Monday, May 23, 2011

What to do this summer...

Summer Activities

Reading: Read to your child every day! (15 minutes would be great.) I recommend checking out the public library’s summer reading program. They have great incentives to help children read, plus you can check out all the books you like! If you go to the “reader” shelf of the children’s section, you’ll be able to find books that your child can read on their own. Check out the website at www.library.pima.gov for more information and to find the branch nearest you!

Writing: Two or three times a week have your child write in their journal. This could be in one of the school journals we’re sending home, a notebook, or one made from the journal page included in this packet. Choose a topic for your child to write about or have them choose their own. Help them stretch out the words (write down the sounds they hear in each word) to make a sentence or sentences. Be sure to remind them they need a capital at the beginning, period at the end, and finger spaces between each word! Then they can draw a picture about what they’ve written.

Workbooks: Workbooks for first and second grade can be found at grocery stores, drug stores, Target, Walmart, Costco, just about anywhere really! Look for activities that suit your child’s ability level. (When in doubt, you really can’t go wrong with getting a first grade book that reviews skills we have learned throughout the year).

Websites: There are lots of great educational websites, just do a search for first grade activities and you’ll find a bunch of them! Some of my favorites are: www.kidzone.com, www.pbskids.org/lions, www.starfall.com, and www.brainpopjr.com.

We've had a great year! Thank you for letting me teach your children. We all grew and learned together, and I will miss them. Please stop by next year for a visit!

**As always, if you have any questions feel free to contact me via my email address: b_thies@hotmail.com. I will still check it all summer long and would love to help if you have any questions!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Last Spelling List

Spelling list 23 this week: pages, hold, kind, draw, about, over, yellow, foundation, mention, fantastic, *today, *once. Words with an *asterisk are sight words and should be memorized.

Sentences: "I will bring hot dogs and buns," said Pam. Who would like to plan some games to play?

Bonus Sentences: Can we swim in the lake at the park? We should invite Beth to come along.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Week of May 2

Spelling List 22- old, find, taking, fault, saw, plastic, now, shouted, joining, starvation, word*, four*. Words with an asterisk* are sight words and should be memorized.

Sentences: The kind old man told me some tales. The child romped and played in the straw. Bonus sentences: The little lost kitten was both blind and cold. Its sharp claws got me as it jumped on my lap.

Field Trip- Tomorrow (May 3rd) we are headed to Fellowship Square Retirement community to visit our senior reading buddies. We'll be singing a few songs and handing out cards! Be sure to get your permission slips in ASAP!

Research Project-
Be sure to work on your project! Its due next Monday, May 9th and the students are presenting on Wednesday, May11th!