Mrs. Dillon's Blog

WEEKLY NEWS FROM ROOM 114

THIS WEEKS NEWS
Nov. 2 - 6, 2009
I am really enjoying your children. They are so eager to learn. I see such growth in them in just this short amount of time.
We had a wonderful Halloween Party thanks to our Room Mom, Mrs. Condon and all of the parents who volunteered to help. Thanks to all of you who were so very generous with the candy and prizes you sent!!

NOTES AND REMINDERS
Our new "star" of the week is: Ryan. Please bring your pictures on Monday.

Most of the children can tie their shoes but for those few who can't, please show them at home how to tie their shoes. Everyone needs to be able to tie their own shoes after Christmas.
***Now that we are in sweat shirt weather for gym, please be sure to label ALL GYM CLOTHES - SWEATSHIRTS, PANTS AND SHORTS.

SCHOLASTIC BOOK ORDERS ARE DUE ON NOVEMBER 2.

I was so happy with the October book reports. I have them hanging in the classroom. I will not be returning any of the monthly book reports. They will be saved and put into the memory book I make at the end of the school year.

UPCOMING EVENTS
We want to wish Will a Happy Birthday on Nov. 5.

Special lunch is on Wednesday, Nov. 4.

HOMEWORK
Monday through Thursday the children will be bringing home the reader. Please read the phonics story "Jog, Frog, Jog" on Mon. and Tues. night. Read "Tadpole to Frog" on Wed. and Thurs. night. The new sound will be short/o/ and "s" plurals (cats, dogs). Sight test, spelling test, and workbook pages used for assessment will be given on Friday.

In math, we will continue with beginning subtraction and vertical addition. I plan to start assigning a certain block of math facts to be memorized. We will make flash cards at school and they should be practiced every night.

We will be learning about many Saints during the month of November. A Saints book will come home as we conclude our unit.

NEW SIGHT WORDS:
does
he
into
this
water

NEW SPELLING WORDS:
job
jobs
dog
dogs
log
logs

As always, contact me with any questions. Have a good week.
Mrs. Dillon

WEEKLY NEWS FROM ROOM 114

THIS WEEKS NEWS
Nov. 9 - 13, 2009
We completed our leaf lesson in science this week. The class brought in such wonderful leaves that we were able to classify and categorize them. We used graphs and pictures to report the findings. We watched a United Streaming video of the 4 seasons. The leaf rubbings turned out great and to end the lesson they chose one leaf and turned it into a great drawing. I'm amazed at their creativity. The pictures are in the hall and other teachers have stopped in to tell the class what a great job they did!!
NOTES AND REMINDERS
Ryan did a great job as our star of the week. Our new "star" of the week is: Angelina . Please bring your pictures on Monday, Nov. 9.
School pictures went home last Wednesday. Please return any unwanted pictures or money by Nov. 13.
It's a great help in class if your children can tie their own shoes. Some are really getting the knack, others still need some work.

UPCOMING EVENTS
The first trimester ends this Friday, November 13. Report cards will be going home on Wednesday, November 18, 2009. We will meet for parent-teacher conferences on Nov. 23. Your time slot will be sent home.

HOMEWORK
Monday through Thursday the children will be bringing home the reader. Please read the phonics story "A Big Job" on Mon. and Tues. night. Read "Sweet Potato Pie" on Wed. and Thurs. night. The phonics skills we will cover this week are short/o/ and the -s and -ing endings. These are the last two stories in Level 1.2. There are some excellent review pages at the end of the book. Feel free to go over the sentences and Pictionary words found between pages 202 and 222. Sight test, spelling test, and workbook pages used for assessment will be given on Friday. We will have a whole 1.2 sight test during the short week before Thanksgiving. I will send the list home this week to study. There will be a homework sheet on Tues. and Thurs. this week.

In math, we will continue with beginning subtraction facts, seeing subtraction in a vertical form and choosing the correct math operation to solve word problems. In school, I gave everyone a bag with 12 bottle tops. We use those right now to aid in the computation of the facts. We will also begin to learn how to use touch point math especially for addition facts when we begin the next chapter.

We will continue to learn about different saints this month. Our bulletin board in the hallway reflects all of your little "first grade" saints and the good works they do for all of us. It is beautiful.

NEW SIGHT WORDS:
by
eat
sing
stop
them

NEW SPELLING WORDS:
hot
not
got
mop
hop
top

As always, contact me with any questions. Have a good week.
Mrs. Dillon

WEEKLY NEWS FROM ROOM 114

THIS WEEKS NEWS
Nov. 16 - 20, 2009
When you read the newsletter we will have completed the first trimester of first grade. The newness of this year has worn off and the class is ready to really take off. I will be expecting more from the class as far as independent work goes, not as much guidance from me. I'm thrilled with how well adjusted the children have become to our classroom and first grade! Thanks for all you do at home. I can't do my job without your help.

NOTES AND REMINDERS
Angelina did a great job as our star of the week. Our new "star" of the week is: Claire. Please bring your pictures to school on Monday.
I won't be sending a newsletter on Fri. Nov 20, because the following week will be so short due to parent -teacher conferences and Thanksgiving. I will send my next letter on Monday, Nov. 30.

***Reminder: the Nov. book report is due on Friday, Nov.20.*****

UPCOMING EVENTS
I look forward to meeting with all of you on Monday, Nov. 23 for Parent - Teacher conferences. Your conference time will be sent home shortly.

HOMEWORK
We will begin the new 1.3 reader this Monday. The book socks can be removed from the 1.2 reader and just put it right on the 1.3 reader. Please read "The Big Mess" on Monday and Tuesday night. Read "The Little Red Hen" on Wednesday and Thursday night. The phonics skills to be covered this week are short /e/ and double final consonants like ball and call.
The sight test, spelling test, and workbook pages used for assessment will be given on Friday. Please continue to practice all the sight words from 1.1 and 1.2. The complete 1.2 sight test will be given during the week (*note the change on this*)
We will complete chapter 3 in Math this week with a test on Tuesday. Chapter 4 will cover counting on from one number to the next and turn around facts: (3+2=5, 2+3=5)

NEW SIGHT WORDS:
help
now
said
so
who

NEW SPELLING WORDS:
red
bed
fed
tell
well
mess

You all have my best wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm so blessed to have my own family and to be a part of your families this year as I guide your children through First Grade. Thank you!

As always, contact me if you have any questions. Have a good week.

Mrs. Dillon

WEEKLY NEWS FROM ROOM 114

THIS WEEKS NEWS
Nov. 30 - Dec. 4, 2009
I'm sending my weekly newsletter today for this week. If time permits I will try to send another one on Thursday (Dec. 3) for the following week.
It was my pleasure to meet all of you at conferences. You have wonderful children!
We are in the season of Advent. The children are anxiously awaiting the birth of Jesus. We have made an Advent wreath that hangs on their lockers. They will "light" their advent candles every Monday on their lockers.

NOTES AND REMINDERS
Claire did a great job as our star of the week. Our new "star" of the week is: Jack. You should have your pictures today.

The Reading tests that I give on Friday will be given as an independent test from now on. I'm not going to read the whole test to the class. I will help any children needing help during the test. I will evaluate how the class responds to the test given in this manner and make any necessary adjustments for the following week. Look for the test to be in the home folder on Monday.

UPCOMING EVENTS
"Special Lunch is this Wed. Dec. 2

There is no school on Friday, Dec. 4 due to a faculty retreat.

Dec 6. is the feast day of St. Nicholas.

HOMEWORK
Please read "Yes We Want Some Too" on Mon. Read "Cat Traps" on Tues. and Wed. The phonics skills for this week are short /e/ and r and l blends. The spelling test, sight test and workbook pages that I use to assess will be given on Thursday (no school on Friday.)

The class has begun to make flash cards with the facts that I want them to memorize. They should always have them in their school bag because we will use them during class time. Please practice the cards each night and there is a sheet for you to initial in the home folder on the nights when your child practiced. I will check this daily and give stickers when I see an initial. It is very important to memorize these facts during the first grade year. Please feel free to move on with the facts if your child is progressing faster than the cards we make in school.

Just a reminder: if your child is absent and the reading book is sent home, I do not list what should be read because it's on my newsletter each Friday and also on my blog. The class knows by now that the phonics story is read on Monday and Tuesday and the literature story is read on Wednesday and Thursday. Thanks.

NEW SIGHT WORDS:
for
good
some
too
want

NEW SPELLING WORDS:
met
pet
let
get
ten
yes

As always, contact me with any questions. Have a good week.
Mrs. Dillon