Mrs. Kaplowitz

Newsletter for the Week of January 23, 2012

Hello Fantastic Families,

We've got a BIG week ahead full of learning information from non-fiction resources (including books, encyclopedias, and websites), reading and writing words with beginning blends and long vowels, and building fluency in reading. I'll provide fluency materials for at home practice this week.  Please encourage your child to read and reread the rhymes, stories, chants, etc. as this helps build fluency.  Our year end fluency goal in first grade is 60 words per minute. Encourage your child to "read like he or she is talking" and have FUN!!  Lots of encouragement builds confidence in reading :)  Additionally, we will begin our polar bear research reports. In math, please continue to practice addition and subtraction facts at home.  Look for a new subtraction packet in your child's red homework folder.  In class, we are working on fractions-- whole, halves, thirds, fourths, and eighths.  Please help your child find fractions in their world!

Looking ahead, we are preparing for the "big finish" to our money unit which will take place after the February break with students buying and selling items in our own classroom shop.  During the days leading up to our shopping day, students will continue to earn plastic coins, which they will count and trade (two dimes and a nickel for a quarter, four quarters for a dollar, etc.) Moving forward treasure box donations (Dollar Tree toys, Happy Meal toys, any other toys/items you wish to contribute, etc) will be set aside for this event. Thanks so much for your support! 

Time flies when you're having fun!  We will celebrate our 100th Day in First Grade this Friday, January 27th.  Please help your child predict what he or she will look like at age 100.  Have your child come dressed up (baby powder works great for "graying hair") for a fun day full of math enrichment, creative writing, and poetry.

Thank you for all you do,

Kresta Kaplowitz

AR Challenge!

Please help your child prepare for at least 2 AR quizzes this week!!   100% of our class met their 2nd nine week goal. We are striving to meet our goals AGAIN!

Websites of the Week

Mad Libs Jr.:

http://www.funbrain.com/brain/ReadingBrain/ReadingBrain.html

Practice ALL of your 1st grade skills:

http://www.internet4classrooms.com/skills_1st.htm

Counting by 5s:

http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/spookyseq/spookycf5.html

Fractions:

http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/fractionflags/fractionflags.html

http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/FractionPaint/fpaint4.html

Missing Numbers on a Hundreds Chart:

http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/DogBone/gamebone.html

Long Vowels:

http://www.starfall.com/n/level-a/learn-to-read/load.htm?f

http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/phonics-longshortvowels.html

http://www.storyit.com/magnets/index.htm

Websites of the Week- Fractions

Fun Fractions Links

http://www.harcourtschool.com/activity/cross_the_river/

 http://www.beaconlearningcenter.com/WebLessons/FabulousFractions/default.htm

 http://www.beaconlearningcenter.com/WebLessons/FloweringFractions/default.htm  (Challenging  - but fun)

 http://www.hbschool.com/activity/con_math/g03c21.dcr

 http://www.oswego.org/ocsd-web/games/fractionflags/fractionflags.html

 http://www.beaconlearningcenter.com/WebLessons/IWantMyHalf/default.htm

 http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_104_g_1_t_1.html (also challenging…you can do it!)

 http://marg.mhost.com/fractions/fractions3.htm  (fraction quiz)

 http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/frames_asid_103_g_1

Harriet Tubman Websites

http://www.pocanticohills.org/tubman/tubman.html

Harriet Tubman and The Underground Railroad (animated) (Powerpoint)

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/railroad/

Newsletter for the Week of January 16, 2012

Dear Wonderful Families,

Last week was an exceptional (though short) first week back!  Our exciting week ahead will include an introduction to nonfiction literature and writing, an online presentation about Harriet Tubman, and introduction to fractions. This week we will also continue to focus on light and shadows and look forward to performing a shadow puppet show in the science lab.  We will also experiment with materials such as cellophane, cardboard, and felt, to determine if they are transparent, translucent, or opaque.  Additionally we are brainstorming ideas for "how to" books" that we will begin writing this week.  Your first grade expert is adept at so many things!! 

2nd Nine Week report cards were sent home Friday. If you have any questions related to your childs progress, do not hesitate to contact me. Also, please be sure to return the white signature card and the yellow report card envelope, as they will be used for the remaining 2 report cards this year :)

The enthusiasm toward reading, writing, and math is running at an all time high for Camp Kaplowitz. We love school and it shows! As the journey continues to second grade, we are "pumping up the volume." Look for extra skills practice sheets and double baggie books to come home, as well as our at home  math practice opportunities. The at home practice will help toward meeting our grade level goal of 50 facts in 7 minutes with at least 90% accuracy and will keep our skills sharp! 

Volunteer opportunities for January and February will be emailed out.  Please let me know if you are available :).

Did you know that Shallowford Falls has subscriptions to Tumble Books and Book Flix?  Both sites encourage reading by modeling fluency and help build comprehension by bring quality literature to life on line.  Many of the titles are also AR, so these sites can expand your child's AR opportunities. (Please confirm which book are AR through the quiz-list site: http://www.quizlist.net/(S(ylghst45s5yd1e45kh0nln55))/search.aspx?id=30004) The site and password information you will need to access the Shallowford Falls accounts can be found below:

Bookflix:    http://bkflix.grolier.com

Username:  shallow

Password:  bookflix

Tumblebooks: 

http://www.tumblebooks.com/library/asp/customer_login.asp

Username: shallowford

Password: books

Have a wonderful week!!

Finally, thank you so much for the great treasure box donations!!  The Campers LOVE working for these rewards :)

Fondly,

Kresta Kaplowitz

Lunch and Learn- Wednesday

Plan to attend our next Lunch and Learn on Wed., Jan. 11th from 11:30-12:30 in the Media Center. Guest speaker is Dr. Patti Agatston, an expert on cyber bullying and internet safety, will educate and discuss ways to help keep our kids safe.   

Websites of the Week- Keep Your Math Brain Warm!

http://www.ixl.com/math/grade/first/

For a BIG challenge, try some of the 2nd grade skills:

http://www.ixl.com/math/grade/second/

Newsletter for the Week January 9, 2012

Happy New Year Campers and Families!

I hope you had a wonderful  winter break.  I am so excited to get back to the "campground" and I hope you are too! 

Our focus will be on non-fiction literature and picking out interesting facts.  This will help us as we prepare to begin our own informational writing.  Get ready to hear all about polar bears!

In math we will continue working on money and will review first half of the year math concepts.  Fractions and time are coming up soon!  We will also continue to work on mastery of our addition and subtraction facts to 18 through timed quizzes, games, and at home practice.

During Social Studies we will share literature and participate in activities related to Martin Luther King Jr.  We will kick off our Light and Shadows unit during our next visit to the Science Lab-- FUN!!

If you have not already turned them in, all 2nd nine week reading logs are due. The Campers are anxious to tally our second nine weeks book total.  Have we all met our 40 book goal?   Our Let's Read S'more celebration will take place Friday.

We are gratefully accepting donations to the treasure box!  Recycled Happy Meal,  Dollar Store, or any other prize items you wish to pass along are appreciated and will be enjoyed.

Report cards will be sent home Friday and as always, I am available to you, my partners, to discuss and answer questions  you may have.  Please do not hesitate!

We've got BIG plans in first grade for 2012!  We will raise the bar again for our learners. They can do it!! I look forward to continuing our partnership and striving toward OUR goal-- the best possible first grade experience for your child.

Have a great week!

Sincerely,

Kresta Kaplowitz

Woooooohoooooooo!

All 21 Campers made their 2nd Nine Week AR goal!!  We are so proud of our read, read, readers!  Get a jump start on the 3rd nine weeks by reading over break!

Thank You Soooo Much!

Wow, what a generous class gift! Please know it will be enjoyed in NYC during the holidays.  I think Mr. K and I will now get to catch a Broadway show from the Campers.  Thank you again!

Warmest holiday wishes,

Kresta Kaplowitz