Weekly Update: Week of 10/28-11/8

Things to Know:

THE IMPORTANCE OF READING TO YOUR CHILD: Did you know that your first grade child STILL loves to hear you read? Even though our first graders are well on their way to reading on their own, they still benefit GREATLY from being read to by you! The research on this topic is staggering: from increased brain activity to increased phonemic awareness and beyond. Check out this helpful infographic for more information:

FALL HARVEST FUN: You're invited! Let me know if you'd like to help with a station. :-) The more, the merrier! (Please note: We will be having a costume-free party. As much as I'd love to bust out my banana costume for the day, we have decided as a school to keep costumes as a fun, at-home tradition. Thank you for your understanding! We will still have an amazing time!)

MYSTERY READER: Thank you for your interest in becoming a mystery reader! I've received a lot of emails about how to sign up. Please click the link to the LEFT of this blog (underneath the Scholastic Book Club banner) to set up a time to read! Mystery reader takes place on FRIDAYS from 11-40-12:00 p.m. Thanks so much!

*NOTE: To access the links, please view the blog in "web version" if you are accessing from a smartphone.

SPELLING WORDS: Your child received a list of spelling words in Friday Folders today. If all else fails, here are the words of the week! (Sight words are considered extra credit.)

1. run
2. cut
3. must
4. sun
5. up
6. bump
7. jump
8. bus
9. nut
10. rug
11. many
12. into

WINTER WEATHER IS COMING! It's that time of year...

STAY HEALTHY! It's that time of year...Colds and sniffles are all around and hand-washing is more important than ever! Please take time to review some little tricks of the trade for keeping healthy:

MATH MONDAYS WITH MR. DAVE: We have been SO fortunate to have our special math helper back from his winter trip to California! Mr. Dave has been a long-time volunteer at Somerset Elementary and, since he is beginning to work with many students in our class, we thought it'd be nice to feature him in our class blog! Mr. Dave has been working with small groups of students (for approximately 15 minutes per group) on math and logic challenges. Here is a little bit about Mr. Dave:

Hi. My name is Dave Kelm and I am a volunteer at Somerset Elementary School.  This year I am working with Ms Brignac's first grade students in mathematics.  After I retired I was looking for some volunteer activities where I thought that I could make an impact.  I had volunteered for over ten years in the St Paul School System while we were living in St Paul.  After moving to Mendota Heights one of the school board members suggested that I volunteer in Mendota Heights.  I enjoy working with small groups of students and am continually impressed with how quickly the students can absorb challenging material. I feel that I benefit as much as the students by the time we spend together!

Thanks for all you do, Mr. Dave!

LAST WEEK:

(Ask your child these questions about school!)

• MATH: 
• Can you tell me a math story? What equation matches your story?

• READING:
• What reading strategy do you like to use?
• Can you point out some words with blends?

• WRITING:
• What animal did you write about last week?

• SCIENCE:
• How did you sort rocks this week?

A PEEK AT THIS WEEK:

(Looking ahead...)

• MATH: 
• I can use math fact strategies.

• READING:
• I can monitor and fix-up my reading. 
• I can retell events in a story.
• I can read ending blends and short U words.

• WRITING:
• I can develop ideas for writing.

• SOCIAL STUDIES:
• I can be a kind friend.
• I can explore ROCKS!

UPCOMING DATES:

• 10/29: Fusion Lab
• 10/31: Fall Harvest Party!
• 11/3: Daylight Savings Time Ends
• 11/4: No Students: End of Quarter #1
• 11/5: No Students: Professional Development
• 11/27: Thanksgiving Break
• 12/2: School Resumes
• 12/6: Ms. Carroll's Last Day :-(

FUN in First Grade! (Photos)