What a great first FULL week!

We are working hard and learning so much in first grade!

Here’s a peek at next week!

Phonics Family Words: let, get, pet, met, ten, then, went, bed, red, yes

Phonics: short e

Reading: Establishing Daily 5 Routines- Work on Writing

Mentor Sentence: “Her parents named her Chrysanthemum.” -Chrysanthemum

L.Arts: Common Nouns

Writing Workshop: Personal Narratives-"Small Moments"

Math: Numeration- Counting and Comparing Numbers

**Please practice counting and writing numbers to 120 at home.**

Science: Weather

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Homework

1.Study phonics family words!

2. Complete Math About Me activity sheet.

3. Practice this week's Lightning Words.

Scholastic News/RAZ Kids/Headsprouts Donation

If you are able and have not already done so, please send in a $15 donation for your child's Scholastic News subscription and RAZ Kids/Headsprouts account. Logins will be sent out soon. Thank you!

Scholastic Book Order

Scholastic book orders were sent home in Daily Folders. This is a great opportunity to foster your child’s love for learning! You may send filled out order forms and checks to school with your child, or you may order online using our class code.

Online Ordering

https://clubs.scholastic.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-rco-us-Site

Under the “Parents” section, click on “Get Started”

Enter our class code: PYFB8

I will submit all orders on the due date each month and books will be sent home with your child when they arrive at school. (If you want books to be a surprise or gift, I will be happy to make arrangements with you to pick them up.)

Order forms will go home each month. This month’s due date is August 22nd.

Volunteer Training

Georgia law regarding volunteers in non-profit organizations establishes that all volunteers are now mandated reporters.  In order for all volunteers to understand the law and know the reporting protocols, volunteer training regarding the new mandated reporter law will be provided. Below are the dates for the RBES volunteer training. If you plan to volunteer or visit in a classroom (this includes attending class parties, Field Day, working with students, etc.), you should attend one of the dates below.

August 15th @ 7:00 PM

August 17th @ 7:00 PM

August 24th @ 8:45 AM

We will need ALL volunteers to attend one of the training options in order for everyone to be able to continue to serve as a volunteer. Please know we appreciate you, your time, and commitment to RBES.

First Grade Curriculum Night

Please join the first grade team on Thursday, August 17th from 6:00-7:00PM in the RBES Media Center to learn all you need to know about first grade! We will inform you of curriculum, expectations, etc., as well as answer any questions you may have. Mrs. Mason will also be offering a volunteer training session immediately following Curriculum Night, if you would like to get involved at RBES!

Snack Reminders

-Please send a healthy snack {low in sugar} to school with your child every day.

-Due to having a short amount of time for snack time, please send in only one snack.

-Please only send a small water bottle for your child to have with his/her snack - no juice or Gatorade.

Shoe Tying Practice

If your child hasn't learned how to tie their shoes yet,

please practice this skill with him/her at home.

Upcoming Events

Curriculum Night 3,4,5 Grade – August 15th at 6:00PM

Curriculum Night K,1,2 Grade – August 17th at 6:00PM

Solar Eclipse Extended School Day – August 21st (3:00PM Dismissal)

K-1 Picture Day – August 29th

PTO Meeting – August 29th at 6:30PM

Quarterly Coffee with Mrs. Mason – September 5th at 8:00AM

Have a great weekend!

Week of August 7th

Week of August 7th

Here’s a sneak peek at next week!

What a great first week! We've had fun getting to know each other and are working hard to learn classroom routines/procedures. I can already tell we are going to have a great year together! 

Phonics Family Words: at, hat, bad, an, ran, sat, had, am, can, that

We will not have spelling tests in first grade. Our goal is to work with the students on building their phonological and phonemic awareness through hands-on word building and word manipulating activities. Each week, we will focus on a different “phonics family.” It is more important to us for students to be able to build a strong phonological/phonemic awareness and not memorize spelling words each week.

Need ideas for practicing phonics family words at home?
Check out Spelling City!
Phonics: short a 

Reading: Establishing Daily 5 Routines- Read to Self 

Mentor Sentence: “Sarah slumped down in her seat.” -First Day Jitters

Writing Workshop: Personal Narratives

Math: Numeration – counting large quantities, comparing objects in a set, representing numbers in different ways 

Social Studies: All About Me

Positive Discipline: Class procedures/guidelines; What is respect?

 Homework 

(Due by Friday 8/11)

1. Practice phonics family words!
2. Words That Describe Me activity {see details in Daily Folder}

3.  Lightning Words

4. Please make sure you have returned all paperwork/forms sent home in your child's Daily Folder. 

5. Update your child's PowerSchool account {a login information sheet was given out at Open House}  

Scholastic News/RAZ Kids/Headsprouts Donation

If you are able and have not already done so, please send in a $15 donation for your child's Scholastic News subscription and RAZ Kids/Headsprouts account. Thank you! 

Fall MAP Testing

Our class will participate in MAP Reading on August 9^th at 8:00AM and MAP Math on August 11^th at 9:30PM. Be sure to send your children to school well rested and fed so they may do their best. We will use this data to drive instruction and track progress throughout the school year.

Volunteer Training

Georgia law regarding volunteers in non-profit organizations establishes that all volunteers are now mandated reporters.  In order for all volunteers to understand the law and know the reporting protocols, volunteer training regarding the new mandated reporter law will be provided. Below are the dates for the RBES volunteer training. If you plan to volunteer or visit in a classroom (this includes attending class parties, Field Day, working with students, etc.), you should attend one of the dates below.

August 1st @ 6:00 PM

August 4th @ 9:00 AM

August 15th @ 7:00 PM

August 17th @ 7:00 PM

August 24th @ 8:45 AM

We will need ALL volunteers to attend one of the training options in order for everyone to be able to continue to serve as a volunteer. Please know we appreciate you, your time, and commitment to RBES.

Upcoming Events

MAP Reading – August 9^th at 9:00AM

Newcomers' Welcome – August 10^th at 9:00AM

MAP Math – August 11^th at 12:30PM

Curriculum Night 3,4,5 Grade – August 15^th at 6:00PM

Curriculum Night K,1,2 Grade – August 17^th at 6:00PM

Solar Eclipse Extended School Day – August 21^st (3:00PM Dismissal)

K-1 Picture Day – August 29^th

PTO Meeting – August 29^th at 6:30PM

Quarterly Coffee with Mrs. Mason – September 5^that 8:00AM

May 15th-19th

Here’s a sneak peek at next week!

For the last week of school, First Grade has decided to have a fun theme each day!

Monday, May 15^th: Game Day

Your child may bring in their favorite board game/puzzle!

Tuesday, May 16^th: STEAM Day/Makerspace Day

Students can bring in recyclables from home to turn into toys that kids may enjoy! (empty soup cans, empty drink cans, plastic gallon jugs, straws, paper plates, etc.)

Wednesday, May 17^th: Art Day/Outside Fun

Bring your crafting skills and supplies for art and outdoor fun!

(coloring books, markers, pom pom balls, glitter, glue, water colors, paper, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, football, soccer ball)

Students may bring in yearbooks today for their friends to sign! Those who did not purchase a yearbook can pass around their memory book.

Thursday, May 18^th: Read-In/Clean-Up

Bring in some of your favorite books to read with a friend or friends! You may bring in one stuffed animal today along with your books. We will also be cleaning out our desks and classroom.

Friday, May 19^th: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

We will watch a movie in the morning and conclude our day with a Chick-fil-A box lunch and fun station rotations in each first grade classroom – Volunteer trained parents may join in on the fun at 12:30!

Stations: Dance, Limbo, Outdoor Fun, Popsicle/Karaoke, Minute to Win It, Beach Ball Autograph

Thank you for sharing your sweet children with me this year! They have all made this year of teaching so special. I have made lasting memories with each of them and I wish them nothing but the best in their future. Thank you all for all of the volunteer hours you put into this year, all of the donations, and all of your support. I am truly grateful! Have a safe and enjoyable summer!

Christina Pierce

Week of May 8th-12th

Here’s a peek at next week!

Phonics Family Words: None

Phonics: Review

Reading: We will be reviewing skills already covered this year through Daily 5 groups and other activities – summer themed reading and activities

L.Arts: We will review skills already covered this year. 

Writing Workshop: Creating summer “bucket lists” and review

Math: Math review games

Positive Discipline: Finding solutions independently to our problems

Jump into a good book!

We will participate in Field Day on May 11th. Please make sure your student has comfortable, cool clothes, tennis shoes, a water bottle, and sunscreen that day. Please also send in a COMPLETE change of clothes for your child after the Field Day fun (including shoes). There are water events and students will get wet. We are looking forward to all of the fun!

Last Week of School Daily Themes

For the last week of school, First Grade has decided to have a fun theme each day!

Monday, May 15^th: Game Day

Your child may bring in their favorite board game/puzzle!

Tuesday, May 16^th: STEAM Day/Makerspace Day

Students can bring in recyclables from home to turn into toys that kids may enjoy! (empty soup cans, empty drink cans, plastic gallon jugs, straws, paper plates, etc.)

Wednesday, May 17^th: Art Day/Outside Fun

Bring your crafting skills and supplies for art and outdoor fun!

(coloring books, markers, pom pom balls, glitter, glue, water colors, paper, sidewalk chalk, bubbles, football, soccer ball)

Thursday, May 18^th: Read-In/Clean-Up

Bring in all of your favorite books to read with a friend or friends! We will also be cleaning out our desks and classroom.

Friday, May 19^th: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

Chick-fil-A box lunch and fun station rotations – Volunteer trained parents may join in on the fun at 12:30!

End of the Year Celebration

We will serve lunch to the kids (Chick-fil-A boxes) and then we will have stations set up outdoors or in each classroom for the classes to rotate around. There will be fun activities planned at each station – Dance, Limbo, Outdoor Fun, Popsicle/Karaoke, Minute to Win It, Beach Ball Autograph. We are asking for a donation from each family to help us to pay for the food and supplies needed to make this party successful. If each family is willing to contribute $7 towards the party, we should be able to cover the cost of every child. Please send in your donation (we can only accept cash) in an envelope to your child's teacher labeled "End of Year Party" by May 12^th.Thank you for helping make our End of the Year Celebration great for the kids!

Parent Survey

In an effort to improve system practices, Oconee County Schools is conducting a parent survey. We value your opinion and ask that you take the time to complete this survey. The web survey will be available until May 12, 2017.

In order to complete the survey, please go to:  http://eprovesurveys.advanc-ed.org/surveys/#/action/19726/2963/1

Please be assured that your responses to this survey will be anonymous. Your honest opinion is appreciated.

We have snack every day. Please encourage your student to pack a snack each day. Lunch time can be a long time to wait to eat.

Upcoming Events

Step-Up Day (students will visit a 2^nd grade class) – May 10^th

K-2 Field Day – May 11^th

Last Day of School (parties start at 1:30) – May 19^th

Have a great weekend!