January 27th-January 31st Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

January 27th-31st

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 3 Week 3

Main selection:  The Class Pet

Weekly Question:  What do we learn as animals grow and change?

Amazing Words: features, nibble, swoop, natural, wriggle, crumple, tumble, mature, nudges

High-Frequency Words: away, car, friends, house, our, school very

Phonics Target: Ending -es, Plural -es; Vowels: r-controlled or, ore

Comprehension skills: Fact and Opinion

Comprehension strategy: Monitor and Clarify

Genres:  Expository Text

Written Expression: Predicate Expander "How" (People cheer loudly!)

Reading Street Parent Connection:

• Unit 3 Family talk letter for concept conversation starters and 6-week overview of the unit. (Sent home January 10th)
• Practice reading words (see green sheet sent home Friday) for Unit 3, Week 3 (third column). Please return sheet by Friday, January 31st for students to be tested on Week 3 words. 

PHONICS

Lively Letters (Sounds)

• Review each letter/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, x/y/c, w/h

Spelling 

• Skill(s): Tapping out sounds in words with digraphs (sh, th, ch, wh, ck) & blends (st, mp, br, sl)
• Spelling CVC words with suffix -s
• Trick Words: who, what, when, where, here, there
• Taught Trick Word List: the, of, and, a, was, to, or, for, me, be, she, he, me, as, has, into, you, your, I , was, one, said, from, have, do, does, are, were

**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 8
**Chapter 8 Test on Tuesday, January 28th**

Addition and Subtraction Facts to 20

Prerequisite skills: Add/Subtract 0, use fact families to solve problems, addition facts (expanded form 10 + __, compare numbers to 19)
Thinking Skills
- Analyzing parts and whole

Problem Solving Strategies  
- Guess and Check
- Solve part of the problem

           Objectives

                                    - Use different strategies to add 1- and 2- digit numbers.
                 - Subtract a 1-digit number from a 2-digit number with and without regrouping. 
                 - Solve real world problems
       We are beginning to do some explicit instruction around money. We will begin by identifying coins by name and how much they are worth.  

*                                      

Science

Physical Science Unit

Light and Sound Waves
    Last week students experimented with six different materials (plastic wrap, wax paper, construction paper, cardboard tube, plastic container, and mirror). They made predictions as to whether they thought the object was transparent (clear), translucent (cloudy) or opaque (dark), and then used their flashlight to test the material. After they tested a material, they recorded the outcomes. 
   This week students will learn about the law of reflection. We will begin the week brainstorming the information we already know about reflections and then physically demonstrate the law of reflection using wall, a ball and bucket to show that when light hits a reflective surface it bounces back. Students will record and reflect on the activity demonstrating the law of reflection. 

    

Social Studies

   Last week we began our Economics Unit by developing an understanding of our 4 basic needs (food, clothing, shelter, love) and the difference between needs and wants.
This week students will continue to exercise their knowledge about needs and wants through different hands on activities. They will also learn about goods and examples of goods. 
In Second Steps, we began our third unit, Emotional Management, last week. We discussed how to identify our own feelings and strategies to help us work through them. This week we will discuss strong emotions and strategies to help us when we feel strong emotions. 

 Specialists

MONDAY: Music

TUESDAY: P.E.

WEDNESDAY: Music

THURSDAY: P.E.

FRIDAY: Art; Music; Library

Writing Workshop

Framing Your Thoughts ~ Winter Barebone Sentence Book
     This week students will finish their winter barebone sentence and complete the final draft with a detailed illustration.

Genre Writing- Opinion
      This week students will continue to practice the components of an opinion piece of writing. We will review the meaning of opinion, explore our opinions on a specific topic, and look at key components of an opinion writing prompt.
      The students will continue to write about the opinion topic they chose. 

     

                   Parent Reminders

1. We will be going to library this week on Friday at 12:15. Please make sure your child returns their book in order to check out a new book.
2. We are continuing to learn about our Economics Unit this week by developing a better understanding of our 4 basic needs (food, clothing, shelter, love), the difference between needs and wants, and goods.
3. Wish list- Clorox wipes, tissues, and paper towels. 
    4. Math Facts—This week the focus will be on the +3, +4, +5 rules. I will be checking in with each student's progress with +0, +1, & +2 rules this week.  Even if you feel your child has mastered the facts, please continue to practice these facts at home to build their automaticity. 
5. Scholastic Book Club: February Scholastic catalogs will be going out this week. Please complete orders and send in money by Friday, February 7th. Thanks!
6. Reading Passage—On Monday (January 27th), I will send home a reading passage for your child to practice reading. Since each student is in a different place with their reading ability, they will be practicing different skills. Please read through the directions on the back, which will tell you what to do. Thank you for supporting your child with their reading.
7. Money Practice- In light of our Economics unit, students have been learning to identify coins over the past week (name, value, and visual characteristics). I will be sending home the Let's Go Shopping game for math homework this week for students to continue to practice identifying coins and their values, names, and physical characteristics.
8. Valentine Celebration (2/13)- The first grade will be having their Valentine Celebration on Thursday, February 13th. An informational letter will be handed out today (1/27) with a class list on the back. Thank you for your support!

Have a fantastic week! 

Miss Biggar

Homework for the Week

 Daily

Reading Words (Phonics/Sight)

Reading Log (with discussion questions)
Number/Letter Formation
Number Sense Math Games
Addition to 10 Math Facts (+3, +4, +5)

This week's homework:

Monday:  Reading Log (due on Friday)

Tuesday: Math Fact Practice-Focus: +3, +4, +5  (Daily)
Let's Go Shopping! Coin Game (Daily)

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

January 13th-January 17th Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

January 13th-17th

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 3 Week 1

Main selection:  A Place to Play

Weekly Question:  How do places change?

Amazing Words: growth, population, teeter, public, makeshift, crooked, shuffle, spindly

High-Frequency Words: always, become, day, stays, things, nothing, everything

Phonics Target: Vowel sounds of y (my, funny); syllable pattern (hi, so, me)

Comprehension skills: Sequence

Comprehension strategy: Summarize

Genres:  Realistic Fiction

Written Expression: Predicate Expander "How" (People cheer loudly!)

Reading Street Parent Connection:

• Unit 3 Family talk letter for concept conversation starters and 6-week overview of the unit. (Sent home January 13th)
• Practice reading words (see blue sheet sent home Friday) for Unit 3, Week 1 (first column). Please return sheet by Friday, January 17th for students to be tested on Week 1 words. 

PHONICS

Lively Letters (Sounds)

• Review each letter/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, x/y/c, w/h

Spelling 

• Skill(s): Tapping out sounds in words with digraphs (sh, th, ch, wh, ck) & blends (st, mp, br, sl)
• Spelling CVC words with suffix -s
• Trick Words: 
• Taught Trick Word List: the, of, and, a, was, to, or, for, me, be, she, he, me, as, has, into, you, your, I , was, one, said, from, have, do, does, are, were

**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 8

Addition and Subtraction Facts to 20

Prerequisite skills: Add/Subtract 0, use fact families to solve problems, addition facts (expanded form 10 + __, compare numbers to 19)
Thinking Skills
- Analyzing parts and whole

Problem Solving Strategies  
- Guess and Check
- Solve part of the problem

           Objectives

                                    - Use different strategies to add 1- and 2- digit numbers.
                 - Subtract a 1-digit number from a 2-digit number with and without regrouping. 
                 - Solve real world problems
       We are beginning to do some explicit instruction around money. We will begin by identifying coins by name and how much they are worth.  

*                                      

Science

Physical Science Unit

Light and Sound Waves
    Last week students discussed the three types of objects: transparent, translucent, and opaque. This week they will be experimenting with six different materials. They will be making predictions as to what they think the object is (transparent, translucent or opaque) and then using their flashlight to test the material. After they have tested a material, they will record the outcomes.

    

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 be discussing how to show care and concern towards other people. 

 Specialists

MONDAY: Music

TUESDAY: P.E.

WEDNESDAY: Music

THURSDAY: P.E.

FRIDAY: Art; Music; Library

Writing Workshop

Framing Your Thoughts ~ Winter & Holiday Barebone Sentence Book
     This week students will write and illustrate their final drafts of their winter and holiday barebone sentence.

Genre Writing- Opinion
      Last week students played a game where they had to practice using their opinions and preferences about certain topics. Once students exercised using their opinion, they began to give reasons why they liked or preferred a specific option. Students learned about what an opinion is and descriptive reasons why people have specific opinions. Each student drew something that they liked and gave 3-4 reasons why they liked the object, color, activity, person, etc. 
     This week students will learn sentence starters for different parts of an opinion piece of writing. We will explore our opinions on different topics and look at key components of an opinion writing prompt.
     This week we will also learn and discuss 'how-to' writing. 

     

                   Parent Reminders

1. We will be going to the library on Friday at 12:15. Please make sure your child brings their library book back to school in order to check another book out. Thank you!
2. We are beginning our Economics Unit this week by developing an understanding of our 4 basic needs (food, clothing, shelter, love) and the difference between needs and wants.
3.Wish list- Clorox wipes, tissues, and paper towels. 
    4. Math Facts—Thank you for the exploration feedback from home. Even if you feel your child has mastered their facts, please continue to practice these facts at home to build their automaticity. This week the focus will be on practicing the +0, +1, & +2 rule. I will be checking in with student's progress with +0 and +1 rules next week. 
5. Scholastic Book Club: January Scholastic book orders and money need to be in by Thursday, January 16th!
6. Reading Passage—This Monday (January 13th), I will send home a reading passage for your child to practice reading. Since each student is in a different place with their reading ability, they will be practicing different skills. Please read through the directions on the back, which will tell you what to do. Thank you for supporting your child with their reading.

Have a fantastic week! 

Miss Biggar

Homework for the Week

 Daily

Reading Words (Phonics/Sight)

Reading Log (with discussion questions)
Number/Letter Formation
Number Sense Math Games
Addition to 10 Math Facts (+0, +1, +2)

This week's homework:

Monday:  Reading Log (due on Friday) [Sent home on Monday]
The Big Splash Reading Passage (due on Thursday) [Sent home on Monday]

Tuesday: Math Fact Practice-Focus: +0, +1, +2  (Daily)

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

January 6th-January 10th Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

January 6th-January 10th

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 2 Week 6

**Unit 2 Test on Friday**

Main selection:  Honey Bees

Weekly Question:  How is an insect community like a community of people?

Amazing Words: individual, industrious, special, creep, slither, romp, eagerly, wander

High-Frequency Words: also, family, new, other, some, their

Phonics Target: Long e: ee (keep); Two syllable words with consonants next to each other (basket)

Comprehension skills: Comparing/Contrasting

Comprehension strategy: Questioning

Genres:  Expository Text

Written Expression: Predicate Expander "When" (People cheer on New Year's Eve!)

Reading Street Parent Connection:

• Unit 3 Family talk letter for concept conversation starters and 6-week overview of the unit. (Sent home January 10th)
• Practice reading words (see white sheet sent home Wednesday) for Unit 2, Week 6 (sixth column). 

PHONICS

Lively Letters (Sounds)

• Review each letter/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, x/y/c, w/h

Spelling 

• Skill(s): Tapping out sounds in words with digraphs (sh, th, ch, wh, ck) & blends (st, mp, br, sl)
• Spelling CVC words with suffix -s
• Trick Words: are, were
• Taught Trick Word List: the, of, and, a, was, to, or, for, me, be, she, he, me, as, has, into, you, your, I , was, one, said, from, have, do, does

**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 7 Test on Monday, January 6th**
Chapter 8

Addition and Subtraction Facts to 20

Prerequisite skills: Add/Subtract 0, use fact families to solve problems, addition facts (expanded form 10 + __, compare numbers to 19)
Thinking Skills
- Analyzing parts and whole

Problem Solving Strategies  
- Guess and Check
- Solve part of the problem

           Objectives

                                    - Use different strategies to add 1- and 2- digit numbers.
                 - Subtract a 1-digit number from a 2-digit number with and without regrouping. 
                 - Solve real world problems

*                                      

Science

Physical Science Unit

Light and Sound Waves
    Last week students discussed how light can pass through some objects, but not others. We will discuss the three types of objects: transparent, translucent, and opaque. This week they will be experimenting with six different materials. They will be making predictions as to what they think the object is (transparent, translucent or opaque) and then using their flashlight to test the material. After they have tested a material, they will record the outcomes.

     

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 be starting Unit 3 that gives students tools to identify and manage their own strong feelings. 

 Specialists

MONDAY: Music

TUESDAY: P.E.

WEDNESDAY: Music

THURSDAY: P.E.

FRIDAY: Art; Music; Library

Writing Workshop

Genre Writing~ Opinion
     This week students will begin learning about opinion writing. We will begin to go through different scenarios where students will have to choose an option (EX: vanilla or chocolate ice cream, summer or winter, playing inside or outside, etc.). Students will learn about how to write why they chose a specific option.

New Year Resolutions
     Last week students learned about resolutions and brainstormed goals that they had to complete in school and at home. This week students will write their goal about how they plan to help someone else.

Framing Your Thoughts ~ Winter/Holiday Barebone Sentence Book
     This week students will begin 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. They will choose 1 sentence that they feel is their best sentence and write their sentence on final draft paper.

     

                   Parent Reminders

1. Our class will have library time this week. Our time is Friday at 12:15 p.m. If you have any overdue books, please return them as soon as possible.  
2. Please make sure to pack a snack and water for your child each day. 
3.Wish list- Crayons, Clorox wipes and paper towels
4.  Reminder: We will have outdoor recess as long as it is at least 25F, 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. Scholastic Catalog- I will send home the January catalogs this week. Please order or send in orders by Thursday, January 16th.
6. Math Facts- Beginning this week, I will be sending home math fact fluency cards home. Please cut them out, put them in the sandwich Ziplock bag, and explore the cards with your child. Fill out the Math Fact Exploration page with your child and send it back into school. Thank you! 
7. Jan Brett Celebration was a huge success! Thank you again for all of the donations and parent volunteers who made this celebration possible.
8. Reading Passage—Starting this Monday (January 6th), I will send home a reading passage for your child to practice reading. Since each student is in a different place with their reading ability, they will be practicing different skills. Please read through the directions on the back, which will tell you what to do. Thank you for supporting your child with their reading.
9. Journal Homework: Now that we are just about at the halfway point in first grade,
your child should write a minimum of 5 thoughts/sentences in their journal letter.
10. Shoe tying and coat zippering…with the winter season upon us, there are many opportunities for your child to tie their shoes and zipper their coat in school. Please help them practice this life skill at home.

Welcome back! Have a wonderful week! 

Miss Biggar

Homework for the Week

 Daily

Reading Words (Phonics/Sight)

Reading Log (with discussion questions)
Number/Letter Formation
Number Sense Math Games
Addition Math Facts (+0, +1)

This week's homework:

Reading Log (due on Friday) [Sent home on Monday]
Reading Passage (due on Friday) [Sent home on Monday]

Addition Math Fact Exploration Sheet  (due on Friday) [Sent home on Tuesday]

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

December 30th-January 3rd Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

December 30th-January 3rd

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 2 Week 6

**Review Unit 2 Week 5 this week**

Main selection:  Honey Bees

Weekly Question:  How is an insect community like a community of people?

Amazing Words: individual, industrious, special, creep, slither, romp, eagerly, wander

High-Frequency Words: also, family, new, other, some, their

Phonics Target: Long e: ee (keep); Two syllable words with consonants next to each other (basket)

Comprehension skills: Comparing/Contrasting

Comprehension strategy: Questioning

Genres:  Expository Text

Written Expression: Predicate Expander "When" (People cheer on New Year's Eve!)

Reading Street Parent Connection:

• Unit 3 Family talk letter for concept conversation starters and 6-week overview of the unit. (Sent home January 10th)
• Practice reading words (see white sheet sent home Wednesday) for Unit 2, Week 6 (sixth column). 

PHONICS

Lively Letters (Sounds)

• Review each letter/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, x/y/c, w/h

Spelling 

• Skill(s): Tapping out sounds in words with digraphs (sh, th, ch, wh, ck) & blends (st, mp, br, sl)
• Spelling CVC words with suffix -s
• Trick Words: are, were
• Taught Trick Word List: the, of, and, a, was, to, or, for, me, be, she, he, me, as, has, into, you, your, I , was, one, said, from, have, do, does

**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 7 Test on Monday, January 6th**
Chapter 8

Addition and Subtraction Facts to 20

Prerequisite skills: Add/Subtract 0, use fact families to solve problems, addition facts (expanded form 10 + __, compare numbers to 19)
Thinking Skills
- Analyzing parts and whole

Problem Solving Strategies  
- Guess and Check
- Solve part of the problem

           Objectives

                                    - Use different strategies to add 1- and 2- digit numbers.
                 - Subtract a 1-digit number from a 2-digit number with and without regrouping. 
                 - Solve real world problems

*                                      

Science

Physical Science Unit

Light and Sound Waves
    This week students will discuss how light can pass through some objects, but not others. We will discuss the three types of objects: transparent, translucent, and opaque. They will be experimenting with six different materials. They will be making predictions as to what they think the object is (transparent, translucent or opaque) and then using their flashlight to test the material. After they have tested a material, they will record the outcomes.

     

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 be starting Unit 3 that gives students tools to identify and manage their own strong feelings. 

 Specialists

MONDAY: No School!

TUESDAY: No School!

WEDNESDAY: No School!

THURSDAY: P.E.

FRIDAY: Art; Music

Writing Workshop

New Year Resolutions
     This week students will learn about resolutions and brainstorm 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/Holiday Barebone Sentence Book
     This week students will begin 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. They will choose 1 sentence that they feel is their best sentence and write their sentence on final draft paper.

     

                   Parent Reminders

1. Our class will have library time this week. Our time is Friday at 12:15 p.m. If you have any overdue books, please return them as soon as possible.  
2. Please make sure to pack a snack and water for your child each day. 
3.Wish list- Crayons, Clorox wipes and paper towels
4.  Reminder: We will have outdoor recess as long as it is at least 25F, 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. Scholastic Catalog- I will send home the January catalogs next week. Please order or send in orders by Thursday, January 16th. 
6. Jan Brett Celebration was a huge success! Thank you again for all of the donations and parent volunteers who made this celebration possible.
7. Reading Passage—Starting next Monday (January 6th), I will send home a reading passage for your child to practice reading. Since each student is in a different place with their reading ability, they will be practicing different skills. Please read through the directions on the back, which will tell you what to do. Thank you for supporting your child with their reading.
8. Shoe tying and coat zippering…with the winter season upon us, there are many opportunities for your child to tie their shoes and zipper their coat in school. Please help them practice this life skill at home.

Welcome back! Have a wonderful week! 

Miss Biggar

Homework for the Week

 Daily

Reading Words (Phonics/Sight)

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

This week's homework:

No homework to turn in this week