Character Education

Our November character trait was Patriotism.  Ayden was our character student because he is always so respectful when we say the pledge in our class.  He is also a great school citizen!

December's character trait was kindness.  This was a tough one to pick!  After much consideration, I chose Adiola as our character student.  She is always so eager to work with any classmate I assign to her and takes the initiative to help other students at her table.  We are lucky to have her as a member of our class.

Gingerbread Men

The children had the opportunity to do a gingerbread glyph. That is when students answer questions and they decorate the item (gingerbread man) based on their answer. For example the number of buttons they glued was determined after answering "how many cookies do you eat for a snack?". More buttons means more cookies :-)

Soil

We have learned there are three kinds of soil: clay, hummus, and sand. The students collected soil on homemade microscope strips and enjoyed a little edible soil (pudding, Oreo, and Graham cracker crumbs).

Progress Reports

Our 2nd nine-weeks is half way over!  Progress reports went home today to let you know how your child is doing in Language Arts, Math, and Behavior.  Please sign and return immediately so I know you saw the report.  If you have additional questions or concerns, you may write a note directly on the progress report or just e-mail me.

Sunshine Math

Students who complete Sunshine Math papers are put into a drawing for gift cards occasionally. Adiola was the most recent winner. Great job!

THANKS acrostic poem

Turkey Centerpiece

Scarecrow story elements

We read a story called "Happy Thanksgiving!". Students were asked to pick a favorite character, name the main character, and write where the setting was.

Homework

Due to an error on my part spelling words will be the same as last week. I was a week ahead and the kids received 10 new words instead of 5 last week. As a reminder there will be no spelling homework next week. I will be sending a fall book report for students to work on over the break. Those who return the completed packet will receive a special prize.

Picture sort

Students learned about r-blends this week. One group worked on sorting pictures into the right r-blend category.

Book Fair

The Book Fair is coming!  The Book Fair is coming!
Our annual fall book fair will begin on Wednesday, November 12.  The hours of the book fair are usually during the school day (8:45-2:30).  There will be one family night where you can come shop after school ends.  This will take place on Tuesday, November 18. 
Our class will be visiting the book sale on Wednesday, November 19 at 1:00.  I encourage you to come shop with your child if you are able.  This time slot will be immediately after lunch and right before early release dismissal.  We will come back to the classroom afterward to pack up, but you will be able to take your child home after that.

Character Student

 

Our character trait for the month of October was cooperation.  Ana is our stand out student for this month.  She works well in groups and is always offering to lend a hand to others.  I can count on Ana to be following directions the FIRST time they are asked.  Ana's cooperation helps our classroom to run more smoothly.  Great job Ana!

November Book-It Reading Goal

We had 15 students make their book-it goal for the month of October!  Certificates were stapled in folders on Friday. 
The Book-It reading goal for the month of November will remain 20 books. 

Looking for more books to read?  Try out the tab at the top of our class web page labeled "Books Online".  There are several FREE sites to choose from where you child can read a variety of books. 

Although it is SO important to read to your child, I will begin only rewarding students for books THEY read.  Thanks for your help!

Charlotte's Web Day

A few of the fun projects we did on Friday.

Halloween Candy

Feeling a little overwhelmed with all of the candy your child collected for Halloween?  Consider donating some to our classroom!  I'm looking for individually wrapped pieces of candy to start a new candy bucket for students who are caught doing the right thing.  Thanks for you help!

Direct Donation Drive

Wow! Thank you for your support in the first direct donation drive. Our class raised enough (over $750) to receive a class ice cream party. Looking forward to using the 10% we get back on something really great for our classroom. I'll keep you posted.

***UPDATE: Each time a child donated, their teacher's name was entered into a drawing for a spa gift card.  Three teacher names were drawn on Friday and... I WAS ONE OF THEM!!!  Definitely a nice way to end October!  Thank you to all who contributed.

Red Ribbon Week

We had many students participate in the beginning of our red ribbon week festivities. The children are learning to "just say no!". Looking forward to silly sock day Tuesday.

Insects!

Monday we had two entomologists from the Navy come by to speak to our class about insects and other creepy, crawly creatures.  A HUGE thank you to Cassie dad for taking time to arrange this for us. 

I was too busy enjoying the interesting facts that I actually forgot to snap a few pictures! 
We learned the basic of insects like the fact they have three body parts, six legs, and two antennae.  The children saw some preserved specimens (praying mantis, beetles, and butterflies) and even some live ones (snake, scorpion, and tarantula).

This visit prepared us for our trip to the UNF nature trail where we will be learning more facts and participating in some hands-on activities with insects.

Red Ribbon Week

MONDAY 10/27- WEAR SOMETHING RED 

TUESDAY 10/28 – SOCK IT TO DRUGS WEAR SILLY SOCKS 

WEDNESDAY 10/29– HATS OFF TO BEING DRUG FREE – WEAR YOUR FAVORITE HAT 

THURSDAY 10/30 – DRUGS ARE TACKY WEAR MISMATCHED CLOTHING

FRIDAY 10/31 - SMARTIES CHOOSE TO BE DRUG FREE SMARTIES CANDY WILL BE PASSED OUT BY ADMINISTRATORS THROUGHOUT THE DAY

Golden Spoon

They have be rewarding classes in the cafeteria for good behavior every week. Our class won the golden spoon title for our great behavior last week. Way to go dragonflies!

 

We will be having "Charlotte's Web Day" on Friday, October 31. 
It's sure to be a lot of fun.  If you would like to come or send in something, please refer to our online invitation.  Thank you in advance!!!

Canned Food Drive

Our class will be collecting non-perishables foods four our annual food drive.  Much of the food goes directly back to families in need right here at Loretto.

The drive will begin on Monday, October 13 and go through Friday, November 14. 
We will bring the food up at the end of the week to the barrel in the main office. 

While shopping at the grocery store, consider picking up a few extra small items to donate!

DIrect Donation Drive

Thank you to all who have contributed to our school fundraiser so far.  Our students have been rewarded with pins and bracelets as well as special treats from Wisdom the Owl.
Here's a link to see where we place compared with the rest of the school
http://lorettopta.weebly.com/

I have encouraged kids to ask you if they could do some odd jobs around the house to help with the fundraising.  Every little bit counts.  Thanks for you support!

Books in a bag

Your child will come home with "books in a bag" today. 

These are books that I have chosen for them that are on their independent reading level.  They should read these stories 2-3 times throughout the week that they have them.  You may help write the books down in their log every time they read them. 

Students should bring the books back on WEDNESDAYS.  I have a wonderful volunteer parent that will change their bag of books out only on Wednesdays.  The blue paper slip inside of the bag details the 'books in a bag' program and let's you know where your child is at compared to where they should be.  Please leave this slip in the bag and return weekly.  I will change your child's level as I see fit.

Most of these books are irreplaceable, so please do your best to keep track of them at home and of course take care of them.

Contact me with any questions.

Character Education

Every month, students are learning and practicing a new character trait.

For the month of August, the trait was RESPONSIBILITY.  

To be responsible means that people can rely on you to do the right things.

Children demonstrate responsibility by: 1. being on time. 2. having their work done to the best of their abilities. 3. being someone that others can depend on. 4. doing the right thing regardless of what

others are doing. 5. telling the truth. 6. facing their duties even when they’re not fun.

Our character student was MACIE

For the month of September, the trait was RESPECT

Respect means to honor and protect. To be respectful means that you allow others to live their lives without interference from you.

Children demonstrate respect by 1. speaking to others in a civil manner. 2. making eye contact when conversing. 3. asking before borrowing. 4. returning whatever you borrow, on time, and in

good condition. 5. showing willingness to listen to the opinions of others, even when they are different than yours. 6. not using sarcastic, belittling language or tone of voice to anyone. 7. treating everyone with courtesy and kindness. 8. not criticizing or gossiping.

Our character student was TREVOR

The month of October we are learning about COOPERATION 

Direct Donation Drive

The Loretto PTA Direct Donation Drive kicks off today!
Each child received a note in the folder detailing how the drive works as well as the MANY incentives for students, classes, and even teachers!

Unlike previous fundraisers where a cut of the money raised went to a "middle man", with this unprecedented fundraiser, 100% of the money raised goes directly to our school. I'm excited that 10% of the money raised from students in our classroom will be going directly back to Mrs. Cushnir's dragonflies!

Three forms of payment are accepted: cash, check, and pay pal online.  Go to the Loretto PTA website for more information.

Book-It

We will be participating in the Pizza Hut Book-It program.

Students will have a goal set by me each month.  If they reach their goal they get to color in a book on a special chart and they will receive a certificate for a personal pizza from Pizza Hut.  If your child makes their goal every month from October through April they will participate in a pizza party with me.

The goal for the month of October is 20 books.

Field Trip

Our first field trip of the year will take place on Wednesday, October 29.  We will be going to the UNF natrue trail to learn about insects.  A permission form went home today explaining all the details. 

Students will need to bring a lunch from home that day.  They should also wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and their class shirt.  If your child does not have a class shirt, they should wear a mostly white shirt.

Field trip permission form and money ($8.50) is due to me NO LATER than Friday, October 10.

Lunch

Many of your children buy lunch every day.  I have seen several of the students purchasing extra items including ice cream and chips.  This is a discussion you and your child need to have. 
Here are a few things to remember:

* There are some great features on My Lunch Money:

• Recurring payment options
• E-mail reminders for low balances
• View student meal purchases
• Set daily and weekly spending limits

* Your child's lunch ID is on the inside pocket of their take home folder

*When writing a check, please include your child's ID number in the notes section

If there's something I can do to help, please let me know!

Scholastic Book Order

Today in your child's folder you will see a letter about our first Scholastic Book Order for the year.  Depending on interest from the parents, we will do a few more orders throughout the year. 

The bright pink letter details how the program works.  Simply log onto www.scholastic.com/readingclub and enter our class activation code: GVG88


Although I sent two club flyers home, you have access to order from any catalog you choose.  All orders will come directly to the classroom and sent home with your child unless you want to make other arrangements with me (books make great gifts!!).
The more you order, the more points we get for our classroom to buy books and other classroom resources.  There are some steals including books for only $1!!

If you would prefer not to enter your credit card information on the secure site, you can also send in your order with a check written out to Scholastic Book Clubs.

Orders are due on Monday, September 16.

Scientists at work

Students were introduced to the scientific method. We put it to work by answering the question: how many hand claps can we do in a minute?

Reading

For the next two weeks we will be focusing on sequencing during our reading lessons.  1st graders are expected to retell familiar stories with a beginning, middle, and end using details from the story.  We are utilizing different graphic organizers to identify the elements of the story (characters, setting, problem, plot, solution).  Transitions words like first, next, and last are great indicators for major events in the story.  Students are learning to identify them and use them to retell the story.

HOW CAN I HELP?:
As you read stories with your child, ask them questions.  Here are some examples:
-Where did the story happen?
-What happened before...
-What happened after....
-What was the problem? 
-How did they TRY to solve the problem?  Did it work?

Sunshine Math

Sunshine Math is a volunteer-led program consisting of 20 math worksheets with grade-level appropriate problems of varying complexity.  The program is optional, but are typically rewarded for attempting the problems (right or wrong).  Students and parents are asked to read and sign an information form stating that worksheets should be completed by the student without assistance (except for younger students who may need help reading the problems).    

Each math problem is assigned one to four stars, depending in its difficulty. Classroom volunteers grade the worksheets, review them in class with the students, and track the number of worksheets completed and stars earned.  Students who attempt at least 15 worksheets throughout the school year will be invited to attend a special event.  Those who earn a certain number of stars are eligible to compete against other students in the same grade in a Sunshine Math contest, with first, second and third place winners in each grade receiving trophies.  First place winners represent Loretto in district-wide competition.

While not intended to replace any aspect of the standard math curriculum, Sunshine Math provides an opportunity for students to be rewarded for their extra efforts.

Character Education

Twice a month we will dedicate a lesson to character building. Today we discussed different feelings and how we know when someone feels that way. We even got to do a little role playing.

25 Ways To Ask Your Kids How Was School Today

http://www.simplesimonandco.com/2014/08/25-ways-ask-kids-school-today-without-asking-school-today.html

This is a great article. I love some of the questions let me know which ones solicited the best answer!

Reading and Writing

READING

We have been focusing on characters in stories.  Specifically trying to look at the characters actions to better understand them.  We have worked on filling out graphic organizers to help organize information show a characters feelings and their corresponding actions.
We will continue this week on our study of characters. 
HOW CAN I HELP? As you read books at home with your child, please ask them about the characters (WHO are the characters? WHAT type of behaviors are they showing? DID their feelings change?, etc...).

WRITING

We are continuing to establish the basic routines of writing before delving into the narrative genre.  I will begin marking this incorrect on spelling tests if they add capital letters where they don't belong.  We have also worked on nice handwriting, spaces, and punctuation for our sentences. 
HOW CAN I HELP? Please hold your child accountable for capitals in the correct places. 

Most recently, students have learned there are two parts to a sentence: a subject (WHO or WHAT) and a predicate (what they are DOING or IS).
HOW CAN I HELP? Have your child dictate sentences aloud to see that they are expressing complete thoughts.