Hello First Grade Falcon Families,

The first few days of school have been great! I have enjoyed spending time with and getting to know each of the students and look forward to getting to know them even more. Below you will find what we have done in the classroom for the past two weeks, what we will be doing, ideas of how you can support your student, and any classroom and school announcements.


CLASSROOM UPDATES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Reading
The students have been getting ready for guided reading groups by learning independent and small group activities with Mrs. Adams (7th grade teacher). Meanwhile, I have been listening to each of the students read in order to gauge their reading skills. Mrs. Adams will continue to prepare the students for independent and group work while I finish assessing each student's reading ability.

Support Idea(s):

• Your student should be reading, or read to, every night for at least 15 minutes.
• If your student is already reading independently, ask them to read out loud for 15 minutes.       
• If your student is not yet reading independently, read out loud (pointing to each word as you read) to them for 15 minutes.        

Riggs
We are reviewing the correct way to sit, hold your pencil, and form the basic letter strokes. We will continue this review and ease into a review of the first 26 phonograms as soon as we are ready! Students are expected to use their very best handwriting at all times. Quality, not quantity, of letter strokes is what students should be encouraged to produce.

Support Idea(s):

• As your student is practicing letter strokes for homework, encourage them to go very slowly. We have been using the phrase, “slow and steady wins the race” quite a bit in class. Remind your student of this phrase while they work.

Math
Along with review of concepts learned in Saxon 1 from last year, these are the concepts we have been, and will be focusing on in math:

• numbers can be written as number sentences
• a graph is an easy way to show data or information   
• a repeating pattern can be created and named in different ways, such     as colors, shapes, and letters

Support Idea(s):

• To reinforce the concept of using graphs, make a progress graph with your student. Keep track of how many books your student reads (independently or with you) each night.

ex. Books read each night
               

4
3
2
1
x/y	9/17/12	9/18/12	9/19/12	9/20/12

x-axis = Date books were read
y-axis = Number of books on that date

Science/History
We have been studying about where we are in this World! The students should be able to grasp the concepts that: they live in a city, their city is in a state, their state is in a country, and their country is on a continent. We will shortly move on to learning about how our country became known as the United States of America, beginning with early man crossing Beringia (the land bridge) to North America.

In honor of our National Constitution Day (September 17th) we will learn about the second amendment to the Constitution. You are invited to hear our song about the second amendment (as well as presentations by the rest of the school) on Thursday, September 20th at 2:30PM in the gymnasium.

Support Idea(s):

• Talk with your student about what they have learned during our science and history lessons at school. Ask questions and see if they are able to answer them. If they are unable to answer your questions, provide extra support for them by reading books (from the library) on the topics we're studying. Ask questions during and after the reading to encourage involvement and comprehension.

Field Trip to Wildwood Recreational Area, October 12th, 2012
Our first field trip of the school year will be to Wildwood Recreational Area on October 12th, 2012. In addition to paying close attention to the wildlife at Wildwood, we will use our imaginations to go back in time and think like the earliest man, from hunting and gathering to farming and settling. Field trip Fridays are considered regular school days and students must be present at school for a full school day. On the day of the field trip, please send your student to school with:

• A regular uniform on OR red field trip shirt, jeans, and comfortable shoes. We will be outside all day and the students will most likely need a red sweater and a jacket.
• A sack lunch, snack, and a full water bottle.    

We will need enough parent drivers to transport and chaperon 27 students to and from Wildwood. If you are available to volunteer please contact Mrs. Higgins and Mrs. Sanborn, our classroom field trip volunteer coordinators!

Classroom Wish List

• Medium-large succulent plants for the classroom

SCHOOL-WIDE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Constitution Day
September 17th is recognized in the United States as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. The purpose of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is to commemorate the creation and signing of the supreme law of the land and to honor and celebrate the privileges and responsibilities of U.S. citizenship for both native-born and naturalized citizens. This year CHPCS will be celebrating the Constitution all week! From costumed reenactors to school decorations, every grade level will be learning the ins and outs of our founding document. Please join us on Thursday for an assembly at 2:30  and see what we've learned!

Car Line Procedures
If you have not already, please review the revised car line procedures. They are posted under the “Helpful Documents” section of this blog.

Uniform Code Clarification
Our current uniform code states: “Skirts must be no more than three inches above the knee...Solid colored footed tights or nylons are allowed under skirts and shorts”

The code has been changed to read: “Skirts must be at least at the top of the knee.”

We know that many families have done their uniform shopping so for the 2012-13 school year: Skirts that are shorter (still of a tasteful length) than just above the knee may be worn providing blue or black solid color leggings or shorts are worn underneath.

WE STRIVE TO PROTECT THE MODESTY OF EVERY STUDENT.

Other friendly uniform reminders
Students may not wear:

• CROCS, HEELIES, FLIP FLOPS, BOOTS of ANY KIND (including UGGS and rain boots), HIKING SHOES, HIGH HEELS, OR FIVE FINGER SHOES    

And general uniform information

• Hair is to be clean, neatly groomed and not interfere with eyesight. Extreme fads in cuts, styles, or designs are not acceptable. Hair of an unnatural hair color is not allowed.   
• Make-Up: Light makeup is acceptable for 8th grade only. Glitter (of any kind) or heavily applied makeup is not acceptable (eyeliner, mascara, lipstick, etc.), and student will be asked to remove it.
• Tattoos, henna designs, face painting or other writing on hands, arms, legs or other visible places are not acceptable. Please remove them thoroughly before school.   
• Jewelry: Piercing is acceptable only if located in the ear lobes. Other body piercing may not be visible. Necklaces and bracelets must not be distracting. Dog-type collared jewelry, studded wristbands, wallet chains, ropes, and studs, are not allowed.        
• Hands: Hands must be clean and nails clean and trimmed. Clear nail polish is acceptable; NO colored nail polish is allowed--student will be asked to remove it.        

Calendar at a Glance:

Thursday, September 20th, 2012	Constitution Week classroom presentations in the gymnasium, 2:30PM
Wednesday, September 26th, 2012	Picture Day!
Saturday, October 6th, 2012	Riggs     Class for Parents
Friday, October 12th, 2012	Field Trip to Wildwood Recreational Area
Thursday, October 18th, 2012	Harvest Festival, 6:00-7:30PM

Thank you for your continued support and have a great week!

Mrs. Varis