Hello Everyone!
Here are some highlights from our last few weeks! I hope you enjoy learning about what we’ve been up to!
Progress Reports
The children have worked so hard over the last trimester. I am so proud of the growth they are making. Thank you for your continued support and help at home! Progress reports were emailed home on Friday. Additional supports were emailed out on Thursday with directions on how to access and read the progress report.
Literacy
During reader’s workshop lessons the children have been working on the following skills:
-Identifying the elements of fiction: Characters, Setting, Problem, and Solution
-Identifying Character Traits
-Comparing Fantasy and Realistic Fiction stories
-Making connections
-What's your visualization?
-What's your visualization?
-Identifying the lesson of the story
-Asking questions before, during, and after reading
-Asking questions before, during, and after reading
Writing
In writing, the children wrote a piece about what they are thankful for this Thanksgiving. Each child wrote about three things they are thankful for and why. They glued their writing to a turkey that they created using construction paper. If you have a chance after break, stop by our hallway and check them out.
The children also wrote a story titled, How To Catch A Turkey. They came up with lots of creative ways to catch a turkey. In their story they had to use the transition words, first, next, and last. Their stories are hanging up in the classroom. Along with the tie-dye turkeys they created. I hope you got a chance to see them on our twitter feed.
Math
In math, the children have been working with plane and solid shapes.
They have:
-identified plane shapes using attribute blocks
-identified solid shapes (spheres, rectangular prisms, cubes, cylinders, cones, and pyramids)
-counted the number of sides and corners on plane and solid shapes
-identified which shapes can roll, slide, or stack (or any combination of the 3)
-they hunted for plane and solid shapes in and around our classroom
-created patterns using plane shapes
We will wrap up Unit 5 when we return from break. Look for their Chapter Assessment to come home the week of Dec. 3rd. We will then move on to Chapter 7, which works with numbers to 20. The children will begin working with place value and use a place value mat to help them solve math problems.
-created patterns using plane shapes
We will wrap up Unit 5 when we return from break. Look for their Chapter Assessment to come home the week of Dec. 3rd. We will then move on to Chapter 7, which works with numbers to 20. The children will begin working with place value and use a place value mat to help them solve math problems.
Social Studies
Over the last few weeks the children have been researching Pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians. They recorded all of their information on graphic organizers. At the end of last week, the children used all of their graphic organizers to create a Spark Video titled, The Wampanoags, Pilgrims, and Us. The children work in groups to select photos and record facts they learned about the Pilgrims and Wampanoag. After, they organized their slides and turned it into a mini movie. The children posted their videos to Seesaw, if you haven't had a chance yet, please check them out! They are very excited to share their videos with you over Thanksgiving break!
Cosmic Capers
On Tuesday, November 6th Scientist Victoria joined us from High Touch High Tech. She taught the class all about our Solar System. The children learned about the location of the planets, the sun, moon phases, and rotations & revolutions. They also engaged in an activity to see how far they could jump if they were on the moon. But that’s not all, each child got a turn to feel what it’s like to be on the moon through the use of a “zero gravity” simulation. They also made a blue moon slime ball. They were so excited and engaged during the entire field trip!
For additional photos: Click here
First Grade Musical
The children did a great job on their first grade musical. I am so proud of how hard they worked! They were so excited to share it with all of you last Wednesday night. Thank you for attending the performance and watching your stars shine! Enjoy the photos and videos below.
Star Students
Thank you to our star student, Charlie. We enjoyed learning more about you!
Royal Reader
A special thank you to Charlie’s Mom who joined us last week as our Royal Reader. The children loved listening to the stories that you read.
Happy Birthday
A very happy birthday to Sotiri, Veronica, and Stella! We hope you enjoyed your special day!
Notes:
-Holiday Book Order! If you would like to place an order for books from the Scholastic book order, they will be due Monday, Dec. 3rd by 3:30pm! It is a great time to order some wonderful books for the holidays! I will send home some scholastic magazines and a letter on Monday, November 26th. Feel free to shop ahead of time by clicking on the scholastic link on the right side of this blog post! Please email me if your order includes any gifts. I will email you when the order arrives and set up a time for you to pick up your order secretly!
-There is no school Monday, November 19 - Friday, November 23. School will resume on Monday, November 26.
-Our classroom will be participating in Dryden’s own version of the Global Cardboard Challenge in December, inspired by a 9 year old boy, who built an arcade entirely out of cardboard. This cardboard idea sparked a movement and the Imagination Foundation, whose mission is to foster creativity and entrepreneurship in children around the world. Our classroom is in need of cardboard- all shapes, sizes, and colors! Please DO NOT send in cardboard that contained food at any point for allergy purposes. Examples of some great boxes- shoe boxes, Amazon boxes, etc. Please send in boxes on the Thursday or Friday after Thanksgiving break. Many thanks in advance for your help!
-Our classroom will be participating in Dryden’s own version of the Global Cardboard Challenge in December, inspired by a 9 year old boy, who built an arcade entirely out of cardboard. This cardboard idea sparked a movement and the Imagination Foundation, whose mission is to foster creativity and entrepreneurship in children around the world. Our classroom is in need of cardboard- all shapes, sizes, and colors! Please DO NOT send in cardboard that contained food at any point for allergy purposes. Examples of some great boxes- shoe boxes, Amazon boxes, etc. Please send in boxes on the Thursday or Friday after Thanksgiving break. Many thanks in advance for your help!
Happy Thanksgiving!
I hope you have a wonderful time with your family and friends! I am thankful that I get to work with your children each and every day!
