December 20th News and Notes

Six Flags Read To Succeed
In the Friday folder, please look for the form for the Six Flags Read To Succeed program.  Students completing 360 minutes of recreational reading between now and February 20th will receive a free ticket to Six Flags.  Books read for the Book It! program can also count for this, but Reading homework assignments cannot.  Please read the information on the form for further details.  This is not required, but what a fun way to start the new year by making a goal to read more often!

Snow Days and the Blog
 If we should happen to have a snow day within the next few months, please be sure to check this blog for updates on what might be due the day we come back, etc.  Unless the power is out, I should be able to update you via this blog from my home way over in Illinois! 

Religion
Memory Work for the Week of January 6th:

Tuesday (First and Second)
Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.  Psalm 95:6

Thursday (First and Second)
My eyes have seen Your salvation.  Luke 2:30

Friday (Second)
The Third Commandment:  Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

Reading
 First Grade Reading Story:  Masks!  Masks!  Masks!
Vocabulary:  your   into   people   soon   every   from

Second Grade Reading Story:  Music of the Stone Age
Vocabulary:  talent   treasures   impossible   pleasant

Spelling
First Grade Words:  whip   whale   catch   match   chin   chop   like   ride
Bonus Word:  from

Second Grade Words:  dark   far   farm   are   art   start   hard   park   part   large
Bonus Word:  pleasant

Book Nook Topic:
Winter Stories

Thanks for all that you do!  Have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!  See you again in 2014!

Love and Blessings,
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

December 13th News and Notes

A Band of Shepherds
We are eagerly anticipating our performance of our Christmas Musical "A Band of Shepherds" which is set for Thursday, December 19th at 7:00pm at the school gym.  All students will be provided with a Musical t-shirt at no cost.  They will receive the shirt on Wednesday (at Dress Rehearsal) and will be able to take it home Wednesday after school.  Please make sure that they come to the program on Thursday night with the shirt on.  Jeans or black pants will work for the bottoms. 

The Dress Rehearsal will be Wednesday at 1:30pm in the school gym.  We would like to have a small, practice audience.  If there is someone in your circle who will not be able to come on the 19th, please encourage them to come in for the Dress Rehearsal on Wednesday.  If you could let me know who to expect, that would be great!

On Friday, December 20th, we'll be taking the show on the road to Luther Manor Nursing Home.  We will need parent helpers to shuttle students over starting at 8:30am.  If you would be available to help us, please let me know!  Thanks!

Religion
No additional Memory Work for next week.  Please continue to practice all of the songs that we have had thus far in Memory working toward our performance of "A Band of Shepherds".

Reading
 First Grade Reading Story:  Smile, Mike!
Vocabulary:  call   how   more   funny   there   so

Second Grade Reading Story:  Abuelo and the Three Bears
Vocabulary:  medium   stubborn   noticed   cozy   arrive   argue

Spelling
Please keep in mind that our Spelling Test will be on Thursday this week!  Also, Reading homework will be coming home on Monday and Wednesday evenings!

First Grade Words:  like   spike   ride   hide   bike   mine    make    came
Bonus:  funny

Second Grade Words:  near   ear   dear   where   here   steer   deer   cheer   verb   perch
Bonus:  medium

McDonalds Superstars of the Week:
First Grade:  Eric Forney
Second Grade:  Landon Rickey

Next Week's Book Nook Topic:
Christmas Stories ... continued

Thanks for all that you do!  Have a great weekend and week ahead!
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

Scholastic Book Order for December

A revision on the paragraph from the December 6 th News and Notes ... I will need to have any book orders for this month placed online by Tuesday, December 10 th in order to secure delivery before we leave for Christmas Break.  If you wish to order, please have this in to Scholastic Reading Club by 3:00 Tuesday.  Again, I did not receive any printed flyers this month, so all orders will need to be placed online.  I can keep your order a secret if you wish to use the books as a Christmas gift for your student... Just let me know!  Thanks!

December 6th News and Notes

First Grade Unit 2 Vocabulary Check The vocabulary check that I did this week with first grade is coming home in the Friday Communication Folder.  Words that are circled are those that need to be practiced the most. 

Look for the new Reading book to be coming home next Tuesday evening.  Before the main selection (the one listed on the homework half slip), there is a very short story that helps teach the vocabulary words for the upcoming main selection.  Also, vocabulary words are highlighted in yellow throughout the main selection.  Please check this out the next time the book comes home!  This is true for both the First Grade and Second Grade Reading books!

Scholastic Reading Club Orders for December
If you would like to order from Scholastic this month, please click on the link above and use class activation code GQYQQ to connect the order to our class.  I will finalize online orders on Wednesday, December 11th after school for sure this time since we want our books to come in before we leave for Christmas Break, so please make sure you have ordered by that time.  If you would like your order to remain a secret from your student, please send me an email or note to let me know and I can make that happen for you.  Sorry, I did not receive any order forms by mail this month, so all orders will have to be done online...

Religion

More work for the Christmas Program!

Tuesday (First and Second)
All glory be to God on high
And to the earth be peace.
Good will henceforth from heaven to men
Begin and never cease.

Thursday (First and Second)
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him whose birth the angels sing.
Come adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord the newborn King.

NO MEMORY WORK FOR EITHER CLASS ON FRIDAY.

Reading
 First Grade Reading Story : On My Way to School
Vocabulary:  away   school   today   way   why  

Second Grade Reading Story:  The Alvin Ailey Kids
Vocabulary:  remember   perform   effort   proud   mood

Spelling
Spelling City!  Spelling City!  Spelling City!

First Grade Words:   make   take  came   game   gate   late  shop  with
Bonus Word: school

Second Grade Words:  term  clerk   herd  skirt  first   stir   hurt   churn   burst   turn
Bonus Word:  remember

McDonalds Superstars of the Week:
First Grade:  Trenten Coffman
Second Grade:  Maddie Bradshaw

Next Week's Book Nook Topic:
Christmas Stories... continued

Thanks for all that you do!  Have a nice weekend and week ahead!
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

November 26th News and Notes

Book It! Certificates In Folders Tonight!
For November Book It!, we decided to try something new and read stories together in class.  Everyone earned a free personal pan pizza this month!  Congratulations to everyone and enjoy your pizza!

Religion
Song lyrics for a song from our Christmas Musical entitled "Child of the Manger".  Please note both classes will have a Friday verse this weekl:

Tuesday (First and Second)
 Child of the manger, change me,
Let love into my life.
And may Jesus peace be born in me tonight.

Thursday (First and Second)
 Child of the manger, take me,
Make me Your own,
Filling my heart with You alone.

Friday (First and Second)
 Hope has come to us through God's own Son.
And now we place our hope within this One.


Reading
Next week is unit test time!  This means we will not have regular Tuesday-Thursday night Reading homework.  Kids work hard on the unit tests all week during school time and do not begin a new story on these weeks.  Please take this opportunity to review all of the Unit Two vocabulary words which can be found on the October 11th through November 15th  News and Notes posts.  

Spelling
Please look for the updated lists on Spelling City labeled as "Unit Two Review".  Words for both classes this week are review words selected from lists throughout Unit Two.

First Grade Words:  hop   top   leg   beg   spill  spin  run  fish    Bonus Word: could

Second Grade Words:  jay   hay   need  queen   light   sight   grow   mow   flute   mule     Bonus Word: independence

McDonalds Superstars of the Week:
First Grade - Atticus Sternke
Second Grade - Brynn Dolbeare

Next Week's Book Nook Topic:
 Christmas Stories
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a nice long weekend!  Thanks for all that you do for your children and our classroom!

Love and Blessings,
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

November 22nd News and Notes

Religion
Memory Work for the Week of November 25th ... lyrics for "Behold" from "A Band of Shepherds":

Tuesday (First and Second)
Behold we bring good news
Of joy to every man.
A Savior has been born
In the city of Bethlehem.

Reading/Spelling
Due to our short week next week, we will not have a new Reading story or Spelling list.

Next Week's Book Nook Topic:
Joke Books (continued)

Thanks for all that you do!  Have a nice weekend and week ahead!

Love and Blessings,
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

November 15th News and Notes

Second, Third, and Fourth Grade Thanksgiving Play - Wednesday, November 20th
Mrs. Begley was glad to have our second graders help her fill out her annual Thanksgiving Play with additional Pilgrims and Indians!  They have been working hard and are excited for their performance during our chapel this upcoming Wednesday. 

Religion
Memory Work for the Week of November 18th are lyrics to a song for our Christmas Musical entitled "Shout for Joy".  If you would like a source for the tunes of the songs, there is a You Tube video of a Baptist church's performance.  Just type "A Band of Shepherds" in the search window.

Tuesday (First and Second)
Shout!  Shout for joy, all creation.
Shout!  Shout for joy!
For when He comes, our promised one,
Everyone will shout for joy.

Thursday (First and Second)
The field of grass will stand.
The trees will clap their hands.
The mountains and meadows both will.

No Friday Memory for Second Grade due to their extra work on the Thanksgiving Play!

Reading
Look for sight words and vocabulary for both grades highlighted in yellow (in a short story before the main story and in the main story itself) each week in the Reading book!

First Grade Story:  Beth and the Band
Vocabulary:  all   want   under   put   show   together

Second Grade Story:  African-American Inventors
Vocabulary:  powerful   design   allowed   instrument   products   invented

Spelling
Can't say enough about Spelling City! 

First Grade Words:
fish   shop   ship   with   thin   thank   run   bug  
Bonus Word:  want

Second Grade Words:
flute   mule   tune   duke   dune   bugle   use   music   June   fuse
Bonus Word:  instrument

Sonic Superstars of the Week:
First Grade:  Charlie Noel
Second Grade:  Beau Johnson

Next Week's Book Nook Topic:
 Joke Books

Thanks for all that you do!  Have a nice weekend and week ahead!

Love and Blessings,
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

November 8th News and Notes

Reading Stars
In the Friday folder, please look for a handout that I call "The Reading Star".  Feel free to use these techniques when reading with your child to help them attack unfamiliar words.  This idea comes to us from a sectional I attended during our LEA Teacher's Conference in Milwaukee last month.

Religion
Memory Work for the Week of November 11th are lyrics to a song for our Christmas Musical entitled "Count On Me".  Memory for the next several weeks will be part of our preparation for this musical.  All students will be part of the chorus.  Auditions for major roles will be Monday, November 25 th.  Look for additional information to be coming soon...

Tuesday (First and Second)
Count on me,  they gotta count on me.
My attendance is an absolute necessity.

Thursday (First and Second)
To add my taxes to the treasury...they really need...
To count on me!

Friday (Second)
The Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name.  Exodus 20:7

Reading
Reading stories for the Week of November 11th:

First Grade:  The Pigs, The Wolf, and The Mud
Sight Words:  could  again  one  make  then  three

Second Grade: One Grain of Rice
Vocabulary Words:   collectors  store  reward  clever  double  amount

Spelling
Let me know if you are having any difficulties with Spelling City....

First Grade Words:  run fun  nut  cut  bug  grass  spin
BONUS:  could

Second Grade Words:  grow  mow  bowl  most  told  goes  toe  toast  foam  soap
BONUS:  clever

Sonic Superstars of the Week:
First Grade:  Trenten Coffman
Second Grade:  Brookelyn Livesay

Next Week's Book Nook Topic:
Fairy Tales

Have a nice weekend!  Hope to see you Sunday morning as the kids sing at the 10:00 service at St. John's!

Love and Blessings,
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

November 1st News and Notes

PTC
It has been great meeting with everyone this week during Parent/Teacher Conferences!  Please look for First Quarter pizza box work to be coming home in the folders sometime next week.  This work can now stay at home.

Scholastic Book Order for November
In the folders today, please look for a book order for the month of November.  If you would like to order, please return completed form along with a check made out to Scholastic Reading Club to school by Wednesday, November 6th.  Or online ordering is still available using the link above and classroom code GQYQQ.

Religion
Memory Work for the Week of November 4th:

Tuesday (First and Second)
Great is our Lord and mighty in power.  Psalm 147:5

Thursday (First and Second)
If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord.  So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.  Romans 14:8

Friday (Second)
The Second Commandment:  You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

Reading
 First Grade Story:  On the Map!
Vocabulary:  live   many   out   place

Second Grade Story:  A Tall Tale
Vocabulary:  independence    landmark   state   government   symbol

Spelling
Spelling City rocks!  Check it out today!

First Grade Words:  spill   spin   grab  grass  drip  drop  men   let     Bonus Word:  many

Second Grade Words:  light   sight   high   wild   mind   lie  tie  try  cry  dry
  Bonus Word:  independence

This Week's McDonald's Superstars:
First Grade - Remi Wallis
Second Grade:  Hannah Epperson

Next Week's Book Nook Topic:
Tall Tales.... continued

Thanks for all that you do!  Have a nice weekend and week ahead!
Love and Blessings,
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

October 23rd News and Notes

The End of October... Already!
October is coming to a close already!  If your student plans to participate in Book It! this month, please have completed forms sent to school by Thursday, October 31st.  A form for November will come home in next week's communication folder. 

Looking forward to our meeting next week!
Conference meeting days and times were sent home in the communication folder last Friday.  Please let me know if you did not receive it.  I'm looking forward to discussing your child's progress so far this year with you sometime next week!  Please remember also that there is NO SCHOOL NEXT FRIDAY due to Parent/Teacher Conferences.  Please consider filling out the Parent Questionnaire  and bringing it to our conference next week.  I find that it helps direct our conversation and allows us to remember topics that we wanted to talk about together! 

Changes To Schedule Next Week
 Due to no school on Friday, and trying to avoid homework on Halloween, weekly Reading assignments will come home on Monday and Tuesday evenings.  Memory will be said on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings.  Our Spelling tests will be on Thursday, so please plan ahead so the bulk of the studying will not be on Halloween night!  Thanks!

Religion
Memory Work for the Week of October 28th:

Tuesday (First and Second)
The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.  Psalm 118:14

Wednesday (First and Second)
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  1 John 4:11

Reading First Grade Story:  Little Red Hen
Vocabulary:  who   some   of   no   eat

Second Grade Story:  Dona Flor
Vocabulary:  advice  commotion  rattled  respected  shivering  tangle

Spelling
 Spelling City is a great studying resource and is ready to go with this week's lists!

First Grade Words:  leg  beg  men  hen  let  get  top  lot     Bonus Word:  who

Second Grade Words:  need  queen  seek  leaf  mean  eat  baby  pony  he  we                                Bonus Word:  respected

Next Week's Book Nook Topic:
Tall Tales

Thanks for all that you do!  Have a nice rest of this week and weekend!

Love and Blessings,
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

October 18th News and Notes

The Wind in the Willows
The kids had a fantastic time on our trip to the Quincy Community Theatre for The Wind in the Willows  on Wednesday!  They were very well behaved on our first outing together out in "public"!  Be sure to ask your student about the show and their experience watching live theatre! 

No School Next Thursday and Friday
Also, we will be dismissing early on Wednesday.  The teachers will be attending the Lutheran Education Association Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Parent/Teacher Conferences - Week of October 28th
Please look for a slip in the Friday Communication Folder which will let you know the date and time for your child's Parent/Teacher Conference.  I'm looking forward to discussing your child's progress so far this year with you!  Also in the Friday folder, please look for a Parent Questionnaire.  Please consider filling this out and bringing it to our conference during the week of the 28th.  I find that it helps direct our conversation and allows us to remember topics that we wanted to talk about together! 

Religion
Memory Work for the Week of October 21st:

Tuesday (First and Second)
Do not fear, for I am with you ... I will strengthen you and help you.  Isaiah 41:10

Reading
Spelling
Since our week will be short, there will be no Reading or Spelling homework or tests for the Week of October 21st.  We will be focusing more instead on Math and Science for those days, so there may be a slight increase in the Math homework on Monday and Tuesday.  This will be temporary and things will return to near-normal for the Week of October 28th.  Please also look for a Science News sheet in the Friday folder.  The directions are on the sheet along with a list of suggested websites for the research.  These can be turned back in whenever they are finished, and your child will get to "show and tell" about the topic they studied as part of our science class.

McDonalds Superstars of the Week:
First Grade - Alana Lemon
Second Grade - Emily Lennox

Next Week's Book Nook Topic:
My Favorite Book
Students are encouraged to bring in ONE favorite book of their choice.  Please write their name somewhere inside the book to make sure it gets returned to the right person.

Thanks for all that you do!  Have a nice weekend and week ahead!

Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org
















 

October 11th News and Notes

Quincy Community Theatre Trip - Wednesday, October 16th
 We are SUPER excited about our trip to Quincy next Wednesday afternoon!  If you have a first grade student, please make arrangements to have a car seat available for the trip to Quincy.  These can be dropped off in our classroom when you come in on Wednesday.  Please remind all students of the importance of good behavior as we take St. John's out into the public and to a live theatre performance - The Wind in the Willows.  Also, kids may want to consider wearing nicer clothes than those for an average school day.  Thanks for your attention to these matters!

Please prepare for recess!
 The weather people are saying that cooler weather is on the way!  Please remember to dress your child appropriately each day for outside recess.  We will be going outside on days that we can, and some of those may start getting a little chilly. 

Reading Homework/Unit Tests
Last week I forgot to mention that during our review (unit test) week in Reading, we will not have the regular Tuesday/Thursday night Reading homework.  Kids work hard on the unit tests all week during school time and we do not begin a new story on those weeks.  This will happen approximately once every six weeks.  Please look for the regular Tuesday/Thursday evening homework again this coming week.

First Grade Unit One Sight Word/Vocabulary Check
First grade parents - please look for a sight word/vocabulary sheet in the Friday Communication Folder.  Please review with your child and work on any words that they may have missed.

Religion
Memory Work for the Week of October 14th:

Tuesday (First and Second)
 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.
  Matthew 22:37

Thursday (First and Second)
 Love your neighbor as yourself.  Matthew 22:39

Friday (Second)
 It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.  Philippians 2:13

Reading
First Grade Reading Story for the Week of October 14th:  Animal Moms and Dads
Vocabulary:  our   two   her   they

Second Grade Reading Story for the Week of October 14th:  Babu's Song
Vocabulary:  figure  vendors  concern  collection  exclaimed

Spelling
Please check out Spelling City for the new lists!

First Grade Words:  hop  top  log  hog  hot  lot  fast  wink  Bonus Word:  our

Second Grade Words:  jay  hay  may  main  wait  tail  sail  train  pay  stay  Bonus Word: exclaimed

Sonic Superstars of the Week:
First Grade - Atticus Sternke
Second Grade - Beau Johnson

Next Week's Book Nook Topic:  
Jane Yolen - The "How Do Dinosaurs..." books

Thanks for all that you do!  Have a nice weekend and week ahead!
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

October 4th News and Notes

October Book Order A book order form can be found in your child's Friday Communication Folder.  If you would like to order this month, please send order and payment back to school by Wednesday, October 9th.  Please make checks payable to the company from which we are ordering and return in an envelope marked with your child's name.  NEW THIS YEAR:  You can give online ordering a try!  Please use class code   GQYQQ   and click the link above for Scholastic Reading Club. 

Religion
Memory Work for the Week of October 7th:

Tuesday (First and Second)
Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.  Psalm 50:15

Thursday (First and Second)
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  Psalm 121:2

Friday (Second)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5

Reading
 The Week of October 7th will be review week for Reading and Spelling.  Please take the opportunity to review all of the Unit One vocabulary and sight words with your child.  Please refer to the links at the side of the blog for each individual parent letter post to recall all vocabulary and sight words so far...

Spelling
Please look for the updated lists on Spelling City labeled as "Unit One Review".  Words for both classes this week are review words selected from lists throughout Unit One.

First Grade Words:  man   ran   dad   sad   pin   win   clip   flip     Bonus:  land

Second Grade Words:  has  wag  went  tell  bag  cap  fin  did  box  fox  Bonus:  because

Sonic Superstars of the Week:
First Grade - Eric Forney
Second Grade - Jacob Flowers

Next Week's Book Nook Topic:
Number/Counting Books

Thanks for all that you do!  Have a nice weekend and week ahead!
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

September 27 News and Notes

Pizza Hut Book It! Reading Incentive Program Begins October 1st!
 In the communication folder on Monday evening, you will find a form for Book It! for the month of October.   First graders are asked to read 10 books during the month, and the goal for second graders is 15 books.  Reading homework assignments do not count as Book It! books.  Chapter books may be counted by writing each chapter as a single "book" on the form.  If you would like to participate, please complete the project and return the form by the due date at the bottom.  Students with completed forms by the due date will receive a coupon for a free personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut.  I will scan a blank form and include in a later post on this blog as well.  Please note that this project is not required, but a great incentive for students to practice their skills and read for fun at home!

American Sign Language Link Above
The second graders really enjoyed learning a little sign language with their Reading story Meet Rosina.  Above please find a link to a website that will teach basic words in sign.  Also be sure to check out a video on You Tube entitled "ABC Song/ASL alphabet - American Version" by My Smart Hands.  I will also be sending a paper copy of the ASL alphabet in the Monday communication folder.  What a great new way to practice spelling words each week- by spelling them in sign language!

Thank You!
A big thank you to all who remembered me on my birthday this week!  I felt very special! 

Religion
Memory Work for the Week of September 30th:

Tuesday (First and Second)
Jesus said, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you...to go and bear fruit."  John 15:16

Thursday (First and Second)
The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.  Hebrews 13:6

Friday (Second)
To fear the Lord is to hate evil.  Proverbs 8:13

Reading First Grade Reading Story:  Soccer
Vocabulary:  very   help   use   now

Second Grade Reading Story:  My Name Is Yoon
Vocabulary:  cuddle  favorite  patient  practiced  settled  wrinkled

Spelling
Please look for the updated lists on Spelling City!

First Grade Words:  land   sand   fast   past   sink   wink   flip   black   Bonus Word: very

Second Grade Words:  dog  box  fox  lock  pot  poke  rope  home  nose  cone  Bonus Word: favorite

This Week's McDonald's Superstars:
First Grade:  Charlie Noel
Second Grade:  Landon Rickey

Next Week's Book Nook Topic:
Biographies...continued

Thanks for all that you do!  Have a nice weekend and week ahead!
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

September 20 News and Notes

Scholastic Book Fair
Many of you may have been wondering when the annual Scholatic Book Fair will be since this has typically been a September event.  The Book Fair has moved to February this school year to be in conjunction with Lutheran Schools' Week.  Until then, I plan on sending a monthly book order (in case you need a resource for reasonably priced, current books for your student).  Thank you for your support of these book orders.  We receive points from each order with which we are able to acquire new types of tools to use in our classroom.  Let me know also if you need to place a "secret" order for a birthday or holiday and I can help you with that also!

Religion
Memory Work for the Week of September 23rd:

Tuesday (First and Second)
Pray for those who mistreat you.  Luke 6:28

Thursday (First and Second)
We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.  Romans 8:28

 Friday (Second)
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared above all gods.  Psalm 96:4

 Reading

First Grade Reading Story: Flip
Sight Words: come    good    pull    down

Second Grade Reading Story: Meet Rosina
Vocabulary: signing    celebrate    cultures    deaf    relatives

Spelling

Please look for the updated lists on Spelling City!

First Grade Words: clip   flip   slip   flag   black   plan   win   sit
Bonus Word: good

Second Grade Words: hike   line   pipe   five   side   fin   did   mix   rip   pick                                Bonus Word: celebrate

This Week's Sonic Superstars:
First Grade:  Kathryn Sutton
Second Grade: Aaron Logsdon

Next Week's Book Nook Topic:
Biographies

Thanks for all that you do!  Have a nice weekend and week ahead
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

September 13th News and Notes

Library Is On Thursdays
Our library time is on Thursday mornings.  Please make sure that your student has returned his or her library books by Thursday morning so that they can renew or check out new books. 

ThinkWave Login Instructions
Please look for the parent/guardian login instructions for our online grading program in the Friday Communication Folder.  I  still continue to learn how to use this new technology piece!  Let me know if you have any problems logging in.

Science News
As part of our science curriculum and your child's science participation score, we will be taking turns being the classroom's Science News reporter.  Each child will get the chance to bring home a Science News form which recommends a list of kid-friendly science websites that students may select an article from.  They are then to write a brief summary of it to share with our class.  Instructions can be found on the backside of the Science News Report Form.  We pick one student per week for this job.  Please be looking for your child's opportunity coming soon!

What's In A Name?
Above you will find a new link to a website that will help students find the meaning of their name.  Pastor spoke about this website during his Chapel presentation on Wednesday and the kids were excited to explore it further...

Introducing.... Trenten Coffman and Mrs. Winters
As of Monday, we have a new student in the first grade.  His name is Trenten Coffman.  We also welcome Mrs. Winters as our classroom aide (mornings) and whole-school aide (afternoons).  We are blessed to have them both at St. John's!

Religion
Memory Work for the Week of September 16th:

Tuesday (First and Second)
I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go.  Genesis 28:15

Thursday (First and Second)
Blessed are the peacemakers.  Matthew 5:9

Friday (Second)
Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the  Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Matthew 28:19

Reading
First Grade Reading Story:  How You Grew
Sight Words:  be   ride   run

Second Grade Reading Story:  Family Farm  Then and Now
Vocabulary:  harvest   crops   regrow   machines   irrigate

Spelling
Please look for the updated lists on Spelling City!

First Grade Words:  pin   win   hit   sit   miss   kiss   sad   nap
Bonus Word:  be

Second Grade Words:  cape   ate   bake   rake   made   back   cap   bag   ham   mad
Bonus Word:  regrow

Next Week's Book Nook Topic: 
 Books That Are Songs

Thanks for all that you do!  Have a nice weekend and week ahead!
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

September 6th News and Notes

Artsonia
Artsonia is an online museum of children's art.  Last week during art, we made self portraits that I plan on putting on Artsonia for display sometime next week.  First Grade parents and the parents of our new students will find a half slip in the Friday communication folder describing how to log on to Artsonia to view your child's art work.  Please look for this slip and let me know if you need help getting set up.  The website is free, but does offer the opportunity to purchase products printed with your child's art.  A percentage of the proceeds from these items comes back to our class to help us purchase more art supplies. 

ThinkWave
Another project I am working on is the online grading program we will be using this school year.  I plan on posting the first set of grades sometime next week.  Please be looking for an email (sent to the address you gave me on the green questionnaire form from Open House) that will walk you through the steps to view your child's grades online.  Please bear with me as I continue to work through the tricks of using this new program!  Thanks!

Snacks?
A couple of parents have commented on the extended time frame until lunch that was instituted this school year.  I would like your comments on this issue.  Do you think we should offer a morning snack to First and Second Graders?  Does your child feel like they are starving before they get to lunch time?    Please discuss this with your student and leave me a comment below or send me an email with your thoughts... thanks!

Wednesday, September 11th = PATRIOT DAY!
On September 11th, we remember the heroes from 2001.  Please have your child wear red, white, or blue on Wednesday to help recognize this important day in our history!

Religion Normal schedule for Memory Work next week...

Tuesday (First and Second)
 I trust in You, O Lord; I say, "You are my God."  Psalm 31:14
Thursday (First and Second)
We love because He first loved us.  1 John 4:19

Friday (Second)
Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.  1 John 5:21

Reading
First Grade Reading Story for the Week of September 9th:  I Can Too!
Vocabulary:  too   it   over

Second Grade Reading Story for the Week of September 9th:  Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea
Vocabulary:  enjoyed   company   delighted   wonderful   share   thinning

Spelling
Please look for the updated lists on Spelling City by looking for the Reading story title for the week.

First Grade Words:  dad   sad   nap   tap   sack   back   man   cat
   Bonus Word:  too

Second Grade Words:  went   pet   tell   tub   hut   gut   bun   not   job   fog 
  Bonus Word:  wonderful

September Book Order
A book order form can be found in your child's Friday Communication Folder.  If you would like to order this month, please send order and payment back to school by Wednesday, September 11th.  Please make checks payable to the company from which we are ordering and return in an envelope marked with your child's name.  NEW THIS YEAR:  You can give online ordering a try!  Please use class code   GQYQQ   and click the link above for Scholastic Reading Club. 

Next Week's Book Nook Author:  Cynthia Rylant
If kids would like to bring in books that fit our topic each week from their home library, please make sure the book(s) are clearly marked with your child's name so they can be returned to the proper person.

This Week's McDonald's Superstars:
First Grade - Remi Wallis
Second Grade -   Maddie Bradshaw

Thanks for all that you do!  Have a nice weekend and week ahead!
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

August 30th News and Notes

Blogging Full Speed Ahead!
Hello everyone!  I have heard from many of you regarding my blog invitation and it seems that it is working well so far!  Again, I thank you for taking the time to create your own gmail account in order to keep our blog more secure.   This week, I will send one more printed copy of the blog home in the Friday Communication Folder.  Starting next week, please check the blog online on Fridays for the updated version.  Please let me know ASAP if you will need a printed copy.

Breakfast Is Important
We are still adjusting to being back in school again, and many of the kids are used to getting up late, eating a late breakfast, then having a normal lunch time.  Now that breakfast is happening early, they are "STARVING" by the time lunch finally rolls around at 12:00!  Plus, this lunch time is one hour later than they are used to from previous years.  Please encourage your student to eat a good breakfast before coming to school each morning.  Unfortunately, there are no snacks (or naps!) in first and second grade!  Thanks!

Saxon Math Homework
Thank you to everyone for your attention regarding the math homework!  This is a very important part of the Math program and will help them practice the skills they will need to move forward.  It works best when you give your student a few minutes to complete the work on their own, then sit down with them and look over their paper (both sides) to make sure that they understand and have the correct answers.  This homework is not an attempt to "trick" your child at all.  If they miss something, please  do fix it with them and talk about the answer so that the next time they encounter it on their own - on a test for example - they may be more successful.  If you have any questions on how to manage the math homework with your child, please let me know.

Religion
Memory Work for the Week of September 2nd  ... please note the change in due dates for next week  due to NO SCHOOL MONDAY FOR LABOR DAY:

Wednesday (First and Second)
How many are Your works, O Lord!  In wisdom You made them all.  The Earth is full of your creatures.  Psalm 104:24

Friday (First and Second)
God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  John 3:16

No additional Memory Work for Second Grade on Friday this week!

Reading
 First Grade Reading Story for the Week of September 2nd:  Pam and Sam
Sight Words To Practice:   up   not   jump

Second Grade Reading Story for the Week of September 2nd:  David's New Friends
Vocabulary:  groan   different   whisper   carefully   excited

Spelling
Next Friday will be the first Spelling Test opportunity for both grades!  Please remember to check out the Spelling City website for more spelling word practice!  The link can be found at the top of this blog entry.  You will need to scroll down the list of stories to the bottom to find the entries for Pam and Sam (First Grade) and David's New Friends  (Second Grade).

First Grade Words:  man   ran   can   cat   hat   mat     Bonus Word: not

Second Grade Words:  has   wag   sat   had   bad   six   if   him   will   fix    Bonus Word: whisper

McDonald's Superstars of the Week:
First Grade:  Alana Lemon
Second Grade:  Brynn Dolbeare

Next Week's Book Nook Topic:
Alphabet Books

Thanks for all that you do for your student!  Have a nice weekend and week ahead!

Love and Blessings,
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

August 23rd News and Notes

Blog Invitations
I am including a printed copy of this week's blog in the Friday Communication Folder. I have attempted to send a blog invitation to everyone who provided an email address to me on the green questionnaire form from Open House Night. This mainly concerns the families of our new students and the first grade students. Returning second grade student families should be able to login like last year. Please let me know if you have not yet received an invitation or are having trouble logging on by emailing me at kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org. Thank you for helping St. John's save on paper and printing costs again this school year! Please be sure to check the blog every Friday for a new parent letter. Let me know if there are any additional people in your family that you would want to be invited as a reader to our blog!

 Religion
 As part of our first and second grade Religion curriculum, I will be assigning Bible verses for the children to memorize and repeat back to me. Verses will be said twice a week for first graders (Tuesday and Thursday) and three times per week for second graders (Tuesday, Thursday, Friday) unless otherwise notified. We will be practicing them during class time, but some additional help from home would be appreciated. Look for the Memory Verses on the Friday parent letters.

Tuesday (First and Second)
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

Thursday (First and Second)
God saw all that He had made, and it was very good. Genesis 1:31

Friday (Second)
The first commandment: You shall have no other Gods.

Reading/Spelling 
We have been working on the Smart Start pages from our Reading series in both grades this week. We will continue to review next week. Please look for the first Spelling Test and Reading Sight and Vocabulary Words to appear on the August 30th blog entry.

Saxon Math Homework 
Please look for the first math homework sheet in Friday's communication folder along with a parent letter which briefly describes the program. Help your child complete the homework, and return in the communication folder on Monday morning. Thanks in advance for your attention to this important subject!

Next Week's Book Nook Author:
Robert Munsch

Thanks for all that you do! Have a nice weekend and week ahead!

Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

Welcome Letter

August 2013

 Dear Parents and First and Second Graders:

Hello!  I would like to welcome my students back to school!

 
First – a little background :  Four years ago,  I returned to St. John’s as the first and second grade teacher.  I previously had taught second grade here for the 1998-1999 school year, and then first grade after that for three more years.  Previous to that, I taught for two years at Holy Rosary School in Monroe City at the first grade level.  And before all of that, I graduated from Culver-Stockton College in May 1996 with a degree in Elementary Education.

 After taking some time out in the business world (working for Niemann Foods in Quincy as an Equipment Buyer), I decided that I was missing the imagination and creativity that teaching brought to my days. So I returned to the field of education.  I live with my husband, Doug, and seven year old daughter, Maddie in Payson, Illinois.  Maddie is a second grader in our classroom this year!

 I would like the parents to know that they are always welcome to visit our room.  If you have concerns, questions, etc…please don’t hesitate to call me at school (221-0215), on my cell  (217-430-9257), or e-mail me at kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org.  We are working as a team to help our kids get the best education possible!

 A few things to keep in mind:

 1.             Please check your child’s bookbag every evening for a School Note Folder.  This folder will be sent home every evening with important all-school notes and information that often needs to be signed and returned.  Also you will find information about your child’s daily behavior inside this folder.  From time to time, the folder may contain completed work, work to be singed and returned, or work that needs to be completed and returned to school on the following school day.    Please go through the completed papers with your child.  Help explain to them any mistakes that were made.  Be sure to praise them for their really good work!  Folders need to be returned to school on the following school day.

2.         The Weekly Friday Parent Letter may be viewed online in “blog” form at the following address  http://www.mrsbradshawsclassroomblog.blogspot.com/  .  Other forms of reference for our classroom (handwriting samples, Book It! Forms, etc…) may be found and printed from this blog.  Also there are links to fun websites such as Spelling City where students may practice their weekly spelling lists.  If you are unable to access the blog and would like to request a paper copy of the Friday Parent Letter, please let me know.

 

3.             Due to the increase of students with various food allergies, I have decided to eliminate edible birthday treats in our classroom.  In order to still allow children to celebrate their special day in class, I am encouraging the kids to donate one favorite book to the classroom library.  Kids can write their names and birthday on the inside cover so the book will always be a representation of that special day.  Students may also have a special person come in and read the book to the class (please make an appointment with me in advance!).  Kids with summer birthdays will have “half-birthdays” (exactly six months from their real birthday).  I will contact these kids about when their birthday can be celebrated.

 

4.             Students will have gym class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Please make sure that they are wearing comfortable clothing, and they must be wearing tennis shoes to participate.  Kids may bring a pair of tennis shoes to school to always have on hand for gym class.  Also, we will be having Art on Friday afternoons, so kids might want to come in clothes that are not their “Sunday Best” in case of an accident!

 

5.             Twice a week, first and second graders will be bringing home a Reading homework assignment in a Ziploc bag.  Also included will be a note to sign and return indicating what the student is to read.  Please check your child’s bookbag  on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for this assignment.  Other regular homework in first and second grade will be Memory Work, Spelling Words (Friday tests), and Reading Sight Words (which can all be found on the Friday Parent Letters), and Math (see below).  Both first and second graders may have additional homework depending on what is not completed at school. 

 

6.           NEW THIS SCHOOL YEAR!  We are proud to introduce our new Math series entitled Saxon Math.  This is a very intense way of teaching Math that I feel will be great because of its constant review of skills learned.  However, please be looking for Math homework sheets to be coming home in the Communication Folder almost every evening!  Typically one page for first graders and two for second graders, this is a way for your student to show you what they have learned that day.  Although frequent, the pages won’t be very long or time consuming.  Please make sure that your student completes these and returns them to school on the following school day.

 

7.             Much of elementary school in general involves the learning of important social skills such as good classroom behavior and getting along with others.  Our classroom uses several management plans to accomplish this goal:

 

                1.  The Card System – Each child has a pocket of colored index cards at the back of the classroom.  Each day every student starts with a GREEN card.  When a student needs to be reminded of their behavior he or she then turns their card to WHITE.  When a student needs to be reminded again, he or she must turn their card to YELLOW and they will sit for five minutes of their recess time.  If the student needs to be  reminded a fourth time, he or she turns their card to ORANGE and they will sit the entire recess time.  A fifth turn will result in a HOT PINK card which brings a silent lunch, loss of entire recess, and a possible visit to the principal and/or a call to parents. 

 

                2.  Row Prize – This is another whole class plan.  Each row in the classroom has the opportunity to earn points with good behavior throughout the school week (such as quietness, being ready first to start with the next activity, etc).  On Friday afternoon, the row with the most points gets a small prize.
 

When dreaming of the future for my students, I hope that they will grow into adults who possess the following ten character traits:  self discipline, self respect, respect for others, integrity, perseverance, patience, generosity, commitment, determination, and diligence.  I hope that you will work together with me to help instill these qualities in the hearts and minds of our students.  This will provide them with the tools they can use to serve as Christian witnesses and productive members of their future communities.

 

 Please let me know if you have any questions.  I look forward to working with you this year!

 

Sincerely,

 

Mrs. Bradshaw

kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

Blog Update May 21

I pray that you are all safe and have minimal damage at your place!  We were very blessed over here in Payson and only have small branches to pick up.

As far as I know, Wednesday's schedule will proceed as normal with Field Day.  Please refer to the notes on the May 17th blog entry.  We will say Memory on Wednesday morning, but will not be able to finish the last reading stories as planned.  Feel free to read them at home today, since you have the reading books, and if you have time with storm pickup responsibilities too!

Stay safe and tell the kids I hope to see them on Wednesday!

Love and Blessings,
Mrs. Bradshaw

May 17th News and Notes

Activities For Next Week
There are several special activities going on next week for the last week of school!
*Field Day - Wednesday, May 22nd
Please send your child to school in their orange Team Jesus t-shirt.  They may also bring a water bottle marked with their name.  We will be outside most of the day and I do have sunscreen that they can use, but a hat might also be a good idea to bring.
*Clean Out of Desks - Thursday, May 23rd
We will be bringing home our school supplies on this day.  Please send the regular bookbag along with a couple of extra plastic bags for loading up supplies. 
*Yearbook Signing - Thursday, May 23rd
Children are allowed to bring a favorite pen of their choice to sign yearbooks.
*Early Dismissal - Friday, May 24th
School will be dismissed at 11:00 am.  Kids do not have to bring bookbags.  Pizza boxes will come home with report cards enclosed (as long as all fees have been paid in full).

Religion
Memory Work for the Week of May 20th:

Tuesday (First and Second)
Jesus wept.  John 11:35

There will be no Memory for Thursday or Friday.

Reading
We only have two more stories in our Reading books!  Since we are so close, we will take a story on each day - Monday and Tuesday - to wrap up the books.  Please look for books to come home on Monday and Tuesday night...  however, there will be no formal testing on the stories or vocabulary.

First Grade Reading Stories:
Monday - Dot and Jabber
Tuesday - Super Oscar
Sight Words/Vocabulary:  gone  been  searching  clues  invisible  before  straight  minutes  certain  around  begin  daydream  brought  cancel

Second Grade Reading Stories:
Monday - Super Storms
Tuesday - Pushing Up The Sky
Vocabulary:  beware  destroy  grasslands  prevent  uprooted  violent  jabbing  agreed  randomly  signal  gathered

Spelling
There will not be a formal spelling test this week, but we may play a spelling game or two with all of the words from the school year!  New words for this week's Reading stories would be:

First Grade:  dentist  happen  protect  begin  rabbit  baby  reuse  unpack  apple  table  purple  circle  turtle  title 

Second Grade:  wood  wooden  reach  reaches   way  highway  be  between  root  uprooted  jump  jumper  high  higher  star  starry  other  mother  ever  paper

Thanks for all that you do!  Have a nice weekend and week ahead!
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

May 10th News and Notes

Field Trip Wrap-Up
We had a great time in St. Louis on Tuesday!  A big thanks to the parents that were able to go along and chaperone, and to all parents for getting the kids to school in time to leave at 7:30 and for making sure they had their lunches and spending money!  We had beautiful weather, safe travels, and t-shirts (finally!)  and were very blessed indeed!

Team Jesus T-shirts
We will need to wear our orange "Team Jesus" t-shirts for a couple of upcoming events.  First, please send your child in the t-shirt for chapel next Wednesday, May 15th since we are the leaders that day.  Also, please have children wear them for Wednesday, May 22nd which is our Field Day.  (If you are concerned about staining, you might send another shirt along on the 15th to change into.)  I think the shirts turned out great and the butterflies really enjoyed the orange color at The Butterfly House on Tuesday!  Thanks to the St. John's PTL for providing funds to buy these shirts for all of our students.

Bike-A-Thon - Take Two - Tuesday, May 14th
A few things to remember for this event:
*Please drop your child's bike or scooter off at they gym on Tuesday morning.  Please mark the bike somehow with your child's name.
*Please send along helmets and any pads you would like them to wear and mark clearly with student name.
*Kids are encouraged to bring a water bottle.  Please mark this also clearly with the student name.  They can set them in my classroom refrigerator until the time of the event.
 Luther Manor Trip - Friday, May 17th
Friday morning, we will be travelling to Luther Manor along with 3rd and 4th grade to provide some entertainment for them during their Nursing Home Week celebration.  Please make sure your child wears something appropriate for a performance (not fancy, just clean and presentable).  We are in need of some drivers that morning.  If you would be available, please let me know as soon as possible.

Religion
Memory Work for the Week of May 20th:

Tuesday (First and Second)
The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food at the proper time.  Psalm 145:15

Thursday (First and Second)
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  Matthew 22:37

Friday (Second)
Do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.  Hebrews 13:16

Reading
First Grade Reading Story:  Cool Jobs
Sight Words/Vocabulary:  only  laugh  goes  build  ordinary  interesting

Second Grade Reading Story:  A Way to Help Planet Earth
Vocabulary:  hardest  conservation  extinct  trouble  remains

Spelling
I'm goin' to ... Spelling City ... Spelling City here I come ....

First Grade Words:  retry  reuse  remake  unpack  unsafe  unlike  saw  cause 
Bonus Word:  interesting

Second Grade Words:  place  replace  nine  ninety  side  sidewalk  face  inside  these  tadpole
Bonus Word:  conservation

Next Week's Book Nook Topic:
Magic Tree House Books ... continued

Thanks for all that you do!  Have a nice weekend and week ahead!
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

More Notes for the Week of May 6th

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone!

A few more notes I just thought of for next week:

*  Reading homework will be in bookbags on Monday and Wednesday nights due to activities on Tuesday and Thursday.
*  Please be sure to send along a water bottle in addition to your child's cold lunch and drink on Tuesday's field trip.  Looks like God will bless us with a nice warm day and kids will get thirsty after playing in the park!
*  Children whose parents are not travelling with us may wish to bring along a small amount of spending money, as The Butterfly House has a gift shop.  Otherwise, all other admission fees for the day have been covered through the school and our Field Trip Fund.

Thanks!  Let me know if you have questions
Love and Blessings,
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

May 3rd News and Notes

Field Trip News
The kids are so ready for their Field Trip to The Fox Theatre and The Butterfly House on Tuesday!  A few things to remember for that day:
*  We will be meeting that morning by the Jesus picture at the gym and our goal is to leave the building at 7:30am.  Please be sure to have your child there on time so that we can keep on schedule.
*  Please send your child with a cold lunch that we will eat at Faust Park before visiting The Butterfly House.  Chaperones will be bringing coolers so that lunches can be stored in a cold place until lunch time.
*  First grade students need to bring along their car seat.
*  Please remind your student to use respectfulness and good manners while out in the public representing St. John's Lutheran School.
*  Many children will be riding with their own parents.  Chaperones of children who are not will be in contact with the parents of those students riding with them regarding return time to St. John's. 

Please call or email with any questions.  Thanks!


Bike-A-Thon - Thursday, May 9th
A few things to remember for this event:
*Please drop your child's bike or scooter off at they gym on Thursday morning.  Please mark the bike somehow with your child's name.
*Please send along helmets and any pads you would like them to wear and mark clearly with student name.
*Kids are encouraged to bring a water bottle.  Please mark this also clearly with the student name.

Scholastic Book Order for May
In the Friday folder, you will find a book order for the month of May.  This will be the last book order for this school year.  If  you would like to order, please send completed form along with a check made out to Scholastic Book Clubs to school by Wednesday, May 8th.  Thanks for your support with Scholastic this school year! 


Religion
Please note the change in days due to our Field Trip on Tuesday:

Wednesday (First and Second)
Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord.  Psalm 95:1

Friday (First and Second)
God is our refuge and strength.  Psalm 46:1

Reading
First Grade Reading Story:  Whistle for Willie
Sight Words/Vocabulary:  early  nothing  along  thought  suddenly  instead  errand

Second Grade Reading Story:  Splish!  Splash!  Animal Baths
Vocabulary:  itches   puddles   handy   preen   beasts   nibble

Spelling
Spelling City is available 24/7 for your studying enjoyment!

First Grade Words:  haul   cause   saw   claw   paw   dawn   book  took        Bonus Word:  nothing

Second Grade Words:  way  away  ball  balloon  play  display  joy  enjoy  explain  meadow        Bonus Word:  itches


McDonalds Superstars of the Week:
First Grade:  Landon Rickey
Second Grade:  Jade Miller

Thanks for all that you do!  Have a nice weekend and week ahead!

Love and Blessings,
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

April 26th News and Notes

Achievement Testing Begins Monday!
We will begin our testing on Monday morning.  I will have First Grade in our classroom, while Mrs. Paschal will be testing with the Second Grade in the Library.  We will aim to finish testing each day by around 10:30 so that we can catch a brief recess before lunch time.  Thanks to your contributions, we will be able to have a snack and drink each morning.  Good pencils and erasers will be provided.  Please make sure that students get plenty of rest and a good breakfast each morning.  Please encourage them to try their best and to arrive each day with a positive attitude!

Unit Five Sight Word/Vocabulary Review- First Grade
Please check the Friday folders for the results of this word review.  Words with dashes were not recognized when they were tested on earlier this week.

Olivia Day on Friday, May 3rd
We will be celebrating the end of testing with Olivia the Pig on Friday.  Olivia's favorite color is red, so in her honor, please send your child to school in something red on that day.  I will try to remind the kids also as the day gets closer...

Religion
There will be no Memory Work this week due to Achievement Testing.

Reading
First Grade Reading Story:  Olivia
Sight Words/Vocabulary:  mother father four love always supposed firm

Second Grade Reading Story:  Dig, Wait, Listen
Vocabulary:  lengthy beyond burrow warning distant

Spelling
We will not be having a Spelling Test this week due to Achievement Testing.  However, we will be working with Spelling words and may have a Spelling Bee on Friday ....

First Grade Words:  book look cook took hood wood toy coin

Second Grade Words:  rat rattle rid riddle sad saddle jig jiggle apple puddle

McDonalds Superstars of the Week:
First Grade:  Beau Johnson
Second Grade:  Leo Zhang

Next Week's Book Nook Topic:
Olivia

Thanks for all that you do!  Have a nice weekend and week ahead!

Love and Blessings,
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

April 19th News and Notes

Snack Fund for Achievement Test Week
Achievement Tests begin Monday, April 29th.  If you have not yet turned in your $3 contribution to the snack fund, you can do so on Monday of next week.  The more money in the fund, the better likelihood that I will be able to afford a small snack and drink for every student for four mornings of testing.  Thank you for your help with this project!

Science and Fine Arts Fair - Monday, April 22nd
Please make plans to attend the Science and Fine Arts Fair Monday evening after school.  First and Second Grades will have a table on the Science side displaying our Science News, Science Journals, and a current experiment we are working on involving compost.  Each student will also have two pieces of Art that will be displayed on the Fine Arts side of the fair.  See you then!

Religion
Memory Work for the Week of April 22nd:

Tuesday (First and Second)
Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  Acts 2:38

Thursday (First and Second)
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  2 Corinthians 5:17

Friday (Second)
The Seventh Commandment:  You shall not steal.

Reading
Next week will be unit test week over Unit 5 in our Reading books.  This means we will not have regular Tuesday-Thursday Reading homework since we work hard on Unit tests each day in class and we will  not begin a new story.  Please take this opportunity to review all of the Unit Five vocabulary and sight words which can be found on the March 8th - April 12th News and Notes posts.

Spelling
Please look for the updated lists on Spelling City labeled "Unit Five Review".  Words for both classes this week are review words selected from lists throughout Unit Five.

First Grade Words:  her   bird   cart  barn  born  horn  cow  town 
Bonus Word:  great

Second Grade Words:  nap  napkin  pen  pencil  human  giant  lit  little  no  noble
Bonus Word:  neighbor

McDonalds Superstars of the Week:
First Grade:  Hannah Epperson
Second Grade:  Kaleb Rickey

Thanks for all that you do!  Have a nice weekend and week ahead!

Love and Blessings,
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org

April 12th News and Notes

Achievement Test Week Begins April 29th
As Mr. Koenig mentioned in Eagle Chirps this week, we will be taking the Iowa Basic Tests the week of April 29th.  We hope that the kids will give us their best effort during this week so we can determine where we stand as compared to students from other parts of the country.  To do so, kids will need to get plenty of rest each night and will  need to eat a good breakfast each morning to keep them alert and ready to think each testing day.  I will be providing the kids with sharp #2 testing pencils, but I am asking your help to be able to provide them with a small snack and drink each day about half way through the testing time.  If you can help out with this project, please enclose $3 in an envelope marked "Snacks for Testing Week" and return to school by Friday, April 19th.  This will give me plenty of time to purchase snacks and drinks for each testing day.  Thanks for your support with this project!

Field Trip - Tuesday, May 7th
The following parents have expressed interest in helping with the Field Trip to The Fox Theatre and The Butterfly House in St. Louis on May 7th.  If you do not see your name on this list, please let me know this coming week if you plan to come with us as I make final preparations with both venues for our visit:  Doug Bradshaw, Kim and Chris Dolbeare, Eddie Lennox, Kerri Lauterbach

Religion
Memory Work for the Week of April 15th:

Tuesday (First and Second)
Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.  Matthew 28:20

Thursday (First and Second)
Jesus said, "I am with you always, to the very end of the age."  Matthew 28:20

Friday (Second)
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."  Ephesians 4:32

Reading
First Grade Reading Story:  A Tiger Cub Grows Up
High Frequency Words/Vocabulary:  wild   learn   enough   air   cub   eyes   open

Second Grade Reading Story:  Nutik, the Wolf Pup
Vocabulary:  glanced   beloved   promised   noble   gleamed   wiggled

Spelling

First Grade Words:  spoil   coin   join   joy   toy   boy   town   mouse
Bonus Word:  enough

Second Grade Words:  no   noble   male   female   baby   basic   bacon   relate   return   lion
Bonus Word:  beloved

McDonalds Superstars of the Week:
First Grade:  Aaron Logsdon
Second Grade:  Megan Kendall

Thanks for all that you do!  Have a nice weekend and week ahead!

Love and Blessings,
Mrs. Bradshaw
kbradshaw@stjohnshannibal.org