First grade news
8/31/11
Things to talk to your child about
What is the new lunch time routine for finding a seat?
Who do you sit next to on the carpet?
What did the room look like? Was there anything new?
Things to know
This is the new format for the first grade newsletter. We hope it will be easy to
read and usable. It will go home every Monday or on the first day of a week. Your
child’s reflection will go home on Fridays. We expect you to sign and return those
so we have a record of parent communication and writing growth.
Things to remember
Dismissal is at 1 pm every day this week. There is no school on Monday.
Melissa Fredericks, Keri Gonzalez, Sarah David
271-4552 ext 466 (before or after school is best)
Mfredericks@gccschool.org
Kgonzalaz@gccschool.org
First grade news
9/6/11
Things to talk to your child about
What is Conversation café?
How is First grade different from Kindergarten so far?
What are your hopes and dreams for First grade?
Things to know
PE will be on Mondays and Wednesdays. Please make sure your child wears
sneakers and comfortable clothing on those days
We’ve been introducing materials and we kicked off our new expedition this week.
Our Lunch schedule is…Monday-12:25, Tuesday- 12:10, Wednesday- 11:20,
Thursday- 11:45, Friday- 12:15
Things to remember
Curriculum night is Thursday, October 6.
Melissa Fredericks, Keri Gonzalez, Sarah David
271-4552 ext 466 (before or after school is best)
Mfredericks@gccschool.org
Kgonzalaz@gccschool.org
First grade news
9/12/11
Things to talk to your child about
What materials are out in the first grade classroom?
What have you learned about the ocean?
How many days have we been in school?
Things to know
Our first field study is September 20. We are going to Penn Dixie to an ancient
ocean. We have not revealed the location of this trip to first graders, so please
don’t tell your children yet! If you would like to chaperone, you can call us or
write a note.
On October 4, we will be taking our first ever extended day field study! We will
be going to Lang’s Quarry near Herkimer, NY. We will leave at 8:30 and return
by 4:30. Children will need to be picked up from school that day. More
information will be coming soon. In order to chaperone this event you must
have taken the chaperone training. If you have not taken it yet, there is one on
September 29, 2011.
Things to remember
Curriculum night is Thursday, October 6.
If you have a dismissal change, you must write us a note. This is especially
necessary on Wednesdays. If you forget to write a note, call us during the day
so that we know what the change is before dismissal.
Melissa Fredericks, Keri Gonzalez, Sarah David
271-4552 ext 466 (before or after school is best)
Mfredericks@gccschool.org
Kgonzalez@gccschool.org
First grade news
9/19/11
Things to talk to your child about
What is a sentence?
What makes a triangle a triangle? (substitute other shape names as well)
What did you find at the warm seas? (ask this question after Tuesday)
Things to know
We are working on geometry in Math. In Reading, we are assessing students and
working on independent reading, phonics and ocean research. In writing, we
are beginning our year long work of writing complete sentences.
Homework in Math and Reading will begin within the next few weeks.
Things to remember
Curriculum night is Thursday, October 6.
There is an all day, outdoor field study tomorrow. Please make sure children are
dressed for the weather.
There is an extended day field study on October 3 to Lang’s Quarry
Melissa Fredericks, Keri Gonzalez, Sarah David
271-4552 ext 466 (before or after school is best)
Mfredericks@gccschool.org
Kgonzalez@gccschool.org
First grade news
9/26/11
Things to talk to your child about
What is a fossil?
Tell me about getting your school picture taken.
Who have you been playing with?
Things to know
We will learn more about the ancient sea creatures this week and fossils.
Children will begin working in guided reading groups by the end of this week.
Thank you so much to everyone who volunteered to bring in healthy snacks.
Thank you also to Rebecca Gargan, our room parent for putting together the
healthy snack schedule.
Things to remember
Curriculum night is Thursday, October 6.
There is an extended day field study on October 3 to Lang’s Quarry
Chaperone training is this Thursday, September 29 for those interested in
chaperoning extended day or overnight fieldwork.
Melissa Fredericks, Keri Gonzalez, Sarah David
271-4552 ext 466 (before or after school is best)
Mfredericks@gccschool.org
Kgonzalez@gccschool.org
First grade news
10/3/11
Things to talk to your child about
What kinds of fossils did you find at Lang’s Quarry?
What books have you been reading at school?
What is your favorite thing to do on the playground?
Things to know
Math homework will come home every Thursday and will be due the following
Tuesday. Spelling homework will come home at least once every 2 weeks.
Reading bags will begin to come home by the end of this month.
Thank you to everyone who volunteered today for the Lang’s Quarry field study.
Things to remember
Curriculum night is Thursday, October 6 from 5:30-7.
There is no school this Friday, October 7 and Monday, October 10.
Melissa Fredericks, Keri Gonzalez, Sarah David
271-4552 ext 466 (before or after school is best)
Mfredericks@gccschool.org
Kgonzalez@gccschool.org
First grade news
10/11/11
Things to talk to your child about
What happened to the sea?
What is a sentence?
What have you been reading during reading workshop?
Things to know
We are going to have a field study to the YMCA to go swimming! This will help
us understand how animals move in the water. We will need lots of chaperones
for this one! DateExhibition night is
to attend.
at the RMSC. Everyone is expected
Things to remember
It’s almost time to send in winter clothing. All children will need snow pants,
boots, hat and gloves to keep at school. Please try to send these items in before
the Thanksgiving break.
Melissa Fredericks, Keri Gonzalez, Sarah David
271-4552 ext 466 (before or after school is best)
Mfredericks@gccschool.org
Kgonzalez@gccschool.org
First grade news
10/17/11
Things to talk to your child about
What sea creature crew are you in? (ask this after Tuesday)
How did the land move over millions of years?
When do you use a capital letter? When do you use a lower case letter?
Things to know
Bags of books or reading journals will be sent home as reading homework each
Wednesday and be due the following Monday. Enjoy the special time you
spend together with your child as he/she develops as a reader!
We are starting our addition and subtraction study in math.
Things to remember
It’s almost time to send in winter clothing. All children will need snow pants,
boots, hat and gloves to keep at school. Please try to send these items in before
the Thanksgiving break.
Exhibition night is November 15 at the RMSC. Everyone is expected to attend.
YMCA swimming field study is October 31. Thank you to everyone who has
contacted us about being a chaperone. Please be sure to read the purple sheet
that came home about the chaperone requirements for this trip. If you haven’t
contacted us and would like to be a chaperone, please contact us this week.
Math homework comes home every Thursday and is due the following Tuesday.
Melissa Fredericks, Keri Gonzalez, Sarah David
271-4552 ext 466 (before or after school is best)
Mfredericks@gccschool.org
Kgonzalez@gccschool.org
First grade news
10/24/11
Things to talk to your child about
What sea creature crew are you in?
Tell me about your sea creature dance.
What have you learned about your sea creature?
Things to know
We have begun work on our final product!
We continue to work in guided reading groups daily.
In writing, our focus is on how to write a complete sentence. In math, we are
working on addition and subtraction word problems.
Things to remember
It’s getting colder out. Please make sure your child is prepared for outdoor recess
with a sweater or jacket.
Exhibition night is November 15 at the RMSC. Everyone is expected to attend.
YMCA swimming field study is October 31. Please have your children wear their
bathing suits underneath their clothing. They will need to bring a towel,
underwear, and goggles if needed. No pool toys will be allowed and we will
not have time for showers after swimming.
Melissa Fredericks, Keri Gonzalez, Sarah David
271-4552 ext 466 (before or after school is best)
Mfredericks@gccschool.org
Kgonzalez@gccschool.org