January 23rd-27th Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

January 23rd-27th

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 3 Week 3

Main selection:  The Class Pet

Weekly Question:  What do we learn as animals grow and change?
Amazing Words: features, nibble, swoop, natural, wriggle, crumple, tumble, mature, nudges
High-Frequency Words: away, car, friends, house, our, school very
Phonics Target: Ending -es, Plural -es; Vowels: r-controlled or, ore

Comprehension skills: Fact and Opinion
Comprehension strategy: Monitor and Clarify

Genres:  Expository Text
Written Expression: Predicate Expander "How" (People cheer loudly!)
Reading Street Parent Connection:

• Unit 3 Family talk letter for concept conversation starters and 6-week overview of the unit. (Sent home January 10th)
• Practice reading words (see white sheet sent home Friday) for Unit 3, Week 3 (third column). Please return sheet by Friday, January 27th for students to be tested on Week 3 words. 

Fundations: Unit 8, Week 1

Students will learn about...

• Consonant blends and segmenting and spelling words with four sounds
• Sight Words: could, would, should

Math in Focus

Chapter 8

Addition and Subtraction Facts to 20

Prerequisite skills: Add/Subtract 0, use fact families to solve problems, addition facts (expanded form 10 + __, compare numbers to 19)
Thinking Skills
- Analyzing parts and whole

Problem Solving Strategies  
                                     - Guess and Check
                                     - Solve part of the problem

           Objectives

                                    - Use different strategies to add 1- and 2- digit numbers.
                 - Subtract a 1-digit number from a 2-digit number with and without regrouping. 
                 - Solve real world problems
       We are beginning to do some explicit instruction around money. We will begin by identifying coins by name and how much they are worth.  

*                                      

Science

Backyard Growers Enrichment
     Last week, the students learned about
composting and vermiculture. They learned
about worms and got to see them firsthand!
This week the students will learn about the

parts of a plant.

Social Studies

   We are beginning our Economics Unit this
week by developing an understanding of our 4
basic needs (food, clothing, shelter, love) and
the difference between needs and wants.

 Specialists

MONDAY: Music; Library

TUESDAY: P.E.

WEDNESDAY: Music

THURSDAY: P.E.; Backyard Growers

FRIDAY: Art; Music

Writing Workshop

Framing Your Thoughts ~ Winter Barebone Sentence Book
     This week students will finish their winter barebone sentence and complete the final draft with a detailed illustration
      We will continue to practice writing how-to pieces. 

     

                   Parent Reminders

1. We went to library today. Make sure to return books by Friday or Monday morning!
2. We are beginning our Economics Unit this week by developing an understanding of our 4 basic needs (food, clothing, shelter, love) and the difference between needs and wants.
3.Wish list- Clorox wipes. tissues, and paper towels. 
    4.  The Wizard of Oz-Our class went and saw the fifth grade play last week on Thursday. Congratulations to all of the fifth graders on a fantastic performance!
    5. Before School Help-  Thursday mornings at 8 a.m. 
    6. Math Facts—Thank you for the feedback about how the practice is going at home. I have received a few notes about who is ready to be checked so I’ll do that this
week. Even if you feel your child has mastered this skill, please continue to practice these facts at home to build their automaticity. 
7. Scholastic Book Club: February book catalogs will be going home with students. Please your orders and money by Friday, February 3rd!
8. Valentine Celebration—$2 donation for supplies is due on Thursday so we can have
the order shipped in time for the party.

Have a fantastic week! 

Miss Biggar

Homework for the Week

 Daily

Reading Words (Phonics/Sight)

Reading Log (with discussion questions)
Number/Letter Formation

Monday:  Reading Log (due on Friday)
Tuesday: Math  (due on Friday)
Wednesday: Dialogue Journal (due on Friday)

Thursday: Comprehension (due on Friday)