News You Can Use!

Read below to learn about our fantastic week in 1-1.

Literacy

This week we did a close reading lesson with the book, Chester’s Way. The children worked on describing the main character in the story, Chester. Then, they turned and talked with a partner and identified Chester’s character traits using the evidence they had found in the text. 

On Friday, the children practiced all of the Daily 5 routines: word work, work on writing, read to self, read to someone, and listen to reading. They are doing a great job of building their stamina and working quietly. We will continue to fine-tune the routines next week.  

This coming Monday, we will begin guided reading groups. The children will work on the Daily 5 while I meet with small guided reading groups. Your child will bring a book bag home at least one night a week. Please read the book with your child and send it back to school the next day. During curriculum night, I gave you handouts on reading with your child and a reading strategies bookmark. These will be helpful if you are looking for ways to help your child with reading or ideas for questions. If you have misplaced your copies please let me know - I can make you a new set! 

Writing

This week, the children finished publishing their last two autobiography pieces. They worked hard to rewrite their pieces in their best handwriting and drew illustrations that were careful, colorful, and detailed. The children also illustrated a front cover for their work. We tied their pages together to create their very own autobiography book. To conclude the unit we will have a celebration of their writing. We will join the other first grade classes and the children will get to read their autobiography to a group of friends. The books will then become part our classroom library. This will allow the children to enjoy reading each others writing. 

Math 

On Monday, the children had fun reviewing all of the math concepts from unit 1 with Mimio Vote. Our classroom was turned into the set of, Math Review Mimio Vote. The children became contestants in the game and answered questions using their own clicker. They enjoyed my performance as game show host! 

On Tuesday, the children took their first math test. I was so proud of how hard they worked on the test, they did a great job! 

We started unit 2 on Wednesday. A note came home via backpack mail detailing the concepts that will be taught in this unit. The children worked with the number grid to locate numbers and solve math problems. They enjoyed playing the math game, Rolling to 50.

Social Studies

This week, the children worked with basic map skills. They looked at maps and globes and discussed how they are similar and different. The children also learned about the compass rose and cardinal directions. They really enjoyed learning a special way to remember the cardinal directions: Never Eat Soggy Waffles. The children learned about map keys. They took turns coming up to the board and using the cardinal directions and a map key to locate different areas on a map. 

On Friday, the children enjoyed creating their own map key symbols. They used the symbols they created to draw a map of our classroom. Some of the children even included a compass rose on their map! They were very excited to show all the map skills they had learned.

Next week, the children will take a virtual trip around the world to learn about different landforms. Check in with your child each day to see what new landforms they visited!

Notes:

-Thursday, October 2nd is Picture day! Don’t forget to say cheese. 

-In the next week, I will send home a Scholastic Book order. Be on the look out for it in your child’s red take home folder. You can order on line using the link on our class blog.  

Have a great weekend!