Read Across America



Let’s Celebrate Reading and Dr. Seuss

CES will celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday the week of February 25. In classrooms, students will focus on Dr. Seuss stories and activities. On Friday, March 1, students can come to school dressed as their favorite Dr. Seuss character. We will have a costume parade and end the day with a Dr. Seuss themed assembly!



Reading Calendar SUCCESS

So far, so good completing our monthly reading calendars.  Most classes have over 85% of students passing them in each month. We have a few classes that have had 100% participation the past few months!  That is phenomenal? Great job to those of you that are passing in your calendars every month. 

Special congratulations to Mrs. Procopio's class, Mrs. Kerle's class, Mrs. Sanborn's class, Miss Bellerive's class and Miss Socha's class!


A couple of reminders:
-Please pass your calendar in on time. I can only accept calendars the week that they are due. On Friday we choose the raffle prize winners for the month.
-School vacation days are the BEST times to read. Students typically have more time during the day to read than usual, not less. Please do not write "school vacation" in the boxes. Reading should take place daily to build good habits and prevent students from forgetting their skills. We want to build readers that enjoy reading and don't view it as just a homework task.

Those Important Sight Words


Sight words are the glue that holds the sentence together.

Sight words are words that should be memorized to help a child learn to read and write. Learning sight words allows a child to recognize these words at a glance — on sight — without needing to break the words down into their individual sounds and is the way strong readers recognize most words. Knowing common, or high frequency, words by sight makes reading easier and faster, because the reader does not need to stop to sound out each individual word.
Once a child is able to read all of the sight words, s/he has access to up to 75% of what is printed in almost any piece of children’s literature.  Children do not learn new words by being exposed to them only once. Repetition is key to sight word acquisition.

Here is a complete list of sight words for grades K and 1 and  ideas/games to practice sight words at home.
Sight Word List
Practice reading these words by sight. Can you spell the red words?                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               
red
see
blue
and
I
orange
like
purple
black
me
yellow
to
a
brown
the
green
white
my
pink
go
we
here
is
have
said
for
you
play
in
was 
but
she
can
did
they
get
put
your
are
of
could
at
would
he
not
should
it
Mr.
Mrs.
Ms.
any
two

do
many


 
Grade 1 High Frequency Words by Theme 

Theme 1 -go on the and here jump not too we a find have one to who

Theme 2-five four in once three two upon what do for I is me my said you are away does he live pull they where

Theme 3-animal bird cold fall flower full look of see all call eat every first never paper hall why also blue brown color funny green like many some

 Theme 4-children come family father love mother people picture your friend girl know play read she sing today write car down hear hold hurt learn their walk would

 Theme 5-grow light long more other right room small these could house how over own so world fly give good her little our try was 

Theme 6-by climb found morning out shout show cow door horse now table there through wall 


Ways to practice sight words at home


 • Paper Plate Toss: Write sight words on paper plates. Use like Frisbees to throw after reading the word.
 • Concentration: Make a duplicate set of word cards and play “Concentration” • Go Fish: With a duplicate set of word cards play “Go Fish”
• Tic –Tac-Toe: Write words in the tic-tac-toe spaces. Take turns selecting a space to read. If read correctly, an X or O is placed on the space until someone wins.
• Word-O: This is played just like BINGO. Fill in a card with the words that you are working on. Call out the words and mark the spaces. The first one with a card covered calls out the word "WORDO"!
• Word Hunt: Look for target words in books or in the newspaper. If using the newspaper your child can highlight or circle the word ring words that he/she finds
• SNAP: You put the sight words you want them to practice on flash cards and put the flash cards into a jar (maybe like an oatmeal jar). Also, you write the word SNAP! on a a few flash cards and put them in the jar also. The kids can play in partners or in groups of 3 or 4. They take turns pulling a card out of the jar. If they can say the word on the card automatically with no struggle, they get to keep the card. If they struggle, they have to put it back. If they pull out one of the cards that says SNAP! They have to put back all of the cards they've drawn.
 • Play coin toss – Put words on the floor - children take turns to toss a coin onto a word and say that word.
• Play who am I? For example, I rhyme with bed, I have 3 letters, and I end in “d”.
 • Children go outside and practice writing their words with chalk on the concrete.
 • Flashlight words - turn off lights. Tape words on the wall or ceiling. Use the flashlight to shine on the word then read.
• Children make their own word wall/dictionary using photocopied small sight words and scrapbooks labeled with a letter of the alphabet on each page... can be added to throughout the year.
• Make words using play dough.
• Beat the clock - how many times can a word be written in 1 minute etc
• Play stepping stones - place words on the floor and children walk over them saying the word as they go to get to the other side of the stream. Make words using letter tiles -scrabble pieces
• Make words using stencils.
 • Make words using alphabet stamps.
• Make words using magnetic letters
 • Delicious Words -Write your words in whipped cream, peanut butter, or anything you can eat
• Good Clean Words -Write your words in shaving cream on a counter or some other surface that can be cleaned safely

December Reading Calendars PAST DUE

Don't forget to send in completed December reading calendars.  Prize winners will be called tomorrow!
Image result for dont forget

Merry Christmas, Everyone. 


Don't forget to put daily reading on your schedule each day over vacation. Reading skills get "fuzzy" when kids go for long periods without practicing them. Here are some ideas to help incorporate reading skills into your daily vacation activities:

Basic Activity Suggestions for All Ages and Abilities

 Read
o Read to children and or the family
o Take turns reading
o Listen to recorded books in the car as you travel
o Download e-books for a child to listen to as he reads while
traveling
o Ask students to read to you, to siblings, to relatives...even a pet.
o Discuss books
o Talk about words found in books you read
o Make predictions about what will happen
o Discuss events as they happen
o Talk about what the author wants the reader to think about or
understand. Ask: What is the "take away message." Why?
o Discuss the differences in types of literature: adventure, fantasy,
Sci-fi, non-fiction
o Help students identify books and subjects they like
o Help students articulate why they do like or don't like a
particular book or genre
o Older students may prefer short stories to a longer book. Ask
your librarian to suggest collections.
o Some students enjoy joke books, limericks, how-to books, craft
books. Let students follow their passions.
o Visit a zoo and find a book about a species they like: snakes,
reptiles, elephants, insects.
o Purchase a subscription to an educational magazine such as Kids
Discover. www.kidsdicsover.com, Keep old copies to help in
report writing during the school year.
o Research a topic on line. A terrific example is mummies. Create
a web or graphic organizer of information the student finds
interesting.
 A great website devoted to this is: Discovery Kids-Mummy
Maker http://kids.discovery.com/games/just-forfun/mummy-maker
 And:http://www.childrensuniversity.manchester.ac.uk/inte
ractives/history/egypt/makeamummy/

CHRISTMAS SCAVENGER HUNT

Only the reading specialist would try to add reading to your Christmas celebrations! Here are some cute clues to attach to presents that kids read to locate their next gift. My own children have loved this tradition for years. Enjoy!


HERE ARE THE CHRISTMAS SCAVENGER HUNT CLUES:
Rudolph is Santa’s #1 flyer.
No go look by the washer & _____.

Santa Claus wears a bright suit made of red.
No go look where you rest your head.

Santa’s white beard shows us he’s pretty old.
Your next clue can be found where we keep the food cold.

You are going through these clues at a good pace,
The next one is hidden in the fire _____.

Your patience may be starting to lag,
But stay strong! Go look where you’d find a trash bag.

The air inside can be a bit stale.
Get some fresh air by checking the mail.

Brrrr! Outside is really quite chilly,
Next check the front porch, but don’t be silly.
I know you’re ready to come inside,
But fist you’ll need to check the car in which you ride.

Tired of having your route twisted and turned?
Don’t give up! Go look in a book from which you are learned.

The elves are so festive wearing suits of red and green.
Your next clue is where your backpack was last seen.


Santa has a sleigh full of presents he needs to give,
And you should check where your clean, folded clothes live.

You are certainly hoping to be on the list of kids who have been nice.
You may want to check where you can find the ice.

A present is great, and it’s nice to also get a Christmas card.
Head right now out to the front yard.


Rudolph is the lead reindeer because his nose can be seen.
For your next clue, check inside the washing machine.

Remember how the Bumble in Rudolph lived in a cave?
He had to heat his food over a fire because he had no microwave.

Everyone knows that Santa and Mrs Claus reside at the North Pole,
But you may be surprised at what is in your cereal bowl.

Holly leaves are deep green, and the berries are red.
Your next clue is under your bed.

Are you using your brain yet? Good! These clues are designed to make you think.
You can find the next one under the kitchen sink.

I know you love that YouTube video, but please pause it.
Go find the next clue hidden inside a ______.


Santa is known for being portly, and he likely has to squeeze into that red suit.Maybe he should eat healthier, so look where you keep the veggies and ____.

Rudolph was called upon to lead Santa’s sleigh and he was willing and able.
For your next clue, don’t look high, look low. It’s under the dining room _____.

When you mail a letter to Santa, you have to use a stamp.
Shine a light on this hunt and look by a ____.

Santa’s trip around the world each year makes the news,
Now go look for a clue hidden where you keep your boots and ______.

To stay on Santa’s nice list, you cannot be a grouch.
The next clue is under a cushion on your comfy _____.

You’re not done yet! Keep going, there are several clues more.
The next place to look is by your front ____.


“Jingle Bells” and “Frosty the Snowman” are favorite holiday tunes,
The next clue is hiding among the knives, forks, and ______.

The elves’ workshop at the North Pole when full of toys is a treasure trove
It’s much warmer, though, at home in your kitchen near the oven or _____.

The anticipation has been building as Christmas has drawn nearer and nearer.
Take a peek at your reflection and find your next clue when you look in the ______.

Poor Rudolph. The other reindeer excluded him and called him names.
You would have been kind and played with him, so go look near the board _____.

Holiday gifts are wrapped in pretty paper with ribbons and bows.
Keep an eye on what’s happening outside and see what’s on the sills of the _______.

Santa knows when you’re sleeping and awake. Guy has lots of power.
He also knows if you’re clean, so head to the bathroom where you take a ______.
Winter break hopefully means no homework and nothing crazy like long division,
But you may be watching some movies or shows, so check around the _________.

Santa may be the only house guest who never has to knock,
But he’s on a tight schedule, so look for your next clue near the _____.

Santa’s reindeer are known for their abilities, be it to prance, dance, or dash.
Using any of those methods, find your next clue on top of the can for the _____.
The best part of the holidays is spending time with family and friends.
To find the next clue, go check where we keep the pencils and ____.

The reindeer pull a sleigh, not a car, train, or boat.
You can find the next clue in the pocket of your ____.

“On Dasher, on Dancer!” Santa calls each reindeer by name,
Your next clue can be found behind a smiling face in a picture _____.


Out of all the reindeer, Rudolph is the star with millions of fans.
See what you find in the kitchen where we keep the pots and ____.

The Grinch starts out as an unmerry guy – a thief and a vandal.
No need to steal anything, your next clue can be found somewhere lit, under a _____.

Christmas isn’t just about gifts, it’s about moments we share. Think of your favorite memories when fetching the next clue from under a _____.

Into the freezing cold Arctic waters polar bears happily plunge,
But that sounds extreme. Instead, check under a cleaning tool, the _____.

Santa pops down the chimney, leaves gifts and departs with great haste,
Your next stop should be where you keep your floss and tooth _____.

Good manners keep you on the nice list; say “Thank you” and “Please.”
Since you asked nicely, the next clue is near where we keep the ____.


You’ve eaten some cookies and the hot chocolate is gone – you drank it.
If you have a food coma, cozy up with your next clue under a warm ______.

You’re nearing the end and the pile of clues is getting larger and larger.
Keep your energy up and find the next one near the phone _______.

You’ve looked high and low but, there’s another gift in sight.
Check under the Christmas tree and remember Santa’s parting words: “To all a good night!”