Mystery Reader

Last week we welcomed our first Mystery Reader in to Room 112!  Thank you so much to Mrs. G for  sharing the book My Brave Year of Firsts by Jamie Lee Curtis and Laura Cornell!  The children really enjoyed the story!

Schedule for the Week of 10/3 - 10/7

Monday (D) - PE
Tuesday (A) - Art & Music
Wednesday (B) - Media Center
Thursday (C) - Music
Friday (D) - PE

Please remember to return library books on days we visit the media center and bring gym shoes on days we have PE.

Odds and Ends

As we come to the end of our 4th week (its going by so fast!), I wanted to answer some of the questions that were asked on this week's Home-School Sharing section of our grade level newsletter.

Word Work
Our word work program is in full swing!  We are continuing to add words to our word wall, and take part in the Spelling Challenge on Fridays.  Please remember that the words/spelling patterns that come home will increase in difficulty as the year progresses, so if your child can read AND write these words fluently, please do not worry about practicing these at home.  Words Their Way sorts this week included short vowels, long vowels, beginning/ending consonants and blends, depending on your child's group.  Other than practicing the Spelling Challenge words, there is no Word Work homework at this time.

Math Placement
Math class placement forms were sent home yesterday.  After getting to know your student as a mathematician and carefully assessing their current skill levels, the first grade teachers worked as a team with our Instructional Specialist, Mrs. Moss, to determine the best math class for your children.  The official math units will begin on Monday.  Please look for further math correspondence to come home next week from your child's math teacher.

Respect Circle
Our grade level morning meeting happen every Friday and include character education, team building and group tasks/activities.  This past week we have focused on taking turns talking and raising our hands when we would like to speak.  This upcoming week we are working on conflict resolution by using "I feel...when you..." statements, as well as learning the difference between tattling and reporting.  We are defining reporting as letting an adult now if someone is or is going to be hurt, id something is going to to broken, or if there is something dangerous happening.  If this is not the case, we are encouraging to children to use their new conflict resolution skills to talk it out first before asking for teacher assistance.

Reading Levels
Our district testing window opens on Monday.  During readers workshop, I will be reading and assessing all of the children to find both their independent and instructional levels.  This will help to form guided reading groups based on similar skills.  This should be completed in the next few weeks.

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask.  I am happy to help answer them for you.  Have a great weekend!

Volunteer Opportunities

Below are a list of links for volunteer opportunities for Room 112!  We welcome your help in our classroom and really look forward to working with you this year!

Please click on the below link(s) that you are interested in and sign in using your Sign Up Genius account.  This is the same account you used for conferences in kindergarten.  If you do not have an account, please create one as you will need it to select times for conferences and other activities throughout the year using this site.

Descriptions and further information regarding each program can be found in each link.  The links can also be found on the left side of our blog at any time for your convenience.

Thank you in advance for your help!

Morning Managers
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080a4ba4a822a46-morning2

Mystery Reader
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080a4ba4a822a46-mystery3

Fresh Fruit Friday
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080a4ba4a822a46-fresh3

Scientist with a Twist
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080a4ba4a822a46-scientist

Strep Throat

 SCHOOL HEALTH SERVICES

BIRMINGHAM PUBLIC SCHOOLS

OAKLAND COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL

Strep Throat has been reported in your student’s grade level at Harlan School.  The invasion period may be 1-3 days after exposure.

Observe your child for symptoms during this period.  Keep your child home if he/she shows signs of illness.  Attacks of this disease may vary in severity, some may be very mild.  Either severe or mild cases may have serious complications.  It is usually from mild attacks that the disease spreads because the parent does not recognize the disease and fails to call the physician.

Cases of Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria, Smallpox, Tuberculosis, Infectious Hepatitis, Typhoid Fever and Salmonella (intestinal infections) should be reported to the Health Department immediately.  Children who have recovered from these diseases, except Scarlet Fever, must have clearance through the Department of Health in order to return to school.

Popcorn Day

This is a gentle reminder that tomorrow, September 20, will be Popcorn Day.  Each bag costs $0.50.  The PTA will cover students who forget their money.  If your child has allergies and you do not want them to eat the school popcorn, please let me know.

Thank you!

Picture Day

This is a gentle reminder that Picture Day will be this Thursday, September 22.

If you have any questions, please let me know.