Friday, October 28, 2016

Week of October 31 - November 4, 2016

Week of October 31st-November 4th

Here’s a peek at next week!



Phonics Family Words: side, white, time, find, tie, night, sight, right, fly, why
Phonics- long i (i, igh, y)
Reading: Daily 5 implementation with emphasis on asking and answering questions about details in texts.
(Main idea, supporting details, sequencing)We will continue reading about bats,spiders, foxes, and owls and applying reading comprehension strategies.
L.Arts: Fix it upSentence correction (capitalization, punctuation, plural/possessive noun, personal pronouns) What are pronouns and how can I use them?
Writing Workshop: Working on teaching booklets about things we are 'experts' at. We teach with our pictures by adding details, labels and words. We will review editing our writing and how to make a table of contents. We will learn how to create chapter books.
Math: How to balance equations, subtracting zero, subtracting same number, counting back and subtracting with doubles. Students will learn the rules of subtraction and subtraction fact strategies.
Positive Discipline: How can we show contribution? What are ways I can solve a problem?
Social Studies: Who is Benjamin Franklin? What is he known for?

 Homework 
1. Study Phonics Family Words - Try out Spelling City
2. Math Sheet 
3. Reading Passage
4. Discuss ways you can show contribution at home – Try an idea out!
5. READ!



At Rocky Branch, our focus is on finding solutions to our problems. We have been learning some techniques: ignore it, talk it over respectfully with the person, try to agree on a win-win solution, or get help from the teacher. We are working to be problem solvers by using a wheel of choice that we are creating as a class and to share our thoughts with each other during class meetings. We have created bonds by sharing strategies that have worked in the past.



Thank you for supporting RBES and our STEAM efforts by helping your student get sponsors for the DA$H. DA$H funds are due by November, 1st. Thank you!


iMom Breakfast

What:              iMom Breakfast
Who:               Moms and their kindergarten and first grade students
When:             Monday, November 7 from 7:20 a.m. to 8 a.m.
Where:            Rocky Branch Elementary School cafeteria
Topic:              Guiding Your Kids to Reach Goals

You may order breakfast from Chick-fil-A for you and/or your child. It will be ready and waiting when you arrive the morning of the event. Each Chick-fil-A breakfast will include your choice of a chicken biscuit or chicken minis, orange juice, and coffee for adults for $3.50. Children may also purchase breakfast from the Rocky Branch cafeteria. School breakfasts will be charged to the student’s school meal account.



CAN-A-THON at RBES

We are gearing up for our annual Can-A-Thon at RBES. Bring in canned goods October 31st-November 11th to help feed Oconee families in need. Our goal as a school is to collect 4,500 cans this year. Thank you for helping out as you can. We look forward to reaching our school goal!

I have enjoyed meeting with each of you this week regarding your child’s progress so far in first grade. Thank you for your partnership in your child’s learning!

Snack Reminders
-Please send a healthy snack {low in sugar} to school with your child every day (no nuts, please).
-Due to having 5 minutes for snack time, please send in only one snack.
-Please only send a small water bottle for your child to have with his/her snack.

ESPLOST
The Oconee County BOE has submitted, to the voters, a renewal of the Education SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) at the November 8th election. ESPLOST IV expires in December 2017. The continuation of the ESPLOST V, should it be approved by the voters, will be in effect 2018 – 2022. For more information please visit www.oconeeschools.org/ESPLOST.

Upcoming Events

Book Character Fair (Students and Staff) – October 28th
All Pro Dad Breakfast (3rd-5th grade dads) – October 31st
DA$H Funds Due – November 1st
Daylight Savings Time Ends – November 6th
iMom Breakfast – November 7th
Teacher Workday and Election Day (No School for Students) – November 8th
Can-a-Thon – October 31st–November 11th
Thanksgiving Feast – November 11th
Thanksgiving Break – November 21st-25th
Volunteer Training – December 2nd
1st Grade Field Trip – December 2nd
Watkinsville Christmas Parade – December 3rd


Have a great weekend!

Friday, October 21, 2016

Week of October 24 - 28, 2016

Week of October 24-28th
Here’s a peek at next week!

Phonics Family Words: we, clean, tree, seen, these, most, new, only, after, happy
Phonics- long e (Diagraph ea & ee)
Reading: Daily 5 implementation with emphasis on asking and answering questions about details in texts (main idea, supporting details, sequencing). Focus on comparing fiction and non-fiction texts about the same topic. What is alike and different between the two types of texts?
L. Arts: Fix it upSentence correction (capitalization, punctuation, plural/possessive noun, personal pronouns) 
Writing Workshop: Working on teaching booklets about things we are 'experts' at. We teach with our pictures by adding details, labels and words. We will visit editing our writing and how to make a table of contents.
Math: Combining 3 addends, number bonds, making a number different ways, turn around facts, doubles, adding using a number line, addition fluency with mixed strategies. 
STEM: Using the Engineering Design Process to create a corn maze prototype – integrating magnet unit
Positive Discipline: What does it look like to show contribution? What are solutions to solve problems?
 Homework 
1. Study Phonics Family words! (Try out Spelling City) 
2. Practice your sight words lists
3. Math sheet on number bonds
4. Reading passage about spiders
5. READ!



At Rocky Branch our focus is on finding solutions to our problems. We have been learning some techniques: ignore it, walk away, count to 10, lazy 8 breathing, talk it over respectfully with the person, try to agree on a win-win solution, or get help from the teacher. We are working to be problem solvers by using a wheel of choice that we are creating as a class and to share our thoughts with each other during class meetings. We have created bonds by sharing strategies that have worked in the past.


Book Character Parade
Your child may dress up as his or her favorite book character on Friday, October 28th. Students who dress up will be invited to participate in our school’s Book Character Parade. Students who do not dress up will be part of our parade’s audience. We ask that you please keep in mind that some book characters may be offensive or scary to other children. If students come to school with scary or inappropriate costumes, we will have to have them change. I can’t wait to see what the kids come up with!
Keep up the cute book character projects! They are due Monday, October 24th. We will work on our speaking and listening standards as we present next week.
We are off to a great start with conferences. Thank you for your partnership in your child’s learning!
Snack Reminders
-Please send a healthy snack {low in sugar} to school with your child every day (no nuts, please).
-Due to having 5 minutes for snack time, please send in only one snack.
-Please only send a small water bottle for your child to have with his/her snack.

ESPLOST
The Oconee County BOE has submitted, to the voters, a renewal of the Education SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) at the November 8th election. ESPLOST IV expires in December 2017. The continuation of the ESPLOST V, should it be approved by the voters, will be in effect 2018 – 2022. For more information please visit www.oconeeschools.org/ESPLOST.

Upcoming Events
DA$H (run and sponsor cards due) – October 21st
All Pro Dad Breakfast (3rd-5th grade dads) – October 24th
Book Character Fair (Students and Staff) – October 28th
Daylight Savings Time Ends – November 6th
Teacher Workday and Election Day (No School for Students) – November 8th
Can-a-Thon – October 31–November 11
Thanksgiving Feast – November 11


Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

DA$H Updates and Run Times


Remember to wear tennis shoes this Friday.
Bring your DASH (green sheet) sponsor sheet back on Friday.
If you have family members that would like to make a one time donation rather then sponsoring you per lap - you can bring your donation envelope with money inside this Friday!

Parents - If interested, please sign up to volunteer for Dash! We are still in need of MANY volunteers to help make this year's DA$H a success! Even if you can't help volunteer, we are in need of pretzels! See the link for more information. Thank you!


Check the schedule below to find out what time your child's homeroom will be running.  Please encourage your child to help us fundraise for this event.  A FREE tshirt is given to each child on Friday to thank them for the Effort and Contribution towards the fundraiser.  Thanks for supporting RBES!

Ashley:  
Warm-up - 10:35 - 10:45
DA$H Run - 10:50 - 11:05
Cool Down - 11:05 - 11:15

Thursday, October 13, 2016

Week of October 17 - 21, 2016

Week of October 17-21

Here’s a peek at next week!

Phonics Family Words: make, day, rain, name, made, which, many, some, would, her
Phonics- Long A (long a-e, ai, ay)



Reading: Daily 5 implementation with emphasis on asking and answering questions about details in texts. What was the main idea? How can I retell the story? (5 finger retell, details in sequence, conclusion) Comprehension strategy: story map. We will compare and contrast fiction and non fiction texts with a focus on fall texts. 

L.Arts: Sentence correction: focus (capitalization, punctuation, plural/possessive noun, personal pronouns) 
Writing Workshop: Working on crafting our teaching booklets. What am I an expert at? When I write I keep the reader in mind. We are learning that we teach with our pictures as well. How can I add labels, zoom in and write words on my pictures to teach as well?
Math: We will work on doubles, making ten, combining numbers, and part part whole fluency. We will continue with addition strategies and addition fluency. 
Review ideas of commutative property, zero property of addition, counting on and adding doubles. 
Science: Magnets (What are they? How do they work? What will stick to them?)

 Homework 
1. Study phonics family words and words! (Try out Spelling City) 
2. Pumpkin Reading Passage
3. Math sheet - Identify various addition strategies
4. Read – guided reading book, library book, RAZ Kids – Practice 5 finger retell



Check Spelling City out to practice your phonics family words!






We are gearing up and getting excited about our book character projects! Please see handout next week for more information!




If you are interested in a conference led by your student, please make sure that you sign up on the google survey. You may sign up for a time in-person, choose an e-mail conference, or allow me to contact you if I feel the need. Thank you for your partnership in your child’s learning!



Snack Reminders
-Please send a healthy snack {low in sugar} to school with your child every day (no nuts, please).
-Due to having 5 minutes for snack time, please send in only one snack.
-Please only send a small water bottle for your child to have with his/her snack.
ESPLOST
The Oconee County BOE has submitted, to the voters, a renewal of the Education SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) at the November 8th election. ESPLOST IV expires in December 2017. The continuation of the ESPLOST V, should it be approved by the voters, will be in effect 2018 – 2022. For more information please visit www.oconeeschools.org/ESPLOST.


Upcoming Events
Report Cards Go Home – October 14th
RBES PTO - October 18th at 6:30
DA$H (run and sponsor cards due) – October 21st
All Pro Dad Breakfast (3rd-5th grade dads) – October 24th
Book Character Fair (Students and Staff) – October 28th
Daylight Savings Time Ends – October 6th
Teacher Workday and Election Day (No School for Students) – November 8th
Can-a-Thon – October 31 – November 11
Thanksgiving Feast – November 11


Have a great weekend!