Day 1-5 Study Skills :-)

Big Idea/Big Question (This is the theme of our unit in class.)	Question of the Week (This is the theme/question for this week’s instruction in class.)
Animals: How are people and animals important to one another?	How do wild animals take care of their babies?
Phonics Skills (These are the letters and sounds we are learning in class.)	Spelling Patterns and associated Words (These patterns connect to our phonics skills we are learning this week.)
Inflected ending -s Inflected ending -ing	Ending –s; Review of short i and short a fit     fits    hit    hits    nap naps    sit    sits    win    wins
High Frequency Words (These reading words should be practiced and memorized.)	Story Words (These reading words are words from this week’s main selection.)
eat   four   five   her   this   too	animals    dinner   watch
Oral Vocabulary (Try using these words in your conversations at home.)	Handwriting Practice (Students can practice the writing of these letters in manuscript this week.)
observe   wild   parent   canopy   screech   million   reserve   native	Nn, Gg Letter Slant

Week of Sep. 17

We’ve had another great week in first grade!

Your child should have started bringing home a red folder. This is where I will send home class work as well as homework. Please check it every day and make sure it comes back to school every day. Thank you for your help in getting this routine set.

We’ve started attending the computer lab this week, finished the topic of greater than/less than in math and are moving onto week 3 of our reading program. This is what we will be covering this coming week:

Big Idea/Big Question (This is the theme of our unit in class.)	Question of the Week (This is the theme/question for this week’s instruction in class.)
Animals: How are people and animals important to one another?	How do animals help people?
Phonics Skills (These are the letters and sounds we are learning in class.)	Spelling Patterns and associated Words (These patterns connect to our phonics skills we are learning this week.)
Short o (ŏ) Plural -s Consonant s /z/	Short o words: got   hop   hot   lock   mom mop   ox   pop   pot    rock
High Frequency Words (These reading words should be practiced and memorized.)	Story Words (These reading words are words from this week’s main selection.)
blue   from   get   help   little  use	town
Oral Vocabulary (Try using these words in your conversations at home.)	Handwriting Practice (Students can practice the writing of these letters in manuscript this week.)
danger   enormous   past  powerful   present  produce   serve  snuggle transportation	Oo Left to right progression

This week we will also have a visit from Red Butte Gardens on Thursday in preparation for our science unit and our upcoming field trip (Sep. 24). Thank you to the many of you who volunteered to come with us. I have contacted those who will be attending the field trip with us. I had more volunteer than I can take but thank you again for being willing!

Your child should have brought home information on our school fundraiser (sally foster and the entertainment books). All the information is in the bag that was sent home; if you have questions please let me know. The PTA is also selling t-shirts this year. Here is some information from them:

This year Butler Elementary t-shirts are being offered for adults and children in three different designs. There are three  separate order forms (one for each design.) The order forms are located in the hall across from the office, right around the corner from the water fountains. The deadline to order is next Thursday, the 20th.  We would like to get the word out to all parents that the t-shirts are available and can be viewed by the front office. The t-shirts are $8, hoodies are $22 and bags are $5. All PTA members are offered the special of Buy a t-shirt and hoodie, get a bag free. If you have any

questions, please contact Stacie at stacieskelton@gmail.com

Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns!

Have a Minute?

Below is a link to fabulous website full of sight words. These are words first graders should be able to read without having to sound them out. I found it most helpful to use the "by frequency and grade" list. These would make excellent flash cards to practice with wherever you are, whenever you have an extra minute.  Happy Reading!
http://www.mrsperkins.com/dolch.htm

First Grade Update!

We’ve had a great week in first grade! Below you will find a weekly outline of what we will be covering in language arts this week. Please use this for communication with your child about what they will be doing this week as well as additional practice.

Several papers went home today. Please look for work that has been done in class this week and review it with your child. Also note that our school wide reading program will start on Monday. It is called Road To Success and requires that first graders read 20 minutes a day, track their minutes and turn them in every Monday. I will record the minutes from the previous week and they will be entered in to win prizes!

Please continue to practice lunch numbers at home. It will make lunch much easier for all involved!

Finally, thank you to those of you who were able to make it to Back To School Night last night. It’s been great meeting the parents of these wonderful children! Have a great weekend! 

Big Idea/Big Question (This is the theme of our unit in class.)	Question of the Week (This is the theme/question for this week’s instruction in class.)
Animals: How are people and animals important to one another?	Who helps animals?
Phonics Skills (These are the letters and sounds we are learning in class.)	Spelling Patterns and associated Words (These patterns connect to our phonics skills we are learning this week.)
Short i  /Ĭ/ Consonant pattern x  /ks/	Short i words: did    fix    in    it    lip    mix pin    sit    six    wig
High Frequency Words (These reading words should be practiced and memorized.)	Story Words (These reading words are words from this week’s main selection.)
she    take   what   up	play
Oral Vocabulary (Try using these words in your conversations at home.)	Handwriting Practice (Students can practice the writing of these letters in manuscript this week.)
career   service     tool    sloppy scrub   exercise   comfort    search	Ii, Xx, Letter spacing

First Grade Reading Program

First Grade Weekly Study Skills

Unit 1, Week 1, “Sam, Come Back!”

Below are the skills and vocabulary we will be working on for the next 5 days.  (*Please note: our literacy lessons are based on 5-day plans that may or may not align with a M-F schedule. In an effort to teach the entire grade level core, I will post the “weekly study skills” on the day that we begin a new 5-day instructional sequence.) Just so you are aware we started practicing these skills on Friday and will continue through this coming week.  You can support your child’s literacy skills by reviewing, discussing, and practicing the skills and concepts below:

Big Idea/Big Question (This is the theme of our unit in class.)	Question of the Week (This is the theme/question for this week’s instruction in class.)
Animals: How are people and animals important to one another?	What do pets need?
Phonics Skills (These are the letters and sounds we are learning in class.)	Spelling Patterns and associated Words (These patterns connect to our phonics skills we are learning this week.)
Short a (ă) Consonant pattern -ck	Short a words: am     at    back    bat    can    cat    dad    mad    ran    sack
High Frequency Words (These reading words should be practiced and memorized.)	Story Words (These reading words are words from this week’s main selection.)
my    come    way    on    in	Jack     Sam
Oral Vocabulary (Try using these words in your conversations at home.)	Handwriting Practice (Students can practice the writing of these letters in manuscript this week.)
cuddle    faithful    fetch    heel    needs  responsibility  shelter tickle	Aa Letter size

Fantastic First Graders!

We’ve had a fabulous first week in first grade! Here are a few updates and reminders:

• I have sent home a few worksheets that we have been doing in class this week. Please review them with your child and have them complete them if they are not done, as added practice. We have especially been focusing on color words as well as some number words. This is good sight word recognition for them.

• Please keep reviewing those lunch numbers. Some of your students have already memorized their numbers and it has made lunch much smoother!

•  Remember this Thursday (September 6) is back to school night. It begins at 6:00pm. Each teacher will have three 15-minute sessions where you are welcome to visit your child’s classroom.  

• One final reminder...if you are reading this and aren't yet a follower of this blog please add yourself. I am excited to continue to get to know and work with your wonderful children! Have a great weekend!