Lots of Stuff this Week....

What are we learning this week?
In reading this week, we are focusing on asking who, what, where, why, and how as we listen to books being read aloud. Asking questions is very important, as it is the key for comprehension. Parents, you can reinforce these concepts when you read aloud to your child at home. Talk to your child and model asking before and as you read, such as, "I wonder what will happen to the little boy on the cover?" or "Who hid the apples?"
In 'Fundations', our phonics program, the focus is on the letters/sounds for "Ll", "Hh", and "Kk". Try playing a game with your child to identify as many "Hh"s (or H sounds) that you see on TV, in printed texts, etc..., to help practice letter identification/sound skills.
In writing, we are continuing to focus on writing conventions (beginning each sentence with a capital letter, spaces between word, and end punctuation), as well as drawing moments that reflect a memory/special time that include details and labeling.
In math, we continue to work on our understanding of numbers 1-10. We will also focus on numbers patterns with numbers 1-10, as well as identifying and extending shape patterns.
Sight words of the week: "is" and "this"
The above words are added to the following words "see", "me", "the", "a", "I", "are", "is"
As you know, your child needs to know at least 10-15 sights words by the end of the year. You can help your child at home by asking them the gestures (and encouraging the use of these gestures) for these words and finding and identifying these words in your daily life (on TV, recipes, holiday/birthday cards, etc..)

Where are we going this week?
Our field trip to Smith's Nursery is this Friday, 10/26!
Here are a few reminders...
-Dress weather appropriate and wear tennis shoes (we will be walking around outside)
-If your child is bringing a lunch from home, please send it in a DISPOSABLE BAG and WRITE YOUR CHILD'S NAME ON THE BAG and DRINK. We will not have room to carry lunch boxes.
-We will be leaving Banks Road around 9:30 and plan to arrive at Smith's Nursery around 10am. If you are chaperoning, you can follow the bus, or meet us there. Please bring a bagged lunch for yourself, if you would like to eat a lunch with us. 
-Mrs. McGarry will have a sign out sheet at Smith's Nursery, should you wish to take your child straight home from field trip (instead of returning to school at 1:30).
- Please do not send your child with a backpack on Friday.
*We need 2 coolers with wheels to place our lunches in* Please email me should you want to lend one (or 2) to our class for the day.  

The PTA Fall Festival
The Fall festival is this Friday from 5:30-8:30. There will be bounce houses, crafts, and snacks. Take advantage of this beautiful weather and come on out to support our school (and have fun in the process!)

Homework
Hooray! Or at least that's what the kids say...
The kiddos are sooo excited to get their first homework assignment. Normally, the homework will go home on Friday and be due the following Friday. However, I got overly excited myself and sent it home in the Kid Connection folder (I don't know what I was thinking...).
That being said, no matter what the dates on the homework say, it is due Friday, November 2nd.
Please email should you have any questions.

"Special" changes
Our "specials" have changed to a 6 day rotation. This means that we will rotate the following specials every 6 days, instead of having a specific special on a specific day.
Technology (1)
PE (2)
PE (3)
Art (4)
Music (5)
Curriculum Focus (6)

Our schedule this week is Tech, PE, PE, Art, Music

Conferences
Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to meet with me last Thursday and Friday. I will be sending home a copy of what I shared in your child's Friday folder.