Character Student

October's character trait was Cooperation. Our character student this month is Zack. He exemplifies this trait in many ways. Zack is always extremely cooperative when an adult asks him to do something. He's very good at following directions. He is a leader in getting others to cooperate. I notice when students are on the playground, Zack is trying to organize a game and make sure everyone is playing and feels included. Recently, Zack helped another student without me having to ask. It takes a stand out student to cooperate with others without having to be told. Congratulations Zack... keep up the good work!

Field Trip

We will be going on our first field trip, Wednesday, November 17.

We will be going to the JCA to watch a play about the first Thanksgiving. We will be gone from approximately 9:30-12:30. Lunch will be eaten at the play, so please be sure to pack your child a lunch on this day. The cost for students is still be determined.

I am allowed to bring 2 chaperone's along. This will be done using a lottery type system. When permission forms go home, please mark the box to show you are interested. I will then "draw names from a hat" to pick the two chaperone's. Chaperone's must pay $7 at the door.

Keep on the look-out for the permission form. The sooner you can return it, the better!

Charlotte's Web Day

Please view our e-vite for our Charlotte's Web Day this coming Friday, October 29.

If you are able to attend, please RSVP.

There are a lot of items needed to make this special day happen. Please sign up for something on the invitation if you're able!

Click the picture to access the invitation:

Book-it!

The Pizza-Hut corporation is offering their annual Book-it! program to elementary students.
Every month, the children have the opportunity to earn a certificate for a personal pan pizza from pizza hut. They also get to put a sticker on our Book-It! reading chart. I have set the children's goal at 20 books for the first few months of the program. I may raise the goal as I see fit.

The program runs from October through March. I have told the children if they meet their reading goal every month for the six months of the program, I will reward them with a small reading success party.

As parents, all you have to do is:

1. encourage your child to read nightly


2. read with your child


3. make sure books are written in their reading log

For more information visit their website: https://www.bookitprogram.com/

Thanksgiving Food Drive

The Thanksgiving food drive will be held this year from November 1st-19th.

Students are to bring in non-perishable items between Nov. 1-19. PTA volunteers will come to classrooms on Friday, November 19th to collect the food students have brought in.

As we are all aware, there is a lot of need right now. The food drive is a good way for our students and families to reach out to those in need.

Thanks for your help!

Journals

Reading Response Journals went home in children's folders today. If your child did not receive theirs, they will get it on Tuesday in their folder.
You will be able to see how we are learning to write about stories we've read. At the present time, children should be able to name a story and tell why they liked it. They should also be able to write about a favorite part. This includes telling WHY it's their favorite part.
There are several blank pages in these journals that we didn't use. It would be a great idea for you to use those pages every once in a while, to have your child write about a story you've read with them or even one they've read independently.

Homework

Week of October 18

You will see the usual homework packet in your child's folder this week: spelling, math, reading, and Sunshine Math. I apologize for a few children's homework not being sent home until today (Tuesday).

I recently purchased math books with the homework already in them. Unfortunately, on the back of each practice page is another review page. This week, I have crossed out the back side of each sheet. Your child is to only complete the side that says "practice page" in the upper right corner. I foresee math homework looking like this for the remainder of the year.

Just a reminder that Sunshine Math is an enrichment program offered at Loretto. It is OPTIONAL, but highly encouraged that your child attempt it.

Week of October 26

Since there is no school on Monday, October 25, we are looking at a shortened school week. I will be doing homework slightly different. You will see a note attached to your child's homework next week explaining the reviewed spelling pattern and some various ways to practice it at home. You will see the usual math homework, but no reading homework.

Site of the week

I asked the kids for their input for suggestions to list as our site of the week. I got plenty of suggestions here are a few:

MATH

www.ictgames.com has a lot of great games to play.

Two that we used this week to go with our lessons on doubles were:

Dinosaur Dentist and Robin Doubles

SPELLING

From time to time for centers, groups of students will use this site:

Spelling City

You can click "Find List" at the top of the screen to search for a particular spelling pattern that your child is working on. You can search by list name (i.e.: "short u") OR you can search by teacher. If you enter "Cushnir", my name will appear. I have inputted a few spelling patterns, but it is a work in progress still. There are plenty of lists available to test or play games.

Books in a Bag

Every child went home today with some "Books in a bag". These will be sent home every Friday as long as your child remembers to return them. A lot of my books would be very difficult to replace, so PLEASE make sure to have them returned. If the books need to be kept for an additional week, I have no problem with that, I just don't want them to be misplaced.

In their "Books in a bag", there is a light green slip of paper that will be replaced every nine-weeks. At this point, all 1st graders should be around a level C. I have listed your child's reading level on this slip so you have an idea of what we're working towards.

Just to reiterate, I am hopeful that these bags will be changed out weekly to add to the books they get from the library on Tuesdays. I appreciate your cooperation in advance for keeping track of these books.

Scholastic Book Clubs

Order forms went home today for Scholastic Book Clubs. There are a few different catalogs you can order from. Orders can be submitted online (directions are on the attached bright green form) or you can write ONE check for any of the books you would like for your child. I will probably have one more order placed before the holidays, but if you're anything like me, it's never too early to start thinking about holiday gifts!

Orders are due Friday, October 22. Please let me know if you have questions.

Red Ribbon Week

In an effort to get children to "SAY NO TO DRUGS!" Loretto will be hosting themed days during red ribbon week. This will take place October 26-29. They are as follows:

Monday- Teacher Planning Day

Tuesday- Walk Against Drugs... wear Loretto or class shirt

Wednesday- "I'm a Jean-ius"... students and faculty wear jeans to show they're drug free.

Thursday- Heroes are drug free... wear red, white, and blue

Friday- Sock it to drugs... wear crazy or mixed up socks.

Character student

The character trait for the month of September was respect for life, liberty, and authority. Drew is our character student of the month! Drew is always so respectful to other adults around school and is sure to say "Yes ma'am" or "No sir". He's always very conscientious of how he responds to adults. Like most of his classmates, Drew shows respect to our country when he stands to say the pledge every morning and is silent during the moment of silence. I'm so proud of Drew for his model behavior.

Site of the week

Houghton Mifflin Pacing Guide

This is a site for you, the parent, to use! It lists each week and the corresponding skill, strategy, phonics, and high-frequency words we will be working on.

We are currently starting Theme 2-week 1.

Feel free to look ahead and practice high-frequency words early or discuss a particular skill while you are reading a story together. I will continue to list what we're working on under the tabs on our blog page.

Fire Safety Week

The week of October 4 is nation fire safety week. We will be discussing fire safety during our usual social studies/ science time. We will discuss various topics including what is safe and unsafe around the home as well as a fire escape plan. Please take some time to further discuss fire safety with your own children and what your plan of action is in the event of a fire.

STAR Test and AR

Children took the STAR test on Friday, September 24. I have sent home their score report in folders today. It is on a white piece of paper. It has a diagram to show where they are at compared to other first grade peers. It also lists their independent reading level. Students should be about a 1.2-1.3 at this time of year. If your child's paper says "PP", this stands for "Pre-primer". This means, on the test, they scored below a first grade level.

This test is something I take into CONSIDERATION when determining books they should be reading. They will now be assigned a certain color to get from the library. Once they have taken and passed at least 6 AR tests, I will re-evaluate whether they need to move up a color. They books they are going to bring home from the library should be more on their level and thus you should try to have your child read them independently.

I have also included (in your child's folder) a yellow paper detailing the AR program. Please let me know if you have questions about this. I have 5th grade volunteers as well as some parents who will be administering the quizzes.