Classroom 15 Connection

Here is our October picture of our "class tree." There were a few changes, and our predictions were right...the leaves are starting to turn different colors. We also noticed leaves on the ground this time. At the top they are mostly yellow, but if you looked around the tree there were orange leaves. We took a vote to predict which color we thought the whole tree would turn. Yellow won...we'll have to wait until November to find out if we were right :)

What a beautiful day today was! We really enjoyed getting outside and enjoying the fresh air. Just a reminder that we do try to go outside almost every day, unless it is raining. We will continue to go out even when it gets a little chillier, as the fresh air is much needed! Remember to send your child with a coat/sweater...thanks!!
Here is a look at this week...

Monday
Congratulations to Natalie, she is our Star of the Week!
Today we started the letter Aa. We are just learning the short a sound, as in the word at, alligator, apple, etc... Please remember this when helping your child with his/her homework.
We have also started our Fall unit! Each afternoon for the next two weeks we will be learning all about the Fall season, one of my favorite times :)

Tuesday
In Math we are still working with patterns. Today will be a fun day as we make patterns with skittles! The best part is we will be able to eat them when we are finished!
Homework: Letter Aa picture page. Due back on Wednesday.

Wednesday
You should have received a letter in your child's folder regarding Monsignor's passing. His funeral is on Wednesday at 11:00am. To help accomodate the needs for the day we will be dismissed at 11:25am (we will dismiss 5 minutes early). Seeing that the church parking lot will be filled, we will dismiss the children from our door on the Lawler side of the building (where we line up in the morning.)

Thursday
Computers and Art.

Friday
Library books need to be returned.
Scholastic Book Orders are due. You can still order online. And...every time a parent orders online we received a free book for the classroom!
Rest towels will be coming home next week.
Just a reminder that there is no school on Monday or Friday of next week.

Some of the students still need a little extra help with their printing. So, I have placed a printing sheet in some of the children's folders for homework. If your child received one, please have them practice printing their name and the letter Aa. These are due back tomorrow.
Thanks!

I hope everyone enjoyed our three day weekend. Last Friday we talked about Christopher Columbus and did a few projects, today we revisited him and I was amazed...we were able to name all three ships he sailed on and they rememberd all the things that happened in the story we had read, some of their memories are better than mine :) Here is a look at this week:
Monday: No School

Tuesday
All School Mass
I would like to compliment the students on their behavior during the Mass, they did an excellent job. We say the Our Father, Hail Mary, and other classroom prayers everyday, you may want to practice the Our Father and Hail Mary with your child, or even pray with them using these prayers.
Homework: Letter Aa printing paper.

Wednesday
We are starting to listen for the middle sound we hear in words. For example, in the word cat, we hear a in the middle. By now your child should be able to recognize the letters we have learned, c,o,g,a, as well as say the sound the letter makes. Your child should also be blending two letters together, such as og, ag. Next week I will start testing the students on these letters for our first quarter progress report ( we get a 1st quarter progress report in place of a 1st quarter report card). Feel free to practice with your child at home...it makes a big difference! The more practice the easier it becomes and the more confident your child becomes too.

Thursday
No riddle of the week for homework.
Computers & Art

Friday
No School, have another great long weekend. Stay Warm!!

What a beautiful day today! We enjoyed playing outside and we also went outside to look for leaves to do our very own leaf rubbing. The book went home today in your child's folder. I think many of them were excited to go home and collect leaves, we found so many that were all different colors...it was a lot of fun!
A letter went home regarding Halloween (October 30th). Please take some time to read this as it will probably answer any questions you might have regarding costumes.
Please remember to send your child with a drink for snack everyday. Don't worry if you forget, they are always welcome to water at the water fountain.
Here is a look at the week ahead...
Monday
Congratulations Joshua...he's the star of the week!!
We are starting letter Dd today and will work on this letter for two weeks. Attached to the class newsletter was a letter about blending 2 and 3 letter words. Although some are nonsense words, it is very important that the students master this concept in order to continue reading. Please spend some time each night reading the blends and the words on the list. With each new letter a new list of words will go home. A little practice each night goes a long way!
I also told the children if you would like to bring in a picture of your pet dog, or maybe a friend's dog we will hang them up in our room while we work on the letter Dd.
In Math we are learning about more and less in groups. This will lead us into learning about numbers 0-5.
In Religion we have started learning about how God made all the animals and plants. We disucss how we should care for all living creatures. At recess today many of the students were concerned about the spiders getting stepped on or hurt while we were playing, so I guess they are really watching out for all of God's creatures :)

Tuesday
Today we will be going on our In School Field Trip to see Mother Goose. Last year she did a wonderful job and I am excited to go again!
Homework: Letter Dd picture page. This is due on Wednesday.

Wednesday
Ice Cream will be sold at lunch today for $1.00 Please remember if you would like your child to purchase ice cream please put $1.00 in an envelope in his/her folder.

Thursday
Computers and Art. We use our crayons every day and many of the students are in need of some replacements. I do have a large crayon bin that the students are able to go and get a crayon if needed, but they do need a full set in their pencil case, especially when we go to Art class. The set of 8 crayons is plenty, as we usually only use those 8 colors, but feel free to send your child with either a box of 8, 16, or 24. Thanks!

Friday
Ladies Guild Hot Lunch!
A letter went home today telling you all about our Halloween Family Fun project that is due Friday. Please have your child look around the house and find something special to them. Then have them color, cut, and glue the label on a brown bag, or really any bag you have. On Friday, they will need to tell the class what the item is and why it is special to them. You may want to ask them at home so they are prepared. I can't wait to see all the special items, it will be a real treat!
Today is also our Animal Prayer Service! During Religion time I will be holding an Animal Prayer Service in my room. We will discuss why animals are so important and how they are all special and unique. Since we can not bring real animals into the classroom (besides Kirby), the next best thing ofcourse is stuffed animals! Please have your child bring one stuffed animal with them to school on Friday. We will use them during our prayer service. Lucky is very excited about this too!
Riddle of the Week for homework.

Have a great week and please let me know if you have any questions!
Mrs. Dougherty

First I would like to thank all the families for all the work you have been doing with your child for all of our fun projects at school. The special treats were great, it was nice having your children explain why these items were so special to them, some were kinda funny too :) I can't wait to see the dozens project on Wednesday! Also, thanks to everyone who has brought Lucky home, the stories are great and we really enjoy reading them when Lucky returns to school. Lastly, thanks to the families who have brought snack on their assigned weeks, the treats are always yummy! The November snack calendar will be coming home this week.

Here is a look at this week...

Monday
Congratulations to Mary, she is our Star of the Week!!
This week is Red Ribbon Week. The theme is "Drug Free is the Key." When I discuss Red Ribbon Week with my class, I do it in a very simple way. I mainly discuss the safety of medicine and who we can take medicine from, our moms and dads, doctors, etc...
Your child received a red ribbon today pinned on their shirt, they may wear it all week long.

Tuesday
Letter Dd printing for homework.
Also, Mrs. Revis had told me that tonight "It's a Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" will be playing on channel 7 @ 7:00pm. It's a great movie, one of my favorites, so if you have time tonight please enjoy.

Wednesday
Dozens project is due. We will put these on display in our classroom and discuss them.
In Math this week we are working on number 1-5. Each day will be dedicated to a number and we will work on printing as well as recognizing the number word, ex. one.

Thursday
Wear Red Day. Your child may wear jeans today along with a red shirt, sweatshirt, etc...
We will be finishing up Letter Dd today and the papers will be coming home, so that they do not get mixed in with all of our Halloween items tomorrow.

Friday
Happy Halloween in Room 15!
Your child should wear their costume to school.
There will be a parade at 8:30am around the school. If you would like to come, find a spot on the sidewalk and get your cameras ready :)
Our class party is from 10:00am to 11:00am. If you would like to join the class for the party that would be great! Please come to the classroom at 10:00am.
Library books are due back today.
1st Quarter Ends.
Riddle of the Week for homework.

One last thing, thanks to all the parents who have been working with their child on the word list that was sent home. It makes a big difference to have that extra help at home. We have began testing for the 1st Quarter progress report and many of the students are doing excellent. Their letter recognition and blending skills are great, keep up the great work!!

I can't believe October is already almost over! Next week I will put the November calendar in your child's new folder (one that I received at the start of the year).

Have a great weekend, and lots of fun trick-or-treating!
Mrs. Dougherty