Ms.Hudson

March 6, 2009

Happy March!  Spring is right around the corner and that means excited children!  We still have lots to do and learn, so help your child stay focused.

We hope the new homework calendar is working for you.  If you have any questions about an assignment, feel free to write a note or email me.  I go over the assignments each day to help the students understand, but I know they might forget.

Spring pictures are coming up March 19.  We will also make our class picture at this time.  Report cards go home the same day.

Congratulations to Martin Luna!  He won the writing contest for our class and gets to attend the Author's Tea on March 20.  Good job!

March 20 is also Fitness Night.  Come out for some fun activities and healthy snacks.

Our field trip to the Chattahoochee Nature Center is coming March 24.  If you have not sent the permission slip yet, please  do so.

I hope you were able to make it to the PTA meeting last night.  There was good information regarding the CRCT.  We are reviewing the skills we've learned this year for the CRCT.  I will be sending home some practice sheets as we complete them.  PLEASE review them with your child. 

January 22, 2009

Happy 100th Day!  We had lots of fun counting to 100 today - we counted around the circle by ones, twos, fives, and tens.  We made designs with 100 of different objects like cubes, cotton balls, and stickers.  Thanks to those who helped their childen count things to bring in from home!

Next week is conference week so we will be dismissing early. 

Please take part in the online survey that your child brought home the note about.  Your input is welcome and valuable to our schools.

The sheet regarding payments for field trips is for your tax purposes.

Continue to help your child with homework when they need it, but encourage  them to do as much as they can.  Help with spelling is okay, but they should be writing the words themselves.  Let them think of ideas for writing sentences and stories.  I love to see their imaginations!

January 9,2009

Happy New Year and welcome back! We are halfway through the year; it's hard to believe. 

Conferences are coming soon.  If you have not returned your confirmation slip, please do so by Monday.  I look forward to seeing you here!

We started informational writing this week.  We are looking at non-fiction books more closely, and discussing the differences in how they are written.

We  will also be working on fractions.  Letting your child help in the kitchen is a great way to let them see fractions in action! 

Telling time is a focus also.  Encourage your child to look at clocks at home that aren't digital.

Continue working on money, and as always  READ,  READ , READ!

December 2, 2008

Welcome back from Thanksgiving break! Judging from the interesting stories your children have written, I assume everyone had a happy, safe week. Please help your child pick out some interesting things to bring for our class band. They are enjoying learning about sound and seeing different musical instruments. Sebastian even thought of a way to make his own rain stick! As Christmas approaches, children get excited. Please help your child stay caught up with homework and studies. In class today we talked about how everyone is good at some things and not so good at others. We must practice what is difficult in order to improve. Be mindful of your child's strengths and weaknesses. Our class is made up of students from different cultures. Our holiday party will be Thursday December 18 from 11:30-12:30. I would like for each student to bring in a "taste" of something that your family enjoys during the holidays. I will provide the plates, cups, and drinks. It doesn't have to be much since we will have just eaten lunch. Also parents are invited, so come and join us! I will be sending home a separate note for you to indicate what you will send/bring. Thanks for all you're doing for your child. New growth is evident every day!

November 6, 2008

Hello!

What a busy time of year!  Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner and we're in the 13th week of school - time flies!  Let me give you some important dates.

Nov. 7 Veteran's Day Breakfast - Your child may bring a family member who is/was in the military   and enjoy a special breakfast at 8 AM.                                                                                                         

               Hat Day - Bring $1.00 for United Way and you can wear a hat all day

               Barnes and Noble Book Fair - 6PM-9PM see yellow flier

Nov. 10 Chorus to sing at the capitol for Toys for Tots.   You may send a new, unwrapped toy if you'd like.

Nov. 19 V.I.P lunch  Come have Thanksgiving lunch with your 1st grader...it's yummy!

We are preparing food baskets for the needy.  1st graders may bring in a can of fruit.  Next week they can bring in quarters to help purchase the turkeys.  Thanks for helping.

If you have any questions about the Book-It program, please e-mail me.  Continue reading past the monthly goal; I will give a prize each month for the child who reads the most books.  This includes books read in class and books you read to your child.

It is IMPERATIVE that you review sight words with your child EVERY DAY!  I can tell such a difference in the children who are consistent with this.  Keep it up!

If you would like to come into the classroom to help in any way, please let me know.  The children enjoy having their parents here and you can see what our day is like.  We can use parents to read to children, practice math facts, do art projects.  Or if you'd rather, you can make copies for me!  Drop me a note!

October 14

Wow!  What a great field trip we had!  I'll post some pictures of our trip soon.  We learned how to get through a corn maze, how to feed a cow (they have big tongues), and that farms don't always smell good :-p 

Remember tomorrow is Early Release (12:25).  Please make arrangements for your child's after school care. 

Report cards go home Friday.  If you have any questions, please feel free to write a note in your child's folder or e-mail me.  This report card should look similar to the kindergarten report card you saw last year.

We are working on these skills right now.  Please go over these with your child.

     Math:  money, numbers to 100, subtraction

     Language Arts:  writing narratives, sight words, reading with fluency, spelling

     Science:   weather and seasons, water and the water cycle

I enjoy your children each day!  They are a blessing and truly enjoy learning :-)                                                                                                                  

    

October 14

Wow!  What a great field trip we had!  I'll post some pictures of our trip soon.  We learned how to get through a corn maze, how to feed a cow (they have big tongues), and that farms don't always smell good :-p 

Remember tomorrow is Early Release (12:25).  Please make arrangements for your child's after school care. 

Report cards go home Friday.  If you have any questions, please feel free to write a note in your child's folder or e-mail me.  This report card should look similar to the kindergarten report card you saw last year.

We are working on these skills right now.  Please go over these with your child.

     Math:  money, numbers to 100, subtraction

     Language Arts:  writing narratives, sight words, reading with fluency, spelling

     Science:   weather and seasons, water and the water cycle

I enjoy your children each day!  They are a blessing and truly enjoy learning :-)                                                                                                                  

    

September 26

Happy Fall!  Happy Birthday Johnny Appleseed!  Be sure to ask your child what we learned about this famous American.  We also learned about Benjamin Franklin and his many contributions to the wor ld.

This week we've been working on main idea and details and adding details to our writing.  In math we've been working on place value.  Please continue checking your child's homework  and emphasizing neatness. 

Fall Festival is tonight from 5-8 pm.  Tickets are $6.00 for everyone.  Come out and support our school and PTA.  The Book Fair also starts tonight and goes through next week.

Math Night is coming to Publix October 9!  Watch your child's folder for details.

Week of September 8

Hi Parents!

We've been working very hard this week.  We took our first math test on addition.  Please continue to review addition facts with your child.  We work every day on our letter sounds.  Listen to your child read each night  and help them sound out their words.

Here are some homework tips:  Spend about 15-20 minutes each night on homework.  The packet should NOT be done in 1 or 2 nights  -  DON'T rush through!  Each night your child  should read to you, practice their sight words (previous weeks too), and do one of their sheets.  Please check your child's work for accuracy AND neatness.  Sometimes a sheet may come home midweek if your child had difficulty with a skill.  Please return that the next day.

We visited the library for the first time on Wednesday.  Help your child take care of the books he/she brings home.  The backpack is a safe place to keep these books!

Our PTA has its own website now:  dowellpta.org

Next Tuesday is early release.  We will have a drummer/storyteller during specials.

If you have not returned your field trip permission and money or your EIP letter, please do so next week.

Remember to get a good night's sleep for our CogAT test Sept. 17-19!