October 28th-November 1st Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

October 28th-November 1st

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 1 Week 5

Main selection:  Get the Egg!

Weekly Question:  Which wild animals live in our neighborhood?

Amazing Words: habitat, hatch, survive, chirp, croak, moist

High-Frequency Words: saw, tree, your, small

Phonics Target: Short e: e; Initial Consonant Blends (st-, bl-, pl-, gr-)

Comprehension skills:  Main idea and Details

Comprehension strategy: Important Details

Genres:  Realistic Fiction

Reading Street Parent Connection:

• Unit 1 Family Talk letter for concept conversation starters and 6 week overview of the unit. 
• 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 5 (fifth column only).   

PHONICS

Lively Letters (Sounds)

• Review stories and sounds for each letter pair: x/y/c, w/h
• 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, u/i, wh, e

Spelling 

• Skill(s): Tapping out sounds in words with CVC patterns (Consonant, Vowel, Consonant; such as 'cat') 
• Spelling words with digraphs (sh, ch, th, wh, ck)
• Trick Words: a, was, to
• Taught Trick Word List: the, of, and

**Trick words are irregularly spelled words that each child is expected to be able to spell in their writing.**

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  

Math in Focus

Chapter 3

   Addition Fact to 10 

   **Chapter 3 Test on Tuesday, October 29th**

  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

Decomposition of 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 learned about the different moon phases. They used models (Oreo cookies) to form the 8 different phases we are focusing on (Full, gibbous, half, crescent, new, gibbous, half, and crescent). I reminded them that scientists use models to help learn about large objects using smaller materials. This week students will plan and conduct an investigation about the moon's phases. 

Social Studies

Thanksgiving Unit
We will be working on developing an understanding of life as a colonist and a Wampanoag Native American. We’ll start by learning about each of their homes.
Second Steps—We began our Empathy Unit last week with identifying feelings. This week we will continue to discuss ways to identify feelings in ourselves and others. 

 Specialists

MONDAY: Music 

TUESDAY: Early Release

WEDNESDAY: Music

THURSDAY: Halloween Parade!

FRIDAY: Art; Music; Library

Writing Workshop

Genre Writing~ Narrative
      This week we will begin our pre-write with brainstorming characters, the setting, and discuss problems vs. solutions of students' stories. 

Six Traits of Writing~ Ideas
     When writing the stories, each student will be looking at their heart inventory paper to find ideas of what topic they would like to write about. Once the students have a topic, they will write five important details they want to share in their story about the topic. These details will be in one or two word phrases on the Five Finger Detail organizer. By giving students the organizer, the focus will be more on five solid details about the topic than writing a proper sentence.

Framing Your Thoughts ~ Connector ('and')

     This week students will be practicing using the connector ('and') in bare bone sentences. Students will practice using this part of a sentence during literacy centers and convention writing time. 

This week’s mini-lessons will include:

• Choose a topic 
• Use important details to tell about a topic
• Use uppercase at the beginning & punctuation at the end
• Use spacing between words
• Writers reread their writing to see if it makes sense and stays on topic.

   Parent Reminders

1. Library day is on Friday. Please make sure you help your child remember to bring in their book in by the end of the week.

2. Halloween Parade- Our Halloween Parade is this Thursday, October 31st beginning at 2:00 p.m. Please be at the school by 1:50 p.m. to watch the parade. If you would like to dismiss your child after the parade, please send in a note with your child before Thursday or at the beginning of the day on Thursday, October 31st. We are in need of 3 parent volunteers to come into our room (Room 116) at 1:30 p.m. to help students get into their costumes before the parade. We already have 2 volunteers, but we need 1 more. If you would like to volunteer, please let me know as soon as possible. Thank you!

3. Scholastic Orders- November catalogs will be handed out this week.

4. Ten Frame Build Math Game— Play the ten frame game Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. On Wednesday, please have your child record what his/her answers are when playing on the recording sheet passed out on Wednesday. This will allow me to see how your child is progressing with their number sense.

5. Reading Phonics & Sight Word Lists (Unit 1)- Unit 1 Cards were handed back last Friday, October 25th. Please practice Week 5 (the second to last column only) of your child's Reading Street word lists. I will be collecting the Reading Street Unit 1 sheets on Friday, November 1st to check-in with students. Thank you!

Have a wonderful 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)

Ten Frame Game Recording Sheet (due on Friday) [Sent home on Tuesday] 

Dialogue Journal #5 (due on Friday) [Sent home on Tuesday]

October 21st-October 25th Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

October 21st- October 25th

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 1 Week 4

Main selection:  Fox and a Kit

Weekly Question:  How do wild animals take care of their babies?
Amazing Words: observe, wild, parent, canopy, screech, million, native, reserve
High-Frequency Words: eat, five, four, her, this, too
Phonics Target: Inflected Endings -s and -ing

Comprehension skills:  Main idea and Details
Comprehension strategy: Important Details

Genres:  Literary Nonfiction
Reading Street Parent Connection:

• Unit 1 Family Talk letter for concept conversation starters and 6 week overview of the unit. 
• 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 4 (fourth column only).   

PHONICS

Lively Letters (Sounds)

• Review stories and sounds for each letter pair: x/y/c, w/h
• 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, u/i, wh, e

Spelling 

• Skill(s): Tapping out sounds in words with CVC patterns (Consonant, Vowel, Consonant; such as 'cat') 
• Trick Words: a, was, to
• Taught Trick Word List: the, of, and

**Trick words are irregularly spelled words that each child is expected to be able to spell in their writing.**

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  

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

Decomposition of 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 began to learn about the Moon. They brainstormed facts that they already knew about the Moon and its patterns, and watched an informational clip about the Moon and it's patterns. This week students will learn more about the phases of the Moon. 

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, "How do wild animals take care of their babies?"
Character Education—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; Library

Writing Workshop

Framing Your Thoughts 
    Last week students chose their barebone sentence for our fall barebone book. This week students will learn about the connector ("and") and continue to practice using subjects and predicates to construct sentences using partner shares, creating sentences from pictures and writing sentences. Students will also add their sentence to our fall barebone book paired with a detailed illustration.

Genre Writing~ Narrative
      This week we will begin our a pre-write with brainstorming characters, the setting, and discuss problems vs. solutions of students' stories. 

Six Traits of Writing~ Ideas
     When writing the stories, each student will be looking at their heart inventory paper to find ideas of what topic they would like to write about. Once the students have a topic, they will write five important details they want to share in their story about the topic. These details will be in one or two word phrases on the Five Finger Detail organizer. By giving students the organizer, the focus will be more on five solid details about the topic than writing a proper sentence.

This week’s mini-lessons will include…

• Choose a topic 
• Use important details to tell about a topic
• Use spacing in between words 
• How to write an introduction and closing

                   Parent Reminders

   1.  Scholastic Reading Club- October catalog orders have been sent out. I will let you know when the books are in. 

   2. Our class' library time is Friday at 12:15 p.m. Please have your child return their library books to school on Friday morning at the latest.

   3. Halloween Parade- Our Halloween Parade is on Thursday, October 31st beginning at 2:25 p.m. Please be at the school by 2:15 p.m. to watch the parade. We are in need of 3 parent volunteers to come into our room (Room 116) at 2:00 p.m. to help students get into their costumes before the parade. If you would like to volunteer, please let me know as soon as possible. Thank you!

4. Ten Fram Math Game- I sent home the directions to the newest math game. Use the number symbol cards (ex: 1, 2, 3, 4..) for your child to choose from. Each child can choose what they would like to build the number with (ex: Legos, buttons, Goldfish, etc.)

5. 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 fourth 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.) 

6. Parent Conferences & Confirmation Messages- The first round of conferences will be held this week on Thursday, October 24th 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 conference confirmations last week on Bloomz or in green homework folders. 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!

Have a spook-tacular 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)
Ten Frame Math Game [Sent home on Tuesday]
Dialogue Journal #4 (due on Friday) [Sent home on Wednesday]

October 14th-October 18th Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

October 14-18th

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).   

PHONICS

Lively Letters (Sounds)

• Review stories and sounds for each letter pair: 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, u/i

Spelling 

• Skill(s): Tapping out sounds in words with CVC patterns (Consonant, Vowel, Consonant; such as 'cat') 
• Trick Words: the, of, and

**Trick words are irregularly spelled words that each child is expected to be able to spell in their writing.**

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  

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

Space Unit
Patterns in the Sky
     Last week students learned that the Earth rotates on an axis. They also learned that when we face the Sun, it is day time, and when we are facing away from the Sun, it is night time.  This week students will begin to learn about the Moon. 
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, "How do animals help people?"

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; Library

Writing Workshop

Framing Your Thoughts 
    This week students will begin creating their own fall-themed 'barebone sentence'. There will be whole group session to brainstorm fall-themed subjects (noun) and predicates (verb) a rough draft, and final draft of the sentence including an illustration. Our class will publish our fall barebone sentences. We will also be learning about adjectives.

Six Traits of Writing~ Ideas 
     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.

Timed Fluency Write #2

     This week the class will complete their second fluency prompt. 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. 

                  Parent Reminders

   1.  Our class goes to the library on Fridays at 12:15 p.m. 

   2. Scholastic book order- The October catalog orders are due this Friday, October 18th. 

  3. Wish List- Thank you for your snack donations!
  4. CORI Checks- If you need to have a CORI done, the paperwork needs to be done through the main office at the Blackburn Drive office. Thank you for your support of our class!
  5. Unit 1 Reading Card- I recorded how many of the phonics and high-frequency words your child read correctly. I also starred the words each child did not read correctly or read fluently (within 3 seconds). This 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 on Fridays.) 
6. 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. 
7. Dialogue Journals—I will be sending home the journals tomorrow for students to write their 3rd letter. A couple reminders are that students should be sound spelling words that they do not know how to spell, skipping lines for corrections and comments to be made, and writing each letter in pencil. Use the sample letter on the last page of your child's journal as a guide. 
8. The Topsfield Fair field trip was a success! The children had a blast walking around the educational barns learning about animals, insects, and plants. There were even opportunities for children to hold chicks, pet rabbits, and find the queen bee in an active hive! Thank you to our volunteers for joining us. We could not have done it without you!
9. Halloween Parade- Our Halloween Parade is on Thursday, October 31st beginning at 2:25 p.m. Please be at the school by 2:15 p.m. to watch the parade. We are in need of 3 parent volunteers to come into our room (Room 116) at 2:00 p.m. to help students get into their costumes before the parade. If you would like to volunteer, please let me know as soon as possible. Thank you!

I hope you all have had a fantastic weekend!

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

October 7th-11th Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

October 7th-11th

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 1 Week 2

Main selection:  Pig in a Wig

Weekly Question:  Who helps animals?

Amazing Words: career, service, sloppy, scrub, tool, exercise, comfort, search

High-Frequency Words: she, take, up, what

Phonics Target: Short 'i', consonant 'x'/ks/

Comprehension skills:  Plot

Comprehension strategy: Summarize

Genres:  Animal Fantasy

Reading Street Parent Connection:

• Unit 1 Family Talk letter for concept conversation starters and 6 week overview of the unit. 
• 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 2 (second column only).   

PHONICS

Lively Letters (Sounds)

• Review stories and sounds for each letter pair: 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, u/i

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
**Chapter 2 Test on Tuesday, October 8th**

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
*  

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.

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: Music

TUESDAY: P.E.

WEDNESDAY: Music

THURSDAY: Topsfield Fair Field Trip!

FRIDAY: Art, Music; Library

Writing Workshop

Framing Your Thoughts 
    Last week we focused on reviewing the subject (noun) of a sentence and examples of different subjects (people, places, thing objects, and thing animals). This week students will be reviewing predicates (verbs) and 'barebone sentences'. There will be  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. This week students will write three or four steps that makes their monster unique and would help someone identify the monster. This lesson helps 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. Our class goes to the library on Fridays. Please remember to have your child bring his/her library book to school on or before Friday morning. 
2. 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.

3.  Topsfield Fair Field Trip (Oct. 10)- We are all set and ready to go to the fair on Thursday! Please make sure your child has a bagged lunch with their name on it, no glass, and nut-free food. If your child needs school lunch, please send in a note by Wednesday, Oct. 9th. Also make sure your child has appropriate clothing on for being outside in chilly and wet weather (raincoat, sweatshirt, pants, sneakers, etc.). Please have them wear GREEN. This way the West Parish first grade will be easy to spot while touring the fairgrounds. We will be leaving the school at 9:15 a.m. and returning at 1:30p.m. 

4.  Scholastic book order- The October catalog will be sent home today. October's orders will be due on Friday, October 18th, so that I can get your autumn books to you in time for fall festivities.   

5. 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. 
6. Flash the Dots! Math Homework Activity- Today I sent home with students a our second math game called Flash the Dots!. This activity is to help build number fluency and strengthen students' foundational math skills. Please keep the sheet and dry erase marker in the clear sheet protector for safe keeping because we will be using these games throughout the year. If you need another copy or sheet protector, please let me know and I will send one home with your child. 
7. Dialogue Journals- Journals will be sent home on Tuesday, October 8th. (I am handing the journals out early to give students extra time due to our field trip being on Thursday.) Students' second entry is due on Friday, October 11th. Please let me know if your student needs extra time to complete their entry over the weekend. 

Have an excellent 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) [Sent home on Monday]
Flash the Dots! Math Game (due on Friday) [Sent home on Tuesday]
Dialogue Journal (due on Friday) [Sent home on Tuesday]