"Because Jesus Is God, His Name Is Holy."

Psalm 8:2

This week we'll discuss why names are important and know that God calls us by name. We'll read Chrysanthamum, the story of a little girl who did not like her name. We'll graph the letters in our name and read Tikki Tikki Tembo, about a boy with a VERY LONG name.

Our reading selection is Fix-It Duck, an animal fantasy. We'll learn about setting and review letters Ff - Nn. We'll clap the number of syllables in words and practice High Frequency Words: I - am. Be sure to write them on index cards for review and read the Family Times booklet that is sent home weekly. We've started writing in our journals.

I administered the baseline reading readiness test last week and have sent home your child's results. Look them over and please sign and return.

We'll continue to work on positional concepts: above/below; inside/outside; right/left. We'll do the hokey pokey and see if we can put the right hand in.

We'll discuss tools and how they help us, from simple classroom ones to those used by our custodian, Mr. Gene. He'll be invited in to show us some.

Good citizens have rights and responsibilities and we talked about them. Check out the children's responses on the hall bulletin board later this week.

We've begun discussing the Food Pyramid and healthy eating. Please pack a simple healthy snack and a small bottle of hand sanitizer.

We met our 4th grade buddies this week and look forward to sharing many activities with them.

Our Mystery Guest Reader Program has begun. I hope every child will have someone come in as a reader by the end of the year.

We'll join the student body in prayer this week. You are welcome to join us. Prayers start promptly at 8:25 so please have your child arrive at school on time.

I am very pleased with how well the children are handling learning, praying, playing, and following the classroom routine. It is wonderful to see them learning and growing. Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your support and cooperation!

Have a great week!

REMINDERS

Homework is due on Thursdays. This week: write upper/lower case letters and numbers 1-10. The sheet is in your child's folder. Writing in pencil, slowly, carefully, and neatly. Note pencil grip.

Bag A Books are due on Thursday.

Let your child know if you've ordered lunch.

A note or call to the office if your child is going to EDP.

Sweaters, vests, and gym sweats should be labeled.

Please send in an apple by the end of the week. Extras welcome.

Needed: old white children's socks. (great whiteboard erasers)

Thank you to all who sent in film money. Someone sent in money in an envelope without a name. Is it YOU?

A folder every day and hand sanitizer in the lunchbag please.

Please send in the requested supply attached to your Back to School packet.

Be sure to read and download relevant e-mail from Mrs. Alberta every

"Children Are Examples of True Disciples of Jesus."

Matthew 19: 13-15

This week the children will experience a sense of belonging to the group and know that Jesus loves them and invites them to be close to him. Father Dan will "welcome" the class in church. They'll also be welcomed by their 4th grade buddies who will serve as role models and guide them in many activities this year.

In reading we'll read The Little School Bus, a rhyming story, and learn about story characters. We'll practice identifying, sounding out, and writing Aa, Bb, Cc, Dd, Ee and High Frequency Words: I and am. They'll begin journal writing.

Our centers begin this week as we also begin a unit on apples. (Johnny Appleseed has a birthday this month!) Activities will include making tissue paper apples, matching upper/lower case letters, covering our names with yarn pieces, and using play dough to form letters and numbers.

The children will be introduced to the graphing mat and more classroom materials. They've already done a great job cutting. Now it's time to glue!

We'll work on positional concepts in Math: inside/outside, above/below, over/under. It'll be fun using toy dinos, bears, and farm animals.

Gregory the Terrible Eater is a story about a goat who liked healthy food, not garbage, much to his parents' dismay. We'll discuss healthy food and compare our snacks. We'll play a food game on our Smartboard. They love using it! I hope you'll continue to pack healthy morning snacks and hand sanitizer.

Homework: Have your child write his/her first and last name in pencil slowly, carefully, and neatly on the paper in his folder. Note pencil grip and letter formation. Due: Thursday.

Reminder: Back to School Night Monday, September 12th.

Have a wonderful week. We're off to a great start!