24 April-1 May 2011

First of all, thank you to the parents who accompanied us on our amazing Study Trip to the Farm in Pasiano. We worked so hard, that we almost didn't have anytime to play, but we left tired and excited to bring home the pasta. We enjoyed sunshine, wonderful Italian hosts and a delicious lunch, as well. Thank you to these parents: Dad Knight, Mom Lovelace, Mom Brown-Williams, Mom Keomanila, & Mom Hall! Couldn't have done it without ya'!
PLEASE SEND A WATER BOTTLE IN WITH YOUR CHILD DAILY--We NEED HYDRATION!
Also, no flip-flops or sandals that they may have difficulty playing on the outdoor equipment safely. Thank you!

As you can tell, I'm still recovering from Spring Break. It was great to see another quarter of the year pass and send home progress reports, have a few conferences, and begin our last quarter of the year on last Monday. We're still working hard and our displays in the room and hallway, show 'what we know' and how much we've learned this year. We welcome our Advance Ed review team next week and we've prepared and worked together for this school-wide review.

Remember that P.E. is on Tuesday and wear appropriate clothing and shoes.

This week we'll begin our 2nd of the last six stories of the year in our Reading Street series. Here are a list of the skills we'll be working on.

Title: Mole and Baby Bird
Author: Marjorie Newman Illustrator: Patrick Benson
Genre: Animal Fantasy (one of our class' favorites!)
Comprehension Skill: Sequence (putting story events in sequential order)
Comprehension Strategy: Summarize
Study Skill: Using a Glossary (in the back of a non-fiction book)
Spelling/Phonics: -ou as in mouth /ou/ syllables VCV
-Spelling Words-
1. mouth
2. house
2. found
3. our
4. out
5. cloud
6. ouch
7. shout
8. round
9. count
10. should
11. loved

Language/Vocabulary: descriptive words (adjectives)
Grammar: Exclamations (sentences using a exclamation point for punctuaation!)
Writing: Endings for writing stories

In math we're still working on mental computation and strategies to increase our ability to add and subtract to 18. Some of us still use manipulatives, but many have transitioned from fingers (and toes!!) to the use of other techniques to get the job done w/o compromising accuracy. We're also continuing work on Problem Solving using UPSL (Understand, Plan, Solve, and Look Back). We're also taking a few timed math facts (+ & -) quizzes. We're making great progress, and using our strategies really helps.

We have 3 students who will be departing from Aviano at the end of the year and return to the U.S. We'll really miss our friends David, Blake W. and Blake B. Good Luck!

We will be learning about the different states of Matter this month: solids, liquids and gasses, Simple Machines, and what kind of things happened in America since we became a country in 1776. Listen for new vocabulary and information learned by your student throughout the month.

Please read the Administrations' letters sent home to you via e-mail. Many of the end-of-year activities will be listed in their communication.

On Wednesday, we'll begin our 1st Research Project with Ms. Huhra in the Information Center. We'll each select an animal that lives in the ocean and follow a template for beginning research paper. we'll spend various periods in the IC and we'll be finishing up in 3-4 weeks. We'll be using technology to publish, as well.

Please continue with the on-line homework. Some of us have slacked off since we have longer days, so find time at least 3 times a week to participate. A few students have completed Sight Words w/Samson! Congratulations!!!

Have a wonderful week and thanks for your continued involvement in your child's education.

Mrs. Petty

4-17 April 2011
Please check out the new link to the left on our school's web-page. Click on the Eagle's Eye to see what our students are talking about!!!

Dates to Remember:

April 7 – Deadline for Summer Enrichment Program Registration
April 8 – Teacher Work Day NO SCHOOL (Friday)
April 11 – 15 – Spring Break NO SCHOOL (Have a wonderful break!)
April 22 – Parent Teacher Conference (for ES only) NO SCHOOL (Friday)
Appointment times will be sent home in blue folder!

Please continue to use the links over the spring break. I will not be posting anything new. We're almost finished taking the Unit 4 Benchmark test. Results will be posted to your child's Academic Progress Report that will be attached to their official Report Card for the 3rd Quarter.

Please continue working on the Sampson's Classroom link and you're welcome to encourage your child to complete Level 4 Sight Words Lists, anytime. A few of the students are beginning to complete their folder on the 2 support materials used in the classroom that coordinate with the on-line assignment. Available ALL Summer long!

IXL Math is also 'back up & running'. We'll push this even more, and our class cumulative questions-answered is at 25,000 problems. Not bad, but there is so much more to accomplish. Work to earn medals and see where they'll end up in June. Available ALL Summer long!

RAZ-kids reading will also be available during the summer months. Please continue to work at this throughout the year, as a support to reaching the goal of being at grade level before the end of the 1st grade year. Readiness for 2nd grade is imperative, and continued work throughout the summer prevents summer reading and math loss.

I'll be reviewing Reader's Response logs, as well. Please send them back to school in their Reading Bag, please.

Upon our return on Monday, 18 April, we'll begin our last Unit of Study: Unit 5-Great Ideas! That means we've only got 6 more stories/weeks of work and then we'll take our last Unit test, End-of-Year Benchmark and measure their reading growth through one last summative test: the DRA (Developmental Reading Assessment). Keep on reading and it'll all pay off in the middle of June.

I'll also be sending home the 3rd quarter Family/Home project this Thursday in their blue folder. Watch for it and the adjusted Due date on this project. You'll need to pick up a colored piece of poster board from the shoppette or the PX the next time you're out. Please do a great job on these, as they'll be on display throughout the end of the year in our hallway. Be creative and give your presentation a 'pop' of color and interest. You were amazingly creative on the castles, so this one's quite a bit easier to do. These will be due NLT April 28th.

Thank you once again for all you do.

Workin' 'til the end of First Grade!

Mrs. Petty

Have a great break.

Thank you for all your support and remember to enjoy the week off.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Petty