Can you believe that it is already September?!?! These first few weeks have just flown by so quickly! Make sure you check out Mrs. Young's page on my blog. Click {here} to see it! Each week she will be posting details, pictures, and even some videos of the great things that she is doing with our class!

SPELLING WORDS
Up, at, see, he, do

READING ASSESSMENTS
Over the next two weeks I will be giving all students a reading assessment. This will be given in a one-on-one format and will help me place your child in the  appropriate reading group. As you read with your child at home I encourage you to let your child retell the story to you in sequence and identify the important events. It is also a good idea to ask your child what connections they make to the story (“What does this book make you think of?”) and even what the author’s purpose is in the book. Doing these things on a regular basis will really help your child become a stronger reader and writer by building confidence and good habits.

PIZANO’S PIZZA NIGHT
Mark your calendars now for Willard East night at Pizano’s on September 23rd from 5:00PM-8:00PM.
Proceeds will directly benefit our classroom! I will be working from 5:00-6:30 and would love to see you!

Ask your child about… living and non-living things, our seed project, Read to Self, and his or her 3 page stories!

CHECK THIS OUT!
Here is a link to some additional information regarding Standard Based Grading. Please let me know if you have questions. This will be a transition for students, parents, and teachers and we will work through this exciting change together!
https://sites.google.com/a/willardschools.net/curriculum-instruction-and-assessment/standards-based-grading/parent-information

HELPER SCHEDULE
Mon.–  Landen
Tues.– Oliver
Wed.– Ryen
Thurs.– Sophia H
Fri.– Sophia M

First, I want to take a minute and brag on my first grade friends. Mr. Matt has been incredibly sick (and he is not a complainer... at all.) It got so bad that he finally broke down and decided it was time to go to the doctor - but he was so sick he did not think he would physically be able to drive himself there! I ended up getting a very last minute sub on Thursday afternoon and taking him to the doctor. Verdict = ear infections, sinus infection, and bronchitis. YUCK! However, when I came to school on Friday, I had a very nice note from our substitute complimenting the students on their wonderful behavior. It is always stressful being gone from the classroom, especially when it is not a planned absence, but I was so pleased to see this note and so thankful for my sweet first grade friends! It makes me sad to think about how little time I have left with them.

The weeks are flying by so quickly! This week was as busy as ever and a lot of learning took place in Room 203! Last week my students went through the entire writing process and published their own version of the book Should I Share my Ice Cream? These are on display in the hallway and if you haven't had the chance to check them out, I encourage you to stop by! Here are a few samples. Sorry the formatting is a little off. I LOVE this program but I can not chose different page sizes / orientation with the iPad. 

SPELLING
boy, toy, joy, joyful, oil, foil

END OF YEAR ABC FUN
You may have seen these ideas floating around on Pinterest or Facebook and the first grade team has decided to join in on the fun. Starting Monday we will do something special each day for the remainder of the school year. A calendar came home today with the schedule. Next week our days will be:
M– Autograph day (don't need to bring anything for this)
T– Bubble fun
W– Camo day  - wear camo!
Th– Doughnut day (Mrs. Kramer will bring doughnuts)
F– Exercise Day

CHECK IT OUT
Be sure to check out the blog this weekend! Our class has been working SO hard on some amazing things! I will post pictures so you can have see all of the amazing things they have been doing!

DON’T FORGET
Every first grade student will need a plastic container with lid or a small shoe box. This is for a project that the students are doing in art. Please label the container / box with your child’s name and our class code: 1-K. Thanks!

BOX TOPS
Our box top challenge is still going on with Willard North! Let’s see how many box tops we can collect to help represent Willard East!


HELPER SCHEDULE
Mon– Bradley
Tues–  Brookelynn
Wed.–  Aidan
Thurs.– Elija
Friday– Early Out - Don't forget school will let out at 12:30

This week we learned all about ants! We read several fiction and non-fiction books about ants and soaked in as much information as we could! Then, we piggy-backed our ant discussion and practiced identifying antonyms. The students got a kick out of this and they did such a great job with the activity. Plus, they LOVE saying the word "antonym" because they know how smart it makes them sound!

As our learning continued through the week we added to this Ants brace map. We listed things that ants can do, things that ants have, and described ants. THe students were facinated with the things they discoverd about ants this week!

We also learned about the parts of a plant and the things a plant needs to survive during science this week. We made an anchor chart together as a class before students made and labeled their own plant.

SPELLING WORDS
my, make, they, there, will

FALL PARTY
Don’t forget that we will hold our fall party on Wednesday, October 31 at 2:30. Cristi Davault, Mia’s mother, is looking for parents who would like to help. If you would like to help either by donating items or by assisting with the party, please contact Cristi at 833-5093 or you can email her at cristidavault@yahoo.com.

UPCOMING NEEDS
I know it seems so far away right now, but December will be here before we know it! The first grade team does a very exciting economics unit during the month of December. Students learn about topics such as needs and wants,  supply and demand, and scarcity. During the unit, students will have the opportunity to earn and spend tickets for various things. At the end of the unit, we have a class store / auction. The first grade team will be needing additional items for our store including markers, gel pens, stickers, McDonalds toys, books (gently used is great!), and coloring books. All donations are greatly appreciated by both the students and the teachers.

SPRINGFIELD NEWS-LEADER UPDATE
The reporter from the News-Leader had to reschedule her time in our classroom. I will keep you posted as to when it is rescheduled.

RED RIBBON WEEK IS COMING!
Red Ribbon week is October 22-26. The days are:
M– Superhero Day
T-Red, White, and Blue
W-Pajama Day
TH– Tiger Pride / Black and White
F- No School

Ask your child about… ants, opinion writing, parts of a plant, antonyms, and sorting shapes during math.

We have had several cases of pink eye in our classroom. Please watch for signs of this with your child. We have also talked about the importance of good hand washing and keeping our hands away from our faces!

HELPER SCHEDULE
Mon.– Rhett
Tues.– Caleb
Wed.– Elliot
Thurs.– Emerie
Fri.– Hayden