Dear Parents,

Happy Wednesday! How is your week going?  Yesterday was a little rough in our room (but I really think that it has to do with the heat….it has just been making everyone a little nutty).  We had a hard time focusing and paying attention.   I am hoping that with the weather cooling down, it will help the firsties concentrate and work hard at doing their best (fingers crossed!). 

This morning began with Chapel that was presented by Mrs. Parsons and the third grade class.  They spoke about trusting God (even doing a few trust falls!) and how God wants us to trust Him, even when we don’t want to.  Even when it is something big or something hard that He is asking us to do or go through, God promises that He will be with us (We are also learning about this in Religion class; learning about Abraham and all of the things that God asked him to go through….including having a son at a VERY old age!) and that we can trust Him.  I know that in my own life, this is something that has been incredibly hard for me and I am certainly a work in progress.  What is God asking you to trust in Him for? 

Don’t forget to send in an extra set of clothes for your kiddo to keep in their locker (in case of emergency)!  

Below are some pictures from our Morning Tub time (Tuesdays and Thursdays).  The kiddos seem to be enjoying this time and I am excited to continue to add to our activities soon. 

"Look at what I created, Miss Gallagher!" 

I will be sending home the October calendar either tomorrow or Friday (so you can work ahead if you want to!).  Thank you for watching for it!

Just a reminder that we will be testing (NWEA) on Friday and next week as well.  If at all possible, please try not to have your firstie miss school.  Please make sure that they are getting oodles of sleep and eating a protein rich breakfast....brain food!  

Blessings on the rest of your week!

Miss Gallagher

Dear Parents,

How has your week been?  I don’t know about you, but I am REALLY ready for some fall weather.  Fall just happens to be my favorite season; I love everything about it! Pumpkin spice (Yes, I am that girl…), football games, the gorgeous colors of the changing leaves, the crisp air, cozy clothes, and apple cider to name just a few of my favorite things!  I am praying that the weather will turn soon, so we can start to enjoy fall (I also think these warmer temperatures are making the kids a little bit squirrely!). 

Yesterday in Chapel, Pastor Sherry spoke about our theme for this year “A Mighty Fortress is our God” (hence the “fortress” outside of our classroom door).  Each month we will be learning about something new that helps to complete building a fortress.  He started with GRACE as the foundation of the fortress. In its simplest form and as easy way to remember what grace is, Pastor wrote this…GRACE stands for God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense.  How true is that?!? Because of what Christ did, for us, we will be able to enjoy Heaven someday.  Even though we don’t deserve it!  God’s love is SO great! 

Today, I had a chance to hear each firstie read.  Continue to keep reading at home and encourage your kiddo to sound out the word, look at the picture, or look around the sentence, before they ask for help. 

We also worked in groups today!  The kids were split into three groups; one was working at their desks on some short o worksheets, another group was reading with me, and the final group was reading to themselves.  Each group worked for 7 minutes and then would rotate.  Considering this was our first time, I thought it went pretty well.  I am looking forward to doing this more frequently!  

Getting cozy to read!

Working hard!

We are learning about verbs!  Has your firstie told you?  Talk about this with them!  Ask them to help you make a list or even talk about it at dinner (since eating is a verb!).  Hopefully, if we have time tomorrow, we will be doing a fun and creative activity that has to do with verbs.  

We are plugging away at subtraction!  Ask your first about some different words that we use when talk about subtraction (take away, minus, subtraction).  I will be sending home another choice board for this chapter.  

Please have your firstie bring back their book buddy and take home story bags tomorrow!

Also, remember that tomorrow is a half day of school (Because, as one firstie said, “The teachers have to go to teacher school…!”) and dismissal is at 11:30.  

Blessings on the rest of your week!

Miss Gallagher

Dear Parents,

Happy Tuesday! One of my favorite Christian bands is a band is a small group out of Ireland called “Rend Collective”. I just came across one of their newest songs called “Rescuer” and I LOVE it!  I don’t know what is going on your lives, but the words really just spoke to me and I wanted to share it with you. Enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sAg7rn7fH3Q&list=PLZMnj0r2P0r3UmI7fjbdzeHx2rjIiDtLV

Today we started our “Morning Tubs”!  On Tuesday and Thursday, the firsties will have an opportunity to create, work together, and use their imaginations with different resources.  “Tub Tuesday” and “Tub Thursday” may only be started when their regular morning routines (turned in homework, sharpened pencils, filled up water bottle, and used the restroom) are completed.  

 

Thank you for working on and completing the firsties first ever Math Choice Boards!  You needed to only pick one activity to do, but some of you went above and beyond and did all three.    For the next chapter, two choices will need to be made, but I will send home information about that….please watch for it! Their math tests from the first chapter are coming home today and I am pleased, overall, with how they did. Our next chapter is about subtraction. 

 

For spelling today, students were paired or grouped together and worked at writing the spelling words in sand or using magnetic letters to spell the words out.  Our spelling practice test will be tomorrow and the regular test will be on Friday.  Thank you for helping your firstie to prepare for these tests.  Don’t forget that our memory test will be Friday as well (even though we have a ½ day!).  

Just a FYI….I have started entering grades into Fast Direct.  Please make it a habit to check out Fast Direct weekly, for important information and to take a peak how your kiddo is doing with their homework and tests. 

At our Prayer Partner Activity last week, Mrs. Hurley introduced our mission for the next few months, Aaron’s Gifts From Home.  This is an organization that involves putting together care packages for solider overseas. Some of the items that Trinity is looking for to contribute to the care packages are: deodorant, lotion, dental floss, lip balm, toothpaste, cards, dice, puzzle books, shampoo, tissues, baby wipes, batteries, trail mix, granola bars, beef jerky, fruit snacks, mini footballs, etc…If you are willing to donate hygiene items, they should be travel size.  Our offerings for the next few months will also be going towards Aaron’s Gifts From Home, to help pay for the shipping cost (It roughly costs $17.00 to send one package).  Does your firstie know where their little black wallet is?  Every student received a black wallet last year to carry their offering in.  If your kiddo lost theirs, please contact the office. Thank you!

I asked each firstie to practice their “karate alphabet” over the next few days and on Friday, there may or may not be a prize for the firstie who can get all the way through without any mistakes!  ;)

For some, it seems, that water bottles are becoming a distraction (playing with them, sucking on them, tipping them over, etc...) .  Please help me in reminding your firstie what they are for.  Thank you!

Whew!  It was a long one today! Thanks for reading!

***Don’t forget to have your kiddo bring back their library book tomorrow!

Blessings!

Miss Gallagher