Week+9

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 Newsletter for Week of Oct. 28th, 2013 **Week in Review** We had a busy week filled with work and yet the excitement of Halloween just overflowing. Did you know that next to Christmas and their own birthday, Halloween is a First Grader's most favorite celebration. We are just about ready to finish one fourth of our First Grade year. Your child's report card will arrive on Thursday, October 31st. Our report card is universal for the elementary students in the Milwaukee Archdiocese. We have graded all of the academic areas with the grades of S--secure (demonstrates a complete understanding and application of material), P--progressing (demonstrates a general understanding of the material presented), or N--needs improvement (demonstrates an inconsistent understanding of the material presented). We look back on all nine weeks of the quarter, and not just the last few and that is why this grading period is always the most difficult. A proficency grade is also given for specific areas within each class--1, 2, 3, or 4. This is new for us this year as we evaluate the standards. Each quarter we learn different information and as a result different criteria will need to be evaluated. I hope this helps you understand the report card you will receive. I look forward to our conference next week. Your specific schedule should have arrive by the end of this week, carried by the youngest or only child of your family.

= Reading = This week we will read //The Pig, the Wolf, and the Mud,// which is a story that we have heard before, but is retold in its own unique way. The wolf certainly will not be bothering the pig in this story anymore. The children will be asked to work on visualizing the plot, the **'s** contractions, and be working on the SHORT U vowels sound as well.

Vocabulary for __The Pig, the Wolf, and the Mud__
** collapse...company...construct...entire...material **...again...could...makeone...then...three...live...many...out...place...run...fun...nut...cut...bug rug... homes...build...shelter   **Religion**  We have just completed our second unit in Religion and we now begin the unit focusing on Jesus Christ as healer, his life, showing our love for God, and praying. This week we will learn about Mother Theresa and compare her to the healing compassion of Jesus for God's people. The children will hear the Bible story of how Jesus healed the daughter of Jairus and will be introduced to the term of faith as a gift of believing in God. We will also participate in "All Hallow's Eve" on Wednesday, presented by the "Faith Builders" from LCM. It is presented to the children with a very meaningful prayer service and games to learn more about the featured saints. We will even enjoy a provided snack. Each day during the month of November we will be reading a story about the life of a saint to coincide with The Feast of All Saints, a holy day of obligation. We celebrate the Feast of All Saints on Friday and we will attend the 8:30 a.m. Mass.

=Math = We are now beginning our next standard of adding and subtracting and their relationship together as well as additional problem solving skills. The children will begin to work on the concept of related facts. Addition and subtraction are very closely related and should be learned as a family. Flashcard practice is always helpful as well as computer games and websites. [|(www.fun4thebrain.com )] We will continue concentrating on strategies to add without counters by using the "count on" strategy and the "number line" strategy. Additional strategies are the "doubles" and the "doubles + 1" strategies, and counting back. We will be reinforcing them ALL year long. They can always be their safety net if their facts are not memorized.

Vocabulary for Understanding Addition and Subtraction Concepts
**related facts.....sum.....difference.....count on.....count** **back.....strategies...number line.....** **doubles.....doubles + 1...fact family...rule...*sum...*difference** =Riddles of the Week = Why did the bacon laugh? Because the egg cracked a yolk. Why was the clock late coming back from the lunchroom? Because it went back for seconds.

= Important Dates =   Visit [|LC Connection] Oct. 30th..........[|Spooktacular Family Event] (event moved to Mequon gym) Oct. 31st..........Halloween Parade 10:45--weather permitting Oct. 31st..........Last day for skorts and shorts--skirts are never allowed Oct. 31st..........Report Cards <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Nov. 1st...........All Saints Day, Holy Day--attending Mass at 8:30 a.m. <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Nov. 1st...........First Friday, out of uniform Nov. 2nd..........[|Soles for Education walk, 8 a.m.] (registration free through Oct. 1) Nov. 2nd..........[|Trivia Twilight, 7 p.m.] Nov. 6th..........[|Young Rembrandts Registration] Nov. 7th and 8th.....................[|Conferences] (Return forms by Oct. 25th) <span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: left;">Nov. 26th................................Thanksgiving Feast (5K-1st) 9:30 a.m.