13 December 2009-2 January 2010
Welcome to the last week before Winter Break!
One last POSTSCRIPT:
What a wonderful day we had on Friday! We began the day by touring some of the other 1st grade classrooms and 'perform' our Reader's Theatre rendition of Rudolph, Rudolph! We continued with our Very Successful Holiday Cookie Exchange and I was so impressed! As you could tell from the many varieties of cookies shared, it was so much fun! One student, Analena, expressed, "This is the best day of my life!". Who wouldn't say that after choosing amongest the most festive platters of sweets and dining on the ones that were left with milk? Cookies and milk made their teacher very happy, too! Thank you to all for your generosity and contributions in assisting with the goal of "visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads!"
Continue reading and working on the links during the holidays. We'll accelerate our learning and watch the magic continue in learning. January through April contains the best promise for preparing successful students for 2nd grade and future school achievement.
Enjoy the break---Mrs. Petty
Remember to: Visit the new and updated links for learning and winter break fun.
Thanks to all the parents who have helped their child make their sight words cards. Please have them practice these and 'race' theirselves during the winter break. Remember that reading these quickly helps to increase reading fluency and comprehension. These are also the words that students misspell most frequently, so seeing them spelled correctly in their books and flashcards builds writing fluency also.
NEWS FOR THE END OF YEAR 2009
We'll wrap up 2009 this week by completing our 'almost finished' projects, and cleaning up the room for a NEW Year that's just around the corner. It's been a month of math, reading, building, decorating, making and creating. I've placed new links on this post that will see your child through the long break. Do not forget to plan a time of day when your child can read their little books (keep previewing and discussing the pictures to talk about what they're about to read)and participate in the links provided for strengthening what they already know. I've seen a slight increase in the use of the MUST DO links, so if you're not on board the learning train yet, hop on and discover the greatest amount of growth to occur in First Grade during the January - April time frame. This will be the time when the magic happens for all the students.
We will be having a cookie exchange on Friday. Here are the guidelines: On Friday, end in 2 dozen homemade cookies on a disposable plate, covered please. After lunch everyone will get a new plate (complements of Mrs. Petty) and choose a cookie off of each plate until they're all collected, then we'll cover them with plastic wrap and enjoy the rest with hot chocolate. If you're able, let your child help make them, so that they can experience the fun. If you're not able to send in cookies, you may send in a non-edible treat for each student in the class. We have 16 students now, as we will welcome Isabelle to our class on Tuesday.
Don't forget to visit this web-site for new links for learning and of course, the MUST DO links such as: IXL Math, Sight Words with Samson, RAZ-kids, and Spelling City. Have a wonderful and safe break and 'keep on learning' till our return on January 4th, 2010!
Thank you, once again, for all your support!
Mrs. Petty
