Thursday, August 26th

We made it to the end of our first full week of first grade! For a rainy week with almost no recess, we did a great job:)! We are already getting used to our new first grade routines. We practiced Reading Workshop time this week and we are already pros. Every child is spending 2o minutes M-Th reading in a small group on his/her own reading level. In whole group reading we started our unit called "Let's Read". This week we focused on poetry and its elements. Our main reading strategy was "Asking Questions". Good readers ask questions while they are reading to help them understand better. During Bible time we learned about how God created the Earth in six days out of nothing. We are amazed by his power. In science we've started a unit on Earth's features. We are learning about continents, rivers, mountains, valleys, lakes and plains. See if your child can sing the "Continents" song to you! Tomorrow we will use all food products to make a model of these features and then we will eat it. I hope to have photos up of our fun day this weekend.
I can't wait until Open House next week to show you all the things your child will be learning this year. Please make every effort to attend. We will go over a lot of important information.
Earlier this week your child received a picture envelope. Students will have individual pictures taken in uniform next Thursday. Send the envelope back before that day to order your package. If you forget, you can still stop by the office afterward and order.
If you would like to volunteer to help during our Reading Workshop time, please write a note letting me know when you will be available in your child's agenda. Due to some changes in our specialist schedule, we will have Reading Workshop in the afternoon. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be from 1:30-2:30 and Thursday will be 1-2. I'd like to have the final schedule ready by Open House so let me know by Monday if you can.
If you are reading this before Friday afternoon, there is a good chance that more information will be added so you may want to check back:)

The secret word is "Creation". Write this word on Monday's spot in the agenda and your child will receive five chips!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Dawn Newland