March 4th-March 8th Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

March 2nd-6th

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 4 Week 1

Main selection:  Mama's Birthday Present

Weekly Question:  How can a surprise be a treasure?
Amazing Words: 
High-Frequency Words: about, enjoy, give, surprise, worry, would
Phonics Target: Vowel digraphs ai. ay; Single and plural possessives

Comprehension skills: Draw Conclusions
Comprehension strategy: Monitor and Clarify

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 yellow sheet sent home Monday) for Unit 4, Week 1 (first 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 blends (st, mp, br, sl), -nk/-ng glued sounds (bank, rink, sung, long), and added endings (-s, -ing, -ed)
• Trick Words: some, come, would, should, could
• 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, who, what, when, where, here, there, why, by, my, try, put, two, too, very, also

**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 11
Picture Graphs and Bar Graphs

**Chapter 11 Test on Thursday, March 5th**

Thinking Skills
- Comparing
- Classifying 

Problem Solving Strategies  
                                     - Make a systematic list

           Objectives
- Collect and organize data
- Show and understand data shown in a picture graph (also using symbols).
- Draw a picture graph.
- Make a tally chart.
- Show and understand data shown in a bar graph.

*                                      

Science

Physical Science
Sound 
This week students will be learning about how sound travels. Students will be using string, a plastic cup, and a spoon this week to experiment with how sound travels and will record their findings into their science journals.      

Social Studies

   Dr. Seuss- This week we will continue to learn about Dr. Seuss. Along with the history of his life, we will be going through many of his most famous books and discussing important literary elements that he uses throughout them.
Second Steps- Last week students completed another safety lesson with Mrs. LaBella. Along with our safety lesson, students also learned about the first two STEPs in solving a problem (S: Say the problem. T: Think of solutions). This week students will continue to learn how to problem solve by reviewing the first two STEPs and learning about the last two STEPs (E: Explore consequences; P: Pick the best solution). 

 Specialists

MONDAY: Music

TUESDAY: Early Release

WEDNESDAY: Music

THURSDAY: P.E.

FRIDAY: Art; Music; Library; Ice Cream Party

Writing Workshop
Six Traits of Writing: Organization
     This week students will listen 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 will have students choose an emotion we discuss and brainstorm. I will give 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. 

Genre Writing: When I Grow Up
     This week students will begin to brainstorm what they want to be when they grow up. Each student will choose a career that they want to be and brainstorm reasons why they want that career. 

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

     

                   Parent Reminders

1. Our library time is Fridays at 12:15 p.m. Please have books brought back to school by Friday or anytime throughout the week.
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 on Tuesday, March 3rd at noontime.(If your child's pick up changes from the normal transportation, please send in a note.)
5. Math Facts- As I check in with your child, I will send a note home about which rules they still need to work on. If they have the majority of the math facts mastered, I will send home the subtraction fact cards. Keep up the good work! 
6. Trick Words- I will be sending home a list of sight words your child should know by the end of first grade.
7. On Dr. Seuss' birthday, we had some special readers... Mr. Grant read to our class today! Students were able to ask him questions and tell them about their favorite part of the book he read. 
8.**Dr. Seuss Comprehension Homework**- Before assigning this homework activity, I wanted the children to be exposed to The Cat in the Hat story multiple times before completing the assignment.
9. March Scholastic Orders: March Scholastic catalog orders are due this Friday, March 6th. Please order online or send in your order with a check by Friday any time before noon. 

Have a fantastic week! 

Miss Biggar

Homework for the Week

 Daily

Reading Words (Phonics/Sight)

Reading Log (with discussion questions)
Number/Letter Formation

Math Number Sense Games
Coin Games
Addition Math Facts to 10 (ALL)

This week's homework:

 Reading Log (due on Friday)

 Go Fish! (Pairs of 10)  (Daily) [Sent home on Tuesday]

 Dialogue Journal (due on Friday) [Sent home on Wednesday]
Dr. Seuss Comprehension (due on Friday) [Sent home on Wednesday]**

February 24th-February 28th Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

February 24th- February 28th

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 3 Week 6

Main selection:  Where Are My Animal Friends?

Weekly Question:  What do animals do when the seasons change?

Amazing Words: hibernate, migrate, autumn, weary, freeze, bitterly, temperature

High-Frequency Words: before, does, good-bye, oh, right, won't

Phonics Target: Comparative Endings -er, -est; Consonant Pattern -dge

Comprehension skills: Draw Conclusions

Comprehension strategy: Background Knowledge

Genres:  Drama

Written Expression: Predicate Expander "When" (The goose honked nervously this morning.)

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 Friday) for Unit 3, Weeks 1-6 (all columns). 

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 blends (st, mp, br, sl), -nk/-ng glued sounds (bank, rink, sung, long), and added endings (-s, -ing, -ed)
• Trick Words: put, two, too, very, also
• 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, who, what, when, where, here, there, why, by, my, try

**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 11
Picture Graphs and Bar Graphs

Thinking Skills
- Comparing
- Classifying 

Problem Solving Strategies  
- Make a systematic list

           Objectives
- Collect and organize data
- Show and understand data shown in a picture graph (also using symbols).
- Draw a picture graph.
- Make a tally chart.
- Show and understand data shown in a bar graph.

*                                      

Science

Physical Science
Sound 
     This week students will brainstorming everything they know about sound. The class will conduct an experiment about how sound travels using a drum, pencil, and rice.  

Social Studies

   
Leap Year- This week students will be learning about a leap year. Students will be listening to a read aloud, completing hands-on activities, and sharing their own knowledge throughout the week. 
Dr. Seuss- This week we will be learning about Dr. Seuss. Along with the history of his life, we will be going through many of his most famous books and discussing important literary elements that he uses throughout them.
Second Steps- This week Mrs. LaBella will be continuing her safety unit with the students. 

 Specialists

MONDAY: Music

TUESDAY: P.E.

WEDNESDAY: Music

THURSDAY: P.E.

FRIDAY: Art; Music; Library

Writing Workshop
**We will be finishing all of our other writing projects that we have been working on to make room for our big writing project that begins in March.**

     

                   Parent Reminders

1. Our library time is Fridays at 12:15 p.m. Please have books brought back to school by Friday 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. Math Homework-This week's math homework is practicing addition math facts to 10 and the President's Day math activity page.
5. Scholastic Book Club: March catalogs will be going home with students this week.  
6. Shoe tying- When your child wears snow boots to school, they have up to 6 opportunities to tie their shoes. Please help your child learn this important life skill.
7. Our Valentine Celebration was HUGE success! The kids had lots of fun using money to shop for goodies. Thank you again for all of your donations and support!
8. Spring Conferences- I will be sending home conference sign-up messages to a few select students. If you receive one, please send a message back with your availability ASAP. I hope to be sending confirmation notes with your conference time next week. Thanks!
9. On Monday, March 2nd, we will have a special, surprise guest reader! 
10. Math Facts- I will be checking in on your child's progress with all of the addition math facts. If they have the majority of the math facts mastered, I will send home the subtraction fact cards. Keep up the good work! 
11. Read Across America Day/Character Day (3/2)- On Monday March 2nd, students will be reading many different types of books to celebrate Read Across America Day as well as Dr. Seuss' birthday (March 2nd). If your child would like to bring in the book that they would like to read to a friend, please have them bring in a copy on Monday. 

Welcome back! 

Miss Biggar

Homework for the Week

 Daily

Reading Words (Phonics/Sight)

Reading Log (with discussion questions)
Number/Letter Formation

Math Number Sense Games
Addition Math Facts to 10
Coin Games

This week's homework:

 Reading Log (due on Friday)

President's Day Math Activity Page  (Due on Friday) [Sent home on Tuesday]
 Dialogue Journal (due on Friday) [Sent home on Wednesday]

February 10th-February 14th Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

February 10th- February 14th

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 3 Week 5

Main selection:  I'm a Caterpillar

Weekly Question:  What changes can be seen in nature?

Amazing Words: cycle, develop, insect, rearrange, flurries, emerge, fragile, vessel

High-Frequency Words: done, know, push, visit, wait

Phonics Target: Contractions; Vowel r-Controlled er, ir, ur

Comprehension skills: Fact and Opinion

Comprehension strategy: Text Structure

Genres:  Literary Nonfiction

Written Expression: Predicate Expander "When" (The goose honked nervously this morning.)

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 Friday) for Unit 3, Week 5 (fifth 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), & -nk/-ng glued sounds (bank, rink, sung, long)
• Spelling CVC words with suffix -s
• Trick Words: why, by, my, try
• 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, who, what, when, where, here, there

**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 9

Length

Thinking Skills
- Comparing
Problem Solving Strategies  
- Act it out
- Use a diagram

           Objectives

                                    - Compare two lengths, using the terms tall/taller, long/longer, and short/shorter.
                 - Compare more than two lengths using the terms tallest, longest, and shortest.
                 - Use a common starting point when comparing lengths.
                 - Measure lengths using non-standard units and understand that using different non-standard units may give you different measurements for the same thing.

This next week we will be wrapping up our mini-lesson on money at our Valentine's Celebration. The students will be making change and shopping at three different stores. **Continue to play the coin games at home for added practice.**

*                                      

Science

Physical Science
Light
     Last week students tested their predictions about how to get the light from the flashlight to shine on a target (piece of paper with an 'X') using a mirror and their knowledge about reflection. All of the groups predictions and attempts were very inventive! This week students will watch a movie about reflection and begin to brainstorm things they know about 'sound'. 

Social Studies

   Economics Unit- This week we will continue to review our knowledge about economics. The class will be completing activities that apply what they know about needs, wants, goods, and services. 
Second Steps- This week, the students will be reviewing calming strategies for strong emotions and learning to use self-talk as another calming strategy. 

 Specialists

MONDAY: Music

TUESDAY: P.E.

WEDNESDAY: Music

THURSDAY: Valentine's Day Celebration

FRIDAY: Art; Music; Sing!

Writing Workshop
Pen Pal Letters
     This week students will receiving a letter from another first grade student in Gloucester. Each student will read and respond to their pen pal's letter using our letter format (greeting, body, closing, & signature). Students will be asking their pen pals questions to gather information about him/her. 

This week's mini-lesson will include...
- Letter format
- How to respond to a letter
- Grammar (punctuation, uppercase)
**We will also be finishing all of our other writing projects that we have been working on to make room for our big writing project that begins in March.**

     

                   Parent Reminders

1. We will not be going to the library on Friday, 2/14. 
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.. Scholastic Book Club- February book orders have been ordered. I will send home the books when they arrive at school.
5. Valentine Celebration (2/13)— Thank you to everyone for your donations and have offered to help out! We still need 1 more parent volunteers to come in and help! Volunteers, please be here by 12:00 so I can let you know which centers you will be running. The kids are very excited! Thanks again!
6. On Friday, I will be sending home your child's Math workbook from the first half of the school year. You can use this at home for extra practice. 
7. Shoe tying- When your child wears snow boots to school, they have up to 6 opportunities to tie their shoes. Please help your child learn this important life skill. 
8. Sing! Movie- On Friday, February 14th the first grade will be watching the movie Sing!. 
9. Valentine Share- Please send in your child's valentines in on Friday, February 14th to pass out to their classmates.

One more week to go! 

Miss Biggar

Homework for the Week

 Daily

Reading Words (Phonics/Sight)

Reading Log (with discussion questions)
Fluency Reading
Number/Letter Formation
Number Sense Math Games
Money Games
Addition Facts to 10

This week's homework:

 Reading Log (due on Friday)

 Valentine Math Fact Sheet  (Due on Friday) [Sent home on Tuesday]

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

February 3rd-February 7th Newsletter

First Grade Newsletter

February 3rd- 7th

Literacy

Reading Street: Unit 3 Week 4

Main selection:  Frog and Toad Together

Weekly Question:  What changes happen in a garden?

Amazing Words: gardener, nature, sprout, dim, shade, sprinkling, humongous

High-Frequency Words: afraid, again, few, how, read, soon

Phonics Target: Adding endings; Vowel r-Controlled ar

Comprehension skills: Author's Purpose

Comprehension strategy: Visualize

Genres:  Animal Fantasy

Written Expression: Predicate Expander "When" (The goose honked nervously this morning.)

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 Friday) for Unit 3, Week 4 (fourth column). Please return sheet by Friday, February 7th for students to be tested on Week 4 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: why, by, my, try
• 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, who, what, when, where, here, there

**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 9

Length

Thinking Skills
- Comparing
Problem Solving Strategies  
- Act it out
- Use a diagram

           Objectives

                                    - Compare two lengths, using the terms tall/taller, long/longer, and short/shorter.
                 - Compare more than two lengths using the terms tallest, longest, and shortest.
                 - Use a common starting point when comparing lengths.
                 - Measure lengths using non-standard units and understand that using different non-standard units may give you different measurements for the same thing.

This next week we will be wrapping up our mini-lesson on money at our Valentine's Celebration. The students will be making change and shopping at three different stores. **Continue to play the coin games at home for added practice.**

*                                      

Science

Physical Science
Light
     This week students will be testing their predictions about how to get the light from the flashlight to shine on a target (piece of paper with an 'X') using a mirror and their knowledge about reflection. 

Social Studies

   Economics Unit- This week we will continue to review our knowledge about economics. The class will be completing activities that apply what they know about needs, wants, goods, and services. 
Second Steps- This week, the students will be reviewing calming strategies for strong emotions and learning to use self-talk as another calming strategy. 

 Specialists

MONDAY: Music; Library

TUESDAY: Early Release!

WEDNESDAY: Music 

THURSDAY: P.E.

FRIDAY: Art; Music

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. 

Pen Pal Letter Writing
     This week students will be given a pen pal letter from another Gloucester first grader. We will go over what a pen pal is and begin writing our introduction pages with a portrait of each student and their names. We will be going over letter structures and how a letter should be written. I am very excited to see how these pen pal letters come out!

     

                   Parent Reminders

1. We will be going to the library this week. Please return your child's library books by Friday 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.. Scholastic Book Club- February book orders are due on Friday, February 7th.
5. Valentine Celebration (2/13)— Thank you to everyone who has sent in $3 with your child. If you need assistance with the money donation, please contact me directly. We still need 1 more parent volunteer to come in and help! Volunteers, please be here by 12:00 so I can let you know which centers you will be running. The kids are very excited! Thanks again!
6. On Friday, I will be sending home your child's Math workbook from the first half of the school year. You can use this at home for extra practice. 
7. Shoe tying- When your child wears snow boots to school, they have up to 6 opportunities to tie their shoes. Please help your child learn this important life skill. 

Happy first week of February! 

Miss Biggar

Homework for the Week

 Daily

Reading Words (Phonics/Sight)

Reading Log (with discussion questions)
Fluency Reading
Number/Letter Formation
Number Sense Math Games
Money Games
Addition Facts to 10

This week's homework:

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

 Addition Facts to 10 (+6, +7. +8 +9)  (Daily) 

 Dialogue Journal (due on Friday) [Sent home on Wednesday]
Goods & Services Comprehension (due on Friday) [Sent home on Wednesday]