Mrs. Veldman's 1st Grade Classroom Blog

We continue to work in our small guided reading groups. Students are matched with a book which is slightly more difficult to read independently than WEB books. During our group time, we learn about features in words, practice using decoding strategies, fluency and comprehension skills. The guided reading groups are always changing….students are matched with others reading at the same level and ability. I am so excited to see the changes already in these young readers…..each one seems to have grown in his/her confidence.

When your child is not working in a guided reading group, he/she is working independently to complete several literacy activities. The literacy packets are designed to help our students practice skills that good readers and writers use everyday. This is a big change from the literacy groups in kindergarten…students are in charge of their own learning for the day. I just love to watch first graders grow into capable and confident readers!

Wow! We have really been working hard the past few weeks….we are coming up on the end of our second unit in our new math series. We have worked on addition and subtraction, using pictures and circle drawings to show our thinking. We have even spent time working on writing equations, both horizontally and vertically on the paper.
After a few days of review and the unit assessment, we will be spending a few days working in ability groups and learning new math games.
(Just a note: this means there may not be much homework over the next week.)

Due to circumstances beyond my control, I had to remove the earlier post about the Holiday Gift Shop. The schedule is being “tweaked” and I will need to sign up again next week. Updates will be coming soon…..

With all of the yucky germs around the classroom lately, we’ve been talking a lot about ways to keep ourselves germ-free.
I have tissue and hand sanitizer available to use in the classroom. We also take time for frequent hand washing breaks with anti-bacterial soap.
Please help your child practice sneezing and/or coughing into their elbow, as they turn their head away from others. Remind them also to always wash their hands after using the restroom and before eating.
Thank you so much for your help!

This week we finished up and took the final assessment for our first science unit. Properties of Matter was especially exciting since we spent some time each lesson experimenting with different types of matter. We found out which types of matter were able to float or sink in water. We learned about magnets and how they work. We even learned about attributes….what a great beginning for us!

You have another opportunity to RSVP for our upcoming December 1st Kids Art Fair! An RSVP form and Art Fair information will be sent home with students this week.

Please note that returning your RSVP to Mrs. Brouwer does NOT mean that you must purchase your child’s framed artwork. The RSVP just lets the Kids Art Fair people know how many frames to ship to Georgetown for the event. So please RSVP if you plan to attend and celebrate your child’s creativity, enjoy a fun make-n-take art project, and register for some cool door prizes to be given away during the evening.

Also – Georgetown’s December Kids Art Fair does not take the place of the annual district-wide Student Art Show, which will be held as usual in April 2010.

We hope to see you at Georgetown’s Art Fair on December 1st between 4-7 PM! Volunteers are still needed to help out – please contact Mrs. Brouwer!
Email: jbrouwer@hpseagles.net

Phone: 616.797.9797 ext. 22412
Art Blog http://josettebrouwer.edublogs.org

Save the Date!

Just a quick note to SAVE THE DATE for our 2009 Georgetown Holiday program!

Although it seems like a long ways away, it will be here before you know it. So mark it on your calendar!
December 10, 2009 at 7:00 pm, Resurrection Life Church*
More details will be coming from Mrs. Bretz soon.

*This is the facility that we rent for our school wide performance.

Thank you so much for a wonderful week of conferences! I truly enjoyed meeting with you and sharing what fabulous things your 1st grader has been doing. Report cards will be coming home this coming Monday, November 9. If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know.
Thank you, again, for sharing your child with me!!

We were just informed by our Technology Department that the software responsible for our report card data base has crashed. The system will be down this weekend and likely into next week.

Since I wanted the most up to date grades on the report cards, I planned to use this weekend to finalize scores and add comments for each student. Since I  cannot access my report cards, I will not be able to share the report card with you during conferences this coming week.  I am greatly disappointed that I will not have your child’s report card to give you.

Once the Powerschool software is repaired, report cards will be completed and sent home.  During conferences, I will have my comment section available to highlight your child’s strengths and goals for the coming marking period.

Thank you for understanding .

Time is running out.  Our Governor and legislative leaders in Lansing are proposing devastating cuts to public education.  In addition to the $165 per pupil cut to all public schools, the State Budget Director has notified school leaders another $127 per pupil cut is coming in less than 30 days.  The only way this will not happen is if our Governor and legislators can agree to a funding solution addressing the revenue shortfall.  To find out how to help prevent this funding crisis, please listen to my message and visit the links here:  FUNDING CRISIS

To find out more about the history of school funding, FIVE DAYS TO FIX SCHOOL FUNDING, GR PRESS

Nicholas Ceglarek, Superintendent