Classroom News September 29- October 3

October 3, 2008
Dear Parents and Students,
How are you? I am ready for the weather to cool off next week. It has still been quite warm in our classroom this week. I am proud to say that our class did a great job singing at the welcome back assembly today. We joined with the other first grade classes to sing a song we've learned about being friends.
This week we started something new with spelling sorts in our class. I hope you received your note and sort that your child should be working on. Each Monday I will send home a new sort. I am hoping this will better reach some of the individual needs in our classroom.
Next week will be a busy week for us. We will be taking the Unit 1 reading block assessments in our class. This is something new we are doing this year. We will be doing different sections of testing each day. Please help your child to get plenty of rest each night. Also, please make sure they have breakfast. I am excited to see how well everyone will do.
We are also starting reading groups and centers. We will do this on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Our reading group time is 8:15-9:15. Please make sure that your child is here and on time to begin groups each day. I am also thankful for our volunteers that will be helping us each day during centers .
Next week we have parent teacher conferences. I am excited to get to meet with each of you and discuss your child’s progress. This year we are starting a new grading program. I hope you can be patient with me, as we are still working out the bugs with the new system. The new grading is based off of a rubric with scores of 0-4. Please make your best effort to be on time to your appointment.
On Monday Officer Bourne will be visiting our class to do DARE. We will learn about how to keep our bodies healthy and safe. We will have 4 30 minute sessions where Officer Bourne will come and talk with our class.
Book orders are also due on Thursday October 9th. Next Thursday is our day for Bookmobile. The Bookmobile only comes to our school every other week. Please help your child remember their book to exchange for a new one.
Thanks for all you do! I appreciate supportive parents and such wonderful students. Please contact me at school with any questions or concerns.
Thanks,
Mrs. Shaffer