First Grade

What's Happening in Class!

• In writer's workshop, we are learning about the difference between fact and opinion, and how to organize our thoughts and put our opinions in writing in an organized way. We are writing about which pet is better: a cat or dog. Students will write their opinions with reasons and examples to support their beliefs. In ELA, we will work on Unit 32 in Letterland. It is a study of Earnest Er. There is no more homework for Letterland, though if your child needs extra practice, they may do so. In ELA this week we will are continuing a poetry unit. We are enjoying various styles of poetry and are finishing an acrostic poem. We will look for the differences between poetry and prose. We are also gaining independence on answering written comprehension questions. Daily 5 rotations are: Read to Self, Read to Someone, Work on Writing, Word Work, and Listening to Reading. Your child can use Raz Kids at home to practice Listening to Reading and Read to Self! Raz Kids also has helpful comprehension questions to go along with each book. **Please remember: Since it is now 4th quarter, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation count on spelling test sentences. Please remind your child to practice writing Letterland sentences with correct spelling, capitalization, and punctuation for practice.

• In Math we are doing a spiral review. Our focus is solving problems with missing addends. Daily Math 3 will also be continued.

• Science/ Social Studies- We are working on our big integrated animal research project.

Announcements

May 17-31: EOG Testing - Students will eat in classrooms. Please send peanut-free foods. Foods may not be made on shared equipment or in a shared facility. We will not have guaranteed access to microwaves. Please send foods that do not need to be heated.

Dear ESA Parents and Friends,

ESA will be conducting our End-of-Grade (EOGs) testing May 17- May 31. We are currently looking for proctors to help us during our testing process to help supervise during testing time. A 30-minute proctor training is required and will be offered multiple times at ESA. You will find the links below to sign up for proctor training as well as testing dates and times to serve as a proctor. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Hewlett (shewlett@envisionscienceacademy.com). We appreciate your help!

Link for proctor training

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0f4aaead2ba2f58-esaproctor

Link for proctor test dates:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0f4aaead2ba2f58-eogdate

Recess Relief: If you can volunteer during recess and give teachers a break, please sign up asap! http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0944abad2aa1fb6-recess

Lunch time: 11:41-12:06. Our new snack time will be from 2:10-2:20.

VERY IMPORTANT: all snack items in all 1st grade classrooms must be peanut-free. This includes items with labeling stating “May contain peanuts,” or “Processed in a peanut facility,” or Processed in a facility on shared equipment,” etc. Please be vigilant and partner with us by reading labels on any processed foods before sending for the protection of all our students. This rule is in place due to the serious nature of allergies in 1st grade this year. Unfortunately, any snacks not fitting these guidelines or that are in baggies without labels that we are unable to confirm at a glance will not be allowed to be consumed during snack. The goal is simply to keep our students safe. A good rule of thumb is to send an unprocessed fruit or vegetable. By signing the Peanut Aware letter, parents have agreed to follow these important expectations.

Birthdays: It’s a delight to celebrate birthdays in the classroom. If you would like to provide a treat, due to allergies in all first grade classrooms, treats need to be a non-food item, such as erasers, stickers, etc. You are also welcome read a book to the class. If you would like to send a treat or come in as a reader, contact us to plan ahead. We will typically celebrate birthdays during afternoon snack.

Dress Code and Coats

Please be reminded that coats and jackets that students intend to wear during the day inside of the building must conform to the dress code in regards to color, logos, etc. One recent clarification that has been made to the policy is that ESA spirit wear jackets may have a small logo as long as it has an ESA logo as well and matches the color requirements. Jackets and coats that a student wears only while outside (arriving and departing school, recess, outside projects, etc.) do not have to meet dress code with the exception that any writing or emblems on the item must be school appropriate.

Wish List

Thank you to everyone who has donated items from our wish lists! We SO appreciate you!!!

• Mrs. Graham
  • Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Cards https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Gift-Card
  • Small Prize box items for Dojo Rewards
• Mrs. Jenny
  • leveled readers
  • alternate seating
• Mrs. Bailey
  • Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Cards
  • bookmarks for the treasure box
• Mrs. Verunac
  • Teacher Pay Teacher gift cards.
  • primary journals
  • Crayon's- We are running out!
  • Elmer's Glue

Important Links

http://www.envisionscienceacademy.com

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0944abad2aa1fb6-recess

http://www.esaeagles.com/volunteer/

Important Date

• May 28- No school, Memorial Day
• May 29- Science Made Fun
• May 30- Animal Habitats Showcase, 2:00-2:30 p.m. - Parents are invited!!
• May 31- Early Release, Last Day of School, Spirit Day

School Policy on Dress Down Days: Jeans (jean skirts and jean shorts, too) will be allowed on ESA spirit days. There are absolutely no ripped jeans allowed. All other dress code requirements should be followed (proper length, chest coverage, tightness of clothing, etc.).