Mrs. O'Connell's Class Connection

Looking ahead to a warm and wonderful week!

Monday's Homework:
Reader Phonics Story Look at That!. Read 2x aloud to an adult.
Math Workbook, p. 17. Subtraction Sentences

Our phonics focus for the week is on the short a vowel sound and words that end with b, k, s, r, f, and l.

Spelling Words for Test on Thursday (due to the short week):
am, bad, had, sad, fan, can, find, all, look, book

High Frequency Words (shoebox): all, are, find, make, play

Reminder:
Friday is a Staff Development Day - No Classes.
Monday is Columbus Day - No Classes.
Last day for Scholastic Book orders, if interested, is Thursday, 10/6.

Tuesday's Homework:
Take Home Mini Reader What Pam Can Do Read 2x aloud, circle and mark words with the short a vowel sound.
Math Workbook p. 18.

We welcome Kate Moran to our classroom! We now have 8 girls and 9 boys.

Wednesday's Homework:

Reader: Can You Find It? Selection Test on Thursday.
Spelling Test also Thursday, due to the abbreviated week. Study!
No Math homework - we took the Chapter 4 test today.

Reminder: No classes on Friday and Monday.

Just a reminder that there is no school tomorrow or Monday. No homework! Enjoy the beautiful, long weekend!

For the week of October 11th, our phonics focus is on the short i vowel sound and final ending -ck.
Spelling Words for Friday's test: it, sit, hit, pick, sick, kick, saw, went, duck, black
High Frequency Words (shoebox): went, walk, did, saw, me

Tuesday's Homework:

Reader: What Did I See?

I will be attending a workshop on Wednesday, 10/12. Mrs. Sue Morg will be our substitute teacher.

Wednesday's Homework:

Reader: I Went Walking. Selection Test on Thursday.

Thursday's Homework:

Practice spelling words to be ready for Friday's Test
Math Workbook p. 20. Use any small objects for counters.

The Unit 1 Math test came home with your child today. If there are errors, please go over them together.

Today you will find this week's addition facts quiz in your child's Home folder. Please look them over and help your child prepare for next week's quiz (most likely on Wednesday.) To demonstrate mastery of each level of facts (+2, +3, etc.,) your child needs to complete 85% of the problems correctly in 5 minutes or less. Working with your child for just a few minutes a day at the level they are at can help him/her move up one level each week. Your child will progress at their own pace, but the goal is to master addition and subtraction facts through +6 and -6 by the end of the 2nd quarter. Flashcards can be purchased at many stores, printed free from online sources, or handmade. There are also many games linked to the St. Linus Website. Check them out!

The phonics focus for the week of October 17-21 is on the short i vowel sound and final -x word endings.
Spelling Words for next week: fix, mix, six, in, him, did, on, they, fox, box
High Frequency (shoebox) words: how, many, on, why, they

I asked the children if they are using www.spellingcity.com to practice their spelling words, and was glad to hear that many are! Please continue to work at home on the shoebox words. These high-frequency words are an important part of reading fluency.

One more thing...
If you weren't able to attend parent open house a few weeks ago, you missed an opportunity to volunteer for classroom parties. Our Halloween celebration is right around the corner. I have a few helpers signed up, but wanted to open the door for a few more. If you are available on Monday, 10/31 from about 1 p.m. to 2:15 and would like to volunteer to provide a snack, a simple craft project, or a fun Halloween game, please send me a quick email. Thanks!

Now that our summer days seem to be over, please be sure to send your child with weather-appropriate outerwear each day, so they can participate in outdoor recess with the rest of our class.

Monday's Homework:
Reader Fish Mix 2x aloud
Math Workbook p. 22 Chapter Test on Addition Concepts tomorrow.

Reminders: This Wednesday is Ice Cream Day. Send $1.00 if interested in purchasing.

Tuesday's Homework:
Phonics Mini Reader: Will Rick Get His Wish? Read aloud 2X,
then word hunt --
Circle words with -ix ending, underline words with -ish ending.

Practice addition facts for timed quiz on Wednesday.

Reminder: Ice Cream Day is Wednesday. Bring $1.00 if interested.

Wednesday's Homework:

Reader How Many Fish? Selection Test tomorrow.
Math workbook p. 24.

Be advised ---- we've had a diagnosed case of strep throat in our classroom this week.

Homework for Thursday:

Study for Spelling Test on Friday.
Math Workbook p. 25

Reminder -- Friday is Popcorn Day. Bring 50 cents if interested!

Today, your child brought home this year's Fire & Public Safety Coloring Book provided by the Oak Lawn Fire Department. There are two contests described in the book, and your child has the option of choosing to enter one, if they are interested. If they would like to submit an entry, they may bring their drawing to school, and I will see that it is submitted. Details are in the coloring book. Please note the entry deadline of November 23rd.

Our phonics focus this week is on the short o vowel sound and -s plurals.

Spelling words for Friday's test: job, jobs, dog, dogs, log, logs, this, into, rock, frog

High Frequency Words: does, into, he, this, water

St. Linus School celebrates Red Ribbon Week Oct. 24-28. We will take a drug-free pledge and participate in various drug awareness activities throughout the week.

On Monday, 10/31 we celebrate Halloween by wearing our costumes to school and parading for the parents. The parade usually takes place at approximately 8:30 a.m., but I'll keep you posted if that changes. Please keep any weapons or dangerous costume pieces at home. We will have a classroom Halloween party at the end of the school day. Students like to bring a candy treat to share with their classmates, but please do not feel obligated. There will be a treat to enjoy at the party, along with games and craft activities.

Homework for Monday:
Reader Jog, Frog, Jog Read aloud 2x
Math Workbook, p. 27

Homework for Tuesday:

Phonics Mini Reader Lon and Ron: Read aloud 2x, then word hunt -- circle the words with the short o vowel sound, as in Lon. Underline the plural words with the -s ending, as in pots.

Then, write a new ending for the story, using the lined paper provided. One to two good sentences is fine. Draw a picture to match your new ending, if you'd like.

Practice addition facts for timed quiz on Wednesday!

HELP! Someone may have inadvertently brought home a St. Linus sweatshirt with the name Sean Ryan on the tag. Also - someone left a brand new St. Linus sweatshirt in school today, with no name on the tag. Please let me know if it belongs to your child.

Reminder:
Ladies Guild Hot Lunch is served on Friday, 10/28. No FSP lunches served that day.
Friday is the end of the 1st Quarter. Report cards will be sent home on Friday, November 4th.

Have a great day!

Our phonics focus this week is on the short o vowel sound and inflected endings -s and -ing.

Here are the spelling words for Friday's test: hot, mop, not, hop, got, top, eat, stop, sing, sings

High Frequency words: by, eat, sing, stop, them

Keep practicing basic math facts -- some are ready to begin taking quizzes on lower level subtraction facts soon!

Monday is Halloween and our Halloween party is at the end of the day. Kids should come to school in their costumes (no weapons, please) and we will be parading at 8:30 a.m., so plan to stick around and take some photos as we pass by. If the weather is good, we will be outside - if not, arrangements have been made to parade in the building, but all are welcome!

HOMEWORK:
Reader: A Big Job

Have a safe and fun Halloween!