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.  :)

Veterans Day Program

The 2015 Benton Community Veterans Day program brought tears to my eyes, just like those which preceded it.  The sea of red, white, and blue that consumes the elementary bleachers is a powerful sight.  

Check out the pictures below.  Thanks Krystal Wright and Jim Magdefrau for allowing us the use of these pictures.  A special thanks goes to all of those who have served or are serving.  We are truly blessed to live in the land of the free and the home of the brave.  

Conference Reminder

Please be sure to sign up for a conference if you haven't already!  Conferences are on the following days:

Monday, November 23rd - 3:30-7:30
Tuesday, November 24th - 3:00-7:30

You can call Candi at the Keystone Elementary office at 442-3221 to see what is available. 

I am so excited to discuss the growth your child has made already this year!  

1st Grade Bell Ringers

Part of your child's experience in school needs to include opportunities for them to practice being a good citizen.  We strive to do this in a variety of ways, one of the biggest being the Socktober sock drive.  This year, we'd like to create another opportunity for students to learn about the power of giving by joining the Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign.  Please let me know if your family is interested in joining.  All families are welcome.  Carson and I had the opportunity to do this last year.  The impact it made on our conversation around the holiday season was amazing.  I hope your family is able to join in this service project.  

Who:  First graders and their families

What:  Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign

Where:  Wal-Mart on the west side of Cedar Rapids (Grocery entrance)

When:  Saturday, November 28th from 10am-12pm

Please let me know if you think you may be able to attend and if you have any questions!

Leaf Raking Help

Need some help raking your leaves?

The Benton Community High School Student Council wants to lend a hand!

When:  Sunday November 22, 2015

What time:  Sometime after 1:00pm

Who:  High School Student Council members, sponsors, and student volunteers

What:  We will rake and bag leaves.

What do I need to do to prepare? …Simply call or email Student Council Adviser Ali Galbraith to confirm your address and get your name on the list.  You can reach her by calling (319) 530-8688or by email at agalbraith@benton.k12.ia.us.

"I can..." for the Week of November 9th

Reminder:  Keystone students wear BLUE for the Veterans Day program on Wednesday. The public is invited to attend this event at the MS/HS starting at 9:30am.   

Our math focus is switching to addition and subtraction!  Please be practicing these skills at home.  I'll be posting activity ideas and online resources for this skill soon!

If you haven't scheduled a conference, please do so ASAP.  I am excited to chat with you about the growth your child has made so far in first grade!

If you are missing your sight word packet for at home practice, please email me and I'll send another copy.  

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

I can read and write words with a long I and magic e.  (drive, quite, bite, five)
I can identify the sequence of events in pictures and text.
I can identify the sequence of events and signal words in a text. 
I can create a sequence of events.
I can identify and write nouns.
I can use complete sentences.
I can identify features of personal narratives.
I can add.  
I can identify and tell about American symbols. (flag, Statue of Liberty, Liberty Bell, Bald Eagle)

Communication Survey - PLEASE TAKE

Mr. Junge emailed this Parent Communication Survey out last week.  Please take the time to complete this survey by answering a few questions.  That data gained from this survey will help us better serve our families.  

THANK YOU for your help with this!  

Veterans Day

On Thursday, November 11th, students will be going to the MS/HS for the annual Benton Community Veterans Day program.  The program will begin at 9:30.  Keystone students have been asked to wear BLUE.  It is so neat to see the sea of red, white, and blue in the bleachers on this special day.  Elementary students have been practicing special songs to sing during the program.  The public is invited to attend.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  

Sock Delivery

I can't thank you enough for the tremendous support you offered during our Socktober project.  Students have been writing reflections about Socktober this week.  What they're coming up with is amazing.  I can't wait to share them with you at conferences.  

Here are a few pictures from our rainy morning delivering 1,250 pairs of socks.  

Veterans Benefit Breakfast - Sunday in VH

The Benton Community FFA Chapter will be hosting a Veterans Benefit Breakfast on Sunday, November 8th at the Van Horne Community Center from 7 AM to Noon.  The breakfast will consist of pancakes, eggs, sausage, milk, juice, and coffee.  The cost of this breakfast is a free will donation.  All proceeds will go to the Benton County Veterans Assistance Program.  The Benton County Assistance Program provides assistance to veterans and their families in filing applications for service, connected disability, compensation, non service connected pension, claims for aid and attendance/household status, serving spouse pension and other federal and state benefits. They also provide short term assistance to veterans and dependents who need help with rent and utility payments, food and provisions, prescription medications, and transportation assistance.  Please come join the Benton Community FFA and enjoy a great breakfast while raising money for the men and women who have fought for our freedom!  

Hanging Houses - Addresses and Phone Numbers

Our addresses and phone numbers are hanging in the room as a reminder to practice, practice, practice!  My teacher made these when I was in kindergarten.  I remember feeling so proud when I could take mine down and take it home because I knew my address and phone number.  Please keep practicing with your child.  When they can recite and write their address and phone number, they will get to bring their house home!  

Telling Time - Resources/Class Goal

Telling Time

We have started to learn how to tell time.  Today we spent quite a bit of time discussing why knowing how to tell time is of extreme importance.  We determined that time drives our lives, even in first grade.  We discussed years, days, hours, minutes, and seconds.  Below are some games, a video, and some apps to help your child continue to practice this critical skill.  

This is our data based on our time PREASSESMENT.  Most students were very unsure of how to read a clock.  Please check out our time goal.  Students were pumped to practice this at home!

Learn to Tell Time Video

Games:
On Time!

Clock Splat


Apps:  Search for these in the iTunes or Google Play Store

Jungle Time


Interactive Telling Time Lite - FREE