Hello Everyone,
     This is the most magical time of the year with so much excitement in the air.  I have sent home several notes reminding parents about the happenings in grade one, but wanted to put it on the website for more to read.
     Looks like the heavy snow is going to hold off and the Polar Express trains will be heading into Dedham from the Holden School 4:00 on Saturday.  If you are to load the train you must remember to bring a pair of pajamas, pillow case, towel or a gift for the elderly.  It's going to be an event to remember!  Making Memories.
     Tuesday December 17th @ 1:00 is the Sing a long.  Kindergarten and First Grade will be the opening act.  They need to bring in a pair of jeans and a PLAIN white shirt.  Thank you so much!  Come sing and get into the holiday spirit.  The more the merrier.  
     Friday the 20th is a half day for students.  They will be dismissed @ 12:30 for vacation.  
     Hope this finds your shopping going well, not so stressed and taking time to enjoy what the real magic is all about.  Well, at least one of them.  
     If I don't see you have a wonderful winter break.  

Mrs. Nickerson

Hello First Grade Parents,
     Hopefully you all got your notices on the Traditional Thanksgiving Feast put on by first and second graders.  We highly encourage you to take the time to come in and have lunch with us on that day.  It is a special time for us and we would love you to share in our big event.  Today a notice went home on your food assignments.  Please send in your assigned items as soon as you can as we will begin to put station assignments together for cooking the feast.  As a reminder, the date is November 22nd.  
     Only a few of you have called and scheduled an appointment time for conferences.  I encourage you to call, schedule and take the time to come in and discuss your child's progress.  I am so impressed with them all and can't wait to share all of their wonderful work.  
     Have a wonderful long weekend and enjoy and extra day off! 

Hallloween

Dear Parents,
     Tomorrow is Halloween and a very exciting time for first grade.  We will be talking a lot about the legend of Halloween and work on some special books.  There stories are finishing up nicely and hung in the hall for all to read.  
      Costumes are fun but not for school.  The student council will let you wear a hat tomorrow if you bring in a canned good to begin filling the food cupboard here in Dedham.  Cold weather is coming upon us and we want to participate in helping those in need.  Nobody should ever feel hungry.  
     Also, the Dedham Fire House will be open to ALL trick or treaters.  They encourage you to stop by, get some candy and take another tour of the fire trucks.  I heard rumor they may be able to honk horns and turn on the lights.
     The book fair starts Monday.  Make out those wish list.  I am so proud and encouraged at the pace your children are learning the reading process.   I think that is it for now! Have a safe, fun Halloween!

Getting October Started!

Happy October Everyone!
     This is a very exciting time in First Grade as today we begin to write our creative Halloween stories.  Your children will begin to write as though they are mini Stephen King's.  It's really fun to watch them get so excited about writing. You will hear about the term SWAG and see it a lot on their papers coming home.  SWAG is a term we use to remind them to do important things while writing.  It looks like this.
S tarts with a capital.
W ritten neatly.
A space between each word.
G iven punctuation at the end.  
     Don't forget the costume swap this week and be looking for our door between Kindergarten and Grade One to be decorated.
     Tomorrow is picture day.  Shower, dress nice and smile pretty!

Apple Orchard

       Another great week in first grade as we are setting the pace for a successful year in all subjects.  They are starting to move up reading levels already and writing auto biographies and small moments stories.  I am learning so much about them.  

      We are off to the Apple Orchard on Tuesday so this is just a reminder to bring a bag lunch, warm clothes, and your $6.50 to pay for the day.  

      On Monday if your child could remember a picture of themselves for  a cute activity we are doing in class that would be fabulous.  Thanks so much!

      Have a wonderful weekend!

Reading Homework!

Hey Everyone!!
     Last night was your child's first night of reading homework and I am pleased to say they could not of been more excited to read!  I hope ALL first graders read to an adult.  It is so important for you to take just a few minutes and sit down with your child and listen to them read the books they have learned to read that week.  Each week your child will bring home new books on Thursday night.  Take a few minutes to read the hand out that I sent home and that will guide you on how to help your child read their books.  Never cover up the pictures as that is a clue on what the page may say.  Today they had an opportunity to practice their "Just Right Books" with a reading buddy.  They are going to be fluent readers before we know it.  Thanks for taking the time with your child as this is part of the key to making them successful.

Mrs. Nickerson

Welome Back!

Welcome Back!!

Hello Parents of Brand New First Graders,      The first week went so smooth! These boys and girls are ready to jump into our new program The Daily Five and our standard reading and writing program Writing to Read.  I have schedule Writing to Read each day from 1:30 to 2:30 except on Thursday's.  We will read and write on that day 9:30-10:30.  If you are volunteering I would love for you to begin this week.  Thank you so much.  Parent volunteers are the key to the program.  Homework will begin full time this week.  We will have homework 3-4 nights a week and it should take no longer than 20 minutes.  If your child is frustrated please stop and send it back with a note and I will be sure to set them back on track.  Homework will consist of math, reading vocabulary words and reading each week.  I will be getting to know your child a lot this trimester as we study All About Me and The Five Senses.  I can tell already they are full of fun personalities.  I am excited for a great year of learning and teaming.  If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me here at school and I will be sure to get back to you and work on making this the perfect fit and the best learning environment possible.    Mrs. Nickerson