Reading Update

Readers are working hard as we learn and incorporate these skills during our non-fiction unit:

-Preview a book to learn about the topic.
-Notice similarities and differences between fiction and nonfiction texts.
-Explain facts or details using text features and distinguish between what facts were provided by -pictures and what facts were conveyed via words
-Use text features to locate specific information in text
-Use text features to restate the main topic
-Describe the connection between two pieces of information in a text
-Use pictures to find details and information to support the text.
-Ask and answer questions to clarify meaning
-Distinguish between fiction and nonfiction
-Identify examples of sensory details
-Visualize the text to infer what happened before and after.
-Synthesize a text by putting all the parts of the text together.
-Recall key details learned in a book.
-Take turns building ideas talking about a book with a partner.
-Apply decoding strategies and notice patterns in nonfiction text.
-Notice patterns in the beginning, middle, and end of words.
-Break apart words and put words back together.
-Check that words look right and make sense.
-Use word meaning to decode new words.
-Determine word meaning from the context
-Use keywords when thinking and talking about information learned.
-Reread a page different ways until it sounds right.
-Distinguish important vs. interesting details.
-Read with expression.

Data

We have started our data unit in math. Learning outcomes for this (short) unit:

Students will be able to...

-organize and interpret data with up to three categories
-represent data with up to three categories
-ask and answer questions about the total number of data points.
-ask and answer questions about how many in a category.
-ask and answer questions about how many more or less are in one category than in another.

writing

We continue to work on our beginning, middle, and end unit. We have studied narratives and fiction books to see how real authors craft an interesting story. We have learned that good stories usually contain: setting, character(s), problem, and solution.

This week we are really focusing on adding more details. The format we will learn involves the students practicing writing at least 3 supporting details throughout the middle of their story. While that's a great starting point, many students are ready to add more than 3 details in the middle. Students will learn how they can use details to create a clear picture in their reader's minds.

The Importance of Sleep

Wanted to share some great info that came home last week! Personally I am working on getting more sleep right now. It's important to remember how much our kiddos need it.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1C5oLyaVWjc_v815DjC5Oau8WMQqsDNIM/view

Calendar

December 10 - PTO Winter Fundraiser  - Shop w/ Scrip Form DUE
December 12 - Math League Meeting 4th & 5th Gr (7:45 am)
December 12 - Science Project "How To" Night (6:30pm-Library)
December 12 - PKWY Board of Ed Mtg (7pm @Central Middle)
December 17 - Central Regional Art Show (6-8pm-Central High)
December 18 - PTO Winter Fundraiser Pickup (9-11am & 3-4pm)
December 19 - Math League Meeting 4th & 5th Gr (7:45 am)
December 20 - Early Dismissal Day (Dismissal @ 1:05pm)
December 20 - PAMEE Mtg (6-7:30pm) at ISC Building
December 20 - 2nd Gr Girl Scouts Donation Drive ENDS
December 21 - NO SCHOOL -- Winter Break (12/21-1/2)
January 3 - School Resumes
January 7 - Band Instrument Demonstration / Information Night
                   @Central Middle for 5th Grade Parents (7-9pm)

Dates

December 4 - Grades 3-5 Hour of Code (7:50 am)
December 4 - 3rd Gr Field Trip (Davis & Williams)
December 5 - Math League Meeting 4th & 5th Gr (7:45 am)
December 6 - 3rd Gr Field Trip (Edelmann & Mohrmann)
December 6 - 2nd Gr Girl Scouts Donation Drive BEGINS
December 7 - PTO Dance Party in the GYM (6:30-8pm)
December 10 - PTO Winter Fundraiser  - Shop w/ Scrip Form DUE
December 12 - Math League Meeting 4th & 5th Gr (7:45 am)
December 12 - Science Project "How To" Night (6:30pm-Library)
December 12 - PKWY Board of Ed Mtg (7pm @Central Middle)
December 17 - Central Regional Art Show (6-8pm-Central High)
December 18 - PTO Winter Fundraiser Pickup (9-11am & 3-4pm)
December 19 - Math League Meeting 4th & 5th Gr (7:45 am)
December 20 - Early Dismissal Day (Dismissal @ 1:05pm)
December 20 - PAMEE Mtg (6-7:30pm) at ISC Building
December 20 - 2nd Gr Girl Scouts Donation Drive ENDS

Scholastic Book Order

Book orders are coming home Monday, December 3. They are due by 4:00 PM on Monday, December 10th. Let me know via e-mail if any items in the order should be saved for you to get from me or put in backpacks discreetly. :)

Thanks!

Word Work Update

This week:   -ing          you/your

12/3: -s    -es      has/or       challenge list (optional): pumpkins, forgets, scissors, munches, babies, bushes

12/10: -ed      be/by            challenge list (optional): shopped, clapped, shouted, started, rained, carved

12/17:  -ch    -th    with/that challenge list (optional): scratched, branches, choose, brother, another, clothes

New Science Starts Today!

Students are excited to be beginning our next science unit: Light & Sound. Students will use what they learn in this unit during our final science unit later on in the school year. During this unit students will learn that all products created by designers and engineers were created to meet a human need or want. One of the most basic of human needs is to communicate over a distance. In this module, students will investigate light and sound, including vibration from sound waves and the effect of different materials on the path of a beam of light. The students will use a design process to sketch, build, test, and reflect on a device that uses light or sound to communicate over a distance.
Students read about three fictional characters facing a similar design problem. Mylo, Suzie, and Angelina are lost and need to use only the materials in their backpacks to communicate using light or sound.

Look for some fun pictures on our Instagram account around our science work together in the coming weeks!

Reading

We continue to work on reading non-fiction! The students are having so much fun reading non-fiction texts, learning how to use text features, and learning new facts about a variety of topics! Over the next couple of weeks we will work on these skills:

-Learn how to talk with a partner about a non-fiction text.
-Readers re-read to make sure they understand
-Readers think about what they already know about a topic, ask questions to learn more, and have a way to share what they have learned
-Learn strategies for tackling new "super hard" vocabulary words they may encounter in their reading

Math

We continue to work our way through topic 5 of our first unit. The concepts take a large step up in rigor during this topic. These are the skills we continue to work on:

- Finding the unknown part of an equation with the unknown in any position
- Use models and understanding of relationship between addition and subtraction to solve for the missing piece of an equation
- Determine whether an equation is true or false
Ex:  6+3=7+2  TRUE         10-2=2+2   FALSE
-Make true equations
-Solve equations and word problems with THREE addends

Continue practicing on addition and subtraction math facts at home! That knowledge helps support all our math learning!

Writing

This week we are beginning our new unit "Telling Good Stories". We are switching gears from non-fiction writing back to narrative and/or fiction. According to Lucy Calkins, “The urge to tell stories begins when children are very young.  They love to tell you imagined stories and not entirely real Small Moment stories..."  In Kindergarten, students learned to sequence stories across the pages of a book, add feelings and include a beginning and end.  We will expand this work in First grade by developing transitions with temporal words to signal event order.  Students will also learn how strong verbs and adjectives are used to develop plot and character.


This unit offers a great opportunity to learn to use three specific parts of speech (verbs, adjectives, and prepositions) with specific purpose – to help in the creation of a scene – a physical place where action is happening.


Telling Good Stories not only supports a child’s growth as a writer, but also as a storyteller.  Storytelling skills will help students’ reading comprehension, conversational skills, and imagination.  The genre of narrative writing can be used as a crafty approach to sharing a variety of content knowledge. Students will grow in their speaking and listening skills as they share their compositions.

Essential Questions for this unit:
How do people compose a good story?
How do people develop a good story?

Dates

November 27 - Choir Concert (6:30pm)
November 27 - 2nd Grade Music Program (7:15pm)
November 28 - Late Start Day 2-Hour (11:05 am)
December 4 - Grades 3-5 Hour of Code (7:50 am)
December 4 - 3rd Gr Field Trip (Davis & Williams)
December 5 - Math League Meeting 4th & 5th Gr (7:45 am)
December 6 - 3rd Gr Field Trip (Edelmann & Mohrmann)
December 7 - PTO Dance Party in the GYM (6:30-8pm)
December 12 - Math League Meeting 4th & 5th Gr (7:45 am)
December 12 - Science Project "How To" Night (6:30pm-Library)
December 17 - Central Regional Art Show (6-8pm-Central High)

Happy Veteran's Day!

New Science Unit

After Thanksgiving break we will begin our next Science unit. We will be studying light and sound! This is the second of three brand new science units we are using this year. Just as in our Animal Adaptations unit students will acquire new knowledge and then have the opportunity to participate in a project and a cumulative project which solves a real world problem.

In this module students will investigate light and sound. They will learn about vibrations of sound and their impact on various materials on the path of a beam of light. The students will use a design process to sketch, build, test, and reflect on a device that uses light and/or sound to communicate over a distance.

Students will....

-List products created by engineers and designers that meet a human need or want.
-State questions that engineers may ask when gathering information about a situation people want to change.
-Identify the differences between a new object and an improved object.
-Recognize that light and sound travel over distances.
-Describe how we hear sound.
-Describe how we see objects.
-Describe what can happen when different materials are placed in the path of a beam of light.

Students will also be creating a presentation explaining their final design to their peers.

Social Studies - Families Now and Long Ago

Students have been studying family life from long ago and comparing it with their life today. During this unit students are:

-describing the common needs that all people and families have.
-comparing and contrasting family life today with the life of older relatives or other adults who play a significant part in their life.
-comparing and contrasting family life today with family life of different groups of people long ago, including things such as:
celebrations
communication
homes
jobs
recreation
roles
school
technology

Reading

We are about to finish our Word Detectives unit on reading strategies. Students will be receiving their word detective badges from the agency this week ;)

Next up is a non-fiction unit! This is always lots of fun. The kids will have the opportunity to explore a variety of non-fiction texts such as books, magazines, online databases, websites, etc. Some outcomes for this unit are:

Readers use everything on the page to learn about a topic.
Readers use strategies to understand new vocabulary.
Readers reread text to notice craft moves and improve fluency.

Math

This week we will be finishing up topic 4. We are still in our first math unit. Here are some concepts we will be working on this week:

-Using addition to subtract - basically looking for related inverse addition facts related to subtraction facts

-Explain subtraction strategies - really working on explaining our math thinking to demonstrate thorough understanding

-Solving different types of addition and subtraction problems with unknowns in different positions

Ex:   ____+6=10                 4+_____=10          4+6=______


Topic 5 beginning next week:

-More work with finding unknown numbers -  having an understanding of how addition and subtraction facts are related will really help with this work

-Make true equations

Ex:    3+6=8+___

-Story problems with three addends

Word Work

There will be NO WORD WORK the week of 11-5 or 11-19 due to time off school.

11-12: -ug  -ump       accountable words: he/big
11-26: -ing                accountable words: you/your
12-3: -s   -es (endings) accountable words: has/or


Chunks we have worked on so far:
-at
-an
-all
-ad
-ap
-ack
-et
-ell
-ent
-est
-in
-it
-ill
-ick
-op
-ot

These are always great to pull out for word work at home. This site has some fun ideas for ways to practice spelling if you get bored over these cold winter months ;)

https://thisreadingmama.com/hands-on-spelling-activities/

Writing

Students continue to work on their non-fiction teaching books. The kids are writing about a variety of topics they know all about! It has been so much fun seeing them apply text features and craft into their teaching books! Students have used a checklist to evaluate whether or not their teaching book includes all the parts it should. Students have worked with a partner to make some revisions and additions to clear up clarifying questions from a reader. Last week students added a table of contents to their book. The hope over the next week is that students can complete another book or two so when we publish these books right before our Thanksgiving break they will have several to choose from.

When we return from break we will begin our unit: Telling Good Stories - Beginning, Middle, End. During this unit we work on adding more content, details, topic-specific vocabulary and of course will continue to work on grade-level mechanics such as appropriate use of capital letters and punctuation. Essential Questions for this unit:


How do people compose a good story?
How do people develop a story?

This will shift our focus back from non-fiction writing to more fiction and/or personal narratives depending on what students choose to write about.

Essential Questions

Can you believe the first trimester is pretty much over? WOW - 1/3 of the school year. Slow down...! Here are the essential questions we are currently working on:

Writing:
Why do writers write teaching books?
How do I write a nonfiction chapter book?
How can I make my book even better?

Math:

How does knowing many strategies help me to be a better problem solver?

How can the relationship between addition and subtraction help me to solve problems?

How can I communicate my math thinking?

---> New Unit beginning December is Data

Reading:

How do I solve hard words?

How do snap words help me read?

New unit next week: Non-fiction/Reading about our world

How do I learn about a topic?

How do I understand new words?

Why do I reread?

Social Studies:

Students have been studying this unit (Families Now and Long Ago) with Mrs. Cacioppo :)

How has family life stayed the same and changed over time?

Canned Food Drive

Canned food drive will be the week of 11-12!

Dates

October 30 - Pumpkin Run during PE (Wear Orange)
October 31 - 2-Hour Late Start Day (11:05 am)
October 31 - Kids Voting Day
October 31 - New Check in System - Soft Start
November 1 - New Check in System Begins
November 2 - 4th Gr Field Trip
November 2 - End of 1st Trimester
November 2 - Veterans Day Form Due
November 5 - NO SCHOOL: Records Day
November 6 - NO SCHOOL: Professional Development Day
November 9 - Veterans Day Parade & Assembly (9:05-10:30am)
November 12 - Food Drive BEGINS
November 14 - Board of Education Mtg @Central Middle 7pm
November 15 - 2nd Grade Music Concert (6:30-7pm)
November 15 - PAMEE (Parents Advocating for Multicultural Excellence in                                   Education Meeting at Instructional Services Center (6-7:30pm)
November 16 - Food Drive ENDS
November 16 - 1st Trimester Progress Reports Accessible Online

Empathy

This week we've talked as a class about empathy - trying to understand how someone else is feeling. We watched these videos to help the kiddos understand better. We talked about strategies to stay out of the "maze" the videos reference.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENIB2H3S_oQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6WNRMj4970

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRjYgfFnrL4

Halloween Costumes

Halloween is just around the corner! We will have our fall party Wednesday, October 31 at 2:55. Parents are welcome to attend! Students may bring their costume to school that day to change into right before the party. If you are attending and wish to bring their costume, that is fine! It works best if your child wears comfy clothes they can easily slip their costume on over if possible. Here are some tips from Dr. C. regarding costumes:

When planning your costumes, please keep the following in mind:

-Costumes should be tasteful, modest, and appropriate for a school environment.

-No form of weapon, blood, or gore may be part of the costume.

-Students will have time to slip into their costumes just before the party begins at 2:55.

-Students are allowed to wear masks during the party

-No additional handheld props (ex. lightsaber, hockey stick, etc.)

Please let me know if you have any additional questions. Thanks!

Dates

October 22 - PTO Meeting / Safety Presentations (6:30pm)
October 22-26 - Healthy Kids, Healthy Choices Week
October 25 - Parkway Park Tour @Faust Park (6-8pm)
October 26 - 2nd Gr Field Trip
October 26 - Trunk or Treat @6:30 pm (cars arrive 5:30-6:15pm)
October 31 - 2-Hour Late Start Day (11:05 am)
October 31 - Kids Voting Day
October 31 - New Check in System - Soft Start
November 1 - New Check in System Begins
November 2 - 4th Gr Field Trip
November 2 - End of 1st Trimester
November 2 - Veterans Day Form Due
November 5 - NO SCHOOL: Records Day
November 6 - NO SCHOOL: Professional Development Day
November 9 - Veterans Day Parade & Assembly (9:05-10:30am)

Next Week...

HEALTHY KIDS…..HEALTHY CHOICES
(October 22nd – October 26th, 2018)

Please join us in celebrating this week dedicated to students making healthy and safe choices in all areas of their lives! Pledge to eat healthy, get enough sleep, never put bad things in our bodies or brains and treat others with respect and kindness! Let’s pledge to stand together and let your good character SHINE through!
Monday, 10/22: Let’s ROCK our Healthy Choices!
Dress like a Rock Star!

Tuesday, 10/23: Treating your body poorly is CRAZY!
Crazy Hair and Crazy Hat Day!
(No colored hair spray, please!)

Wednesday, 10/24: Our future is so BRIGHT!
Wear your favorite“shades”!

Thursday, 10/25: Exercise and Sleep keeps your
 Body and Mind Healthy!
Wear your Favorite Sport Logo or PJ’s.

Friday, 10/26: SOCK it to Unhealthy Choices
Silly Sock Day!



SLEEP REQUIREMENTS:
5 – 6 years: 10 ¾ - 11 hours
7 – 8 years: 10 ½ - 11 hours
 9 years: 10 – 10 1/3 hours
 10 – 12 years: 9 ¾ - 10 hours
  13 – 24 years: 9 – 9 ½ hours

Math

We are working on topic 3 of Unit 1 this week and will begin topic 4 next week. Students continue to work on developing and applying a variety of addition and subtraction problems, show their work, and explain their math thinking.

Strategies emphasized during topics 3:
1. Number line
2. Doubles Facts (ex. 3+3)
3. Near Doubles (ex. 3+4 or 3+5)
4. Make 10 to add numbers (ex. 9+7 could be modified to 10+6)

Students are learning that different strategies may be helpful based on what the different problems are they are trying to solve. A good mathematician will use a strategy that best fits the mathematical situation.

Strategies emphasized during topic 4: (subtraction)
1. Count back using a number line
2. Make 10 to subtract
3. Fact families (see addition and subtraction relationships)

Writing Non-Fiction Books

Last week students began brainstorming topics for their non-fiction books. Students used a graphic organizer to think of games they know how to play, things they know how to make or cook, people or places they know a lot about, etc. We also learned about the difference between a fact and an opinion and learned that writers use facts when writing non-fiction books. We are going to be using one or more of those ideas this week as students begin writing books to teach others about their topics. We will really focus on our reader and think about adding all the details we need for them to understand/learn from our books.

Habit 7 This Week!

Dates

October 15 - Project Parkway Meeting @ Central High (6:30-8pm)
October 16 - Picture Retake Day
October 17 - Board of Education Mtg @Central Middle (7pm)
October 18 - KDG Field Trip
October 22 - PTO Meeting / Safety Presentations (6:30pm)
October 22-26 - Healthy Kids, Healthy Choices Week
October 25 - Parkway Park Tour @Faust Park (6-8pm)
October 26 - 2nd Gr Field Trip
October 31 - 2-Hour Late Start Day (11:05 am)
November 2 - 4th Gr Field Trip
November 2 - End of 1st Trimester

Habit #6

This week we are learning about Habit 6

Class Mission Statement

As part of our school-wide Leader in Me initiative, each classroom is creating their own mission statement. Today we brainstormed a list of what each student hopes to gain from first grade. From this we looked for commonalities and came up with our very own mission statement:

In Mrs. Koenig’s class we will have fun as we learn new skills, share ideas, and grow friendships!

Habit #5

We will continue to work on Habit #5 this week at school. :)

Writing

This week we are "publishing" one of your child's small moment personal narrative pieces. All the other pieces should have come home. Throughout the week we will learn about the revision and editing process. We will celebrate next week by sharing our books!

Word Detectives!

We have started our Word Detectives reading unit. This is such a fun unit where we will be "secret agents" getting clues on how to become better readers. Our teaching point each day will come via sealed top secret envelope!

Essential questions for this unit are:

How do I solve hard words?
How do snap words help me read?

Some skills we will be learning throughout the lessons:

**Notice and stop at words that are not understood

**Use strategies to seek clarification for unknown words including both word level strategies and context strategies

**Monitor comprehension while reading

Try new strategies to solve hard words if initial strategy does not help

Slowly check words

Look through a word for common affixes, root words, and endings

Break apart words by sounds and syllables, including compound words and contractions

Notice patterns in the beginning, middle, and end of words 

Use spelling patterns to decode beginnings of words, vowels within words (side by side vowels), and endings of words

The ** indicates comprehension skills

Science

We are in activity 3 of our Animal Adaptations investigation! Here are some resultant skills students should have following our work in this activity:

- Identify differences/similarities between organisms adapted to different environments
-Recognize there are different environments around the world with different characteristics
-Categorize animal and plant adaptations (camouflage, food, locomotion, protection)
-Draw and communicate conclusions about observed animal and plant adaptations
-Maintain a notebook to document work

This week we are world travelers exploring a variety of habitats: ocean, arctic, rain forest, desert, etc. In each habitat students are learning about animals and the adaptations they have to help them survive in that environment.

Dates

October 1-4 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - (Parent Sign Up)
October 1-3 - Fall Book Fair (4-5pm)
October 3 - Voluntary Flu Vaccination Clinic (9:15-10:15 am)
October 4 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (4:30-8:30 pm)
October 4 - Fall Book Fair (4-8pm)
October 4 - Box Tops Collection Drive ENDS
October 8 - NO SCHOOL
October 11 - PTO Kickball Game on the Blacktop (5-6:30pm)
October 13 - Fall Beautification Day (8-11am)
October 15 - Project Parkway Meeting @ Central High (6:30-8pm)
October 16 - Picture Retake Day
October 17 - Board of Education Mtg @Central Middle (7pm)
October 18 - KDG Field Trip

Affirmations for Kids

I am loved.
I listen to my heart.
I am safe.
I have lots of friends who love me.
My dreams are coming true.
I am helpful.
I am friendly.
Every problem has an answer.
I am kind.
I can do it.
I play well with others.
I’m intelligent.
I learn from my mistakes.
I act responsibly.
I am calm.
I love myself even though I sometimes fail.
Every day brings new opportunities.
I accept and love myself.
I am kind.
I am relaxed.
I have faith in myself.
I am brave.
I have trust in myself.
I am generous.
I am loving.
I meet great decisions.
I am kind to all.
I am protected.
Whatever I do, I give my best.
I am exactly where I need to be.
I trust in my abilities.
I solve problems.
I am unique.
I have lots of energy.
I am peaceful.
I can become whatever I want to be.
I embrace change.
I make friends easily.
My intuition is a guide showing me the right direction.
I accomplish great results.
I have a beautiful imagination.
I am confident.
I welcome the unfoldment of events.
I am caring.
I find creative solutions to my problems.
I think positive.
I am thankful.
I am courageous.
I am gentle with myself and others.
I am whole.
I enjoy testing new ideas.
I have courage.
I have happy thoughts.
I forgive others for their mistakes.
I reach my goals.
Problems are challenges to better me.
I get better and better every day.
I discover the beauty in everything.
I have positive thoughts.
I am in charge of my life.
All is well.
I enjoy discovering something new.
My family and friends love me for who I am.
I am a good friend to myself.
I enjoy learning.
I have many good friends.
I am very creative.
I believe in my abilities.
I am persistent.
I understand complex problems quickly.
I am forgiving.
I am honest.
I am trustworthy.
I always find ways to overcome challenges
I am compassionate.
I listen to my inner wisdom.
I am open to new and exciting possibilities
I make friends easily
I am growing up well
I give freely.
I am a good influence on others.
I am carrying.
I draw inspiration from life and my role models.
I am awesome.
I have good friends.
I am a good friend.
I am thoughtful and kind.
I enjoy spending time with myself.
I am strong, inside and out.
I am gentle.
I reach for the stars.
Miracles happen to me.
I am joyful.
I am patient.
I am brave.
I am perfect just the way I am.
I keep my body healthy.
I enjoy healthy food.
I am ready to seize the opportunities of the day.
I am awesome.
I care about others.
I feel joy in every corner of my body.
I work hard.
Life is fun.
I meet the right decisions.
I enjoy being cheerful.
I am important.
I can do anything.
I am peaceful.
I approve of myself.
My heart guides me.
I trust my intuition.
I am thankful for being who I am.
I see the good in myself.
I enjoy being happy.
I take pleasure in my life.
I support others with love and kindness.
I enjoy absorbing knowledge like a sponge.
I am a winner.
I am worthwhile of all the love and happiness in the world.
I am proud myself.
I take care of my responsibilities.
I am beautiful.
I like being challenged.
I am a bright student.
I play an important role in the world.
I like myself.
I am thoughtful.
I trust the wisdom in me.
I replace anger with compassion.
I am optimistic.
I am beautiful.
I am excited of the unknown.
I am full of energy.
I respect other people.
I learn from my mistakes.
I love my family and friends.
I receive all the help that I need.
Everything works out just fine.
Wonderful and awesome things happen to me.
I am kind to others.
I enjoy challenging myself.
I forgive myself for making a mistake.
I believe in myself.
I believe in my dreams.
I have the courage to be myself.
I am okay with who I am.

Leader in Me Paradigms

Habit #4 and Habit #5

Last week we learned about Habit #4 - Think Win Win. We learned about how thinking win-win helps us all get along and benefits everyone in the long run. Students thought of some great examples for both the home and school setting! We definitely have to use this habit at school!

This week we are focusing on Habit #5 - Seek First to Understand, then to be Understood. This habit is a tough one for first graders! It teaches us the importance and power of listening with our heart and our eyes. We will be learning about this habit through read alouds and some in class listening activities. As an introduction today we played a game where I gave 3 simple directions (such as 1. touch your knee 2. touch your foot 3. touch your nose) and students had to wait until I had finished before they could actually do the actions. Some of them found this easy and some found it very frustrating!

The habits will continue to be re-visited throughout the school year. Mastery is not expected. (We are all a work in progress!) We would love to see transfer of this language and these ideas throughout the school day and even at home! :0) Mrs. Wagers has a lot of the "7 Habits of Happy Kids" books in the library if you're interested in continuing this work at home!

LiM Leadership folders

We are excited to start our Leader in Me leadership folders! Inside the folder students will keep and track their Math and ELA goals for the year. We will begin putting these folders together this Wednesday on our late start. I look forward to sharing these with you at conferences!

Reading Update

We continue to work on our Readers build good habits unit.

EQ-How do reading partners work together?

This week we are really focusing on how reading partners work together. While we have been partner reading for a few weeks, we have developed some norms and continue to practice our routines to make sure we are making the most of our time together!

Partner reading helps break up our reading block so students are not reading independently the entire hour following our lesson. Working with a partner allows students to demonstrate their knowledge of decoding skills, help support their partner's learning by assisting them in solving tricky words, learn from each other's strengths, and provides the opportunity to have conversations around a text. Just walking around and listening in today to many partnerships I heard the application of much of our learning!

This week they will be practicing using sentence starters/prompts following their reading to talk about their books.

Math Update

EQ's-

How can the relationship between addition and subtraction help me to solve problems?
How can I communicate my math thinking?

We have done work with addition and subtraction and practicing a variety of problem solving strategies. This week we are introducing a new type of story problem - comparing situations. Example: Molly drew 7 butterflies. George drew 3 butterflies. How many more butterflies did Molly draw?

As we have worked on story problems we have focused on 3 main questions BEFORE we even begin working with the numbers to solve:

1. What do we know?

2. What else do we know?

3. What is the problem I must solve? (Prompting students to look for the question mark and make sure our answer directly answers that question). 

Having this plan of action was helpful today as we started looking at this new type of problem. Many times students want to jump to manipulating the numbers and solving. They are learning to carefully read/listen to the story and making a plan prior to solving. This fits nicely with our Habit #5 work we are doing this week which is "Seek first to understand, then to be understood." 

In order to solve these problems we are working with cubes, drawings, and finding the difference (subtracting). 

We are also going to be doing work with finding the missing number in a story problem. Example: 5 train cars are on the track. Some more cars join them. Now there are 9 train cars. How many cars joined the first 5 train cars? Our part-part-whole model can be very helpful for these types of problems. 

Students will take their second math fact assessment early next week so I can share that data with you at conferences.

At home continue working on fact fluency! I will be sending home a packet at conferences of some games you can play with your child at home to help make these facts more automatic. 

Writing Update

EQ- How can I stretch out a personal narrative?

This week we are focusing on stretching out our personal narratives by telling stories in small steps, adding details, adding feeling and writing with action words. We are reading some mentor texts and noticing the craft authors use to tell their small moment stories. Here are some books we will be reading:

      

We also continue to work on basic sentence structure, starting sentences with a capital letter, and using punctuation at the end of sentences.

Calendar Items

September 24 - Box Tops Collection Drive BEGINS
September 25 - International Passport Night (6:30-8 pm)
September 26 - Late Start Day (School Starts at 11:05)
September 26 - Free & Reduced Program Applications DUE
September 26 - Board of Ed Mtg at Central Middle (7pm)
September 27 - Parkway Park Tour - Queeny Park at 6pm
September 28 - Fall Walk/Bike to School Day (8:15 am)
October 1-4 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - (Parent Sign Up)
October 1-3 - Fall Book Fair (4-5pm)
October 3 - Voluntary Flu Vaccination Clinic (9:15-10:15 am)
October 4 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (4:30-8:30 pm)
October 4 - Fall Book Fair (4-8pm)
October 4 - Box Tops Collection Drive ENDS
October 8 - NO SCHOOL
October 11 - PTO Kickball Game on the Blacktop (5-6:30pm)
October 13 - Fall Beautification Day (8-11am)

Word Work

Week of 9/17	-ap     -ack	No     she
Week of 9/24	(sh)   -ash	Get   tell
Week 10/1	-et   -ell	Went   best

October Book Fair

Our book fair is just around the corner! Some information came home yesterday including a flyer of books. Here are the times the fair will be open:

Monday October 1  4-5 PM

Tuesday October 2  4-5 PM

Wednesday October 3  4-5 PM

Thursday October 4  4-8 PM

Students will be able to make purchases at school on Monday October 1 during our library time

Math Vocabulary Cards

Within each math UNIT we will be completing different TOPICS. We began unit 1 with topic 2 and now are going back to work on topic 1. (confused yet?!) Haha!

 At the beginning of each topic we always start with vocabulary terms. We will complete the cards either together or with partners and then the children will bring their vocabulary cards home. These might be helpful as your child works on homework at home, so I would recommend keeping them handy during our units. This is also a great way for you to see what we will be working on over the coming weeks.

Birthday FAQ's

I always get a lot of questions regarding birthdays, so I just wanted to share some quick "frequently asked questions" for your reference.

Do you celebrate birthdays at school? YES! We love to celebrate every child's special day!

Do you celebrate half-birthdays at school? YES! IF your child's birthday falls when we are not in school (June, July, August) then we will celebrate their HALF birthday. For instance, if your child's birthday is June 5, we would celebrate them on December 5.

May I send in something special on my child's special day to share with the class? YES! In order to keep everyone safe, no food items are allowed. There are still plenty of fun non-food possibilities. Just a few ideas from years past: send in a pencil, eraser, sticker, or small trinket item for the students, send in a new recess ball for our class to use at recess, send in an indoor recess game, send in a new book to be added to the classroom library. Sending in items is TOTALLY OPTIONAL! Please do not feel it is necessary. Some families choose to send items and others do not and whatever you choose to do is just fine! I like to give ideas because some families really like to send items in on that day.

Can I send birthday party invitations to school for my child to pass out? YES! IF you send one for EACH child in the class, then this is allowed.

Can you provide me information for other students in the class? NO. Unfortunately I am unable to share other parents' information with you (phone numbers, e-mail addresses, etc.) If you are wanting to only invite specific students, you will need to utilize the buzz book for that information. Thank you for your understanding!

On your child's special day they will get to go down to the office for announcements, get a special pencil, receive a silly straw from me, sit on the bean bag chair on the carpet, and choose our read aloud for the day! We will also sing to them first thing in the morning.

I hope you find this information helpful! :0)

Conferences Sign Up is HERE!

Please sign up for a time for us to meet to discuss your child's progress!

Fall Conference Sign Up

Calendar Info

September 21 - 4th Grade PE Field Trip
September 23 - Parkway Family Day at Busch Stadium
September 24 - Box Tops Collection Drive BEGINS
September 25 - International Passport Night (6:30-8 pm)
September 26 - Late Start Day (School Starts at 11:05)
September 26 - Free & Reduced Program Applications DUE
September 27 - Parkway Park Tour - Queeny Park at 6pm
September 28 - Fall Walk/Bike to School Day (8:15 am)
October 1-4 - Parent/Teacher Conferences - (Parent Sign Up)
October 1-3 - Fall Book Fair (4-5pm)
October 3 - Voluntary Flu Vaccination Clinic (9:15-10:15 am)
October 4 - Parent/Teacher Conferences (4:30-8:30 pm)
October 4 - Fall Book Fair (4-8pm)
October 4 - Box Tops Collection Drive ENDS
October 8 - NO SCHOOL

Social Studies

We are having SO MUCH FUN with the Cultural Traditions assignment. We are all learning a lot about one another and new traditions! Myself, included!

Habit 3

This week we are learning about Habit 3 : Put First Things First (Work First, then Play). The gist of this habit is setting priorities. This can be a difficult skill for first graders (and let's be real, sometimes grown ups too!) We will be discussing school and home examples of this habit!

Keep in mind that sometimes for kiddos, their PLAY IS THEIR WORK! :0)

Science - Animal Adaptations

This year we have adopted a new science curriculum called Project Lead the Way. We are very excited to dig into these new units and get students involved in learning about our new topics! As I shared on curriculum night, we are departmentalizing with Science and Social Studies a bit this year, so at some point your student will be learning Social Studies units from another first grade teacher. I am teaching only Science this year.

The new science curriculum gives us access to new technology for our classrooms - tablets.

Later this week we will begin science by talking about what science is and what a scientist looks and acts like. Then students will have the opportunity to use the tablets to explore some of the applications we will use with the science activities.

The way the modules are set up are to explore and gain information and then apply that information to complete activities and solve problems. The learning is cooperative and students will be working in groups of 2-4 to complete modules.

Our first unit in first grade is called Animal Adaptations. In this module, students are presented with the problem of preparing an ideal traveler for a visit to an extreme environment and designing the ideal shoe for this traveler to wear in this environment. Students apply what they learn about plant and animal adaptations to guide them as they make choices about how to create their shoe. Students will learn what it means for an organism to be adapted to its environment and how different adaptations can be categorized. Through various investigations, students will explore an example of adaptations for protection, camouflage, food, and locomotion. They will complete an inquiry investigation to explore how different beak shapes are best adapted for gathering different foods. They will then investigate organisms that live in an extreme environment and document the variety of adaptations that each of these organisms display. Students will combine all of their knowledge of plant and animal adaptations with their understanding of the extreme environment to prepare their traveler and design their shoe.

Throughout the unit students will be working on a whole host of skills from science to technology. I will share these learning outcomes/goals in smaller chunks week by week. The essential questions we will begin with:
1. How can I sort animals into different groups?
2. What is an adaptation and what is the purpose of adaptations in nature?

Volunteers

If you wish to volunteer this year on field trips, we need you to apply through the district:

https://www.parkwayschools.net/domain/783

thank you!

Passing Along... Fall Bucket List

Dr .C. shared this in his weekly update and I thought it was really great! Wanted to share it here as well:

https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/fall-bucket-list/

Calendar Info

September 11 - Patriot Day
September 12 - Chick fil a Fundraiser (5-8 pm)
September 12 - Board of Education Mtg (7pm @ Central Middle)
September 13 - Speaker on Childhood Anxiety (6:30 pm at West High)
September 14 - Dental Program Consent Form DUE
September 21 - 4th Grade PE Field Trip
September 23 - Parkway Family Day at Busch Stadium
September 25 - International Passport Night (6:30-8 pm)
September 26 - Late Start Day (School Starts at 11:05)
September 26 - Free & Reduced Program Applications DUE
September 27 - Parkway Park Tour - Queeny Park at 6pm
September 28 - Fall Walk/Bike to School Day (8:15 am)

Books

Here are some great titles that help teach our seven habits. We will be reading many of these to make connections with out learning.

Calendar Info

September 3 -   NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
September 7 -   Spirit Wear Order Form DUE
September 7 -   Back to School Carnival (6-8 pm)
September 12 - Chick fil a Fundraiser (5-8 pm)
September 12 - Board of Education Mtg (7pm @ Central Middle)
September 14 - Dental Program Consent Form DUE
September 21 - 4th Grade PE Field Trip
September 23 - Parkway Family Day at Busch Stadium

Book Bags

Book bags will begin coming home Tuesday with your child. They will be able to bring home a book each evening from their book box. I have completed the first assessment and can begin on my 1:1 Fountas and Pinell reading assessments next week. Please remember that that data is really going to give me the best picture of where your child should be instructionally. Currently I am using data from kindergarten and a brief 1:1 reading with your child to determine what's in their book box. Also, keep in mind that the books your child is bringing home is to be a level or two LOWER than where I am instructing them here at school. If the books coming home seem wildly inappropriate (either way too easy or hard) please let me know! As we learn the new routines of changing out books, checking out books, etc. it does happen sometimes that kiddos get confused and have incorrect levels in their boxes.

As soon as I finish my assessments I can begin guided reading groups - my favorite!

Thanks for reading nightly with your child at home!

Skill Check

These are the super skills we will be working on next week in each of the content areas:

Writing:


-Use events from life to write a small moment story.
-Plan writing before starting.
-Use pictures to help add words to tell stories.
-Spell by stretching out each word and recording the sounds they hear.
-Zoom in on a small moment to write with a focus.
-Storytell ideas out loud to other writers.
-Reread writing to make sure it is clear and makes sense for readers.

Math:

-Fact fluency within 10

-Doubles/Near doubles

-Using a ten frame to add

-Understanding that addends can be added in any order

-Refresher on subtraction concepts

-Story Problems

Reading:

-Preview the text to get ready for reading

-Engage with and read text that is developmentally appropriate

-Build reading stamina

-Set goals 

-Reread to make their reading smoother

-Read with fluency

-Reread to learn more

-Use pictures to solve hard words

-Self-assess reading habits

Social Studies:

-This week we talked about friendship and teamwork

-We will continue to talk about team work and building our classroom community next week

-Next Thursday we will begin sharing about our background and cultural traditions. Please watch for a letter coming home early next week about this. There is a place you can write a short sentence or two about one of your family traditions for your child to share.

Leadership Roles

In our classroom rather than having "classroom jobs" which rotate each week, students choose what job they are interested in doing and spend a few weeks becoming experts in their area. This week students were able to write down their top 3 choices for their first leadership role in the classroom. We have begun these roles. The neat thing about this system is it allows for students to serve in areas of their interest and strength. Also, these roles can grow and change as the needs in our classroom change so roles may end up looking different from year to year. Ask your child what his or her leadership role is!

7 Habits

This week we focused on Habit #1. Next week we will be doing some lessons on Habit #2!

Word Work

Tuesday, September 4th we are beginning our weekly word work. Please refer to the handout from curriculum night throughout the year to see where we are at with our "spelling patterns" and accountable words for the week. Here are the next 3 weeks:

-at       -an               all   had

-all   -ad                  back   the

-ap    -ack                no  she

On Mondays students will take a very short pre-assessment including words with these patterns and the two accountable words. Each day during the week we will do some sort of activity or lesson with the spelling patterns, and on Fridays the students will take a very short post-assessment of the patterns and accountable words. You will notice the words given on the pre and post assessments are not the same. The purpose is not for students to memorize the words, but to learn how the spelling pattern works and be able to apply it into making new words. The pre and post assessments will come home the following week. Our goal is to see growth on these. For instance, if a child has +3/8 Monday and on Friday has +6/8 that means their understanding of these patterns has improved.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Calendar Info

August 28 - School Picture Day - Order Online
August 28 - Curriculum Night (6:30-8pm)
August 29 - 2 Hour Late Start Day (School Begins at 11:05 am)
August 31 - Passport Night Sign-Up Form DUE
September 3 -   NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
September 7 -   Spirit Wear Order Form DUE
September 7 -   Back to School Carnival (6-8 pm)
September 12 - Chick fil a Fundraiser (5-8 pm)
September 12 - Board of Education Mtg (7pm @ Central Middle)
September 14 - Dental Program Consent Form DUE

Good Morning Song

We love to incorporate music into our morning meets a few days a week! Here is the song we have been learning this week:


Good Morning Song

Social Studies

This first unit is really about establishing our classroom community and learning about rules and laws and how to be a citizen. Students will begin first grade social studies with the study of citizenship, rules, rights and responsibilities in a society.  The classroom and school contexts will be used to help students understand how these things help to create a system of order and justice and that they contribute to the overall common good of the school.

In addition, we will share information about ourselves and our families. The students love sharing their "me bags" as they get to know one another!

Reading

I LOVE teaching reading! Students grow in reading more in first grade than in any other grade-level! It is a critical year for reading and I love being a part of helping them grow!

The most important part of ensuring optimal progress for all during reading is establishing and implementing routines. Our reading time each day will consist of a whole group mini-lesson focused on a skill, independent reading time to practice the learned skill, partner reading, and guided reading groups with me. We do not partner read every day but this is an important part of our workshop model as it provides the chance for students to learn with a partner and deepen comprehension by communicating about a text. I strive to meet with reading groups a minimum of 1-2 times per week. This gives me the ability to work on individual students and small groups on skills specific to their level of learning.

During the first few weeks students will take two different assessments so I can make sure they are receiving instruction at the level appropriate for them. The first assessment is an online assessment called the SRI. Students will begin taking this later on this week. Following that I will begin administering 1:1 Fountas and Pinnell reading assessments to determine individual reading levels. Beginning in September, we will begin sending book bags home each evening. ** It is very important to remember that the level I am instructing your child at will always be one or two levels above the books you will begin see coming home in nightly book bags. The books that come home will be at their independent level so they can practice their fluency and expression.

This unit is designed to remind first graders of the skills they have learned and emphasize that readers have good habits.  The good reading habits that students will practice are organized in three categories-habits for reading long and strong, habits for solving hard words, and habits for working with a partner.  The emphasis on habits provides a framework for establishing norms, rituals, values and identities that can make a world of difference. 

These skills are addressed in this unit and re-visited throughout the school year as the children's text level increases:
Preview the text to get ready for reading
Engage with and read text that is developmentally appropriate
Build reading stamina
Set goals
Reread to make their reading smoother
Read with fluency
Reread to learn more
Use pictures to solve hard words
Self-assess reading habits
Develop phonemic awareness in the reading process
decode words in context by using letter sound knowledge
Combine sounds from letters and spelling patterns to decode recognizable words
Read high frequency words
Search for meaning in pictures and words
Check their reading to ensure it makes sense and looks right
Try multiple strategies to demonstrate decoding skills
Distinguish between long and short vowel sounds
Introduce a book to a partner
Hold partner accountable for reading habits
Plan and reflect on reading with a partner
Collaborate with a reading partner by following classroom listening rules, responding to comments, taking turns speaking, and asking appropriate questions.

Math

Our first unit is a long one. It is expected to last 8-9 weeks. This unit guides students in how to solve addition and subtraction problems associated with a particular type of real-life addition or subtraction situation.  Each type of situation demonstrates how math can and should be used to model the real-life situation. Students use strategies to develop fluency with addition and subtraction within 10.  Strategies include counting on and counting back, using doubles and near doubles, adding with 5, adding ten, adding in any order, and thinking addition to subtract.  Students adapt these strategies and use the make-10 strategy to add within 20. Key strategies are introduced for solving subtraction facts to 20.  These strategies will serve students by encouraging a deeper and more conceptual understanding of the relationship between addition and subtraction.  Students determine whether addition and subtraction equations are true or false, and they find the missing number in addition and subtraction equations. The Associative property of Addition is introduced as a way to group numbers flexibly to solve problems with three addends. A Big Idea that connects the work in this unit is that a numerical expression or equation can be represented in an infinite number of ways that have the same value.

In addition to our Pearson math curriculum, students will have access to an adaptive learning math program called Dreambox at home and at school. Students will work on Dreambox independently 2-3 times per week at school and will have access to use it at home as much or as little as you want them to. Keep an eye out in the coming week or so for information on how to access this program at home.

Practicing basic math fact fluency at home of addition and subtraction facts 1-10 would be very beneficial for your child. Often you can find flashcards for $1 at either the dollar store or Target in the dollar spot.

Writing

 This unit is designed to encourage children to write about small moments.  Students will write with detail, including showing a character’s small actions, dialogue, and internal thinking.  Students will move with independence through the writing process, choosing an idea, planning their writing by sketching stories across the pages of a booklet, storytelling repeatedly until the story feels just right, and revising to bring more detail and life to their stories.  Ideally, students will write three to four booklets per week, each with the goal of several sentences per page.

Skills we will work on during this unit:

Use events from life to write a small moment story.
Plan writing before starting.
Use pictures to help add words to tell stories.
Spell by stretching out each word and recording the sounds they hear.
Zoom in on a small moment to write with a focus.
Storytell ideas out loud to other writers.
Reread writing to make sure it is clear and makes sense for readers.
Make characters move, speak, think, and feel.
Record action bit-by-bit.
Add details by acting out what happened in their story.
Use known words to spell new words.
Add punctuation marks to help readers read stories.
Study other authors’ craft to learn and try new things in writing.
Fix up and publish favorite pieces.
Reread and use an editing checklist.
Publish including a cover with a title and detailed picture.
Share writing with an audience.

Leader in Me - 7 Habits

We are a Leader in Me school! Students love learning about the 7 Habits of Happy Kids and putting the habits into action! In our classroom community and in our school community, students truly have the ability to lead. Beginning next week (The week of Monday, August 27th) we will be focusing on one habit per week. Stay tuned for more information about LIM throughout the school year from myself, Dr. Cicotte and your own children!

PBIS Lessons

We use PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Support) in conjunction with our Leader in Me character education program. Our PANTHER PRIDE language is our PBIS curriculum. Your student may come home with a panther paw recognizing his or her demonstration of one or more of these values.

P - Practice Safety
R - React Responsibly
I - Initiate Kindness
D - Demonstrate Respect
E - Embrace Cooperation

This week we will be focusing on one letter per day during our morning meetings to teach and review this common language.

We will re-visit these values throughout the school year.

Units of Study and Essential Questions

Before we dive into our academic lessons we will be spending time building routines and procedures in order for lessons and work time to run smoothly. After we establish these routines for each subject area, this is the direction we will be going! For each unit of study we will be referring to our essential questions. Every week or two I will blog about the specific skills and learning activities we are completing for units. My hope is that these updates help parents engage their students in conversations about the learning that is taking place in our classroom!

Writing - Unit: Small Moment/Personal Narratives
Essential Questions:
-What habits help me build stamina?
-How do I write tricky words?
-How do I stretch out a personal narrative?

Math - Unit: Addition & Subtraction 1 (later in the year there will be a second unit which builds upon this and other mathematical learning)

Essential Questions:

-How does knowing many strategies help me to be a better problem solver?

-How can the relationship between addition and subtraction help me to solve problems?

-How can I communicate my math thinking?

Reading - Unit: Building Good Reading Habits

Essential Questions:
-What habits help me as a reader?
-What do I do when words are tricky?
-How do reading partners work together?

Social Studies - Unit: What is a Citizen?

Essential Questions:

-What makes an effective community?

-How can I help make my community a better place to be?

Parkway Academic Calendar

You may want to print or bookmark this Parkway calendar for your reference.

2018-2019 Calendar

Calendar

August 21 - Room Parent Meeting (6pm - Library)
                    PTO Meeting (7pm - Library)
                    5th Grade Celebration Meeting (8pm - Library)
August 28 - School Picture Day
August 28 - Curriculum Night (6:30-8pm)
August 29 - 2 Hour Late Start Day (School Begins at 11:05 am)
September 3 -   NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
September 7 -   Back to School Carnival (6-8 pm)
September 12 - Chick fil a Fundraiser (5-8 pm)
September 12 - Board of Education Mtg (7pm @ Central Middle)

Me Bag

Our first Social Studies unit is What Is A Citizen? In order to get to know other citizens in our class, we are asking each child create a ME BAG. Please help your child choose 4-5 small items that represent him/her. In order to conserve classroom space, all items must fit in the bag. Feel free to be creative! Pictures are always lots of fun! All items will be returned to you after they share their bags. Please send your child's completed ME BAG labeled with their name by Monday, August 20th. We will be sharing these throughout the week next week. Thanks for your help with this, and let me know if you have any questions! Thank you! 

29 questions to ask instead of "how was your day?"

You may get more information this way :0)

What did you eat for lunch?
Did you catch anyone doing something funny?
What games did you play at recess?
What was the funniest thing that happened today?
Did anyone do anything super nice for you?
What was the nicest thing you did for someone else?
Who made you smile today?
Which one of your teachers would survive a zombie apocalypse? Why?
What new fact did you learn today?
Who brought the best food in their lunch today? What was it?
What challenged you today?
If school were a ride at the fair, which ride would it be? Why?
What would you rate your day on a scale of 1 to 10? Why?
If one of your classmates could be the teacher for the day who would you want it to be? Why?
If you had the chance to be the teacher tomorrow, what would you teach the class?
Did anyone push your buttons today?
Who do you want to make friends with but haven't yet? Why not?
What is your teacher's most important rule?
What is the most popular thing to do at recess?
Does your teacher remind you of anyone else you know? How?
Tell me something you learned about a friend today.
What was your favorite subject to study today? Why?
What is one thing you did today that was helpful?
When did you feel most proud of yourself today?
What rule was the hardest to follow today?
What is one thing you hope to learn before the school year is over?
Which person in your class is your exact opposite?
Which area of your school is the most fun?
Which playground skill do you plan to master this year?
Does anyone in your class have a hard time following the rules?

Back to School Tips

Just passing along some tidbits about getting back into the school routine! Feel free to read, or not!

Back to school

Calendar Items

August 14 - Kindergarten Orientation & Meet the Teacher & Buster the Bus Safety Program (8:30-10am)
August 14 - Grades 1-5 Meet the Teacher (3-4pm)
August 15 - First Day of School
August 15 - Boo-Hoo Breakfast for Parents (9am)
August 17 - SVE Night at the Cardinals Game (7:15pm)
August 21 - Room Parent Meeting (6pm)
                  PTO Meeting (7pm)
                  5th Grade Celebration Meeting (8pm)
August 28 - School Picture Day
August 28 - Curriculum Night (6:30-8pm)
August 29 - 2 Hour Late Start Day (School Begins at 11:05 am)
September 3 - NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
September 7 - Back to School Carnival (6-8 pm)

2018-2019 Class Schedule

First Grade Class Schedule 2018-2019

9:10-9:20	Morning Meeting
9:20-10:15	Writing Workshop
10:15-10:30	Recess
10:30-11:20	Math
11:25-11:45 (11:45-11:55 Read Aloud in classroom)	Lunch
11:55-12:30	PMI/Word Work
12:30-12:45	Recess
12:50-1:45	Reading Workshop
1:45-2:45	Specials (See days below)
2:50-3:50	Science/Social Studies
3:50-4:00	Pack-up/Dismissal

Specials:

Monday - Library / PE

Tuesday - Music / PE

Wednesday - PE / Music

Thursday - Art

Friday - Library / PE

*Please send your child in tennis shoes on PE days

Word Work/Homework

This is the last week of homework. We will also be finished with our spelling chunks/blends. We will use the last few days to re-cap our first grade accountable words and/or differentiate as needed. :0)

Over the summer-
Practice the SECOND GRADE accountable words and continue working on the spelling pattern list.

Reading Forecast

We have completed our reading units and Reader's Theater! I am currently working on 1:1 reading assessments. This is my FAVORITE! I love seeing the growth from August to May. It is truly incredible. Each and every student has grown leaps and bounds and should feel so proud!

Skills we will be working on in the coming days:

-Readers keep track of the events in a story and use them to make predictions and retell key details in sequence
-Readers study characters closely to grow ideas about how they think and feel
-Readers pull life lessons from their stories
-Reader grow opinions about books and share their opinions and recommendations

-All stories have common elements.

-Readers have ways to get to know a character.  

-Readers process changes in the story elements to understand their impact on the story as a whole.

Students will work on a variety of comprehension activities independently and with partners.