May 7-11 Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

May 7th-11th

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 5 Week 3

Main selection: Dot & Jabber and the Great Acorn Mystery

Weekly Question:  How do we solve mysteries?
Amazing Words: explanation, riddle, wonder, confused, encouragingly, case, suspects
High-Frequency Words: among, another, instead, none
Phonics Target: Vowel Patterns: oo  (hood, took); Added Endings (learns, brushed, eating)

Comprehension skills: Compare and Contrast
Comprehension strategy: Monitor and Clarify

Genres: Informational Fiction
Written Expression: Predicate Expander "Why" (Kids work so they can learn.)
Reading Street Parent Connection:

• Unit 5 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 5, Week 3 (third column). 

Fundations: Unit 12, Week 3

Students will learn about...

• Two syllable words ending with -ic (i.e. picnic, panic)
• Add suffix -s to words (i.e. cupcakes)
• Trick Words: Mr., Mrs.

Math in Focus

Chapter 14: Mental Math
Prerequisite Skills: Number bonds; Addition and Subtraction to 40

Thinking Skills
- Identifying patterns and relationships

Problem Solving Strategies  
- Make a systematic list
                                            - Work backward

           Objectives
- Mentally add 1-digit numbers, 1-digit number to a 2-digit number, and add a 2-digit number to tens.
- Mentally subtract 1-digit numbers, 1-digit number from a 2-digit number, and subtract tens from a 2-digit number.  

*                                      

Science

Backyard Growers Enrichment
     Last week students learned about the process of different parts of a cheeseburger and how they all start from dirt. This week students will learn about the five things plants need in order to grow through a scavenger hunt and by planting their own seeds.
     

Social Studies

Quality & Traits Unit
Last week students reviewed what a quality and trait is, a list of different qualities and traits that specific people have, and what qualities & traits each student holds. They also completed their two traits and examples about Ruby Bridges and began their trait examples for John Henry as well as the Wright Brothers. This week students will be completing their John Henry and Wright Brother traits and learning about our new famous American.

 Specialists

MONDAY: Music; Library

TUESDAY: P.E.

WEDNESDAY: Music

THURSDAY: P.E.; Backyard Growers

FRIDAY: Art; Music

Writing Workshop
How-To Writing
     This week students will be completing their final drafts of their how-to writing and completing the colorful cover.

Pen Pal Letters
     The class will be sending their letters out this week. This letter included fantastic illustrations from the students included with their letters.

     

                   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!
5. Before School help- Thursday at 8 a.m.
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. Wish List: paper Clorox wipes
8. Biography Project- I sent home the paper for the biography project with your child's name and person they are to research. The project will be due on Friday, May 18th. Each child will have a chance to share their biography project to their classmates the following week. 
9. End of the Year Assessments will begin in the next coming weeks. 
10. Celebration of Learning is on Thursday, May 22nd at 5:30. The students are very excited for you to come and see all that they have learned! I hope to see you all there!
11. Stone Zoo field trip is on June 14th. A permission slip will be going home in a couple of weeks. 

Have a fantastic week! 

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
Moon Log
Biography Project

This week's homework:

 Reading Log (due on Friday)

President's Day Activity (due on Friday) [Sent home on Tuesday]

 Dialogue Journal (due on Friday) [Sent home on Wednesday]
Moon Log (due on Friday, June 1st) 
Biography Project (due on Friday, May 18th) [Sent home on Monday, May 7th]