clayton

Newsletter for May 7-16, 2008

Field Day

Our Field Day was a great success.  Many thanks to our Coaches, Parents, PTA, and our Fifth Grade Buddies.  Our principal, Mrs. Whalen, volunteered for the "Dunk Tank" with many teachers and students, so between the Relay Races in the morning, and the Stations in the afternoon, everyone had a great time.  I know the Comets have been practicing with the Coaches, but we won the majority of the Relay Races.  I might need to rename our class, "The Speedy Comets!"  Thanks to everyone who donated items and helped with today's festivities.

Math

We are using our Smartboard with many activities during the day, but the Math Program is so much fun because Mrs. Clayton can download the exact page from the "E-Book" along with the "Problem of the Day" so we can do these measuring activities together.  We will soon be finished with measurement and we can continue more work with "Double-Digit Addition and Subtraction."  This will be our last topic in Math for this year.

Language Arts

We read "Geraldine's Baby Brother" on Monday and discussed how Willie, the baby, upset Geraldine and then when Geraldine finally began to help him, she began to like him.  Many students have younger siblings so they can relate to this story very well.

Mother's Day Gifts

We have made three nice gifts for our moms and the students have worked very hard listening to directions and creating these items for you.  We hope you will enjoy them on Mother's Day, May  11th.

Awards Day, May  15th - 9:15 AM

Our Annual First Grade Awards Day will  be on Thursday, May  15th, at 9:15 AM in the Cafeteria.  We only have Good Citizenship, Perfect Attendance, and Faithful Attendance (no absences and less than three tardies) Awards in First Grade.  The Good Citizenship Award is chosen by the students themselves, for one boy and one girl in each First Grade Class.  We recently voted by secret ballot, so the students do not know who won these awards.  This Assembly is only for the parents of students who are receiving the above awards, and I have contacted only those parents who need to attend.  Thank you.

Updates

Math Homework

I will not be sending Homework Sheets for the "Weight and Capacity" Chapter since each sheet requires materials such as a balance set, blocks, etc. which may not be common items found in students' homes.  As soon as we reach the adding and subtracting "Double Digits" Chapter, we should have some suitable homework sheets to bring home.  Thanks for your patience and understanding.

Field Day, May7th

Please note that we will have our Annual Field Day on next Wednesday, May 7th.  Please remember to let your child wear their Comets' Class T-Shirt on that day as we will travel to different events planned by our wonderful coaching staff.

Newsletter for April 28-May 5, 2008

Language Arts

We are back on track after CRCT Testing with our story of the week.  This week's selection is called, "Planets."  We discussed today how Pluto had been demoted last year and is no longer considered a "planet".  We have a very high interest in this subject and we will be using the NASA website for the next few weeks.  Please note this website so your child can use it at home for their enjoyment.  Go to: www.nasa.gov and locate the Kids' Club section.  Also, some students enjoy the pictures and updated information on space and exploration.

Math

Today I sent home this week's Math Facts for our Weekly Test on Friday.  We are also completing our unit on "Weight" and we should have our Chapter Test at the end of the week.

Spelling

Your child should have also brought home their new weekly Spelling List today to study for our Friday Test.

Campus Cleanup Day

Please make a note on your calendars for our Annual Campus Cleanup day.  It is this Saturday, May 3rd, from 9-12.  Please stop by when you can to help our parents with this wonderful project.

Reading Groups

I am currently beginning my "End-of-the-Year" Assessment with each student, so our reading groups will not resume until this is complete.  I must read individually with each student, so I can include this information in their Portfolios as they move into Second Grade.  Thank you for your patience and please continue your daily reading activities at home. 

Library Checkouts

We only have 10 more days to check out library books, so we will not have anymore class checkouts.  However, students can still go individually and check out books to take home.  I encourage them to do this as often as they can this time of year.

Newsletter for March 31st through Spring Break

Language Arts

This week's story is called, "Henry and Mudge in the Green Time."  Henry has an adventure trying to bathe his dog, Mudge.  We are going to be writing our own stories about children and their pets, using our best imaginations and creativity.

Math

We will finish our unit on "Time and the Calendar" today and we will have our unit 20 Chapter Test tomorrow afternoon, after we return from Specials.

Fundations

We have moved into our Second Grade Phonics Book looking at different vowel patterns and sounds.  We will continue in this book until the end of the school year.

Science

We have just completed our unit on "Plants and Their Needs."  We are still observing our seedlings to see how much more they will grow before Spring Break.

CRCT

We will began practicing with our CRCT paper tests, when we return from Spring Break, to make sure we are comfortable "bubbling in" for the Official CRCT Tests.  We will test on April 23rd, 24th, and 25th for the First Grade CRCT.  Some other grade levels will have more testing after we finish.

Spring Break

Please remember that next week is our official Spring Break.  Have a safe and wonderful time to relax with your families!

Volunteer Luncheon, March 18th

Please return your RSVP for our Volunteer Luncheon by Friday, March 12th.  Thank you!

Newsletter for March 10-18th

Kindergarten and New First Grade Registration, Tuesday, March 11th

Tomorrow we will have our annual Kindergarten and New First Grade Registration in our Media Center at 9:00 AM.  This is only for students new to Sope Creek.

Smartboards

We have borrowed our "shared" Smartboards over the last two weeks and the students have really enjoyed using them as the lessons can be so interactive.  Students have written spelling words, had math, language arts, and science lessons as we explored the differences between "Frogs and Toads".  Each week we will continue to borrow the "shared board", as it is portable, and we will be using it for all of our lessons on the day that we have the board.  Since there are eight First Grades, that means we might not have it each week, but it makes us more excited to think about having our very own "Smartboard" before school is out this year.

Fun Run, March 15th, and "Chef's Delight Basket

The Sope Creek Foundation sends a big thank you to everyone who has already signed up for our "Annual Fun Run".  It's still not too late to send in your application, as the proceeds will help fund the remaining "Smartboards" for our classes.  Also, please stop by the Media Center and place your bids, as we have a wonderful basket filled with donated items, given by our parents.  A Big "Thank You" to Mrs. Lagod for coordinating this event and for all of your donations!

St. Patricks's Day, March 17th

Remember to wear green on this day since we can all be "Irish" for a day.

Volunteer Appreciation Tea, March 18th -10:40 - 11:10 AM for the Comets

Don't forget to return your green response form so we will have an accurate count of the food we need to order.  This is the Sope Creek Teaching Staff's way of saying "Thank You to our Volunteers!"  See you in the Media Center for the luncheon.  Students will not be with us as they must eat their lunches in the Cafeteria.

Newsletter Update February 12-15, 2008

No School

Please remember that Monday, February 18th, and Tuesday, February 19th are Student Holidays.  See you on Wednesday!

Foundation Fun Run

Please sign up for the Foundation Fun Run on Saturday, March 15th.  You have already received the Fun Run Registration form which is blue, so please look for it at home and sign up to help raise money for our wonderful Sope Creek Foundation.

Sope Creek Foundation Basket

"A Chef's Delight"

We still need more items for our basket for the auction.  Here are some suggestions: cooking mitts, an apron, cooking utensils, gift certificates, grilling items, oils, vinegar, and spices.  Please send in to school no later than March 5th.  Thanks!

Happy Birthday Sope Creek

February 21st will be Sope Creek's 30th Birthday.  Our theme is "Disco Day"!  Where were you in 1978?  Dig out your "Disco Duds" and join us for a stroll down Memory Lane.

Newsletter for February 5-9, 2008

Reminder

Please remember that we have another Early Release Day tomorrow on Wednesday, February 6th.  Students will  be dismissed early at 12:20 PM.  Please plan accordingly.  Thank you!

Friday, February 8th, we will have our indoor Field Trip, "Sounds All Around" at 12:35- 2:05 PM. 

Supplies

Please send in a new set of the "Classic Colors" of markers for your child to replace the ones we can no longer use.  If you have already sent in the markers, "Thanks a Million!"  The Comets love their new markers.

Newsletter for January 31, 2008

Coming Attractions

Friday, February 1st - Art Day at Sope Creek

We will have visiting artists, performances, and music as we travel throughout the school.  After lunch in the room, we will complete our own artwork to share with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.  Please remember to wear Black T-shirts on Friday.  If you have sent a shirt in for your child, we are keeping them in their bookbags due to storage and space concerns.

Friday Night, February 1st - First Annual Art Show at Sope Creek - Open House

Please join us from 6:00 - 8:30 PM to view all of the student artwork.  You should have received a copy of your child's artwork that will  be framed and hanging for your enjoyment.  All the art is available for purchase.  Please refer to our recent take home Art Show Notes.

Friday Tests

Due to Art Day on Friday we will take our Spelling, Math Facts, and Story Comprehension Test tomorrow instead of Friday for this week only.  Thanks for your help at home.

Thank You!

A super big thank you for all of the recent book donations from the Book Fair.  We are reading them to the class as time permits.  Thanks again!

Newsletter For January 14-18,2008

Arts

This week's story is "The Little Red Hen".  We will compare this version of an old folktale to other stories about "The Little Red Hen" and see how they are alike and different.  We will also discuss the moral of our story. Beginning with this story we will have a weekly comprehension test every Friday for each story.

Math

We will continue Chapter 8 with Place Value.  We took a Mid-Term Math Assessment for two days last week and we will also complete another assessment that coincides with our Performance Standards.  These are used for information gathering and help us to drive instruction goals.  We do not use them for grades.

Penny Wars

Please send in pennies so we can join "The Penny Wars" and compete against other classes to see who can raise the most money for the American Cancer Society.  Details are posted on the Sope Creek School Blog.

Yearbooks

Yearbooks can still be ordered through the Front Office.  The price is $30.00 per book.  Please see the  Front Office Staff for more information or to purchase a book.  All orders are due by the end of January.

Spirit Day

Our next Spirit Day is Friday, January 18th.

Coming Attractions

January 21st - Dr. M.L. King Birthday Celebration - No School

Conference Week - January 22 -25, 2008

Students will be released 2 hours early each day in order for Parent-Teacher Conferences to be held.