April 24th-28th Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

April 24th-28th

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 5 Week 1

Main selection: Tippy-Toe Chick, Go!

Weekly Question:  When does a problem need a clever solution?
Amazing Words: predicament, furious, grumpy, clever, intend, exhausted, batter, griddle
High-Frequency Words: along, behind, eyes, never, pulling, toward
Phonics Target: Dipthong ow, ou (town, loud); final syllable -le (able)

Comprehension skills: Character, setting, plot 
Comprehension strategy: Monitor and Clarify

Genres: Animal Fantasy, Folk Tale
Written Expression: Predicate Expander "How" (Dogs excitedly bark.)
Reading Street Parent Connection:

• Unit 5 Family talk letter for concept conversation starters and 6-week overview of the unit. (Sent home March 6th)
• Practice reading words (see white sheet sent home Monday, April 24th) for Unit 5, Week 1 (first column). 

Fundations: Unit 12, Week 1

Students will learn about...

• Multi-syllabic words (cactus)
• Trick Words: people, month

Math in Focus

Chapter 15: Calendar and Time
Prerequisite Skills: Use ordinal numbers and positions

Thinking Skills
- Identifying patterns and relationships
- Analyzing parts and a whole

Problem Solving Strategies  
- Deduction
                                            - Act It Out
                                            - Use a diagram

           Objectives
- Use the term "o'clock" to tell time to the hour.
- Use the term "half past".
- Read and show time to the hour and half hour on an analog and digital clock.
- Relate time to daily activities.

*                                      

Science

Weather & the Seasons
     The students brought home a weather study guide before vacation. Use this to study. The Weather Unit test will be this week.
     

Social Studies

Second Steps- The week before break we learned how to handle name calling using our calming down strategy as well as the steps to problem solving. This week we will be reviewing everything we have learned in our Second Steps program. 

 Specialists

MONDAY: Music; Library

TUESDAY: P.E.

WEDNESDAY: Music

THURSDAY: P.E.

FRIDAY: Art; Music

Writing Workshop
     This week students will continue to work on their how-to books that we had to put on hold for a couple of weeks. Most students are completing their rough drafts and conferencing with me on their sentences. Each student's writing continues to improve as the weeks go on. Keep up the great work first graders!

     

                   Parent Reminders

1. Our library time is Mondays at 1 p.m. Please have books brought back to school by the Friday before or Monday morning.
2. Reading passages are due on Thursday. Reading Street Word Lists are due on Friday. 
3. Dialogue Journals will be handed out on Tuesday, April 11 and due back on Thursday, April 13th. 
4. "Reading is thinking!" The most important part of your child's reading blog is the discussion they have with you about the books. Please mark down which questions you  discuss. Thanks!
5. Before School help- Thursday at 8 a.m.
6. Each student needs to bring in a snack everyday to school. If this is not possible for you, please let me know and we can work something out.Thank you!
7. "Poem in Your Pocket Day" is Friday, April 28th. It is also alliteration day so dress up like something that begins with the same letter as your name. Students will be choosing a poem to keep in their special  pocket that we'll be making in class. They'll get to share it with anyone who asks them. It should be a really fun literacy day!
8. Anyone ready to be checked in for Math Facts? Just send in a note and I'll check in with your child. Thanks!
9. Wish List: paper towels, wet wipes, and tissues. 
10. Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Next week, the first grade team will be sending home a newsletter about some exciting things we'll be doing to wrap up the school year. Stay tuned!
12. Weather Unit Test- A study guide for our Weather unit was sent home on Thursday, April 13th. Please have your child review the packet.  The unit test will be this week.

Enjoy the last week of April! 

Miss Biggar

Homework for the Week

 Daily

Reading Words (Phonics/Sight)

Reading Log (with discussion questions)
Number/Letter Formation
Math Facts (Addition and Subtraction)

Monday:  Reading Log (due on Friday)
Tuesday: Math (due Friday)
Wednesday: Dialogue Journal (due on Friday)

Thursday: Comprehension (due on Friday)

April 10th-13th Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

April 10th-13th

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 4 Week 5

Main selection: Henry and Mudge and Mrs. Hopper's House

Weekly Question:  What treasures can we share with neighbors?
Amazing Words: discover, dwell, resident, welcome, admire, sadness, substantial, tremendous
High-Frequency Words: across, because, dance, only, opened, shoes, told 
Phonics Target: Vowel Sound in moon: oo  (broom, hoop); Suffixes -ly, -ful (lightly, playful)

Comprehension skills: Cause and Effect
Comprehension strategy: Predict and Set Purpose

Genres: Realistic Fiction
Written Expression: Predicate Expander "When" (The sun shines in the afternoon.)
Reading Street Parent Connection:

• Unit 3 Family talk letter for concept conversation starters and 6-week overview of the unit. (Sent home March 6th)
• Practice reading words (see white sheet sent home Friday) for Unit 4, Week 6 (sixth column). 

Fundations: Unit 11, Week 2 & 3

Students will learn about...

• Vowel-consonant-e syllable in one-syllable words
• Long vowel sounds
• Trick Words: none, nothing
• Unit Story: Jake the Whale

Math in Focus

Chapter 13
Addition and Subtraction to 40
**Chapter 13 Test on Wednesday, April 12**

Pre-requisite skills: Adding by making a 10, Adding and subtracting by grouping into 10s/1s, Relate addition and subtraction facts
Thinking Skills
- Analyzing parts and whole



Problem Solving Strategies  
- Use a diagram/model
- Work backward

           Objectives
- Add a two-digit number and a one-digit number with/without regrouping
- Add 2 two-digit numbers with/without regrouping

*                                      

Science

Weather & the Seasons
     This week we will be reviewing the different weather tools, what type of weather they measure, and where we could see them out in our community. 
     

Social Studies

Second Steps- Last week we learned how to handle name calling using our calming down strategy as well as the steps to problem solving. This week we will be reviewing everything we have learned in our Second Steps program. 

 Specialists

MONDAY: Music; Library

TUESDAY: P.E.

WEDNESDAY: Music

THURSDAY: P.E.

FRIDAY: No School!

Writing Workshop
"When I Grow Up" Class Book
   Our class has finished our book! Students worked so hard throughout the past month brainstorming, planning, and and perfecting their pieces to be published in the book. All of the illustrations are as detailed as the students' writing. They have created bright and intricate pictures to go with their writing. I am very excited to see the final product!

     

                   Parent Reminders

1. Our library time is Mondays at 1 p.m. Please have books brought back to school by the Friday before or Monday morning.
2. Reading passages are due on Thursday. Reading Street Word Lists are due on Friday. 
3. Dialogue Journals will be handed out on Tuesday, April 11 and due back on Thursday, April 13th. 
4. "Reading is thinking!" The most important part of your child's reading blog is the discussion they have with you about the books. Please mark down which questions you  discuss. Thanks!
5. Before School help- Thursday at 8 a.m.
6. Each student needs to bring in a snack everyday to school. If this is not possible for you, please let me know and we can work something out.Thank you!
7. Friday, April 14th there is no school. 
8. Class Book: I sent home a handout Monday, April 3rd about purchasing one of the hard covered class books we will be publishing. Please send me an email or note in your child's folder if you would like to purchase one. Once I receive your note or email, I will send home an order form. Please return the order form by Wednesday, April 12th. 
9. Wish List: paper towels, wet wipes, and tissues. 
10. Class Picture- Our class picture was taken today, Monday, April 10th. Please have your child bring in their photo slip before Thursday, April 13th. Thank you!
11. Movie Showing- On Thursday afternoon (April 13), I will be showing the movie Sing! with a snack of Skinny Pop popcorn and water. A handout will be sent home tomorrow (Tuesday, April 11) with information on both the movie and snack. If you have a concern with your child watching the movie and/or eating the snack, please let me know.
12. Weather Study Guide- A study guide for our Weather unit will be sent home on Thursday, April 13th. Please have your child review the packet over vacation week. We will be having our test the week we come back from break (April 24-28). 

Have a great vacation! 

Miss Biggar

Homework for the Week

 Daily

Reading Words (Phonics/Sight)

Reading Log (with discussion questions)
Number/Letter Formation
Math Facts (Addition and Subtraction)

Monday:  Reading Log (due on Thursday)
Tuesday: Math Fact Maze (due Thursday)
Wednesday: Dialogue Journal (due on Thursday)

Thursday: No Homework!

April 3rd-7th Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

April 3rd-7th

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 4 Week 5

Main selection: Peter's Chair

Weekly Question:  What treasures can we share at home?
Amazing Words: jealous, relatives, sibling, secret, porridge, collector, flourish, seriousness
High-Frequency Words: stood, room, thought, picture, remember
Phonics Target: Compound words (popcorn, flashlight); Vowel Digraphs ue, ui, ew (blue, fruit, flew)

Comprehension skills: Theme
Comprehension strategy: Story Structure

Genres: Realistic Fiction
Written Expression: Predicate Expander "When" (The sun shines in the afternoon.)
Reading Street Parent Connection:

• Unit 3 Family talk letter for concept conversation starters and 6-week overview of the unit. (Sent home March 6th)
• Practice reading words (see white sheet sent home Friday) for Unit 4, Week 5 (fifth column). 

Fundations: Unit 11, Week 1

Students will learn about...

• Vowel-consonant-e syllable in one-syllable words
• Long vowel sounds
• Trick Words: friend, other, another
• Unit Story: Jake the Whale

Math in Focus

Chapter 13
Addition and Subtraction to 40

Pre-requisite skills: Adding by making a 10, Adding and subtracting by grouping into 10s/1s, Relate addition and subtraction facts
Thinking Skills
- Analyzing parts and whole



Problem Solving Strategies  
- Use a diagram/model
- Work backward

           Objectives
- Add a two-digit number and a one-digit number with/without regrouping
- Add 2 two-digit numbers with/without regrouping

*                                      

Science

Weather & the Seasons
     This week we will be talking about what types of weather go with each of the four seasons (fall, winter, summer and spring). We will also be discussing what type of clothing we wear in each season.       
     

Social Studies

   We will be finishing our National Symbols Unit packet this week.
Second Steps- Last week we learned how to invite students into join activities using the four problem-solving steps (S-Say the problem. T-Think of solutions, E-Explore consequences, and P- Pick the best solution). This week we will be discussing how to handle name calling. 

 Specialists

MONDAY: Music; Library

TUESDAY: P.E.

WEDNESDAY: Music

THURSDAY: P.E.

FRIDAY: Art; Music

Writing Workshop
"When I Grow Up" Class Book
   Students have finished their four square and the four facts about the career they chose. The next step is putting these facts into five sentences starters explaining why students want to be the profession they chose when they grow up. After students finish their sentences, I will conference with them and then they will be given the rough draft paper to put the sentences into a complete paragraph. Once I conference with students who have completed the rough draft, students will copy their piece on their designated page of the book as well as draw & color their illustration.

     

                   Parent Reminders

1. Our library time is Mondays at 1 p.m. Please have books brought back to school by the Friday before or Monday morning.
2. Reading passages are due on Thursday. Reading Street Word Lists are due on Friday. 
3. Scholastic book order- I will be placing the orders at the beginning of this week and I will keep you up to date on when the orders will arrive.
4. "Reading is thinking!" The most important part of your child's reading blog is the discussion they have with you about the books. Please mark down which questions you discuss. Thanks!
5. Before School help- Thursday at 8 a.m.
6. If you have not signed and returned your child's report card envelope, please return it as soon as possible. Thank you!
7. Tuesday, April 4th is a full day of school for students. 
8. Class Book: I sent home a handout today about purchasing one of the hard covered class books we will be publishing. Please send me an email or note in your child's folder if you would like to purchase one. Once I receive your note or email, I will send home an order form. Please return the order form by Wednesday, April 12th. 
9. Wish List: paper towels, wet wipes, and tissues. 
10. Class Picture- Our class picture will be taken on Monday, April 10th. Please have your child bring in their photo slip if you would like to purchase a copy. Thank you!

Have a fantastic first week of April! 

Miss Biggar

Homework for the Week

 Daily

Reading Words (Phonics/Sight)

Reading Log (with discussion questions)
Number/Letter Formation
Math Facts (Addition and/or Subtraction)

Monday:  Reading Log (due on Friday)
Tuesday: Math Facts (Check-in on Friday)
Wednesday: Dialogue Journal (due on Friday)

Thursday: Comprehension (due on Friday)

March 27-31 Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

March 27th- 31st

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 4 Week 4

Main selection:  A Southern Ranch

Weekly Question:  Why do we treasure special places?
Amazing Words: impression, memory, familiar, errand, favorite, stampede
High-Frequency Words: eight, moon, touch, above, laugh
Phonics Target: Vowel digraphs ie, igh (tie; high);  Consonant Patterns kn, wr (knot, write)

Comprehension skills: Facts and Details
Comprehension strategy: Questioning

Genres:  Expository Text
Written Expression: Predicate Expander "When" (The sun shines in the afternoon.)
Reading Street Parent Connection:

• Unit 3 Family talk letter for concept conversation starters and 6-week overview of the unit. (Sent home March 6th)
• Practice reading words (see white sheet sent home Friday) for Unit 4, Week 4 (fourth column). 

Fundations: Unit 10, Week 3

Students will learn about...

• Adding suffix -ed, -ing, -es to closed syllable words with 5 sounds 
• Sight Words: out, about, our
• Unit 10 Test on Tuesday

Math in Focus

Chapter 13
Addition and Subtraction to 40

Pre-requisite skills: Adding by making a 10, Adding and subtracting by grouping into 10s/1s, Relate addition and subtraction facts
Thinking Skills
- Analyzing parts and whole



Problem Solving Strategies  
- Use a diagram/model
- Work backward

           Objectives
- Add a two-digit number and a one-digit number with/without regrouping
- Add 2 two-digit numbers with/without regrouping

*                                      

Science

Weather & the Seasons
     Last week, we reviewed about wind and what creates wind  as well as storms that are wind driven (gale force winds, hurricanes, and tornadoes). This week we will learning about the different types of clouds and thunder & lightning. 
This week's focus will include...
- Different types of clouds: cirrus, cumulous, stratus, cumulonimbus
                                  - Thundering and lightning
     

Social Studies

   We are finishing our National Symbols Unit this week. We have learned about three American symbols (American flag, Statue of Liberty and the White House) in depth last week. This week we will be reviewing the three symbols we already discussed and learning about the bald eagle. 
Second Steps- Last week we learned about two boys who used the strategies of fair ways to play during indoor recess. This week we will be learning to invite other students to join in an activity or game.  

 Specialists

MONDAY: Music; Library

TUESDAY: P.E.

WEDNESDAY: Music

THURSDAY: P.E.

FRIDAY: Art; Music

Writing Workshop
"When I Grow Up" Class Book
   Students did a great job coming up with careers they could have when they grow up! We had ideas from being teachers to being computer programmers to professional sports players. This week we will continue to work on the planning stages of our “When We Grow Up” pieces. The students will finish their four square and the four facts about the career they chose. The next step in the planning process is to come up with four reasons why they want to have that profession with they grow up.

     

                   Parent Reminders

1. Our library time is Mondays at 1 p.m. Please have books brought back to school by the Friday before or Monday morning.
2. Reading passages are due on Thursday. Reading Street Word Lists are due on Friday. 
3. Scholastic book order- A spring catalog went home today. Please return orders and money by Friday, March 31st.
4. "Reading is thinking!" The most important part of your child's reading blog is the discussion they have with you about the books. Please mark down which questions you discuss. Thanks!
5. Before School help- Thursday at 8 a.m.
6. Report cards were sent home on Friday, March 24th. Please sign the envelope and return it as soon as possible. Thank you!

Have a great week! 

Miss Biggar

Homework for the Week

 Daily

Reading Words (Phonics/Sight)

Reading Log (with discussion questions)
Number/Letter Formation

Monday:  Reading Log (due on Friday)
Tuesday: Math Practice (due on Friday)
Wednesday: Dialogue Journal (due on Friday)

Thursday: Comprehension (due on Friday)

March 20-24th Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

March 20th- 24th

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 4 Week 3

Main selection:  A Trip to Washington D.C.

Weekly Question:  What treasures can we find in our country?
Amazing Words: nation, symbol, tourist, abandon, splinter, sunken, harbor, statue
High-Frequency Words: found, mouth, once, took, wild
Phonics Target: Vowel digraphs oa, ow (coat; snow); Three Consonant Blends (splash)

Comprehension skills: Facts and Details
Comprehension strategy: Important Ideas

Genres:  Expository Text
Written Expression: Predicate Expander "When" (The sun shines in the afternoon.)
Reading Street Parent Connection:

• Unit 3 Family talk letter for concept conversation starters and 6-week overview of the unit. (Sent home March 6th)
• Practice reading words (see white sheet sent home Friday) for Unit 4, Week 3 (third column). 

Fundations: Unit 10, Week 3

Students will learn about...

• Adding suffix -ed, -ing, -es to closed syllable words with 5 sounds 
• Sight Words: out, about, our
• Unit 10 Test on Friday

Math in Focus

Chapter 13
Addition and Subtraction to 40

Pre-requisite skills: Adding by making a 10, Adding and subtracting by grouping into 10s/1s, Relate addition and subtraction facts
Thinking Skills
- Analyzing parts and whole



Problem Solving Strategies  
- Use a diagram/model
- Work backward

           Objectives
- Add a two-digit number and a one-digit number with/without regrouping
- Add 2 two-digit numbers with/without regrouping

*                                      

Science

Weather & the Seasons
     Last week, we reviewed what weather is, all of the different types of weather, important vocabulary (temperature, air pressure, moisture, evaporation), and the different patterns of snow. We also learned about how rain is created and the different patterns of rain as well as positive and negative affects (rainbows and flooding).

This week's focus will include...
- Wind
- Why it becomes windy
- Different patterns of wind
- Different types of clouds: cirrus, cumulous, stratus, cumulonimbus
     

Social Studies

   We are starting our National Symbols Unit this week. We will learn about four American symbols (American flag, Statue of Liberty, the bald eagle, and the White House) in depth starting with the American flag. 
Second Steps- Last week we learned about the last two steps in how to solve problems, E-Explore consequences and P-Pick the best solution. This week we will be talking about fair ways to play. 

 Specialists

MONDAY: Music; Library

TUESDAY: P.E.

WEDNESDAY: Music

THURSDAY: P.E.

FRIDAY: Art; Music

Writing Workshop
Six Traits of Writing: Organization
     This week, students will be continuing to think of specific words to go with different emotions. We will also be continuing to work on our how-to writing pieces.
   This week we will also begin an exciting writing project. We’ll begin the process of creating a class bound, hardcover published book called “When We Grow Up.” The students will begin thinking about what they want to be and why.

This week's mini-lesson will include...
- What is voice? 
- How does word choice help with voice? 

     

                   Parent Reminders

1. Our library time is Mondays at 1 p.m. Please have books brought back to school by the Friday before or Monday morning.
2. Reading passages are due on Thursday. Reading Street Word Lists are due on Friday. 
3. Scholastic book order- A spring catalog went home today. Please return orders and money by Friday, March 31st.
4. "Reading is thinking!" The most important part of your child's reading blog is the discussion they have with you about the books. Please mark down which questions you discuss. Thanks!
5. Before School help- Thursday at 8 a.m.
6. Report cards will be sent home on Friday. Please sign the envelope and return it to me next week. Thank you!

Have a fantastic week! 

Miss Biggar

Homework for the Week

 Daily

Reading Words (Phonics/Sight)

Reading Log (with discussion questions)
Number/Letter Formation

Monday:  Reading Log (due on Friday)
Tuesday: Math Flashcards 
Wednesday: Dialogue Journal (due on Friday)

Thursday: Comprehension (due on Friday)

March 13th-17th Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

March 13th- 17th

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 4 Week 2

Main selection:  Cinderella

Weekly Question:  How can a story be a treasure?
Amazing Words: delightful, tangle, imagination, peer, original, royal, carve, sighed
High-Frequency Words: colors, draw, drew, great, over, show
Phonics Target: Vowel digraphs ea; Adding Endings -es/-s, -ed, -ing

Comprehension skills: Theme
Comprehension strategy: Visualize

Genres:  Fairy Tale
Written Expression: Predicate Expander "When" (The sun shines in the afternoon.)
Reading Street Parent Connection:

• Unit 3 Family talk letter for concept conversation starters and 6-week overview of the unit. (Sent home March 6th)
• Practice reading words (see white sheet sent home Friday) for Unit 4, Week 2 (second column). 

Fundations: Unit 10, Week 2

Students will learn about...

• Closed syllables with 5 sounds 
• Suffix -s, -ed, and -ing
• Sight Words: now, down, how
• Unit Story: The Skunk

Math in Focus

Chapter 12
Numbers to 40

Pre-requisite skills: Count on from 10-20, Read place value charts, Compare/order numbers to 20, Make number patterns (skip counting 10-20). 

Thinking Skills
- Analyzing parts and whole
- Sequencing and comparing

Problem Solving Strategies  
- Look for patterns
- Use before-and-after concept

           Objectives
- Count on/Read/Write numbers 21-40 in numbers and words.
- Use a place-value chart to show numbers to 40
- Show objects to 40 as tens and ones
- Use a strategy to compare numbers to 40
- Compare and order numbers to 40 
- Find the missing number in a number pattern

*                                      

Science

Weather & the Seasons
     Last week, we covered what weather is, all of the different types of weather, important vocabulary (temperature, air pressure, moisture, evaporation), and our first type of weather: snow. We learned about how snow is created and the different patterns of snow. Students were able to observe pictures of snowflakes under a microscope as well as how each snowflake gets its unique shape. 
This week's focus will include...
- Rain
- Why it rains (water vapor forming into raindrops in clouds)
- Different patterns of rain
- Different types of clouds: cirrus, cumulous, stratus, cumulonimbus
     

Social Studies

   We will use our Social Studies time for Science this lessons this week. 
Second Steps- We will continue our lesson on Problem Solving. Last week we learned the first two steps of problem solving, S- Say the problem and T- Think of solutions. This week we will be learning about the last two steps in how to solve problems, E-Explore consequences and P-Pick the best solution

 Specialists

MONDAY: Music; Library

TUESDAY: P.E.

WEDNESDAY: Music

THURSDAY: Early Release

FRIDAY: Art; Music

Writing Workshop
Six Traits of Writing: Organization
     Last week, we listened to a story all about emotions and how those emotions are described with specific words, phrases and illustrated with specific colors. After reading the story, I had students choose an emotion we had discusses and brainstormed. I gave students 3 minutes to finger paint a picture that they felt showed the emotion they chose. This week, students will be continuing to think of specific words to go with different emotions. We will also be continuing to work on our how-to writing pieces.

This week's mini-lesson will include...
- What is voice? 
- How does word choice help with voice? 

     

                   Parent Reminders

1. Our library time is Mondays at 1 p.m. Please have books brought back to school by the Friday before or Monday morning.
2. Reading passages are due on Thursday. Reading Street Word Lists are due on Friday. 
3. Please make sure to record the comprehension questions you discuss with your child on the reading log each night. Thank you!
4. Early release at noon on Thursday, March 16th. 
5. Spring Conferences- Please let me know via email or note if you are unable to make your scheduled conference time. Thank you!
6. Before School help is cancelled this Thursday morning due to conferences. We will start up again next week. Our focus is math and number sense. Please let me know if you would like your child to join. 

Have a fabulous week! 

Miss Biggar

Homework for the Week

 Daily

Reading Words (Phonics/Sight)

Reading Log (with discussion questions)
Number/Letter Formation

Monday:  Reading Log (due on Friday)
Tuesday: Math  (due on Friday)
Wednesday: Dialogue Journal (due on Friday)
Thursday: Comprehension (due on Friday)