First Week Fun in 2019

Hello Parents,
Happy New Year!  We had a great 3 days back to school.  The students came back ready to learn and on task.  It is always exciting to get to see your school friends again after time away from each other.

I hope you are using the gift I sent home with your child at the end of December.  It was their own  personal Secret Stories card.  Please have this card along side of your child them when reading and writing.  If they are struggling to decode a word ask them "Is there a Secret Story in there?"  This Secret Story card gives them a visual tool to help them tackle the word.  Every first grader needs help sometimes!  I promise this will be such a benefit as you read nightly with your child.  (Remember part of your child's homework is to read nightly for 15 minutes!!!)

The author, Katie Garner,  offered teachers a free Secret Stories BINGO game over the break so I snatched it up for our class.  I used it today to review their  Secret Stories phonics.  What fun we had! What child does not want to win at BINGO?  What teacher doesn't want their students excited to review reading skills?  WIN...WIN and fun! Hooray!

I will be adding the Secret Stories BINGO to our reading rotation stations next week.  We also have Secret Stories Concentration, draw and write words from your favorite Secret Story, "Block Grab" sight word reading with words coded with Secret Stories, and Secret Story Buddy Chat.  Can you tell I really think these stories are a strong support for my Room 19 readers?

Next week we are heading to the Moon with our textbook story.  Be sure to allow your child to visit Settle On In and learn about our solar system!

So glad to be back, full steam ahead through 2019!