November/December Fluency Graph

I hope this finds you safe and warm on this snowy Monday.  I woke up and couldn't help but think about how glad I was that this winter weather is with us this Monday instead of next!  

Take a look at the graph of our class fluency scores below.  The BLUE bar indicates how many words your child read correctly in one minute in November.  The RED bar indicates how many words your child read correctly in one minute in December.  The January goal is 48 words correct in one minute.  I have added a green bar to show where this number would be on this graph.  Please be sure your child is reading aloud to you this week to ensure he or she is able to do so at our next benchmark assessment.  

Want to check out the progress your child made from November to December?  Please email me to find out what your child's number is.  I will be updating this graph each month to show your child's progress.  I will also be using this graph with students to create some class goals around fluency.  

The Teacher Cried Again - Thank You!

If your child comes home and tells you the teacher cried today... They're right!  They worked with Mrs. Townsley to create this video for me.  They sure know how to make a teacher feel special. I am so very blessed to be able to work with your children each day.   Thank you for sending them to me each day ready to learn.  Check out the video below.  

Thank you very much for the emails, Christmas cards, and gifts.  I appreciate how thoughtful you have been.  

Please be sure to check your child's backpack soon.  They have a few fun things in there for YOU.  Also, there are a few books for them to read over break.  They all PROMISED me they would read.  :)   Please be sure to practice the blue packet of sight words a few times as well.  The Symbaloo is another great resource for them to practice literacy and math skills.  I'll be watching Raz-Kids over break and will be excited to see the progress they're making in their individual book rooms.  
REMINDER:  We will be having a FAST benchmark assessment soon after we get back from break.  It is important your child continues to read so he or she can accurately perform for this assessment.  

Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

Reminder for TOMORROW

Book Exchange:

Please be sure to send a book for your child to exchange if you haven't already.  It should be wrapped with your child's name.

GRINCH DAY:

Please send your child to school in green!  We'll be having a "Grinch" themed day.  :)

Our classroom party is tomorrow!  

Reading with Residents

We went and read to the residents at the Keystone Care Center this morning.  I think the residents and the first graders equally enjoyed the activity.  We also sang to them while we were there.  

Bobcat Time Projects

Ask your first grader about Bobcat Time!  This is our building-wide intervention time where students are split into groups based on skills they could benefit from more work on.  I'm working with a group of first graders on a "Passion Project."  In order to learn the research process, we're doing our first passion project together.  We've been studying the Chinese New Year.  Soon, we'll have an expert in Tai Chi come and teach our class this traditional form of dance/exercise the Chinese practice.  Students have been coming up with plans to create dragons, make traditional Chinese dishes, and a parade for the rest of the building.   Here are some pictures from one of the last "research" days.  We've moved on to organizing our information and will start creating on Monday.  

Be sure to ask your first grader who they are with during Bobcat Time and what they are working on!  

Adjectives - Grinch

Listen to these first graders singing an adjective song!!  "Will you record us, Ms. Upah?"  :)

We've been reading and doing activities centered around the Grinch.  Don't forget our GRINCH DAY next Tuesday.  Children are encouraged to dress head to toe in green.  We'll even have a classroom Grinch.  

Here are some students showing off their Grinch adjectives from the other day.  

Growth vs. Fixed Mindset - Thank You

Mrs. Embray shared this video link.  I think this is a great reminder of how important the growth mindset is for learning and development at any age.  As an adult, I often think about these same ideas.  

THANK YOU to those of you who were able to attend Parent Resource Night!  I hope you found the opportunity to make-and-take activities for break and beyond beneficial.  I will be sending these activities home with everyone.  Feel free to assemble at home.  

Grinch Day

First graders will be having a "Grinch Day" on Tuesday, December 22nd.  Please send your child to school in as much GREEN as possible!  Mrs. Happel and I are excited to celebrate the joy of giving with your first grader.  

"I can..." Statements and Important Reminders

Here are our "I can..." statements for this week:

I can...

• read and write words with th and wh like with and whale
• analyze and summarize story elements (characters, setting, problem, solution)
• read and reread for fluency
• read with expression by changing my pitch and stressing words
• subtract numbers up to 10
• write a personal narrative
• identify and use verbs in my writing
• identify and use adjectives in my writing
• identify and use adjectives in my writing

Important Reminders:

Early Dismiss:

Wednesday, December 16th - 1:00 dismiss - PK-12 Professional Development

Parent Resource Night:

Please plan on joining us at Keystone Elementary on Wednesday evening for Parent Resource Night.  This event will be different than Parent Partnership NIght as it is set up as a make-and-take resource event.  Mrs. Happel and I have come up with some fun games and activities to keep your child learning over the holiday break and beyond.  We'll also be available to answer any questions you may have about how to help your child at home or ELI.  The event begins at 6:30pm.  

Book Exchange:

Please send a book with your child prior to our exchange.  (Tuesday, December 22nd)  The book should be wrapped with your child's name so we know who to thank. 

Holiday Party:

Our holiday party will be on Tuesday, December 22nd.  If you are asked to provide snacks, your child will be bringing home a note tomorrow.  Please let me know if this doesn't work for you.  

Winter Gear:

I hope it stops raining soon because we have a messy, messy playground!  Please be sure to send boots with your child so they can play on the grass without ruining their shoes or tracking in mud.  Snow will come to us soon enough.  If you have an extra pair of gloves or an extra hat to keep in your child's locker, that would be helpful.  

Book Order:

Many of you ordered from our Scholastic book order.  THANK YOU!  Our classroom is racking up points to earn free books.  I will be in contact with those of you who said the order contained gifts to arrange pick-up/delivery.  

I am so, so excited to get back to school in the morning and see your child's bright and smiling face!  I was fortunate enough to get to see all of them via Facetime on Friday with the help of Mrs. Fisher.  I hope your child shared "seeing" the Statue of Liberty with you!  

Parent Resource Night

Just a reminder to mark your calendar for next Wednesday, December 16th for Parent Resource Night.   We will be in the Keystone Elementary gym from 6:30-7:30pm with ideas on how to support your student at home.  Daycare will be provided for those in need of the service.  This will be especially important as we'll be getting ready to go on a holiday break.  Almost immediately after returning from that break, the FAST winter benchmark assessment will be given.  That is the assessment that goes over the different literacy skills and is used to identify students as proficient, at-risk of substantial deficiency, and being considered substantially deficient in the area of reading.  

Please let me know if you have any questions!  

Keystone Elementary Parent Resource Night

When:  Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Time:  6:30 - 7:30 PM (childcare provided)

Purpose:  Parent and Teacher collaboration time to ask and answer questions and create useful literacy and math resources to bring classroom learning home over winter break and beyond!

"I can..." Statements and Other IMPORTANT Info

Christmas Store-

The BCPTO Christmas Store is this FRIDAY.  Please be sure to send money and a list with your child if you'd like him or her to be able to purchase gifts.  All gifts are $2.  If you can't find your sheet, no big deal!  Just send a list of names and ages and $2/person your child is shopping for.  

Winter Gear-

Please be sure to send winter gear with your child.  Currently, boats are required to play on the playground.  Students without boots are asked to stay on the street or hard surfaces.

Contact Candi-

I will be out of the district through the rest of the week.  If there are any transportation changes or immediate needs with your child, please contact Candi in the office.  

Holiday Program-

Everyone did such a great job at the program.  THANK YOU for bringing your child!

"I can..." Statements for the Week of December 7th-

I can...

-read and write words with sh and ch like chat and shift

-using the pictures and details in text, identify story elements (characters, setting, problem, solution)

-write a personal narrative with characters, setting, problem and resolution

-subtract numbers up to 10

-identify the whole and parts in a subtraction sentence

-identify verbs and use them in my writing

Here are a few random pictures I found on my phone...  Enjoy  :)

December Important Dates - REMINDERS

December Important Dates:

2nd - 1:00 Dismiss - PK-12 PD

4th - Keystone Elementary Christmas Program - 7:00pm 

7th - BCPTO @ Atkins - 7:00pm

11th - Keystone Elementary Christmas Store

16th - 1:00 Dismiss - PK-12 PD

16th - Parent Resource Night @ Keystone Elementary - 6:30-7:30pm

22nd - Keystone Elementary Holiday Parties

23rd - 1:00 Dismiss - Holiday Break

24th - 31st - No School - Holiday Break - School resumes January 4th

Christmas Program - 

Please see Mrs. Galligan's note about dress requests for the Christmas program.  In the past, VHE students wore jeans and then changed into a matching shirt.  This is NO longer part of the music program.  Mrs. Galligan has requested students refrain from jeans if able.  Please have your child to the school by 6:45pm.   

Christmas Store - 

A note was sent home explaining the Christmas Store last week.  Please let me know if you need another copy or CLICK HERE to view.  Students love the opportunity to shop for those they care about.  Please be sure to send your child's money AND list in a labeled envelope. 

Parent Resource NIght -

When:  Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Time:  6:30 - 7:30 PM (childcare provided)

Purpose:  Parent and Teacher collaboration time to ask and answer questions and create useful literacy and math resources to bring classroom learning home over winter break and beyond!

Holiday Parties - CHANGE

All Keystone Elementary holiday parties will be on the same day, Tuesday, December 22nd.  Please send a book $0-$5 with your child on or before the day of the party.  It should be wrapped with your child's name so we know who to thank.  CLICK HERE if you'd like to order from Scholastic online.  This order will be submitted Friday, December 4th to ensure they are here in plenty of time for the exchange.  Our class code is PDTGR.

I will be sending home notes to those asked to provide snacks for our holiday party.

Bell Ringing TODAY

Just a reminder that we will be bell ringing for the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign from 10am-12pm at the SW side Wal-Mart (grocery entrance).  

I hope you all had a relaxing, safe, happy Thanksgiving!  

1U is Thankful

1U is Thankful

Check out this SUPER CUTE video to see what your first grader is thankful for.  

I'm thankful for getting to work and live in the Benton Community School District.  I whole-heartedly believe Benton Community is a place to belong.   Thank you for sending me your children each day.   I hope you all have a safe, relaxing, happy Thanksgiving.  

I hope you are able to join us on Saturday from 10am-12pm for the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign bell ringing at the SW side Wal-Mart (grocery side)!  

Report Cards - Conferences Sign Up

Your child's report card is coming home today!   The report card looks a little different from last year.  Please know that we will go over the report card during your child's conference.  I will explain the learning targets and priority standard scores.  I tried to give everyone very detailed comments about your child now and where we're headed next.  Please note these are on a separate sheet of paper instead of in the comments section on the report card.  If you have any questions or concerns, please email me or we can talk about it at your child's conference.  

Thank YOU for signing up for conferences!  We now have 100% of our class signed up!  I am so, so excited to chat with you about all of the progress your child has made so far this year. 

Stay safe this weekend!  Please remember to send winter gear with your children on Monday.  :)  

Monsters in the Book Fair

Yesterday, we made monsters to decorate for the monster themed book fair.  The book fair will be held in the library and will be open during conferences.  Click HERE to preview the book fair or order online.  

Holiday Book Exchange

Holiday Book Exchange

Please send a gender-neutral book (valued between $0-5) to school with your child on or before December 22^nd.  Students will exchange books during our holiday party on December 23^rd.  The book needs to be wrapped with your child’s name on it so we know who to thank.  I have attached a few book orders.  If you are interested in ordering a book from Scholastic for the exchange, please order online or send a check (payable to Scholastic Book Clubs) on or before Friday, December 4^th.   Also, if you are ordering any gifts through Scholastic, please email me and we can make arrangements to keep them a surprise.  Please contact me with any questions.

Thank you!

Ms. Upah

Our classroom earns FREE books with every order! 

Scholastic Book Clubs Ordering Information
www.scholastic.com/bookclubs 
Class Activation Code: PDTGR

Domino Math

Today, we talked about writing addition sentences.  We've been talking a lot about the parts and the whole in an addition sentence.  Ask your child to do our "part-part-whole dance" for you!  

We did a domino addition activity where we added the parts on the domino.  Check out the pictures to see!  If you have dominos at home and want your child to be able to practice, email me and I'll send some domino addition sheets home with him or her.

"I can..." Statements for the Week of November 16th - Pictures

Reminders:  

1:00 dismiss on Wednesday, November 18th.
Report cards will be sent home on Friday.
Please call and schedule a conference if you haven't already.
Winter gear is needed!  Thanks for sending hats and gloves!

Here are our "I can..." statements for this week.

I can identify important parts in a text.
I can identify the sequence of events in a text.
I can discuss nonfiction text features. (table of contents, glossary, index, etc.)
I can read and write words with an open vowel. (go, no, etc.)
I can identify all of the parts in a personal narrative.  (characters, setting, problem, resolution)
I can brainstorm before I write using a graphic organizer.
I can add numbers up to 10.
I can identify important American symbols.
I can compare and contrast now vs. then tasks. 
I can identify a noun.
I can identify a proper noun.
I can identify a verb.


Here are a few scenes from our week last week.  Be sure to follow us on Instagram @BCFirst.  Many of these pictures were borrowed from what was posted on our Instagram account.  They were taken by students on our "Tech Team" this week.  :)