Dear Parents,

What a day!  I am not sure what was in the air today, but twas a bit of a rough one in first grade! Wowza. 

We started our day with Chapel and Pastor Sherry spoke about the “sign” for the month of November, which is a NO PARKING ZONE sign.  The two verses that go with our sign for this month are “Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and keep it.” Luke 11:28 and “For we are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  Ephesians 2:10. (Look familiar?) He spoke to us about how we needn’t be stagnant in our faith.  We can always learn more through God’s Word and we can always show God’s love to others, by what we say and by what we do.  What a great message and reminder for us all!

Thank you for all of our creative work with the different Tom the Turkey pictures!  What fun!  They are all hung up on the office windows, (close to the front door), so if you come into the building, be sure to check them out!  I also numbered each one, for ease of voting.  If you would like to vote (even if you vote for your own), please feel free to do so!  The paper and basket are in the corner, right by the pictures.  Voting will cease on Tuesday, at noon.  The winner’s prize will be yummy….so vote, vote, vote!  

Today in Math, we worked on flash cards and a “finding the sums” game.  Reviewing was good!  It was also good to see them work in pairs, and work in pairs, well. 

Quiz your kiddos, a little at a time, so they keep it all fresh in their little developing brains.  Ask them to add or subtract by ones, or twos (or even zeros!), and have them do that math mentally.  When they realize that they can do it, it is SO rewarding for them and such a confidence booster!  

How is the reading at home going?  Please continue to practice, practice, practice!  We will at school, as well.  

Don’t forget our mission of the month of November is the Midland Humane Society.  1^st grade is assigned to bring in cat and dog treats.  If you are able to, please consider donating!  We will be collecting donations until the end of the month.  

Blessings on the rest of your evening!

“Following the Signs”

Miss Gallagher

Dear Parents,

So…..it’s been a little while, I know.  I am sorry about that.  I am sure that you noticed the giant pile of papers that came home with your firstie today…. I have been a little behind.  

Thank you for great Parent/Teacher Conferences!  I very much enjoyed meeting with each of you and I am so grateful for your support and dedication to the growth of your firstie. Please continue to keep our whole class in your prayers! Thank you!

The weekly “Take Home Stories” came home today.  Please return them on Friday; that way you and your firstie have all week to read them!  Happy reading!

For our Thanksgiving “feast” next week, please bring all perishable items THAT day (Tuesday, November 22^nd ).  If your firstie signed up for items that are non-perishable, feel free to send them in at any time.  I am looking forward to our little celebration!

A few Tom the Turkey pictures have been coming in… and they are AWESOME! I have a secret to tell you… I asked the office staff if I would be able to hang the pictures again this year, on the windows in the office and  said only if THEY could participate too!  I course, said yes (giggling silently to myself….I guess adults wanna be creative once in a while too, huh?) Here are a few examples…

We are just rolling along in Math.  We are learning different strategies to help us solve problems….especially word problems.  One strategy that can always be used is drawing a picture!  They can also use a time line or do mental math.  Also, the ten-frames that were sent home can be utilized!  Use whatever is available for counters…buttons, blocks, legos, cotton balls, etc…

Memory this week is a little more wordy, so please make sure that it gets studied every night in preparation for the test on Friday. 

The weather has been amazing! I hope that you have been able to get outside and enjoy it!  To close, here is a picture of Josie among all of the leaves at my house….can you see her?!  

Blessings on your week!

Miss Gallagher

Dear Parents,

We started our day with Chapel today.  Pastor spoke to us about All-Saints Day, a day in which Christians that have died, are remembered.  He spoke to us about how we can rejoice that WE are saints!  (Though sometimes it might not feel that your firstie is one…..)

Has your firstie told you about what we are learning in Religion class?  We have been learning about Moses and the Israelites and how they were finally able to escape from Egypt!  But as they wandered around the desert, they complained about their lack of food.  Some even thought it would be better if they were back in Egypt…as slaves!  God heard their complaints and provided for them what they needed.  He rained down manna from Heaven!  He sent them quails!  He gave them what they needed, when they needed it.  And if we think about it….doesn’t He do the same for us?  Maybe that is hard to recognize sometimes, but God in His perfect wisdom, always gives us what we need, when we need it.  We can thank Him for that!   

We talked about all of the things we can be thankful for, in fact, we made a list….on the pumpkin that we grew in the garden!  I have to tell you, though, that I was surprised at some of the things that they said….check out the pumpkin if you get a chance and you will see what I mean!

We learned about a new Unthinkable….”Topic Twister Meister”.  Ask your firstie what he tries to get us to do (this is sometimes hard for firsties….) sometimes!  Just to review, we have learned about these Unthinkables so far…”Rock Brain”, “Glassman”, “Mean Jean”, and now “Topic Twister Meister”.  Go through these with your firstie from time to time, so that they stay fresh in their brains AND so that they understand that these “Unthinkables” will try to get them at home too! 

Thank you for your support for ALL FOR BOOKS, the program that we do once a year to raise money to purchase more books for our school library.  I am happy to report to you……THAT FIRST GRADE WON AGAIN THIS YEAR!!!   (Sorry to yell it, but I am just a little excited…..ha!)  So because first grade raised the most money, I get to choose a book to add to our classroom library!  Wahoo! The book I chose is Mother Bruce written by Ryan T. Higgins.  It is hilarious!!!

Don’t forget about the spelling and memory tests tomorrow!  

It has been wonderful getting to share your firstie’s progress during conferences! 

“Flat Luther” is about to leave the building!  He will be leaving with Peyton tomorrow and he will be with for one week.  I am so excited to see what adventures he will have being with all of you!

Tom the Turley came home today….did you see him?  This is meant to be a fun family project, so please don’t stress about it!  Work together and I am looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

***I am sorry that I am posting this so late….I literally fell asleep on the couch at 9:00! WHAT?!?!

Blessings on the rest of your evening!

Miss Gallagher