This week in First grade...

January 7-11

What a wonderful and restful break!  I know everyone was happy to spend some family time at home or visiting others!  The Caballeros enjoyed having family come visit us this year.  We had our annual "December" illnesses and now we are hoping for a healthy January!  We want to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Reminders:

Monday, January 21^st – Martin Luther King Jr.Holiday

Reading Workshop:

In Reading Workshop we begin our study of Biographies.  WE will learn about what a biography is, whatif contains and why it’s an important piece of literature.  We will read a variety of biographies andlearn facts about famous people who’ve contributed to our community.

Writer’s Workshop:

In Writer’s Workshop we will be writing Snow stories.  Students will have the choices to read avariety of fiction texts about snow and snow men and create their ownstory.  They can also choose to write atrue story about an experience they had on a winter day.  Giving children the ability to choose theirwriting topic allows them to have creative freedom over their finalproduct.  They will complete their storyusing the writing process.

Math:

In math we will learn about time!  We will review telling time to the hour, thenmove on to telling time to the half hour. We will tell time using analog and digital clocks.  We will make our own clocks to use during ourunit and will color code the hands on the clock.  Please practice this skill at home using aclock with hands (analog) and a digital clock. We will practice approximating time such as does it take about 1 minuteor 1 hour to tie your shoes?  We willdiscuss activities that take about 1 minute, about 30 minutes and about 1 hour.

Social Studies:

In Social Studies our unit of study will be Citizens WhoShape our Community.  For the next twoweeks we will examine inventors and contributors in our city, state and nationwho’ve contributed to our community. This week we will focus on inventors. What is an inventor?  Who are someinventors you know of? How did they contribute to our community?  We will read about 3 different inventors andcompare their accomplishments.

Thank you to everyone who attended, donated and helped with the Winter Party!  The students loved the activities and snacks!  Thank you to Marni Case and Lesley Guthrie for coordinating it all!