Miss Foster's Fabulous First Grade
September 2016 Newsletter
Dear Parents
In September, we are busy reviewing many skills learned last year in Kindergarten. We are reviewing each letter of the alphabet, the sounds they make, and words that begin with them. This review period will provide a strong base for us to build our phonics work upon in first grade. Finally, we are also reviewing several of the "popcorn words" that your child learned in kindergarten. In first grade, we call these words sight words - they are the words that are difficult to sound out because they do not follow traditional spelling patterns. You should see the words we are working on coming home in the homework packet each week. It is imperative that your child be able to recognize these words within 3 seconds or less. Cut the words apart in the homework packet and use them as flashcards daily. We also practice them daily in school with sticker books. The students earn stickers next to the words as they master them. Any words not mastered continue to be practiced daily with me one-on-one.
We are also reviewing the Daily Five procedures. In the Daily Five, students select from authentic reading and writing choices, working independently toward personalized goals, while the teacher meets individual needs through whole-group and small-group instruction, as well as one-on-one conferring. These choices include
- Read to Self
- Work on Writing
- Read to a Partner
- Listen to Reading
- Word Work
- An added 6th station in our classroom is Technology (either on an iPad or on computers)
Daily 5 classrooms produce productive, highly engaged students who are developing a true love of literacy! Your child most likely learned about the Daily 5 in Kindergarten and we will continue that work in First Grade. Ask your child how many minutes we have built our stamina for working independently up to so far (10 minutes!)! Currently we are working on building independence in read to self, listening to reading, word work and technology. The other stations will come within the next several weeks.
In math, we are talking about counting and comparing numbers and adding. We use a Math Workshop model to ensure that all of the students are being instructed at their own pace and level. We will be learning how to play various math games and using technology, like the iPad minis and laptops, to enhance our learning of the subject. Your child may be able to tell you some of the games we have already used or the apps they have used.
September is also a time for us to get to know one another and our classroom! We will be doing many activities to help us become a classroom community of learners! One activity we did was a scavenger hunt called "Find a Friend Who Likes..." and the students found out that many of them have a lot in common. We're having a wonderful time getting to know our classmates and we are all looking forward to a fabulous year! :)
Lastly, thank you so much to all of the parents for their willingness to help and volunteer in some way. I have finally finished organizing all of your paperwork and requests and have begun to get volunteers scheduled. Volunteers will begin in October and an online sign up has already been sent out. I only send the sign-up to those who indicated on their paperwork that they were willing to volunteer at school. If you did not receive the email and are interested in volunteering, please let me know. Be sure you have all of the necessary clearances before signing up to volunteer. Information on clearances can be found here: http://www.boyertownasd.org/domain/1253.
Class Directory
Scholatic Reading Clubs
Here's how it works:
- Go to the website https://clubs2.scholastic.com/ and click on "Parents Connect to your Teacher"
- When prompted enter our one-time class activation code GQ38V. This will ensure that your order is sent to me.
- Select the books that you and your child have chosen together, or that you are surprising him/her with. There are several more titles available online to select from than in the flyers!
- Send your child's order to me online by the due date and pay online and your child's books will be sent directly to me within a few weeks.
If you are surprising your child, please let me know so I can send the books home discretely or leave them in the office for you to pick up.
The next book order is due October 7th!
Class DOJO
On Fridays, students will use the Class DOJO points they have eared that week to "buy" coupons for class prizes. These prizes vary by points earned throughout the week. Your child will bring home a manila envelope on Friday so they can show you the prize they have chosen. Each child will have a PRIZE DAY the following week, which is listed on the envelope. On that day, they can redeem their coupon for the prize they have chosen. I will leave their envelopes in their folder until their prize day, so it does not get lost in their desk. If you have any questions regarding Class DOJO or prizes, please do not hesitate to contact me!
Snack Time
ALL snacks must be PEANUT FREE! Also, remember this should be a small snack and not multiple items or something large like a sandwich because we only have about 10-15 minutes for snacking. Getting used to the long first grade day can be a bit difficult and often times we need a little pick-me-up in the afternoon!
Your child may also bring a water bottle to school each day. It will sit on your student's desk and they may get a drink whenever they feel thirsty. I would appreciate if you do not send in any juice or soda in their water bottles or juice boxes, as those items will cause sticky messes if spilled. Students that have these items will be asked to put them back in their backpacks and use the water fountain in our classroom for the day. Thank you!
Important Dates to Remember
September 28th - Early Dismissal at 12:30pm. Lunch will be served!
October 10th - No School for Columbus Day
October 14th - Parent Visitation Day. Information from the school will come home in the future about times.
Videos of the Month
Contact Miss Foster
Email: hfoster@boyertownasd.org
Website: http://www.boyertownasd.org/Domain/658
Location: 2547 Big Road, Frederick, PA, United States
Phone: 610-473-1726