Halloween adventure info.

 Halloween Adventure

On Wednesday, October 30, the first graders will enjoy a Halloween afternoon of fun provided by a group of teachers and the middle school students. The fun begins with planned Halloween activities. These activities could include some of the following: storytelling, cookie decorating, spooky house, and perhaps other activities yet to be announced. Your child is invited to participate in the activities, but will not be forced.  At 2:15 p.m., the students will get dressed for the Halloween parade. Your child may bring their costume to school to put on at this time.  Please try to make the costume easy for your child to get on by themselves or with little help. (Hopefully, something they can put on over their clothes.) I am asking that no make-up be used to help make the preparation less difficult. Parents are always invited to view the costume parade in the gym at 2:30 p.m..  And, if you like, your child may leave with you after the parade.  Just come to the classroom to pick up your child.  If you have any questions, please email or call!!

Please do not send treats on Wednesday, October 30. The students get quite a bit to eat on this special day.

Please remember that the dress code changes slightly on 
November 1st.  No more shorts until March!!

Dates to Remember in October/November

Fri., Oct. 18 - Spirit Day ($1 to wear sweatpants)

Let's all wear our new class shirts!!

Wed., Oct. 30 - Halloween Adventure (see above)

Wed., Oct. 30 - Mass planned by Kindergarten & First

Bishop Joensen will be here! 

Mon., Oct. 28-Wed., Oct. 30 - Conferences after school

Thurs., Oct. 31 - Conferences (8 am-11 pm) 

No School

Fri., Nov. 1 - No School

Parent/teacher conferences

Thank you to those of you that signed up for conferences.  There are still some openings if you have not signed up.  I look forward to visiting with you about your child's progress.

Our new class shirts have arrived!!  Let's all try to wear them next Friday, October 18!!

Be sure to check out next week's blog for information about some Halloween plans at school!!

Dates to Remember in October

Fri., Oct. 11

Thompson's Fall Festival Field Trip

(Noon-2:30 pm)

Mon., Oct. 14

No School

Professional Development

Fri., Oct. 18

Spirit Day ($1 to wear sweatpants)

Wed., Oct. 30

Halloween Adventure

(more info. to come!)

Mon., Oct. 29 - Thurs., Oct. 31

Parent/Teacher Conferences

Fire Prevention info.

Check for a field trip permission form (it's green) in last week's take-home folder.  Please complete and return immediately.  Our field trip to Thompson's Fall Festival is fast approaching (Friday, October 11).

Fire Prevention Week - The first graders are learning about fire prevention in connection with the annual observance of fire prevention week (which is October 6-12).  We will watch a very good video about fire safety (with a Halloween theme!) and make a fire safety packet that we will work through.  (Ask your child about crawling low in smoke and stop, drop, and roll.)  Please visit with your child about fire safety in your home.  Be sure to practice a fire drill at your home.  I will be asking each first grader where their home meeting place is.  I am also sending home a fire safety checklist for you and your child to complete and return.  And, there are plans for our Creston firefighters to visit during that week!

Language Arts - Please continue to review the high frequency word lists (also known as sight words) that I sent home at the beginning of the school year.  They are divided into the weekly lists we learn each week.  (We have worked on/learned all the words for Module 1.  Currently, working on Module 2.)  Go over these as often as possible.  These are the words that your child needs to learn.  Very few of them can be sounded out.  Have your child find them in stories when you read to them.  The more “frequently” they practice these words will make them a better, more confident reader.

Dates to Remember

Fri. Oct. 4 - Spirit Day ($1 to wear sweatpants)

It's also Red/Black day. Wear clothing to support Creston's Homecoming!

(Early dismissal/12:10 pm)

Sun., Oct. 6 - Sat. Oct. 12

National Fire Prevention Week

Creston Fire Department presentation to the First Grade

Fri., Oct. 11

Thompson's Fall Festival Field Trip

(Noon-2:30 pm)

Homecoming - Next Friday, October 4, is red and black day. Your child is encouraged to wear red and black clothing to support Creston High School as they celebrate homecoming (It's also a Spirit Day. For $1, your child can wear sweatpants to school.)  Also, school will be dismissed early/12:10 p.m.

Field Trip - Be sure to check out today's take-home folder for information and permission form for a field trip to the Thompson's Fall Festival.  We will be traveling to the pumpkin patch on Friday, October 11.  

Religion - October is the month of the rosary.  Mrs. Meisenheimer will be helping your child pray a portion of the rosary during religion class.  This unit of study will continue throughout the month of October.  Ask your child what he/she is learning in religion class.

Please remember to return your First Grade class T-shirt orders by Monday, September 30.

Dates to Remember

Fri. Oct. 4 - Spirit Day ($1 to wear sweatpants)

It's also Red/Black day. Wear clothing to support Creston's Homecoming!

(Early dismissal/12:10 pm)

Sun., Oct. 6 - Sat. Oct. 12

National Fire Prevention Week

Creston Fire Department presentation to the First Grade

 1st Grade Shirt - In today's take-home folder is an order form for a T-shirt for 1st grade.  We will designate some days during the school year to wear our shirts.  Please complete the order form/money by Monday, September 30.  There are a variety of ways to order and pay for your convenience (as outlined on the order form).  

Language Arts - Your child is finishing module 1 in language arts this week.  Please be sure to review your child's language art's papers in the weekly take-home folder.  Please continue to review the high frequency words (sight words) for modules 1, 2, and 3 that I sent home at the beginning of the year.  Your support in helping your child
learn to read these words will increase their confidence and fluency. 

Dates to Remember

Fri., Sept. 20 - Spirit Day ($1 to wear sweatpants)

Fri. Oct. 4 - Spirit Day ($1 to wear sweatpants)

It's also Red/Black day. Wear clothing to support Creston's Homecoming!

(Early dismissal/12:10 pm)

Sun., Oct. 6 - Sat. Oct. 12

National Fire Prevention Week

Creston Fire Department presentation to the First Grade

(9 am)

Math information

Math  

The first graders are very busy understanding addition and subtraction.  They are learning about joining groups together and taking groups apart.  Math vocabulary is important in this area of learning.  Words they will be expected to know and recognize will be:  

• add 
• addend
• sum
• addition equation
• plus (+)
• is equal to (=)
• subtract
• difference
• subtraction equation
• minus (-)
• compare
• more
• fewer

Be sure to review their math work in the weekly take-home folder to see how they are progressing.  Also, there is a computer program that your child is working on each week called Successmaker.  This program correlates with their math learning in the classroom.  It is leveled according to your child's abilities.  Make sure to ask your child about what they are learning in math!!

Dates to Remember

Mon., Sept. 16 - Green Valley PE field trip (10 am -2 pm)

Wed., Sept. 18 - PTO meeting (6 p.m.)

Fri., Sept. 20 - Spirit Day ($1 to wear sweatpants)

Fri. Oct. 4 - Spirit Day ($1 to wear sweatpants)

It's also Red/Black day. Wear clothing to support Creston's Homecoming!

(Early dismissal/12:10 pm)

Chromebook Information

Social Studies - The first graders are spending time at the beginning of the school year talking about themselves and what it’s like to be in school.  Thank you for helping your child complete the "All About Me" sheet that I sent home before school started.  We have shared parts of that page for each student and now the sheets are on display for all to enjoy.  It helped us all to acquaint ourselves with each other.   We will continue discussing the “how to be a friend” topic in class.  As we progress through the school year, I will update you on their Social Studies topics.

Chromebooks - Your child has a Chromebook at school.  Thank you for reading through the technology use policy and having your child sign it.  It is important that each student understands their responsibility.  We started with how to unplug and carry the Chromebook carefully.  Also, each student has their headphones that they have learned to plug into the computer (Thank you to all for purchasing those!).  I am so pleased with all of the first graders as they have learned a rather difficult log in procedure to "get on" their Chromebook.  And, they also can "sign out".  The students also can plug in their Chromebook and put away their headphones.  One of the most challenging things to learn is using a keyboard and mouse pad.  (There is no "swiping"!)    I want all of the first graders to be able to do this independently with little assistance from me.  (And most have!!!)  Once all of that was accomplished, we have been to some "sites" on the computer.  This year, we are utilizing a program entitled Successmaker to work on math concepts and skills.  I have also bookmarked the language arts site so each student can utilize the many learning opportunites provided and assessments.  Your child has been introduced to Code to learn the basics of computer science.  And, the school has subscribed to the program Typetastic to learn keyboarding skills.  The first graders will be utilizing the Seesaw website to complete daily/weekly assignments in class.  It's amazing that we have already accomplished all of this!!!  If you have any questions, please contact me.

Dates to Remember

Fri., Sept. 6 - Spirit Day ($1 to wear sweatpants)

It's also Cy/Hawk day. Wear clothing to support your favorite team!

Wed., Sept. 18 - PTO meeting (6 p.m.)

Fri., Sept. 20 - Spirit Day ($1 to wear sweatpants)

Fri. Oct. 4 - Spirit Day ($1 to wear sweatpants)

It's also Red/Black day. Wear clothing to support Creston's Homecoming!

(Early dismissal/12:10 pm)