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September 20, 2013
Dear Parents,
As you may have noticed by our last Friday Folder, I’ve recruited help from the class. I used to stuff the envelopes by myself, but it takes too much time. Now students help me pass out papers and put them into their own Friday Folder. Students learn to read each others’ names plus this is a great time saving for me. Students are supposed to check each paper before putting it into their folder, but some papers do get into the wrong folder. If you get another student’s paper, then please send it to school in your child’s folder. I’ll be sure it gets to the right owner.
This folder you’ll notice that we’ve done more writing. I talk about capital letters, finger spaces and periods at the end of a sentence. Right now I am trying to get them comfortable with the writing process; I have not assigned a number of sentences yet. Within the next few weeks, students will need to write two sentences on lined paper. Please note all the work has been done with full support. I have been spelling words to them, but soon students will learn to use our word wall, picture dictionary and stretch out the unknown word. I do encourage inventive spelling. As time goes on, we will start our spelling program in January.
Next week students will take the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) tests. In first grade we’ll take the reading assessment on Tuesday and then the mathematics assessment on Wednesday from 8:30-9:30 am on the computers with headphones. The results of these assessments will be available during parent-teacher conferences in October. Students will take these tests again in January and May. Our goal is to see growth at each testing period. As you know, this is one of many tests used to help determine whether your child is likely to be “on track” for learning to read and mathematics. Please be sure that your child has had a good breakfast and is to school on time.
On Friday we will walk to the Onekama Public Library from 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. Please dress your child appropriately for the weather. We will walk to and from the library. You’ve already completed a permission slip at the beginning of the year. If you are interested in walking with us, then please let me know.
Enclosed is your child’s first math test. Since the process and format were new to students, we completed this assessment together. As they learn more about the format of our math test, I’ll give less and less support. We’ve started a new math unit called “Everyday Uses of Numbers.” Please find the enclosed “Unit 2: Family Letter.” It gives a good review of our unit plus some fun games to play at home to support these concepts.
For those of you who are our holiday helpers, you’ll find enclosed in your child’s folder a copy of holiday parties. I may have had to change a few names here or there to accommodate everyone. If you have any problems, then please let me know.
The following are dates that you may want to add to your calendar: ¨ School Picture Day – September 25 ¨ NWEA Testing – September 23-27 ¨ Onekama Public Library field trip – September 27 at 12:00-1:30 pm ¨ Substitute – October 18 at 8-11 am ¨ Parent-Teacher Conferences – October 22 & 23 at 5-8 pm ¨ Early Dismissal – October 23 ¨ Halloween party – October 31 at 12-3 pm
Warmly, Shantel
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