What's happening in first grade?

Wise’s Newsletter

May 14, 2012

Hi everyone!

I hope all you moms had a great mother’s day yesterday!

I want to say THANK YOU so much for all the wonderful notes, chocolates, coffee, flowers, etc. and lunches everyday in the staff room last week!  I was really appreciated for teacher appreciation week.  You guys are awesome!

J Angie

Spelling/Word Wall Words

Please remember to write the word wall words 3 times each on the back of this newsletter!  Not only is this practice for spelling, but it is practice for handwriting.  Please make sure it is neatly written with d’s and t’s going all the way up to the top line and p’s,  g’s and q’s going down below the bottom line.   Send in by Friday.  Thank you.

dear                      car

jump                      seven

question

Home Reading Helpers

Please remember to send in the spelling “practice” sheets that Holly Hunsucker has so wonderfully been sending home with each student.  Several students have finished their spelling with her in class.  A big congratulations to Katie, Sydney, Hudson, Will, Jake, Riley, Jackson, Ariana, and Cole for spelling their words with the parent helpers correctly!   The next step is to spell those words in their writing correctly.  Whenever your child comes across a word wall word in their writing, make sure it is spelled correctly.  They can do it!

Dates to Remember

May 23 (Wed)  Volunteer Tea in the library.  9-12 drop in.  Please come!

May 23 (Wed.) 12:10 Early Release day

May 28 (Monday) No school.  Memorial Day

May 29 (Tues.) Habitat Dioramas due

June 1 (Fri.) Habitat Presentation 10:00  AM to 10:40 AM

June 8 (Fri. )  No school for kids.  Report card prep day.

June 12 (Tues.) End of Year Class Party 9:15-10:30.  Want to volunteer?  Talk to Holly Hunsucker or Molly Hemsley.

June 13 (Wed.) Field day 8-12. We need volunteers!   There is a sign up sheet in the office!

June 15 (Fri.) Last day of school

Wise’s Newsletter

May 7, 2012

Science Animal Research Homework

Your child is bringing home a book to help with their animal research tonight.  Some of you have your book at home already.  To help with the research process (so they will better understand how to do this as they grow older), please read the book together and look for animal facts.  Please write the facts on sticky notes and stick it right in the book where you read it.  Some facts you and your child are looking for are:

Prey

Predator

How does your animal survive?

Adaptations

Animal type (mammal, reptile, etc.)

Color

Size

How do they move?

Life cycle

Please send the book back when you are done.  This is due Wed., May 9.

The book your child has may only have 1 or 2 facts, but that is ok.  It is the process they are learning!  Thank you for your help with our animal research.

Spelling/Word Wall Words

Please write your word wall words 3 times each and send in!  You may use the back of this newsletter.

soon                  three

wasn’t               saw

happy

Habitat Diorama

By now, everyone should have their shoebox background covered with the appropriate colors.  You should have begun forming animals to go into that habitat out of clay and/or playdough.  Or you could draw/color it on paper and make it stand up 3-d style.  The plants would be the next step.  If you are using real plants, wait until it is due to put those in.  Remember, this is due Tuesday, May 29.

Summer Camps

There are lots of summer camps listed on our District and CREST website.  If your child loves art, sign up for the art institute!  If they love music or drama, sign up for those.  We have learned so much about taking care of our world, then perhaps the EnviroCamp or the Crest Garden camp is what your child is interested in.  No matter what you sign up for, it will be amazing!

Dates to Remember

May 23 (Wed)  Volunteer Tea in the library.  9-12 drop in.  Please come!

May 23 (Wed.) 12:10 Early Release day

May 28 (Monday) No school.  Memorial Day

May 29 (Tues.) Habitat Dioramas due

June 1 (Fri.) Habitat Presentation 10:00  AM to 10:40 AM

June 8 (Fri. )  No school for kids.  Report card prep day.

June 13 (Wed.) Field day 8-12. We need volunteers!  Please let Deb Lassell know if you can help!

June 15 (Fri.) Last day of school

Wise’s Newsletter

April 30, 2012

Music performance

Our “Music Informance” is this Thursday, May 3 at 12:55 pm in the music room.  Meet us in the music room to hear some amazing first graders play the marimbas!

Spelling/Word Wall Words and Homework for this week!

Please write down the new word wall words on your child’s “At Home Word Wall”.  For practice, write each word in a sentence on the back of this newsletter and send in by Friday.  Thank you to all who sent in their homework last week.  They were recognized and got in the prize box for doing their homework!

run                   child

nice                  them

said

Science Habitat Diorama

I hope your dioramas are coming along well.  Please take your time and really think about the background.  Remember, this is not due until May 29^th, so you should have plenty of time to add a little bit each week.  Please email me if you have any questions!

wisea@wlwv.k12.or.us

Habitat Research and Homework

I sent home a letter last Thursday with each of your children.  It said which animal they are going to research a bit further from the habitat they are making their diorama out of.   For homework this week, please help your child find an article on the web and a color picture about their animal of study.  Please read the letter on the back of this newsletter! Please print the article and the picture and send in to school by Friday, May 4.  To help your child research at home we have some great websites on habitats and animals. To access them, go to Stafford’s home page (http://www.stafps.wlwv.k12.or.us/, under my blog.

Dates to Remember

May 3 (Thursday)  12:55 Music performance in music room

May 23 (Wed.)  12:10  Early Release day

May 28 (Monday) No school.  Memorial Day

May 29 (Tues.)  Habitat Dioramas due

June 1 (Fri.)  Habitat  Presentation  10:00  AM to 10:40 AM

June 8 (Fri. )  No school for kids.  Report card prep. Day.

June 13 (Wed.)  Field day.  We need volunteers!  Please let Deb Lassell know if you can help!

June 15 (Fri.)  Last day of school

Fondly,

Angie Wise

Wise’s Newsletter

April 16, 2012

Fieldtrip to Tryon Creek Park

The parents that are going with us on Wed., April 18 are Dayna Dague, Mica Pulaski, Holly Hunsucker, and Deena Westerby.  We still could use one more parents if anyone wants to go!  Let me know by tomorrow please!  Please be here by 8:15.  We will be on the busses by 8:30.  We will be eating lunch there, so everyone needs to bring a packed lunch in a plastic or brown sack bag with your name on it!  Please bring items that are easy to eat and easy to drink.  Dress for the rain!  We will be back by 12:15.

Reading

Please help me to teach your kids to use sticky notes as they read! 

1.  Whenever your child comes to a word they don’t know, have them write it down.  Then you can have a discussion about the meaning of it together.
2. Write down any questions they may have about the story.  The discussion you have will help with comprehension and meaning.

Spelling/Word Wall Words

Please write down the new word wall words on your child’s “At Home Word Wall”.  For practice, write down words that are spelled like the words below.  For example, if you can spell pet, you can spell set, wet, net, etc.    

school                       pet

first                         under

new

Science Habitat Diorama

I hope your dioramas are coming along well.  Please take your time and really think about the background.  Use paper, paint, etc. on the inside of your shoebox.  If you do this soon, I have a feeling your child will begin to make animals and plants to add to it!  Buy some clay or playdough for them to start molding animals out of!  Remember, this is not due until May 29^th, so you should have plenty of time to add a little bit each week.  Please email me if you have any questions!

wisea@wlwv.k12.or.us

Drama

First grade has an amazing artist in residence!  Bernie Duffy, a teacher and an actor, was here 3 days last week and is here 3 days this week…teaching us about storytelling and acting skills.  Ask your child about the stories and games they learned last week and today.

OMSI

I’ve read that OMSI has a wonderful movie now about the Arctic habitat.  It features a mother polar bear and her cub.  This would be great to take your child to one rainy afternoon!

Scholastic Haiku Contest

On the back of the newsletter is an explanation about a haiku contest.  If your child would like to write one, then please, go ahead and send it in!

Angie Wise

Wise’s Newsletter

April 9, 2012

Science Habitat Project!

Please read the attached letter about the “At Home Habitat Diorama” your child will be making the over the next several weeks.  As part of our habitat study, each child will learn more about one habitat and become the “expert” on that biome.  They will be teaching their peers about their habitat.  This is due May 29^th and we will invite parents in for a Habitat museum on June 1, around 10:00 AM.

Reading

I know there are a lot of spring sports and activities, so…just read for 10 minutes a day.  Bookmark the book and keep it until you are done.  Both books!  Don’t worry about sending it back the next day!

Fieldtrip to Tryon Creek Park

We have a fieldtrip to Tryon Creek Park next Wednesday (see back of this newsletter).  We will be studying and learning about the forest habitat and the animals, plants, and special features.  I can take 5 parents only.  Parents who have not gone on any fieldtrips at all get first dibs.  The times are 8:30 to 12:00.  If you can come, please fill out the form and return it as soon as possible.  Thank you! 

Spelling/Word Wall Words

Please write down the new word wall words on your child’s “At Home Word Wall”.  For practice, write down words that are spelled like the words below.  For example, if you can spell up, you can spell cup, pup, etc.    

I’ll                    four

down                 over

up

Math Homework

Please go onto my blog and find the habitat games and research.  Play around and do some experimenting with the games and research.  Find out about the 6 different habitats:  pond, desert, savanna, ocean, forest and polar (north). 

MAPS Program

Last week, envelopes were sent home for our MAPS program which helps support our music and art programs here at Stafford.  Volunteers for MAPS is asking every family to donate a $1.00 if possible.  If you can donate more, that would be great too!  If you have lost the envelope, just send it in a plan envelope from home with your name and MAPS written on the front.  Thank you for your support of our art and music here at Stafford!

­­­­­Fondly,

Angie Wise

Wise’s Newsletter

April 2, 2012

Hello!

I hope you had a great spring break!  I know I did!  It is nice to “have a break” before our last few months together.  We are working on being a community, caring for each other, being honest, fair and compassionate human beings.  We are of course, learning tons! Just wait and see!

Weather

The week prior to spring break, we learned about clouds and condensation with our science teacher, Ms. Darzas.  Your child brought home a paper about the experiment they did with her.  Take the time to look at the clouds this spring and talk to your child about what the weather is like and will be like the next day.  Talk to them about what it was like over dinner.  Just talk about the weather!

Science:  Habitat Unit

We are beginning a new unit in our grade about Habitats.  We will be focusing on 6 main habitats:  polar, forest, ocean, pond, desert, and savanna.  We will learn about the animals, plants and special features in each habitat.  The children will have a homework project that I will go into detail about next week to go along with our unit of study.  Each child will also be researching one animal from the habitat of their choice as well.  This will be done in school, but you will hear all about it once we begin our research! 

Spelling/Word Wall Words

Please write down the new word wall words on your child’s “At Home Word Wall”.  For practice, write down words that are spelled like the words below.  For example, if you can spell red, you can spell, bed, Ned, Ted, etc. 

red                   have

eat                   green

more

Art

We are in the process of doing an art project based on the Cubism sytle.  We are studying Pablo Picasso’s art to learn more about this type of art.  Research at home about Picasso and cubism!

Scholastic Book Orders

April scholastic book orders are in your child’s home folder today.  I encourage you to look over the books with your child and see if there are any that interest him/her.  We want them to pick up a book on their own in their free time!  By finding books that are “just right” and interesting to them, they will!

Math Homework

Please do the penguin problems on the back of this newsletter.  Send in by Friday.  Thank you.

­­­­­Fondly,

Angie Wise

Wise’s Newsletter

March 19, 2012

Reduce, reuse, recyle

The kids have been so good with understanding and learning about recycling.  They know that we need to help our earth to help the animals and plants live longer…especially the penguins and polar bears.  The kids wanted me to tell you what we’ve been talking about with our lunches.  We’ve been talking about buying snack in bulk, then putting the snack in reusable containers to bring to school each day.  The kids have even said they would help you put the snack in the individual container to reuse.  What responsibility you can build by this simple task…and help our earth out in the process!  We’ve had discussions on buying chips, crackers, pirate booty, etc. in big bags, then putting it in a reusable container.  We’ve also discussed buying applesauce and yogurt in big containers, spooning it into little reusable continaers and bringing it to school.  Our goal is to have less trash and more recycling here at school.  Have your kids help you!  They want to and need to!  Thank you.

Word Work Homework

Our new word wall words are:  Please practice spelling them as your drive, eat dinner, walk your dog, etc.  Make a game out of it!

now                 not

friend               your

how

Math homework

Please solve the penguin story problems on the back of this sheet.  Please draw a picture, write an equation, and show me how you solved the story problem.  Send it in by Fri., March 23.  Thank you.

Have a great and safe spring break!

Fondly,

Angie Wise

Wise’s Newsletter

March 12, 2012

Zoo Fieldtrip

We are going on a fieldtrip to the zoo this Friday, March 16.  It is the end of our penguin unit and the beginning of our habitat unit.  Please read the attached sheet and return the bottom portion if you want to go with us. The first 5 can ride the bus, while others may drive.  We let as many of you go as you want!  The only condition is that you must leave your little ones at home and be prepared to do some work while at the zoo.  It is not just a “fun trip”, but a “working trip” too.  If you feel that you can handle 3-4  students and complete a written packet with them while at the zoo, then please come with us!

Word Work Homework

Our new word wall words are:  Please practice spelling them as your drive, eat dinner, walk your dog, etc.  Make a game out of it!

give                      don’t

am                       this

fly

Math homework

Please solve the penguin story problem on the back of this sheet.  Please draw a picture, write an equation, and show me how you solved the story problem.  Send it in by Fri., March 16.  Thank you.

Spanish

Ms. Boyce has Spanish homework for the kids to do.  The sheet is in your child’s folder today.  Just do the best you can!

Leprechaun visit

We have a visiting leprechaun!  “Lucky” left a mess in our classroom, as well as a note and a “green” treat.  It has really gotten the kids interested in writing notes back to him! I strongly encourage you to encourage your child to write Lucky notes at home too.  The kids may also be interested in reusing some of your recycling to make a leprechaun trap.  Let them!  If they wish to share their traps at school, please send them in on Thursday, March 15.  We will share them in the afternoon.

Upcoming Dates

Wed. March 14:  12:10 Early Release Day.

March 16:  Fieldtrip to the Zoo

March 24-April 1:  Spring Break

Wise’s Newsletter

March 5, 2012

Hello!

Thank you to everyone who came to conferences.   I love meeting with all of you to share what growth your child has made in reading, writing and math.  They are such sponges at this age!  I love it! Remember, the main things EVERYONE is working on is:

-adding periods and capitals in their writing

-using sticky notes in their reading to write down questions for comprehension or words the kids don’t know to discuss with you, the parent.

-solving family story problems at home that I sent with each of you.

-writing math story problems and solving them.

Word Work Homework

Our new word wall words are:  Please practice spelling them as your drive, eat breakfast, etc.  Make a game out of it!

went                             last

Five                               can’t

but

March Homework

The March Homework is in your child’s folder today.   Please do as many things as you can this month.  If you are going to be gone during spring break, then either try to take it with you , or do it prior to leaving.  Thank you!

Spanish

We are lucky to have Mrs. Boyce, our Spanish teacher here at Stafford, for 10 weeks of the year.  This is paid for by PTSA.  She comes on Thursdays from 10:10 to 10:40.  Sometimes she sends spanish Homework for the kids to do.  There is a sheet on the months of the year in today’s folder.  Just do the best you can!

March Helpers

The parent helpers for March are listed on the back of this newsletter.  Please make sure that you get a substitute if you are not going to be here.  Thank you so much for all of your help!

Upcoming Dates

Wed. March 14:  12:10 Early Release Day.

March 16:  Fieldtrip to the Zoo

March 24-April 1:  Spring Break

Feb. 27, 2012

Conference reminder! 

I can’t wait to meet with each of you individually to talk about the wonderful growth your child has done!  You will be amazed!  If you could, please be a couple of minutes early.  If I go over, please tap lightly on the door.  I know you understand about each parent deserving the full 20 minutes discussing their child with me and sharing their progress.  If we both feel the need to talk further, we can set up another appointment.  Thank you so much for making a conference time so quickly!  I was amazed at how many people signed up within a few hours!  Below is the schedule.  Again, I will see you in the next several days!

Fondly,

Angie Wise