We are well into our study of penguins and the students are very interested and motivated to learn more. This week in math we will be writing and solving our own problem solving that revolve around penguins and facts we have learned about them. We will continue to read, discuss, analyze and reflect on the facts we learn about all the different penguins in science. Guided reading will resume in our guided reading groups now that mid-year testing is over. Our word-work will focus on singular and plural nouns.
Our CHAMPs assemblies have begun and begin promptly at 8:00 on Fridays. Please make sure your child is not tardy on these days. Our own class’s CHAMPs assembly is not until the end of May. Please continue to encourage good CHAMP behavior from your child as we get well on our way into this semester.
A couple of upcoming events include: The 100th day of school on January 30th and Our Mobile Dentist will be on campus February 2-3.
Thank you for everything!
Mrs. Benson

Hope you all enjoyed your vacation day yesterday. I certainly enjoyed mine with my family. We begin our exciting unit with Penguins this week. The study will last for a couple weeks. Our science and math will revolve around Penguins.
Our word work this week is making, using, and applying compound words as we review adjectives, nouns, and verbs. We will also be skip-counting in math but be sure and continue to practice telling time.
This week, in reading, all of first grade will be engaged in mid-year TPRI testing, to better monitor progress of each student. New spelling words went home last week. After analyzing and using these words, the spelling test will on Friday. The students will also have time to work on completing their own writings in Writers Workshop.
Please continue to read each night!
Mrs. Benson

Well, it’s January and it is cold outside. We are reminding everyone to make sure you are bundled up for the cold weather. The children will not be going outside during extremely cold temperatures, but when we do go outside, they will need their coats. Please be aware of the temperatures and encourage them to wash their hands regularly or use the Germ-X when possible to help control the spread of germs during this flu/cold season.
Guided reading has continued with small group work. Next week there will be mid-year TPRI testing during our reading time. Our word-work last week focused on nouns and this week we will incorporate verbs into our sentence structure. The students will combine what they know about adjectives, nouns, and verbs in building exciting sentences in their writing.
Time to the hour and half-hour has been the topic of math both last week and this week. Practice this at home as well and always look for math homework for extra practice. In science we have discussed and analyzed winter weather and temperatures.
Next Monday is a school holiday recognizing Martin Luther King Jr. Our social studies readings this week will be recognizing MLK Jr. for his achievements.
Our second semester is well on its way and it will go by before you know it, just as the first semester did. Please be aware of all upcoming events and feel free to call or email if you need me. Thanks for all that you do!
Mrs. Benson

This Friday will mark the end of the second semester and 3rd six weeks. I can’t believe how quickly it has gone and I can’t believe how far the children have come in learning their First Grade curriculum. I’m very proud of them. Report cards will go out the Thursday of the week we return after the Christmas Break. We will return on Monday, January 2nd.
Our Christmas party will be this Friday from 9:00-10:00. The students are responsible for bringing a puzzle for the students’ gift exchange. This is due on Tuesday.
This week will be filled with Christmas festivities; such as, concerts, ornament making, and special book readings and writings. Each student is still responsible for their daily reading at home and having their reading log signed. There will be no math homework or new spelling words.
I would like to take this time to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers for my family as we faced a most trying time this week. Our son, Zack, is doing ok; experiencing soreness and lack of sleep, but by God’s grace he is going to be okay. Thank you again for remembering him and us. You are a great group of parents!
I wish you all a Very Merry Christmas with your family.
Mrs. Benson

Well, we are as busy at school as all of you are getting your shopping done! This past week we began our study of adjectives through our book/author study of Audrey Wood. We will continue this through this next week in our reading and writing. Our word work on the vowel-r blends continues also. I will be checking reading levels this week and analyzing all of the students’ improvement. And in math we will continue to use addition and subtraction in fact families. Along with all of this, ornaments will be made, carols will be sung, and glitter will be all over our room:)
I would like to remind all of our parents that because we add these fun, enrichment activities to our normal schedule, the students sometimes tend to forget their CHAMPs behavior. Please remind them daily as you check their planner to always be a CHAMP and do their best.
Our Christmas party is being planned so if you get a call to help please help our room mothers out. The party is scheduled for December 16th from 9:00-10:00. More information will be sent home this week. Thank you to everyone for helping.
Mrs. Benson

We will be having our first grade Thanksgiving dinner this Thursday in the cafeteria. This will be a special lunch that we will celebrate together giving thanks for all that we are blessed with. I ask that this not be the day you come eat with your child so that each one can have the experience of eating with their friends and participating in our special lunch.
This week we will practice our Thanksgiving Readers Theater that the students will perform for parents on November 21st at 11:45 in our classroom. I hope the students are also practicing at home. Guided Reading stations and groups will continue and we will conclude Chapter 5 in math on different strategies used in addition. We will continue to look at Thanksgivings past and present in social studies. Also, look for new spelling words this week.
In writing this week we will be writing letters to my son, Zack, and his fellow-Marines. I will send these with the “Snacks for Zack” that will be mailed out this week. Thank you to everyone who participated in this awesome activity. The act of giving was evident and overwhelming. I am truly blessed to work at an amazing school with amazing children and families. Thank you all for sharing with my family.
Please keep Zack and all of our servicemen and women in your prayers.
Mrs. Benson

Well, the 2nd six weeks ended last Friday and report cards will go home this Thursday. Time flies when you’re learning!
This week we will continue ABC order to the second letter. Reading groups will continue and levels have been changed based on your child’s progress this second six weeks. We will also begin working on a Thanksgiving Readers Theater that all the parents are invited to on Nov. 21st. A note with details will be sent home on Monday. There will be no spelling words this week so that we can focus more on Writer’s Workshop and Thanksgiving writing activities. Timelines are due on Wednesday and our study of Past, Present and Future will continue in Social Studies along with Thanksgiving Traditions and Customs.
Again, picture make-ups are on Nov. 15th.
I wanted to thank all of you who have sent “Snacks for Zack” this week. We have had many donate to him and his fellow Marines. It makes my heart happy to see the pride in each student who brings their donation. And I know it will put a smile on the Marines’ faces. There is one more week to contribute if you would like.
Again,thank you for all that you do!
Mrs. Benson

November is here and it is finally feeling like fall! I hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween this Monday. This Friday is the last day of the second six weeks and report cards will go home next Thursday on November 10th. Also, picture retakes will be done on November 15th for new students and anyone that was absent or were not satisfied with their pictures.
Thanks to everyone for coming to parent/teacher conferences. Anyone that needed to reschedule, I will get in contact with you during my conference time.
This week in our word work we will be analyzing and applying ABC order to the first letter. Guided reading will continue in our small groups and there will be some testing for new levels. We will continue to explore graphing in many different ways in math so watch for math homework. New spelling words will come home this week and we should have a spelling test on Friday. We will switch from science to social studies beginning this week and will be researching and discussing American symbols.
Thanks again for all that you do!
Mrs. Benson

During Red Ribbon Week, each day will have a special meaning and activity. Make sure you check the note sent home or their planner to help your child remember to participate. We will have discussions on having courage to Say No to Drugs!. We are practicing a class readers theater in reading and beginning graphing in math. Continue to work on addition and subtraction; this is always cycled around in all of our math skills. Always check for their homework and send it back the next day. Their will be a spelling test on Wednesday. We have 10 words this week but we have had several days to study and analyze these words at school and home. We will continue penmanship and will be applying syllabication in our writing.
Well, my daughter did have her baby, a beautiful little girl!. I will be out of class until next Thursday; however, I will be available for our scheduled parent/teacher conferences on Tuesday. Please double check the time you are assigned so we can stay on time and not get behind schedule. If you have requested to reschedule, I will find another time when I return during my conference period. Thanks to all of you for your understanding during this time. Again, if you have any questions or concerns please email me.
Mrs. Benson