Monday, October 24th

Spelling Words: all, call, fall, wall, ball, tall, not, top, much, thank Challenge Words: basketball, snowfall, install, gallbladder, waterfall
Sight Words: some, make, of, how

MATH

In math we are learning how to count on using a number line. Please practice using a number line instead of using our fingers to add. If you don't have a number line at home, a great resource is a ruler. Have your child use the inch side of the ruler to count forward. Have fun practicing your math facts!

We had a lot of fun practicing our math and reading skills on the I-Pods! Next, we will be trying our skills on the I-Pads! We can't wait!

REMINDER: Picture retakes are tomorrow (10/25)!

In your child's homework folder, you will find a conference reminder. If you are unable to attend the scheduled conference time, please let me know as soon as possible. A few families did not sign up for a time. I assigned those families a time. Due to a large class, and not enough time slots, I had to add a couple on to fit everyone. Please let me know as soon as possible if any changes are desired. I will try my best to accommodate your requests. Please remember that those signed up to conference on November 8th, your date was changed to Monday, November 7th. Thank you again for your patience and flexibility. I look forward to meeting with you!

There is no spelling this week!

MEA VACATION

NO SCHOOL WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY OR FRIDAY

First Grade Poetry Binders:
You child will be bringing home their poetry binders on Tuesday. Please take some time to read through these and enjoy the different poems we have been reading. On each poem you will notice some highlighting. Have your child help you recall why we highlighted the words we did. Some will be rhyming and some will be a phonetic focus. Have fun and enjoy the fun poems! Please send your child's poetry binder back with them on Monday, October 24th.
As you and your child read a poem, please remember to autograph that poem. Autograph it for each time read.

**Picture Retake Day is Tuesday, October 25th**

Family Literacy Night

When: 11-01-11

Where: Shirley Hill's Library

When: 5 - 7 pm

Special Guest:

I want to give a big thank you to Mr. Mather for coming and sharing his special adventure with us. Mr. Mather climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. We are truly lucky to have had the chance to see and experience such an amazing adventure. I won't be surprised to hear about these kids taking this challenge in the future. They were in awe! Ask your child to share some of the interesting facts they learned today!

Marvelous Monday

Spelling Words: top, hop, hot, not, dot, lot, back, pick, oh, yes
Challenge Words: mascot, raindrop, tropical, patriotic, optical

Sight Words: find, much, thank

MATH

In math we are learning how to count on using a number line. Please practice using a number line instead of using our fingers to add. If you don't have a number line at home, a great resource is a ruler. Have your child use the inch side of the ruler to count forward. Have fun practicing your math facts!

"Short O Sound"

We are working on the "short O" sound in first grade. To help us remember what sound "short O" makes, we have a special hand signal. We make the "OK" sign with our fingers and put it in front of our mouths. While waving our three standing fingers, we say "O, O, Octopus." Have your child demonstrate for you. It is a cute one!

Fall Colors Book

Your child will be bringing home a book about fall colors. Please help them read it. It is something we have been working on in class and they are very proud of their books. With reading, it is also fun to focus on the rhyming words in the story. Enjoy!

Terrific Tuesday

Keep practicing your spelling words! Yellow tic-tac-toe sheet is not to be turned in until Friday:)

Math:
This week in math we have started Chapter 3. In this chapter we we will be focusing on subtraction. It is very important that we remember a subtraction sentence MUST start with the largest number. We are also learning about all the parts of a subtraction sentence. It must have numbers, a minus sign, an equal sign and a difference. It is important to refer to the answer of a subtraction sentence as the "difference." Having the same vocabulary at home and school will lead to better understanding.

We have created 3 "I Can..." statements for this chapter. By the end of chapter 3 each child will be able to state these statements with certainty and confidence!

1. I can write a subtraction number sentence.
2. I can find the difference.
3. I can show subtraction stories.

**Please remember to check the blue parent letter for each math chapter. A new one was sent home in your child's homework folder last night. The activity on the back will better prepare your child for the week ahead. These sheets do not get turned back in to me. Please keep at home and refer to as you see necessary.

Marvelous Monday

Spelling Words: pick, pack, tack, back, sack, sick, big, in, hold, so
Challenge Words: backpack, quarterback, racetrack, toothpick, chicken

Sight Words: late, oh, yes

We had the most wonderful field trip on Friday. The weather was picture perfect and we learned a ton about insects. We were able to explore the woods and trails of Lowry Nature Center looking for insect species. We found more than we could count. There were also a few other surprises (like a snake). YeAh! Thank you to all the parents that helped with the trip. You did a great job assuring that our class was listening and learning. Thank you again! Below are a few pictures from our trip. Please enjoy! Ask you child about the four stages of life that we talked about.

1. eggs

2. Larva

3. Pupa

4. Adult

Captain "ck"
This week we are learning about Captain "CK". We have learned that words ending in -ck are visited by captain "CK". He visits that words that have a vowel before the -ck sound. His purpose is to serve and protect the vowels. Our spelling words are great examples of this!