December 31st-January 4th Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

December 31st- January 4th

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 2 Week 4 

Main selection:  The Big Circle

Weekly Question:  How do animal communities work together to survive?

Amazing Words: enemy, extinct, boisterous, protect, crater, holler, swamp, bluff

High-Frequency Words: down, inside, now, there, together

Phonics Target: Long o: o_e; Contractions (can't)

Comprehension skills: Sequencing

Comprehension strategy: Inferring

Genres:  Fiction

Written Expression: Predicate Expander "Where" (Snowmen melt in the front yard.)

Reading Street Parent Connection:

• Unit 2 Family talk letter for concept conversation starters and 6-week overview of the unit. (Sent home November 16th)
• Practice reading words for Unit 2, Week 4 (fourth column). 

Fundations: Unit 6 Week 2 & 3

Students will learn about...

• Base word and suffix with the suffix -s
• Pluralization
• Narrative fiction vs. informational books 
• Reading with accuracy
• Sight Words: who, what, when, where, here, there
• Reading Selection: Jack's Bags

Math in Focus

Chapter 7

Numbers to 20
Prerequisite Skills: Count & compare to 10 , Make patterns (counting on/back)

Thinking Skills
- Analyzing patterns & relationships

Problem Solving Strategies  
                                     - Look for patterns

                               Objectives

                                                                                  - Count on from 10-20
                                  - Read and write 11-20 in numbers and words.
                                  - Use a place value chart to show numbers to 20.
                                  - Show objects up to 20 as tens and ones.

*                                      

Science
Physical Science Unit

Light and Sound Waves
   This week students will review the vocabulary concave and convex curves as well as how light's reflection changes with each curve.  Students will be wrapping up our lesson on the law of reflection by using paint and their hand prints. Students will also be introduced to the second part of the unit: sound waves. 

Social Studies

   Our calendar-based theme for the next two weeks will be able New Year's resolutions and the efforts of Dr. Martin Luther King. 

Second Steps—We will review identifying emotions in ourselves and on other people. We will discuss where to look for clues (people's faces and body language) using two specific scenarios. Students will remember identifying emotions through 'The Feelings Song'. 

 Specialists

MONDAY: No School

TUESDAY: No School! Happy 2019!

WEDNESDAY: Music

THURSDAY: P.E.

FRIDAY: Art; Music

Writing Workshop

Genre Writing~ Opinion
     This week students will be writing an opinion piece about their favorite food and giving reasons why it is their favorite.

New Year Resolutions
     This week students will be learning about what a resolution is and brainstorming resolutions for our new school year. Students will write their resolution on a star and illustrate what they have decided to do or not do. The class' resolutions will be hung around the classroom to begin the new year. 

Framing Your Thoughts ~ Winter Barebone Sentence Book
     This week students will continue to write winter subjects, predicates, and predicate expanders of where to create barebone sentences. Each student will write three barebone sentences using the winter themed vocabulary, but they will choose the sentence that they feel is their best sentence and they can draw a detailed picture for.
      We will also discuss and practice using the elements necessary for a persuasive reading response. 

     

                   Parent Reminders

1. No library this week.
2. Please make sure to pack a snack and water for your child each day. 
3.Wish list- Snacks, Clorox wipes and paper towels
4.  Reminder: We will have outdoor recess as long as it is at least 20F, so please send your child with a coat, hat, and mittens/gloves. Also, please label all of your child's winter clothing. Some children have a hard time identifying their own clothing. Thank you!
5. Math Facts- This week I am having students practice their math facts (Rule +0, +1, +2) at home for math homework. I will be checking in with each student next week beginning on Monday. Thank you to those who have sent me notes about your child being ready for a check-in. I still want those children practicing their math facts this week to be ready for the check-in next week. Thank you for your support!
6. Jan Brett Celebration was a huge success! Thank you again for all of the donations and parent volunteers who made this celebration possible.

Happy New Year! 

Miss Biggar

Homework for the Week

 Daily

Reading Words (Phonics/Sight)

Reading Log (with discussion questions)
Number/Letter Formation
Math Games

This week's homework:

Reading Log (due on Friday) [Sent home on Wednesday]
Math Facts Practice (Daily)

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