to be a family fun activity for Friday night(preferably). If it is possible, please sign it and send it back to school on Monday.

We had a fun and interesting week in our class. I thank you for allowing me to teach your wonderful children.
Shabbat Shalom,
Mrs. Bass

Technology Class

First graders practiced logging in and logging out with the correct username and password. We reviewed the parts of the computer and Kidpix and began creating pictures.

The first graders all worked hard and followed directions.

Greetings from the Music Room

We started the year with our traditional EKA name game. We added a special twist by "saying" our names with a drum. One of our focuses this year is learning to recognize the difference between beat and rhythm, and recognizing opposites in music (high/low, fast/slow, getting louder/getting quieter....). We will also continue developing our singing voices. I will be using the Kodaly philosophy in music education to teach melody and rhythm reading skills. I'm looking forward to another great year with your children. Patty Riggle Bonner-music

Hebrew Class for First Grade

We are learning the letter Alef and at the same time the kids are learning vocabulary for Alef. They sing songs about Ariot, Alef letter, Tal Am kids and are working on the Shalom unit that deals with daily life in class. They hear and read stories from our big book, library books and play games with the new words. In Ya-hah-dut (judaics) we are learning about Rosh Hashanah, the Shofar and the symbols of the Holiday.

Thanks for last night..enjoyed it.Come again!!

• did much board work,compared temperature since began collecting data,compared yesterday and today's with two thermometer,noted meaning of C.and F. once more
• looked at poster showing correct writing posture,where to keep hands,practiced.
• completed a few pages in our handwriting workbook.
• worked on discovering what number we had difficulty forming or which may need to be "tweeked "for legibility ( no reference to a common ly used computer activity)
• played Monster Mash and a board game of "guess the missing number that comes before,between or after the numbers written on the board or your page
• count by fives and tens...please check to see where the breakdown occurs if there's a slow down anywhere with your child. The decade mark is often the stumper. Don't begin with 5 or 10,start at 15 or 25. See how far child will go. How far can you count before the light changes? Can you go farther at the next light? ...be creative with the automatic skill.
• if the fives and tens are solid,without parental mouthing or intervention,then move on to the 2s.
• wrote in our new Handwriting Books. Worked on making a nice,First Grade "a". It was fun to go to the board with the feeling"I just can't do it." and leave with"Ha! I did it".
• Read in our Social Studies book: People and Places. Ask how many stripes on our flag and why. How many stars? Why? Some may not yet remember the word "colonies".
• listened to the final chapter in our first book " Fluffy Goes to School".Fluffly sat on my lap Ask about story and how Fluffy managed to think quickly to get himself out of an embarressing situation. What was he what was he wearing and why? How did he get into those clothers? . They should repeat the plot.

We're beginning our vocabulary building book:Wordly Wise

We're reviewing the first five words and will do the next ones next week.Look for more suggestions for reinforcing these new words.

1. leap
2. .swamp
3. trunk
4. capital
5. nomument
6. steep
7. load
8. globe
9. coast
10. nation

homework due on Fri,can be handed in earlier.

Brief Overview of Today's Happenings

• reviewed skip counting by 5s,10s 2s
• read math story problem,showed how we solved it
• remembered to use correct units in our work..when we wrote the temperature we added the degree sign and said the answer was 9 boys in our math story
• listened toa N.O.A.A. weather radio that was using solar power.We looked at the solar panel.
• worked on reading our calendars.
• listened to a story about a little mouse who worried. We talked about some of us being worried about going to First Grade on the first day. It's good to find that sometimes other people worry about the same things.
• did a sample of the glyph we're doing for math homework.
• made a cut and paste chart of some things we think we can do well and some not so well.
• most of us think we do well in lots of things from cooking to listening to music and enjoying a story.
• tomorrow we've had a request for another game of Monster Mash in math
• we'll practice writing some numbers,get our handwriting books and write in our journal
• we'll be introduced to a book about a character named Fluffy,who is all id. .
• music tomorrow.
• What Can I Do If I'd Like to Extend the Lessons ?

• pour out some nickels on the table.The child guesses how much money in all,after telling you how much each nickel is worth. Then your child touches each coin,moves it over and counts out loud. See if the guess was right. Too much? Too little.
• do the same with pennies,two at a time.Dimes first.Tens are easier than counting by twos.
• If your child learns better by movement, try marching in place as they skip count,or take giant steps,or sway...be creative,get a rhythm going. Sing the numbers.
• don't always begin at the beginning..count from 15 to 115, or 20 to 190.
• remember...Your child counts!...double entendre intended.
• listen to child read aloud for ten min. nightly. If you need a more difficult or easier book,talk with me.

see you tomorrow night....and remember to keep in touch.

First Grade Art

First grade is exploring line in art. They were very excited to use rulers to create straight lines for their first art project. Each student created an abstract design, which they are filling in with patterns of line and color.

Lots of things happening in First Grade...

• Reminder: Lunchtime is later than Kindergarten.Please,include a sizable recess snack,even if hot lunch is ordered.

Thursday's Highlights:

• math count using manipulatives(sticks),numbers in correct place value slot,counting coin vlaue to track
• read simple math story problem,required to "show your work." Steps your brain used to get the answer.
• noted and posted birthdays,writing this month's on personal calendars
• N.O.A.A.Weather Radio,collected data on day's current temp. and atmospheric conditions.New voc. word: precipitation
• noted parts and whole...if one part missing,the object may not work.All parts interdependent(removed battery from radio,piece missing,won't work,why?)
• assessed letter formation and knowledge of lower case letter( reversals are normal ). We'll work on self awareness and self correction beginnning next week.
• read"Morris the Moose Goes to School" Morris sat politely on my lap as I read.
• reviewed author,characters. new vocab.word: Plot
• played with homonyms in story,predicted,read messages relayed by pictures,several copies of books and complete series on reading shelves to enjoy at leisure.
• free write in journals,with reminder of where to put date,drawing relates to journal content
• phonogram cards (letter sounds) ,reviewed digraph sound of "th",assisted in confusion of body part the "fum"is actually pronounced and spelled "thumb."
• signed in,making bar graph for attendance. Today's question same as yesterday.Yesterday,some children felt scared,some excited. Today,none scared ,just excited,sleepy or both,discussed how one could have more than one feeling at a time
• science safety,nose can give sense clue that teacher may have just wiped the board with rubbing alchol,put in drawer out of sight as safety precaution,saw flashlight,siren,flashing light on emergency weather radio,be prepared for unexpected events,
• viewed brief video-science safety and experiement, reasons for results. Video correlates with book found on science table. Discussed sometimes enjoy something so much want to hear story again,read book by same author again,see video again. All agreed wanted view this one again.
• .

Friday highlights

• daily math routine,listening and pulling out info.we choose to retrieve only by listening,collecting and comparing weather data,comparing temperature,higher/lower/the same. How much difference between them and why? Look for any discernable pattern as month continues.
• discuss and apply Derech Eretz principle s"Yes,please", "No,thank you",in more concrete ways than in Thurs.classroom game.
• receive handwriting book,browse, note correct way to sit,hold paper down,begin letter formation.

What Can I Do?

.encourage and model"Yes,please"."No,thank you".

• during 10 min. nightly oral reading(they read to you,the other way doesn't count),note "th"sounds,identify on display boards,advertisements,oral language. Guess at how the rest of the word might be spelled. notice how can be in intial,median or end of word.
• read story to child,predict what might happen next ,reasoning for prediction,name main and minor characters, plot ( what happened)
• walk quietly together.,listen to :many sounds in nature,what was it,why do you think,where in space is sound wave coming from?
• remember to keep in touch with me.

The first day in First Grade...

We were very busy.

• read a pop-up book about Bugs in School...learned two new words:manual (as in manual

pencil sharpener and manually turning the Weather Radio crank to make it give us the weather)and Paper-engineering (as in the process used in pop-up books).

• discussed concept of parts and whole...without the battery,plug or energy the radio or pencil sharpener will not do it's job.
• We can be sources of energy.

• dated our new calendars,filled in all of August,posted todays temperature and atmospheric conditions.
• toured the room,learning about each center
• rules for polite bathroom behavior, ..knock before trying the door.
• put our school supply boxes together for both Hebrew and English
• established a Supply Bank with our reserves in the back of the room
• reviewed some information in the Parent/Student handbook,found in the backpack.
• established the rule that the Agenda with your child's name,is to be taken to all classes,taken home and returned daily (not taken to lunch or P.E.)
• went to P.E. today
• made a sun visor to protect our eyes from the sun
• some children volunteered for a few vital jobs:door holder,recess door holder, gym door holder, end-line leader,greeter, etc. More jobs will be given as the week progresses.
• reviewed parts of Agenda. No homework tonight, just reading.Remember to mark it in the Reading section of the Agenda.
• Please return summer homework.
• ate in the lunchroom. Remember,Wed. is ice cream for $1.00 as eighth grade fundraiser
• estimated (predicted) how many teeth would be lost by the entire class by June
• added up number of teeth currently loose in First Grade population
• revised our predictions of:100 lost,3,5 and 12....will return to estimate in Jan. to see if based on current loss data collected,estimate needs further revision.

See backpack for Parent/Student Handbook.

Tomorrow

• begin count of Days in school,use coin count of day
• wonderful,brief video of science experiments which correlate with those seen in a science book on our science table.
• Summary: It was a busy day.We all did well.
• Please keep in touch.