News You Can Use!

Get caught up on what we've been up to the last two weeks!

Literacy

During the last two weeks, the children have been working on our reading and writing unit on penguins. Last week, we started a RAN organizer on the back board, similar to the one they completed during their weather unit. The children talked about what they think they know about penguins. Then, they used Post-It notes to document their previous knowledge. The children also came up with their wonderings, questions they would like to research about penguins. They recorded these on penguins and we hung them on the RAN organizer. As we continue through the unit, the children will be able to move Post-It's around on the RAN depending on the information they learn. 

The children have also been working on researching penguins. Each child has their own Penguin Stop & Jot journal. As they have been listening to nonfiction texts about penguins, they have been using Post-It notes to jot down facts that they think are interesting or important. By practicing this skill, the children are thinking critically about nonfiction material, as well as preparing for future research projects.

Writing

As part of our penguin unit, the children documented their previous knowledge about penguins. They completed a short writing piece about what they think they know about penguins. The children turned their writing into a penguin art project. Their penguin projects look great hanging from the ceiling.

Today, the children took all of their Stop & Jot Post-It notes and arranged them into categories. They labeled each of their pages with a heading that matched the facts on the Post-It notes. Next week, they will turn their Stop & Jot notes into a nonfiction book about penguins. The writers are so excited about their writing and they can not wait to begin publishing. Ask your writer about their favorite penguin facts!

Grammar Notebooks:

This week, the children were introduced to contractions. They learned that a contraction is a short form of two words. The words are put together and letters are left out. An apostrophe shows where letters have been left out.

Math 

Last week, the children have worked on fact families, measuring (they were introduced to the centimeter), practiced finding the missing input and output numbers in “What’s My Rule?” problems, and practiced addition facts by playing, Tric Trac.  

This week, the children learned about quarters. The children worked with counting combinations of quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies. Please continue to practice this skill at home!

On Tuesday, the children worked with telling time using both a digital and analog clock. They had to record time on a digital clock given the time on an analog clock and vise versa. Here are two links to a game called, Stop The Clock, the children can practice matching digital time to the correct analog clock.

Level 1 (hour, half hour)

Level 2 (half hour, quarter hour)

On Wednesday, the children were introduced to, My Reference Book. The children learned that this book may be used as a reference during math time in first and second grade. The children explored the table of contents and used it to find the page numbers that the different math topics were located on. After exploring the book, the children worked with a partner to complete, My Reference Book Scavenger Hunt. Using clues and the book, they recorded their findings in their math journal. 

On Thursday, the children used their calculators to see how high they could count in 15 seconds. They reported their largest count to be recorded in our class tally chart. The children found the range by finding the difference between the largest and smallest numbers in our data. Then, the children worked to find the middle value (median) of our class data. Using the class tally chart, they created a bar graph to organize our class data. The children asked and answered questions using the bar graph. 

Science

Last week, we started our new science unit. The children were very excited to listen to a clue about the unit before we began. They listened to a sound clip and drew a picture of what they thought we were going to study. The children came up with lots of ideas: fire engine, bee, siren, dog, duck, walrus, etc. They were surprised when they learned that the sound they heard was actually a penguin. 

This week, the children enjoyed two science experiments based on penguins. On Monday, the children enjoyed doing an experiment to see how penguin’s feathers keep them warm. The experiment titled, Cozy in the Cold, allowed the children to explore what kept their hands warmer when holding a bag of ice water. Was it an empty bag or a bag filled with air? They enjoyed sharing their findings with the class. Ask your child what they discovered and what they suggested would do a better job of keeping their hands warm. 

On Tuesday, the children completed a Penguin Oil Experiment. They experimented with what happened when water was sprayed onto their hands (one covered with oil, and one with no oil). The children recorded their findings. Then, they learned about penguin preening. A process where penguins cover their feathers with oil to make them wind and waterproof. 

The children also enjoyed observing penguins using these two live penguin cams. Check them out at home:

Penguin Cam

Live Penguin Cams

Star Students

Trent was our star student last week. Thanks Trent for sharing all about you!

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

Royal Readers

A special thank you to Trent’s grandma and Karis’ dad. Trent’s grandma joined us last week as our Royal Reader. The children enjoyed listening to the two stories that Mrs. Colella read, Oh Say Can You Say? and Miles and Miles of Reptiles. This week, Karis’ Dad joined us. The children loved listening to the two stories that Mr. Depaz read, Happy Birthday to You! and Where Do Balloons Go?

Warm Fuzzy Celebration

In celebration of the children filling their warm fuzzy jar, they enjoyed a PJ and stuffed animal day last Friday. The children were very proud of their hard work!

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday to Kelsey and RoseMarie! We celebrated their birthdays at the beginning of March!

Notes:

-The children have worked very hard this trimester! They brought home their Report Cards to share with you today. 

-We will not have a spelling test next week. We will take this opportunity to review our word wall words.

-If your child will be absent next Thursday or Friday please send me an email and let me know. Thank you!

Have a great weekend! 

News You Can Use!

Wow! What a week. 

Take a look at what we did!

Literacy

This week, the children were introduced to the elements of a fairytale. They were able to recognize that fairy tales have magic, good and evil, often begin with once upon a time, and a happily ever after. Our close reading lessons 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, we kept track of fairytale elements we identified in each story. The children worked 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 children worked on a Jack and the Beanstalk writing activity. The writing activity was titled, "Me and the Beanstalk". The children turned themselves into the main character in their version of Jack and the Beanstalk. They began by planning out how they found the magic beans, where they planted them, what they found at the top of the beanstalk, etc. The children got very creative and had a lot of fun writing these stories. Their published pieces will be proudly displayed in the classroom!

***Photo coming soon****

Math 

In Math, the children started Unit 5. They made a Dice-Throw Record of facts. Using their chart they answered questions about their rolls and which sum had the most facts (7). Then, they were introduced to the Addition Facts Table. Using the Addition Facts Table, the children found the sums of several addition facts.

On Tuesday, the children were introduced to Name-Collection boxes. They used dominoes, drawings, tally marks, base-10 blocks, and addition/ subtraction facts to show equivalent names for numbers. 

On Wednesday, the children worked with fact families. They looked at a domino and identified the three numbers that went with it. Then they wrote two addition and two subtraction facts using the three numbers from their domino. They learned that the addition and subtraction facts make up a fact family.

On Thursday, the children were introduced to Fact Triangles. Using their Fact Triangles, the children practiced their addition and subtraction facts with a partner. The children also wrote addition and subtraction number models to go along with their Fact Triangles.

Today, the children worked with different subtraction fact strategies to find the difference. They used: the Addition/Subtraction Facts Table, Subtracting using a Ten Frame, and -8 and -9 Shortcuts on the Number Grid. 

Social Studies

This week, we concluded our social studies unit. The children learned about U.S. Symbols. Each child had the opportunity to research one U.S. Symbol. They used PebbleGo to research and then wrote two facts about their symbol. After researching, the children drew an illustration of their symbol on their facts sheet. 

Throughout the week, the children were able to share what they had learned with the class. We complied the slides into a slide show titled, U. S. Symbols.

                    
US Symbols from Melissa Johnson on Vimeo.

Today, the children completed the book, America the Beautiful. The book allowed the children to revisit all the facts they learned about the different symbols this week. The children really enjoyed learning about all the American Symbols and they are excited to share their knowledge with you!

A special thank you to Mary and Trent! Mary shared some photos of the Liberty Bell  from her trip last summer. Trent brought in some postcards of U.S. Symbols that his Papa brought back from Washington D.C. Thank you to both of you for sharing with the class!

Note:

-Please remember to send your child to school with their winter gear. The snow promises to continue and the playground and field are covered with snow. Please send coats, snow pants, boots, hats, and gloves. The children are not allowed to play in the snow unless they have all these items! Thank you!

Have a great weekend! 

News You Can Use!

Hello 1-1 Families! We had a very short week, thanks to the weather! We still managed to get a lot done!

Literacy 

This week, the children enjoyed a mini author studied on author/illustrator, Leo Lionni. We read many books by the talented author, but our close reading lessons focused on Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse and An Extraordinary Egg. The children discussed the meaning of large words in the texts and also identified story elements from both stories. As a class, the children identified the characters, setting, problem, and solution in each story. After documenting story elements for both stories, the children were able to compare and contrast the two stories. 

The children were even able to watch a few video clips of Mr. Lionni answering questions about why he wrote about animals, where he got his ideas from, and what his life was like growing up.

Guided Reading Groups:

We will continue our short break from guided reading groups next week. I will meet with the rest of the children one on one to do another round of running records. Reassessing allows me to make sure that each child is receiving reading instruction that best fits their instructional reading level.

Math 

On Tuesday, the children continued working with the function machine and What’s My Rule math problems. They worked on finding the rule and missing input and output numbers.  

On Wednesday, the children enjoyed reviewing all they learned during Unit 5 by playing, “Math Review Mimio Vote, Unit 5.” Once again our classroom turned into the set of a game show and each contestant had their very own clicker to answer a set of math questions. The questions covered all of our topics from unit 5.

On Friday, the children took their unit 5 test. They did a great job, I am proud of how hard they worked! Look for your child’s test in their red folder this coming Monday.

Social Studies and Writing

This week, the children chose their favorite president (George Washington or Abraham Lincoln) that we researched. Using their graphic organizer, they wrote a paragraph about their president. They completed their paper by turning it into a replica of George or Abe. The children’s president projects are on display in the hallway. 

On Friday, the children listened to the story, Dubs Goes to Washington. During the story, the children previewed some of the U. S. Symbols that we will begin researching next week. The children also watched a short Brainpopjr video titled, U.S. Symbols. After, they discussed what the term symbol means. The children also shared what symbols the saw in the video and what the symbols represented. Each child selected one U.S. symbol that they will research next week.

Star Student

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

Royal Reader

A special thank you to Alex’s dad, he joined us this week as our Royal Reader. The children enjoyed listening to the story that Mr. Kusalovic read, Sneezy The Snowman.

Notes:

-A VERY special THANK YOU to the Dryden PTA! We truly appreciate all you do for the children, families, and staff at Dryden. Thank you! The children enjoyed a wonderful presentation from, be the GROOVE on Tuesday morning compliments of the PTA. The group was mesmerizing! The children thoroughly enjoyed the presentation! Check out their website to learn more: www.bethegroove.com

Have a great weekend! 

News You Can Use!

Hello 1-1 Families! 

Here's what we were up to this week:

Literacy

This week, the children were introduced to Poetry Pete. Poetry Pete taught the children about poetry basics. We discussed what we know about poems, what poems can help us do, why we read poems, and why people write poems. 

Then, we read the poem, I Ate Too Much Turkey by Jack Prelutsky. While reading this poem, we focused on using all of our senses to visualize. The children each drew their own visualization. They used their highlighter to highlight words and phrases that helped them create their visualization. The children had a chance to share their visualizations with the class. 

Love Splat:

Using the book, Love Splat, the children worked on making character comparisons. After listening to the story, the children compared and contrasted the two main characters, Splat and Spike. Using a Venn Diagram they recorded the similarities and differences between the two characters. Then, they used their Venn Diagram to complete a Love Splat! Character Comparison booklet.

To coincide with our Love Splat reading, the children completed a writing activity. After listening to the book, the children wrote about what love is. They came up with lots of wonderful heartfelt ideas. Then they made a Splat the cat to glue their writing to. They look very cute!

Guided Reading Groups:

We are currently taking a short break from guided reading groups. I am meeting with all of the children one on one to do another round of running records. Reassessing allows me to make sure that each child is receiving reading instruction that best fits their instructional reading level. Guided reading groups will resume as soon as I have had time to meet with each reader.

Math 

On Monday, the children worked with Doubles, Doubles +1, and Doubles +2 facts. They also learned strategies that they can use to help them solve Doubles +1 and Doubles +2 math facts. They can start at a Doubles fact and count up 1 or 2, depending on the math fact.

On Tuesday, the children reviewed different fact strategies that they can utilize to help them solve their basic math facts. We went over different strategies for: +0, +1, doubles, sums of 10, and doubles +1 and +2. 

On Thursday, the children were introduced to the function machine and What’s My Rule math problems. They worked on finding the rule and missing input and output numbers.  

Social Studies/ Writing

This week, we continued our social studies unit on U.S Symbols and George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. The children researched Abraham Lincoln. They listened to several books and watched a video about his life on Brainpopjr. As a class we wrote a list of important facts about Abraham Lincoln’s life and filled out a graphic organizer. The children then chose five important facts to record on their facts sheet.

100th Day Fun!

On Wednesday, the children celebrated the 100th day of school. They looked great dressed up like they were 100! The children enjoyed participating in an assortment of 100th day activities. They created a 100th day crown showing different ways to make 100. The children heard the story, 100th Day Worries. They wrote a story about what they would do if they had 1oo dollars. In the afternoon, the children had 100th day math stations. We had a wonderful 100th day of school! Enjoy our slide show below. 

                                   

Valentine’s Day!

On Friday, the children celebrated Valentine’s Day. In the afternoon, they completed some valentine math activities. After math, the children had their valentine’s party. They began the party with a valentine inspired science experiment. Using conversation hearts and water, sprite, and vinegar, the children experimented with what happened when the hearts were placed in the different liquids. They recorded their observations on a recording sheet. Then, the children enjoyed all the delicious treats that were sent in, passed out their valentines, and heard a story.

                                     

A special thank you to our room rep, Mrs. Stevenson. Thank you for organizing the science experiment and the treats for our valentine’s party. Thank you to all the families who provided paper products and treats. You made our party a yummy success! Thank you!

I would like to thank all of you for making my Valentine’s so special. I love the valentines and yummy treats. Thank you so much!

Star Student

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

Royal Reader

A special thank you to Oskar’s mom, she joined us this week as our Royal Reader. The children enjoyed listening to the two stories that Mrs. Lesniak read, Telephone and Kid Sheriff and the Terrible Toads.

Notes:

• Thank you to everyone for sending in glue sticks!

• Tuesday, February 17th is a Monday schedule. 

Have a great rest of the long weekend!