Dear Parents,

It’s hard to believe that the March Break is almost here and we will soon be into the third term of grade one!  Your children continue to impress me as they mature academically and socially.  We have a wonderful class

We continue to work on building reading skills. It is important that the children not only concentrate on individual words and sounds, but also listen to the context of the whole sentence and story. At various rates, most of the children are building a sight word reading vocabulary. These are our word wall words that they can read from memory. Discussing and retelling stories they read at home helps to develop thinking and comprehension skills.

In Writing, we are learning how to write explanations – how something works or why something happens.

In Phonics, we will study the short vowel i (it, is) and the digraphs “ch, sh, th, wh. Then we will learn the short vowel “o” (on, off) and the consonants blends “ bl, cl, fl, gl, pl, sl, br, cr, dr, fr, gr, pr, and tr.

In Math, we continue to study numbers to 100, with emphasis on realizing that a two-digit number is a code that means there are enough things to make groups of ten with extra ones left over. For example, 74 means there would be enough things to make 7 groups or bundles of ten, with 4 things left over.

Many children have run out of pencils, erasers, colouring things, and glue. Please send a fresh supply of any of these items if your child needs them.

Help - we have also used up all of our Kleenex (lots of runny noses)! If you have a box you could spare, we would appreciate it!

Thank you!

Elizabeth Marshall

A class list went home last night (February 3) on  purple paper.  This should help students who choose to give valentines to all of their friends on Friday, February 12.

Dear Parents,   

Tuesday, February 9 is the 100^th day that the children will have attended school this year.  We will be celebrating “100 Day” with various activities about the number concept of 100.  I am asking that each child bring in:· A set of 100 small objects such as buttons, pennies, toothpicks, shells, beans, noodles, etc., so that we can investigate these sets of 100 by grouping them into tens, counting them and discovering much about what makes 100.  For this activity it would be best if the objects cannot break apart (cereal, crackers) or roll around too much. 

Our class will be exchanging our valentines on Friday, February 12 in the afternoon.  This is an optional activity.  I will send home a class list with each child.  If you choose to send treats, they must be pre-packaged with a list of ingredients included.  Please remember we cannot accept any treats that may contain traces of peanuts or may be manufactured on the same equipment that processes products with peanuts.  For this reason we are also not allowed to accept any homemade treats. 

In Language Arts, we are working to help the children develop their reading skills by using phonics, picture cues, and words that make sense, when decoding unfamiliar words.  When reading stories with your child, you may wish to look for: endings (s, ed, ing), compound words (ex. snowman), root words, and contractions (‘s, n’t).  It is beneficial to discuss the stories your child reads to you and to ask many types of questions including ones where your child will have to gather the information from the story and formulate an answer or opinion.  It is also very important to have your child retell the story.  All of the events, important details, and characters should be included in the retell. 

In Math, we will continue to study addition and subtraction.  Children are learning to realize the process that is required to solve a problem.  At home, please challenge your child with stories involving numbers and have him or her determine if it is a situation involving addition or subtraction, and what the answer is.  Please also continue practising addition and subtraction facts with your child.  We will also be studying 2-D shapes.  We continue to study the number system to 100 and counting patterns by 1’s, 5’s, and 10’s to 100.  Emphasis will be placed on what each two-digit number means, grouping tens and ones, and being able to print single two-digit numbers from memory. 

Please continue to check with your child to see if he or she needs any pencils or colouring things. 

Thank you! 

Elizabeth Marshall 

Dear Parents, 

Happy New Year!  I hope all of you had an enjoyable holiday season!  We seem to have settled back into our classroom routines.  The next six months will be full of wonderful changes for your child. 

As children advance in their reading, they should be using more sounds to read, as well as the other reading strategies listed in their Ziploc bags and first Reading Duotangs.  When reading a story at home, it is a good idea to have your child retell it in his/her own words.  This is an excellent way of knowing whether or not your child understands the story.  Also, by asking higher level thinking questions, you are helping to develop your child’s thinking skills beyond just knowing the basic facts.  I am sending you a page with ideas for these types of questions.   

It is also important to have your child reread the pages in his/her duotangs (more than once).  Through drill and repetition, your child’s skills will develop.  Thank you for signing all of the reading and word study pages.   

We continue to study consonant sounds.  Beginning and final sounds are stressed when spelling.  Many children are able to hear and record middle consonant sounds also.  We have studied the endings s, ed, and ing.  Looking for these in stories is a reinforcing activity.  You may wish to discuss the root word before the ending was added and find compound words made from two words (ex. snowman). 

Thank you for replenishing your child’s school supplies.  Please continue to regularly check with your child to see if he or she needs any pencils, erasers, etc.  They do use them up rather quickly.  It would be helpful if each child would have his/her own small pencil sharpener with a compartment for shavings, as many of the children need to sharpen their pencils often.   

Please send an extra pair of mittens and extra socks in your child’s school bag at this time of year.  Also, please make sure your child’s name or initials appear on all winter wear. 

Thank you for your continued support! 

                                                                        Sincerely, 

                                                                        Elizabeth Marshall

Dear Parents, 

Our class is getting very excited that Christmas is fast approaching!  It’s hard to believe our first term is finished!  I am amazed at how much your children have progressed since September.  Grade One is such a special year and we have a wonderful class which makes it even more special! 

Most children have received their first certificates for reading 25 or more stories at home.  The sheets for recording stories read at home continue to be in your child’s Ziploc bag (unless you are keeping it at home), and any story read at home in order to develop your child’s reading skills may be recorded.  A certificate is awarded for every 25 stories read and the children’s names are added to the bookworm in our hall.  Please concentrate on the skill of retelling stories with your child.  This is very important in developing comprehension skills.  After reading with your child, discuss who was in the story, where it took place, and the events that happened.   

Please continue to have your child practice the word wall pages each night until your child knows them perfectly and can read them with ease. 

With the impending arrival of cold snowy weather it is always a good idea for the children to have an extra pair of mittens and socks tucked away in their school bags.  Please put their names or initials on all belongings they bring or wear to school, including boots. 

On Friday, December 18, the last day before Christmas holidays, I will send home the children’s indoor/gym shoes.  Please check them for size and quality, and send them back on Monday, January 4.  If you need to purchase a new pair, please keep in mind our school’s white-soles policy.  Also, please consider buying shoes with Velcro instead of laces, as kids have a hard time lacing them up 3 times each day and they end up a safety issue. 

Please continue to check with your child to see what school supplies he or she may need.  Many children continue to run out of pencils, erasers, and colouring things.  I will also send home their pencil cases on the last day before break so you can see what is needed.  Thank you for replenishing their supplies!  It would be appreciated if the kids could have their own small pencil sharpeners (preferably with a cover for the shavings).  On Wednesday, December 2 we will be having a “Christmas Craft Morning” starting at 9:35.  I will need several adults to help make Christmas decorations with the children.  Please send a note as soon as possible if you are able to come and help.  We will be making crafts with small groups of 4 to 5 children.  I plan to be finished by 11:30 at the latest. 

On Monday, December 7 please send an empty shoebox, Kleenex box, cereal box, or something suitable, so that your child can bring his or her Christmas ornaments home.  Tissue paper inside would help lessen the chance of breakage during the transport home.  I would appreciate it if you would also send Christmas wrapping paper to wrap up the box.  We will be wrapping our treasures with the help of grade 5/6 students. Thank you and Merry Christmas! 

Elizabeth Marshall

Dear Parents,  

We are all working hard and settling into the routines of Grade One!  In reading, we are continuing to work on tracking skills and getting a feel of the “rhythm” of the English language.  Some important points to stress with your child are reading has to make sense, and we read to get information.  As your child’s sight word vocabulary continues to expand, it is important for your child to check that he or she is pointing to the correct word as it is being said.  When a page has been read, ask your child to point out specific words or sounds.  Ask questions about the stories your child reads.  Retelling a story is an especially important skill for your child to learn. 

Our main focus in word study continues to be consonant sounds along with the short vowel “a”, as in ‘a’ or ‘an’.  Most children are trying to use the sounds they know when writing stories.  They are beginning to place periods at the end of sentences and learning that sentences start with capital letters.  We are also stressing the use of lower case letters!

We continue to work on our school board’s focus on the forms of writing.  We will be working on Narrative Writing this month.  Children are writing make-believe stories with problems and solutions.

We already have some budding readers in our class, and many have already received their first certificates for reading 25 stories or more at home.  The sheet for recording stories read at home continues to be in your child’s Ziploc bag (unless you have chosen to keep it at home), and any story read at home in order to develop reading skills may be recorded.  A certificate is awarded for every 25 stories read.  The children’s names also go up in the hall as part of our bookworm.  Hopefully, this month all the children will reach and surpass the 25-story mark.  If your child has misplaced his or her Ziploc bag, please replace it for them.  If you need another reading log, please let me know. 

In Math, I will send a newsletter home at the beginning of each unit describing what we will be studying and giving suggestions for you to use at home.   

Regular practise of the word wall is important until your child knows the words perfectly and can read them with ease.  Our weekly word wall sheets are in your child’s Word Study duotangs. 

Other Classroom News 

·        Some of the children have been bringing in toys from home.  As I mentioned in  September, I am requesting that toys be left at home, since many problems arise from toys being at school.  We have had toys misplaced, taken, and played with in class – all of which take away from learning time.  Sports equipment for outside play are welcome. 

·        Please continue to check your child’s hair for head lice and nits. 

·        Each morning at first nutrition break, the children choose foods that come from the four food groups.  The provincial curriculum for Healthy Living states that in grade one the children should be able to identify and give examples of foods from the four food groups, as well as be able to choose healthy snacks.  We are using Canada’s Food Guide as a guideline, in which dessert type treats, candy, and “junk food” are not considered part of any food group.  We save these treats for dessert at second break (when blood sugar levels are lower)!   

PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR CHILD TO SEE IF HE OR SHE HAS ENOUGH PENCILS, ERASERS, AND A FULL SET OF CRAYONS AT SCHOOL.  MANY CHILDREN ARE IN NEED OF THESE THINGS. 

I am amazed at how much the children have already progressed since September, especially in their writing.  We have a wonderful group of kids and Grade One is such a special year!  If there is anyone who would like to discuss their child’s progress at this time, please contact me by note or phone and we can set up an interview.  It’s always best to address concerns as they arise, and not to wait for a specified interview day.  Thank you for all of the support and guidance you give your child in helping with homework each night! 

Elizabeth Marshall 

It is hard to believe that it’s almost Thanksgiving already!  The children are settling nicely into our classroom routines, and we are all working hard.  Each child in our class is a unique and special person and I am enjoying getting to know each of them! 

In reading, we have been concentrating on the left to right direction of words and sentences.  The children are being exposed to many basic words through meaningful stories, poems, and songs with much repetition.  Finger tracking word for word of familiar songs and poems is important in the beginning reading process.  It is a good idea to discuss your child’s reading homework with him/her before you have him/her read it to you (or with you).  This helps your child to have an idea of what the story, song, or poem is about, and it will be easier to decode all of those new words.  Doing a “picture walk” before a story is read, where you discuss all the pictures using special vocabulary words from the story and build the story from the pictures, is very helpful. 

We are beginning the Guided Reading component of our language program next week.  Children will be divided into flexible groups where they will be reading books at an appropriate level for them to best learn and practise reading strategies and retelling skills (comprehension).  Their Ziploc bags may contain a book from the guided reading lesson or a book they have chosen during independent reading.  Please record these books on your child’s reading log.  A few parents have asked if they may include books from home on the book list in the zip-loc bag.  Yes – if it is a book you have read together to improve any reading skills.  Retelling a story is a very important skill that could be practised at this time as well.  You may wish to keep the reading log at home and send it back when your child has completed 25 stories.  We already have some children who have read 25 or more stories!  Please remember to send the book and the bag back the next day. In word study, we have reviewed rhyming words and are now studying consonant sounds.  Encourage your child to listen for beginning sounds and have your child point out and find sounds in words.  Sounding out words completely is not appropriate for beginning readers – it is better to look at just the first sound (the “popper”) and incorporate other reading strategies at the same time.  These are listed in the reading duotang. 

Our class is also learning actions to go along with each letter sound we learn.  This kinesthetic learning approach will help students not only in their reading but also in their spelling.  It is a good idea for parents to learn these actions also, as you will be able to use them when helping your child.  For example, when your child gets stuck while reading, you can point to the first letter and make the action.  Chances are your child will then know the beginning sound.  Also, when your child wants to know how to spell a word, you can break it down into sounds and make the actions at the same time, which helps your child to better recall the proper letter for the sound.  This phonemic awareness is a crucial step to good reading and good spelling – being able to break down a word into its sounds.  Knowing the sounds of the letters is more important for reading and spelling than knowing the names of the letters. In writing, we have finished up our unit on “Recount Writing” and are now beginning to write “Narrative Stories”.  Children will get a chance to use their imaginations to write make-believe stories with problems and solutions.  We also continue to work on developing our stories with a beginning, middle and end.  Children are encouraged to think about or plan their stories first and then write one sentence at a time using one “magic line” for each word.  This helps beginning writers to put spaces between words.  We then encourage the children to correctly spell words that are on “Our Word Wall” or that are on “anchor charts” in our classroom.  They are encouraged to use their phonetic spelling for the other words.

In math, we have learned to identify and create patterns.  We have also worked on the concepts of more, less, and equal.  We are now studying numbers to 30.  The Nelson Math program is being used in our school board from Kindergarten to Grade 8.  I will send a letter in the children’s note pockets, in the Communication duotangs, at the beginning of each new unit in math. 

Mrs. Beausoleil is teaching the Social Studies program to our class while I teach the Science program to her class for two periods a week. 

 At times you may notice comments such as “Completed with teacher’s help” or “with assistance” on your child’s work.  This is to indicate to you that your child is experiencing difficulty in this area and that extra help at home would be beneficial. 

In our classroom, we have a positive reward system where children work together in their groups to earn points.  Children are rewarded for demonstrating positive behaviour, modeling our “Tribes” classroom agreements, following routines, and for practising good work habits.  This system fosters co-operation and leadership skills.  At the end of each week, the group or groups with the most points receive a small prize.  Any prizes you could donate would be appreciated.  For example, pencils, stickers, erasers, small toys from restaurants would be appropriate. 

We continue to require peanut/nut-free lunches and snacks.  This includes products that say “may contain traces of peanuts”.  Thank you to all for respecting this important practice. Many children require more pencils and erasers.  They go through them quickly!  Please check with your child to see if he/she needs any school supplies.   

A note is going home soon about our field trip to the Safety Village in Chatham on Monday, November 2.  Parent volunteers are welcome!                       

Information regarding Halloween activities will follow towards the end of the month. 

Thank you for working with your children each night.  Your continued support will certainly enhance their learning this year!   

Sincerely,     

Elizabeth Marshall             

SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER 

Dear Parents, 

It is with great enthusiasm that I begin the 2009-2010 school year as your child’s Grade One teacher!  During our first few weeks I am looking forward to getting to know my new group of children.  If I have not already done so, I hope to meet you soon, as well! 

I would like to explain some of the routines and requirements for your child this year.  Our class will have Library every Day 2 (usually a Tuesday).  It is important that the children learn to return their books on time in order for them to have full Library privileges.   

Physical Education classes will be taught in the gym on Days 4 and 5 (usually Thurday and Friday) by Mr. Munroe.  He will also do some Daily Quality Physical Activity (DQPA) with our class on the other 3 days.  Your child will need a pair of white-soled gym shoes which will be worn at all times inside the school, as he or she will take his or her outdoor shoes off when coming in from outside.  VELCRO CLOSURES OR ATHLETIC SLIP-ONS ARE RECOMMENDED AND GREATLY APPRECIATED FOR GRADE ONE.  It has been my experience that most grade one children have great difficulty in properly tying their laces independently each and every time they come inside!  Often the laces end up knotted and/or untied and become a safety issue for children. 

The children will have French with Madame Kelly and Social Studies with Mrs. Beausoleil. 

I am sending a reminder list of the supplies requested for Grade One.  School supplies get used up or misplaced by the children throughout the year.  I will stress with the children to look after their supplies carefully, but they will frequently require additional supplies to replace old or misplaced ones (especially pencils and erasers).  Please send only a few pencils and erasers at a time and check with your child often to see if they need anything. 

All supplies and clothing (ex. running shoes, shoes, boots, hats, coats, etc.) should be permanently marked with your child’s name or initials.  Children will need a labeled change of clothes at school, in case of accidents, spills, mud, etc.  Please put them in a labeled plastic bag and we will keep the bags on the shelf above the coat hooks. 

I am requesting that toys be left at home as they are easily misplaced or damaged when among so many children.    

If your child wishes to bring sports equipment to school such as a skipping rope, ball, etc., please make sure it is permanently marked with your child’s name or initials. 

Please remember we are a nut-aware school and snacks containing nuts or “may contain traces of nuts” will be sent back home.  

Please keep me advised of current, as well as any changes, in transportation arrangements.  A note from a parent is required when there is a change in the regular routine.  

I plan to include our class newsletters on our school website - (www.tapsfalcons.com).  It is a very user friendly site - please check it out! 

This year will be such a wonderful year of changes for your child.  Please feel free to call me about your concerns throughout the year (682-2260).  I look forward to working with you in helping your child have a successful and enjoyable grade one experience!  I sincerely thank you in advance for your cooperation and support. 

Sincerely, 

Elizabeth Marshall

I have added a link (I hope) to a great math website for grade 1 students www.mathville.com/grade1.  Your log on is fun87.  Your password is numbers.  Have fun!

Welcome to our class website!   I will try my best to put our class newsletters, and possibly other information on our site.  I look forward to seeing everyone on the first day of school!