Classroom 15 Connection

Welcome back and Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a relaxing break and wonderful holidays. The two weeks went by very fast, it seems like we just left on break, but we are all very happy to return :) Yesterday all the children told me about their wonderful presents they received from Santa, sounds like everyone had a great Christmas!!
A big thank you to Jack Mallon and his family for taking such good care of Lucky over Christmas break, Lucky looks like he had a great time!! He loves his New Year's hat too :) He can't wait to go home with Sebastian this Friday!

Thank you to all the parents who have sent in extra supplies yesterday. The children really do love getting new crayons and I appreciate the baby wipes! We are still in need of baby wipes though, so any and all are appreciated!! Thank you!!

Here is a look at this week...
Monday
Letter Tt picture page for homework. Due back on Tuesday.
A copy of our story was sent home, "Tag." Please practice reading this story with your child. I do not want the children to memorize the story, but previewing it before we read it in class is always a big help. A good idea is to have your child pick out certain words from the story, (kinda like an I Spy for words, this way the kids get excited about finding and reading the words!)

Tuesday
In Math we are working on recognizing numbers 10 to 30. The 2nd quarter ends next Friday, and the children will be expected to count up to 50. We will be practicing this at circle time, but you can have your child count for you at home too, they are usually very eager to show off their counting skills!!
Check out the blog tomorrow for our January tree picture! We are hoping to go out today and quickly take our picture.

Wednesday
I will read the story "Tag" with the children in small groups. While I am reading with the children, the other students will be copying a sentence from the story and illustrating it, these will come home with the rest of our Tt papers on Friday.
Homework: Letter Tt printing, due back on Thursday. Starting this week the children are now to write both their first and last name on all papers. On the letter Tt printing paper, they will also practice this. Please let me know if you would like extra printing paper sent home.

Thursday
Tomorrow we will have our show n' tell! Each child may bring in ONE present they would like to share with the class. If the present does not fit in your child's bag please place it in a bag so I can hang it on their hook until it is time for show n' tell.

Friday
Library books are due back!
Show n' Tell!
Spelling test on letter Tt words.
Have a great weekend!

Happy New Year!
~Mrs. Dougherty

Here is our picture in front of our tree yesterday, January 5th. The biggest difference we saw was that there is now snow on the tree and the ground! We also noticed how cold it was out!! It took us longer to get bundled up then to take the picture :)

I hope everyone is enjoying 2010 so far!

Mrs. Janet Potrawski needs your HELP!
She's looking for lunchroom volunteers to fill a shortage. If you are willing and able to help, you can accrue time served to use next year! Please call her at 229-2814 (home) or 601-2814 (cell).

Here is just a few updates on our Reading progress...
I am very happy with the student's progress in reading. They all did very well with our first story "Tag." I just want to remind everyone that the students should not memorize the story. When you are reading the story with your child, have them read individual words and tell you what is happening in the story.
Please continue to work with the word lists too! I can tell many of the students are practicing!!
We have also began having a "bonus" word every week that I introduce to the students during circle time. This is a sight word that they can only memorize and it can not be sounded out. This is a challenge for those students who are currently reading above their level. The students are not expected to know these and will not be tested on them. It is just a way to give students an extra challenge.
In a few weeks we will begin covering one letter over one week!

Here is a look at our week ahead...
Monday
Sebastian and Lucky had a great weekend! We saw from the many pictures...the kids loved them! On Friday, Anthony will be taking Lucky home, I know they are both excited!! After this Friday all of the children have had a chance to take Lucky for the weekend. Starting the next weekend we will start the 2nd schedule and each child will have their 2nd turn with Lucky. I will be sending home his journal for you to look at, but you do not need to write again, unless you would like to. Thank you everyone for doing such a great job with his journal!! The kids love it...and so do I :)
**Congratulations to Anthony...he is our Star of the Week!!**
Letter Ff picture page for homework. Remember your child should be printing their first and last name on all papers now.

Tuesday
In Math we will be finishing up learning about numbers 11 through 20, you may want to quiz your child at home too! This week myself and Mrs. Gute are finishing testing the students for their report card, and I am very happy with the progress I have seen in many students!
Hot Chocolate Party! We have once again filled our "compliment" marble jar!! So, today we will be enjoying some yummy hot chocolate, it's a great way to warm up too.

Wednesday
Math number practice page for homework. Please have your child try to do this independently and then go over their answers with them. Your child may color the caterpillars when they are done if they wish :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEJANDRO!!

Thursday
In Religion we will be finishing up discussing how Jesus lived in a family. We will discuss the similarities and differences we share with Jesus and his family.

Friday
End of the 2nd Quarter. Report cards will be coming home next Friday. On your child's report card they will receive either an "E" for exceeds expectations, "M" for meets expectations, or "N" for needs improvement. In order for a student to receive an "E" they really need to go above and beyond the expectations. I tell the students that if they receive all "M"s, then that is excellent and they should be very proud!!
Library books are due back.
Rest Towels are coming home to be washed.

I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend! Anthony had Lucky over the weekend and the pictures and story was great, it looks like you both had a great time. Currently each child has had one weekend with Lucky. Today I sent home the schedule for the rest of the school year. Please let me know if the weekend I picked for you does not work and I can reschedule your visit :) Once again thank you for taking the time to create Lucky's "journal." I will still be sending home Lucky's journal for you to look through, but do not feel obligated to write in it.
Here is a look at this week...
Tuesday
Letter Ff printing homework, due tomorrow. We are finishing up letter Ff this week.
A note went home regarding Baptism photos, please send in a photo of your child at their baptism by Friday. We will be discussing these in class and they will be hanging in the hallway too. A sheet also went home for you to fill out about your child when he/she was a baby. You can have your child color the little feet around the border, but remember to have them color neatly as these will be going in the hallway.

Wednesday
Ice Cream Day $1.00

Thursday
Computers & Art
You will notice on Thursdays your child will be bringing home a typed paper they have done in computers. They are all very proud of their typing skills!

Friday
Library books are due back
Report cards are coming home! PLEASE review your child's report card with him/her. It really makes a connection with them when they see their actual report card and it is explained to them. I am telling the students they should want to see "M"s for meets objective. It is rare that "E"s will be given out the 2nd quarter and that they should be very happy with "M"s!! If your child does receive a "N" for needs improvement, this is just an area where they need to work a little bit harder on and I am sure by the 4th quarter all N's can become M's :)
Riddle of the Week for homework. I am really enjoying reading your child's answer and seeing their pictures they have drawn and colored.

Have a great week and please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions regarding your child's report card. Overall I am very happy with the progress the class has made so far, they are truly a very happy and bright class!

~ Mrs. Dougherty

I hope everyone had a great weekend! If you have not already done so, please return the report card envelope in your child's folder. You may keep their report card.
Here is a look at this week...

Monday
Congratulations to our Star of the Week...Rory!!
Started with the letter Ee this week, how Excellent! Letter Ee can be a tricky one for the students so please take some extra time at home to go over the word list. We will be reading a story in our letter Ee book next week, a copy of the story will go home next Monday.
Letter Ee picture page ~ **only short e sounds, ex: egg, elephant**

Tuesday
We are busy preparing a special project for the Open House on Sunday!!
Also, please send in your kindness hearts whenever they are complete, I have already received some and wow...we have a KIND class!!
Wednesday
Let me know if you have any questions regarding the 100 days of school project. The letter went home Monday, and feel free to use your own posterboard or paper. If you finish the project early you may bring it in :)

Thursday
Scholastic Book Orders for February sent home today. Remember you can order online too!

Friday
Kindness hearts are due back.
Library books due back.
Rest towels coming home.

Next week is Catholic Schools Week. A letter is going home this week explaining the events that will be going on. I hope to see everyone at the Open House this Sunday, Jan. 31st after 10:30am Mass. It will give you a chance to look around your child's room and receive a special project your child has been working on.

If you have any questions, just let me know!
Mrs. Dougherty