LITERACY-  Word Study spell checks include dictated sentences on the back. If your child is coming home with almost 100% on the spell check, but a low dictation score, this means those spelling skills haven't been retained. As well as having your child take a "pre-test" on Thursdays, ask him/her to spell each word aloud as he/she writes it. You could have your child do this earlier in the week as well.

MATH-  We are learning about solid figures including the sphere, cylinder, pyramid, rectangular prism, cube, and cone. We'll identify their corners and faces (sides). We'll also introduce the rhombus, trapezoid, hexagon, pentagon, and octagon.

BIBLE-  October's Bible verse is Joshua 1:9, " Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord will be with you wherever you go." We have been learning about faithful leaders God has chosen to lead His people- beginning with Moses, to Joshua, and Gideon. We will learn about Samson next.

SCIENCE- Our guest expert, Dr. Bellows, came to visit us on Tuesday! She brought an unhappy snapping turtle and showed us her ears, feet, and demonstrated how she would do a check up on a turtle.  Additionally, she showed us some X-rays of turtles.  We wrote thank you notes to Dr. Bellows.  Today we will finish our turtle web.  Next week, we will begin the final phase of our project, where we create models of turtles, make turtle habitats, or write turtle fact books.  We will also take a look at the skeletal system of a turtle! Today we are saying good-bye to Bob, asI will need to bring him back to Williamsburg (where he was found) to hibernate.  

UPCOMING EVENTS

-Wednesdays- 8:30-9:00-Please join us for Chapel!

- Fridays- Relaxed dress days. Please see handbook for dress guidelines. Please, blue denim only.

October 13- Fall break, no classes

October 17- trip to the Paramount Theater, to see Lily and the Plastic Purse, 10:00-12:00

October 17-Fall Festival at Upper, first grade will dismiss at 2:15pm so that everyone can go to the festival!

October 18th- PTC First Grade Gathering- 7-9 pm at the home of Joe and Janice DiGirolamo (Mia's parents!)

October 20- Teacher Workday, no classes

October 20- TCS 30th Anniversary Breakfast, 7:30am, Upper School gym. Be sure to RSVP.

October 21-24 Scholastic Book Fair in the library. We will have a nice selection of paperback and hard cover books.  Proceeds from the sale will benefit the lower library and provide honorariums for visiting authors. If you want your child to select a book or two, you have several options:

1.   If it fits into your schedule, you can come with your child at his/her scheduled time to help select books.  Our time is 9:00-9:30 on Tuesday the 21st.

2.   You may send money with your child (books start at about  $5-6). The parent volunteers, teachers, and aides will help your child make a selection.

3.   You are invited to come and shop any time during the open hours.

October 27- 6:30-8pm, Psychologist, author and columnist John Rosemond speaks at Lower on raising young children.The event is free, but please RSVP to awalker@covenantschool.org.