First Week of Reading

Our first week of Storytown reading went very well.  This week we talked about short /a/ and built short vowel  /a/ words with word building cards in small groups.  I introduced our weekly spelling words.  Students will not be tested on spelling words.  However, students will write their spelling words each week and will begin writing short spelling sentences.  We played sparkle spelling too!  In grammar, we discussed what a correct sentence looks and sounds like.  I am thrilled with how the students have progressed with their handwriting.  When your child is writing at home, please encourage them to use a capital at the beginning of the sentence, spacing between words, and to always add a punctuation mark.  In math, we are working on basic concepts such as finding missing numbers between two numbers, identifying pennies, and beginning story problems using some, some more, and some, some went away.  During Social Studies this week we discussed Chinese New Year and customs and traditions our families celebrate.  We also took a 'virutal field trip' to China using Google Earth.  Very cool!

Reminders

Parent-Teacher conferences will be Wed., Sept. 22 & Thurs., Sept. 23.  Please be sure that you send your conference slip back so I can confirm your appointment.

Volunteers--thank you to the parents who have returned parent volunteer forms!  I will be in contact with you soon!  I still need a parent volunteer to coordinate the Fall Party.

Reading--we will begin our Storytown Reading program this week.  The reading program will include whole group reading, phonics, small group reading, and grammar.  Reading begins at 8:10-9:20 each morning. 

Questions--I am availabe to answer any questions in regards to your child or any other concerns that may arise.   You can reach me by email, phone, or by visiting the classroom .  The best time to reach me is 7:30 a.m.-8:00 a.m. or after school from 3:45 p.m.-4:30 p.m.  My planning period is from 10:20-10:50 a.m. and from 1:10-1:50 p.m.  Prior to visiting the classroom, please be sure to check in with the front office for a visitors pass.

RTI Information

Dear Families,

This week you will be receiving information about our new Response to Intervention (RTI) program we will begin for reading.  With this new program, your child may receive reading instruction from Mrs. Keene, Mrs. Bergmeyer, or myself.  Students will be changing classes at 8:50-9:20 a.m. daily.  The RTI program will allow us to give our students the best possible reading instruction that is developed for their current individual reading level.  If you have any questions, or would like to visit the classroom to see how the RTI program works--please call or email me!

Mrs. Gewinner

Exciting Week!

The students have been working very hard this week.  We are having a fabulous time in first grade!  Your children have such wonderful personalities and are so eager to learn!  We have been reviewing consonant sounds, what is a vowel, and what sound the short vowel /a/ makes.  Using word-building cards, students worked together in small groups to create words with the short /a/ sound.  I was so impressed with how well they worked together to complete this activity!   A very proud teacher moment!  Reading assessments are almost complete.   Please continue to review the HFW lists found on the blog.  I have been sending home our daily math worksheets.  If you see a DWC at the top of your child's paper, this means we did the activity as a class.  The back of the sheet is indepedent work.  Thursday's will usually be math homework.  Please have your child return their completed math sheet Friday morning.

Welcome to Conestoga's Open House 2010!

Welcome first graders!  I am so excited to have you in my class!  Please check back for frequent updates to our class blog!  I am looking forward to an adventurous school year!
Mrs. Gewinner