Book Order Update

Hello!
I sent out emails telling I would be dropping off book orders tomorrow. If you did not get an email and you did order a book, email me and I'll get in touch with you. Thanks for your patience with getting this order to you.

Scholastic Order

It's on it's way! I have the tracking number but the information hasn't been updated since Friday. I will keep you posted!

Recent Events

With recent events at Clackamas, and now in Connecticut, it is important that parents talk to their children at home in whatever manner you deem appropriate. However, PLEASE REMIND STUDENTS NOT TO BE TALKING WITH OTHER STUDENTS ABOUT THESE EVENTS AT SCHOOL. They shouldn't even be saying things like, "Did you hear what happened? . . . etc." Children are not emotionally equipped to process these events with classmates. If I see kids in distress or needing to talk to someone I will make arrangements for them to see me, Mr. E, or the counselor.

Thoughts and prayers out to many,

Tell my secret Santa...

Thanks!!
If you know who my secret Santa is can you pass on my THANKS to them!!

Math Fact Help!

In January we will be launching our Fast Falcon Facts program and we need your help to make this program a success.  We are looking for volunteers to commit to 1 or 2 hours a week Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.  Volunteers will be testing students and restocking the fact card files. 

 

We would also like to have a training for the volunteers and we are considering, Monday, January 7, 2013.  Please respond to this email and let your child’s classroom teacher if you would be interested in volunteering and if you can attend the training.

 

Math facts are an important skill for students to take on to middle school and your help and support will help them be successful.

Party Fund, Pencils

Thank you to those of you have already sent in funds. I am asking for $7 to cover the cost of the classroom parties we will have from now to the end of the year. Thank you so much for your support.Also thank you to those who have donated pencils to our classroom pencil fund. This will help us spend more time writing and less time at the pencil sharpener!

Coins

We've started talking about the name and value of coins. I am hoping you can help practice this at home since real coins are much more interesting than the images on paper. Our goal is to know the name and value of penny, nickle, dime and quarter. Students can also work on counting small collection of coins to find out total value.

Book orders

I've got one last book order to put in before vacation. Please have all orders in by December 7. I will be submitting the order that night. This should give it plenty of time to get here before our last day of school before vacation. Please let me know if the order is a gift. I'll put it in the office for pick up and send you an email.

There was a...

Today we read a book about about turkey's racing to be dinner and then finding out they didn't want to be eaten. The kids had the following writing prompt.

A tricky tom turkey didn't want to be dinner. This is how he got away.

Here are are the kids' ideas...

Harrison

The human put him in the oven. Then he catches on fire and he busted out of the oven and out the door. 

Kate

Because it didn't want to get eaten up.

Evan

Because they did not want to be cooked.

Aurora

He ran away.

Gage

He wanted to get out of the oven.

Kylie

They jumped over the fence.

Ronan

The turkeys jumped over the fence to get away.

Andrew

The turkeys ran and ran and ran and ran fast.

Aidan

The turkeys jumped to a fence.

Jana

He ran away from the farm and into the meadow away from everything except flowers, bugs, trees and grass.

Andres

He ran to Mexico.

Gavin

The turkeys ran away because they didn't want to be eaten.

Rory

He ran away over a fence.

Roman

My turkey ran out the door when it was all the way open. I laughed a lot.

Sarah

My turkey ran away to another farm that did not cook turkeys.

Nicole

It ran and ran and ran.

Ethan

He took an airplane.

Hailey

He ran away.

Grayson

He jumped over the fence.

Susan

He got away fast. He got away huffing and puffing.  He ran into the shed. There was a bag of turkey food in the shed. 

Riley

Cuz they jumped over the fence.

Skylar

The turkey away for doing a race and many medals.

Kelson

They got away over a fence.

Raul

At the night, the turkey covered the farmer's face with a scarf.In the morning he runs away. The farmer couldn't see. Now I won't be cooked.

Mia

So Tom had a plan to make an airplane out of sticks and leaves and fly away.

Mason

The turkey would be in the oven.It got out. It went out of my house and ran over the fence and it went across the bridge to the farm.

Book Character Dress Up Day has MOVED

Please remember that book character dress up day has been moved to the spring. Thank you for not sending students dressed in costumes tomorrow!

Paws For Reading

If you are ready to log in and log all the minutes read, please create your own log in and password. That way each family has one unique to them!

School Supplies

Please check in with your student on how they are doing on their school supplies. The biggest need is most likely pencils. They have been going through these!

Way to Go Families!!

Our class brought in the most boxtops for Sept.and Oct.!! You sent in 705 boxtops! That $70 extra dollars for our school. Thanks so much for your participation!

Speech Wed. 31

On Wednesday Oct. 31, your student will be giving a speech to the class. This will be a practice speech and not open to an audience. (That speech will be later.) Attached you will find a story/speech your student wrote about their “Knuffle Bunny” (special stuffed critter). Please work with your student on practicing what they will say. Speeches are short, less than 2 minutes. Students can use whatever they need to help them remember the speech: pictures, note cards, paper etc. The main skills we will be working on are volume and eye contact.

Please send the stuffed critter and speech on Wednesday the 31.

Thank you so much for your help!

***Please remember that Book Character Dress Up Day has been moved to the Spring***

Things to include in the speech include the following...

My Knuffle Bunny's name is _____________________________________________.

It's a ____________________________________________.

I got it from _____________________________________.

It's my favorite because ________________________________________________________.

You can also include a story about your Knuffle Bunny.

Fire Station Trip

Here's the slideshow of our trip! We lucked out since the station had 3 call outs today. The engine and ambulance returned just after we got there.

Math problem solving

Today we started with math problem solving which you may know as story problems. We are currently doing these as oral math problems about kids going to school and coming home from school. We are learning to express our thinking in a way that others will understand. We'll be heading to writing out equations and explanations as the year progresses.

Writing

Our students are working hard on increasing their writing stamina. We are working on pieces that include using transition words (First, Then, Next, Finally) with details as well as pieces that tell stories about our lives. I am working on putting together a family writing notebook. These would come home on Thursdays and have a topic for your family to write about over the weekend. Look for more details coming home in two weeks.

Sumdog is coming!!!

There is so much going on in math right now! We are working on addition strategies, subtraction strategies, seeing that 2+3 and 3+2 both equal 5, using and reading mathematical representation, and I could go on and on. I know many of you would like to do more with math at home and to help out with that, I would like to introduce your family to Sumdog.com. I'll be sending home student logins and information on Monday, October 22. Feel free to check out the website in the meantime.

Jog-a-thon Movie

Here's a quick movie that I thought I had already posted! I have more pictures to go through later in the  week so there will be a second movie!

Independent Work Time

During the day, our class has several independent work times where students are to be working on certain tasks. We are learning to work without talking to our neighbors and getting our work done in the time given. This is a tricky skill to learn. Please check in with your student on how they are doing. We have students who have mastered this skill and some still learning!

Jog a thon Packets

Please make sure all Jog-a-thon packets are turned in by Thursday! Thanks so much for all your help with this years Jog-a-thon!

Leveled book list

http://home.comcast.net/~ngiansante/

This is a site that has a list of leveled books. You can search by your students independent level and find other books that they can read.
Hope this helps!

Jog a thon

Don't forget that jog-a-thon is this Friday the 5th!
We'll be running at 9:55. Come on out and give us a cheer!

Walk to School on October 3

Get up, Get out, and Get Moving!

Celebrate Walk to School Day on October 3

 

Students, parents and community members in every state demonstrate the role walking and bicycling to school can play in improving health, safety and community life. 
 

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (Oct. 1, 2012) — On Wednesday, Oct. 3, thousands of students, parents and communities representing more than 3,300 schools across the United Sates will walk and bicycle to school to celebrate International Walk to School Day. This one-day event is part of an international effort to encourage more families to get out of their cars and on to their feet to enjoy the many benefits of safely walking and bicycling to school.

 

“Walk to School Day continues to inspire community-grown events that celebrate health, safety and a sense of community,” said Lauren Marchetti, director of the National Center for Safe Routes to School, which serves as the coordinating agency for the event. “Often, this one-day event becomes the catalyst to larger commitments and permanent improvements that make walking and bicycling to school safer transportation options year round.”

 

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation John Porcari and other national, state and local guests will join a group of Piney Branch Elementary students in Takoma Park, Md., on Wednesday morning as a part of Montgomery County’s Walk to School Day celebration. He will also present a special recognition award for the school’s Safe Routes to School program. 

 

“Every child should have the opportunity to walk to school safely,” said Transportation Deputy Secretary John Porcari. “Walk to School Day encourages children to experience walk-friendly environments and affirms the importance of walking and biking for a new generation of Americans.”

 

Walk to School Day was founded in 1997 as a way to bring community leaders and children together to build awareness of the need for communities to be more walkable. By 2002, children, parents, teachers and community leaders in all 50 states and the District of Columbia joined nearly 3 million walkers around the world to celebrate the second annual International Walk to School Day. In 2011, students and parents from more than 4,000 U.S. schools joined millions of Walk to School Day and Month participants worldwide. The one-day event has now grown to a month-long celebration, and the reasons for walking have grown just as quickly as the event itself. 

 

“Each year the event continues to reinforce the importance of safer environments for walking and bicycling, more physical activity, fewer car trips, and a cleaner environment for students, parents and all community members,” Marchetti said. “It also provides a unique opportunity for families to get outside and connect with their neighbors.”

Walk to School events will be held nationwide on Wednesday and throughout the month of October. To view the names and locations of registered U.S. schools participating in Walk to School Day 2012, visit www.walktoschool.org/who/index.cfm. 

The National Center for Safe Routes to School maintains the Walk and Bike to School website, www.walkbiketoschool.org, with funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. 

The National Center also serves as the clearinghouse for the Federal Safe Routes to School Program, established in 2005, which strives to create safe settings to enable more parents and children to walk and bicycle to school. More than 13,350 schools participate in programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Accomplishments include increases in walking and bicycling to school, speed reductions within the school zone, and reductions in school transportation costs. Programs reach urban, rural and suburban areas throughout the nation.

 

For more information about Walk to School Day, visit www.walkbiketoschool.org.
 

For a complete list of other countries participating in Walk to School Day 2012, visit: www.iwalktoschool.org/whoswalking. 

For past photos of International Walk to School Day activities, visit: www.iwalktoschool.org/photos.

 

###

 

 

About The National Center for Safe Routes to School 

 

Established in May 2006, the National Center for Safe Routes to School assists states and communities in enabling and encouraging children to safely walk and bicycle to school. The National Center serves as the clearinghouse for the federal Safe Routes to School program. The organization also provides technical support and resources and coordinates online registration efforts and provides technical support and resources for U.S. Walk to School Day and facilitates worldwide promotion and participation. 

 

The National Center is part of the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center with funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. For more information, visit www.saferoutesinfo.com.

October!

Anyone else have October sneak up on them???

So this month there is a lot happening. Here's a list of a few things and some more dates will be coming.
Jog-a-thon Oct 5.
September Birthdays  Oct. 5
No School Oct. 12
Jog-a-thon celebration assembly Oct. 19 @2:30 families are welcome to attend
October Birthdays Oct. 31

We are planning a walking field trip to our local fire station. When we get the date I'll let you know. Please submit your volunteer form now, if you plan on going on any field trips.

Bellow are some of the skills we will be working on this month.

Reading:

·        One to one matching-does what you say match the words in the book.

·        Using the following reading strategies when stuck on a word:

o       Check the picture

o       Check the beginning sound

o       Cross Check

§        Does it look right?

§        Does it sound right?

§        Does it make sense?

·        Reading 15 minutes or more a day.

Writing:

·        Using mostly lowercase when writing.

·        Spaces between words.

·        Starting to use a period.

·        Using as many sounds as possible. (Mainly beginning and ending sounds.)

·        Stories can be read by student.

Math:

·        Counting and writing numbers to 100, soon to be 120.

·        Recognizing numbers to 100, soon to be 120.

·        Adding and subtracting using manipulative and number under 10.

I'll post more skills as they are introduced!

Writing Recommendations

Writing is an important skill we work on in first grade. Here are some ideas about what we do here at school to help students improve their writing skills. You might find some ideas that you can do at home too!

Providing time for students to write...

• morning journal time
• writers workshop
• writing prompts
• reading response notebooks

Teaching students the writing process...

• brainstorming
• writing drafts
• revising and editing
• publishing

Writing for a variety of purposes/audiences...

• write letters to family members and friends
• make lists
• write a paragraph to explain
• write a story to remember or imagine

Teach Students to become fluent with handwriting, spelling, sentence fluency and word processing...

• tracing modeled writing
• hold a pencil correctly
• sight word/star word memorization
• student dictionaries
• typing writing on the computer

Create an engaged community of writers...

• teacher modeled writing
• sharing
• choices in writing
• feedback from other students, teacher and parents
• publish writing and share it beyond the classroom.

Math-tens and ones

This week we have been working on knowing our tens and ones. We have been focusing on 11 - 19. Students should be able to read these numerals as well as count a ten stick and group of ones for each number. This will be a continued focus for next week as well. Take a couple minutes this weekend and see how your student is doing with this focus.
Here's a link to a worksheet to help out.
Tens and ones worksheet

Skip Counting

One of the skills our first graders need to have is skip counting. We'll be working on skip counting to 120 by 10's, by 5's and by 2's. Please help your student practice this skill. It's great for in the car, waiting somewhere and other times you need a quick activity.

Volunteering and background checks

I sent home notices to anyone who had signed up to volunteer. If you find you have time and would like to join us please let me know! All volunteers must have a background check done before working in the classroom. It usually takes 2 to 3 weeks for a form to be processed. If you think you will be joining us for field trips or any volunteering in the classroom, please fill out a form soon! I can send them home if needed. Volunteers are cleared for 5 years. If it's been a while since you filled out your form, it might be time to do it again. Check with me and I can see when your current clearance expires.
Thank you for all that you do to help support our classroom.

Jog-a-thon

On October 5th from 9:55 to 10:20  our class will be our running for the jog-a-thon. This year our PTC is supplying a t-shirt for each child. Thank you to all the businesses that sponsored our jog-a-thon! Please dress your child for the weather that day. It's been cool in the morning! Your student most likely will not need a coat since we spend that entire time moving! Come out and join us for the fun and music!
Thank you also for all that you are doing to collect pledges. We have a big goal this year!

Strategies for Parenting a Reader

Strategies for Parenting a Reader

Here are important reading strategies students can use before, during and after reading:
BEFORE Reading:

§ Predict what the book is about from the title or pictures. 

§ Set a purpose for reading.  Ex.  I am going to read this book because I want to learn more about animals.

§ Take a picture walk through the book.  Ask, What is happening in the pictures?

§ Establish a Routine: Similar to discipline, play time, and any other daily activity in a child’s life, reading should be a fun routine that engages a child each day.

DURING Reading:

§ Ask your child questions to monitor comprehension. As children learn to read, they are not only engaging in the plot of a story, but they are also learning how a book is held, how pictures align with the story and that words carry meaning.

§ If your reader is having a difficult time try these strategies:

o        Use finger to point under each word to keep track of where you are reading

o        Use beginning sounds to figure out words        

o        Use ending sounds to figure out words

o        Use pictures on the page to help figure out a word

o        Use word chunks (_at, _ack, _ight)

o        Look for a smaller word within the word

o        Read to the end of the sentence.  Sometimes the word that
makes sense pops right up!

o        Make a prediction of what is happening in the story

o        Reread the sentence or passage to increase understanding

§ While reading ask: "Does it make sense?" "Does it sound right?" "Do the letters match the sounds?" If the answers are yes, go on reading.  If not, go back and try the process again.

§ Read books over and over again so your child feels confident in reading the story by them self!

§ Most importantly, when reading with your child remain positive and encouraging. Your support and optimism plays an integral role in your student’s willingness become a lifelong reader.

AFTER Reading:

§ React to the reading by making connections, ask: “What other story is like this one?” “Have you felt the same away as a character in the story?”  “Did something similar happen to you?” “Does it help you think about something in real life not directly connected to you?”   

§ Summarize & talk about the sequence of events in the story to boost comprehension skills.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I just wanted to say THANK YOU to all the families that did take home projects this year. It was a huge help and I am getting all that organized for the fall!

Matthew Myers Visit

We had the privilege of illustrator Matthew Myers visiting our pod on Thursday. He illustrated Clink by Kelly DiPucchio and Tyrannosaurus Dad by Liz Rosenberg. His website is http://www.myerspaints.com/Site/Matthew_Myers_-_Artist.html

Here are some pictures from his visit.

Forest Ridge Clean Up Day

Here are some pictures from our time working outside.

Come check out the Naturescape and see the difference!

Note home on 9-13

Busy Thursday!!

Due to a very busy Thursday,

Thursday folders will be sent home on Friday!

Tomorrow is Forest Ridge Clean Up Day. We’ll be working in the Naturescape 1:30 to 2:00. If you would like to join us for the fun please come! Have your student dress in their “grubbies” so nice school clothes do not get ruined. I have gloves for the class but if your student would like to bring their own, they are more than welcome.

Thanks!

Nature Kids 2012

Falcon Clean Up Day

Friday is our school wide Clean Up Day. We'll be working in the Naturescape 1:30 to 2:00. Please dress your student for working in the garden and come join us for the fun!

RAH

September's goal is 15 minutes or more daily.

Welcome 2012-2013 School Year!

Wow!! What a first week of school!
I hope you all received the Buzzzzzz from last week and it helped you get an idea of what we did last week.
A couple things we are working on in class this week are:

Student Created Book
On the _______ day of first grade my students gave to me _________  _________________.  This is a sentence frame we are using to write our first class book. It's based on the book On the First Day of Grade School by Emily Brenner. It follow the structure of On the First Day of Christmas but is centered around a teacher, her students, and various animals. Be sure to ask your student about this project.

Reading Assessment
I am working on assess all students in the next couple weeks. I usually get 2 to 3 kids reading to me and sometimes it can take a couple days to get a correct level on a student. I want the students to trust me and feel comfortable using what they know. This can take more than one sessions. I will be sending home levels in RAH folders.

Math
This week I am taking a look at a few math skills like skip counting, coin identification, and seeing what addition and subtractions skills are in place.


Nervous about Work
It is common for kids to be really nervous about their work and reluctant to show what they know. It is my goal for students to know they should do the best they can and that mistakes help Mrs. White. We have been talking today about these two ideas often. If you student feels nervous about work in class, talk with them about doing the best they can and how Mrs. White uses mistakes to help her see what to teach.

Have a wonderful week!

Summer Practice

Here's my recommendation for keeping up your student's skills during vacation.

Reading
        30 minutes-5 to 7 days a week

Writing
        Write 5 or more sentences using best writing skills-3 to 5 times a week. Please choose one thing to focus on per piece. Have the student fix it in their piece.

Math
         Check out this link  http://forestridge.salemkeizer.net/library-media  In portaportal there are lost of links to different websites.

Have a wonderful summer!!!

Relay Race

Way to go first grade teams!!!
Here's a link to Mr. Hampton's blog and the pictures on it.
http://jayceerelays.blogspot.com/

End of Year Dates

Can you believe that it's time to post these dates?!?!?!?

Library Book due today....or as soon as possible.
Final Speech- June 7 at 12:00-info coming home today
Empty Out Desks- June 8-student will need a empty backpack and maybe a spare bag.
Last Day of School- June 12- Field Day is at 1. Volunteers are needed 1 to 1:45 and 1:45 to 2:30. Sign up are in the front office.

From the Music Room

 

Inviting all parents and grandparents!

 

What: Music Class Open House! Come join us for an "informance" and sharing!

Who: A2, A3, A7, B2, B5, and B6 classrooms

Where: Forest Ridge music room

When:

    Next Tuesday for A3, A7, and B2

        A3: 1:30-2:00

        A7: 2:00-2:30

        B2: 12:30-1:00

    Next Wednesday for A2, B5, and B6

        A2: 2:00-2:30

        B5: 12:30-1:00

        B6: 1:30-2:00

 

Questions? E-mail Ms. Andeen at andeen_andie@salkeiz.k12.or.us.

Kindergarten 2012

Hello, Parents!

 

As Forest Ridge looks to the fall of 2012 we find that we are unusually short on incoming kindergarten children. This may be due in part to the "kindergarten round up" getting messed up by our closures due to weather this year.

 

IF YOU OR SOMEONE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD has a child who will be entering Forest Ridge kindergarten in the fall, please reply and let me know. The office would like to double check to see who has already registered, and who they still need to plan on registering for next year. By knowing this in the spring, we can be sure staff and resources are allocated appropriately for the 2012-2013 school year.

 

Thank you for your help!

 

Down By the Riverside!

                             Spreading bark on the trail

Finished!

                                        

                                     Macro Games

                                       Watershed

                                        Finding Macros

Fish

Bettle