Newsletter October 9, 2017

Hello First Grade Families,

We have been very busy in our first grade classrooms and have a busy week ahead of us. The First Grade and especially Mrs. Boudreau’s class welcomed Jordan to room 7. This week we have our fieldtrip, Open House,  a whole school morning meeting assembly, Farm to School and Fire Safety.  Over the last few weeks students have continued to build stamina for independent work times and being a good citizen of the classroom. Here are a few highlights of our learning…

Reading- Students are learning about using Good Habits for reading instead of Bad Habits ( looking at all parts of a word vs. asking the teacher to tell an unknown word). Also students have kept track of how many books they are reading during Read to Self and setting goals to read more and more!

Math- Students have been getting familiar with the number rack and using it as a tool in the classroom. We have also been estimating and measuring various items in the classroom. Students are also working on becoming fluent with thinking about numbers and what comes before and after a given number.

Writing- In Writer’s Workshop students have started to write a Small Moment.  A Small Moment is an event that has already happened to the students or is about something they do. Attached to this newsletter is a quick Small Moment helper. We are asking parents to help their child brainstorm at least 5-10 events your child has done. This will help your student when they experience a writer’s block.  Each small moment that the students write needs to have a beginning, middle, and end.

Science- We have just begun to explore with the idea of what does it mean to be a scientist. What tools do they use and the process in which scientist work.

Social Studies- We talked about having a Growth Mindset and knowing that things might not come easy to us YET!  We read this great book call Not Yet by Lisa Cox & Lori Hockema  Students came up with something they can do and something that they can not do yet.  Be sure to look at our hallway display of leaves to see your child’s Growth Mindset.

Other Information-

• We are starting a new unit in math, be sure to read the parent page attached to this letter.
• Included in this packet is also a parent helper for Growth Mindset vs. a Fixed Mindset.
• We will be starting Math Menu- this is where students will be involved in math choices at all different academic levels. Please read the parent letter also attached to this newsletter.
• We have introduced a few high frequency words. These are words that the students will be expected to read and write. We will update you at the end of each month so that you can have these words at home.    September’s Words-  the, and, like, with, have, my

This week is our field trip to Mazza’s to go pumpkin picking.  Our field trip is on Tuesday, October 10th.  Here are some reminders…

• We will leave school around 9:20.
• Parents are welcomed to attend. The cost is $2.00. Because of the amount of parent volunteers we are going to ask parents to drive their own vehicle and meet us there by 9:50. If you have not paid your $2.00 please send it in.
• Our field trip starts at 10:00 but Mazza’s has asked us all to be there by 9:50.
• Parents might need to have their child ride on their laps for the hay wagon:) They told us each wagon can hold around 20 passengers so we will be tight.  
• Students should wear mud boots or old sneakers for the field trip. Students can change into these at school but we are asking that they have a change of shoes for when we return.
• Please check the weather and dress your child accordingly.
• Please send in a plastic or reusable grocery bag with your child’s name written on it. The bag will make it easier for your child to carry their pumpkin.
• Pumpkins will stay at school for the day as we spend the afternoon doing some fun activities.

Dates to Remember

• Week of October 9th students will have their October Farm to School lesson and a Fire Safety session with some of South Burlington’s Firemen.

• Tuesday, October 10th- Morning Meeting Assembly
• Tuesday, October 10th- Pumpkin Picking Field trip
• Wednesday, October 11th- Chamberlin’s Open House 6:30-7:30
• Friday, October 13th- PTO Family Movie Night 7:00pm
• Saturday, October 14th Chamberlin’s Harvest Festival 1:00- 3:00
• Thursday, October 19th- No School for teacher inservice.
• Friday, October 20th- No School
• Tuesday, October 24th- Morning Meeting Assembly
• Tuesday, October 31st- UVM Women’s Lacrosse Team Assembly

Please continue to send in appropriate clothes for outdoor recess and a healthy snack. Also if your child has a change of plans please let both the classroom teacher and Rose in the front office know.

Make sure that your child is reading every night. Your child can read to you, you can read to your child, or a little of both.

Fondly,

 Mrs. Routhier & Mrs. Boudreau