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]