August 25, 2014

Here are a few items that we will need in class. If you are able to send any of these to school by THURSDAY please let me know!

• colored icing (2-3 jars should be plenty)
• sprinkles
• lizard or fish-shaped cookie cutters
• glitter glue (not sprinkle glitter) 
• nature-inspired decorations (feathers, natural colored beads, pom-poms, etc)

We also need donations for our class treasure box! Think small, inexpensive toys, books, and goodies. The dollar section at Target is always a great place to find treasure box items. 

 *I give Treasure Box at random times when I notice a small group of students exhibiting a behavior that I would like for others to mimic. If your child doesn’t get a prize from the Treasure Box on a day that someone else did, ask them what they noticed their friend doing [or not doing] that they weren’t. I try to be very specific with my expectations and praises so that my students have a clear goal to work towards. 

REMINDERS:

> Signed papers will go home every TUESDAY in your child’s red folder. However, I will also use the red folder to send home make-up work, notes from school, and homework on most occasions. Please check this folder any time that it’s in your child’s backpack!

> These are the websites that need an icon (shortcut) on your child’s iPad:

1. Rosetta Stone (also need the app)

2. Moby Max

3. Discovery Education

> Don't forget to pack your child a healthy snack and drink on the days that they order lunch. 

GRADELINK / PROGRESS REPORTS:

I will hopefully be posting conduct/ participation comments on Gradelink tomorrow. Please remember to check that on Tuesday and Friday afternoons. 

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Reading / Language Arts (yellow folder):

We are still reading A Color of His Own by Leo Leoni this week. We are focusing on story elements (character, setting, problem, & solution) during reading groups.

In Language, we are using our Writer’s Checklist to form complete sentences in response to our text. 

Math (blue folder):

Chapter 1 of “My Math” uses various methods to demonstrate the concept of addition. We are working towards number sentences that require adding without the use of pictures. 

Social Science:

We are finishing our Rainbow Fish activities, and continuing the learn about being a good friend using the concept of “pay it forward” or being a bucket-filler. 

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I can always be reached by email at lisaainsworth@benedictdayschool.com any time that you have a question or concern! :) 

Hi Fabulous First Grade parents!! 

I have spent this past week getting to know your sweet children, and we have been doing some fun back-to-school activities. I have to say, we may have the best class at BDS! I have never enjoyed the beginning of school as much I as did this week. I hope that your children had just as much fun as their teachers did! ;) 

REMINDERS:
*PE is on Monday. Don't forget to dress your child in tennis shoes and athletic wear. 

*If you have not sent your child’s $5.00 to purchase our butterfly kit, please try to send it on Monday.

*Please check the list of apps to make sure that your child has them all. We will be using these during small group instructional time. 

*Don't forget to pack your child a healthy snack and drink on the days that they order lunch. 

TROUBLESHOOTING:
1. The Splash Math app requires a parent to sign in before your child can begin playing. The app tracks your child's progress on each level / skill and emails the reports to you! Please sign in (on your child's iPad) with your email address so that we can begin using this app next week.

2.  Rosetta Stone -

Parents,

Please download the free Rosetta Stone app. titled Rosetta Course.  Because the iPad doesn’t have Adobe Flash, the program won’t work properly.  However, the website links to the app and allows the program to load and work properly.  You simply need to download the app; please do not try to log on through the app.  I will go in through the website and log your child on.  If you open the app, it will show a screen asking for your email.  I will not need any of that information.  I will work with your child next week to log them in. 

Thank you for your patience.

Jennifer Bertram

GRADELINK / PROGRESS REPORTS:
First grade [and kindergarten] will have a different format on Gradelink than other grades because the students are still being monitored for their progress rather than given a numerical grade. I will send home progress reports every six weeks summarizing your child's academic and conduct performance during that term.
Gradelink will show you attendance each day as well as your child's overall conduct and participation at school. I will post comments on Tuesday [when signed papers go home] and Friday afternoons [to summarize the week]. You will also be able to see comments from your child’s activity teachers (PE, art, music, Spanish) and Mrs. Lisa (conceptual). 
We are still in the process of getting Gradelink set up for K and 1st so please be patient. I will let you know as soon as we are up and running. As always, I will contact you directly if we have any issues that need to be resolved immediately. 

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Looking ahead:
Miss Samantha and I will spend next week going through some reading, spelling, writing, and math assessments with each child as we begin small group / center instruction time. This data will be used to help plan our curriculum so that we may customize our lessons to meet each child's needs and keep them engaged and challenged. 

Reading / Language Arts (yellow folder):
We will begin sight words next week during reading. When I determine the list that your child needs to begin working on I will send that list home, and you may reset your child's Sight Words Pro app to quiz them on the word list they need to practice.

Next week we will be reading A Color of His Own by Leo Leoni. We will be doing some fun crafts and activities with the book, and also using it to discuss what makes each person unique and why it's good to be different! 

Math (blue folder):
We will start using our "My Math" textbooks next week, although I may not always follow the pacing of the book. If I add anything important for that week it will be in your child's blue math folder. Miss Samantha and I will change out the study sheets in that folder depending on what skills we are practicing. 

Social Science:
Our class quote this year is one of my favorites, by Ralph Waldo Emerson: 
Do not follow where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail. 
Our reading book this week will be a great introduction to our Social Science unit.

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Finally, I want to say THANK YOU to each and every parent who has welcomed me to BDS. I feel so blessed that my family and I get to be part of such an amazing group of people who are driven to provide the best educational experience possible for our children.

I hope that everyone has a fun and restful weekend! 

:)

Mrs. Lisa