First Grade Newsletter
September 9th-13th
Literacy
Literacy Assessments: Last week the students took a baseline reading assessment. This week they will complete their Fall DIBELs, which will help drive my instruction.
I will also be conferencing with each student individually to assess their reading level and begin a personalized collection of books for them to read during independent reading.
Reading Street: Unit R*
Main selection: Sam & Snap
Weekly Question: What is around us at home? & Who is in our family?
Amazing Words: furniture, tidy, unwind, cozy, middle, straw, yawn
Genres: Realistic Fiction, Folk Tale, Realistic Fiction
Comprehension skills: character, setting
*We review concepts taught in Kindergarten during our Review Unit.
PHONICS
Lively Letters (Sounds)
- Review stories and sounds for each letter pair: j/ch, r/l, u/I, qu/x/y/c, w/wh/h, e
- This week’s letter pairs: p/b, t/d, k/g, f/v, m/n, ng, s/z, a/o
Handwriting Without Tears
- Review formation of the following letters…c, o, s, v, w, t, a, d, g
- Alphabetical order
Math in Focus
Kindergarten Math Review & Subitizing Activities
"Subitizing is a term that was coined by the
theorist Piaget and defined the ability to
instantaneously recognize the number of
objects in a small group without the need
to count them.” It is a prerequisite skill
for developing strong number sense."
We will also spend time exploring our mathtools and learning how to take care of them. We will begin our first Math in Focus chapter next week.
Science
Space Unit
Patterns in the Sky
This week our first science unit begins! Students took a pre-test about patterns in the sky to gather information about students' knowledge today. The first lesson will be an introduction into patterns in the sky and beginning to observe the sun. Students will discuss knowledge that they already have about the Sun, Moon, and Earth, and their movement. Each student will form a question about what they want to know more about or a question about our discussion.
Patterns in the Sky
This week our first science unit begins! Students took a pre-test about patterns in the sky to gather information about students' knowledge today. The first lesson will be an introduction into patterns in the sky and beginning to observe the sun. Students will discuss knowledge that they already have about the Sun, Moon, and Earth, and their movement. Each student will form a question about what they want to know more about or a question about our discussion.
Social Studies
Last week, we developed our classroom rules and logical consequences together. This week we will continue to engage in friendship-building, cooperative exercises, always emphasizing the importance of friendship, unity, and cooperation. We will also talk about the power of our choices using the book What Should Danny Do?.
Our social studies learning this week is embedded in our reading program. We will be focusing on families and community through our readings. This week the children will work to answer the question “What is around us at home?” The students will also be learning how to participate in a discussion.
Specialists
MONDAY: Music
TUESDAY: P.E.
WEDNESDAY: Music
THURSDAY: P.E.; Backyard Growers
FRIDAY: Art, Music; Library
Writing Workshop
This week students will begin a morning work assignment that requires students to about one activity that they did over the weekend. The purpose of this exercise is for students to practice putting their ideas on paper through words and illustrations.
Process Writing- Brainstorm Booklet
This week students will be introduced to their brainstorming booklet that they will use throughout the year. This booklet will be used by students to use brainstorming strategies that they have in their 'writing toolbox' to map out their writing. This week students will also create a 'heart inventory', where students will draw and label people, places, and things that are close to their heart and an 'All About Me' page to get to know each student better.
Process Writing- Brainstorm Booklet
This week students will be introduced to their brainstorming booklet that they will use throughout the year. This booklet will be used by students to use brainstorming strategies that they have in their 'writing toolbox' to map out their writing. This week students will also create a 'heart inventory', where students will draw and label people, places, and things that are close to their heart and an 'All About Me' page to get to know each student better. 
Parent Reminders1. Wish list: Thank you so much to everyone who sent in school supplies. Our classroom is supplied and ready for a great school year! A wish list will be posted on the blog throughout the year if you would like to donate to our class.
2. Please be sure your child returns their school folder to school everyday. Also, please check it each day for important handouts and homework assignments. I will write about specific handouts that you should be looking for throughout the week in this section of the newsletter.
3. Children should bring in a small healthy snack (separate from their lunch) to have in class at 9:40 a.m. Please make sure that it is nut-free and has no glass products.
4. Scholastic book order: I will be sending home the September catalog tomorrow, Tuesday, September 10th. I will send these home monthly. Please do not feel obligated to participate every month, but the prices are great and it’s a great way to build your child’s home library and add to our classroom selection. A handout will be attached to this month’s catalog explaining more about Scholastic orders. September’s order is due on Friday, September 20th.
7. Help needed—Room Parents: I am looking for two room parents who can share the class contact list. Room parents coordinate calling parents for special classroom celebrations.
I look forward to an exciting year in 1st grade!
Miss Biggar
Homework
Monday: Reading Log (due on Friday)
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