Gondek's Groovy Group

January 23, 2012

Dear Parents,

We have had great fun doing 'How To' activities.  Last week we made Hot Chocolate and the wrote the steps we followed in order to make it!  This week on Thursday we will be doing another fun activity...but it's a surprise!  On Friday we are celebrating 100 days in First Grade....don't forget to send in 100 items of a small snack of your choice to add to out trail mix!

Please click on the page links on the right to see the Standards you can review with your child for each curriculum area covered in the third nine weeks.

This week we will be working on the following:

Math: Fractions (whole, halves and fourths).  Addition to 18.  Counting coin combinations to 75 cents and $1.  Purchasing items up to $1

Ongoing: Revision of these concepts and skills - Fact Families (eg. related facts make a fact family eg. 3+2=5, 2+3=5, 5-3=2, 5-2=3) Review subtraction to 12 - concept and vocabulary (subtract, take away, minus, how many left?). Review Place Value - identifying tens and ones in a given number (For example: 26 is 2 tens and 6 ones),continuing simple addition to 12 (no regrouping). Using the ‘Counting on’ strategy to add two numbers (put one number in your head and count on to find the sum), adding zero to a number and adding doubles (4+4+8, 3+3+6 etc...) Math problem solving, graphs, days of the week and months of the year. Counting coin combinations up to 30 cents (pennies, nickels and dimes), skip counting in 5's and 10's. Counting combinations of bills up to $20.  Missing addends ( 3 + _  = 7 or 5 + 3 = 2 + _ )

Literacy - Identify verbs and using them correctly.

Ongoing:  Pronouns (it, him, her, his, hers, you, I, them, they)Responding to stories and poems, initial letter sounds, short and long vowels,  antonyms (opposites such as happy and sad, tall and short). Synonyms (words that means the same thing but are spelled differently such as big and large, sad and unhappy). Root or base words (look is the root/base word of looking, looked and looks.  Play is the root/base word of the word playing, played and plays).  Identify long vowel sounds (rake, bike, woke,tube). Learn the rule - when two vowels go walking the first does the talking - for example meat, rain, road, reed.  Silent 'e' as in cake, note, ride, use.  Writer's Workshop - Write a creative narrative.  Identify the beginning, middle and end of a story.  Nouns (name of a person, place or thing), adjectives (describing words).  Writer's workshop - writing a journal entry (personal narrative), writing a letter. Identifying a complete sentence (capital letter at beginning, punctuation at the end, tells a complete idea or thought and must be written legibly with finger spaces). Having a good beginning when writing (One sunny morning, Last Saturday, Once upon a time, In the winter etc...) Narrative story elements - identify the main character(s) and the setting. Identify the problem in a story and how the problem was solved (the solution) .

Social Studies - Harriet Tubman

Handwriting - Letter Vv

Reminders:

Please check red folders daily.

Homework folders due on Friday.

Media Center on Friday....return library books!

Spelling Quiz on Friday!

Report Cards

Dear Parents,

I must apologize sincerely....report cards were ready in envelopes sitting on the shelf behind my desk...and I forgot to hand them out at the end of the day.  I am so sorry for this and they will most certainly be sent home tomorrow.

Apologies again and thanks for your understanding (It was human error on my part)!

 

Nes Gondek

January 10th, 2012

Dear Parents,

Welcome back!  I hope you all had a wonderful break with family and friends.

Please click on the page links on the right to see the Standards you can review with your child for each curriculum area covered in the third nine weeks.

This week we will be working on the following:

Math: Fractions (whole, halves and fourths).  Addition to 18.  Counting coin combinations to 75 cents and $1.

Ongoing: Revision of these concepts and skills - Fact Families (eg. related facts make a fact family eg. 3+2=5, 2+3=5, 5-3=2, 5-2=3) Review subtraction to 12 - concept and vocabulary (subtract, take away, minus, how many left?). Review Place Value - identifying tens and ones in a given number (For example: 26 is 2 tens and 6 ones),continuing simple addition to 12 (no regrouping). Using the ‘Counting on’ strategy to add two numbers (put one number in your head and count on to find the sum), adding zero to a number and adding doubles (4+4+8, 3+3+6 etc...) Math problem solving, graphs, days of the week and months of the year. Counting coin combinations up to 30 cents (pennies, nickels and dimes), skip counting in 5's and 10's. Counting combinations of bills up to $20.  Missing addends ( 3 + _  = 7 or 5 + 3 = 2 + _ )

Literacy - Pronouns (it, him, her, his, hers, you, I, them, they)

Ongoing:  Responding to stories and poems, initial letter sounds, short and long vowels,  antonyms (opposites such as happy and sad, tall and short). Synonyms (words that means the same thing but are spelled differently such as big and large, sad and unhappy). Root or base words (look is the root/base word of looking, looked and looks.  Play is the root/base word of the word playing, played and plays).  Identify long vowel sounds (rake, bike, woke,tube). Learn the rule - when two vowels go walking the first does the talking - for example meat, rain, road, reed.  Silent 'e' as in cake, note, ride, use.  Writer's Workshop - Write a creative narrative.  Identify the beginning, middle and end of a story.  Nouns (name of a person, place or thing), adjectives (describing words).  Writer's workshop - writing a journal entry (personal narrative), writing a letter. Identifying a complete sentence (capital letter at beginning, punctuation at the end, tells a complete idea or thought and must be written legibly with finger spaces). Having a good beginning when writing (One sunny morning, Last Saturday, Once upon a time, In the winter etc...) Narrative story elements - identify the main character(s) and the setting. Identify the problem in a story and how the problem was solved (the solution) .

Science - Light and shadows

Handwriting - Letter Nn

Reminders:

Please check red folders daily.

Homework folders due on Friday.

Spelling Quiz on Friday!

December 12, 2011

Dear Parents,

During the next two weeks I will be carrying out our usual end of quarter assessments.  Please make sure your child arrives at school on time and is present unless they are ill, so that they do not miss any important county assessments! Please click on the page links on the right to see the Standards you can review with your child for each curriculum area covered in the second nine weeks.

This week we will be working on the following:

Math: Review coin comnbinations to 50cents and addition and subtraction strategies.

Ongoing: Revision of these concepts and skills - Fact Families (eg. related facts make a fact family eg. 3+2=5, 2+3=5, 5-3=2, 5-2=3) Review subtraction to 12 - concept and vocabulary (subtract, take away, minus, how many left?). Review Place Value - identifying tens and ones in a given number (For example: 26 is 2 tens and 6 ones),continuing simple addition to 12 (no regrouping). Using the ‘Counting on’ strategy to add two numbers (put one number in your head and count on to find the sum), adding zero to a number and adding doubles (4+4+8, 3+3+6 etc...) Math problem solving, graphs, days of the week and months of the year. Counting coin combinations up to 30 cents (pennies, nickels and dimes), skip counting in 5's and 10's. Counting combinations of bills up to $20.  Missing addends ( 3 + _  = 7 or 5 + 3 = 2 + _ )

Literacy - Root or base words (look is the root/base word of looking, looked and looks.  Play is the root/base word of the word playing, played and plays).  Identify long vowel sounds (rake, bike, woke,tube). Learn the rule - when two vowels go walking the first does the talking - for example meat, rain, road, reed.  Silent 'e' as in cake, note, ride, use.  Writer's Workshop - Write a creative narrative.  Identify the beginning, middle and end of a story.  Nouns (name of a person, place or thing), adjectives (describing words).

Ongoing:  Responding to stories and poems, initial letter sounds, short and long vowels,  antonyms (opposites such as happy and sad, tall and short). Synonyms (words that means the same thing but are spelled differently such as big and large, sad and unhappy). Writer's workshop - writing a journal entry (personal narrative), writing a letter. Identifying a complete sentence (capital letter at beginning, punctuation at the end, tells a complete idea or thought and must be written legibly with finger spaces). Having a good beginning when writing (One sunny morning, Last Saturday, Once upon a time, In the winter etc...) Narrative story elements - identify the main character(s) and the setting. Identify the problem in a story and how the problem was solved (the solution) .

Science - Sound (What sounds can we identify around us? How are sounds made? Volume, pitch, vibrations)

Handwriting - Letter Bb

Reminders:

Holiday Party on Wednesday, December 21st at 9:45 - 10:45am.  ALL parents are welcome - even if you are not a volunteer for the party, come and enjoy the fun!

Please check red folders daily.

Homework folders due on Friday.

Spelling Quiz on Friday!

Media Center - Please return all library books by Thursday this week:)

December 5, 2011

Dear Parents,

We had a busy first week back after the Thanksgiving break.  I hope you enjoyed the holiday!  During the next few weeks I will be assessing, as we approach the end of the second nine weeks. Please click on the page links on the right to see the Standards you can review with your child for each curriculum area covered in the second nine weeks.

This week we will be working on the following:

Math: Place value (tens and ones for two digit numbers), counting ten more and ten less than a given number, counting coin combinations to 50 cents.

Ongoing: Revision of these concepts and skills - Fact Families (eg. related facts make a fact family eg. 3+2=5, 2+3=5, 5-3=2, 5-2=3) Review subtraction to 12 - concept and vocabulary (subtract, take away, minus, how many left?). Review Place Value - identifying tens and ones in a given number (For example: 26 is 2 tens and 6 ones),continuing simple addition to 12 (no regrouping). Using the ‘Counting on’ strategy to add two numbers (put one number in your head and count on to find the sum), adding zero to a number and adding doubles (4+4+8, 3+3+6 etc...) Math problem solving, graphs, days of the week and months of the year. Counting coin combinations up to 30 cents (pennies, nickels and dimes), skip counting in 5's and 10's. Counting combinations of bills up to $20.  Missing addends ( 3 + _  = 7 or 5 + 3 = 2 + _ )

Literacy - Root or base words (look is the root/base word of looking, looked and looks.  Play is the root/base word of the word playing, played and plays).  Identify long vowel sounds (rake, bike, woke,tube). Learn the rule - when two vowels go walking the first does the talking - for example meat, rain, road, reed.  Silent 'e' as in cake, note, ride, use.  Writer's Workshop - Write a creative narrative.  Identify the beginning, middle and end of a story.  Nouns (name of a person, place or thing), adjectives (describing words).

Ongoing:  Responding to stories and poems, initial letter sounds, short and long vowels,  antonyms (opposites such as happy and sad, tall and short). Synonyms (words that means the same thing but are spelled differently such as big and large, sad and unhappy). Writer's workshop - writing a journal entry (personal narrative), writing a letter. Identifying a complete sentence (capital letter at beginning, punctuation at the end, tells a complete idea or thought and must be written legibly with finger spaces). Having a good beginning when writing (One sunny morning, Last Saturday, Once upon a time, In the winter etc...) Narrative story elements - identify the main character(s) and the setting. Identify the problem in a story and how the problem was solved (the solution) .

Science - Sound (What sounds can we identify around us? How are sounds made? Volume, pitch, vibrations)

Handwriting - Letter Bb

Reminders:

Please check red folders daily.

Homework folders due on Friday.

Spelling Quiz on Friday!

Media Center - We will not be returning books this week due to the Book Fair.

November 14th, 2011

Dear Parents,

We hope to see you at the Holiday Luncheon on Thursday, November17th.  Our class will eat at 10.28am.

Please click on the page links on the right to see the Standards we will be working on for each curriculum area in the second nine weeks.

This week we will be working on the following:

Math:  Solid shapes (Label and identify number of sides and corners - sphere, cube, rectangular prism, triangular prism, cylinder). 

Ongoing: Revision of these concepts and skills - Fact Families (eg. related facts make a fact family eg. 3+2=5, 2+3=5, 5-3=2, 5-2=3) Review subtraction to 12 - concept and vocabulary (subtract, take away, minus, how many left?). Review Place Value - identifying tens and ones in a given number (For example: 26 is 2 tens and 6 ones),continuing simple addition to 12 (no regrouping). Using the ‘Counting on’ strategy to add two numbers (put one number in your head and count on to find the sum), adding zero to a number and adding doubles (4+4+8, 3+3+6 etc...) Math problem solving, graphs, days of the week and months of the year. Counting coin combinations up to 30 cents (pennies, nickels and dimes), skip counting in 5's and 10's. Counting combinations of bills up to $20.  Missing addends ( 3 + _  = 7 or 5 + 3 = 2 + _ )

Literacy - Inflectional endings - add s, ed or ing to a root word.   Identify compound words (Rain + bow = rainbow).  Dictionary skills.

Identify long vowel sounds (rake, bike, woke,tube). Learn the rule - when two vowels go walking the first does the talking - for example meat, rain, road, reed.  Silent 'e' as in cake, note, ride, use.  Writer's Workshop - Write a creative narrative.  Identify the beginning, middle and end of a story.  Nouns (name of a person, place or thing), adjectives (describing words).

Ongoing:  Responding to stories and poems, initial letter sounds, short and long vowels,  antonyms (opposites such as happy and sad, tall and short). Synonyms (words that means the same thing but are spelled differently such as big and large, sad and unhappy). Writer's workshop - writing a journal entry (personal narrative), writing a letter. Identifying a complete sentence (capital letter at beginning, punctuation at the end, tells a complete idea or thought and must be written legibly with finger spaces). Having a good beginning when writing (One sunny morning, Last Saturday, Once upon a time, In the winter etc...) Narrative story elements - identify the main character(s) and the setting. Identify the problem in a story and how the problem was solved (the solution) .

Social Studies - Thomas Jefferson, Lewis & Clark with Sacagawea

Handwriting - Letter Uu

Reminders:

Please check red folders daily.

Homework folders due on Friday.

Spelling Quiz on Friday!

Media Center on Friday - please return all library books

November 7, 2011

Dear Parents,

I enjoyed meeting with you all during conference week.  Please feel free to contact me if you need any further information about your child's progress.

THANK YOU to all the parents who provided pumpkins and pumpkin treats for our our wonderful Pumpkin Math Day!  Also a big thank you to the volunteers that led the small groups through their math activities.  The children learned a lot about pumpkins and had fun too!

Please click on the page links on the right to see the Standards we will be working on for each curriculum area in the second nine weeks.

This week we will be working on the following:

Math:  Plane shapes (Label and identify number of sides and corners - circle, square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon and hexagon).  Continue Missing Addends.

Ongoing: Revision of these concepts and skills - Fact Families (eg. related facts make a fact family eg. 3+2=5, 2+3=5, 5-3=2, 5-2=3) Review subtraction to 12 - concept and vocabulary (subtract, take away, minus, how many left?). Review Place Value - identifying tens and ones in a given number (For example: 26 is 2 tens and 6 ones),continuing simple addition to 12 (no regrouping). Using the ‘Counting on’ strategy to add two numbers (put one number in your head and count on to find the sum), adding zero to a number and adding doubles (4+4+8, 3+3+6 etc...) Math problem solving, graphs, days of the week and months of the year. Counting coin combinations up to 30 cents (pennies, nickels and dimes), skip counting in 5's and 10's. Counting combinations of bills up to $20.  Missing addends ( 3 + _  = 7 or 5 + 3 = 2 + _ )

Literacy - Inflectional endings - add s, ed or ing to a root word.   Identify compound words (Rain + bow = rainbow)

Identify long vowel sounds (rake, bike, woke,tube). Learn the rule - when two vowels go walking the first does the talking - for example meat, rain, road, reed.  Silent 'e' as in cake, note, ride, use.  Writer's Workshop - Write a creative narrative.  Identify the beginning, middle and end of a story.  Nouns (name of a person, place or thing), adjectives (describing words).

Ongoing:  Responding to stories and poems, initial letter sounds, short and long vowels,  antonyms (opposites such as happy and sad, tall and short). Synonyms (words that means the same thing but are spelled differently such as big and large, sad and unhappy). Writer's workshop - writing a journal entry (personal narrative), writing a letter. Identifying a complete sentence (capital letter at beginning, punctuation at the end, tells a complete idea or thought and must be written legibly with finger spaces). Having a good beginning when writing (One sunny morning, Last Saturday, Once upon a time, In the winter etc...) Narrative story elements - identify the main character(s) and the setting. Identify the problem in a story and how the problem was solved (the solution) .

Social Studies - Thomas Jefferson

Handwriting - Letter Qq

Reminders:

NO school on Tuesday, November 8th

Please check red folders daily.

Homework folders due on Friday.

Spelling Quiz on Friday!

Media Center on Friday - please return all library books

FOOD DRIVE

Thanksgiving Food Drive- November 1-11

 

We will be collecting nonperishable food items to benefit local families. Please support this very special project. All items should be dropped off on the stage in the cafeteria. Some of the items needed for the families are as follows:

 

*Grocery Store Gift Certificates  (drop off in the front office)

Cereal                                            Canned Vegetables

Cranberry Sauce                          Cake mix with canned frosting

Canned Yams                               Boxed jello and pudding 

Boxed Stuffing                             Boxed Mashed Potatoes

Canned soup                                Canned fruit          

Canned beans                              Rice         Pasta     Gravy

                   

We have a lot of families to help this year so please bring in food items!!!! Thank you for your support! J

 

Lori Armbruster
Professional School Counselor
Keheley Elementary
678 494 7836

October 20 - 28, 2011

Dear Parents,

I am looking forward to meeting everyoneduring conference week to discuss each child's progress in First Grade.  I will give each of you a Parent Survey at the end of your conference....please fill it in and put it into one of the Parent Survey boxes placed near the front office.  Thank you!

Please click on the page links on the right to see the Standards we will be working on for each curriculum area in the second nine weeks.

This week and next week we will be working on the following:

Math – Counting combinations of bills up to $20.  Missing addends ( 3 + _  = 7 or 5 + 3 = 2 + _ )

Ongoing revision of these concepts and skills: Fact Families (eg. related facts make a fact family eg. 3+2=5, 2+3=5, 5-3=2, 5-2=3) Review subtraction to 12 - introduce the concept and vocabulary (subtract, take away, minus, how many left?). Review Place Value - identifying tens and ones in a given number (For example: 26 is 2 tens and 6 ones),continuing simple addition to 12 (no regrouping). Using the ‘Counting on’ strategy to add two numbers (put one number in your head and count on to find the sum), adding zero to a number and adding doubles (4+4+8, 3+3+6 etc...) Math problem solving, graphs, days of the week and months of the year. Counting coin combinations up to 30 cents (pennies, nickels and dimes), skip counting in 5's and 10's.

Literacy - Identify long vowel sounds (rake, bike, woke,tube). Learn the rule - when two vowels go walking the first does the talking - for example meat, rain, road, reed.  Silent 'e' as in cake, note, ride, use.  Writer's Workshop - creating a Pattern Book.  Identify the beginning, middle and end of a story.  Nouns (name of a person, place or thing), adjectives (describing words).

Ongoing:  Responding to stories and poems, initial letter sounds, short vowel 'u', antonyms (opposites such as happy and sad, tall and short). Synonyms (words that means the same thing but are spelled differently such as big and large, sad and unhappy). Writer's workshop - writing a journal entry (personal narrative), writing a letter. Identifying a complete sentence (capital letter at beginning, punctuation at the end, tells a complete idea or thought and must be written legibly with finger spaces). Having a good beginning when writing (One sunny morning, Last Saturday, Once upon a time, In the winter etc...) Narrative story elements - identify the main character(s) and the setting. Identify the problem in a story and how the problem was solved (the solution) .

Social Studies - Describe landforms (plain, plateau, mountain, coast, valley, desert)

Science - Magnets.  What can a magnet do?  How can a magnet help me?  Vocabulary - attract, repel, poles, force, pull, push, metal. 

Handwriting - Letter Gg, Jj

Reminders:

Please check red folders daily.

Homework folders due on Friday.

Spelling Quiz on Friday!

Media Center on Friday - please return all library books

October 10, 2011

Dear Parents,

The children were so good during testing last week! They really tried their best and followed directions given. THANK YOU to all parents who sent in snacks for testing...it was a welcome treat for the children. We have a lot left over but will use those as Friday treats for a few weeks:)

This is the last week of our First quarter, so I will be assessing students in preparation for writing report cards. We will be reviewing all the concepts and skills taught so far!

Please click on the page links on the right to see the Standards we will be working on for each curriculum area in the first nine weeks.

This week in class we will be reviewing the following:

Math – Fact Families (eg. related facts make a fact family eg. 3+2=5, 2+3=5, 5-3=2, 5-2=3) Review subtraction to 12 - introduce the concept and vocabulary (subtract, take away, minus, how many left?). Review Place Value - identifying tens and ones in a given number (For example: 26 is 2 tens and 6 ones),continuing simple addition to 12 (no regrouping). Using the ‘Counting on’ strategy to add two numbers (put one number in your head and count on to find the sum), adding zero to a number and adding doubles (4+4+8, 3+3+6 etc...) Math problem solving, graphs, days of the week and months of the year. Counting coin combinations up to 30 cents (pennies, nickels and dimes), skip counting in 5's and 10's. Introduction to related facts and Fact Families (8+2+10, 2+8+10, 10-8=2 and 10-2=8)

Literacy - responding to stories and poems, initial letter sounds, short vowel 'u', antonyms (opposites such as happy and sad, tall and short). Synonyms (words that means the same thing but are spelled differently such as big and large, sad and unhappy). Writer's workshop - writing a journal entry (personal narrative), writing a letter. Identifying a complete sentence (capital letter at beginning, punctuation at the end, tells a complete idea or thought and must be written legibly with finger spaces). Having a good beginning when writing (One sunny morning, Last Saturday, Once upon a time, In the winter etc...) Narrative story elements - identify the main character(s) and the setting. Identify how the prblem in the story was solved (the solution)

Social Studies - Identify location on a map and globe (city, county. state, country and continent). Locate and name the seven continents and five oceans.

Handwriting - Letter Ee

Reminders:

Please check red folders daily.

Homework folders due on Friday.

Spelling Quiz on Friday! (Words were sent home on Friday last week).

Media Center on Friday - please return all library books