October 22nd-26th Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

October 22nd-26th

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

Weather- This week students will learn about clouds, how they are formed as well as the names & characteristics of the different types. We will also continue to build on the students' knowledge of snow and rain. The class discussed how snow and rain are formed and the different patterns of each weather type.
Light- Last week students discussed how light can pass through some objects, but not others. We discussed the three types of objects: transparent, translucent, and opaque. This week students are experimenting with six different materials. They will be making predictions as to what they think the object is (transparent, translucent or opaque) and then using their flashlight to test the material. After they have tested a material, they will record the outcomes.   

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?"

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 complete their first barebone sentence book. In our Fall Barebone Book, students wrote sentences using fall-themed subjects and predicates. We will also begin to learn about the connector ('and') that connects two subjects or predicates in a sentence. 

Genre Writing~ Narrative
      Last week, we discussed that fantasy is make-believe and the key components of a fantasy story. This week we will begin our pre-write with brainstorming characters, the setting, and discuss problems vs. solutions of 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 third letter completed. If your child is has a 'Mystery Letter' from me, their letter for that week should be a response to my letter. If your child does not have a 'Mystery Letter' from me, he/she will be able to write about another topic of their choice. 
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 starred 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 this week on Thursday, October 25th in my room (Room 116). If your child's conference is this 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 the last of the conference confirmations 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- Thank you for your donations and support!
7. Flash the Dots! Math Game- With the math homework recording sheet 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 another game sheet home on Tuesday as well. The game board that goes into the page protector should not be written on in order to play the game multiple times.

Have a fantastic week!

Miss Biggar

Homework for the Week

 Daily

Reading Log (with discussion questions)
Number/Letter Formation

Math Number Sense Games

This week's homework:

 Reading Log (due on Friday)
Flash the Dots Game Recording Sheet (due on Friday) [Sent home on Tuesday]
Dialogue Journal #3 (due on Friday) [Sent home on Wednesday]