Season's Greetings and Succesmaker

Hello Families,

   First of all, thank you so much for the kind donations! The gifts to you have been wrapped, our hot chocolate party was a success, and we are getting excited to spread cheer with our school service project of cleaning desks and leaving a note and a candy cane. I really appreciate all of your support.

Please enjoy the time off to celebrate and enjoy family and friends. If you are looking for something academic for your student, there are 3 options.
One, please keep reading and logging in reading minutes on Road to Success.

 Two, we use a program called Successmaker in class. Did you know you can access it at home? Here is the link: http://successmaker.hawthornacademy.org/lms/sm.view
Student username is their first name and last initial. example: leslies
The password is "1." It doesn't always work properly so no worries if you're having technical difficulties. We are still working on full access.

Three, this would be a great time to work on the IB Leadership award due in May. The information can be found here: http://hawthornacademy.org/ib-leadership

I am so thankful for this class of 1st graders. Thanks for all you do. Relax and enjoy the time off.

Donations needed!

Hello families,
    I have had 2 families help with donating some items for our holiday festivities this year. I picked up a few things as well but we are still in need of:

-200 mini candy canes
-ribbon
-tissue paper
-bubble wrap

We will need these items by Wednesday. Please let me know if you can assist.

Thank you!

Dress down days

Congrats on such a great job bringing in food and toy donations for the annual Hawthorn Holiday drive! Here is the message from Peer Leadership about the Dress Down Days the students earned!

Friday, December 11^th will be pants of choice. They must wear a uniform shirt.

Monday, December 14^th will be hoodie/jacket day. They must have uniform clothes underneath (if they take it off) and uniform pants

Tuesday, December 15^th is Twin Day. They can dress how they want, but must be identically matched to another student.

Wednesday, December 16^th is Sports day. They can wear a jersey or sports top. Uniform pants must be worn.

Thursday, December 17^th is a full dress down.

Friday, December 18^th- is a box top dress down- non-food drive related.

Holiday Fun

Hello Families,
   The holidays are fast approaching and the wonderful 1st graders are close to earning their class party (when they receive ten class points)! We will be having a hot chocolate party and wrapping up some fun gifts for you! I am looking for some assistance in the form of donations.

Would you consider bringing (for Wednesday the 16th):

-Hot chocolate for our class and/or a way to heat it (crockpot? hot chocolate maker? Hot water kettle?)
-Mini marshmallows
-Bubble wrap
-Ribbon
-White paper sacks (lunch bag size)

Please let me know what you can bring. Also we are still in need of LOTS of Clorox or Lysol wipes as we will use these for our holiday service project on the 18th. The kids are so excited to spread germ-free cheer to all the desks in the school! Speaking of germs, there have been many 1st graders getting sick at school. Yikes! Please make sure your student has cold weather gear each day and does not return to school until they are no longer nauseous or feverish. Thank you!

Also next Wednesday the 9th is the Christmas show in the evening. See you then!

Thanks for all you do!

Thanksgiving is almost here!

Hello Families,

     Just a reminder that tomorrow (Friday) is Box Top dress down day and popcorn Friday. There will be NO homework next week, and no school Wednesday through Friday. Our room mom Danielle sent out an email about our paining project Monday. Please remember to bring in old paint shirts for the kids if you are able. Also, just a reminder that we will be collecting disinfecting wipes through the month and into December.

The school's Peer Leadership team is doing a canned food/holiday toy collection. We had a great class discussion about helping kids in need.

Enjoy the extra time off with family and friends. I am grateful to teach your students each day!

What's Happening in November

Hello Families,
      We are moving right along in quarter 2 in 1st grade. The students are becoming more and more like 2nd graders every day. I wanted to give you a few updates about this month. Our current IB unit is ending this week. The students will have a test on Tuesday. They will be comparing an item and how it has changed over time (seasons, wolf environments in Yellowstone--we watched a short movie about this, communication, transportation, schools). We have worked extensively on comparing then and now and the students have done well practicing this skill. In writing, we are working on a non-fiction story about "How to Cook a Turkey." The responses are pretty silly and fun.

    For our holiday service project (it'll be here before we know it), we will be serving our fellow students at Hawthorn and cleaning their desks when they are at lunch (2nd grade through 6th grade). This means we are in need of LOTS of clorox or lysol wipes. Please bring them in anytime between now and then. Hopefully with the extra notice you can pick some up when they are on sale.

   Here are some dates to note:
Fri, 11/20: Box Top dress down/popcorn Friday
Wed, 11/24-Friday, 11/27: No School! Thanksgiving Break! There will be NO HOMEWORK or spelling this short week.
Wed, 12/9: Winter Concert

Thanks for all you do! Have a great week!

Friday is full dress down

Hello Families,
   Our school earned their goal with Box Tops and EVERY student will receive a full dress down day this Friday. Yay!

Last week, a third of the class did not turn in homework or a homework folder. Yikes! Please help your student develop good student habits and help them to remember their homework, folder, and reading calendar.

As the weather is getting cooler, please remember we do go outside each day and to dress your child for the weather. Should snow happen soon, please note our school policy that students may wear boots to school but must change into regular shoes once in the classroom.

Thanks for all you do!

Weekly News

Hello Families,
     THANK YOU so much to the wonderful Pumpkin Day helpers! The 1st graders had a blast and learned a lot! Here's some snapshots from the fun:

Next week is the Halloween Parade and festivities! A few things to note:

-We will have our spelling test on THURSDAY the 29th next week (I think students perform best when not in costume, haha!)

-Also on Thursday is Math Night. See you then!

-Friday the 30th students may come to school in costume for the school parade. No makeup or masks please. Then students will change into Box Top dress down (Hawthorn shirt, jeans) for the remainder of the day including our party. This is school policy and keeps their costumes looking nice for trick or treating. 

Thank you for responding about your student heritage. Please keep the responses coming.

Did you know ordering from Scholastic books helps our class earn free books? Shop at Scholastic.com, go to book clubs and our class code is KGKTL.

Are you crafty? I am looking for a parent to create an "IB Action Cycle" bulletin board for our classroom. I have a sample picture and a template for you. I am also looking for a parent to make individual baggies of playdoh for us. Please let me know if you can assist. 

You are wonderful! Thank you for supporting your Hawthorn student. The class has already learned so much so far this year. 

Our Classroom Heritage

Dear parents,

We are exploring maps and globes as part of our Social Studies unit ‘Where We are in Place and Time’.   In order to embrace the diversity within my classroom, I would like to learn more about where your family originates. If you could take just a moment to tell me where your family heritage comes from or what part of the world you identify with, whether another country, state or even our home state, it would help our class develop personaI connections to being a global citizen. You can leave a comment on this post or email me. Please send in responses by Thursday, October 22nd. If you have pictures or anything else to share, your student is welcome to bring them in. 

I appreciate you taking the time to assist us with this unit! 

Dates Coming Up

Hello Families,
     I can't believe this week begins Fall Break, wow! Tomorrow also marks the 40th day of school. Time flies when you're having fun (and learning a lot). Homework will resume again next week. Please remember to initial your child's reading calendar for full homework credit. Also, we have a class goal to try and win the Road to Success trophy so please log minutes there as well. There are a few dates coming up of importance:

Tomorrow, Wed. Oct. 14th: Pumpkin Day! Many of you signed up to bring an item to donate or help volunteer. THANK YOU! The 1st graders can't wait for this memorable and fun afternoon.

Thurs 10/15-Fri 10/16: No School, Fall Break

Friday, 10/23: No school, teacher work day

Thurs, 10/29: Haunted Hawthorn Math Night. Stop by and play a fun math game in the classroom. No costumes please.

Fri, 10/30: School Halloween Costume Parade/Class Halloween Party. The parade will be at 8:30. Our class party will be 11:30-12:45. PLEASE if at all possible, send your student to school in their uniform (or Box Top dress down if they've brought box tops in) UNDER their costume. School Policy requires all students to be out of costume immediately following the costume parade. Please make sure to put your child's name on their belongings. We would hate to lose a costume in the shuffle of changing.

Please continue working on reading and writing with your 1st grader. I am privileged to be their teacher.

New IB Unit

Hello Families,
    Our new IB Unit centers around this big idea: "Various factors contribute to create change within communities over time." We are focusing on maps, environments, and weather.
Ask your student about the fun lessons and activities we are doing with this unit.

News & Notes

Hello Families,
   Here is some info about what is coming up.

1) There will be NO homework next week because next week is Fall Break and there is no school Thursday and Friday.
2) Please remember to initial your student's reading calendar to earn reading points each week.
3) I have made copies of the IB Leadership Award criteria and will be sending it home with the next homework packet. You can also find the list on the school website under "IB Leadership."
4) Pumpkin Day will be next Wednesday. Thank you to those who signed up with our room moms to assist or donate.
5) Our class Halloween Party is Friday, Oct. 30th. Students will come to school in costume, wear the costume for the school parade, and then change into either their uniform or Box Top dress down for the remainder of the day. This way the costume will stay nice for Trick or Treating later. This is a school policy.
6) Check out scholastic.com and use our class code KGKTL for great deals.

Thanks for all you do. It was great speaking with you all at conferences last week.

Grand Event

The Grand Event will be on Tuesday at 9 am!
I look forward to seeing you all for conferences next week. Make sure to visit the Book Fair while at school.

Conference Sign Ups and Star Tutoring

Hello Families,
     Please visit this link and sign up for a conference if you haven't already: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/14YzwEf9KyUceaX1Ufp6eMNMiMJtgRj9LwZ3J4r4Y4v0/edit?usp=sharing

Conferences are STUDENT LED this year. This means the format might be different than you are used to. Here are some key elements:
1. The student shows you their learning.
2. I will have some academic tasks prepared and your student will complete them for you. These tasks come directly from the Utah 1st grade Core Standards
3. You will see areas your student is excelling in and areas where your student can set some goals.
4. As a school, we want to see student's taking charge of their learning and "showing off" everything they can do and create a reflective environment where the students (even as young as 1st grade) can develop their own goals.

It will be GREAT! And of course I am looking forward to chatting with you. I enjoy your students each and every day.

If you attended STAR tutoring training and are ready to volunteer, please let me know ASAP so we can schedule. I have some pretty great 1st graders set up to receive reading tutoring from you.

Look for information from Hawthorn about The Grand Event and Book Fair.

See you next week!

High Tech 1st graders

Hello Families,
     This week we received our 3 class laptops that can be used during Centers time. Some of the students tried them out on Thursday. They had fun doing phonics games and math practice. By October we should have our mobile computer lab up and running and the first graders get to use it twice a week. They love being "high tech."

Can you help next Friday?

Hello Families,
    On Fridays we have what we call "Fun Friday" where the 1st grade teachers rotate into each other's classes. I teach PE and games, Mrs. Svendsen teachers music and dance, and Mrs. Lambeth teaches art. Next Friday the 25th Mrs. Lambeth will be doing an art activity with clay with my class and would like some helpers. Fun Friday is 12:15-12:50. Please let me know if you can assist.
Thanks!

Meet our Room Moms

Meet our incredible Room Moms, Danielle Albertoni & Michelle Hunt!

Michelle: I would like to tell you a little bit about myself. I have recently remarried and my husband, Chris, and I will be celebrating our first anniversary in December. We have 2 children and are expecting our third. We are very excited. My daughter, Aurora is 6 years and this is her first year at Hawthorn Academy. My son Gabriel is 5 and will attend Hawthorn next year.I am a very bubbly, upbeat, happy, silly, creative person. Scrapbooking, photography, horseback riding, and playing the piano are my all-time favorite activities to do. I look forward to getting to know you all and am thrilled to be involved with your children this year. My email is michelle.seg@hotmail.com

Danielle: Hello I am Danielle Albertoni and my daughter in your child's class is Mya. I am fortunate to be a stay at home mom and therefore was excited to have the opportunity to be one of Mrs. Steele's room parents. I am happy to assist with any questions or projects that come up. Please feel free to contact me by email at danialbertoni@live.com or by phone or text at 801-878-4961. I look forwarding to getting to know your children in the fun activities to come this year. Thanks you all. 

I so appreciate them serving our students in this special way. They are the organizers and planners for all class parties and special events. 

Weekly Updates

Hello Families,
    We are off and rolling with week FOUR! The students are doing an excellent job. Here are some notes for you:

1) Please remember folders come to school Mondays (and will be sent home with homework) and Fridays (with completed homework inside and then finished work sent home). Please log onto Road to Success and help your student log in their reading minutes so our class can earn prizes.

2) We had SO much fun at Apple Day! We tasted, graphed, learned about the parts of an apple and different types.

3) Want to help out? I am in need of a parent volunteer who would be willing to make a batch or two of playdoh and separate it into small ziploc containers or baggies. I have some recipes I can hand over or the internet has plenty. We would need these by mid-October so no rush. Please let me know if you can assist.

4) I have set up a donors choose page for some classroom goodies and am less than $90 away from my goal. Yay! Take a look and see if you'd like to help out. Mrs. Steele's Donors Choose. We are also always in need of dollar store toys and prizes for our Treasure box. Thanks so much!

5) I am planning some neat things for Student-led conferences at the beginning of October. I can't wait to share with you as it gets closer.

6) Thanks for supporting your student. Together we can make this the best year yet!

Book Deals

Have you considered ordering books for your child from Scholastic? There are wonderful deals in here and some really fun books. Each time you order our class receives free books! Score! Visit this link to order. Our class code is KGKTL. Books are delivered straight to school about a week or two after ordering. Happy shopping!

Apples, addition,and art

Hello Families,
    Time flies when you're having fun in 1st grade! Apple Day is upon us! This is a 1st grade tradition where we will spend an afternoon learning about apples, doing an apple "report" and graphing our apple colors. Please have your student bring in one apple on Wednesday, September 9th (next Wednesday). Thank you!

We are studying communities and community helpers as part of our IB unit this month. Are you a communuty helper like a firefighter or a police officer? A nurse or doctor? Would you like to talk to our 1st grades classes about how you assist the community? Please let me know if you are available!

Dr. Swensen sent an email out today about STAR reading tutoring. Please consider this great volunteer opportunity.

The students have their first art class this week. They will be doing an art project about communities. Ask your student about the addition trick we learned this week: up and down or side to side....the number sentence stays the same.

Homework Procedure: Homework goes home on Monday and is returned in the folder on Friday. The calendar in the back is for recording reading minutes. Please write the name of the book read and initial it. The goal is 15-20 minutes per night. Road to Success reading recording is optional but highly encouraged. See the Road to Success post or menu bar at the top of the blog for those instructions. Homework is worth 15 points. 5 for reading, 5 for math, 5 for the writing sheet. The folder will go back home on Friday with finished and graded work inside for you to review and keep at home. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Math Fun

I wanted to share this fun picture with you of our Math Games center. We have been working slowly through all of the Centers choices so students are clear on expectations and the choices at each center before we begin "real centers" in about a week. This month's math games center features dice used to make addition number sentences. I am really enjoying getting to know your students.

Road to Success

Hello Families,
     This year we will be tracking our reading on the Road to Success website. It's important to note that this will not be a part of the student's grade the way to reading calendar will be (Reading calendar will be part of the homework folder going home on Monday). It is optional but highly recommended. Our class can earn great prizes and a class reading trophy. Please register your student sometime this week.

1. Go to rtsutah.com
2. Click on "parent"
3. Click "register"
4. You will need our class code. It is RTS-18495.
Please contact me if it's not working correctly and we'll get it taken care of. The teachers have a meeting about Road to Success on Friday so I can ask questions there if you have any for me.
Thanks!

Donors Choose

Hello Families,

   This summer I started a Donor's Choose page where people can donate to classrooms for various projects and activities. I am looking forward to using it this year. Here is the link to my current project if you are interested. Chevrontastic Classroom
Thanks so much!
-Mrs. Steele

Week Two: Here we go!

Hi Families,

     Here are some updates:
1. Wednesday is picture day! Please have your student turn in their picture money and order form that morning. They can bring it to class and I will hand them out as we go to pictures. Forms were sent home last Thursday. If you need an extra the office has some.

2. The students are learning their phonograms and doing a great job! Our first phonogram quiz will be this Friday. We will start fairly basic and go up from there. It's a special challenge in 1st grade to be a "phonogram master."  Last year I had about 20 students make it. They can do it! Here are the phonogram cards and some instructions. Also check out this video for pronunciation tips.

3. Homework begins next week! It will be sent home Monday. It will include a writing sheet, a spelling list, some math pages, and a spelling info packet. In addition, there is a September calendar print out in the back pocket of the homework folder. It will be part of the homework grade for your student to write the book they read that evening (20 mins please) and have it initialed by you. Homework goes home Monday and is returned Friday. Friday afternoon the folder will be sent home again with student's completed work inside.

4. I am really enjoying getting to know your students. Ask them about our new IB unit all about communities and working together.
Any questions? Please email lsteele@hawthornacademy.org

First Day!

Hello Families,
   Well your little ones made it through the FIRST day of FIRST grade! They did so wonderful!

Here are a few notes:
-We will be reviewing going home procedures tomorrow. Please help your student know that if they are not being picked up at my classroom by an older sibling to have a particular place where you will be getting them for carpool (for example: by the kinder doors or by the main entrance).
-THANK you so much for being so wonderful about bringing in the school supplies. I really appreciate it! We are beginning the year with everything we need and I have never had that happen. So bravo!
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Your students are awesome.

Back to School Night Time Change!

Hello Families!  

   I just received word that back to school night will begin at 6:00 tomorrow (Thursday) instead of the original 6:30 time. See you tomorrow! I can't wait!

New Year!!

Hello Families,
   I sent out a welcome email on Tuesday. If you did NOT receive it, please check your email address that is listed in the Aspire gradebook system. It's very important that you have a working email listed there. I am SO excited to begin this school year and work with your child. Back to School Night will be held at 6:00 on Thursday the 13th. I will have a fun scavenger hunt for your student to explore our classroom and I have some important paperwork for you. You are welcome to bring school supplies either that evening or on the first day. Here is the link to the supply list: supplies

Please be thinking about if you'd like to be a Star reading tutor or a room parent this year and I will have volunteer sign ups at back to school night.

Please let me know if you have any questions: Lsteele@hawthornacademy.org

One week to go!

First of all, THANK YOU so much to our outstanding field trip helpers today. I hope you had fun browsing Smith's! The rain ruined our park time but we still had a fun time. Thank you for your willingness to assist!

We have one week of school left so here are some important updates:

Wednesday: 1:00 class performance

Friday: Box Top dress down day, last day of school lunch 

Tuesday: Field Day! Students can wear pants of choice (no skirts) and a Hawthorn shirt. Please have your student wear athletic shoes and sunscreen. We will spend the morning doing the field day activities. 

Wednesday: The last day of school! This is a full dress down day (even sandals if you would like!). School gets out at noon that day. Please be on time to pick up your student. Your student can bring a snack that day as they are used to eating lunch at 11:00. 

Please let me know if you have any questions. 




Here is a letter about summer reading from the reading TA's:

n the fall, winter and spring of each year, Hawthorn Academy assesses students on their reading skills, utilizing a formative reading assessment known as Fountas and Pinnell and DIBELS. We have made great progress in our reading goals this year. Here are some suggestions to avoid the summer slump.

Just like any other activity your child is involved with, it takes time and practice for a child to gain the skills to be proficient in reading and understanding what is read. We are asking your support this summer to improve on your child’s spring reading level and to bolster and encourage his/her enthusiasm for reading. Here are some tips we have found useful:

Go to the library and pick up two copies of the same book. Read together, talk about the book, and take turns reading a page. (Your child will love to hear you read!)

Ask your child to read a paragraph out loud to you several times and correct his mistakes as he goes along.

Have your child read to you while you are doing a chore. While you won’t be there to hear all the mistakes, your child will still be gaining practice and increasing her ability to recognize words on sight.

Make a goal to read three times a week for 20 minutes each time and be flexible about these sessions. Celebrate with a cup of lemonade, an ice cream cone, or a slurpee after finishing a book or accomplishing a goal.

Remember, YOU are your child’s biggest cheerleader! Praise their efforts, regardless of the outcome.

There are some good reading programs offered through business and community organizations:

Barnes & Noble sponsors a reading program to encourage children to read over the summer and rewards students for their reading. Check out www.barnesandnoble.com

Another summer reading program is offered through the Salt Lake County Library System. Visit your local library for more details.

Hawthorn Academy is providing a Super Hero Reading Workshop during the summer for students in grades 1 – 6. Information has been sent home in emails the last few weeks.

Thanks in advance for your support.

Sincerely,

Hawthorn Reading Staff

Summer Workshop Opportunities

Hawthorn Academy 2015

Summer Workshops

JUNE WORKSHOP:

Who: Student who are currently in Kindergarten, 1, or 2

When: June 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17

All sessions are Monday – Wednesday from 9:00-11:00

There will be 6 sessions total.

Where: Hawthorn Academy (West Jordan Campus)

Cost: $15, Limited Scholarships Available (apply early)

Taught by Ms. Tonge and help by Mrs. Lence

JULY WORKSHOPS:

SESSION #1

Hawthorn Academy’s 2015 Summer Writer’s Workshop

Who: Students entering grades 3-4 (Story Stars)

When: Story Stars will be July 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22

All sessions are Monday-Wednesday from 9:00-10:30. 6 sessions for each group

Cost: $20 per session, taught by Mrs. Steele

Super Hero Reading Workshop

Who: Students in grades 1-6

Session 1: July 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22

Monday-Wednesday 9:00-10:30

6 sessions, cost per session: $15

Limited Scholarships Available so apply early

Taught by Mrs. Combes, Mrs. Lence, Mrs. Polster, and/or Mrs. Pollard

SESSION #2

Hawthorn Academy’s 2015 Summer Writer’s Workshop

Who: Students entering grades 5-6(Aspiring Authors)

When: Aspiring Authors will be July 27, 28, 29 August 3, 4, 5

All sessions are Monday-Wednesday from 9:00-10:30. 6 sessions for each group

Cost: $20 per session, taught by Mrs. Steele

Super Hero Reading Workshop

Who: Students in grades 1-6

Session 1: July 27, 28, 29, August 3, 4, 5,

Monday-Wednesday 9:00-10:30

6 sessions, cost per session: $15

Limited Scholarships Available so apply early

Taught by Mrs. Combes, Mrs. Lence, Mrs. Polster, and/or Mrs. Pollard

Kids of the World

As part of our on-going IB units about world mindedness, we had a special speaker last week from Spain. The kids learned a lot!

Just a few important dates to keep in mind:

Wed, 5/13: Turn in field trip permission slips
Fri, 5/15: Last spelling test
Mon, 5/18: Last homework packet goes home
Wed, 5/20: IB Leadership Awards forms due
Mon, 5/25: No school, Memorial Day
Tues, 5/26: Smith's Marketplace field trip
Wed, 5/27: Class Showcase, Classroom at 1:00

There is no hot lunch served in June. Information will be coming soon about Field Day (last week of school).
I think that's it for now! Have a great week!

Thank you and announcements

Hello Families,

Thank you so much for all the sweet gifts, cards, treats, and notes this week for Teacher Appreciation week! I feel so spoiled. You are all so sweet!

Some announcements:
1) Next week (the week of May 11th) is the LAST spelling list.
2) Homework will continue through May 22nd.
3) The IB Leadership Award sheets are due May 20th, I have received two already.
4) The field trip permission slip is going home on Monday. Please return by Wednesday.
5) Please join us for our Class performance! Details in the blog post below. We are excited to share some of the things we've learned with you.
6) The school lunch program ends in May. There is no school lunch in June.
7) Let's try and earn the Road to Success trophy again this year! If everyone completes their homework, brings in their folder, and logs minutes for the week, each student will receive a Smencil. I check the reading minutes on Friday mornings.

Have a great weekend!

You're Invited

You're Invited!

Mrs. Steele's 1st Grade Class Showcase

Wednesday, May 27th 1:00-1:30

We will be sharing some songs we have learned, some of our favorite moments, and more. The students are excited to have an audience for some of the things we have been working on this year. We hope you can make it. 

(I realize the time in the middle of the day can be tricky for getting here with work schedules etc.. This is the most workable time frame due to avoiding morning and afternoon traffic in the parking lot and what works with our classroom schedule. If you cannot make it, no sweat, I'll document it for the blog). 

May Eve

The kids told me today that it was "May Eve," the night before May begins! We have a fun and busy May to look forward to!
The caterpillars are officially in chrysalis mode! It's been so great to have the students be scientists and observe the daily changes.

Here is some information from the office: 

Reading Skills and Speed Reading Programs:

Program for Entering 2^nd graders

In this program student welcome fluent independent readers. Your child will make significant gains in phonics and word-attack skills fluency, and comprehension, and will develop confidence and a love of reading.

Available at:

Sandy Salt Lake community College Campus (Miller Campus)– 9750 South 300 West

Saturday, June 6-July 11^th, 1:00 – 3:00pm

West Jordan  Salt Lake Community College Campus (Jordan Campus) – 9000 South 3491 West

Tuesday, July 14^th – August 11^th, 1:00 – 3:00pm

Call 1-800-903 -0162 for more information or to register with the Institute of Reading Development

If you have a student entering grades 3-6, I am teaching a Creative Writing Course at Hawthorn this summer! Please email me if you would like more information. 

I have lots of chaperones for our field trip. Thank you so much!

Do you make vinyl letters that can stick on walls? If you do, there are some quotes etc. that I would love in my classroom. Let me know if you are crafty and do this!

I want to give a special shout out to Sara Turman, Dana Ulibarri, and Barbara Askeroth. These awesome moms were our classroom STAR reading tutors this year and helped students read every week. Thank you! 

Don't forget to log in Road to Success minutes! We are 70% of the way to our classroom goal! 

Thanks for all you do! These students are 2nd grade ready! (But I still get the pleasure of teaching them for 23 more days!). Yay! :) 

Notes from the 1st grade

Hello Families,
    We officially have only 27 days left of school. Wow! Time flies! The kids are getting ready for 2nd grade more and more each day.
Here are a few notes:
1) I sent Scholastic book orders home Friday. There are some great deals in these. If you'd like to order, go to scholastic.com and our class code is KGKTL.
2) We are getting closer to our goal to have everyone log their reading minutes and do their homework each Friday but there is still about a third of the class not logging in reading minutes. If everyone does this AND does their homework, each student will earn a Smencil as an incentive!
3) Our caterpillars are getting BIG and FURRY! I predict we might have some cocoons this week. This has been such a fun project for our class.
4) Thanks so much to the parents who emailed me about coming on our field trip. I could use one or two more parents so please let me know if you can make it. Our field trip is the Tuesday after Memorial Day.
5) I am really enjoying the stories the kids are writing and bringing in to share with our class. Keep that great writing coming!
6) The IB Leadership Awards are due soon! I have received two already! Please have your student bring in their form so I can initial the tasks accomplished in class. If you need a copy of the guidelines, please reference the Hawthorn website under "Students" then "IB Leadership."
7) If your student is in the Magic Spellers group, that has concluded for the year. Spelling instruction will be all whole class from now on.
8) Thanks for supporting your student!
-Mrs. Steele

Flying into Quarter 4!

Hello Families,
    We are doing a great job in 1st grade. We are well into our plant unit and our butterfly unit will be beginning as soon as our caterpillars arrive in the mail.

A few notes:
-Don't forget our class incentive (Smencils for all!) if everyone logs their Road to Success minutes each evening this week. Speaking of Road to Success, let's keep logging so we can get to our class goal by June.
-We have a field trip planned for Tuesday, May 26th to Smith's Marketplace (to learn about goods and services) and then to Veteran's Memorial Park for a picnic. It will be 9:30-12:30. Please email me if you can chaperone. We'd love to have you.
-The 1st grade has had a guest speaker for each of our IB units. However, we do not have one lined up for this unit about science. If you or anyone you know would like to present to the 1st grade, please let me know.
-I know it's approaching the end of the year, but we are all out of pencils and almost out of disinfecting wipes and Kleenix. If you could bring some in, it would be much appreciated.
-We are making a "pasta" version of the butterfly life cycle and are in need of: 1 box tricolor rotini, 1 box regular rotini, 1 box rigatoni or penne, and 2 boxes of bowtie pasta. This is such a fun project. Let me know if you can help with any of these items.
-Don't forget about the IB Leadership award! If you need some initials from classwork items to be checked off, please have your student bring it in.
-I assessed all students last week on words per minute read and EVERY student jumped up considerably from their fall scores. Yay!
-This is the LAST week of Math homework! We have finished the entire 1st grade math core! That doesn't mean we are done with math in class, but there will be no more book work. We have review games, story problems, math activities and more that we will be doing during our regular math time daily. A BOOK REPORT sheet will take the place of the math pages. I will go over it with your student. It's not too complicated, but please help your student break it up or begin it early in the week. It can be a lot to do in one night.
Thanks for all you do!