LANGUAGE ARTS / MATH 

We are continuing to work on tracking skills and getting a feel of the “rhythm” of the English language.  Both are extremely important in setting a firm foundation for success and future enjoyment of reading.  Important points to stress with your child should include:        

1. Reading has to make sense.

2. We read to get information.

As your child’s sight word vocabulary continues to expand, emphasize that they check to make sure that they are pointing to the correct word as it is being said.  When a page has been read, ask them to point out specific words or sounds.  Ask them questions about the stories they read.  Retelling a story (with the book closed) 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 spelling words as they write 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 are currently working on Narrative Writing.  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 certificate 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 (which goes home every few days), and any story read at home in order to develop your child’s reading skills may be recorded.  You can keep track of stories you read at home to add to the list when it comes home.  A certificate is awarded for every 25 stories read, and your child’s name is added to our “25 Story Reading Club Bookworm” in the hallway.  Hopefully, this month all the children will reach and surpass the 25 story mark.  If your child’s bag has been damaged or misplaced, please replace it for him/her.

 Please continue to have your child read a few pages from his/her reading duotang each night.  Regular practice of the word wall page is important until your child knows the words perfectly and can read them with ease.  You can make “flash cards” of these words, along with some with pictures.  With these cards, your child can manipulate them to make sentences. (ex. The big „ is yellow.)

 In Math I will continue to place a letter in your child=s Math duotang at the beginning of each new unit describing what we will be studying and giving suggestions for you to use at home.   

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, played with in class, etc. - all of which take away from the children=s learning time.  Sports equipment for outside play is welcome. 

                    Please continue to send in Foodland grocery receipts as well as beverage pull tabs. 

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

                    Each morning at the first nutrition break, the children choose snacks that come from the 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 (cookies, cake, pie, brownies, etc.), candy and “junk food” are not considered part of any food group.  We save these treats for dessert at lunch break (when their blood sugar levels are lower!). 

                    Please check with your child to see if he/she has enough pencils, erasers, and a full set of wax/pencil crayons at school, and send what they need.  Many children are in need of these things. 

                    Soon it will be cold weather.  Please make sure your child’s name or initials are inside boots, coats, etc. 

We are busily finishing up the first term of Grade One!  I am amazed at how much the children have progressed since September.  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 to not wait for a specified interview day. 

I truly appreciate all the support and guidance you have given your child in helping them with their homework each night.  Your child will truly benefit from this commitment.  Grade one is such a special year!