News You Can Use!

I hope everyone has been enjoying their weekends! As always, 1-1 was busy learning this past week.


Reading

To begin the week, the students were introduced to elements of a fairytale. The students were able to recognize that fairytales have magic, good and evil, a once upon a time, and a happily ever after. Our close reading for the week focused on different versions of Jack and the Beanstalk. We read two different versions of the classic fairytale as well as a version titled Kate and the Beanstalk. As we read throughout the week, we kept track of fairytale elements we identified in each story. The students worked in small groups as well as a whole class to complete these activities. At the end of the week we compared and contrasted the different versions of the story.

Writing

To go along with the Jack and the Beanstalk theme, the students works on a Jack and the Beanstalk writing activity. The writing activity was titled "Me and the Beanstalk". To do this, the students had to write a story as if they were the main character in Jack and the Beanstalk. The students began by planning out how they found the magic beans, where they planted them, what they found at the top, etc. The students got very creative and had a lot of fun writing these stories. The final copies were completed and are proudly displayed on the classroom door.

Math

The students continue to work hard at Gumball Math. I am really seeing a great improvement with many of the students. Keep practicing those math facts! In addition, the students continue to work on Math Unit 6. I'm sure you have noticed that some of the Math Home Links are fact triangles. Just a friendly reminder that these do not have to come back to school. The students have fact triangles at school to practice with. The Home Links with the fact triangles are for you to keep at home and encourage your students to use them to practice their math facts. Students also practiced counting with quarters and other coins. In addition, the students studied telling time on analog clocks as well as digital clocks.

Social Studies

The students wrapped up our U.S. Symbols/Presidents unit by completing their U.S. Symbols project. Last week the students completed research on Pebblego.com. This week the students used the Explain Everything app on the iPad to complete their project. They used the application to draw a picture of their U.S. Symbol. Students also recorded themselves reading two interesting facts they learned. When they were done with their hard work, the students were able to share their projects with other students in the class.

Other

Ashlyn was our Star Student this week. We learned even more about Ashlyn, like her favorite place is in Wisconsin. Thanks for sharing with us Ashlyn!

Ashlyn's mom was our Royal Reader this week. Thanks so much for coming in to read to us Mrs. Ferguson!

Mrs. Wascher came in on Wednesday for an Art Appreciation lesson. Mrs. Wascher taught the students all about the artist, Henri Renoir. We saw some paintings by the artist and experimented with different colors to create texture and warmth to art work. Thanks so much for coming in Mrs. Wascher!