October 16-20th Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

October 16-20th

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 1 Week 3

Main selection:  The Big Blue Ox

Weekly Question:  How do animals help people?
Amazing Words: past, present, produce, transportation, danger, serve, snuggle, enormous, powerful
High-Frequency Words: blue, help, little, from, use, get
Phonics Target: Short 'o', plural -s; consonant 's'/z/

Comprehension skills:  Character and Setting
Comprehension strategy: Visualize

Genres:  Animal Fantasy
Reading Street Parent Connection:

• Family Times gives various activities that can be done at home that connect to the concept we're learning this week.
• Practice reading phonics and sight words for Unit 1, Week 3 (third column only).   

Fundations: Unit 3 (Week 1 of 2)

Students will...

• Segmentation
• Spell words with -ck at the end
• Observe the form of a narrative story (character, setting, and main events) 
• Story: Cod Fish
• Sight words: a, was, to

Math in Focus

Chapter 3

Addition Fact to 10 

Thinking Skills
- Analyzing parts and a whole
- Deduction

Problem Solving Strategies 
- Act it Out
 - Draw a diagram

Objectives

      - Count on to add 
   - Use number bonds to add in any order

- - Write and solve addition sentences
- - Tell and write addition stories about pictures

Science

 Last week we will be looking at wind, clouds types, and how weather fits within the four seasons.This week the class will review the three main weather tools we have discussed (thermometer, rain gauge, and weather vane). The class will also be filling out a weather study guide for our first celebration of learning for science.

Social Studies

     We will be focusing on communities over time and transportation through our weekly readings. This week the children will work to answer the question, "Who helps animals?"

Last week, Mrs. LaBella came into our classroom to teach us about how to stop, think, and respond when we come across a problem. This week the class will be continuing to put into practice the four Skills for Learning throughout the day. We will begin Unit 2 of Second Steps on Wednesday by discussing empathy. 

 Specialists

MONDAY: Music
TUESDAY: P.E.

WEDNESDAY: Music

THURSDAY: P.E.

FRIDAY: Art, Music

Writing Workshop

Framing Your Thoughts 
    This week students will begin reviewing the connector ('and') of 'barebone sentences'. Students will be writing their own barebone sentences with the help of word lists, pictures, and their own creativity. We will be focusing on autumn inspired subjects and predicates.

Genre Writing~ Narrative
      Last week, we discussed that fantasy is make-believe and the key components of a fantasy story. We began our pre-write with coming up with characters and the setting of their stories. This week each child will write their own fantasy story. We will discuss problems vs. solutions and begin mapping out the events of the students' stories. 

                  Parent Reminders

1.  Homework Reading Log- Please make sure to write down the discussion question number(s) you and your child talk about each night you read.

2. Dialogue Journals- Please send in your child's dialogue journal with the second letter completed. The first letter your child writes should be a response to the letter I have written them. For the second letter your child writes, if there is no letter from me the student can use the idea page on the inside of the front cover to come up with an idea of what to write. 
3. Library- Our class goes to the library on Mondays at 1:00 p.m. Please bring in their library books the Friday before or on Monday morning. Students need to return their library book in order to check out another one. Thank you!
4. Unit 1 Reading Card- I recorded how many of the phonics and high-frequency words your child read correctly. I also highlighted the words you did not read correctly. This week you’ll practice the third column of words. Please note I am looking for the students to be able to read these words with automaticity (within 3 seconds). If your child needs a new list, please let me know. (Reminder: please return these on Fridays.) 
5. Parent Conferences & Confirmation Slips- The first round of conferences will be held next week on Thursday, October 26th in my room (Room 116). If your child's conference is next week, please be thinking about questions and/or concerns you may have about your child as well as academic and social goals you have for him/her. I sent home conference confirmation slips for all conferences today. If I have not received a conference slot time from you, I attached a updated late sign up sheet. Please send back in ASAP. Thank you!
6. Wish List- Our class is in need of a healthy, nut-free, individual packaged snack option for students who do not bring a snack to school. If you would like to donate but do not know what snacks meet the requirements, you can look at the snack list I gave you at Meet the Teacher Night. Thank you for your donations and support!
7. I will be out of the classroom at a science training on Monday, October 16th for the whole day. For homework, I only left the Reading Log. I will be sending home the new math game directions and materials on Tuesday.
8. Flash the Dots! Math Game- With the math homework going home on Tuesday, I will be posting a separate message on the blog tomorrow explaining more about the new math game for this week's homework. The description will also be on your child's homework sheet. I will send a reminder home with the game materials.

Have a fantastic week!

Miss Biggar

Homework for the Week

 Daily

Reading Words (Phonics/Sight)

Reading Log (with Discussion questions)

Number/Letter Formation   
Match the Numbers! Game

Monday:  Reading Log (due on Friday)
Tuesday: Flash the Dots! Game
Wednesday: Dialogue Journal (due on Friday)