Open House

Open House is on Thursday, September 15.  It will begin at 6:00 with a meeting led by Mr. Begley in the cafeteria.  Around 6:30, families will be invited to visit classrooms.
Looking forward to seeing everyone then!

Super Six

This is a term created by the county. Each month DCPS would like individual schools to focus on a particular reading strategy. In first grade, I will teach and practice one strategy per week that pertains to the curriculum. I plan on incorporating the monthly district-wide strategies as well. You can also practice these throughout the month at home when you read with your child.


This months strategy is MAKING CONNECTIONS. After reading a book together ask your child what it reminded them of:
A text-to-self connection would be something that happened to them. This is the most common response for a first grader.
A text-to-text connection is when it reminds them of another book.
A text-to-world connection is when it reminds them of something they heard about or saw on TV or in a movie.

We will be writing about books and making connections throughout the year. Getting your child to verbally explain their connection is the first step. Later, I will require them to write about their connections.

Accelerated Reader (AR)

You may have noticed some new numbers on the front of your child's folder.  This is their AR password.  I will be sending home a letter on Friday explaining the AR program here at school.  Basically, students take comprehension tests with 5-10 questions about a book they have read.  Students can earn points to later be used at our PTA-run AR store.  They also have the opportunity to be entered into a weekly drawing to earn a free book every time they do well on a test.  The more tests you take, the more points and chances in the drawing.  I have two student helpers that will be assisting with tests in the morning.  By the end of the year, students will take tests independently. 

If you still have questions about this program, please read the letter in your child's folder on Friday and let me know!

Scholastic Book Club

Order forms went home this week for our first Scholastic Book Club.  You can safely place all orders online following the directions on the attached bright green paper.  This would be the preferred method of handling orders.  If you do not feel comfortable doing this, I would be happy to accept your order with a check and I will input the order myself. 

All orders are due THIS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16.  For each order placed online, we earn one free book for our classroom!  I've been working at building our listening center library, so every order counts!

Please let me know if you have any questions about placing orders.

Library Check-out

Library check-out will be once a week.  Our check-out will take place on Thursdays immediately after lunch.  In order for your child to get a book, they must return the one previously checked out.  All students will get to check out a book tomorrow when we go for the first time.  Feel free to return the book at any time, but keep in mind that they will not receive a new book until Thursday's assigned check-out.

Math Bulletin Board

First Grade is in charge of the math bulletin board in the main hallway for the month of September.  We are working on combinations of numbers.  The students participated in an activity called "peas and carrots".  In my class, they were told they could have 9 vegetables on their plates.  Some are peas and some are carrots.  They got to choose a combination that would total 9.  I had to choose one plate to send up to the main hallway.  Congratulations to Avery!  She did a wonderful job adding pictures, numbers, AND words to tell what was happening on her plate.  The rest of the plates can be seen in the classroom.  I hope you will plan on coming to Open House to check out all of the other neat things the kids are working on!

Reading Log

I have fielded several questions about the children's reading log, so I just want to clarify:

• For the first nine-weeks of school I will accept books that you read TO your child as well as books that THEY are reading independently.  In another week or two we will start library check-out and I will also supplement with a "just-right" bag of books.
• I will send a note home about the AR program when I am ready to initiate in the classroom.  Ignore "AR" level and "AR" score on the right-hand side.
• Students get a star on the chart for every 5 books read.  They get a treasure box for every 10 books.

Homework

Homework went home for the first time today.  Attached to a bright green piece of paper is a two-sided math sheet.  Please make sure your child does not complete the paper in one sitting.  You can break it up over 2-3 nights to begin good homework habits.  They will gradually be receiving more homework each week. 

On the green paper I have given instructions as well as letting you know which completed forms I still need from you.  I have several Code of Conduct agreements still missing.  You can find this towards the back of the student handbook.

In addition to the math homework, please read with your child nightly.  The reading chart is beginning to fill up with stars and the treasure box is being visited daily. 

Thanks for your help and support from home!

Meet and Greet

I hope to see everyone on Friday, August 19 at 11:00 am for our annual Meet and Greet.  I will be going over school, grade-level, and classroom expectations and routines.  I will be sending home all of this information with your child on Monday if you are unable to make it.  Feel free to e-mail me at any time: downinge@duvalschools.org

SUMMER READING

Loretto Elementary students are being challenged to read during the summer to get a 'jump start' on next year's reading goal. Students will be required to read 20 books over the summer. That is less than 3 per week. Students who read the required number of books will be invited to attend the "Summer Reading Party" held at the beginning of next school year.

Reading logs and a suggested reading list can be found on the Loretto website:
http://www.duvalschools.org/loretto/Loretto_Elementary_School/Home.html

Book lists should be turned in by Friday, August 26 and it needs to be signed by a parent.