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We were very busy this week in 1-1! 

Enjoy reading all about our learning adventures.

Literacy

This week, we read the book, Hey, Little Ant by Phillip Hoose. The children used the text to identify the point of view of the story. They identified that the story is being told from two points of view. We also practiced recording evidence from the book. The children took turns showing the class pages that gave clues as to whose point of view the story was being told from. They recorded their findings on a Character Chat organizer.

Our close reading lessons for the rest of the week focused on books about Martin Luther King, Jr. The children worked with identifying character traits. They choose traits that they felt expressed who Martin Luther King, Jr was as a person. Then, they recorded evidence from the text to support their choices. 

While reading the book, Martin’s Big Words, we had a class discussion about how words can appeal to the senses or make you feel a certain way. After reading, we talked about some big, important words in, Martin's Big Words. Some of these words included courage, love, together, and fair.

Due to the short week this week their will be no new spelling or Friday poem. In addition, the children are working on doing their winter CBMs, how many words they can correctly read in one minute on a first grade passage. I have been meeting with the children one on one to assess their reading fluency. I have a few more children to meet with. I will begin guided reading groups as soon as I have had time to meet with each child individually.

Writing:

This week, the children brainstormed a list of How-To writing topics. They chose their favorite topic and began their How-To piece. First, they wrote the list of materials needed for their How-To. Then, they wrote four or more steps explaining how to perform their task. Last, they drew a sketch for each step.

Math 

On Monday, the children started a number scroll, they will work on it throughout the year. The children worked on the first two pages of their scroll, writing the numbers 1-210. They also set goals for how high they would like their scroll to be at the end of the year.  

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the children worked on addition facts. We discussed fact power and how the more you practice, the more success you will have with addition math facts. The children learned about turn-around facts, doubles facts, and ways to make 10. 

On Thursday, the children took their Unit 4 math test. I am proud of how hard the children worked at using the math strategies they have learned to successfully solve the math problems. I will send the tests home later this week.

Science

In lesson two, the scientists went on a magnetic scavenger hunt. Using their own magnet, they had to find and test objects in the classroom that they thought were magnetic and nonmagnetic. They learned that magnets pull on (attract) some materials and not others. After they tested their objects, the scientists recorded their observations in their science journal. They discussed their findings and what surprised them with their peers.

Later in the week, the scientists observed how a magnet can attract a paper clip without touching it. They carried out several  investigations and discovered that the force of a magnet works through several different materials (air, water, paper, plastic, fabric, aluminum foil, index cards, and a plastic cup).

Martin Luther King, Jr.

On Friday, the children watched a short video on Martin Luther King, Jr. They discussed what Martin Luther King’s dreams were. Then, they had the opportunity to complete an organizer expressing a dream that they have. The children created a book page titled, My Dream. We will compile all their pages to create a class book.

                                       

Star Student

Christopher was our star student this week. Thanks Christopher for sharing all about you!

Royal Reader

A special thank you to Christopher’s dad, he joined us this week as our Royal Reader. The children loved listening to the two stories that Mr. Paterson read, Is Everyone Ready For Fun? and The Doghouse.

Happy Birthday

On Monday, we celebrated Alexandra's birthday. Happy Birthday Alexandra!

Notes: 

-Due to the short week, we will not have a spelling test this week. We will be reviewing our word wall words in class.

-Thank you to those of you who sent in paper towel rolls for math. We now have enough! Thank you!

Have a great rest of the long weekend!