First Grade Newsletter
September 26-30th
Literacy
Literacy Assessments:
Students will be taking the Unit 1 Fundations test this week. The
main concepts covered in this test are the sounds of letters and the formation
of letters.
Reading Street: Unit R*
Main selection: School
Day/Farmers Market
Weekly Question: What is around us at school?/What can we see around
our neighborhood?
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Folk Tale
Comprehension skills: plot, realism/fantasy
*We review concepts taught in Kindergarten during our Review Unit.
PHONICS
Lively Letters (Sounds)
- Review stories and sounds for each letter pair: x/y/c, w/wh/h, e
- Last week’s letter pairs: p/b, t/d, k/g, f/v, m/n, ng, s/z, a/o, j/ch, r/l, u/i, qu, th, th
Fundations: Unit 2 (Week 1 of 2)
- Review formation of the following letters…v, w, y, x, qu
- Alphabetical order
- Identifying beginning, middle, and end sounds
- Reading three-sound words with short vowels sounds (ex: mad, sat, etc.)
Math in Focus
Chapter 2
Number bonds
Objectives
- Identify the use for number bonds (to show parts and a
whole)
- Use different math materials to find number bonds, such as
connector cubes and math balance
- Find different number bonds for numbers to 10
Science
In our first unit of study, students
have learned about living vs. non-living things. This past week we did activities
throughout the week to differentiate what makes a living vs. non-living thing.
Students will be tested on their knowledge of this unit this week.
Social Studies
This past week, the students have continued to
practice focusing and listening as well as learned to use self-talk for the
third Skill for Learning in our Second Steps curriculum. These are skills I
encourage students to use throughout the day to practice and find which
strategy works better for them. The students will continue to practice and
apply the Skills for Learning as well as learn the fourth and final skill: be
assertive.
Our social studies learning continues to
embed focusing on
families and community in our reading program throughout this week. Our
questions for the students will need to answer this week are, "What is around
us at school?" and "What can we see around our neighborhood?".
Specialists
MONDAY: Music
TUESDAY: P.E.
WEDNESDAY: Music
THURSDAY: P.E.
FRIDAY: Art, Music
Writing Workshop
This week students
will begin reviewing the subject (noun) and predicate (verb) of 'barebone
sentences' using the Framing Your Thoughts curriculum. There will be whole group
discussion and brainstorming, partner discussion activities, and individual
writing activities. Students will be creating word lists for both subjects and
predicates to use when writing individually. They will also be given pictures
to pull ideas from.
Parent Reminders
1.
Parent/Teacher
Conferences—Thank you
all who signed up for a time slot at Meet the Teacher Night! If you were unable
to sign up, I will be sending home a slip to you about what times are
available. If none of the dates & times work for you, please send a note in
with dates & times that work for you.
2.
Topsfield
Fair Field Trip
(Oct. 5)- If you have not sent in your child’s permission slip and money ($3), please
both in by Wednesday, September 28th.
3.
Please make sure your child
has signed both the library permission slip and acceptance slip before turning
them in.
4.
Scholastic book order- October’s issue of Scholastic will be
handed out on Tuesday, September 27th. Orders
for the October issue is due on Friday, October 14th.
5.
Unit 1 Formation Packet- If your child has completed the Unit 1 letter
formation packet, it can be turned in on Wednesday, September 28th.
6. Wish List- Clorox wipes and paper towels are two items that the class is going through fairly quickly. If you would like to contribute and donate one of those two items, feel free to. Thank you for your support!
Have a great week!
Miss Biggar
Homework
Monday: Reading Log (due on Friday)
Tuesday: Chapter 1 Math worksheet (due on Wednesday)
Tuesday: Chapter 1 Math worksheet (due on Wednesday)
