Friday, May 16, 2014

This week in First grade...

Math:  This week, we are using the subtraction strategies we have been practicing in problem solving.  Remember, the students should circle the important numbers and underline the question.  We always draw a picture, write an equation, and write about how we solved the problem.

Reading Workshop:  We will be reading some fun Fiction stories and working on different comprehension strategies.  We will work on inferring, making connections, making predictions, and retelling the stories.   

Writing Workshop:  We will be using all of the knowledge we have gained as authors this year to write many different kinds of pieces.  We have learned to write personal narratives, creative stories, expository texts, procedural texts, poetry, and letters.  The students will get to choose what they want to write until the end of the year. 

Word Study:  I will be doing the end of the year Words Their Way assessments throughout the rest of the year. 

Science:   This week we will begin learning about seeds.  We will dissect a seed to learn about the parts of a seed.  We will learn what a seed needs in order to grow into a plant, and we will think about what kind of soil plants will grow the best in.

Habit #5 Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood:  I listen to others without interrupting.  I try to see things from their viewpoint.  I am confident in voicing my own ideas.

Reminders:
*Please remember to send a healthy snack every day.  Snack time is @ 9:30am.
*Make sure your child wears tennis shoes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
*Library day is Friday.
*Please remember to send back your child’s orange folder and every day.
*It helps me tremendously if you leave the reading response notebook and books in the homework bag every day.  We use them at school!

Dates to remember:
May 12-16:  Book Fair
May 26:  No School-Memorial Day
May 29:  Game/Movie Day!

May 30:  End of the Year Party and Last day of school!

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

This week in First grade...

 Thank you, Thank you, Thank you for all of the yummy treats this morning!!  My family will love sharing them with me!


Math:  This week, we are using the subtraction strategies we have been practicing in problem solving.  Remember, the students should circle the important numbers and underline the question.  We always draw a picture, write an equation, and write about how we solved the problem.

Reading and Writing Workshop:  This week we are still working on our animal research.  This is taking a little longer than I thought, but the kids are doing great!

Research Process:
  1. Pic a topic to research
  2. Activate prior knowledge (What do you already know about your topic?)
  3. Ask questions (What do you want to learn about your topic?)
  4. Read Expository texts (books, websites, magazines, newspapers)
  5. Record the information found
  6. Reflect (What did you learn about your topic?)

Word Study: 
No word study this week.

Science:   This week we will begin learning about seeds.  We will dissect a seed to learn about the parts of a seed.  We will learn what a seed needs in order to grow into a plant, and we will think about what kind of soil plants will grow the best in.

Habit #4 Think Win-Win:  I balance the courage of getting what I want with the consideration of what others want.

Reminders:
*Please remember to send a healthy snack every day.  Snack time is @ 9:30am.
*Make sure your child wears tennis shoes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
*Library day is THURSDAY!! This is different!!  All books MUST be turned in!
*Please remember to send back your child’s orange folder every day.

Dates to remember:
May 5-9:  Teacher Appreciation Week
May 7:  Early Release Day
May 9:  Career Day
May 12-16:  Book Fair
May 26:  No School-Memorial Day
May 29:  Game/Movie Day!

May 30:  End of the Year Party and Last day of school!

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

This week in First grade...

April 28-May 2, 2014

Math:  This week in math we are working on doubles subtraction facts.  Just like in our last subtraction unit, we are thinking addition to do subtraction.  For example, if you know that 9+9=18, then you also know 18-9=9 because it is a related fact.  We will do problem solving to reinforce.

Reading and Writing Workshop:  This week in Reading and Writing workshop, we will be reading Expository texts to become experts about an animal. We will be using the Research Process to help us. The students were allowed to choose an expository text about an animal from the library last week, and we will be using it and kid friendly research engines such as www.pebblego.com to learn about the topic.  All of the kids picked different animals to research, so I am excited to see what we can all learn!

Research Process:
  1. Pic a topic to research
  2. Activate prior knowledge (What do you already know about your topic?)
  3. Ask questions (What do you want to learn about your topic?)
  4. Read Expository texts (books, websites, magazines, newspapers)
  5. Record the information found
  6. Reflect (What did you learn about your topic?)

Word Study: 
Sorts came home on Monday!

Science:   This week we will be finishing up our Animal Unit.  We will be learning about the life cycle of the frog.

Habit #4 Think Win-Win:  I balance the courage of getting what I want with the consideration of what others want.

Reminders:
*Please remember to send a healthy snack every day.  Snack time is @ 9:30am.
*Make sure your child wears tennis shoes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
*Library day is Friday.
*Please remember to send back your child’s orange folder every day.

Dates to remember:
May 1:  Field Trip to ZACH Theater
             Talent Show (K-3)
May 2:  Field Day 10:05-11:55
            Talent Show (4-5)
May 5-9:  Teacher Appreciation Week
May 7:  Early Release Day
May 9:  Career Day
May 12-16:  Book Fair
May 26:  No School-Memorial Day
May 29:  Game/Movie Day!
May 30:  End of the Year Party and Last day of school!