Dear parents,
First graders had their first family groups this past week. For those of you who are new to family group, it is an all school activity which aims for building up school community. We usually have family groups once a month. Each teacher leads a family group which includes students from 1st grade to 8th grade. It is a wonderful opportunity to get know others and build relationships.

Information and Reminders:

First Grade Field Trip: Outdoor Discovery Center, Thursday, September 29
Each student needs to bring a packed lunch for picnic. (no hot lunch) Thank you to Abby Allen, Terri Duran, Lynette Heinz and Meredith Geurink for driving the field trip! Please remember to bring the boosters you have. Thanks!
Schedule:
1. Parents arrive at school at 11:20am.
2. Go to Timber Town for picnic (350 Royal Park Dr, Zeeland, MI 49464)
3. Arrive at Outdoor Discovery Center at 12:45pm and wait at the picnic table
4. The field trip lasts till 2:45pm.

Second Grade Field Trip: Crane Apple Orchard, Wednesday, September 28 AM
Each student needs to bring a packed lunch and a bottle of water for picnic. (no hot lunch)
We will leave right in the morning, chaperons please come at 8:45am. Thank you to Jen Brower and Jill Delcalzo for driving the field trip! Please remember to bring the boosters you have. Thanks!

Picture Day: Monday, Oct. 3

Wonderfully Made: Please finish and send your child’s timeline the week before your child’s special week. During your child’s special week, it is a wonderful opportunity to have lunch with your child, bring in pets, and or share special talents your family members may have been blessed with. Just inform me ahead of time what is your plan. Ben Brower Oct. 3-7

October Birthday Celebrations:
Andres Duran Wednesday, October 19
Mike Moeller Thursday, October 27

Curriculum
Language Arts
-Reading Strategy:
Accuracy-cross checking: when we read books, we always ask ourselves the questions-Does it look right? Sound right? Make sense? We want to make sure we read the correct meaning.

Fluency- We will practice reading aloud every day to increase fluency.

-Writers’ Workshop: This week we will talk about strategies to help us rehearse our stories. We can use picture plans or touch each page and say stories out loud before we write.

Math
-First Grade: We will review this unit by creating story problems. Then we will have a unit test this week.

-Second Grade:We will learn how to write equations and equations chains, and use vertical form for addition and subtraction. We will learn to add three or four addends using strategies we have learned before. We will also learn to solve ‘add to’ (+) and ‘take from’ (-) story problems. (with Li Laoshi)

Social Studies
This week we will review concepts of family and have a unit test. We will start a new unit about geography. We will learning maps and locations. This week we will make a map of our classroom.

Science
-First Grade: This week we will learn about wind and make a wind stock to observe weather.

-Second Grade:We will wrap up the investigation related to functions of plants’ roots and stems that we started last week, and we’ll get to dissect some flowers as we learn the purpose of plants’ flowers this week. (with Li Laoshi)

Bible
We will start a new unit about Abraham. This week we will talk about the call of Abram; Lot’s Choice; God’s covenant with Abraham; Hagar and Ishmael and The three visitors

Dear parents,
Hope you are enjoying this beautiful weekend! Last week we implemented more activities to our Daily 5. Students were able to work independently on reading to self, word work, writing or reading with others while I did guided reading groups. It was great to see students used reading strategies we have learned. They are working hard to become a better and strategic readers!

Information and Reminders:

Parent Drivers :  Due to new insurance requirements, new documentation is required of all parents before they are allowed to drive for ZCS field trips, sports, after school activities, etc.

1.  Every driver must turn in a copy of their driver’s license and valid proof of insurance to the ZCS Main Office. These will be kept on file for the duration of the school year. Parents are responsible for checking to make sure the copies on file are valid and not expired.

2.  Each time a parent drives, he or she will need to sign the “Driver Guidelines” agreement indicating they will abide by the safety standards laid out in the agreement. They will also confirm that the license and proof of insurance on file in the office is up to date.

We are grateful for all of our parent drivers. So, we want to make these new requirements as easy to meet as possible. Please feel free to send copies of your license and proof of insurance to school with your student and have them drop them off in the main office. Or, stop by with the documents and we will gladly make copies for you.

First Grade Field Trip: Outdoor Discovery Center, Thursday, September 29
Each student needs to bring a packed lunch for picnic. (no hot lunch)
Schedule:
1. Parents arrive at school at 11:20am.
2. Go to Timber Town for picnic (350 Royal Park Dr, Zeeland, MI 49464)
3. Arrive at Outdoor Discovery Center at 12:45pm and wait at the picnic table
4. The field trip lasts till 2:45pm.

Second Grade Field Trip: Crane Apple Orchard, Wednesday, September 28 AM

Picture Day: Monday, Oct. 3

Wonderfully Made: Please finish and send your child’s timeline the week before your child’s special week. During your child’s special week, it is a wonderful opportunity to have lunch with your child, bring in pets, and or share special talents your family members may have been blessed with. Just inform me ahead of time what is your plan. Ben Brower Oct. 3-7

October Birthday Celebrations:
Andres Duran Wednesday, October 19
Mike Moeller Thursday, October 27

Curriculum
Language Arts
-Reading Strategy:
Accuracy-We will learn the strategy-skip the word and reread when we encounter an unknown word.
Fluency- We will practice reading aloud every day to increase fluency.

-Writers’ Workshop: This week we will talk about strategies to help us rehearse our stories. We can use picture plans or touch each page and say stories out loud before we write.

Math
-First Grade: We will continue learn partners of 2 through number 5-10. Students will understand the relationship between addends and sum and practice fluency of adding numbers under 10. This week we will explore partners of 8, 9 and 10.

-Second Grade:We will learn to identify numbers as odd or even. We will also learn to use doubles, plus/minus 1, and plus/minus 2 strategies to find totals and solve unknown addends problems. (with Li Laoshi)

Social Studies
This week we will explore families from different cultures. By learning about their food, language, religion and traditions. Students will understand how are families alike and different. We are also going to learn how is a school like a family where we work and play together, and at the same time we have responsibilities.

Science
-First Grade: This week we will learn about cloud cover and we will continue to learn how to use temperature to describe weather.

-Second Grade:We will look more closely at plant structures and learn the functions of roots and stems of plants through different experiments. (with Li Laoshi)

Bible
We will continue to learn about Building on the rock curriculum. This week we are going to talk about the meaning of trinity and express gratitude to God. We will spend time talking about things God has given to us and his restorative work through Christ.

Dear parents,
I was really appreciate the kids were able to concentrate in class even though it was hot and humid. I am glad the weather cools down and we are able to have a better learning environment. This week I am going to start guided reading groups. Students will bring book bags home on Friday.

Information and Reminders:

First Grade Field Trip: Outdoor Discovery Center, Thursday, September 29 PM

Second Grade Field Trip: Crane Apple Orchard, Wednesday, September 28 AM

Library: Please remind your child to bring books back on Friday mornings.

Wonderfully Made: Please finish and send your child’s timeline the week before your child’s special week. During your child’s special week, it is a wonderful opportunity to have lunch with your child, bring in pets, and or share special talents your family members may have been blessed with. Just inform me ahead of time what is your plan. Ben Brower Oct. 3-7

October Birthday Celebrations:
Andres Duran Wednesday, October 19
Mike Moeller Thursday, October 27

Curriculum
Language Arts
-Daily 5: This week students will start working on word works besides read to self.

-Reading: Expand vocabulary- We will learn how to use what we already know and what is happening in the story to predict what a word means.

-Writers’ Workshop: This week we will talk about writers generate story ideas through exploring strong feelings. We will also introduce our writing process which will be think of a story idea; rehearse; draft; reread and revise and then get started on another story.

Math
-First Grade: For the next two weeks, we will learn partners of 2 through number 5-10. Students will understand the relationship between addends and sum and practice fluency of adding numbers under 10. This week we will explore partners of 5, 6 and 7.

-Second Grade:We will continue to practice using math mountain and make ten strategy to solve unknown addends word problems. We will also practice addition and subtraction with total less than 10 or teens total.(with Li Laoshi)

Social Studies
This week we will talk about the purpose and characteristics of family as well as family rules and responsibilities.

Science
-First Grade: This week we will learn how to use temperature to describe weather. We will introduce thermometer as a weather instrument to measure the temperature of the air.

-Second Grade:We will continue to talk about the needs of plants and learn about the function of stem and roots of plants.(with Li Laoshi)

Bible
We will talk about the tower of Babel, and then we are going to have a unit test. We are also going to learn about Building on the rock curriculum. This week we are going to take about the wise man and the foolish man and is there only one true God?

Dear parents,
We had a great first week of school! We spent last week building classroom community and setting up learning routines. This week, we will continue building a friendly environment by learning about asking others how they feel; showing courtesy to others and building friendship by listening.
I am looking forward to a great year with your kids!

Information and Reminders:

Room Mothers: A big thank you to Abby Allen and Dana Moeller to be our room mothers this year!

Thank you for your generous donations to our classroom! We have enough seatings for reading.

Mandarin ONLY timeline: Thank you for helping me with keeping our Mandarin only environment in the classroom. I encourage you to keep doing the good work by talking to your children in the hallway or informing me ahead of time for special visit.

Classroom helpers: Thank you so much for signing up the classroom helpers. I am looking for one more helper for the week of September 6-9. If you are able to come, please sign up at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LYJ2G_uUq5_8k06QON-6Z7qmLh57zftjz64P_i-pESM/edit

When you come, I will most likely end up sending the students on a task while I let you know what I need help with, or I might leave a post-it note along with the jobs on the “chair” by our classroom – it is all in a basket that is ongoing, which means if you don’t finish a task – no worries! The next volunteer will just continue what you were doing 🙂

Field Trips: Thank you for those who turn in your field trip permissions and fees. If you have not done so, please turn them in on Tuesday, September 6. Abby and Dana will send you information regarding chaperon sign ups.

First Grade Field Trip: Outdoor Discovery Center, Thursday, September 29 PM

Second Grade Field Trip: Crane Apple Orchard, Wednesday, September 28

Library: Library starts this week. We will go to library on Fridays. Please remind your child to bring books back on Friday mornings.

School Hot Lunch Balances: ZPS Food Service is asking for help making sure your child’s hot lunch account has sufficient funds to cover their lunches. You may track the balance on sendmoneytoschool.com OR email foodservice@zps.org and ask for an email alert when your child’s funds get low. Elementary students may go in the negative 3 meals and middle school students 2 meals. After the negative meal balance is reached, your student’s account will be locked.

Curriculum
Language Arts
-Daily 5: Last week we learned three ways to read a book. They are read pictures, read words and retell stories. We practiced our first activity during Daily 5 which is Read-to-Self. This week we will build our stamina by focusing on reading books and staying in one spot.

-Comprehension Strategy: Check for understanding/ Back up and reread
It’s crucial that readers always make sense of what they are reading about. Therefore, readers have to stop once in a while and ask themselves: “What’s happening, who is in this scene, and where are they? If they feel like anything is fuzzy, they need to back up and reread to make sure they are understanding.

-Writers’ Workshop: This week we will start our small moment unit. We will learn how to use writer’s notebook to brainstorm and jot down possible topics. Then we will choose a topic about one small moment to write about it. When we do that, we will think about who will be my readers? Do I have lots to say about this topic?

Math
-First Grade: We will start a unit called: Partners and number patterns through 10. This week we will explore numbers 1-10. We will use stair steps to show 1-more and 1-less sequences. We will also learn how to visualize numbers as 5-groups and extra ones.

-Second Grade:This week we will review the relationship between addition and subtraction through word problems. We will also be reviewing the Math Mountain and Make a Ten strategy for students to practice their calculation.(with Li Laoshi)

Social Studies
This week we will start our social studies project: What’s Fair? We will explore fair and unfair situations and crate a class book about fairness.

Science
First Grade: This week we are going to observe weather by using our senses.
Second Grade: This week we will dive into our first Science unit of the year – Organisms Have Character. We will start by defining plants’ characteristics and observing a variety of plants and their parts. (with Li Laoshi)

Bible
We talked about the creation story last week. This week we will learn about the fall into sin; Cain and Abel and Noah and the Flood.