Richards' Ramblings

May 1, Only 15 more days of School

It is hard to believe the end of the school year is so near.  I wanted to catch you up on a few important dates. 

We are still learning new curriculum for the next couple of weeks.  It is important for your child to be at school and on time in the morning. 

In Social Studies we are learning about American Folk Heroes.  Davey Crockett, Paul Bunyan, Annie Oakley and John Henry.  We are doing many different activities related to each of them over the next two weeks. 

We are also trying really hard to get everyone in the class on the AR Wall of Fame.  Watch for extra books to come home.  Please read them with your child so they can take the test the next morning. 

In Math we are reviewing and moving into some 2nd grade work. 

Dates for your Calendar:

May 6th- National School Nurse Day.  (Remember Mrs. Arp)

May 7th- PTA Meeting

May 13 - 1st Grade Field Day (8:30-12:00)  Lunch will be at a different time.

May 22 - LAST DAY OF SCHOOL

CRCT TESTING WAS A GREAT SUCCESS.  MOST OF THE STUDENTS REALLY WORKED HARD AND FOCUSED ON WHAT THEY WERE DOING.  I AM VERY PROUD OF THEM FOR THEIR EFFORT.

HAPPY SPRING

It is already April and Spring Break.  That is hard for me to believe.  We have been hard at work learning new things in all subject areas.  At the same time we have been reviewing for the CRCT Test.  Needless to say we have had extremely busy days this past month. Because of this, everyone is has earned this much needed break. 

Teacher Appreciation:  I would like to "Thank" everyone for the wonderful flowers, plants and teacher goodies I received during this week.  I enjoy working with your children everyday but to see the looks on their faces during this week of giving makes every tough day worth it. 

Book Report Projects:  I was so impressed with the quality of the porjects that came into class.  Thank you parents for your support on this.  The students loved presenting them to their friends too.  I am trying to find space in the media center to display them for other classes to see, so they will not be coming back home for a while.  Give your child a hug and let them know they did a wonderful job.

Important Upcoming Dates:  

CRCT Testing:  The later part of the week of April 13 is when we will take these tests.  I will be sending home a note the Monday we get back from Spring Break asking for special snack items for the kids.  In the past I have made a "special snack mix" for them to enjoy on the days of testing.  I also will be asking for you to send in small water bottles for your child.  Watch for the note to come home on April 6th. 

We have been doing a lot of practicing.  If your child has idol time during the break don't forget about the online tests but I do not want you to spend to much time on this over Spring Break.  They need time to just play too.

BREAKFAST AT CHALKER:  Remember, starting April 8, we will be serving breakfast at Chalker.  Information was sent home earlier about cost.  Ever since you were a small child you have probably heard how 'important' breakfast is, well it's all true.  So if you tend to run out of time in the mornings and your child does not have time for a good breakfast, please send me a note and I will send them down to the cafeteria for something to eat.  The cost is very reasonable.  Email me if you have any questions.  I'll try to answer them.

SLEEP:  I know how difficult it is to get children in bed when it is still light outside but I can not emphasis enough how important it is that your child come to school rested.  We still have much to learn this year.  Even after the CRCT tests, we will be hard at work learning new things and mastering the skills we have already learned.  Please establish or keep your child on a healthy bedtime schedule.  At this age they need a minimum of 10 hours of sleep.  So if they are up by 6:00 am they should be sleeping by 8:00 pm.  Thanks for your help in this matter.  It will benefit your child both academically and socially.

March 2009

It is hard to believe it is March already.  There are less than 55 days left in this school year.  This is the time of year when we focus hard on listening skills and following directions.  These are very important skills for success on the CRCT test in April.  We continue learning new skills in all subject areas while focusing on listening and following directions.

I have seen tremendous growth in all of your children in the last month, both academically and socially.  All of their hard work is paying off.  

Please take time to go over your child's work that comes home in his/her Friday envelope.  He/she have worked very hard on it all week long and I am sure they would love to share it and explain it to you.  This will also give you good insight into how much your child is learning. 

Reminder:  I gave everyone a login and password for practicing the CRCT test online.  I have heard from a few students that they have been practicing. This is great way to become familiar with the format of the test and establish confidence in your child before the April test.   

HELP:  I have noticed several students in my class buying ice cream on a daily bases.  My concern is that when I come to pick them up, their ice cream is gone but the healthy choices are still on their tray.  Not only does this cost you an extra .75 a day but it is encouraging poor eating habits.  I also feel it is effecting their ability to focus on Math in the afternoon.  Beginning Monday, I will not allow students to purchase ice cream at lunch unless I receive a note from you.  You can either send a note to cover the remainder of the year or you can send one in on the day you would like him/her to purchase it.  Students have been coming in with change or simply taking it off their account and I get the feeling many of you (the parents) do not even know they are doing it.  Thank you for your help in this matter.

Breakfast at Chalker:  We will begin serving breakfast after spring break.  I will be sending a notice home next week.  If you think your child will be eating breakfast at Chalker, please indicate this and send it back to me.  This will help our cafeteria plan for meals that first week.  Cost:  Free if you receive free lunch  $.30  if you are on reduced lunch. 

IMPORTANT DATES:

 Monday, March 2-  Dr. Suess's Birthday.  Please send in any Dr. Seuss books to share with the class.  Be sure your child's name is on them.

Tuesday, March 3- Early Release Day. 12:20 dismissal

Sunday, March 8- DAY LIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS

Friday, March 13- End of the grading period.

Thursday, March 19- Report Cards come home.

Friday, March 20- SPRING BEGINS

Monday, March 23- School Wide CRCT  Practice test in the morning.

Thursday, March 26- Picture Day

        HAVE A GREAT MARCH.  SPRING WILL BE HERE SOON!

laura.lotterman-richards@cobbk12.org

First Grade is Flying By

As of today we are on the 107th day of First Grade.  It is hard to believe we have less than 75 days left of this school year.  Everyone is making great progress and I would like to thank you, the parents, for working hard to assure your child's success.

Conferences:  Thank-you to everyone for attending conferences last week.  I was nice to be able to meet with you and discuss your child's education. 

      Reminder of Tips from conferences: 

READ, READ, READ!   I can not stress this enough. First grade moves very quickly.  Each students is required to know 200 sight words by the end of the year.  If you have not been reading or using flash cards for these words, please begin now and make it a part of your daily routine.  (It is hard to catch up once you fall behind)

Independence:  This is a very important life skill for each first grader to obtain.  To help your child in this area, give them responsibilities at home.  Things like; keeping their room clean, making their bed, feeding a pet (daily), helping with dishes, putting their clothes away etc.  The key is to hold them responsible for the chore.  Emphasize the importance they play in keeping the family running smoothly.  At school they all are responsible for their own folders, crayons, pens, etc.  They all unpack/pack their things by themselves.  Each of the children in my class is capable of carry out responsibilities. 

Writing:  Encourage your child to write.  Not just correctly forming each letter but forming sentences with capital letters and punctuation.  Making up stories or writing down interesting facts they read about are two ways you can encourage this.  Writing cards and notes to friends is another fun way to practice writing. 

CRCT Test- is coming up in April but it doesn't hurt to practice now.  The bright green paper that was sent home during conferences has your child's log-In and password on it.  This can be a fun, non-stressful way of practicing for the test.  If it becomes stressful, sit with your child while he/she takes the tests.  If there is still anxiety or stress, stop taking the tests.  We will practice in class too.  Most importantly is helping your child maintain attention for an extended period of time.  Take time to play things that encourage attention.  Things like board games, reading a lengthy book or several books at a time and limiting the time they play video/computer games.  (If you have difficulty logging on or if I can answer any questions please contact me via email)

UP COMING DATES:

            Wednesday, February 4        EARLY RELEASE  12:20 dismissal

            Thursday, February 5            PTA Meeting (1st grades singing) 7:00 pm

            Friday, February 13              VALENTINE'S DAY   (watch for a flier)

            Monday, February 16            PRESIDENTS' DAY   No School/Teacher Workday

            Friday, February 20               BINGO NIGHT @ CHALKER

   CURRICULUM:

      MATH:  Finishing fractions 1/2 and 1/4.  We will begin $ again counting coins to $1.00

    SPELLING:  Study words that are sent home.  Also, the light green sheet given at conferences with Sitton Words on it.  Read and spell each word

    SOCIAL STUDIES:   Theodore Roosevelt and George Washington Carver

    SCIENCE:  Plants and Shadows

    LANGUAGE ARTS:  Contractions, Compound Words, Long Vowel patterns.

    READING:  All phonics rules, sight words, Beginning/Middle/End, Characters, Plot etc.

E-mail:  laura.lotterman-richards@cobbk12.org

Time to Catch Up! 

Fall Festival-  A Special Thanks to Mrs. Washington for coordinating Fall Festival for our class.  She did a great job getting the basket together for the silent auction among other things.  I could not have done it without you!  Also thanks to everyone who sent in items for the basket.  It looked great.

A Special Thanks to the class for the nice birthday surprise.  I loved the card banner and the beautiful flowers.  Thanks to the mom's who put that together too.

Classroom News:

We have a new student in our class.  We would like to welcome Alex Hart. 

Areas of Study:

Science:  Magnets and Light/Shadow and Sound

Social Studies:  Lewis and Clark; Sacajawea

Math:  Geometry (3-D and 2-D Shapes) (Vocabulary Words:  cube, cone, pyramid, rect.prism, cylinder, square, triangle, rectangle, circle, hexagon, pentagon.  Corner, face, flat surface) 

          Greater Than/Less Than -                                                                         learn the signs <,  >,  = .

*** Continue to practice addition and subtraction facts to 18.  We do this daily in class during calendar time but extra help is always good.

Reading:  continue to read with your child.  Reading at home at least 20 minutes a night will improve your child's reading tremendously.  Remember to fill out the Pizza Hut Reading incentive sheet for your free personal pan pizza. 

    Sight Words:  remember to continue to practice the first 100 sight words on the list that was sent home earlier this year.  They need to know all 100 by the end of this marking period to get a 3 on their report card. 

Thanksgiving Break:  November 24-28  (We have the entire week off) 

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

     December 1   Return to School

    December 3    PTA  Holiday Program

    December 10  Banking Day

    December  18   CLASS PARTY

   December 22-January 2   Holiday Break

                        

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2nd Nine Weeks Begin

HELP! HELP! HELP! 

We are in need of help for the Fall Festival.  Our class must put together a Basket for the Silent Auction.  I sent home a flier asking for donations for our "Baking' Basket.  The response has been  'ZERO'.  This is a fundraiser for our PTA.  Please consider donating an item or two.  Most of what we asked for is less than $5.00.  Look for the Orange Flier that came home on Thursday.  Thank you!

REPORT CARDS-  I sent report cards in the Friday envelopes.  These are new this year and are very comprehensive.  There is a rubric on the back of the report card plus, I gave you another copy of the Cobb County Guide for the entire school year.  If you have questions or concerns, please contact me next week.  I'll be happy to meet with you.

2ND Nine Weeks-  We have begun the 2nd nine weeks.  There is much to be learned and built upon during this time. Some important highlights are:

       *50 new sight words to memorize.

       *Science- Magnets, Light and Sound

       *Social Studies-Thomas Jefferson,  Lewis and Clark & Sacagawea

       *Math- building on the last nine weeks, graphs, greater/less than, geometirc shapes, measurement, etc.

More detailed information to come. 

*If your child has not learned the sight words from last quarter, please work on them.  Your child will continue to fall behind if we do not keep on them.  In school review is not enough!

IMPORTANT DATES:

                    * October 25  FALL FESTIVAL  10AM -4 PM

                    * October 31  SPIRIT DAY

SEE YOU ALL AT FALL FESTIVAL!!!!!

HAPPY AUTUMN!  It is hard to believe we are about to begin our second nine weeks as 1st graders. Our class has been doing a great job setting a good example for the entire school.  We have even earned our 2nd Compliment Party of the year.  HOORAY!!!

Report Cards will be coming home next Friday, October 17th.  Watch for them in your child's Friday envelope.

October Dates to remember: 

Wednesday, October 15  Early Release  12:20 dismissal

Saturday, October 25  Fall Festival 10 a.m.-4 p.m

Friday, October 31 Spirit Day- Chalker shirt or yellow & green

Character Education Words: 

10/12  Accountability

10/19  Honor

10/26 School Pride/Cleanliness

Watch for Curriculum Focus for the 2nd Nine weeks.

                                       

   

Welcome to Autum

We have begun my  favorite time of year.  I love the cool nights and comfortable days.  In school our routines have been set and the students are beginning to really come together as a class.  I have seen significant changes in everyones behavior as they get used to being in first grade. 

Curriculum:  We continue to move along in all subject areas. 

MATH:  Our focus is on Money.  We have reviewed the value of each coin, now we are beginning to combine them together and figure out how many cents they are worth.  This can be very challenging for some students.  I will send home a, "Hairy Money"sheet to help you understand an easier way to count coins together.

SOCIAL STUDIES/SCIENCE:  We are wrapping up the unit on weather by learning about the water cycle.  We will have a unit test on Friday, September 26th.  They will all be prepared so there is really not much to study at home.  In Social Studies we will begin learning about maps to identify landforms such as (mountains, deserts, valleys, plains, plateaus, and coasts).

LANGUAGE ARTS: Writing, reading, grammar etc.  Our writing is coming along.  We are still focusing on starting with a capital letter and ending with punctuation.  This is getting better but many still need reminding.  We will begin to add Nouns to our Morning DOL sentences next week.  Reading Groups are meeting and going  well. During this time we focus on Phonics necessary for each small group.  Continue to study for spelling test each week on Fridays. 

SIGHT WORDS:  Just a reminder that every student needs to be able to read 200 sights words by the end of this year.  If you can not find the list I sent home and would like a new one, please let me know.  The first 50 are supposed to be learned by the end of the first nine weeks marking period. 

CALENDAR CHANGES: 

SCHOOL PICTURES HAVE BEEN POSTPONED.  THE NEW DATE IS OCTOBER 8TH.

Welcome to Mrs. Richards' First Grade

Welcome to our classroom.  I am very excited to be your child's teacher this year. We have twenty students in our class and I feel we are off to a wonderful start.  The first few weeks of school are spent getting to know each other, learning the classroom and school procedures and learning how things are done in our classroom.  I am very impressed with this class because of their desire to do their best in all areas. 

Daily Routine:

Each day we will begin with morning work.  I use this time as an important teaching time.  All the students are expected to do a handwriting sheet, a DOL sheet that contains sentence editing and math ,and a journal entry related to a topic I give them.  The journal should consist of a detailed picture and 3 sentences about the picture.  When you see the morning work sheets come home, you will notice RED corrections on them.  These are made by your child when we correct them in class.  These papers are learning tools for the students.  They will become very efficient at them as the year goes on.  I do not take a grade on these sheet because they are used to help the students learn new skills.   Later in the year I will give them separate assessments on these same skills. 

I know this seems like a lot of work for morning time but even those who get to school as late as 7:40 can and do get it all done.

Homework: 

Your child will have homework every night but Friday.  Some exceptions are made when we have projects or during testing.  I will try very hard to post homework on the Blog weekly and I have begun to send home a sheet on Monday's with the weeks homework listed on it.  The homework will come home each afternoon and it should be returned the next morning.  The homework I send home should only take 10-15 minutes to complete. (It is always related to something we have done in school.) I would also like to encourage you to READ to/with your child every night for at least 15-20 minutes. Studies have shown that the best way to improve reading skills is to Read, Read, Read. 

Communication Logs: 

The Daily Folder (gray) will come home with a communication log each day.  I will not write in it every day but will let you know of good and not so good things that are going on.  I would also like you to use this to communicate with me.  You can even send an absence excuse on this sheet.  I keep these as records throughout the year. 

Friday Envelopes  are sent home with all the papers from the week.  Please go through these papers with your child and read and sign the communication sheet on the front of the envelope and return it on Monday morning. Thank you.

PTA- Please consider joining if you have not done so.  Our PTA is a wonderful asset to our school and to all of us teachers.

Up Coming Dates:

       September 16, Tuesday, Early Release 12:20

       September 17-19, Wed-Fri, COGAT Testing

           (to bed early and a good breakfast)

       September 25,  School Pictures

       September 26, Spirit Day

       (wear a Chalker shirt or yellow and green)

Character Education Words:  September

            September 1 -Respect for learning and

                                              Punctuality

            September 8 - Honesty

            September 15 - Trustworthiness

            September 22 - Self-Control

            September 29 - Justice/Fairness