January 9th-13th Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

January 9th-13th

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 3 Week 1
**Unit 2 Test next Tuesday**

Main selection:  A Place to Play

Weekly Question:  How do places change?
Amazing Words: growth, population, teeter, public, makeshift, crooked, shuffle, spindly
High-Frequency Words: always, become, day, stays, things, nothing, everything
Phonics Target: Vowel sounds of y (my, funny); syllable pattern (hi, so, me)

Comprehension skills: Sequence
Comprehension strategy: Summarize

Genres:  Realistic Fiction
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 Wednesday) for Unit 3, Week 1 (first column). 

Fundations: Unit 7, Week 2

Students will learn about...

• New glued sounds- ank, ink, onk, unk
• Review glued sounds- ang, ing, ong, ung
• Pluralization
• Sight Words: put, two
• Unit 7 Story: King Sam

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

*                                      

Science

Solids, Liquids and Gases Unit
     Before the break, we did not finish our
Matter unit. We will review the vocabulary we
have already learned (matter, mass, solid, liquid,
gas, etc) and learn some new terms (evaporate,
condensation). We will also be solidifying our
understanding about the three states of matter
when it comes to water.

Social Studies

   Our calendar-based theme for the next two weeks will be able New Year's resolutions and the efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King. 

Second Steps—We will be starting Unit 3 that gives students tools to identify and manage their own strong feelings. 

 Specialists

MONDAY: Music; Library

TUESDAY: Early Release

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 three basic barebone sentences (a subject and a predicate; Example: Snowmen stand.) I will conference with each student to discuss which sentence they want to use and correct spelling errors. Each student will write take their chosen sentence and add a descriptive predicate expander of where to their barebone sentence. Students will have another conference to correct spelling errors and discuss the predicate expander chosen. After the second conference, they will be given the final draft paper to copy their sentence onto and illustrate a detailed picture. 
      We will also discuss and practice using the elements necessary for a persuasive reading response. 

    

                   Parent Reminders

1. The class had library today. Our class' library time is Monday at 1 p.m. If you have any overdue books, please return them as soon as possible.  
2. Please make sure to pack a snack and water for your child each day. 
3.Wish list- Clorox wipes and paper towels
4.  Reminder: We will have outdoor recess as long as it is at least 20F, so please send your child with a coat, hat, and mittens/gloves. Also, please label all of your child's winter clothing. Some children have a hard time identifying their own clothing. Thank you!
5. Before School Help is on Wednesday mornings at 8. We are focusing on Math fundamentals and basic number sense. If you would like your child to join, please send me an email/note.
6. Math Facts- I sent home math fact sheets to cut out, a Ziploc bag to keep them in, a ring and directions. Let me know if you have any questions.
7. Reading Passage—Starting on next Monday, I will be sending home a reading passage for your child to practice reading. Since each student is in a different place with their reading ability, they will be practicing different skills. Please read through the directions on the back, which will tell you what to do. Thank you for supporting your
child with their reading.
8. Journal Homework: Now that we are just about at the halfway point in first grade,
your child should write a minimum of 5 sentences in their journal letter.
9. Shoe tying and coat zippering…with the winter season upon us, there are many opportunities for your child to tie their shoes and zipper their coat in school. Please help them practice this life skill at home.

Have a wonderful 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: Addition Facts to 10  (Daily)
Wednesday: Dialogue Journal (due on Friday)
Thursday: Comprehension (due on Friday)