Still Looking for an Alexander Graham Bell, Martin Luther King, Jr., and a Rosa Parks to Visit Our Classrooms!

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americas-heroesThis year we will be learning about many of our great American Heroes.  We would like to invite those interested to come dressed as one of the characters and share their story with our students. Presenters will visit each 1st grade class for 7-10 minutes.  

We hope to help our students create a memorable connection to history and understand the impact these instrumental people had upon our country. 

Please sign-up now for the American Hero you would like to represent for our students by clicking on this link:  American Hero Sign-up Form

Homework for the Week of Dec. 12-16

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For this week, there are 5 components required for weekly homework:

1. Reading (20-30 minutes every day!)
2. Word Sorts
3. Spelling
4. Math (this week: only math worksheets)
5. Record Reading Minutes for Library Reading Challenge by clicking on the “LIBRARY READING CHALLENGE” tab at the top of our blog (as pictured below):
There have been a few sad kiddos in class because they haven’t received an “orange train” from the library to color in class.  Students earn the orange trains by submitting their reading minutes via the “Library Reading Challenge” tab above, so don’t forget this step! Thanks!
library-reading-challengeEach week, print out the HOMEWORK FORM, which is found here or under the “Homework Form” tab above. 

If you would like to reduce the number of necessary printed papers, you may choose to print only page 1 of the Homework Form and use any blank paper for Tuesday’s Writing Sort and Thursday’s Glue Sort (see below).  
  • This form does NOT need to be printed or turned in for credit during weeks that we are doing only READING homework.  Simply initialing the form that comes home with your child’s Book Buddy is sufficient during those weeks.

Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.27 AM




A Reading for All Learners (Book Buddy) leveled book will be sent home with your child DAILY. Please have your child read the book (or one story from the books that contain more than one story) at least two-three times and then sign the included form. You may supplement your child’s reading using books at home, library books, etc. to fulfill the minimum requirement of 20-30 minutes of reading per day. 

Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.34 AM




Each week, print your student’s assigned Word Sort by clicking here:
CLICK HERE for Word Sort 1-29

Use the Word Sort for the following activities:
  • Monday: Print, cut, and sort your words with an adult and explain this week’s rule. Sort each word under the correct guide word. Some guide words have a C or V combination on them – C stands for consonant and V stands for vowel.
  • Tuesday: Practice the sort and write it (using the grid on page 2 of the Homework Form).
  • Wednesday: Blind Sort (Lay down the guide words and then read the rest of the words aloud without showing them to your child. Your child must indicate where the word goes without seeing it.
  • Thursday: Sort and glue (sort the words and glue them using the grid on page 3 of the Homework Form).
Be sure to include “sight words” and “challenge words” in the sort. Students should always read every word when sorting. 

screen-shot-2016-09-16-at-10-00-30-am




  • Study the following spelling and phonics words using any method you wish in order to prepare for the weekly spelling test on Fridays.
  • There is a list of recommended spelling study activities that you can access BY CLICKING HERE for Spelling Word Activities, but, again, you may use any method you wish.  
  • Please write the second list of spelling words (5 words) in alphabetical order on the Homework Form.    
screen-shot-2016-09-15-at-11-59-59-pm




The spelling words will sometimes repeat:

they
were
have
been
who
like
would

Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.47 AM



1.)  Complete this week’s My Math homework pages and staple them to the homework form. The assigned pages are: 
My Math Homework Lesson 7
My Math Homework Lesson 9

2.) Practice math skills for 20 minutes (in total for the week) using any “Math Activity” listed here: CLICK HERE for Math Activities Take a break from this requirement this week! 🙂

3.) Complete the math facts fluency timing each day, Monday-Thursday, and record the scores for the week on your homework form.  We are reviewing “Mixed Addition (Form B).” Take a break from this requirement this week! 🙂
  • With the fluency timing in the plastic sheet protector, use a dry-erase marker to practice repeatedly.  Record your time (number of minutes and seconds) and number of correct answers each day on your Homework Form. (No need to calculate a percentage score.)
  • The target goal is to finish all 25 problems in 1 minute and 15 seconds, with 90% accuracy (23 out of 25 problems correct).
  • Addition & Subtraction Fluency Timings
screen-shot-2016-09-16-at-12-26-16-am



Take a break from this requirement this week! 🙂
These daily one-minute timed fluency readings will help your student become a fluent reader. Time your student for one minute Monday-Thursday and record the number of words they were able to read in one minute on the front page of the Homework Form.

This week: use the “Lesson 29” page; no need to print it out, unless you’d like to.  You 
can report daily scores on the front page of the Homework Form instead.
CLICK HERE for Timed Reading Passages

A Visit from Mazzie, the War Dog!

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scan-6Today Mazzie, a war dog who was abandoned in Kuwait after his service, visited our classroom to wish us a Merry Christmas and to thank us for choosing K9 Rescue as our service learning project! These war dogs provide a great service to our military and are often abandoned after their missions are complete.  As mentioned in a previous post, our classroom is collecting spare change to donate to K9 Rescue, an organization that rescues war dogs after their service.  This will be first grade’s Service Learning Project for the year.  

scan-7

Below are some pictures of Mazzie visiting our classroom: 
file_000-1 file_000 file_001 file_004 file_005 file_007

Reflex Math

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screen-shot-2016-12-09-at-12-55-17-pmWe are excited to introduce a new online math program that can be used at home for practicing math facts!  It is called Reflex, and the kids tried it out in class today: they LOVED it! 

It is REALLY easy to access the program. Simply visit reflexmath.com and enter our class login: dunme9. Then select your name and enter the password: rams.

December Parent-Teacher Conferences: Thursday, Dec. 15th

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Our parent-teacher conferences this month are on Thursday, December 15th.  Below is the schedule for conferences.  If you would like to sign up for a time, please e-mail me: mdunmeyer@questac.org.  

 Thank you so much!

Thursday, Dec. 15thParent Teacher Conference
3:30 – Hailey Clark
3:40 –      
3:50 –      
4:00 –     
4:10 –      
4:20 –  Holden Bateman    

Parent Presenters: American Heroes

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presidents_dayThis year we will be learning about many of our great American Heroes.  We would like to invite those interested to come dressed as one of the characters and share their story with our students. Presenters will visit each 1st grade class for 7-10 minutes.  

We hope to help our students create a memorable connection to history and understand the impact these instrumental people had upon our country. 

Please sign-up now for the American Hero you would like to represent for our students by clicking on this link:  American Hero Sign-up Form

Homework for the Week of Dec. 5-9

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For this week, there are 6 components required for weekly homework:

1. Reading (20-30 minutes every day!)
2. Word Sorts
3. Spelling
4. Math
5. Timed Reading
6. Record Reading Minutes for Library Reading Challenge by clicking on the “LIBRARY READING CHALLENGE” tab at the top of our blog (as pictured below):
library-reading-challengeEach week, print out the HOMEWORK FORM, which is found here or under the “Homework Form” tab above. 

If you would like to reduce the number of necessary printed papers, you may choose to print only page 1 of the Homework Form and use any blank paper for Tuesday’s Writing Sort and Thursday’s Glue Sort (see below).  
  • This form does NOT need to be printed or turned in for credit during weeks that we are doing only READING homework.  Simply initialing the form that comes home with your child’s Book Buddy is sufficient during those weeks.

Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.27 AM




A Reading for All Learners (Book Buddy) leveled book will be sent home with your child DAILY. Please have your child read the book (or one story from the books that contain more than one story) at least two-three times and then sign the included form. You may supplement your child’s reading using books at home, library books, etc. to fulfill the minimum requirement of 20-30 minutes of reading per day. 

Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.34 AM




Each week, print your student’s assigned Word Sort by clicking here:
CLICK HERE for Sort 1-27

Use the Word Sort for the following activities:
  • Monday: Print, cut, and sort your words with an adult and explain this week’s rule. Sort each word under the correct guide word. Some guide words have a C or V combination on them – C stands for consonant and V stands for vowel.
  • Tuesday: Practice the sort and write it (using the grid on page 2 of the Homework Form).
  • Wednesday: Blind Sort (Lay down the guide words and then read the rest of the words aloud without showing them to your child. Your child must indicate where the word goes without seeing it.
  • Thursday: Sort and glue (sort the words and glue them using the grid on page 3 of the Homework Form).
Be sure to include “sight words” and “challenge words” in the sort. Students should always read every word when sorting. 

screen-shot-2016-09-16-at-10-00-30-am




  • Study the following spelling and phonics words using any method you wish in order to prepare for the weekly spelling test on Fridays.
  • There is a list of recommended spelling study activities that you can access BY CLICKING HERE for Spelling Word Activities, but, again, you may use any method you wish.  
  • Please write the second list of spelling words (5 words) in alphabetical order on the Homework Form.    
screen-shot-2016-09-15-at-11-59-59-pm




The spelling words will sometimes repeat:

said
bottom
of
put
they
from
these

Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.47 AM



1.)  Complete this week’s My Math homework pages and staple them to the homework form. The assigned pages are: 
CLICK HERE for My Math Lesson 4
CLICK HERE for My Math Lesson 5
CLLICK HERE for My Math Homework Lesson 6

2.) Practice math skills for 20 minutes (in total for the week) using any “Math Activity” listed here: CLICK HERE for Math Activities

3.) Complete the math facts fluency timing each day, Monday-Thursday, and record the scores for the week on your homework form.  We are reviewing “Mixed Addition (Form B).”
  • With the fluency timing in the plastic sheet protector, use a dry-erase marker to practice repeatedly.  Record your time (number of minutes and seconds) and number of correct answers each day on your Homework Form. (No need to calculate a percentage score.)
  • The target goal is to finish all 25 problems in 1 minute and 15 seconds, with 90% accuracy (23 out of 25 problems correct).
  • Addition & Subtraction Fluency Timings
screen-shot-2016-09-16-at-12-26-16-am




These daily one-minute timed fluency readings will help your student become a fluent reader. Time your student for one minute Monday-Thursday and record the number of words they were able to read in one minute on the front page of the Homework Form.

This week: use the “Lesson 27” page; no need to print it out, unless you’d like to.  You 
can report daily scores on the front page of the Homework Form instead.
CLICK HERE for Timed Reading Passages

Check out the Doubles Rap!

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It’s the doubles, baby, here we go, here we go! It’s the doubles, baby, and we start with zero: 0 + 0 = 0 Oh! 1 + 1 =2 Ooooooh! 2 + 2 = 4 More! 3 + 3 = 6 Kicks! 4 + 4 = 8 That’s Great! 5 + 5 = 10 Again! 6 + 6 = 12 That’s swell! 7 + 7 = 14 Let’s lean! 8 + 8 = 16 Really keen! 9 + 9 = 18 Jelly bean! 10 + 10 = 20 That’s plenty!

Service Learning Project: Save your quarters!

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Mission K9 Rescue Service Project

mission-k9-rescueLast Friday we attended a special Veteran’s Day Assembly with the Crismer’s and their war dog Mazzie from Mission K-9 Rescue. We learned about the sacrifices many dogs are making to protect the lives of our soldiers.  Unfortunately, these dogs are left behind after their work is done, and many have been abandoned in the Middle East. Mission K-9 Rescue is striving to Rescue, Reunite, Re-Home, Rehabilitate and Repair any retired working dog that has served mankind in some capacity.

This year for one of our service learning projects we will be collecting coins to donate to Mission K-9 Rescue. coin

As a First Grade we have been learning that everyone can serve and help others through stories such as “The Lion and the Mouse”. Though our children may be young, they too can make an important difference and our small contributions of a coin here and a few coins there will truly add up to something great.

We are also learning about financial literacy principles; for example, we are learning about the principle of saving and we are learning that, to earn money, one must work.  We are encouraging our students to do extra jobs at home for family or friends to earn coins to add to our Mission K-9 Rescue fund.

Final Day to Donate for our Basket!

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Final Day to Donate- WEDNESDAY, November 30th

Thank you for your generous donations to our classroom “Family Fun” basket.  The final day to donate is Wednesday, November 30th (tomorrow).

Here are a few possible ideas if you would like to donate:
basket-raffle-hbjmwc-clipart
Games
Popcorn
Popcorn toppings
Popcorn bowls, bags, or boxes
Snacks
Liters of Pop
DVD’s or BluRay movies
Blankets
Gift cards to movie theater
Redbox gift cards
Pizza gift cards
Your creative ideas :) 

December Scholastic Book Orders

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scholasticchristmas-books-440x435Usually, I submit the online book orders for Scholastic at the end of each month.  But for December, we want to be sure you receive your books before the Winter Break, so I will be submitting the order much, much earlier this month: I will be submitting the orders to Scholastic on the evening of Friday, December 9th, so please be sure you submit your order by then. Thanks!

To place a book order, visit http://www.scholastic.com and use our class code: NL9MM
Thank you so much!

Homework for the Week of Nov 28 – Dec 2

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For this week, there are 6 components required for weekly homework:

1. Reading (20-30 minutes every day!)
2. Word Sorts
3. Spelling
4. Math
5. Timed Reading
6. Record Reading Minutes for Library Reading Challenge by clicking on the “LIBRARY READING CHALLENGE” tab above:
library-reading-challenge

Each week, print out the HOMEWORK FORM, which is found here or under the “Homework Form” tab above. 

If you would like to reduce the number of necessary printed papers, you may choose to print only page 1 of the Homework Form and use any blank paper for Tuesday’s Writing Sort and Thursday’s Glue Sort (see below).  
  • This form does NOT need to be printed or turned in for credit during weeks that we are doing only READING homework.  Simply initialing the form that comes home with your child’s Book Buddy is sufficient during those weeks.

Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.27 AM




A Reading for All Learners (Book Buddy) leveled book will be sent home with your child DAILY. Please have your child read the book (or one story from the books that contain more than one story) at least two-three times and then sign the included form. You may supplement your child’s reading using books at home, library books, etc. to fulfill the minimum requirement of 20-30 minutes of reading per day. 

Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.34 AM




Each week, print your student’s assigned Word Sort by clicking here:
CLICK HERE for Word Sort 1-26

Use the Word Sort for the following activities:
  • Monday: Print, cut, and sort your words with an adult and explain this week’s rule. Sort each word under the correct guide word. Some guide words have a C or V combination on them – C stands for consonant and V stands for vowel.
  • Tuesday: Practice the sort and write it (using the grid on page 2 of the Homework Form).
  • Wednesday: Blind Sort (Lay down the guide words and then read the rest of the words aloud without showing them to your child. Your child must indicate where the word goes without seeing it.
  • Thursday: Sort and glue (sort the words and glue them using the grid on page 3 of the Homework Form).
IMPORTANT: Students do not need to study the spelling of individual Sort Words.  They need only be familiar with the “rule” for each of the guide words so that they can phonetically figure out the spelling for related words.  

CHALLENGE WORDS: Students do NOT need to know how to spell Challenge Words.  They only need to practice reading them as they sort them under the “Challenge” guide word. Thanks!

Be sure to include “sight words” and “challenge words” in the sort. Students should always read every word when sorting. Here is an example of a completed sort:

screen-shot-2016-09-16-at-10-00-30-am




  • Study the following spelling and phonics words using any method you wish in order to prepare for the weekly spelling test on Fridays.
  • There is a list of recommended spelling study activities that you can access BY CLICKING HERE for Spelling Word Activities, but, again, you may use any method you wish.  
  • Please write the second list of spelling words (5 words) in alphabetical order on the Homework Form.    
screen-shot-2016-09-15-at-11-59-59-pm




The spelling words will sometimes repeat:

some
very
said
she
which
do
many

Screen shot 2014-08-10 at 12.03.47 AM



1.)  Complete this week’s My Math homework pages and staple them to the homework form. The assigned pages are: 
CLICK HERE for My Math Homework Lesson 1
CLICK HERE for My Math Homework Lesson 2
CLICK HERE for My Math Homework Lesson 3

2.) Practice math skills for 20 minutes (in total for the week) using any “Math Activity” listed here: CLICK HERE for Math Activities

3.) Complete the math facts fluency timing each day, Monday-Thursday, and record the scores for the week on your homework form.  We are doing “Mixed Addition (Form B).”
  • With the fluency timing in the plastic sheet protector, use a dry-erase marker to practice repeatedly.  Record your time (number of minutes and seconds) and number of correct answers each day on your Homework Form. (No need to calculate a percentage score.)
  • The target goal is to finish all 25 problems in 1 minute and 15 seconds, with 90% accuracy (23 out of 25 problems correct).
  • Addition & Subtraction Fluency Timings
screen-shot-2016-09-16-at-12-26-16-am




These daily one-minute timed fluency readings will help your student become a fluent reader. Time your student for one minute Monday-Thursday and record the number of words they were able to read in one minute on the front page of the Homework Form.

This week: use the “Lesson 26” page; no need to print it out, unless you’d like to.  You 
can report daily scores on the front page of the Homework Form instead.
CLICK HERE for Timed Reading Passages