Week of September 20th-September 24th

First Grade Newsletter

September 20th-24th

Literacy

Literacy Assessments:  Last week the students completed their baseline reading assessment and STAR Early Literacy Assessment.

I will continue to conference 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:  Tip and Tam/The Big Top

Weekly Question:  What is outside our door?/What can we do with our neighborhood friends?

Genres:  Realistic Fiction

Comprehension skills:  characters, setting

*We review concepts taught in Kindergarten during our Review Unit.

PHONICS

Lively Letters (Sounds)

• Review stories and sounds for each letter pair: ng, a/o, u/i, wh, e
• Last week’s letter pairs: p/b, t/d, k/g, f/v, qu, m/n, s/z, j/ch, r/l, x/y/c, w/h


Handwriting Without Tears
• Review formation of the following letters…t, b, f, n, m, c, a, i, r, o, g, d, s, e, u, l, h, k
• Alphabetical order 

Math in Focus

Chapter 1

Pre-requisite skills and number sense

Objectives

-  Count from 0 to 10 objects 

-  Read and write 0 to 10 in numbers and words

     -  Compare two sets of objects by using one-to-one correspondence 

      -  Identify the set that has more, fewer, or the same number of object

      - Identify the number that is greater than or less than another number

-                                                -  Make number patterns

*Please note:  Math instruction in this unit is reviewing groundwork established in Kindergarten.  We will be building upon these skills as we progress through the future math units.

Science

Space Unit
Patterns in the Sky
     Last week students took a pre-test about patterns in the sky to gather information about students' knowledge. This week 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 outside our door?" and "What can we do with our neighborhood friends?”.

Specialists

MONDAY: P.E.

TUESDAY: Art

WEDNESDAY: Music

THURSDAY: P.E.

FRIDAY: Art

Writing Workshop

This week students continue the 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.

Writing With Our Senses
     Last week students discussed the 5 senses and ways to describe things with our senses in the classroom. This week students will go on "Sense trips" around the school to practice using their senses and begin writing down thoughts using descriptive vocabulary.

Hopes & Dreams

    Last week the class finished their Hopes and Dreams assignments. These will be hung in the hallway for parents to see on Meet the Teacher Night.

Grammar-Sentence Structure (Nouns)

     Students will review the meaning of a noun and examples of different nouns. They will participate in activities to help them identify different nouns and brainstorming nouns that they already know.

                  
Parent Reminders

1.  Science Lesson Materials: Students will need a pair of sunglasses this week for our science lessons. Please try to have your child bring their sunglasses in on Monday. When we are finished observing the Sun, your child will bring home their pair of sunglasses.

2.    Please be sure your child returns their green school-to-home folder and their homework folder to school everyday.  Also, please check your child's school-to-home folder each day for important handouts. I will write about specific handouts that you should be looking for throughout the week in this section of the newsletter. Students should also have their red homework folders in their backpacks every day.

3.    Children should bring in a small healthy snack (separate from their lunch) to have in class at 9:50 a.m. Please make sure that it is nut-free and has no glass products.

4.    Scholastic Catalog order: September orders are due on Friday, September 24th.

5. Meet the Teacher Night on Thursday, September 23rd from 5:45-6:30PM.

6. Fall Parent Conferences (10/21 & 10/28)- On Wednesday 9/22, I will be sending out a Sign-Up Genius link on our class Bloomz account and email for parent conference sign ups. These signs ups will be for in-person meetings. If you would prefer a Zoom meeting, please email or Bloomz message me. We can set up a time that works for you. I look forward to meeting with you all!

 

Have a fantastic week!

Mrs. Ash

Homework

Your child will bring home their red homework folder on Monday. Inside the folder is a reading log and math activity with materials. I will also include individual login information for all of our online platforms. This week students should be reading for 10 minutes and playing the "Flash the Dots" math game. There is a recording sheet in the folder pocket to fill out together. The homework folder should always be brought to school in your child's backpack, but only returned on Fridays. (Keep completed work in the homework folder. I will take it out on Friday.)