Newsletter for 10/21

Ms. Bradley's Class

Weekly Newsletter

bradley.sara@wsalem.k12.wi.us 786-1662x3135

Hi First Grade Families! We took some time to read Skippy Jon Jones this week to get ready for the play. The children loved the books! We also enjoyed the play on Friday!

Math: We have started Unit 3. We are focusing on math mountains and equations with unknown parts. We are practicing unknown partners with both addition and subtraction.

Reading: We read a lot of Skippy Jon Jones this week. We made a diagram to compare and contrast the different books we had read. We also made a book about families.

Writing: We are continuing to work on small moment stories. We also took some time to write about Skippy Jon Jones.

Science/Social Studies: We wrapped up animals in winter and are moving onto families. If you have not yet sent in a picture of your family, please send one soon! 

Housekeeping Items:

-     Thank you for filling out the blue logs about your child’s book bag! Even if I do not respond, I do read the notes and take them into account when picking books for your child. It definitely helps me make the best choice!

-     We will be switching to different logs that should be easier to fill out. I will show you what they look like at conferences.

-     Please try to read with your child each night. It really makes a difference! I know some of the children want to read all of their books the first night. It is more than okay to re-read books again or to find other books you may have at home.

-     No newsletter next week because it is a short week.

-     Just a reminder, we will not be dressing up on Halloween.

-     We started Panther Clubs this week. These are groups made up of all the first graders. The children are put in the clubs based on their needs. The club is 30 minutes long Monday – Thursday.

-     Thank you to those of you that came to conferences last night! It’s so great to talk about how your child is doing! I will see the rest of you Tuesday!

Important Dates:

- 10/25 Parent–Teacher Conferences

-10/27 and 10/28 No School

- 10/31 Harvest Hoopla – first grade will do stations focused on Fall.

-11/2 October Reading Calendars are due

If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with me! Have a fantastic weekend!

                            Ms. Bradley J

Our School Forest Trip

Hi Parents! We had a great time at the school forest together! Check out some of our pictures!

On the bus ride there. So excited to be going!



Enjoying Lunch!



Playing "Why Migrate?"



Sing-a-long with all of the classes

Hope you enjoyed the pictures!

Newslette for 10-14

Ms. Bradley's Class

Weekly Newsletter

bradley.sara@wsalem.k12.wi.us 786-1662x3135

Hello first grade families! We had a blast together at the forest! What a great way to learn about animals and how they spend the winter. We also had an assembly where we were recognized for our healthy lunches and for promoting physical activity with our students!

Math: We have started subtraction. The children are really doing well with this. We finished Unit 2 on Friday. We will start Unit 3 next week.

Reading: We spent the week reviewing our word wall words. We played lots of fun games to practice spelling the words. We also read more about how animals get ready for and spend the winter.

Writing: We wrapped up our old writing pieces this week. We also used an apple to show what a small moment is. The children will be focusing on writing small moment stories.

Science: We were busy learning about animals in winter. Going to the school forest really helped the children understand how animals prepare for winter! We all had a great time at the forest together! Thank you again to those of you that joined us!

Housekeeping Items:

-     The first grade team is continuing to work on the best books for the blue book bags. Be on the lookout for notes about changes. We are going to be adding a non-fiction or poetry piece each week. These may be at a higher level than your child is, but that makes it perfect to read together!

-     Continue to fill out those October Reading Calendars! It would be awesome if everyone met the goal!

-     I make the communication log in advance, so that it can get printed in time. Sometimes things change (homework, tests, etc.). I will let your child know so they can let you know about the change! Thanks for being flexible!!

Important Dates:

- 10/18 Early Release

- 10/20 Parent-Teacher Conferences

- 10/21 Skippy John Jones Play at the Heider Center

- 10/25 Parent–Teacher Conferences

-10/27 and 10/28 No School

If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with me! Have a super weekend!

Ms. Bradley J

Newsletter for 10/7

Ms. Bradley's Class

Weekly Newsletter

bradley.sara@wsalem.k12.wi.us 786-1662x3135

Hi first grade families! We let our last two butterflies go this week. The children were sad to see them go but excited for their migration! We also started talking about animals in winter, since that is what our school forest trip will be about!

Math: We continued with counting on from the larger number. We also started subtraction. We are practicing drawing the problem and writing out the equation.

Reading: We finished learning our reading strategies. We also started reading about how animals prepare for winter. We worked with our –it chunk as well.

Writing: We discussed what to do if we are writing a tricky word. We also “fixed and fancied” our favorite writing piece. We had a celebration of our writing on Friday!

Science: We wrapped up our butterflies and insect unit Monday. We are now focusing on animals in winter.

Housekeeping Items:

-     Thank you for sending back the blue book bags. Please try to send the bags back on Fridays if possible!

-     I have seen a lot of toys coming to school lately. Please keep toys at home. Then we do not need to worry about toys getting broke, causing fights or getting lost at school. Thank you!

Important Dates:

- 10/12 Outdoor Education Center Field Trip 8:15 – 1:30

- 10/18 Early Release

- 10/20 Parent-Teacher Conferences

- 10/21 Skippy John Jones Play at the Heider Center

- 10/25 Parent–Teacher Conferences

-10/27 and 10/28 No School

If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with me! Have a fantastic weekend! Enjoy the beautiful weather!

                               Ms. Bradley J

Newsletter for 9/30

Ms. Bradley's Class

Weekly Newsletter

bradley.sara@wsalem.k12.wi.us 786-1662x3135

Hello families! We had a very exciting event take place last Friday! One of our chrysalises turned into a butterfly. The children named her Perry and we let her go Friday afternoon. The children were very excited, but a little sad to let her go!

Math: We are continuing to work on addition problems. We are practicing finding the largest number and counting on from there. We are also working with nickels and pennies. Next week we will start subtraction.

Reading: We started learning our reading strategies this week. The children are practicing using these strategies when they do not know a word. We are working on the –am chunk this week as well.

Writing: This is the last week of the “Name of the Day” stories. We are also working on writing stories with a beginning, middle and end.

Science: We let our first butterfly go last Friday. We still have two chrysalises we are watching. We have also been reading about caterpillars, butterflies and other insects.

Housekeeping Items:

-     October reading calendars will start Monday. Please see the note that explains them more.

-     I sent home the October snack calendar (green). If you like having it in the folder, just replace September’s snack calendar with October’s. 

-     Please read the back of this newsletter for more information on the blue book bags.

Important Dates:

- 10/7 Homecoming Parade – wear your black and orange!!

- 10/12 Outdoor Education Center Field Trip 8:15 – 1:30

- 10/18 Early Release

- 10/20 Parent-Teacher Conferences

- 10/21 Skippy John Jones Play at the Heider Center

- 10/25 Parent–Teacher Conferences

If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with me! Have a wonderful weekend!

Ms. Bradley J

Newsletter for 9/23

Ms. Bradley's Class

Weekly Newsletter

bradley.sara@wsalem.k12.wi.us 786-1662x3135

Hi First Grade Families! We had another great week in first grade. Math homework started this week. Thank you for taking the time to help your child with his/her homework. We will be starting Blue Book Bags on Monday. Please see the golden letter that explains more.

Math: We began Unit 2 this week. We are working on addition. We are writing and building addition equations. The children enjoy acting out the addition problems!

Reading: We took a break from stations Monday and Tuesday due to MAP testing and early release. We went back to stations Wednesday. We are working on identifying sight words and looking for chunks. This week’s chunk was –ot.

Writing: We continued with our “Name of the Day” stories. We also decorated our writing folders to help us think of topics to write about. The children are really enjoying writing about what is important to them.

Science: We now have three chrysalises! It has been a lot of fun watching the changes! Now we wait for butterflies!

Housekeeping Items:

- Thank you for helping your child practice his/her word wall words. This children and I discussed fun ways to practice their words!

- We want to start good work habits early. Please make sure your child does his/her homework each night so it can come back to school the very next day!

- If you had said you were interested in volunteering during the day, please respond to the e-mail I sent about volunteering. It would be great to get volunteers in here asap!

Important Dates:

- 9/29 Picture Retake Day

- 10/7 Homecoming Parade – wear your black and orange!!

- 10/12 Outdoor Education Center Field Trip 8:15 – 1:30

- 10/18 Early Release

If you have any questions or concerns, please get in touch with me! Have a fun weekend!

Ms. Bradley J