Weekly Update

Happy (Rainy) Friday!

I am looking forward to time at home at the end of this rainy week. It seems to be a good weekend for a movie marathon! :)

Homework Update:
There will be no more written homework for the year. We will continue to review previously learned sight words at school. Please continue to have your child read each night! That is still part of the homework requirement.

First Grade Music Program:
A friendly reminder that our First Grade Music Program will be Wednesday, May 30th at 5:30 p.m. in the gymnasium at school. Student should report to the cafeteria no later than 5:15 p.m. dressed in blue jeans and a white shirt (please no graphics). The students are working very hard in Music class to prepare for the program. They are excited to showcase their efforts!

Substitute:
Our class will have a substitute teacher on Friday, May 25th. I will be in Connecticut for Memorial Day weekend.

Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

• Reading- We will practice our fluency by showcasing our reading by making mini audiobooks. 
• Writing- We will continue to learn about poetry. Hopefully, we will get outside to be inspired for our poetry writing. 
• Math- We will continue with our money unit to learn the value of a penny, nickel, dime, and quarter. 
• Science- We will continue our study of plants. We will talk about what plants need to grow, identify the parts of a plant, discuss each part's function, and learn about the life cycle of a plant. 

Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, or concerns.

Have a super weekend! Stay dry!

Weekly Update

Hello Everyone; Happy Friday!

As Teacher Appreciation Week winds down, please accept my humble and sincere thanks for the notes, treats, presents, and gift cards so many of you sent to school. Your generosity stretches beyond words. The notes validate my efforts in the classroom each day, the treats and presents are so reflective of my personality, and the gift cards often give me a night off from cooking at home. I am honored to teach your children each day, and I thank you for recognizing me over this past week :)

Meantime, the kids are busy practicing for the International Music Program on May 30th. It's a busy time of the year!

4th Quarter Interim Progress Reports:
4th Quarter Interim Progress Reports ("interims") will be issued Wednesday, May 16th. If your child receives an interim, it will be emailed to you on Wednesday, May 16th using the email address on file in your ParentVue account.

Spring Pictures:
Please remember to have your child return their spring pictures no later than Monday, May 14th if you are not purchasing them. If you are purchasing your child's pictures, then please send in payment by Monday as well. Thank you!

Coins for our Money Unit:
If you have not yet sent in your child's coins for our money unit, please send them to school with your child on Monday.

Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

• Reading-We will learn lessons from the books that we read by thinking about what problem gets solved and how the character feels at the end of the story. We will discuss and share opinions about books. 
• Writing-We will continue to learn about poetry and go outside for a poet's inspiration
• Math-We will finish our time unit and begin our money unit to learn about the value of a penny, nickel, dime, and quarter.
• Science- We will begin our study of plants. We will talk about what plants need to grow, identify the parts of a plant, discuss each part's function, and learn about the life cycle of a plant. 

Questions, comments, and feedback are always welcome! 

Happy Mother's Day to the moms! I wish you many blessings, and a day that honors you for the love, dedication, and support you offer your sweet children everyday! Thank you for sharing them with me!

Weekly Update

Hi Everyone!

Happy Friday!! May the 4th Be With You!

It finally feels like spring and summer! It's been wonderful to leave our jackets inside and enjoy recess in the warm sunshine!

Following is your weekly update...

Pinebrook Mission Survey:
Earlier this week, Mr. Thiessen emailed a survey to the Pinebrook community to gather your thoughts about our school's mission/vision. If you haven't completed the survey, you can do so by clicking HERE.

Spring Pictures:
If your child had his/her individual picture taken last month, I sent it home in yesterday's Homework folder. Please follow the enclosed directions if you would like to purchase any of the portraits. If you do not wish to purchase any pictures, please return all of the pictures to school with your child. 

Homework Update:
This coming week May7-11 will be the last week for written/sight word homework. However, students are still expected to complete their nightly reading homework. Please support your child in doing this by marking their reading in their agenda each night.

End of Year Literacy Assessments:
I am continuing the end-of-year literacy assessments for both DRA and PALS. Please be sure that your child is reading every day...weekends included. Your child should read out loud to practice decoding and fluency, and then practice retelling the story in sequence using characters' names and providing as many details as possible. Ask your child to make a connection to the story. Ask about the author's message...What is the author trying to teach us in this story? Ask your child to identify his/her favorite part and state why.

Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

• Reading-We will study characters in books and learn important lessons
• Writing-We will learn how to revise and edit our writing using a checklist. We will begin to learn how to write poetry.
• Word Study- We will learn a new word study pattern and have our next assessment on Friday, May 11th.
• Math- We will continue our Time unit by learning to tell time to the hour and half hour. We will learn beginning steps for elapsed time. 
• Social Studies-We will learn about U.S. Symbols and work on a special project for moms :)
• Science-We will begin to learn about the parts of a plant. 

Please reach out with any questions, comments, or feedback.

Enjoy the (rainy) weekend! I am looking forward to catch up on some much needed relaxation!