MAY

Dear Parents,

          We have a busy month ahead of us.  We will be taking a closer look at trees to conclude our tree study. We will write and draw about what our class tree looks like in the spring.  We will also be studying amphibians and reptiles as we work on our classification of animals. Children will be learning about ponds.  We will study what lives in in the pond as well as around it.  Later in the month, in centers, children will work in groups to study a certain reptile.  Each group will make an actual life size replica of that reptile and then present their project to the class.  

    The Seacoast Garden Club will also be coming into our classroom to talk to us about planting.  Both first grade classes will be involved in getting our garden by the portico ready for the season.  We will decide on what plants will be planted there in relation to the soil and the amount of sun that the area gets.  Each student will get to plant 2 plants.  We will start some of these seeds in our classroom.  The garden club will also talk to the students about the opportunity to sign up to help maintain both gardens during the summer.  More information will be coming . We are fortunate that our school is now part of the garden club's busy schedule. We will need a first grade parent to help us coordinate this project for the summer.  If you are willing to coordinate with our gracious Seacoast Garden Club, please let me know.

          Math this month includes mental math, money and fractions in Unit 8  in our Everyday Math program.  We will continue to work on telling time, measurement, counting money and addition and subtraction of 2-digit numbers.  Please continue working on telling your child what time certain activities happen, so that they may get a sense of time.  Unit 9 will focus on place value and fractions.

The children are really taking off as far as their writing goes.  Along with two Writing Workshops a week, they have daily writing.  We are now focusing on conventional spelling, punctuation and the correct uses of upper and lower case letters.

       We know that baseball, soccer and other spring sports have started up, but please continue reading and writing at least one sentence with your child each evening.  When the reading routine changes at home, it really shows up in the children’s attitude and performance at school.  Many thanks for your continued support as we work towards the end of First Grade

•    Circus Smirkus Enrichment week is the first week of May.  First graders will have 2 sessions with our artist in residence. 

•   The Spring Concert will be Tuesday, May 15th at 6:30.  Please have your child meet me in the classroom by 6:15.

         Now that the weather is warmer, it is imperative for safety reasons that your child be dressed appropriately.  Some sandals, clogs, jellies, etc., are very dangerous on the playground and equipment.  Clothing and shoes should be school appropriate.

          This month we will also be doing a science activity called  Dirt Babies. We’re looking forward to sharing our “babies” with you.  Please see the attached sheet for more information. 

    I am going to be ending my school year with your children on June 5th due to necessary surgery and  recovery time.  Please know that Amanda Murray and Carol Lee Elkington, will work together to assure the first grade curriculum is completed, along with our regular volunteers. There will be very little change in the routine which should help your children adjust easily.    If you have any questions about this, please stop by to chat with me. 

          It is with your support that we can guide your child’s growth.  Thank you and feel free to call with any questions or comments.

                                                                   Sincerely,

                                                                   The First Grade Team