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!
Friday, August 31, 2018
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.
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!
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!
-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!
Sunday, August 26, 2018
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
Thursday, August 23, 2018
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
Good Morning Song
Sunday, August 19, 2018
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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?
-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?
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)
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)
Thursday, August 16, 2018
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?
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?
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
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
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)
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)
Friday, August 10, 2018
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
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