Dear Parents,

Tomorrow is already Thursday?!?!? Wowza, this week seems to just be flying by.  I have to tell you that the firsties are just ROCKING our spelling words these last two weeks…I am so proud of them!  Keep up that good work at home!  Here are a few ways that we practice spelling at school…!

Metal sheet trays and magnetic letters!

Writing our spelling words in colored sand!

In the next week or so, I will be sending home some math flash cards for you to work on with your firstie.  It doesn’t have to be every day but a few minutes, a few times a week, will help to get those math facts more cemented in their brains. FYI-We are starting subtraction tomorrow! (Please watch for the flash cards!)

We are starting to practice reading out loud at school....how is that going at home?  We are staring to practice using inflection in our voices, so that we don't "read like a robot" (they LOVE that GO NOODLE....!). :)

 

A few weeks ago, my puppy (she’s 7 months old), Stella, was spayed.  She has been really good and is healing SO well!  But the other day morning, I got out of the shower to this…

"What, Mom?"

This isn’t something that she has ever done before and now I can’t leave ANYTHING out.  I have to remind myself that she is just a puppy and is still learning.  

Can you relate?  

Do you have remind yourself that too?  

Remember....every student is going to develop when they are ready and I always encourage the firsties to NOT talk about their grades and to not compare themselves to each other. God gives us all wonderful and different gifts! 

I am praying for you, parents,…your job is SO DIFFICULT!  

 

Blessings on the rest of your week!

Miss Gallagher

Dear Parents,

Happy Tuesday! How is your week going so far? 

In case you didn’t know, our wonderful Pastor Sherry officially retired this past weekend (though I have a sneaking suspicion that he will be back around from time to time…).  We had a special service to celebrate with him and then had a nice meal and program for him as well.  It was a great day and I know that he really appreciated everything that was done for him. 

We took our first memory test on Friday! The way that I test the kiddos is they come up to my desk, one at a time, and say what they have studied.  Sometimes they need a little help to get going, and that is okay.  Please, please, please make sure to help your firstie study for this test (really, for all of our tests).  Thank you for help with this at home.  

Here are some pictures of our “Morning Tubs” activities!  I generally don’t get the kiddos any directions with these and just see what they can come up with.  They surprise me with their creativity!  

Playing "Go Fish" with sight word flash cards

Making a bridge for the animals to cross!

Putting blocks together!

Did your kiddo tell you about their "peepers"? We use our peepers when we read because they "help" us track the words.  So fun!

We have started “Daily 5” too!  (Well, because it is a small class, it probably will only be “Daily 4”.) During this time the firsties are split into four groups and each group has a different activity to complete.  Some of the activities include: Reading a book (or two!) to themselves, working on some of the different apps on our classroom ipads, reading with me, working on worksheets at their desk, practicing their spelling words, coloring or “scissor work”, etc…Some of the work is independent and some of the work is small group work.  I really enjoy our Daily 5 time because I can work with the kids more one on one!  Good stuff!

Are any of you available to come and help me test the firsties for about an hour or so? I would need some to come in help within the next week.  Please message me if you are able!  Thank you!

Speaking of testing….we are starting our NWEA testing this week!  The first graders only take two tests (reading and math) and we test three times a year (fall, winter, and spring).  If at all possible, please make sure that your kiddo doesn’t miss any school in the next week. Thank you!

 

Don’t forget to have your firstie red, white, and blue tomorrow! 

Blessings on your evening!

Miss Gallagher