September Newsletter 
Mrs. Evans's First Grade
(Study of Ancient Egypt coming this month)
Update:
Parents,
A big thank you to all of you who attended our parent orientation meeting. It was good to see you again and have an opportunity to explain our first grade program. Those of you who could not attend, I trust you received the orientation handouts I sent home with your student. If you did not get them, please let me know and I'll send them again.
The year has started off well. The students have come to know each other and have made new friends. Because of the heat index, Grayhawk students have had a few indoor recesses, during which time my students play in our classroom. This has given me an opportunity to watch them interact in an informal setting and has allowed the students the opportunity to bond with their new friends. It has been delightful to watch.
Our Academics
Reading: This past month we reviewed the names/sounds of letters, phonograms, and focused on rhyming words. Ask them about the rhyming drawings they have done on their whiteboards. I also read aloud several classic fairytales, part of our Core Knowledge curriculum. We have some renditions of these timeless stories with gorgeous oil painting illustrations. Next month we will continue working our way through the multi-letter phonograms, begin reading out of our new district text, ìStorytown,î and start guided reading groups later in the month. Each student has a bag of books on their appropriate reading level in his/her desk that he/she reads independently each day after lunch.
Bookworm Reading
Later this month we will begin the Bookwormî program. This means students may check books out of my classroom library to read at home in the evening as part of their homework.
Spelling: You have now received the first spelling list. Each week the students will have 15 spelling words (taken from the Ayres List of most frequently used English words), a sentence using the spelling words, and five phonograms on their spelling test. We will practice the spelling words every day in class.
On the Friday spelling test correct punctuation and letter formation is counted. As I tell them, ìTall letters must be tall, short letters short.î If your student seemingly spells a word correctly on the spelling test, but the word is marked off for incorrect letter formation, (e.g. an n looks like an h or an upper case S is used instead of a lower case s), please realize that in first grade students need to know how to form letters correctly and realize that precision is important. They will get used to forming the letters correctly and then you will see some terrific handwriting.
On Friday afternoons we analyze each word on the new upcoming weekís list and ìmarkî the phonograms for easier learning. Correct spelling will be more ingrained if students understand spelling the words according to the phonogram patterns involved, as opposed to just rote memorization. Words simply memorized are soon forgotten, whereas spelling that is comprehended will stick. Please feel free to be in touch with me if you have any questions about the spelling program.
Math: We have had a general review of number sense, practiced counting forward and backwards, practiced the writing of numerals, and gone over basic addition. In the upcoming month we will practice addition and subtraction in greater depth.
Core Knowledge History and Geography: We have reviewed the continents and oceans, identified the northern and southern hemispheres and various landforms, and found our location on the globe. You will love seeing our clay landforms when you come for Friendly Friday.
In September we will learn about the development of early people up to ancient Mesopotamia, the first civilization, ìthe cradle of civilization.î (Incidentally, Mesopotamia is now Iraq.)
Then we shall embark on a fascinating voyage to Ancient Egypt. You will probably hear lots of conversation about these captivating topics.
Homework: The homework is designed so students will daily practice reading, phonograms, spelling words, and math facts. (More math to come in future homework packets.) Taking a minute or two (literally!) to review their phonogram cards will pay big dividends. Giving them a pre-test or two of their spelling words and scrutinizing it for correct handwriting will help prepare them for spelling tests. Thank you so much.
Specials:
Please refer to the Class Calendar on this web site.
The day we have Physical Education (PE), tennis shoes are required.
Students need to return their library book in order to check out another one.
Friendly Friday:
Friendly Friday is an opportunity for you to come to school and read aloud to your son or daughter from 9:15-9:45. If you would like a grandparent, relative, or friend to come, that is fun, too. Totally up to you. Enjoy!
Our first Friendly Friday is this Friday, September 4 from 9:15-9:45. If you can't make it, your child will be paired up with a friend and his/her parent.
********Green Folder:********* IMPORTANT**********
It is highly important that you look in your childís green folder each day to check that they have turned in assignments or corrections, given me notes from you, and to admire their achievements of the day. Then please make sure everything needed for the next day goes back into the folder for school. Thank you so much. Organization is a key to success.
Calendar Folders
Students bring their calendar folder (discipline report) home each Friday for your signature. Please look it over, compliment your student, sign, and return to school on Monday. Thank you!
Snack
Thank you for sending a healthy snack that is not messy! The students eat snack in our classroom. Yogurt, juice, etc. is fine for lunch, but not for snack. Thanks!
Volunteer Schedule:
The volunteer schedule should be out soon and we will start volunteers shortly. Thank you for your willingness to help in so many ways. Our class directory will be out soon, as well. Thank you to our volunteers who are working hard to set up a volunteer schedule and prepare the class directory.
Upcoming Dates to Remember:
September 2: Picture Day
September 4: First Friendly Friday family reading: 9:15-9:45.
September 7: Labor Day, No School
September 15: Early Dismissal. Students dismissed at 12:30, No lunch.
September 28: K-12 Recess, No school
Sharing Corner:
Please send in your boxtops for education found on cereal boxes, zip lock bag boxes, etc. This is a valuable fundraiser for Grayhawk. Every boxtop helps! Thank you.
In Conclusion:
Phew! What a lot of information! But, if I have forgotten anything, please feel free to be in touch with me by phone, email, or catch me after school. The best way is probably to reach me at bevans@pvschools.net. I am happy to address any questions, concerns, or puzzlements you may have. I would much rather have you ask why in the world I am doing something, than continue to wonder why something is as it is.
Thank you again for the ongoing encouragement and support you provide your student. Thank you for reading with them on a regular basis and for helping them with their homework. They are a great bunch and are making fine progress.
Sincerely,
Blythe Evans
A mind once stretched by a new idea never regains its original dimensions. - Anonymous
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