April 23-27 Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

April 23rd-27th

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 5 Week 1

Main selection: Tippy-Toe Chick, Go!

Weekly Question:  When does a problem need a clever solution?
Amazing Words: predicament, furious, grumpy, clever, intend, exhausted, batter, griddle
High-Frequency Words: along, behind, eyes, never, pulling, toward
Phonics Target: Dipthong ow, ou (town, loud); final syllable -le (able)

Comprehension skills: Character, setting, plot 
Comprehension strategy: Monitor and Clarify

Genres: Animal Fantasy, Folk Tale
Written Expression: Predicate Expander "How" (Dogs excitedly bark.)
Reading Street Parent Connection:

• Unit 5 Family talk letter for concept conversation starters and 6-week overview of the unit. (Sent home April 23rd)
• Practice reading words (see white sheet sent home Monday, April 23rd) for Unit 5, Week 1 (first column). 

Fundations: Unit 12, Week 1

Students will learn about...

• Multi-syllabic words (cactus)
• Trick Words: people, month, little, been

Math in Focus

Chapter 13
**Chapter 13 Test on Wednesday, April 25th**
Addition and Subtraction to 40

Pre-requisite skills: Adding by making a 10, Adding and subtracting by grouping into 10s/1s, Relate addition and subtraction facts
Thinking Skills
- Analyzing parts and whole



Problem Solving Strategies  
- Use a diagram/model
- Work backward

           Objectives
- Add a two-digit number and a one-digit number with/without regrouping
- Add 2 two-digit numbers with/without regrouping

*                                      

Science

Backyard Growers Enrichment
     Last week students learned about the benefits and positives of farm to table foods as well as setting up a bean experiment. Students took beans, a damp paper towel, and a clear Ziploc bag to set up their experiment. The students' 'bean observers' are hanging in our classroom windows for students to observe the changes (if any) that happen over a period of time. This week students will learn the five things plants need in order to grow. 
     

Social Studies

Second Steps- The week before vacation we learned how to handle name calling using our calming down strategy. This week we will be going over our problem solving strategies. 

 Specialists

MONDAY: Music; Library

TUESDAY: P.E.

WEDNESDAY: Music

THURSDAY: P.E.; Backyard Growers

FRIDAY: Art; Music

Writing Workshop
     This week students will continue to work on their how-to books that we had to put on hold for a couple of weeks. Most students are completing their rough drafts and conferencing with me on their sentences. Each student's writing continues to improve as the weeks go on. Keep up the great work first graders!
     Also our class received letters back from our pen pals this week! We will be reading and responding to our pen pals to try and get to know them better. We cannot wait!

     

                   Parent Reminders

1. Our library time is Mondays at 1 p.m. Please have books brought back to school by the Friday before or Monday morning.
2. Reading passages are due on Thursday. Reading Street Word Lists are due on Friday. 
3. "Reading is thinking!" The most important part of your child's reading blog is the discussion they have with you about the books. Please mark down which questions you  discuss. Thanks!
4. Each student needs to bring in a snack everyday to school. If this is not possible for you, please let me know and we can work something out.Thank you!
5. "Poem in Your Pocket Day" is Friday, April 27th. It is also favorite book character day so dress up like your favorite book character. Students will be choosing a poem to keep in their special  pocket that we'll be making in class. They'll get to share it with anyone who asks them. It should be a really fun literacy day!
6. Anyone ready to be checked in for Math Facts? Just send in a note and I'll check in with your child. Thanks!
7. Wish List: paper towels and wet wipes 
8. Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Next week, the first grade team will be sending home a newsletter about some exciting things we'll be doing to wrap up the school year. Stay tuned!

Enjoy the last week of April! 

Miss Biggar

Homework for the Week

 Daily

Reading Words (Phonics/Sight)

Reading Log (with discussion questions)
Number/Letter Formation

Math Number Sense Games
Coin Games

This week's homework:

 Reading Log (due on Friday)

Review Math Activity (due on Friday) [Sent home on Tuesday]

 Dialogue Journal (due on Friday) [Sent home on Wednesday]

April 9th-13th Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

April 9th-13th

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 4 Week 6

Main selection: Henry and Mudge and Mrs. Hopper's House

Weekly Question:  What treasures can we share with neighbors?
Amazing Words: discover, dwell, resident, welcome, admire, sadness, substantial, tremendous
High-Frequency Words: across, because, dance, only, opened, shoes, told 
Phonics Target: Vowel Sound in moon: oo  (broom, hoop); Suffixes -ly, -ful (lightly, playful)

Comprehension skills: Cause and Effect
Comprehension strategy: Predict and Set Purpose

Genres: Realistic Fiction
Written Expression: Predicate Expander "When" (The sun shines in the afternoon.)
Reading Street Parent Connection:

• Unit 3 Family talk letter for concept conversation starters and 6-week overview of the unit. (Sent home March 6th)
• Practice reading words (see white sheet sent home Friday) for Unit 4, Week 6 (sixth column). 

Fundations: Unit 11, Week 2 & 3

Students will learn about...

• Vowel-consonant-e syllable in one-syllable words
• Long vowel sounds
• Trick Words: none, nothing
• Unit Story: Jake the Whale
• Unit 11 Test on Wednesday, April 11th

Math in Focus

Chapter 13
Addition and Subtraction to 40

Pre-requisite skills: Adding by making a 10, Adding and subtracting by grouping into 10s/1s, Relate addition and subtraction facts
Thinking Skills
- Analyzing parts and whole



Problem Solving Strategies  
- Use a diagram/model
- Work backward

           Objectives
- Add a two-digit number and a one-digit number with/without regrouping
- Add 2 two-digit numbers with/without regrouping

*                                      

Science

Backyard Growers Enrichment
     Last week students learned about plant parts and the different parts that we eat. This week students will act out the life of a tomato from the farm it is grown on to the cheeseburger it is eaten with and all of the places it goes in between. Students will learn about benefits and positives of this process. 
     

Social Studies

Second Steps- Last week we learned how to handle name calling using our calming down strategy as well as the steps to problem solving. This week we will be reviewing everything we have learned in our Second Steps program. 

 Specialists

MONDAY: Music; Library

TUESDAY: P.E.

WEDNESDAY: Music; Backyard Growers

THURSDAY: P.E.; Backyard Growers

FRIDAY: Art; Music

Writing Workshop
"When I Grow Up" Class Book
   Our class has finished our book! Students worked so hard throughout the past month brainstorming, planning, and and perfecting their pieces to be published in the book. All of the illustrations are as detailed as the students' writing. They have created bright and intricate pictures to go with their writing. I am very excited to see the final product!

     

                   Parent Reminders

1. Our library time is Mondays at 1 p.m. Please have books brought back to school by the Friday before or Monday morning.
2. Reading passages are due on Thursday. Reading Street Word Lists are due on Friday. 
3. Dialogue Journals will be handed out on Tuesday, April 10 and due back on Friday, April 13th. 
4. "Reading is thinking!" The most important part of your child's reading blog is the discussion they have with you about the books. Please mark down which questions you  discuss. Thanks!
5. Scholastic Order- The order has been placed. I will let you know when the shipment arrives!
6. Each student needs to bring in a snack everyday to school. If this is not possible for you, please let me know and we can work something out.Thank you!
7. Class Book: I sent home a handout last week about purchasing one of the hard covered class books we will be publishing. Please send in an envelope with your order in your child's folder if you would like to purchase one. Once I receive your note or email, I will send home an order form. If you would like to purchase online, here is the link to order: https://www.schoolmatepublishing.com/app/#/parents/AB4912. Please return the order form by Wednesday, April 11th if sent home. 
9. Wish List: paper towels, wet wipes, and tissues. 
10. Movie Showing- On Friday afternoon (April 13), I will be showing the movie Sing! with a snack of Skinny Pop popcorn and water. A handout will be sent home tomorrow (Tuesday, April 10) with information on both the movie and snack. If you have a concern with your child watching the movie and/or eating the snack, please let me know.

Have a great vacation! 

Miss Biggar

Homework for the Week

 Daily

Reading Words (Phonics/Sight)

Reading Log (with discussion questions)
Number/Letter Formation

Math Number Sense Games
Coin Games

This week's homework:

 Reading Log (due on Friday)

Zero the Hero Math Game Recording Sheet (Wk 2) (due on Friday) [Sent home on Tuesday]

 Dialogue Journal (due on Friday) [Sent home on Tuesday]

April 2nd-6th Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

April 2nd-6th

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 4 Week 5

Main selection: Peter's Chair

Weekly Question:  What treasures can we share at home?
Amazing Words: jealous, relatives, sibling, secret, porridge, collector, flourish, seriousness
High-Frequency Words: stood, room, thought, picture, remember
Phonics Target: Compound words (popcorn, flashlight); Vowel Digraphs ue, ui, ew (blue, fruit, flew)

Comprehension skills: Theme
Comprehension strategy: Story Structure

Genres: Realistic Fiction
Written Expression: Predicate Expander "When" (The sun shines in the afternoon.)
Reading Street Parent Connection:

• Unit 3 Family talk letter for concept conversation starters and 6-week overview of the unit. (Sent home March 6th)
• Practice reading words (see white sheet sent home Friday) for Unit 4, Week 5 (fifth column). 

Fundations: Unit 11, Week 1 & 2

Students will learn about...

• Vowel-consonant-e syllable in one-syllable words
• Long vowel sounds
• Trick Words: friend, other, another, none, nothing
• Unit Story: Jake the Whale

Math in Focus

Chapter 13
Addition and Subtraction to 40

Pre-requisite skills: Adding by making a 10, Adding and subtracting by grouping into 10s/1s, Relate addition and subtraction facts
Thinking Skills
- Analyzing parts and whole



Problem Solving Strategies  
- Use a diagram/model
- Work backward

           Objectives
- Add a two-digit number and a one-digit number with/without regrouping
- Add 2 two-digit numbers with/without regrouping

*                                      

Science

       Backyard Growers Enrichment
     Last week students learned all about composting and vermiculture. This week we will learn about plant parts and the different parts that we eat. 
     

Social Studies

   We will be finishing our National Symbols Unit packet this week.
Second Steps- Last week we learned how to invite students into join activities using the four problem-solving steps (S-Say the problem. T-Think of solutions, E-Explore consequences, and P- Pick the best solution). This week we will be discussing how to handle name calling. 

 Specialists

MONDAY: Music; Library

TUESDAY: P.E.

WEDNESDAY: Music

THURSDAY: P.E.; Backyard Growers

FRIDAY: Art; Music

Writing Workshop
"When I Grow Up" Class Book
   Students have finished their four square and the four facts about the career they chose. The next step is putting these facts into five sentences explaining why students want to be the profession they chose when they grow up. After students finish their sentences, I will conference with them and then they will be given the rough draft paper to put the sentences into a complete paragraph. Once I conference with students who have completed the rough draft, students will copy their piece on their designated page of the book as well as draw & color their illustration.

     

                   Parent Reminders

1. Our library time is Mondays at 1 p.m. Please have books brought back to school by the Friday before or Monday morning.
2. Reading passages are due on Thursday. Reading Street Word Lists are due on Friday. 
3. Scholastic book order- A spring catalog will go home today. Please return orders and money by Friday, April 5th.
4. "Reading is thinking!" The most important part of your child's reading blog is the discussion they have with you about the books. Please mark down which questions you  discuss. Thanks!
5. If you have not signed and returned your child's report card envelope, please return it as soon as possible. Thank you! 
6. Class Book: I sent home a handout today about purchasing one of the hard covered class books we will be publishing. Please send me an email or note in your child's folder if you would like to purchase one. Once I receive your note or email, I will send home an order form. Please return the order form by Wednesday, April 11th. 
7. Wish List: paper towels, wet wipes, and tissues. 

Have a fantastic first week of April! 

Miss Biggar

Homework for the Week

 Daily

Reading Words (Phonics/Sight)

Reading Log (with discussion questions)
Number/Letter Formation

Math Number Sense Games
Coin Games

This week's homework:

 Reading Log (due on Friday)

Zero the Hero Math Game (Wk 1) (due on Friday) [Sent home on Tuesday]

 Dialogue Journal (due on Friday) [Sent home on Wednesday]