Letters From Miss Justen
September 9, 2008
Dear Families,
We made it through the first week! Now we are beginning our regular schedule.
Last week we spent some time talking about how to treat one another, both how they would like to be treated and
how they would not like to be treated. We also wrote class rules together. It is not an all-encompassing list, but it
covers the basics. The rules are as follows: Keep our hands and feet to ourselves. Treat others with respect. Treat
property with respect. Be polite and use good manners. Be good listeners. Use an inside voice. Raise a hand to
speak. Follow directions. Be quiet and reverent at Mass. Turn in our work.
As most of you know, each year we look for a volunteer to teach some Art lessons in each grade. If you are
interested in filling this position, or simply would like some more information, please let me know. The curriculum
is provided; you are not expected to formulate your own lessons.
Thank you to those of you who have turned in your mystery bags and envelopes. If you haven’t already done so,
please try to return both items to me by the end of this week.
A look at the next two weeks:
Reading
We are beginning our first theme: Silly Stories. The students should enjoy the funny stories they will get to read in
this theme. We will often read these on Tuesdays. Ask your child what crazy thing the characters did! This week’s story is about a dragon who goes shopping and runs into some complications. Next week the students will be
reading about a pig from Alaska named Julius.
Spelling
This week’s spelling words are mostly short a and short i words. There are a couple of exceptions. I grade the
students based upon the first 16 words, but like for them all to try the bonus words the first couple of times, until I
get a feel for their spelling capabilities. I may adjust lists as I get to know their skills better. Next week’s words
have either the short e, short o, or short u.
Math
The first chapter in our math book covers place value and patterns, ordering numbers, comparing numbers, and
estimating. Each chapter includes a page entitled Math at Home. This sheet will explain to you what the chapter is
about, provide some key vocabulary and give suggestions for activities and books to read.
Religion
Our first two chapters focus on the Christian community and Baptism.
Social Studies
We will be studying various communities in our first unit. We will talk about communities on a small scale as well
as all of the communities we belong to as citizens of our country and our world.
God Bless,
April Justen