First Grade Newsletter
September 30-October 4th
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)
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
Comprehension strategy: monitor/clarify
Genres: Realistic Fiction
Reading Street Parent Connection:
Reading Street Parent Connection:
- Unit 1 Family Talk letter for concept conversation starters and 6 week overview of the unit. (Sent home Sept. 30th)
- 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).
PHONICS
Lively Letters (Sounds)
- Review stories and sounds for each letter pair: u/i, x/y/c, w/wh/h, e
- Last week’s letter pairs: p/b, t/d, k/g, f/v, qu, m/n, ng, a/o, j, s/z, ch, r/l
Handwriting Without Tears
- Review formation of the following letters…c, o, s, v, w, t, a, d, g, u, i, e, l, k, y, j, p, r, n, m, h, b, f, q, x, z
- Alphabetical order
*Please note that Handwriting Without Tears and Lively Letters are very fast paced reviews of the alphabet letter sounds and formations taught extensively in Kindergarten.
Math in Focus
Chapter 2
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
*
- - Understand there are more than one set of parts for a whole
*
Science
Pumpkin Decomposition Journal
During harvest week with Backyard Growers, our class received a class pumpkin. This week students will be recording what they see and what they predict will happen to the pumpkin as time goes on.
Space Unit
Patterns in the Sky
Last week students continued learning about the sun by watching "The Sun" featuring Bill Nye the Science Guy. Each student collected facts that they heard about the sun, and then shared with the whole class. We organized our knowledge on a KWL chart for students to see what we knew before the video, what we wanted to know about the sun, and then what we learned while watching.
This week students will be learning about the relation of the Sun to the Earth.
During harvest week with Backyard Growers, our class received a class pumpkin. This week students will be recording what they see and what they predict will happen to the pumpkin as time goes on.
Space Unit
Patterns in the Sky
Last week students continued learning about the sun by watching "The Sun" featuring Bill Nye the Science Guy. Each student collected facts that they heard about the sun, and then shared with the whole class. We organized our knowledge on a KWL chart for students to see what we knew before the video, what we wanted to know about the sun, and then what we learned while watching.
This week students will be learning about the relation of the Sun to the Earth.
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 use self-talk for the third lesson of Skills 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: Music
TUESDAY: EARLY RELEASE
WEDNESDAY: Music
THURSDAY: P.E.
FRIDAY: Art, Music; Library
Writing Workshop
Framing Your Thoughts
Last week we focused on reviewing the subject of a sentence and examples of different subjects. This week students will be reviewing predicates (verbs) and 'barebone sentences'. There will be whole group discussion and brainstorming, partner discussion activities, and individual writing activities.
Six Traits of Writing~ Ideas
Last week I read Go Away Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley. The students were asked to draw the monster's features with each step that the book gives them without knowing what they are drawing until the very end. Once they drew the monster from the book, they were asked to draw a monster of their own as well as three or four steps that makes their monster unique and would help someone identify the monster. This lesson was to help students see how strong and specific details are important to see the whole picture.
Magic Camera
This the students will go over the five senses (sight, scent, sound, taste, and touch). We will discuss words associated with the different senses and experiences students have had where they observed with their eyes, ears, nose, mouth or skin. This week we will be taking a sensory walk through and around the school to practice using our senses with our magic sense cameras. Each student will have a chance to discuss what they observe and reflect on what they saw on our walk. During this week's walks, we will be focusing on sight, sound, and smell.
Last week we focused on reviewing the subject of a sentence and examples of different subjects. This week students will be reviewing predicates (verbs) and 'barebone sentences'. There will be whole group discussion and brainstorming, partner discussion activities, and individual writing activities.
Six Traits of Writing~ Ideas
Last week I read Go Away Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley. The students were asked to draw the monster's features with each step that the book gives them without knowing what they are drawing until the very end. Once they drew the monster from the book, they were asked to draw a monster of their own as well as three or four steps that makes their monster unique and would help someone identify the monster. This lesson was to help students see how strong and specific details are important to see the whole picture.
Magic Camera
This the students will go over the five senses (sight, scent, sound, taste, and touch). We will discuss words associated with the different senses and experiences students have had where they observed with their eyes, ears, nose, mouth or skin. This week we will be taking a sensory walk through and around the school to practice using our senses with our magic sense cameras. Each student will have a chance to discuss what they observe and reflect on what they saw on our walk. During this week's walks, we will be focusing on sight, sound, 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 24th and October 29th 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 (Oct. 10)- If you have not sent in your child's permission slip and money ($5), please send the form in as soon as you can in your child's green homework folder. Thank you!
3. Scholastic book order- The October catalog will be sent home this week. October's orders will be due on Friday, 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. The school has a half day on Tuesday, October 1st. Please send in a note if your child's after school pick up is different than normal. IF YOUR CHILD HAS A BUS CHANGE, PLEASE CALL KATHY VERGA'S OFFICE. Thank you!
6. Our class will be going to the library on Fridays at 12:15 p.m.
7. 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!
8. Match the Numbers! Math Homework Activity- Today I sent home with students the 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.
9. Dialogue Journals- Journals will be sent home on Wednesday, October 2nd. Students' first entry is due on Friday, October 4th. Please let me know if your student needs extra time to complete their entry over the weekend.
10. Reading Street Word Cards (pink)- Our first unit of Reading Street began today. This afternoon your child will have a bright pink Reading Street word card. Please practice the first column of words each day this week until your child has little to no errors while reading the words. Before sending it in with your child's homework folder, sign your initials next to 'pi' above the first column.
11. Library Contract- I sent home a library contract today. This contract states that if your child checks out a book from the school library, s/he agrees to return the book before checking out another book. Please read and sign the contract before sending it back to school. If a child does not have a completed contract, the child will have to keep his/her checked out book at school until the contract comes back signed. This is to ensure that our school library's shelves stay stacked full of all time favorites and brand new awaiting adventures. Thank you!
5. The school has a half day on Tuesday, October 1st. Please send in a note if your child's after school pick up is different than normal. IF YOUR CHILD HAS A BUS CHANGE, PLEASE CALL KATHY VERGA'S OFFICE. Thank you!
6. Our class will be going to the library on Fridays at 12:15 p.m.
7. 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!
8. Match the Numbers! Math Homework Activity- Today I sent home with students the 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.
9. Dialogue Journals- Journals will be sent home on Wednesday, October 2nd. Students' first entry is due on Friday, October 4th. Please let me know if your student needs extra time to complete their entry over the weekend.
10. Reading Street Word Cards (pink)- Our first unit of Reading Street began today. This afternoon your child will have a bright pink Reading Street word card. Please practice the first column of words each day this week until your child has little to no errors while reading the words. Before sending it in with your child's homework folder, sign your initials next to 'pi' above the first column.
11. Library Contract- I sent home a library contract today. This contract states that if your child checks out a book from the school library, s/he agrees to return the book before checking out another book. Please read and sign the contract before sending it back to school. If a child does not have a completed contract, the child will have to keep his/her checked out book at school until the contract comes back signed. This is to ensure that our school library's shelves stay stacked full of all time favorites and brand new awaiting adventures. Thank you!
Have an excellent week!
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)
Match the Numbers! Game Recording Sheet (due on Friday) [Sent home on Monday]
Dialogue Journal (due on Friday) [Sent home on Wednesday]
Match the Numbers! Game Recording Sheet (due on Friday) [Sent home on Monday]
Dialogue Journal (due on Friday) [Sent home on Wednesday]
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