Friday, September 27, 2013

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

Friday, September 20, 2013

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

Thursday, September 12, 2013

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



Thursday, September 5, 2013

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