Weekly Overview - Aug.15-19

HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING IN ROOM 14…AUGUST 15-19

Dear Parents:

            Welcome to the first grade at Millikin! Your child is going to learn many things and hopefully have some fun along the way. I would like to remind you about Back-to-School Night for parents only TOMORROW evening- 6:00-6:30 in the cafeteria and 6:30-7:30ish PM in Room 14. Please make every effort to have at least one parent attend this event. You will receive critical information about the first grade program. This will also be a very good opportunity for you to voice any questions you may have about the coming school year. The evening will last from 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours. I will try to keep it as short as possible.

            The following is a brief overview of the main subjects we will be covering in the first week of school. I will have a detailed overview for your child to take home each week (usually on Monday) beginning Monday, August 22. Please make sure that you read these weekly notes completely and carefully. It is the main way that I use to keep you informed as to what is happening at school. This overview will also be available on the Millikin website.

Reading: We will be reviewing all the consonant letters and sounds. The first month of school we will be reviewing some kindergarten concepts (short vowel sounds) and learning some new concepts (long vowel sounds). This is one important part of the three reading components: meaning, structure and visual.

Writing: We will be writing about a favorite summer activity. At the end of the week, the students will write in their journals about a school activity that they enjoyed.

Handwriting/Printing: We will be concentrating on correct circle and line formation as it relates to individual letters (a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,o,q,u,s)—both upper and lowercase. We will be focusing on correct pencil position.

Math: This week focuses on a review of the meanings of the numbers 0-12 and how to form them.

Social Studies: We will talk about voting and making choices.

Science: We will be studying plants as our first science topic.

Computer Lab: Our regular lab day is Thursday at 11:15

Library: Our turn-in and checkout day is Wednesday. Please help your child to remember to bring back his/her book on that day. We will check out 2 books-only one book may be taken home at a time.

P.E.: We usually have PE on Tues. and Thurs. Please send your child in good running shoes on those days.

Music: All first graders gather in Room 15 on Fridays to learn songs.

Homework: There will be homework every Monday through Thursday evenings. Please make sure that your child has a simple homework folder with pockets at the bottom of the folder to bring to school each day. Your job is to check this homework folder each day (even Fridays!) and to make sure that your child completes and returns all assignments the following day (unless otherwise indicated). Developing a homework routine is important. If possible, please have your child complete the homework in a clean and quiet place that is free from distraction. I suggest that you create a homework box (a shoebox works well) that will hold pencils, erasers, crayons/colored pencils, scissors, a ruler (cm and inch) and a glue stick, so that your child has all the materials s/he needs to complete homework. It is the parent’s responsibility at this grade level to check the homework each day and to make sure that it is complete and correct. There are MANY times, often within a week, that part of the homework will involve a parent signature. Please write a note if your child had great difficulty completing the homework, or if there is any confusion as to how to complete the assignment.

School Supplies: Supplies have been purchased for your child. If you have not made your $50 donation and are able to do so, please turn the donation in as soon as you can. We greatly appreciate any support you can give in these times of critical budget deficits.

Please note the following time schedule:

            Monday-Friday- Playground is open for student drop-off from 8:20-8:30

            School day: Mon., Tues, Thurs., Fri. – 8:30 (sharp!)-2:26

                               Wed. – 8:30-1:37

Please carefully read through all the materials and sign and return the appropriate documents in the colored “Very Important Stuff” folder by Friday. Thank you!

I am looking forward to working with you to make this year a wonderful year of growth and success for your child J. If you need to contact me, please send me a note, call my extension (423-1864), or send an e-mail (kpierce@scu.k12.ca.us).

I hope to meet you at Back to School Night tomorrow night (6:00 in the cafeteria, 6:30 in Room 14).

Have a great week!

Sincerely,  

Mrs. Pierce