Have a Nice Break!

Just wanted to say thanks for all of your help so far this school year.  Things have been going well and are going to continue to do so, I am sure of it!

I hope you all have a wonderful Winter Break and we will see you in the new year!

Just in case you are picking up some extras...

Classroom Supply Wish List:

Pink erasers

Hand sanitizer

Tissues

Clorox wipes

End of the Quarter

Report Cards- With the quarter coming to an end on December 20^th (report cards go out that day), the last day to hand in ALL work for the quarter is Friday, December 13^th.  Please be sure to check Family Link for assignments your child is missing!  

Some Things to Think About...

Here are some links to a few articles and websites which should help answer some questions about:

Keeping children healthy-
http://www.greatschools.org/parenting/health-nutrition/5134-5-surprising-tricks-for-keeping-your-child-healthy-this-season.gs?cpn=20131201weekly

Common Core Standards-
http://www.greatschools.org/common-core-state-standards/7708-common-core-questions-and-answers.gs?cpn=20131124weekly

Organizing your child-
http://www.greatschools.org/parenting-dilemmas/7612-teaching-children-organizational-skills.gs?cpn=20130825weeklysend

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to say have a great Thanksgiving break, and we'll see you in December!

Pictures from our Muse 2 You Desert People Presentaion

We had so much fun on Monday.  Here are some shots of the activities we did...

Muse 2 You Presentation

Muse 2 You- The AZ State Museum Native American presentations are Monday, 11/18.  You must pay by then or your child will not be allowed to participate and their social studies grade will be adversely affected!  We need $6 per child! 

Coming soon....  Pictures of our first presentation!   

In Preparation for Progress Reports...

Family Link- Family Link is up and running, and working completely!  You can go online and see how your child is doing on a weekly basis!  Please check out the link:  https://schoolmaster1asp.tylertech.com/LPA/FamilyLink  You had a letter sent home with instructions for you to set up your account.  If you need new instructions, see the front office!  

Homework- Getting ready for progress reports this Friday, I will be sending home the orange homework notes letting you know if your child is missing some of their work.  Please check online at FamilyLink to find out what those assignments are.  The last day to hand in old work is Thursday, Nov. 14^th.  

ASARCO Mine Field Trip

We had a great time!  It was fun and educational, and the kids had a blast!  I wanted to give a special thanks to Jeff (Cameron's dad), Yuvia (Mariajose's mom), Sundai (Ireyna's mom), and Brittany (Corbin's mom) for helping out on the trip.  We wouldn't have been able to go without your help!

Enjoy the pics below from the trip!

Field Trip on Friday!

Our first field trip of the year is finally here!  We are headed to the ASARCO mines to have a tour and use their Discovery Center.  I am still missing a few permission slips and some money.  Please send in ASAP so we can all enjoy this trip together!

To bring/wear on Friday:
-sack lunch (NO lunch boxes)
-water bottle
-Light blue field trip shirt
-jeans or long pants
-comfortable walking shoes

Family Link is up!

Please go to the following link to log on to FamilyLink and check out your child's grades online.  I will update them weekly (generally speaking of course...)  =)

https://schoolmaster1asp.tylertech.com/LPA/FamilyLink

Second Quarter Here We Come!

Whew!  Sorry the blog hasn't been updated in almost a month!  Its been a little rough with the new curriculum, new online grade book, report cards, etc.  I promise I will be better about keeping the blog up to date for those few who actually look at it from time to time...

Speaking of new...  We are starting our new Math curriculum this week, so math papers coming home will look different!  Most pages will be marked as to whether it is classwork or homework, and I usually check all classwork as we go.  So, the same rules as always apply:  If you aren't sure if it is homework or not, have your child complete the work and hand it in.  I will sort it out!  The first grade decided to start at the beginning with the new curriculum.  Built into the new system is a way for each child to have review or enrichment activities if they need them.  The first grade will also be doing re-teach and enrich groups at the end of each topic (unit) to make sure everyone has learned what they need to learn!  Our first topic will last two weeks and is "Understanding Addition".

Please be sure to let me know if you have any questions!

Donors Choose Project Pictures

Here are a few shots of our class enjoying some books donated to our class through our first Donors Choose project!  Thanks again to all of the families who helped us receive these books!  The kids love them, and couldn't wait to start looking at them!  We have another set of books coming soon through our second Donors Choose project which was recently funded.  Be looking for more pics of your kids enjoying our new materials!

Helpful Sites

Here are some links to some helpful sites and articles:

Title 1 has a blog:
 lpatitle1.wordpress.com/

The home-school connection:
http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/parent-teacher-partnerships/home-school-connection

Spelling Practice:
http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/tip/daily-tips/make-spelling-fun

LPA Fundraiser

La Paloma Academy is selling first aid kits!  We are trying to make some "healthier" choices this year...

There will be a variety of kits for purchase from Sept 11-20th.  The kick off assembly is this Wednesday and parent information will go home that day as well.  Our assembly is from 9:00-9:15 in the gym.  Come to the assembly to find out more, if you can!

Please Come See Me!

Now is the time to set up conferences to discuss your child’s progress.  With homework notes and progress reports going home this week, as well as reading groups, testing, etc., we have lots to discuss!  I want to meet with everyone so please set up a time!  Write a note, send an email, etc.  Let me know when you would like to meet!  


Also, check out this link to find tips to help organize your child (managing homework, study habits, etc.)  I've used some of the ideas with my own children, and they work!

http://www.greatschools.org/parenting-dilemmas/7612-teaching-children-organizational-skills.gs?cpn=20130825weeklysend

Test Booklets and Conferences

Galileo testing is done!  Since our initial testing is complete the test booklets from our "bubble tests" will be going home later this week with an explanation letter attached.  With the results in from our testing, combined with the fact that it's just about time for progress reports, I would like to meet with everyone to discuss your child.  Please send a note or email, or see me to set up a good time to conference!

Galileo Tests This Week

The 19th starts our first standardized testing of the year in reading and math.  We call these “the bubble tests”.  Students will have math and reading questions read to them.  They will pick a multiple choice answer and fill in the bubble on their answer sheet.  It is a complicated skill to learn at first, but we always make it through.  Testing booklets will be sent home afterwards so you know what your children are being tested on!  Be sure to ask if you have any questions!  

Be sure your child gets plenty of rest and a good breakfast.  All of these things help children perform better on the tests!    

Here Comes First Grade!

Below are some great links to articles letting you know what to expect from your first grader this school year!  Most are articles found on greatschools.org.

Preparing for first grade:
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/274-preparing-for-first-grade.gs?cpn=20130811weeklysend

Reading:
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/234-first-grade-reading.gs

Math:
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/137-first-grade-math.gs

Writing:
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/197-first-grade-writing.gs

Art:
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/177-first-grade-art.gs

What your first grader should know:
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/1208-first-grade-benchmarks.gs

Check your folders!

Just a quick reminder to check your folders every day!  I am still missing important papers from quite a few students!  I will send home reminders this week.  Please turn the papers in ASAP!

Welcome to First Grade!

Welcome back families!  I hope you had an enjoyable summer!  We have a fun filled busy year ahead of us, so look forward to lots of great experiences for your child!  Be sure to check the blog and newsletters weekly as I will continue to update you with things happening in our classroom!

I am excited to have your children in our class and look forward to a good year!

Bowling Party Pics

Here are a few shots from our bowling party last Thursday.  The kids had a blast!

Registration for 2013-2014

Registration packets for next school year went home today!  There are specific instructions in the packets about when to bring back the information and complete your child's registration.  Please do not bring completed packets to either me or the front desk.  If you do have questions about the registration process for next year, please, however, do see the lovely ladies at the front desk!  Thanks for your continued support of LPA!

Scholastic Book Fair

The Spring Scholastic Book Fair is here all week long!  It can be found in the walkway above the gym!  Our class did a walk-through today and they have some pretty amazing stuff!  Come check it out!  Books are buy one get one free!  Its a great way to stock up on books for the summer!

Keep Reading at Home!

Read at Home!

Students should be reading at least 40 word per minute and should know all 225 sight words.  We are doing two more reading tests before the end of the year!  Students have to read at the appropriate level before moving on to second grade...  Please take the time to help them practice their reading skills at home!  

Unfinished Work

Homework notes went home today!  Please be aware that as the school year is winding down, I need to have ALL student work completed and turned in on time.  Each week all homework is due by Friday.  If you are uncertain if something is considered homework or not, follow this rule of thumb:  If it has a check mark, star, sticker, stamp, okay, etc. on it, I have seen it.  Otherwise hand it in and I will take a look at it.  Please make sure you are checking your child's work each day.  It is important that they receive that reinforcement at home as well as at school.  Thanks for your continued help and dedication!

How to Discuss Tragedies with Your Children

Below are some links that will help you discuss the recent violence in Boston with your children.  In class, we have had only one mention of the event and so have discussed the tragedy minimally.

Talking to Chilren about Community Violence:
http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/resources_for_families/talking_to_children_about_community_violence is a tip sheet from the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry about how to handle discussions with kids about violence in local communities. 

Talking to Your Kids About Natural Disasters, War, and Violence:
http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/global-awareness/talking-to-your-kids-about-natural-disasters-war-and-violence is a Scholastic article that offers advice from a child-development expert about how to talk with kids about disturbing news.

Scholastic News Online’s coverage:
http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3758048  is an age-appropriate news article about the tragic events in Boston.  

Butterfly Garden Pictures

Here are a few pictures from our field trip to the Botanical Gardens!  We had a blast and we are continuing the fun by "growing" our own butterflies in our classroom!

We had fun in the play area!

We were extra excited about the prehistoric plant garden

Life Cycle of a Plant- the little seed grows up

In the Butterfly Exhibit

Looking at all of the different types of butterflies

There were tons of pretty flowers in the Butterfly Exhibit as well

So many pretty butterflies...  

We had to make sure there were no "hitch-hikers" when we left

Life Cycle of a Plant- learning about different types of seeds

Life Cycle of a Plant- being a seed...  

Life Cycle of a plant- Plants make food from the sun

Thinking Ahead...

It won't be long before school's out and summer is here!  It is not too late to start thinking about how to keep your child's mind busy over the break!

Check out these links below for some ideas and keep checking in!  I will continue to share things as they come up!

Activities to do at home:
http://www.greatschools.org/students/summer-activities/slideshows/4167-summer-learning-first-second-third-grade.gs?page=1

Science:
http://www.greatschools.org/students/summer-activities/slideshows/6935-hands-on-science-activities.gs

Summer Camps:
http://www.greatschools.org/students/summer-activities/1537-recession-summer-camp.gs?cpn=20130407weeklysend

Understanding What Your Child is Doing in Math:
http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/slideshows/6368-different-ways-of-teaching-math.gs?page=1

THANK YOU!

I just wanted to say thanks to all of the families who continue to help out!  I have received paper towels when it was noticed that I was out, also pencils, copy paper, erasers, and other supplies!  Also, I wanted to thank those of you who continue to send in Box Tops.  Everything helps and I appreciate everyone's support greatly!  You families are the best!  Thanks for all you do to help make my job a little easier!

Conferences

Be sure to see me for a conference!  I would like to talk with everyone to update you on your child's progress!  See me for a day and time!

Reading and Math Help at Home

Here are some more articles and websites that can help your child be prepared for 2nd grade!  Check them out!

http://www.greatschools.org/reading/7096-children-learning-to-read.gs?cpn=20130303weeklysend

http://www.greatschools.org/reading/7095-help-children-be-good-readers.gs?cpn=20130303weeklysend

Check out www.scootpad.com/signin  I sent home information papers explaining how to use this free online activity.  It helps out with Math and Reading both and is lots of fun!  Its also FREE!  If you need your child's user ID and password, let me know!

Galileo Testing

This coming week is our next round of Galileo testing (or as we like to call them “bubble tests”.)  We are testing reading and math so expect to see those test booklets to come home once we are done testing.  If you are interested, once we get the results, I can let you know how your child scored.  Be sure to let me know if you have any questions!

Pictures from our Field Trip

A few fun shots of your children out at La Posta Quemada Ranch!  We had a blast!  Be sure to ask them about their favorite part!