Ms. Homoelle

May 9, 2008

Important Reminders and Dates:

*****_Alex_ IS OUR CHARACTER WINNER FOR THE MONTH OF April.  The character word for April was ACCOMPLISHMENT.

1. SHH...Mystery Reader for the rest of the year is: Mr. Moskowitz May 9th and 16th. Mrs. Myers on May 23rd.

2. CRCT: The CRCT went smoothly and wonderfully! I am so proud of everyone for working so hard, practicing so hard, and believing in themselves. Results will be mailed home at the end of the year. Thank you parents, for your support leading up to this point!

3. CLASS PICNIC DATE is May 12rd! Our picnic will be in the outdoor classroom from 11-11:45. See you on Monday!

4. Mark your calendars for FIELD DAY- May 20th. Parent volunteer opportunities coming soon!

We are learning...

We are working on many special activities and surprises, along with 2nd grade previewing!

Special Thanks:

Thank you Mrs. Euston and Mrs. Bengston for providing a wonderful activity while I was meeting with other first grade teachers!

Important Reminders and Dates:

*****_AUDREY_ IS OUR CHARACTER WINNER FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH.  The character word for March was Commitment.

1. Shhhh!!!  Mystery Reader for  the rest of the year: 4/25 Euston, 5/2 Harper, 5/16 Moskowitz and 5/ 23 Myers.

2. CRCT: Parents you should be so proud of your child. He/she tried very hard and was an EXCELLENT LISTENER. Thank you so much with all your support in helping your child be successful!

3. CLASS PICNIC DATE CHANGED: It will be Monday, May 12th from 11-1145! Thank you for being flexible.

We are learning...

1. Reader's Workshop: We will continue to discuss how good readers think about the main idea of the story and what happens in the beginning, middle, and end.

2. Math: We will begin exploring area and perimeter on various shapes and making estimates.

3.  Writer's Workshop:    We are exploring authors as mentors. We will study the wonderful books written by beloved children's book author, Angela Johnson. We will study her use of ellipse (dot, dot, dot) and comeback lines.

5.  Sitton Spelling:   NO NEW WORDS. Your child is responsible to spell 35 words in first grade. These 35 words are repeated throughout the spelling series to ensure automaticity.  The spelling test is a cloze test which means words will need to be placed within the correct context of the sentence read aloud.  Because context is key, if a spelling word comes at the beginning of a sentece, your child must know to capitalize it, otherwise the word is incorrect.  Furthermore, if the word appears in the middle of a sentence read aloud, the word must have all lowercase letters, or else it is incorrect. "Word Previews" will come home on Mondays and words will be practiced throughout the week through various spelling and skill building activities. is

Special Thanks:

Mrs. Zeller, Mrs. Renou, and Mrs. Strovinskas for sending in WONDERFUL snacks during CRCT to help keep the students motivated!

April 17, 2008

Important Reminders and Dates:

*****_AUDREY_ IS OUR CHARACTER WINNER FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH.  The character word for March was Commitment.

1. Shhhh!!!  Mystery Reader for April 18th is Mrs. Broda.  Mrs. Euston is our Mystery Reader for April 25th!  Thank you and see you then!

2. Math Blaster Folder:  Please return by Thursday May 8th!

3. CRCT: We will be taking the CRCT April 23, 24, 25. We will be tested on reading, language arts and Math. Please read the hot pink sheet in your child's behavior folder today regarding the CRCT. Also, remember to review online and with any sheets or senteo quizzes sent home. Thank you for your support. Please remember to send in a healthy snack with your child because the test can take up to TWO HOURS each day.

4. Kickball Game: Tuesday April 22nd from 2:30-3:30. Check your child's folder for more information. Please come cheer me on I will be on Cooper's Crew!

5. Class Picnic: Tuesday May 20th from 11-11:45 in the outdoor classroom weather permitting! Please come end the year and eat with your child.

We are learning...

Due to CRCT we will be reviewing skills and discussing test taking strategies.

Important Reminders and Dates:

*****_AUDREY_ IS OUR CHARACTER WINNER FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH.  The character word for March was Committment.

1. Shhhh!!!  Mystery Reader for April 4th is Mrs. Bengston.  Mrs. Broda is our Mystery Reader for April 18th!  Thank you and see you then!

2. Math Blaster Folder:  Please return by TOMORROW, Friday 4th!!

3. Field Trip: Thank you for returning the Wheeler H.S. field trip forms. This trip will be April 15th.

4. CRCT: We will be taking the CRCT April 23, 24, 25. We will be tested on reading, language arts and Math. Please continue to take the practice test online with the username and password sheet I had given to you at conferences.If you have misplaced this sheet, let me know, I have extras!  Also, please review any errors on practice tests graded at school.  Thank you for your extra help!

5. ART SHOW!!  TODAY!  From 3:00-7:00pm you are invited to come to the Multi-Purpose room to view your child's unique art piece as it will be framed and displayed and ready for purchase! Please stop by after school or in the evening to admire your child's amazing art!!!

We are learning...

1. Reader's Workshop: We will explore Author's Purpose. We will look at different fiction and nonfiction books to determine whether the author's intention is to entertain or inform. We will also continue to look at main idea and focus on author's message/life lessons.

2. Math: We will review concepts and skills. We will be reviewing rounding, place value, graphing, time, fractions and problem solving skills.

3.  Writer's Workshop:    We are exploring authors as mentors. We will study the wonderful books written by beloved children's book author, Angela Johnson. We will study her use of ellipse (dot, dot, dot) and comeback lines.

4. Phonics: We will work on swapping various beginning blends to make new words. Also, we will work on trading out medial vowel sounds to create new words.

5.  Sitton Spelling:   NO NEW WORDS. Your child is responsible to spell 35 words in first grade. These 35 words are repeated throughout the spelling series to ensure automaticity.  The spelling test is a cloze test which means words will need to be placed within the correct context of the sentence read aloud.  Because context is key, if a spelling word comes at the beginning of a sentece, your child must know to capitalize it, otherwise the word is incorrect.  Furthermore, if the word appears in the middle of a sentence read aloud, the word must have all lowercase letters, or else it is incorrect. "Word Previews" will come home on Mondays and words will be practiced throughout the week through various spelling and skill building activities. is

6. Language Arts: We will continue to work on the many language arts skills learned this year through various forms of review including our favorite Senteo response system quizzes!

Special Thanks:

Mrs. Bradley and Mrs. Harper for sending in items off the WISH LIST!!! :)

March 27, 2008

Important Reminders and Dates:

*****Audrey IS OUR CHARACTER WINNER FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH. SHE WAS VOTED FOR HAVING COMMITTMENT! **********************

1. Shhhh!!!  Mystery Reader for March 28th is Mrs. Alexander. Mrs. Broda is the mystery reader for April 18th.  Then on Thank you and see you then!

2. Math Blaster Folder:  Please return by Friday April 4.

3. Field Trip: Please return the WHEELER permission slip and $4.50. We we will see a play. We will be eating lunch at the school at our regular time.

4. CRCT: We will be taking the CRCT April 23, 24, 25. We will be tested on reading, language arts and Math. Please continue to take the practice test online with the username and password sheet I had given to you at conferences.If you have misplaced this sheet, let me know, I have extras!

We are learning...

1. Reader's Workshop: We will explore using dictionaries and comparing different components of books. We will look at dictionaries vs. glossaries, title pages vs. table of contents. We will compare and contrast these items using venn diagrams.

2. Math: We will review concepts and skills. We will be reviewing rounding, place value, graphing, time, fractions and problem solving skills.

3.  Writer's Workshop:    We are exploring letter writing. We are studying the things good writers do when writing a letter and making it easy for our reader. Next week we will begin sending letters using the Mt. Bethel Mail and addressing our letters. We are really thinking about how to write good telling and asking sentences and how to respond. Of course, we are still using the word wall, puncutation and capital letters!

4. Phonics: Word Wall Words are: NO NEW WORDS. REVIEW We will review how to make plural nouns, word parts, commas in a series, and combining sentences using and/or.

5.  Sitton Spelling:   NO NEW WORDS. Your child is responsible to spell 35 words in first grade. These 35 words are repeated throughout the spelling series to ensure automaticity.  The spelling test is a cloze test which means words will need to be placed within the correct context of the sentence read aloud.  Because context is key, if a spelling word comes at the beginning of a sentece, your child must know to capitalize it, otherwise the word is incorrect.  Furthermore, if the word appears in the middle of a sentence read aloud, the word must have all lowercase letters, or else it is incorrect. "Word Previews" will come home on Mondays and words will be practiced throughout the week through various spelling and skill building activities. is

6. Language Arts: We will begin practicing our research, grammar and sentence structure skills. This will be sent home for your reference.

WISH LIST:

Special Thanks:

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US AT THE AUTHOR CELEBRATION. IT IS WITH YOUR SUPPORT THAT HAS MADE YOUR CHILD LOVE WRITING AND WANT TO CONTINUE DOWN THAT PATH. IT WAS WONDERFUL SEEING YOU! :)

Thank you  to Ms. Bengston, Mrs. Cohen, and Mrs. Euston for volunteering while the first grade teachers were at a meeting. The students really enjoyed creating their dot pictures.

Thank you Mr. Broda for reading to our class last week! They were surprised when you brought the newspaper!

Thank you Mrs. Bradley and Mrs. Harper for sending in the items from the wish list. I really appreciate it!!!

A special thanks to Mrs. Lowe and Mrs. Broda for helping with the publishing process and binding books for our Author Celebration.

March 20, 2008

Due to Progress reports that were sent home today,I will not be doing an official blog for next week. Next Thursday, I will resume the normal schedule. I am excited to see all of you tomorrow for the Author Celebration at 1:30. Please stop in the Media Center beforehand to check out our "cereal box book reports."

Important Reminders and Dates:

*****KEVIN IS OUR CHARACTER WINNER FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY. HE WAS VOTED FOR HAVING TOLERANCE! **********************

1. Shhhh!!!  Mystery Reader for March 21is Mrs. Broda  Then on Thank you and see you then!

2. Math Blaster Folder:  Please return by Friday April 4.

3. Field Trip: Please return the ZOO TO YOU field trip form and $3.00 donation.  This will be an in-school presentation featuring some pretty amazing animals!

4.Author Celebration: Another one is coming March 21st. This one will showcase your child's nonfiction writing called ALL ABOUT BOOKS. This will take place in our classroom from 1:30-2:00. We hope to see you then. Invitation was sent home today! Please send back the bottom portion ASAP!

5, Class Project: Your child will need an empty, paper wrapped ceral box for Friday March 14th. We will be desigining book jackets while discussing main idea and story elements. These will be displayed in the Media Center folllowing Friday.

We are learning...

1. Reader's Workshop:  We will review grammar skills such as; compound words, pronouns, proper nouns, contractions and verbs.. Students will find these in their independent reading choices and record them on post-its for sharing.

2. Math: We will review concepts and skills through a practice CRCT packet. This packet will informally graded and sent home for your reference and practice.

3.  Writer's Workshop:  As writer's we begin publishing our All About Books for the Author Celebration.

4. Phonics: Word Wall Words are:  NEXT, QUIET, ALWAYS, WILL. We will take  a closer look at proper nouns: days of the week, months, names of places and people are all examples of nouns that need a capital letter at any point in the sentence.

5.  Sitton Spelling:   ONE, HAD, NOT. Your child is responsible to spell 35 words in first grade. These 35 words are repeated throughout the spelling series to ensure automaticity.  The spelling test is a cloze test which means words will need to be placed within the correct context of the sentence read aloud.  Because context is key, if a spelling word comes at the beginning of a sentece, your child must know to capitalize it, otherwise the word is incorrect.  Furthermore, if the word appears in the middle of a sentence read aloud, the word must have all lowercase letters, or else it is incorrect. "Word Previews" will come home on Mondays and words will be practiced throughout the week through various spelling and skill building activities. is

6. Language Arts: We will begin practicing our research, grammar and sentence structure skills. This will be sent home for your reference.

WISH LIST:

18 JUICE BOXES FOR THE AUTHOR CELEBRATION

SWIFTER DUSTERS

Special Thanks:

Thank you  to Ms. Begston, Mrs. Cohen, and Mr. Strovinskas on our wonderful to the Georgia Aquarium. Everything went smoothly thanks to you!

March 6, 2008

Important Reminders and Dates:

*****KEVIN IS OUR CHARACTER WINNER FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY. HE WAS VOTED FOR HAVING TOLERANCE! **********************

1. Shhhh!!!  Mystery Reader for March 14 is Mrs. Bradley  Then on Thank you and see you then!

2. Math Blaster Folder:  Please return by Friday April 4.

3. Field Trip: Please return the ZOO TO YOU field trip form and $3.00 donation.  This will be an in-school presentation featuring some pretty amazing animals!

4.Author Celebration: Another one is coming March 21st. This one will showcase your child's nonfiction writing called ALL ABOUT BOOKS. This will take place in our classroom from 1:30-2:00. We hope to see you then. Invitation to follow.

5. GEORGIA AQUARIUM IS FRIDAY MARCH 7TH! There are strict guidelines we must follow:P.E. SHOES ONLY, NO CAMERAS OR HATS. LUNCHES MUST BE PACKED IN BROWN PAPER BAG WITH YOUR CHILD'S NAME WRITTEN ON IT. THROW AWAY CONTAINERS AND ITEMS ONLY. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY. PLEASE BE SURE ARRIVES TO SCHOOL ON TIME. WE WILL BE LEAVING FIRST THING IN THE MORNING

6. Class Project: Your child will need an empty, paper wrapped ceral box for Friday March 14th. We will be desigining book jackets while discussing main idea and story elements. These will be displayed in the Media Center folllowing Friday.

We are learning...

1. Reader's Workshop:  We will study main idea and use details to figure out what the story is mostly about.

2. Math Workshop: We will explore adding and subracting two digit numbers.

3.  Writer's Workshop:  As writer's we will continue to work on developing All-About books.  We will work more with All-About Book structure and content!

4. Phonics: Word Wall Words are:  MUCH, OVER, KEEP, DON'T, JUST. We will take  a closer look at proper nouns: days of the week, months, names of places and people are all examples of nouns that need a capital letter at any point in the sentence.

5.  Sitton Spelling:   ONE, OR, BY. Your child is responsible to spell 35 words in first grade. These 35 words are repeated throughout the spelling series to ensure automaticity.  The spelling test is a cloze test which means words will need to be placed within the correct context of the sentence read aloud.  Because context is key, if a spelling word comes at the beginning of a sentece, your child must know to capitalize it, otherwise the word is incorrect.  Furthermore, if the word appears in the middle of a sentence read aloud, the word must have all lowercase letters, or else it is incorrect. "Word Previews" will come home on Mondays and words will be practiced throughout the week through various spelling and skill building activities.

Special Thanks:

February 28, 2008

Important Reminders and Dates:

*****KEVIN IS OUR CHARACTER WINNER FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY. HE WAS VOTED FOR HAVING TOLERANCE! **********************

1. Shhhh!!!  Mystery Reader for March 7 is Mr. Moskowitz.  Then on Thank you and see you then!

2. Math Blaster Folder:  Please return by Monday March 3rd.  Remember to choose 1 exemplar and timed test for about each week.  Exemplars must have three components: a picture, sentence, and number sentence.

3. Field Trip: Please return the ZOO TO YOU field trip form and $3.00 donation.  This will be an in-school presentation featuring some pretty amazing animals!

4. EARLY RELEASE DAY is Tues. March 4th!

5. GEORGIA AQUARIUM IS NEXT FRIDAY MARCH 7TH! There are strict guidelines we must follow:P.E. SHOES ONLY, NO CAMERAS OR HATS. LUNCHES MUST BE PACKED IN BROWN PAPER BAG WITH YOUR CHILD'S NAME WRITTEN ON IT. THROW AWAY CONTAINERS AND ITEMS ONLY. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ANY MONEY. PLEASE BE SURE ARRIVES TO SCHOOL ON TIME. WE WILL BE LEAVING FIRST THING IN THE MORNING.

We are learning...

1. Reader's Workshop:  We will studying comprehension strategies and reading skills through independent reading passages and questions. These passages and questions will be sent home when completed. They resemble CRCT reading format.

2. Math Workshop: We will review addition and subtraction strategies.

3.  Writer's Workshop:  As writer's we will continue to work on developing All-About books.  We will work more with All-About Book structure and content!

4. Phonics: Word Wall Words are: FAVORITE, USE, EACH, OR, ONCE  We will  be discussing commas in a series and the three sounds of past tense ed. It can sound like, d, t, ed.

5.  Sitton Spelling:  HAVE FROM I  We will review. Your child is responsible to spell 35 words in first grade. These 35 words are repeated throughout the spelling series to ensure automaticity.  The spelling test is a cloze test which means words will need to be placed within the correct context of the sentence read aloud.  Because context is key, if a spelling word comes at the beginning of a sentece, your child must know to capitalize it, otherwise the word is incorrect.  Furthermore, if the word appears in the middle of a sentence read aloud, the word must have all lowercase letters, or else it is incorrect. "Word Previews" will come home on Mondays and words will be practiced throughout the week through various spelling and skill building activities.

Also we will celebrate Dr. Suess' Birthday throughout the week with READ ACROSS AMERICA.

Special Thanks:

A special thank you to Mrs. Zeller, Mrs. Harper, Mrs. Bradley,  Mrs. Euston, Mrs. Woodman, Mrs. Cohen and Mrs. Myers for planning a festive and fun Valentine's Day snack! 

Thank you so much for making my Teacher Appreciation Week so special.  I was touched by the sweet cards and wonderful gifts.  Thank you so much!

February 21, 2008

Important Reminders and Dates:

1. Shhhh!!!  Mystery Reader for February 29th is Mrs. Euston!  Then on March 7 is Mr. Moskowitz.  Thank you and see you then!

2. Math Blaster Folder:  Please return by Monday March 3rd.  Remember to choose 1 exemplar and timed test for about each week.  Exemplars must have three components: a picture, sentence, and number sentence.

3. Field Trip: Please return the ZOO TO YOU field trip form and $3.00 donation.  This will be an in-school presentation featuring some pretty amazing animals!

4. EARLY RELEASE DAY is Wed. March 4th!

We are learning...

1. Reader's Workshop:  We will study questioning as a comprehension strategy. Good readers ask questions, before, during and after reading.

2. Math Workshop: We will review subtraction strategies, for instance, related facts, counting back, fact families and using a number line. These are great tools for your child to use when practicing at home.

3.  Writer's Workshop:  As writer's we will continue to work on developing All-About books.  We will work more with All-About Book structure and content!

4. Phonics: Word Wall Words are: ASK, WE, BECAUSE, KNOW  We will  be discussing the two sounds the letter "G" makes as well as "sound borrowers" y, c, s.

5.  Sitton Spelling:  BE FROM THIS.  We will review. Your child is responsible to spell 35 words in first grade. These 35 words are repeated throughout the spelling series to ensure automaticity.  The spelling test is a cloze test which means words will need to be placed within the correct context of the sentence read aloud.  Because context is key, if a spelling word comes at the beginning of a sentece, your child must know to capitalize it, otherwise the word is incorrect.  Furthermore, if the word appears in the middle of a sentence read aloud, the word must have all lowercase letters, or else it is incorrect. "Word Previews" will come home on Mondays and words will be practiced throughout the week through various spelling and skill building activities.

Special Thanks:

A special thank you to Mrs. Zeller, Mrs. Harper, Mrs. Bradley,  Mrs. Euston, Mrs. Woodman, Mrs. Cohen and Mrs. Myers for planning a festive and fun Valentine's Day snack! 

Thank you to Ms. Bengston, Mrs. Woodman and Mrs. Rosenthal for planning such a special lesson while first grade teachers met!

Thank you so much for making my Teacher Appreciation Week so special.  I was touched by the sweet cards and wonderful gifts.  Thank you so much!