First Grade Newsletter
October 8th-12th
Literacy
Reading Street: Unit 1
Main selection: Sam, Come Back!
Weekly Question: What do pets need?
Amazing Words: need, tickle, responsibility, faithful,
responsibility, shelter, fetch, cuddle,
heel
High-Frequency Words: come, in, my, on, way
Phonics Target: Short 'a', -ck (rock)
Comprehension skills: character, setting
Comprehension strategy: monitor/clarify
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Reading Street Parent Connection:
- Unit 1 Family Talk letter for concept conversation starters and 6 week overview of the unit. (Sent home Oct. 1st)
- 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 1 (first column only).
Fundations: Unit 2 (Week 2 of 2)
Unit 1 Test on Wednesday & Thursday
Students will...
- Manipulate the beginning, middle, and end sounds of words
- Blend and read words with three sounds, including short vowel sounds
- Segment and spell words with three sounds, including short vowel sounds
- Begin learning sentence dictation starting with capitalization, punctuation (period), and proofreading steps
- Sight words: the, of, and
Math in Focus
Chapter 2
**Chapter 2 Test on Thursday, October 11th**
**Chapter 2 Test on Thursday, October 11th**
Number bonds
Thinking Skills
- Analyzing parts and a whole
- Deduction
Problem Solving Strategies
- Act it Out
- Guess and Check
Thinking Skills
- Analyzing parts and a whole
- Deduction
Problem Solving Strategies
- Act it Out
- Guess and Check
Objectives
- Identify the use for number bonds (to show parts and a whole)
- Use different math materials to find number bonds, such as connector cubes and math balance
- - Find different number bonds for numbers to 10
- - Understand there are more than one set of parts for a whole
**This week the class will be introduced to addition math facts to 10 beginning with +0 rule.**
*- - Understand there are more than one set of parts for a whole
**This week the class will be introduced to addition math facts to 10 beginning with +0 rule.**
Science
Weather- This week students will be learning about weather. We will discuss what weather is and important vocabulary that is associated with weather. We will also learn about clouds, how they are formed as well as the names & characteristics of the different types.
Senses- Last week we defined and discussed the five senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste). We went on a walk around the school using our 'sense cameras' to take pictures of different parts of the school and use our senses to describe the scene in each picture. Students used their senses to experience all of the sights, sounds, textures, and smells of the Topsfield Fair. This week students will continue to work on their Topsfield Fair sense reflections.
Senses- Last week we defined and discussed the five senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste). We went on a walk around the school using our 'sense cameras' to take pictures of different parts of the school and use our senses to describe the scene in each picture. Students used their senses to experience all of the sights, sounds, textures, and smells of the Topsfield Fair. This week students will continue to work on their Topsfield Fair sense reflections.
Social Studies
We will be focusing on what pets need through our weekly readings. This week the children will work to answer the question, "What do pets need?"
In Second Steps, we will continue to learn how to be assertive when learning for the fourth and final Skill for Learning. I encourage the students to use the skills that they have learned about throughout their day and find the strategy that works best for them.
Specialists
MONDAY: Columbus Day!
TUESDAY: P.E.
WEDNESDAY: Music
THURSDAY: P.E.
FRIDAY: Art, Music
Writing Workshop
Framing Your Thoughts
Last week we focused on reviewing the subject of a sentence, examples of different subjects, and reviewing predicates (verbs). The class played a version of Freeze Dance where they were given an action to do until the music shut off. This week the class will review 'barebone sentences' and continuing working with subjects (nouns) and predicates (verbs). There will be whole group discussion and brainstorming, partner discussion activities, and individual writing activities.
Writing Fluency-This week the class will be introduced to our writing fluency check ins. During this writing fluency activity, students will be given a sentence starter to practice a narrative piece of writing. Each fluency prompt will be 5 minutes long. One minute for students to brainstorm ideas about the prompt's sentence starter and 4 minutes to write their ideas. The goals for each fluency prompt are to see growth in the number of words students write and to see students applying grammar and writing skills they are learning throughout the year.
Six Traits of Writing~ Ideas
This week students will be creating a story as a whole class. As each student adds on another detail, the teacher will transcribe the ideas on the board. This activity is to get students' ideas flowing without the pressure of writing their thoughts down themselves.
Magic Camera
Last week the students went over the five senses (sight, scent, sound, taste, and touch). We discussed words associated with the different senses and experiences students have had where they observed with their eyes, ears, nose, mouth or skin. Last week we also took a sensory walk through and around the school to practice using our senses with our magic sense cameras. Each student had a chance to discuss what they observed and reflect on what they saw on our walk. During this week's walk, we will be focusing on touch and smell.
Last week we focused on reviewing the subject of a sentence, examples of different subjects, and reviewing predicates (verbs). The class played a version of Freeze Dance where they were given an action to do until the music shut off. This week the class will review 'barebone sentences' and continuing working with subjects (nouns) and predicates (verbs). There will be whole group discussion and brainstorming, partner discussion activities, and individual writing activities.
Writing Fluency-This week the class will be introduced to our writing fluency check ins. During this writing fluency activity, students will be given a sentence starter to practice a narrative piece of writing. Each fluency prompt will be 5 minutes long. One minute for students to brainstorm ideas about the prompt's sentence starter and 4 minutes to write their ideas. The goals for each fluency prompt are to see growth in the number of words students write and to see students applying grammar and writing skills they are learning throughout the year.
Six Traits of Writing~ Ideas
This week students will be creating a story as a whole class. As each student adds on another detail, the teacher will transcribe the ideas on the board. This activity is to get students' ideas flowing without the pressure of writing their thoughts down themselves.
Magic Camera
Last week the students went over the five senses (sight, scent, sound, taste, and touch). We discussed words associated with the different senses and experiences students have had where they observed with their eyes, ears, nose, mouth or skin. Last week we also took a sensory walk through and around the school to practice using our senses with our magic sense cameras. Each student had a chance to discuss what they observed and reflect on what they saw on our walk. During this week's walk, we will be focusing on touch and smell.
Parent Reminders
1. Parent/Teacher Conferences—Thank you to everyone who signed up for conferences at Meet the Teacher Night. You will be receiving a confirmation message with the date and time you signed up for. I will be sending out messages about available times on October 25th and November 1st for those who were unable to sign up. If none of the dates & times work for you, please send an email or Bloomz message with dates & times that work for you.
2. Topsfield Fair Field Trip- The first grade had a great time at the fair! Take a look at the update about our trip on Bloomz and what we learned at the fair. Thank you to the parent volunteers who came with us!
3. Scholastic book order- The October catalog was sent home last week. October's orders will be due on Thursday, October 11th, so that I can get your autumn books to you in time for fall festivities.
4. Wish List- Thank you for your donations! We are still looking for snack donations. If you would like to contribute, please send your donations in with your child or drop them off in the main office with Ms. Lane.
5. Our class will not be going to the library this week due to Columbus Day. If your child has not returned their library book from the previous weeks, please send them in this week for next week.
6. If you are looking to get your CORI done, please go to the main office at Blackburn Drive. Thank you for your support of our class!
7. Match the Numbers! Math Homework Activity- Last week I sent back home with students a recording sheet for Match the Numbers! math game. This activity is to help build number fluency and strengthen students' foundational math skills with numbers 1-10. Please keep the cards in the plastic bag for safe keeping because we will be using these cards for different activities throughout the coming weeks. If you need another copy, please let me know and I will send one home with your child. I will review how to play the game with the class to clear up any confusion. Here is a link to a website that has other great ways to use the cards you were given for other activities: https://thisreadingmama.com/number-sorting-cards/.
8. Dialogue Journals- Journals will be sent home on Wednesday, October 10th. Students' first entry is due on Friday, October 12th. Please let me know if your student needs extra time to complete their entry over the weekend.
5. Our class will not be going to the library this week due to Columbus Day. If your child has not returned their library book from the previous weeks, please send them in this week for next week.
6. If you are looking to get your CORI done, please go to the main office at Blackburn Drive. Thank you for your support of our class!
7. Match the Numbers! Math Homework Activity- Last week I sent back home with students a recording sheet for Match the Numbers! math game. This activity is to help build number fluency and strengthen students' foundational math skills with numbers 1-10. Please keep the cards in the plastic bag for safe keeping because we will be using these cards for different activities throughout the coming weeks. If you need another copy, please let me know and I will send one home with your child. I will review how to play the game with the class to clear up any confusion. Here is a link to a website that has other great ways to use the cards you were given for other activities: https://thisreadingmama.com/number-sorting-cards/.
8. Dialogue Journals- Journals will be sent home on Wednesday, October 10th. Students' first entry is due on Friday, October 12th. Please let me know if your student needs extra time to complete their entry over the weekend.
9. Unit 1 Reading Card- I will not be sending home the reading cards this week. The class will be reviewing the words for the first column this week during class. When I meet with each child to read the first column, I will record how many of the phonics and high-frequency words your child read correctly. I also will highlight the words each child did not read correctly. Next week each child will practice the second column of words. Please note I am looking for the students to be able to read these words with automaticity (within 3 seconds). (Reminder: please return these reading cards on Fridays.)
10. On the back of your child's Daily Reading Log, you'll find a numbered list of discussion questions. Please jot down which questions you discussed with the books each night in the 'title' box.
10. On the back of your child's Daily Reading Log, you'll find a numbered list of discussion questions. Please jot down which questions you discussed with the books each night in the 'title' box.
I hope you all have had a fantastic long weekend!
Miss Biggar
Homework for the Week
Daily
Reading Log (with discussion questions)
Number/Letter Formation
Number/Letter Formation
Math Number Sense Games
This week's homework:
Reading Log (due on Friday)
Top Dog Card Game (due on Friday) [Sent home on Tuesday]
Dialogue Journal (due on Friday) [Sent home on Wednesday]
Top Dog Card Game (due on Friday) [Sent home on Tuesday]
Dialogue Journal (due on Friday) [Sent home on Wednesday]
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