Hi Students and Parents,

Welcome to Mrs. Estrada's blog. This blog will help you keep up to date on homework, in-class work, and any school reminders. I will update this blog after school Monday through Friday. Please feel free to leave me a post if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. Don't forget to check orange folders and reading log every night!

~Mrs. Estrada
National Board Certified Teacher

Friday, September 28, 2012

Friday 09/28/12

Hi! Today Progress Reports are going home!!! Please make sure you review your child's progress reports with them. Please sign and return Progress Reports on Monday. 

Also, Friday Test folders are going home. Please review, sign, and return test on Monday. 

Lastly, please make sure sure book reports are completed by Monday. Today, your child borrowed a book from the classroom library to complete their book report. (Students who did not return book from last week, weren't allow to check out a new book, sorry.) 

Have a wonderful weekend! See you Monday!

Mrs. Estrada

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Thursday 09/27/12

Hi! Today we learned about Cesar Chavez in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month! We also grew a lot has writers today, as we wrote our first paragraph!!!!

Homework:
Spelling: study words and give a "practice" test

Reading: Practice reading (log on backside of orange folder) 

Sight words: Practice sight words. For sight words students can practice "snap spelling" were you (parent) can call out the words and they can try to spell the word the "best" that they can. Students won't need to spell the word for tomorrow's assessment, but it will help them recognize the word when they read off the list tomorrow. 

Math: worksheet on subtraction 

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Wednesday 09/26/2012

Homework:
Reading: practice reading every night (reading log in backside of orange folders) and practice sight words flash cards

Spelling: Rainbow Write

Math: Workbook page on subtraction

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Tuesday 09/25/12

Hi! Today we worked on Math Centers and Reading Centers!!! This is a huge progress as it shows that the students are growing and becoming more responsible everyday. I did want to take this time to ask parents to please ensure that your child completes their homework nightly. I know it can be difficult to make time with busy schedules, but 1st grade is so important to build good foundational work habits!

Thanks,
Mrs. Estrada


Homework:
Spelling: Draw ONLY 5 pictures and sentences that match the illustration

Math: Workbook page on subtraction

Reading: Practice sight word flashcards and Reading Log

Parent Homework: Please complete the Student Medical Informational sheet and return as soon as possible.



Monday, September 24, 2012

Monday 09/24/12

Hi!

Today students will be bringing home their Sight Word Notebook for the first time. Please help your child practice their words by reading from the list or using the flashcards they received today.  Your child needs to be able to read these words "in a snap."

Homework:
Spelling: 3 times each

Reading: Practice sight words and read every night. Record reading in Reading Log

Math: Workbook page on subtraction

Friday, September 21, 2012

Friday 09/21/12

Hi! Today the students had a substitute teacher. Therefore, they were not able to check out a book from our classroom library. Please make sure your child reads a book from home, or a perfect time to take a trip to the Chicago Public Library to get a book for their book report due Monday. If you need to print a book report (misplaced) you can by clicking on "book report" to the right of the screen. Otherwise, the book report should be in the back slip of their orange folders.

See you Monday!
~Mrs. Estrada

P.S. Please make sure your child has school supplies to be successful in class. Yesterday, so many children didn't have their crayons and scissors. We only have 2 boxes of crayons and 4 scissors in our community share center, so with 31 students this becomes a challenge. If you can please make sure your child has everything they need that would be great. Thank you!

Homework:
Reading: Read and complete book report. Book report illustrations should be colored. 

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Wednesday 09/19/12

Hi! The strike is finally over and we are back in the groove of things! Today we had to work on remembering routine and procedures as we transitioned from one lesson to the next.

I also wanted to remind parents about the importance of reading every night with your child. Some reading logs and response journals came back empty today. For those folks that had completed reading logs and journals, GREAT JOB!!!  Please work with your child so they can build a love for reading!

Lastly, there will be no Spelling words these week since we started the week on a Wednesday.


Homework:

Reading: practice reading (reading log)

Math: Workbook page on addition and subtraction (today we learned about subtraction)

Monday, September 10, 2012

Monday 09/10/12

Hi Parents,

Unfortunately CPS and CTU were not able to come to an agreement yet. I hope this strike is short and that our students get the quality education they deserve. On behalf of the teachers from our school and myself, we would like to thank all the parents and children who came and picketed today. Your support is appreciated in this fight to better our schools and education system.

Keep watching the news for the most up to date information about when school starts again.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Estrada

Friday, September 7, 2012

Friday and Weekend 09/07/12

Hi! Today I am sending home the "yellow" Test Folder. Please review the test inside the folder and sign each test to verify you saw your child's progress. In addition, please sign the Test Folder log keep track of communication.

Homework:
Reading: Read the book you borrowed form our classroom library and complete a book report.

Test Folder: Get test signed and return to class on Monday

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Thursday 09/06/12

Hi! Today was an excellent day in first grade! We were able to complete 2 rotations of literacy centers with smooth transitions and we completed all subjects today! The students are growing so much in classroom routine that we are learning so much more, with 31 students this is a great accomplishment!!! YAY First Graders!!!


Homework:

Reading: read Nat's Cat for sight word practice and record in Reading Log

Math: Worksheet on addition 

Spelling: practice test and study words. Test tomorrow!

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Wednesday 09/05/12

Hi!

Today we will be on Day 3 of Spelling since we had no school on Monday. Please look inside the Spelling notebook for more details. Most students were able to complete draw 5 Spelling words/sentences in class.

Homework:
Math: Worksheet on Addition

Spelling: Rainbow Write

Reading: read every night and record reading log


Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Tuesday 09/04/12

Hi!

Today we took our first NWEA assessment in the computer lab. Students will be taking this assessment three times throughout the year in Math and Reading. This assessment is to guide instruction and students' accountability for making growth in 1st Grade. Tomorrow we are taking the Reading assessment.

Homework:
Reading: Read every night and record reading in log (behind orange folder)

Spelling: 3 times each