Reminders

Remember tomorrow and Friday are half days. We will not have lunch on these days. 

Tomorrow we will eat a snack.

I sent graded papers home today, please sign and return these papers tomorrow!! The children should bring their binders but do not have to bring their backpacks. If you feel more comfortable having them keep their binders in their backpacks then they can bring the backpack. 

Friday is our Christmas Party. It starts at 9am and the children are able to leave afterwards!! 

Parent Newsletter

We do not have any spelling this week!

In reading we are reviewing sounds, high frequency words, vocabulary, and comprehension skills. We will be doing several activities on the concepts that we have previously learned. 

In math we are also reviewing all concepts learned this 9 weeks. 

We are spending this week reviewing!! We will take time to go over any concepts the children are struggling with or just need extra practice in :) 

Merry Christmas!!!! 

Congrats

Congratulations to Carly Henderson for winning the Polar Express writing contest!
Congratulations to Isabella Helms for winning the Polar Express coloring contest!

Christmas Party

Here is the list of what parents should bring; if you signed up to bring an item and do not see your name it is because you either brought something for the Halloween party or I have put you down for another party. If you would like to send an item and are not listed below that is not a problem! You may send any items you wish; we can never have too many treats :)

Sweets: Ashley Hasson
Salty: Candace Nelson
Chips/Dip: Missy Ramage
Drink Boxes: Amanda Hardin
Plates/Napkins: Shannon

Our Christmas Party is Friday, December 19th at 9:00 am. We are going to eat and open presents. Once the party is over the children are able to go home!

Christmas Meal

The Christmas meal tomorrow will be at 10:45 :) Parents can meet us in the room.

Ole Time Christmas

Christmas Activities from 7-10pm December 12th-13th at the Pioneer Museum. $4 per person

AR Star!

Congratulations, Huck Murray for reaching your goal in AR!!! So proud of you! Keep it up :)

Pictures with Santa Cow!

Tuesday December 6th from 5:30 until 7:30 Santa Cow will be at Chick-fil-a to take pictures with the kids. They are giving parents free coffee for bringing the kids!

Deer Hunt Fundraiser

The annual deer hunt will be January 9-11, 2015. This is the largest find raiser for our school. We are asking each family to send $10 to help with the cost of the food. The money needs to be sent in an envelope labeled "deer hunt". Please have the money turned in by December 17th. Thank you for helping make this a successful fund raiser!

AR

The last day for AR test is tomorrow!

AR Star!!

Congratulations to Anna Kate Hardin for reaching her goal in AR! Way to read, Anna Kate!!

Homework

The children have an early Christmas gift! No homework tonight :) Just be sure to study the spelling words. If you look under the "Check Out these Sites" tab there is a link to Spelling City with games and other practice using our spelling words!

POLAR EXPRESS DAY

Don't forget that Wednesday is POLAR EXPRESS DAY!  The children may wear their pajamas and bring a small stuffed animal to cuddle with as we watch the movie Polar Express.  We have a surprise visitor coming to read to us the story of  Polar Express as well as a special Bible Story.  For lunch, we are going to celebrate by having Pizza (Thanks, Kellie!). If they do not want pizza they can still order from the lunchroom. In the afternoon we will enjoy a visit from Santa. The children will get to have milk and cookies and sit in his lap and whisper in his ear what they want for Christmas. It will be an exciting day!  

Letters to Santa

We have written our letters to Santa! I will be keeping the original copy and will be sending home a copy and the newspaper will get a copy. I will be sending the copies home Wednesday :)

FYI

Please check your students binders for:

• Christmas Lunch Order Forms
• Graded Papers 

Reminders:

• The ornament your child made in Art is $10. Please send this money to school with your child.
• Wednesday is Polar Express day. Students wear PJs to school and can bring a stuffed animal from home. Santa will be here that day! No need to pack lunches we are having Pizza, mmmmm! 
• Christmas Party is December 19th at 9:00am. Gifts should be brought no later than the 17th. The list of who is buying who's gift is listed on my blog. 
• 
  

AR Stars!!

We had 3 students reach their goals today, YAY!!! Our reading stars today are Carly Henderson, Brady Walters, and Luke Sikes!!! Amazing Job! Keep it up!

Parent Newsletter

Spelling Words: April, paper, able, staple, table, made, plane, skate, trade, game, they, want, went, Christmas

High Frequency Words: after, over, then, them

Sounds/Spellings: long o o and o_e; long u u and u_e

Vocabulary: sharp, bouquet, cartons, clatter

Language Arts: Introduce Imperative Sentences, Review Exclamatory, Interrogative, and Declarative Sentences

Math: Reading thermometers, temperature, telling time to the half hour, concept of counting by 25s

Math Test Monday December 15th (I have planned to do a math lesson on Wednesday "Polar Express Day") if I am unable to get to the math lesson the test will be given on Tuesday, December 16th; I will update you with this information as the week progresses. The students are tested on previously learned concepts, all addition and subtraction families that we have learned so far (Families 1-8), and some of the concepts from this week.

Reading Test Tuesday, December 9th. These test are not test your child can study for. Practice letter sounds and high-frequency words!

Spelling Pre-Test  Thursday, December 11th.

Spelling and Sentence Test Friday, December 12th

Please keep in mind that the test dates and concepts may change or get pushed back!

If you have any questions or concerns about anything found in the Newsletter please email me.
Have a wonderful week!

AR Star!!

Congratulations to Will Hasson on reaching his goal in AR!!! Amazing job!! Keep it up!

Polar Express Day

Kellie Henderson has offered to provide the class with pizza on Polar Express Day (Wednesday, December 10th)! So you will not have to send lunch with your child that day unless they do not want pizza! Thanks, Kellie!!!

Graded Papers

Graded Papers will be going home on Monday, December 8th.

Christmas gift list

The Students that are in bold will be buying a gift for the students name that is in italics. The gift should be between $10-$15. 

Peyton Elliot  Weston Garrett

Joshua James Gardiner Brady Walters

Weston Garrett  Carter Nelson

Anna Kate Hardin  Libby Tompkins

Will Hasson  Huck Murray

Isabella Helms  Emory Senn

Carly Henderson Amy Ramage

Jaylyn Luker Isabella Helms

Huck Murray  Evan Zhao

Carter Nelson  Luke Sikes

Amy Ramage  Lexie Terry

Caroline Renfroe  Carly Henderson

Emory Senn  Anna Kate Hardin

Luke Sikes  Peyton Elliot

Lexie Terry  Caroline Renfroe

Libby Thompkins  Jaylyn Luker

Brady Walters  Joshua James Gardnier

Evan Zhao  Will Hasson

Market Place

Below is a list of the Entertainment that we will have during the Market Place tomorrow and Friday. These times may change!

Thursday, Dec. 4

1:30 - Band II Students & Beginners (will need to be released at 1:00 for set up; see names listed below)
2:00 - Near Light
2:20 - JV Cheerleaders
2:30 - PLAS Choir Students (see names below)
3:00 - SheBang Dancers

Friday, Dec. 5
1:30 - Band II Students & Beginners (will need to be released at 1:00 for set up)
2:00 - Varsity Cheerleaders
2:30 - PLAS Choir Students
3:00 - SheBang Dancers

Testing Schedule Change

We did not take our Reading test today but we will take it in the morning. I found some fun activities last night that I wanted to use to review so I pushed the test back a day.

The spelling pre-test will be Thursday, December 4th and the Spelling/Sentence test will be Friday December 12th.

The math test will be Monday, December 8th.

Please keep in mind when I post the testing schedule they are always subject to change. If the students are catching a concept quickly I may move the test up or if the students are having trouble with a concept I will push the test back. I will notify you either on the Homework sheet or through my blog if they do change.  

Candy Sales

Candy sales are due Wednesday!

Volunteers for Christmas Store

The school is asking for parent volunteers for the Christmas store December 11th and 12th. If you are available to work please email Traci Leverett at tracileverett@hotmail.com.

This will be in the Cafetorium. The hours on the 11th are from 7:15-2:00 and on the 12th from 7:15-1:00.

Thanks!

PTA Meeting

There is a PTA meeting Tuesday, December 16th at 6:00pm in the cafetorium.

Supplies

Most of the students need new school supplies. New crayons, colored pencils, and markers. If you would please send some new supplies with your child (the students "should" know what they need). Leave these in the packaging they came in. Thanks so much

FYI

You will note that I have listed important dates in December.  An important and fun day coming up is next Wednesday, POLAR EXPRESS DAY.  The children may wear their pjs and bring a stuffed animal to cuddle with as we watch the movie, POLAR EXPRESS. 

The P.T.O. Christmas store will be open on Dec. 11th and 12th.  You may send money in a ziploc bag indicating who your child is buying gifts for and how much he/she should spend on each gift.  

The children have made a special gift for you in Art Class.  It's something that you will be very proud to get.  (:  Mrs. Goff is charging $10 to cover the cost of materials.  Please put this money in a ziploc bag and send as soon as possible.

We will be drawing names this week for Christmas.  Boys will draw a boy's name and girls will draw a girl's name.  The gift should cost no more than  $10-$15. Please do not send these gifts to school until the week of Dec. 15th.  All gifts should be under our tree by Dec. 17th.  Thanks!

Parent Newsletter

Spelling Words: her, bother, sister, girl, shirt, dirt, turn, church, fur, purse, where, were, do, Decemeber

High Frequency Words: we, ride, walk, well, go, like, yes, all, were

Sounds/Spellings: long i i_e, i ; /s/ ce ci_; /j/ ge, gi_

Vocabulary: nurse, equipment, tanks, rescue

Comprehension Skills: Main Idea and Details, Making Connections, Visualizing, Predicting, Summarizing, Reality and Fantasy, Making Inferences 

Language Arts:  Review Interrogative and Declarative sentences; Introduce Exclamatory and Imperative Sentences.

Math: Introduce concept of A.M. and P.M., one half, one half of a group, subtraction family 8, how minutes are in a hour and how many seconds are in a minute, and combining dimes, nickels, and pennies.

Math Test on Monday.

Spelling and Sentence Test Friday.

Reading Test on Tuesday. 

AR STARS!!!

I want to congratulate Libby Tompkins, Evan Zhao, Amy Ramage, and Jaylyn Luker for reaching their goals in AR!!! Way to go, awesome job!!!!

Patriot Marketplace

The Patriot Marketplace is this Thursday and Friday (Dec. 4th and 5th) from 7:30am-6:00pm. The First Grade is responsible for putting together a Lego Basket to be part of a silent auction. We are asking for each student to send at least one item for this basket. Any Lego items will do. Thanks!

Welcome Back!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Break!! We only have 14 school days left in this year!!! I cannot believe how fast this year has gone by. We have a lot going on in these last few weeks before Christmas. I have posted on the right side of my blog some dates to remember (these dates can also be found on your child's behavior calendar). Also, if your child hasn't reached their goal in AR lets encourage them to do so! They have until the 19th to reach it :)

AR STAR!!!

Congratulations to Lexie Terry and Weston Garrett for reaching their goals in AR!!!! Amazing Job! Keep it up!!!

Websites

I have added links to the right side of my Blog. I will be adding more eventually but right now you can find the AR Home Connect, Sheppards Software, and Spelling City.

AR Home Connect allows you to look at your child's progress they are making in AR. All you need to login is their username and password. Most of the students know it but if they do not it can be found on their book mark.

Sheppards Software has several resources for language arts and reading!

Spelling City, you can find all of our spelling list and games to play with our spelling words.

Thursday Lunch

We eat lunch at 11:15. The parents that are coming to eat should be here around that time and can either meet us in the lunchroom or the classroom :)

AR STARS!!!

We have had a few more reading stars!!! Emory Senn and Caroline Renfroe!! Awesome job, keep it up!

Thursday Lunch

On Thursday the only food that will be served is the Thanksgiving Meal.  If your child doesn't wish to order the meal, he/she will need to bring lunch

Patriot MarketPlace

PATRIOT MARKETPLACE WILL BE DECEMBER 4TH AND 5TH.  EACH GRADE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR A THEMED GIFT BASKET.  FIRST GRADE'S THEME IS LEGO BASKET.

Newsletter

Spelling Words: for, corn, fort, storm, thorn, more, store, chore, shore, score, are, they, you, turkey

High Frequency Words: yes, were, all, the, is, of, got, and, at

Spellings/Sounds: /y/ y_ , -le , long vowel a a a_e, 

Vocabulary: voyage, worship, season, Mayflower, Pilgrim, common house, maze, Plymouth

Comprehension Skills: predicting, visualizing, summarizing, compare and contrast, 

Language Arts: declarative, interrogative, and exclamatory sentences

Math: Introducing place value-hundreds place, before and after numbers by 2s, a.m. and p.m., concept of one half.  Reviewing ruler, yardstick, measurements, time, months of the year, addition and subtraction families 1-8, place value, counting by odd and even numbers

Math and Spelling/Sentence Test on Friday

Pictures

Picture orders are due Wednesday, November 26th. You can send them to school with your child or turn them into the office.

Operation Christmas Child

The school is participating in Operation Christmas Child. Each class needs to fill at least 2 shoe box size boxes to donate to a less fortunate child. Please send items to fill our boxes! I would love to have more than 2. The items are due on Tuesday, November 18th.

Donuts for Dad

Donuts for Dad is Friday, November 14th in the cafetorium at 7:15.

Congratulations to Isabella Helms and Joshua Garnier for reaching their goals in AR!!! Way to Read! Keep it up!

Playoff Game

The PIKE Patriots will be playing at Bessemer Academy tomorrow (November 7th) at 7:00 pm in the first round of the AISA AAA playoffs.  Tickets for this game are available in the school office . Adult tickets are $7.00 and student tickets are $5.00. All pre-sold tickets proceeds will stay at PLA so please purchase them at school rather than the gate!  If you don't plan on attending tomorrow night's game, you can follow the action live on Twitter by following @pikepatriots (www.twitter.com/pikepatriots) 

Thanks and  Go PIKE!

Decodable and AR Books

Parents, I find that some children are not putting their storybooks in their folders.  There is no excuse for this.  I remind them every day to get out their AR book and their storybook.  I watch them put these on their desks. I do not watch them put these in their folders.  I don't have time and it is their responsibility.  If your child comes home without these two important books, please note it on his/her homework.  The little storybooks review the new spellings that I introduce each day and are an important part of homework.  Also, the children cannot do AR reading at school if they don't bring this book.  Please be sure these books are packed in backpacks. Thank you so much for all you do to help the children with the learning process

AR STAR

Congratulations to Carter Nelson for reaching his goal in AR! Way to read, Carter!

High Frequency Word List

Here is a updated list of the High Frequency Words we will have learned by the end of this week. Have your child read these words out loud to you, if they struggle with any of these words and do not know them automatically put a star by it or write it down. Then have them practice the words they are having trouble with. These words are words they encounter every time they read. If they know these words they will be able to read better and more fluently!

a                                               he                              said
am                                            help                           see
and                                           her                             six
as                                             him                             that
ask                                            his                             the
at                                              I                                 then
big                                            if                                there
call                                           in                                this
can                                           is                                 to
did                                            it                                up
down                                        its                               was
for                                            jump                           went
get                                            little                            what
girl                                           look                             when
got                                            of                                 will
had                                            on                                with
has                                           out
have                                         red

Parent Newsletter Week of Nov. 3-7

Spelling Words: chimp, check, chicken, champ, chart, hatch, pitch, fetch, watch, snatch, why, down, of

High Frequency Words: little, when, with, went, will

Sounds/Spellings: /ar/ ar, /m/ __mb, /w/ w__, /er/ er, ir, ur

Vocabulary: owe, prove, complain, inspected

Comprehension Skills: Main Idea and Details, Making Connections, Visualizing, Predicting, Summarizing, Reality and Fantasy, Making Inferences 

Language Arts:  Review sentence structure, punctuation, typing in bold and italic,  nouns, pronouns, adjectives, helping verbs, action verbs, and possessive nouns
Introduce Declarative Sentences and writing process

Math: Introduction to the ruler (inches and foot), how to use a ruler and why we measure things, even and odd numbers, telling time, months of the year. We will also review all concepts learned: counting to 150, penny, nickel, and dime, combining cents, addition and subtraction families 1-7.

Math Test on Thursday
Reading and Spelling Test Friday

Graded Papers

I sent home all graded papers from the First Nine Weeks, keep these at home...do not return to school. I will be starting a new folder for the graded papers from this nine weeks and will be sending those home at the end of the nine weeks.

Graded papers from last week (math, spelling, and reading test will be going home tomorrow). Please sign these papers and send them back to school.

Thanks!

Candy for Parade

If you would like to bring candy for your child to throw out at the parade you may do so :)

Homecoming Parade

The children who are able to be in the Homecoming Parade should be at school by 5:45 tomorrow wearing their pirate outfits. They will meet me at our wagon (it looks like a pirate ship) which will be on the drive back of the hospital.  See you then!

Early Dismissal

On Friday, November 7th, school will dismiss at 1:30 due to PLAS being in the state playoffs. Our team will be traveling to Bessemer at 1:00 that day. We will see them off and then dismiss. Hopefully, many of our Pike Patriots will be able to attend the playoff game and cheer them on to victory!!  GO PIKE!!

Grading

Parents,

Administration has changed our grading policy for grades 1-3.

Tests/quizzes will count 60% of the grade in each subject, and daily work will count as 40% of the grade.

Halloween Party

If you haven't sent the items for the party please do so! This way I will know for sure what we have and don't have. If you are sending them that day just email me to let me know. Thanks

Newsletter

Spelling Words: ship, shell, fish, fresh, smash, path, this, with, math, thick, look, was, Halloween

High Frequency Words: for, get, that, this, out

Sounds/Spellings: /sh/     /th/        /ch/ /tch/       /or/ /ore/ 

Comprehension Skills: Main Idea and Details, Making Connections

Language Arts: sentence structure, punctuation, typing in bold and italic, review nouns, pronouns, adjectives, helping verbs, action verbs, and possessive nouns

Math: Introduction to the ruler (inches and foot), how to use a ruler and why we measure things, even and odd numbers, telling time, months of the year. We will also review all concepts learned: counting to 150, penny, nickel, and dime, combining cents, addition and subtraction families 1-7.

These concepts are subject to change. Due to all of the homecoming and Halloween activities we may not get to all these concepts. What we dont get to will carry over into next week. 

Hardee's to Host Spirit Day

PLAS will host a Spirit Day on Friday morning at Hardee's. PLAS will receive 20% of all pre-tax purchases made at Hardee's between 4am and 11pm. I will be sending home cards that you will have to give to Hardee's once you have ordered. These cards will let Hardee's know what purchases were made to support our school! Thanks

Homecoming Black-Out Pep Rally Info

The homecoming Pep Rally on Thursday night has an admission fee of $1. If a child is under school age, he/she will be admitted free of charge. The homecoming theme is Halloween, so some of what you see during the performance may be scary looking to some young children. (Ex. Spooky Music, loud noises, creepy masks) Young children may want to be accompanied by an adult.

AR Books

Please help your child remember to bring his or her AR book to school everyday. The first 20 minutes of each day is set aside for AR reading. Thanks, Miss Stinson

Unscramble Words

I forgot to attach the "unscramble words" to the homework last night, my apologies! I will send it home tonight :)

Have a wonderful day and homecoming week!! Go Pike!

Class Party List

Here is the list for volunteers for the class parties. We are short on some of the parties  the Halloween Party, we need someone to bring sweets and salty.  Email me or send a note with your child if you are interested in any of the open spots. Thanks

Class Party Volunteers

Halloween Party

Sweets: Kellie Henderson

Salty;

Chips/dip: Kate Murray 

Drink Boxes: Laura Leigh Sikes

Plates/Napkins: Sandi Walters

Christmas Party

Sweets: Ashley Hasson

Salty;

Chips/dip: Missy Ramage

Drink Boxes: Amanda Hardin

Plates/Napkins: Shannon Senn

Valentine’s Party:

Sweets: Robin Tompkins

Salty:

Chips/dip: Candace Nelson

Drink Boxes: Sandi Walters

Plates/Napkins: Kathy Helms 

Easter Party:

Sweets: Aileen Gardiner

Salty:

Chips/dip: Kate Murray 

Drink Boxes: Shannon Senn

Plates/Napkins: Kathy Helms

FYI

I sent home the sign-up sheet for all parties for this year. I thought I had this taken care of at the beginning of the year but now realize I must have over looked it, my apologies. If you would sign-up for 1 or 2 parties. Once I have all the papers back from you I will post the list of who is bringing what to which party. Our first party is next Thursday, October 30th. :)


In the student's leave at home part of the binder you will find a sheet labeled "Oral Grades" this is where I will be getting the problems for the oral grade test. Practice all of the problems with your child. I will choose 6 random problems for your child to answer the day of the test.

Thank you all for your support and patience this month as we are extremely busy and overloaded with activities. You all know this is my first year teaching and I am still learning the ropes. I am blessed to have such supportive, wonderful, patient, and kind parents and to be part of this wonderful school! God couldn't have blessed me with a better school for my first year of teaching. Again, thank you for your support!

Have a wonderful day!

Newsletter

With all the activities going on I have been unable to get the newsletter typed up. I am listing below our spelling words, high frequency words, vocabulary words, the sounds/spellings, and any new concepts we are learning this week :)

Spelling Words: bread, head, read, dead, left, send, next, help, fell, red, what, said, autumn, ghost

High Frequency Words: get, that, this, for, out, jump

Vocabulary: simple, excuse, responsibility, honest, recycle, decorate

Sounds/Spellings: /sh/ sh, /th/ th, /ch/ ch and _tch, /or/ or and ore

Comprehension Skills: asking questions, visualizing, clarifying, making connections,

Language Arts: Action and helping verbs

Math: combining nickel and penny, counting to 150, before and after numbers by tens, counting by 5s, 10s, and 1s, subtraction family 7

Fundraisers and Misc Info

Please check your child's binder for information about fundraisers! We have one fundraiser that you sell items from a catalog and another for ordering BBQ sandwiches.

Also, there is a Pepi Food information card in the binder. Mrs. Joni has asked for you to feel this out. It is a short survey.

Thanks, Have an awesome afternoon!

Homecoming

Our class theme for Homecoming is PIRATES!  Ms. Hollis and I thought ideas for costumes would be easy for parents.  We will decorate our wagon to go along with the theme. On Thursday, the day of the Parade, the children will wear their Pirate outfits.  

Just a reminder that you can scroll down and find information about Homecoming and its activities.  You may have to click on OLDER POSTS.

AR Reading

We have started our second nine weeks in AR reading.  The children were STAR tested last Thursday and have a new zpd.  You will find their goals are lower because we are only spending 20 minutes each day doing AR reading. We were spending 30 minutes a day, and that made their goals higher.  I think most of the children will be able to go way beyond the goals I have set. Some may even double their goals.  Each child can easily take 2 tests a week.  Remember, that most of their books are only worth 0.5 pts. (1/2 pt) and that's if they make 100.  Reading 2 books a week and making 100 would give them 1 point a week.  A score of 80 gives them 0.4 pts., 60 gives them 0.3 pts.  Below 60 they do not get any points.  But also remember, that not only do the children have to reach their points. they also have to keep an 85% average of correct answers.  All of the children did not reach their goals this past 9 weeks. But this past 9 weeks didn't count on their record.  All the tests they took have been erased by Mrs. Hinson.  We used this first 9 weeks to give them practice in taking AR tests.  This 2nd nine weeks will count.  At the end of the year, the children who have made their goals each 9 weeks will be recognized and receive an award (if we do things like we did last year).  They will also have an AR party.  SO, with your help our class intends to reach our goals every nine weeks!

I am giving each child a new AR log with their new zpd and new goal.  I have reminded them that since Mrs. Hinson has erased all the tests they took the first 9 weeks, they may take any or all of those tests again.  You might go over the old logs and help them find books they enjoyed reading.  (PLEASE KEEP THESE OLD LOGS AT HOME.)  They can check these books out and take the tests again ...if the book is in their zpd range.  That is an easy way to start this 9 weeks.  We will start again at the lower end of the range and work our way to the upper end. Please help me monitor the book level your child checks out. Sometimes they slip past me with a book that is too easy or too hard.

HAPPY AR READING!!

Binders

Check student binders for Homecoming Shirt Order forms and the youth basketball registration form.

The parent newsletter for next week will be posted on Monday.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Red Ribbon Week!

Due to homecoming festivities the last week of October, we will hold our Red Ribbon Week at PLAS next week.  Each day's theme is listed below.

Monday, October 20 - I'm too Bright for Drugs! (wear neon or bright colored clothing)

Tuesday, October 21 - Red Ribbon Day (wear red...ribbons will also be provided)

Wednesday, October 22 - Sock it to Drugs! (wear red, crazy, or mismatched socks)

Thursday, October 23 - Happy, Happy, Happy to be Drug Free! (wear camouflage)

Friday, October 24 - "Team Up" Against Drugs! (show your Patriot Pride...wear a PLAS shirt)

Spelling Words

I am sending home the Spelling Word List today but the test will not be until next Friday. Extra practice is always good :)

Decade Day October 28th

Decade day is Tuesday, October 28th and is one  of the dress up days during homecoming week. I have chosen for my class to do the 60s or the "hippie" decade. Everyone should dress according to this decade! It should be a fun and easy decade to dress for :)

Cheer Clinic

The varsity cheerleaders will host a cheer clinic this Saturday (October 18th), from 9:00-11:00. The clinic is for girls in K4-6th grade. The girls who attend will perform some of what they learned at the home football game against Ft. Dale on October 24th. The cost for the clinic is $20.00. Please see the office to turn your form in.

Honor's Day Program

HONOR'S DAY

This Friday, October 17th, we will have our First Nine Weeks Honors Assembly at 8:30 A.M.  Our school will be recognizing the students who made the A and A/B honor roll.  The children who reached their goals in AR will also be recognized, as well as the September and October  Students of the Month. This will take place in the cafetorium.  Parents are invited to attend this assembly.  Again, this will start precisely at 8:30, so parents should go directly to the cafetorium upon arrival.

 

I apologize for not having the details for the honors day program out sooner. I mentioned it on the October Calendar in the students binder but I am just now getting the details due to not being able to access my email or blog from home and from all the "busy-ness" (field trips, fall festival, homecoming, and holidays) over the last few weeks. Again I apologize for not getting this information out until now.

 

I hope everyone has had a wonderful  Fall Break and is ready for another amazing nine weeks! :)

Fall Festival

FALL FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Thank you for you response to our call for help with the Fall Festival.  You will see that we have more than enough help for each half hour except the last.  I will help with this time slot.  

6:00-6:30 - Amanda Pyron, Kelly Henderson, Stephanie Rushing, Janet Jones

6:30-7:00 - Robin Thompkins, Jennifer and Robert Barner, Yonghua Zhao

7:00-7:30 - Aileen Gardiner, Bonnie Simmons, Kate Murray, Beth Steed, 

                     Sandi Walters

7:30-8:00 - Jennifer Deloney, Amy Garrett

AR STARS!

Congratulations to Emory Senn and Will Hasson for reaching their AR Goals!! Way to read, keep it up!!!

Homecoming!

Homecoming is Friday, October 31st. 

On Thursday there will be a parade at 6:00, a Bon Fire at 6:30, and a Glow-in-the-Dark Pep Rally at 7:00.  The parade theme is NIGHTMARE ON KERVIN DRIVE.

DRESS-UP DAYS:
Monday - Tacky Tourist Day
Tuesday - Decade Day
Wednesday - Halloween Costume (No masks or props...children must be able to go to bathroom easily...must have tennis shoes for P.E.)
Thursday -  t-shirt day/class theme (more about this later)
Friday - Spirit Day - red, white, and blue

Friday, October 31st, is a half day.  There will be a pep rally at the football stadium at 11:15.  School will dismiss after the pep rally, about 11:45.  We will not have lunch at school that day, but we will eat snack.

Our Halloween party will be on Thursday, October 30th, at 2:00.  Food items can be sent on Thursday morning.  I will post, later, the names of those who are signed up to provide the treats for this party.  

Please check my blog regularly.  I will post updates as the information comes in.

Report Cards

Paper report cards will not be sent to parents.  You will view, print, sign, and return your child's report by accessing your Achieve account.  Achieve can be found at www.pikelib.com where you will click on the Achieve icon.  To do this you must have a password! If you do not have a password please e-mail Mr. Matthews at pikelibtech@gmail.com.  He will send you a password as soon as he can.  Grades should be ready for viewing sometime next week.

We had a wonderful time on our Field Trip yesterday, The kids really seemed to enjoy it!

Just a few reminders:

Prizes for the Fall Festival are due tomorrow.

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of next week is our Fall Break! YAY!!!! :)

I will be out tomorrow. If you email me I will not be able to respond until Friday. We have no test this week!

Have a wonderful afternoon!

Next week Schedule!

Good morning!

Since we will be out Monday and are going on a Field Trip Tuesday we will not have any test next week (math, reading, spelling, or dictation). I just don't see us having enough time to prepare for any of these test.
Hope you have a fabulous weekend!!

Another Star!!

Congratulations to Isabella Helms for reaching her goal in AR!! Way to read, Izzy! Keep it up!

AR Star

Congratulations to Weston Garrett for reaching his goal in AR!!! Way to read, Weston!!!!!

Pike goes Pink!!

Varsity cheerleaders have now declared this Friday Pink out the Rebels as PIKE goes Pink! (Everyone wear pink to school and to the game). Thanks and Go PIKE!

Test Schedule change

Hey! 

Since we will be here on Friday I have rearranged our testing schedule allowing us more time to review skills for reading, math, and spelling. On Thursday we will have our spelling pre-test (if they score a 100 they will not have to retake it Friday), reading, and math test. Friday we will have our spelling and dictation or sentence test. 

Please review and help your child memorize subtraction and addition families 1-6. They need the most help on the 6 family!

Also, they need to study the spelling words and high frequency words. The sentences that I use for the dictation part of the test are comprised of this week spelling words, the past spelling words, and our high frequency. 

Some of the HF words that the students are having the most trouble with are:

that

what 

said

was

has

my 

I know everyone will do great!! 

Field Trip is rescheduled!

Good morning!

Me and Mrs. Hollis looked at the weather and it is a 90% chance of rain Friday :( So we have decided to reschedule the Field Trip for Tuesday, October 7th. I have already contacted Dream Land Farms. Sorry for the inconvenience but we felt like it was the best move. Don't forget Monday is a teacher in-service day, the students will not be coming to school. I will remind everyone on Friday what to have and the times we will be leaving for the Field Trip Tuesday! 

Thanks 

Field Trip Info

The pumpkin patch trip is only 2 days away!!! Here are just a few things I want to make sure you know :) 

• We will be taking our lunch. Please pack the lunch in a paper sack so we when finish eating we wont have to worry about keeping up with or putting away lunch boxes. 
• If you are driving please bring a cooler or small ice box so the students can store there drinks.
• We have several parents driving or meeting us there, to save gas think about car pooling with a fellow parent.
• We will be wearing our PLAS field trip T-shirts. If you did not get one this year wear any PLAS shirt. 
• We have to be on the farm at 9:30. Our departure time from school is going to be 8:45am. This should give us enough time to get the students stuff in the cars and get settled.
• If your child has a special seat they need, send it with your child Friday and we will install them in the vehicle they will ride in. 
• If you haven't already got a Adult/Parent Ticket don't forget to bring the money with you that day....its $5.

If there are any questions or concerns just shoot me an email! 

Thanks and we are going to have tons of fun!!!

Order Chocolate Bars!!!

Just a reminder to order your chocolate bars! I want everyone to at least sell 20. A few parents could get together and order a case to reach this goal! I would love for every student to be able to sell a case! The forms you fill out is a order form....the chocolate will be here soon and then you will be able to sell it. You do not have to pay when you turn the order form in. You can pay for the bars once you receive them and then start selling!! This fundraiser helps out the school tremendously and if our class sells the most we get $50 to go toward something in the classroom :)

Need your help!!

Hey guys! So I am getting ready to make games, set-up for a few projects, and working on center materials. I need a few items these things should be items probably laying around your house!

We need:

• old magazines to clip pictures and words from. The first project I'm thinking is we are going to create animal habitat pictures so if you have any magazines with animal pictures please send those! We will be cutting pictures out of them so send the ones you don't want back :)
• Index cards 
• A couple of old cans with lids....like a coffee can.

I may need a few other items later on and will let you know. Thank you so much for your support! 

Another AR Star!!! Congratulations to Libby Thompkins for reaching her goal!!! Thanks for working so hard!

Chance to Cheer

Chances to cheer for one quarter at the October 3rd football game against Chambers are being sold for $1.00.

Fall Festival

October is almost here and that means Fall Festival.  First Grade will need 3 workers every half hour beginning at 6:00 and ending at 8:00.  If you are willing and can help, please send me a note telling me which half hour you would like to work.  Please list a first and second choice.  Also, we will need some prizes, things you might buy at the Dollar Tree or similar places.  THANKS!

Picture Day!

Happy Friday!!!!

Just a reminder that picture day is Monday!!!

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

We have already received our  passes for the pumpkin patch. If you or your child did not get their money in on-time; it's ok! We can buy any extra passes at the gate. I am super excited about the pumpkin patch the kids are going to have so much FUN!!

Homework tonight

Hey!! We don't have much homework tonight. We took our Spelling pre-test today if your child did not make a 102 on it I sent it home with the ones they missed. They need to write these words 5 times. The test we take tomorrow will be for a grade. Also, our sentence or dictation test will be tomorrow.

They also need to read, discuss, and retell the story "Rag Bits"

I apologize for not having a homework sheet for tonight. The one I have prepared covered some things we did not get to in class.

Have a wonderful day!! :)

AR Goals, Book Fair, and tests

Happy Wednesday!!

AR goal: I sent letters home today with each students goal and the points they have as of today. The computer listed October 15th as the last day to reach the goal I now realize that this is during Fall Break. So actually day is October 10th. I apologize for the mistake.

Also, the last day for the book fair is tomorrow. The students created wish lists (some were mighty wishful :) ) I explained that it was just that a "wish" list but if you do decided to send more money for the book fair I will let them go sometime tomorrow.

Our spelling pre-test is tomorrow and the dictation test is Friday! Everyone has been doing wonderfully on these test. I see improvements every week which is the goal!

Hope  you all have a beautiful afternoon and enjoy this amazing fall weather!!

Congratulations to Carter Nelson for reaching is AR goal!!! YAY!!!!

Updated List of HF words

Newsletter Week of September 22-26

Grandparents Day!

Just a reminder that the program Friday is for Grandparents. We would love to have the parents come, too, but there is just not enough parking to accommodate such a crowd. HOWEVER, if your child will not have a grandparent attending on that day, please feel free to come. We want every child to have someone here for them that day.

The children should dress in their nice clothes for the program.  

The program begins at 10:00 in the cafetorium for k4-4th grades.  Afterwards, the grandparents will come to the room to get their gifts the children made, and to check out their grandchild.  Please let the grandparents know that I would like to take a picture of them with their grandchild. Sometime the grandparents and children get away before I can do this,

GRANDPARENTS' DAY

We are practicing our parts in the classroom and the children are doing well.  They just need to be encouraged to speak loudly and to put expression into their voices.    The program is on October 19th, at 10:00 in the cafetorium.  When all the classes have presented their special poem, song, etc., the grandparents are invited to come by the classroom and get their "special things" we have made for them  The children may leave with their grandparents and spend the rest of this special day with them with your permission.  (I will send a form for you to sign if your child has permission to leave with his/her grandparents.)    If you child does have permission to leave with a grandparent, that grandparent will be asked to sign your child out in the classroom.

FALL FESTIVAL 

Fall Festival will be on Thursday, October 23rd, from 6:00 to 8:00 in the cafetorium.  First Grade is responsible for the game PLINKO.  Mrs Hollis  and I will soon be asking you to sign up for a time to work.  Be on the look- out for a note to come home in the homework folder.  Prizes are also needed for the games, cakes for the cake walk, and baked goods for the country store.  First grade would appreciate it if you sent prizes for our game.

Parent Newsletter

A few reminders!!!

1.  As a reminder, Muffins with Moms will be held tomorrow, Friday, September 12, at 7:15 am in the Cafetorium.  The cost is $5 per family.

2.  Grandparents' Day will be next Friday, September 19, for grades K-4 through 6.  The program for grades K-4 through 4 will begin at 10:00 am and the program for grades 5 and 6 will begin at 11:00 am.  The Book Fair will also be in the Library that day.

As always, thank you for supporting our school and your children.

Field Trip to Dream Land Farms

Hey there!!

We have are next field trip planned!! It's October 3rd, we are going to Dream Land Farms in the Union Springs area. We will be doing lots of fun things there. Some things include picking a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, going through the corn maze, and so much more!! I will be sending a letter home tomorrow with prices and details. I already have drivers, the parents that asked but did not get to drive for the ASF trip will be the parents.

They are:
Missy Ramage
Ashley Hasson
Al Renfroe
Kathy Helms
Amy Garrett

If you are unable to drive please let me know!

The awesome thing about this field trip is even if you do not get to drive you can still come!! The Farm is open to the public and you can meet us there, pay for the general admission ticket, and have fun with us!

Please look for the letter in your child's binder tomorrow. Thanks!

Websites for High Frequency Words and Sight words Practice

Here are some fun but educational sites that should help reinforce things we learning in class! The ones that are in bold focus on phonics, reading skills, HF and sight words)

"Into the Book" www.reading.ecb.org (For practicing reading strategies)

ABC YA www.abcya.com (sight words and reading skills)

Fun Brain www.funbrain,com (math and reading skill games)

Star Fall www.starfall.com (phonics skills)

storyline online  www.stroyline.net (stories read by movie stars)

Highlights for Kids www.highlightkids.com (reading and science website)

Suessville www.suessville.com (reading)

Just a few reminders!

Hello, hope everyone is having a wonderful week so far!

We will not be doing reading Monday or Tuesday. We have been  making some very specials things for our grandparents. While on the subject of grandparents day, PLEASE have your child practice their part of the poem every night. All the parts are very important and we want to be sure that we know them very well. I do not have a lot of extra class time to recite these. Tomorrow I will go over their parts with them and then Friday we are practicing on stage! So I really need your help with this!

We started spelling this week. We are doing activities and games in class to help prepare for the test but please reinforce the words at home. Along with the spelling test they will be tested on sentence structure (begins with capital, space in between words, and correct punctuation). 

I will be sending home a list of high frequency words tomorrow. Please practice these words with your child. These words are words they should know automatically without blending. I will also send a list of websites with super fun games that involve the sight words! It will be great way to reinforce what we learn at school!

Remember if you have any questions or concerns please don't hesitate to contact me. I provided everyone with my personal email and school email. If you have emailed me and have not heard back I apologize some time my emails do not come through!

Enjoy your Tuesday!!

Newsletter for Sept 8-12 (the date is wrong on the letter)

Reminders!!!!

Hello there!! Here a just a few reminders for this week!

I give the students 30 minutes each day to allow them to read their AR book and take test. This is from 8:00-8:30. Please help your child remember to bring their AR book to school every day (even if they are not ready for the test). During this time they will be able to read or reread their book for extra practice. Thanks for your help!

Also, turn in the field trip money ASAP so we can let ASF know exactly how many we have attending. Please turn in the grandparents day form by Friday!! Thanks again!!

News Letter Week of September 1-5

Here is the Parent Newsletter; the letter did not quite add to my blog like I thought it would. You should be able to zoom in and read it. If you would like a paper copy just let me know! Thanks

Grandparents Day

The information I sent home about grandparents day please fill-out and return to school by this Friday; Sept. 2nd. If any information changes such as a grandparent that you listed not being able to make it or a grandparent that can make it just let me know. This is not a problem.

Thanks and have a wonderful daY! 

Good Afternoon and welcome back! I hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day!

To save paper I will be posting the newsletter on my blog from now on. If you would like a paper copy just let me know and it will not be a problem to get one made. 

I have all the drivers for the field trip if any spots become available I will let  you know. The drivers are: 

• Kate Murray
• Kellie Henderson
• Robin Thompkins
• Candace Nelson
• Shannon Senn

The parents that emailed me first was the ones that were chosen. We will have atleast one more Field Trip and a  new set of drivers will be chosen. 

I am still figuring out the electronic grade book and as soon I can get the grades posted I will let you know. I have sent home all papers that I took for grades and those are the ones you have signed (Return to school). 

Class Schedule

Miss Stinson’s First Grade Schedule

8:00-8:30-  AR Reading

8:30-8:45-  Pledge, Calendar, Bible Story

8:45-8:55-  Review our Reading (vocab., comprehension, etc.)

8:55-9:00-  Bathroom Break

9:00-9:10-   Reading

9:10:9:40-   P.E.

9:40-10:45- Reading

10:45-11:10- Math

11:10-11:15-  Get ready for Lunch; bathroom break

11:15-11:35   Lunch

11:35-11:50- Story Time

11:50-12:30-          Math

12:30-1:30-  Language

1:30-2:10     Science, Social Studies, Health

2:10-2:30-   Snack

2:30-2:40-  Get ready to go home

2:40-           Dismiss

Art…………Tuesday-          12:15-12:45

Library…..Wednesday-     12:00-12:30

Music…….Thursday-         1:15-1:45

Computer….Friday- 10:15-10:45

We take a bathroom break before and after P.E. and lunch. 

Field Trip

The two first grades have a field trip to Shakespeare Theater on February 13th, to see a performance of Alice in Wonderland.  We will be attending the 9:30 performance.  Cost is $16 for students and $18 for adults.  We will need 5 drivers from each first grade class.  We need drivers that can transport at least 4 children.  Money for this field trip is due September 5th.  Our seating for the performance depends on how quickly we pay for our reservations. (: Please send money for this in an envelope or ziplock bag with your child's name and amount enclosed.  We are registered for 5 chaperones from each class, so if you are interested in driving, please let me know quickly.  Thanks!

Accelerated Reader!

Several students took an AR test today.  They didn't all make 100, but that's okay.  They are learning how to log in and how to get to the place to type in the name of their book.  They are learning to use the keyboard.  They are learning how to answer questions or finish a sentence by finding the correct answer.  They are learning that you need to look at all the answer choices before choosing an answer. They are learning to ask when they don't know a word.  They are learning how to take a test.  (:

If your child is taking a test, remind him/her to take the AR Folder out of their binder and put it on my desk in the front of the classroom when they unpack and turn in their binders.  Today I was careless and didn't check to be sure that all logs in the basket had been initialed.  So I, too, am learning that I have to do my part and check the AR Folders.  (:  You will notice on the Log that each child has a goal to meet. To be able to reach that goal, your child will need to take about 2 tests a week.  The children have 7 weeks this nine weeks to test.  If they made 100 every time, they could only earn 7 points in 7 weeks taking 2 tests a week.  (Those making 100, earn 0.5 points, 80...0.4 pts., 60... 0.3 pts.)   

While on the subject of reading, I would like to mention the decodable books that the children are bringing home daily.  I did say something about them in a note on the homework paper this week. The worth of these little books is that they review daily the spelling and sound that is introduced during class as well as high frequency words.  We look at the punctuation and talk about how that sentence should be read.  With the limited vocabulary that most children beginning first grade are able to read, we have to not only read the text but look at the pictures and make connections from the text to the pictures, and vice versa.  Then we retell the story, simple as it might be, in our own words.  Please do this each night with your child.  Later, the children will be asked to write, using complete sentences, answers to simple questions about the story.  This will help the children to understand what is meant by answering a question with a complete sentence. 

Good afternoon!!! It's Thursday, meaning it is almost time for our 3 day weekend!!!

Just wanted to let you know that I have put the math grades in. While trying to put the reading grades in my computer went a little nuts-o. I will get in touch with Mr. Mathew tomorrow and get the problem fixed. I am still learning the grading program. If you have any questions about your child's grade just shoot me an email. I will send home all graded papers and the ones that I will take a grade in the gradebook for will be located in the Return to School section of your child's binder. I will keep these papers until the end of the 9 weeks.

Have a beautiful day!!

I think some parents are confused or don't know what to do with the little books I assign for homework. These books help students build fluency, blending, and recognizing high frequency words. Have them read this book to you. Ask them questions about the book and the pictures. The words don't explain exactly what is happening in the pictures. The one I sent home to day "Sit" is about playing musical chairs in the classroom. Ask them which person is Sid, Sis, etc. This helps them make connections from text to illustrations and builds comprehension. 

Also, it is your child responsibility to bring home their AR book, folder, all homework, paper work, and fill in their color chart. I try my best to check all of their folders to be sure they have everything but I have 18 students in my class and it takes a lot of time to check everyone's folder. We put our binders together as a class. I call out the directions and tell them exactly where everything goes. Just remind your child to listen and follow my directions and if they need help to please ask. I wont know unless they ask.

SNACK- some students are either not bringing snack or eating it for lunch. If you pack your child snack please let them know what they are suppose to have for snack and not to eat it during lunch. I was supplying snack to those who did not have it but that is taking too much time that I could be spending on getting materials, students binders, and emails done. I also notice that when I was supplying snack some of the students that did have snack was saying they didnt just to get what I was passing out. Snack is also not mandatory so some days we may miss it; I will try not for this to happen but just in case it does I wanted you to know. 

 

Accelerated Reader

Some people are confused about how the AR plan works. The plan I am using is a school wide plan. The students took the STAR test to determine their reading level, this level is range for example (1.1-2.3). We have our students start reading at their lowest determined level and then we work up to reading their highest level. The students will check out a book on their reading level, they will then take this book home, read it to you the parents (they must keep the book for at least one night, they are not allowed to take a test the same day they check a book out), once you have decided they are ready to take the test sign their AR folder; so I know they are able to take the test. I’ve had several students take their test today and they didn’t do so good so when you sign their folders please make sure they are ready. The ways you can check: make sure they know  the meanings of all the words in the text, ask questions to ensure that they are comprehending, and that they are reading it fluently (with ease). If you have any questions please email.

Thanks

Miss Stinson

Just a few reminders this week!!

When picking up your child have a piece of paper with their name on it in the wind shield! Put their names in BOLD print, if someone else is picking up your child give them the name tag to put in their car. Thanks!

We start AR reading today. I sent home a letter with information on how it works.  You must sign their folder before they are able to get another book and take a test. By signing you are letting me know they are ready for a test and can read their book well.

If you come into the building at any point during the day even at pick up time you must check in at the office and come through the front door. Do not use side doors.

I did not get a chance to run the newsletter off for the students to take home. You will receive this tomorrow!

Thanks and have a great day!

Hello and welcome to the second week of school! Here are just a view reminders!

Please check your students notebook each night. Sign all homework and return the next day. Be sure to look at the behavior calendar each night as well, I am trusting my students to tell you what the reason was they landed on that color if you have any questions please feel free to contact me. Sign this calendar at the end of each week.

This week I have sent home a parent newsletter going over a few things we are learning in reading. Please go over and reinforce these skills at home!

I also sent a note about the pocket folders. I originally had decided not to use them but have now realized that we need them. Please send these with your child as soon as possible.

Be sure to write down what your child is ordering that week/day for lunch. This helps keep the children from getting 2 meats, etc.

There is a T-shirt order form. We are trying to sell as many shirts as possible! So please help your child sell these shirts. Order is due by Friday.

When picking your child up in the afternoon, please have their name written in BOLD to help us know what child your picking up.

I have extremely enjoyed the first week of school and getting to know your children. I am lucky to have every one of them in my class!

Any questions or concerns please email me at hstinson@pikelib.com or haleystinson@rocketmail.com

Welcome to the First Week of School

Hello! I'm excited about this first week of school! This week we are focusing on reviewing and mastering our class rules and procedures. In reading we are reviewing letters, letter sounds, rhyming words, syllables, vowels, consonants, and word parts. We are doing the reading workbook pages (Lesson 1-10).
     In math we are also reviewing: counting, writing numbers, and completing patterns. Along with the work we have lots of fun activities. We have read several books and have done many fun activities that go along with the books.
      Next week we will really get into the curriculum and the students will begin to have homework! This homework is only to reinforce what we learned that day and will not take long for students to finish.
      We created our take home binders today. You need to look in this binder every day! In the binder you will find the behavior calendar with a color code so you know how your child behaved that day, this needs to be signed every night so I know you saw it. Also in the binder there are labeled page protectors for their homework, papers that need to be signed and returned, and papers that need to stay at home. There will also be a calendar with the lunch room menu and prices of each item.
      I am so excited about this year and if you ever need to talk to me or your concerned about something please do not hesitate to email me!

Have a Beautiful Week