LANGUAGE ARTS / MATH 

Our daily study of reading, phonics and word study has had quite an effect on the children.  We have many budding readers and writers!  Your help in reading with them at home has been invaluable.  Remember - keep it enjoyable and never frustrating!  Work at your child’s level!  Make reading Christmas stories a part of your family traditions - what wonderful memories your child will have! 

We will be reading and singing Christmas poems and songs during our Shared Reading time.  They will be in the children’s reading duotangs to share at night.  Many are beyond your child’s independent reading vocabulary - just keep it fun and festive! 

In our phonics program, we continue to study consonant sounds, and will study the short e (as in red, egg) sound. 

On many report cards I have made reference to the many reading strategies necessary for independent reading.  These strategies are listed on the front pages of your child=s reading duotang as well as in the pages in her/her ziploc bag.  I also may have made reference to retelling.  This comprehension skill is where after a story is read, the book is closed and the child retells the story in as much detail as possible.  Also, discuss who was in the story, where it took place, and the events that happened.  Ask for their opinion and give reasons for things in the story. All of these comprehension skills are important to develop so that in the future your child will have the skills necessary to retain information read in textbooks, etc. 

At home, remember to include Math concepts into questions you ask your child as you are busy preparing for Christmas together.  At the current time, stories involving measurement, and addition and subtraction would be great! 

CLASSROOM NEWS 

Our class is getting very excited that Christmas is coming soon!  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! 

With the 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 name or initials on all belongings they bring or wear to school, including boots. 

With winter hat weather comes the ongoing concern with head lice.  Please check your child’s hair regularly for lice and/or nits. 

On Tuesday, December 15 we will be having a “Christmas Craft Morning” starting after Christmas Carolling at approximately 10-10:15.  I will need several adults to help make Christmas decorations with the children as we will be working with glue guns, metal cutters, etc.  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 1:00 at the latest. 

On Wednesday, December 16, please send an empty shoe box, cereal box, Kleenex box, or something suitable, so that your child can bring his or her Christmas ornaments home without them becoming broken.  Tissue paper for inside the box would help lessen the chance of breakage during the transport home.  Please send a piece of Christmas wrapping paper (pre-cut for the box would help a lot) to wrap up the box.  We will be wrapping our “gift” with the help of grade 8 students Thursday or Friday of the last week. 

The two grade one classes will be singing a few songs for the school during our Christmas Carolling on Friday December 18 at 9:30.  Any parents able to come are welcome. 

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 light-soles policy.  Also, Velcro, zipper or pull-on shoes are recommended until your child is able to tie shoes independently and tightly.  Most grade one children have a hard time lacing shoes three times each day, and it ends up a safety issue for that child. 

Many children continue to run out of pencils, erasers, and colouring things.  I will send home their pencil cases on December 18 so you can check with your child to see what he or she may need.  Please replenish and send back on January 4.  Christmas ideas may be:  pencil crayons (Laurentian, not any made in China), wax crayons (24 maximum), white liquid school glue, erasers, pencils (again, not any made in China).