September Superstars

We had our first Pep Rally today.  Three students from our class were chosen for being excellent role models for the class.  Congratulations to KK, HB and KE!  

Apple Day

Last week we welcomed the fall season with an apple tasting party.  We sampled many delicious snacks and drinks.  We also made a caramel apple to bring home and share with our families.  We also read about Johnny Appleseed.  It was a great day!

Peek at the Week of Sept. 27-Oct. 1

It's hard to believe this is the last week of September. Thank you for all of the help at last Friday's "Apple Day".  It was a lot of fun.  I hope your familiy enjoyed the special treat we made here at school.

I hope your child has settled into a homework routine at home.  I know there were many new at-home tasks (sight words, weekly spelling list) and I appreciate you taking the time to setup the space and time to practice at home.

I will be attending a workshop in Trumbull on Monday, September 27th.  There will be a substitute.  I will check the emails and phone messages when I return on Tuesday.

One first grade tradition I completely forgot to mention at Open House will be happening this week.  At the end of each month the 4 first grade classes get together for a brief "Pep Rally".  At the Pep Rally we say the Ox Ridge Kids Code:

At Ox Ridge School we are:

Kind and accepting

Honest and responsible

Safe and peaceful

Respectful to all.



Then each teacher presents a certificate to 2 or 3 students who followed the Kids' Code all month.  It's a way to recognize some students who demonstrate the spirit of being kind and responsible.  It can often be motivating for other students as well.

This Friday is the start of our Mystery Readers.  The class is very excited to see whose parents will be the first readers.

Homework

Monday 9/27

1.  Read & Practice Sight Words

2.  Word Work (pick 1 of the 5 activities)

Tuesday 9/28

1. Read & Practice Sight Words

2. Math: Numbers All Around Us

Wednesday 9/29

1. Read & Practice Sight Words

2. Writing:  Robot Draw & Write

Thursday 9/30

1.  Read & Practice Sight Words

2.  Study for tomorrow's spelling test

Have a great week!

Highlights of the Week: September 24

• Today we are having an apple party. (SS) 
• We are making caramel apples.  (CH)
• We have to cook them in the oven. (KS) 
• Everyone brought in an apple.(JF) 
• Today we are having our first spelling test.  (KK & LJD)
• In art we finished our waterfall weaving projects.  (AK)
• In Reading Workshop we learned about Tall Tales.  (MM)
• A tall tale is a story that is NOT true.  There are parts in the story that are really silly and crazy.  (DG)
• We read tall tales about Paul Bunyan and Johnny Appleseed.  (CH)
• We put our Sight Word Lists in our binders and brought home stickers with the words too.  (AS)
• Our parents made sight word flash cards. (MC)
• In gym we played soccer.  (HB)
• In music we learned a new song and dance called "Old King of the Mountain".  (GS)
• We also played the xylophones.  (EW)
• In music we played "Two Little Apples" (MC)
• In Writing Workshop we wrote a book about the fall season.  (KK)
• We used our 5 sensed in the fall books. (MM)
• In math we learned about Part-Part-Total math problems.  (LMD)
• At recess we switch front and back playgrounds.  (MC)

Peek at the Week of September 20-24

It was great meeting you at last week's Open House.  This is the week that I feel like we are really taking off!  Your child will be working in small groups on Literacy Centers and Word Work. 

We will also be having our first Activity Afternoon this Friday when we have our Apple Tasting event.  Thank you to the families who are providing the food and drinks. Please send an apple in with your child on Friday morning.  We will use it for our apple activities.

Our phonics program, Words Their Way, will begin this week with your child working in small groups on their first word pattern.  I am calling this "Word Work".  Your child will be bringing home a list of their words for the week.  There will be a letter attached to the word list with additional information.

Sight Words will also be coming home with your child today.  Your child will have a sheet (or sheets) of labels typed up in a colorful font.  These labels are for you to keep and use at home.  Your child will also be given the same words today to keep in their Reading Workshop binders to practice here at school.  A letter will be attached to your child's list explaining everything.

I think all of the back-to-school collections (emergency cards, lunch bunch, etc.) are finished.  Homework is beginning today.  As I said at Open House, homework will be given Monday-Thursday nights.  Homework will consist of 1 'written' assignment.  In addition to the homework sheet, every child should be making time to read for at least 15 minutes and practicing their sight words for about 5 minutes on a daily basis.  Homework will be listed here each week.

Homework
Monday 9/20
1.  Read for 20 minutes (5 minutes for sight words + 15 minutes of reading)
2.  Word Work:  Pick 1 assignment from the 'Word Work' list

Tuesday 9/21
1.  Read for 20 minutes (5 minutes for sight words + 15 minutes of reading)
2.  Math:  Barrel of Apples

Wednesday 9/22
1. Read for 20 minutes (5 minutes for sight words + 15 minutes of reading)
2. Writing: Apple Sentences

Thursday 9/23
1.  Read for 20 minutes (5 minutes for sight words + 15 minutes of reading)
2.  Review your words for tomorrow's spelling assessment
3.  Bring in an apple for tomorrow's apple day

Have a great week!

Highlights of the Week September 17th

• HB was an awesome captain.  (Miss D.)
• In gym we played Blob Tag.  It was fun.  (CB)
• In Music Mr. Allan showed us how to use wood blocks to keep a beat.  (AMS)
• We had art.  It was super-fun!  We made waterfalls with snakes.  They are sort of like quilts.  (KS and CF)
• We started a new chapter book called Clemetine.  It's about a girl who cut her hair and got in BIG HUGE trouble.  (MM and KE)
• In math we learned about tally marks.  (AGS)
• In writing workshop we practiced making sure our sentences make sense.  (KK)
• Our moms and dads came for Open House.  We stayed home with babysitters.  (LJD and MC)
• We are excited for our Apple Party next Friday.  (AK)
• Next Friday we will have our first spelling test.  (SM)
• Also, next week homework begins! (MC)

First Mystery Reader

We were very lucky to have Mr. Foreshaw as the first Mystery Reader of the year.  He read a great book to our class and we were able to learn more about our new Vice Principal during this visit.

Peek at the Week of September 13-17

It is nice to return to a 'normal' 5-day week.  The first 2 weeks of school are behind us and everyone (including Miss Dineen) is gettting used to the new schedule and routines of first grade.  Many people have made new friends which is great!

Parents are invited to Open House this Wednesday, September 15th.  First grade presentations begin at 8:00pm.  You will be able to sign up for your December conference slot then.