First Grade Newsletter
May 23rd, 2019
Important Dates
- May 24th: Last Day for Students (Dismiss at Noon)
- August 12th: First Day of School
Epic! An On-line Library
This is a GREAT DEAL! We use Epic! in our class almost everyday! The kids LOVE IT! It has books on every topic, on every level. I encourage you take advantage of this deal. It can be downloaded from the App store or used on a computer. It works both ways! Your first grader will thank you! J
STAY SHARP THIS SUMMER!
Summer Reading Tips!
Summer shouldn't mean taking a break from learning, especially reading. Studies show that most students experience a loss of reading skills over the summer months, but children who continue to read will gain skills.
1. Read aloud together with your child every day.
Make it fun by reading outdoors on the front steps, patio, at the beach or park. Also, let your children read to you.
2. Set a good example!
Parents must be willing to model behavior for their children. Keep lots of reading material around the house. Turn off the TV and have each person read his or her book, including mom and dad.
3. Read the same book your child is reading and discuss it.
This is the way to develop habits of the mind and build capacity for thought and insight.
4. Let kids choose what they want to read.
5. Rent/Buy books on tape
Listen to them in the car, or turn off the TV and have the family listen to them together.
6. Take your children to the library regularly.
Most libraries sponsor summer reading clubs with easy-to-reach goals for preschool and school-age children. Check the library calendar for special summer reading activities and events. Libraries also provide age appropriate lists for summer reading.
7. Subscribe, in your child's name, to magazines like Sports Illustrated for Kids, Highlights for Children, or National Geographic World.
Encourage older children to read the newspaper and current events magazines, to keep up the reading habit over the summer and develop vocabulary. Ask them what they think about what they've read, and listen to what they say.
8. Ease disappointment over summer separation from a favorite school friend by encouraging them to become pen pals.
Present both children with postcards or envelopes that are already addressed and stamped. If both children have access to the Internet, email is another option.
9. Make trips a way to encourage reading by reading aloud traffic signs, billboards, notices.
Show your children how to read a map, and once you are on the road, let them take turns being the navigator.
10. Encourage children to keep a summer scrapbook.
Tape in souvenirs of your family's summer activities picture postcards, ticket stubs, photos. Have your children write the captions and read them and read them aloud as you look at the book together.
Suggested Summer Reading Lists
Another Reading Resource
Final Farewell to First Graders
It's time to say goodbye,
Our year has come to an end.
We've made many cherished memories
And many more new friends.
We've watched your children learn and grow
And change from day to day.
We hope that all the things we've done
Have helped in some small way.
So it's with happy memories
We send them out the door,
With great hope and expectations,
For what next year holds in store.
First Grade Team
Email: firstname.lastname@pisd.edu
Website: https://sites.google.com/a/pisd.edu/first-grade-barksdale-elementary/
Location: 2424 Midway Road, Plano, TX, United States
Phone: 469-752-0100
Twitter: @bbengaged1