December 22, 2014 Newsletter

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Pajama Day Tuesday!

     Just a reminder that Tuesday December 23 is Pajama Day!  We will be listening to a reading of the "Polar Express" while enjoying cookies and hot chocolate!

     Also, Tuesday is an Early Dismissal Day.  School ends at 1:12pm!

December 15, 2014 Newsletter

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December 8, 2014 Newsletter

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December 1, 2014 Newsletter

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November 17, 2014 Newsletter

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Reminder: Veteran's Stars due Friday!

    Ms. Johnson will be collecting stars for the PV Wall of Honor until tomorrow (Friday).  If you have someone in your family or a friend of the family you would like to honor, please fill out a star and send it in!  On Monday, we will have current and veteran military personnel reading to us!

Mystic Aquarium

      If you are looking for discounts to Mystic Aquarium, check out their Discounts page.  There's special discounts for military families this weekend.  There's also special discounts through certain local libraries, AAA, Foxwoods Rewards card, and Big Y card holders!  Check out their discounts site by clicking here!

Guided Reading Folders

      Guided Reading folders will begin coming home at least once, most often twice a week.  Please have your child read the stories to you.  Encourage them to put under the words and use strategies like looking at the picture or getting their mouth ready for the first sound in the word.  After reading, please write the titles read in the Guided Reading log and initial.  You may also write a comment on things like a strategy they used, if they had trouble with a word, if there was something they really liked, etc.  Please return the guided reading folder the next day.  There will also be sight word or letter cards in your child's Guided Reading folder.  Take a moment to review those as well.    

November 3, 2014 Newsletter

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Please note that this link is the correct link.  During the week of November 3, I accidentally put a link to a draft newsletter coming up...

Jack-O' Happy and Jack O' Mad with Candels

Reminder: Costume Parade tomorrow (Friday)!

      Just a reminder that tomorrow we will be having a Costume Parade in the afternoon!  Please send a costume in a bag.  We don't want to risk fancy costumes getting ruined when kids play on the playground or get something on them during Lunch or Art class tomorrow.  We will have students change into their costumes before the parade and out afterwards.  It helps to put initials inside (or at least first letter of your child's name) in case we have multiple costumes :).  There will be a PBIS Assembly afterwards where we will learn who the next student of the month is!  We will see who won the raffle for the book bag full of school supplies.  The first graders will also present the next basket students may put their Catch a Waves in for in November.  (Just a reminder, if your child comes home with Catch a Waves in their pockets, just send them back in and we will put it in their Catch a Wave envelopes :)).

Jack-O-Lanterns

Jack O' Happy and Jack O' Mad

October 27, 2014 Newsletter

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Homework and Newsletter a day late...

Please note that weekly homework and the newsletter will be going home tomorrow (Tuesday)!

October 20, 2014 Newsletter

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Early Dismissal 10/20-10/24

       Just a reminder that we will have early dismissal from Wednesday Oct. 22 through Friday Oct. 24 so that we can meet for Parent Teacher Conferences.  Dismissal will be at 1:12 pm.  We will be having Snack Time and Lunch Time at about the same time.  School lunch will be available!

Trick or Trunk Friday Oct. 24th at Eastern Point Beach!

TRICK OR TRUNK at Eastern Point Beach

Friday, October 24, 2014 

Bring your car, your kids and treats to Eastern Point Beach for a fun-filled night! Park your car, open and decorate your trunk, and sit in your lawn chairs while you hand out candy to trick or treaters.

PRIZES FOR THE BEST DECORATED TRUNK!

6-6:30 pm         Check in and decorating

6:45-7:15 pm    Trick or Trunking and Judging

7:30 pm            Winners announced

NO FEE - NO NEED TO REGISTER

** In order to provide a safe event the gate will be locked at 6:45 pm.
All children must be accompanied by an adult.
Light refreshments will be available.

Eastern Point Beach is located at 3 Beach Pond Rd, Groton CT

Sight Word / Letter Activity for Home

     I just came across this blog post about a family and how they had their son practice sight words at home.

Sight Words:
1. Take some coffee filters.  Write the site words on each filter.
2. Tape them with yarn to a door frame (or anything you can hand them from).
3. Say a sight word, have your child jump up and grab that sight word.
Each time they jump up, have them say the word.

Letter ID / Sounds
1. Prepare the filters in the same way as the sight words activity above.
2. Letter ID - Say a letter, have them jump up and grab the letter!
3. Sound Practice - Say a sound, have your child jump up and grab the letter that matches the sound.
4. Say the keyword - have your child jump up and grab the letter.
Each time they jump up, have them say the letter or the sound or the keyword picture.

Parent Teacher Conferences this week!

       You should have received in your child's folder your scheduled time for our conference.  Students are welcome to come if other arrangements can not be made.  Each conference will be about 15 minutes.  If you are unable to keep your time, please email or send a note in your child's folder so that we may reschedule.  You are welcome to visit the PTO Book Fair in the Library before or after our conference time.  I am looking forward to seeing you!

Spirit Week this week (Oct. 20-24th)!

This week is Spirit Week at PV!  Here's the schedule of events...

Monday - Pajama Day - Student may wear pajamas to school!
Tuesday - Hat Day - Students may wear a hat in school all day!
Wednesday - Dress Your Best Day - Students may dress in their fanciest clothes.
Thursday - Red and White Day - Wear our school colors red and white!
Friday - Sports Team Day - Wear your favorite sports team!

Also on Thursday night...
Skate Night at Galaxy Roller Skate Rink - PTO will pay for admissions for everyone and PV students will be able to rent for free a pair of roller skates. (5-7pm)

October 14, 2014 Newsletter

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Reminder: Picture Day tomorrow 10/16!

Just a reminder that we have Picture Day tomorrow (TH 10/16)!  Everyone will be having their picture taken for their school file and a class picture will be taken as well!

Writing Numerals 1-10

Please click here for a paper to practice writing numerals 1-10.

Letter Formation Directions Upper and Lower Case

    Please click below for how we teach students how to write upper and lower case letters.  When your child is practicing writing their name, encourage them to make their letters as taught in school (starting at the plane line or sky line and going down).

Lower Case Letter Formation Directions

Upper Case Letter Formation Directions

Why do Leaves Fall?

      In Science today, we watched a movie and discussed why leaves fall.  We learn that the trees stop picking up water, the leaves then can't make sugar for food, so the leaves change colors and they fall off.  Before learning this, I asked the students why they think that leaves fall off trees...

- they like to fall.
- they fall because of the wind.
- they fall because its winter.
- because they are old.
- because its fall and they need to.
- because people swing on trees.
- because they are leaves
- because they turn brown
- because they want to
- they wave, then they come down to the grown in the grass.
- they have to because we jump in them.

- because its fall
- because they are old

Reminder: Tick Check today (TH)!

     Just a reminder for you to check your child for ticks as we were walking through tall grass when picking pumpkins and apples.  We did check over the outside of our clothes, but of course ticks like warm moist spots.  So, do a complete tick check when your child takes a bath tonight!

Reminder: Field Trip Tomorrow (TH)!

           Just a reminder that we will be going to Whittle's Farm tomorrow!  We will be back before lunch.  Please make sure your child is wearing proper footwear as we will be walking through pumpkin fields and the apple orchard.  It may be muddy.  If you would like your child to have sun screen or bug spray, it must be put on before they come to school.  Students may bring a hat if they choose.  They may also bring a water bottle, but they will have to carry it :).  Also, please do a tick check as soon as your child gets home.  We may have to walk through tall grass to get to the pumpkins!

Impact Aid Forms due tomorrow (Thursday!)

      Please check your child's folder for a form that asks about where you work.  I believe only families involved in government work get these (working for EB, the Navy Base, Navy Daycare etc.).  If you received a form, please fill out the information as requested and return it as soon as possible.  Thank you!

Reminder: Library tomorrow (Thursday)!

     Please remember to return library books tomorrow (Thursday) if you have not done so already.  Classroom books borrowed from our classroom library must be returned on Friday for kids to switch out books!  Thank you!

Labeling

Today, we did a labeling lesson.  After talking about what labels are for, we labeled me :).  Then, as a class we labeled the parts of a teddy bear.  Tomorrow, we'll be labeling our own pictures!

September 29, 2014 Newsletter

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September 22, 2014 Newsletter

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Permission slips will be going home this week for our field trip to Whittle's Farm.  Please sign and return it as soon as possible.

All parents and guardians who will attend field trips, help out at special events, or volunteer must fill out the PV Volunteer form.  Once its filled out, you don't have to fill it out again!  It is attached to the field trip permission form.

Library on Thursday!

    Today we were excited to go to Library and get to take a library book home!  You may keep these books at home until next Thursday.  If you would like to return it sooner, we will return it to the Library sooner.  Usually we ask kids if they are done with their books (if we find it in their backpacks).  If they say yes, then we collect them and return them to the Library.

September 15, 2014 Newsletter

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Reminder: Open House tomorrow Tuesday Sept. 16 at 6 pm!  We will meet in the Gym to start!

Reminder: Students will be bringing home at least $0.05 for selling their hats to the first graders today :).

Selling Caps :)

     Today we read "Caps for Sale."  In this story, a peddler tries to sell caps, but he is unable to do so.  So, he takes a nap.  When he wakes up, his caps have been stolen by monkeys living in the tree above where he's napping.  He then yells at them to get the hats back, but they just copy his movements.  So, when he throws his hat down in frustration, so do the monkeys.  He gets his caps back and goes about trying to sell more caps.

    In class we made caps to sell to first graders.  Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to go sell them to first graders so we will go on Monday.  So on Monday, your child will be bringing home some pennies they earned for selling their caps.  If you would like to help out and send in extra pennies, then the first graders can buy more than one cap and the K kids can earn more than $0.05.  Any caps that aren't sold, the kids will get to keep.

Menu Change for Tuesday and Wednesday (9/9 and 9/10)!

Tuesday 9/9's Lunch will be Chicken & Cheese Quesadilla, rice, fruit, and veggies.

Wednesday 9/10's Lunch will be turkey, mashed potatoes, bread, fruit, and veggies.

Homework - Using Scissors this Week! (and other Homework procedures)

      We've noticed a lot of friends need help using scissors.  In school, we've talked about using scissors to cut paper only.  We also talked about and modeled how to put scissors away safely (by holding your hand over the closed scissors until you put it away).  Please return the scissors once your child has cut apart the homework paper.  I sent the paper home Monday attached to the newsletter.  Obviously the cut paper can stay home :), but please return the scissors to school once you are done with the homework.  The letter T paper is due Monday.  Have your child practice tracing the letter several times following the directions on the back of the newsletter.  Then, they can color the keyword picture.  Also students are bringing home Book Choice folders today.  You may keep them until Friday, or your child can switch them out any day during the week.

September 8, 2014 Newsletter

Please click here for this week's newsletter!  I sent the packet home today with homework.  Please return the homework on Friday!  Also students are bringing home Book Choice folders today.  You may keep them until Friday, or your child can switch them out any day during the week.

Lost and Found Books

I found these books in our Library today and I think they may be books brought from home.  One of them has 'Justin' written in it, but we don't have a Justin in our class.  If one of these books is yours, please let me know and I'll return them.  If not, I will label them and add the m to our Library :).

September 2, 2014 Newsletter

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Contact Information

     A copy of this form will be included in our classroom's welcome letter, but in an effort to cut down on paper here is a digital version :).  This information will only be viewed by myself.  It gives me an opportunity to learn about your child and makes it possible for me to have the most recent contact information.  You may update this at anytime through out the year by resubmitting the form with the updated information.

Click here to submit your contact information and any other information you would like to share...

School Supplies

It won't be long now before school starts!   As you begin your back to school shopping, think of getting these supplies below.  

Things for Home:

Crayons or markers or colored pencils

Pencils

Mini Pencil Sharpener

Things for School:

Standard size backpack

Lunchbox or Brown Bag (for snack and/or lunch)

Optional for Mr. Mott's Class:

1 inch binder for a Poetry Binder
Crayon / Pencil Bag

We always create a poetry binder in school, but some students may like to have their own binder.  At the end of the year they keep the papers.  Having brought in their own binders would help them locate theirs quicker and easier when stored in baskets.  If you wish to not get a binder, I will provide one.  

All other supplies we will provide in school including crayon bags, pencils, crayons, glue, scissors and a communications folder.

Getting Ready for Kindergarten!

Here are some ideas to help you and your child get ready for Kindergarten...

Language Development 

•    A child learns vocabulary and basic rules of language through talking and being exposed to reading.
•    Have your child practice reading and writing their first name.
•    Read to your child 15-20 minutes a night. 
•    Socialize with your child using different vocabulary.
•    Have your child socialize with peers - give them opportunities to talk, play, and share with peers. 

Getting Ready for Math

•    Have your child practice identifying basic shapes and colors.
•    Have your child practice counting to 10.

Activities to Develop Fine Motor Skills

•    Have your child practice cutting, gluing, and drawing.  
•    Play games where they need to pick up small objects.
•    Food Activity - put snack food in a cup - then they will need to reach in and pinch to get the food out.

Here are some things you will need for Kindergarten:

• Extra Change of Clothes in a bag labeled with your child's name - we will store it in the classroom.
• Standard size backpack - large enough to hold a standard size folder.
• Sneakers every day please!
• Healthy Snack and Drink - Milk available for $0.50 a day.
• Blanket and or stuffed animal for nap time (Full Day Only) - Napping will be optional for the first couple of weeks of school.
• Lunch (Full Day Only) - School lunch available as well.
• For Home - Pencils, Glue stick, a pair of child safe scissors, box of crayons for homework and take home projects.  Your child will have a set of supplies in school.  They do not need to carry supplies to and from school :).